---

Background: Noise-induced hearing loss is a noticeable clinical issue. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of N-Acetylcysteine on the reduction of permanent noise-induced hearing loss in workers at Hepco Company. Materials and Methods: In this clinical trial, in a one-month period from October to November, 118 male 22-52 year-old workers with at least 5 years of experience working in places with permanent high tone noise (more than 850db) were selected and divided to experimental and control groups. The experimental group received Fluimucil (NAC) and the control group received vitamin B1. Hearing ability of the two groups was evaluated through audiometry after the one-month period. Results: In the control group, hearing loss was significant and it was in direct relationship with age and job experiment. The placebo (vitamin B1) did not have any significant effects on preventing hearing loss. In the experimental group, there was significant hearing loss in higher frequencies and at 6000, a relative improvement was observed, whereas with increases in age and job experience hearing loss became more significant which was rather low in comparison with the control group. Conclusion: The findings of this study shows that using N-Acetylcysteine has significant effects on NIHL (high tone loss) in higher frequencies. This study can be used as the basis for launching future studies on reducing the damages induced by noise

---

Background: HIV-1 and HCV are two of the most important blood-borne infectious agents. Hence, reliable, precise, and sensitive detection of these viruses in infected patients and donated blood units is highly important. Noticing the limitations of serological assays in detection of these infectious agents, this study was to use fast and sensitive molecular assays like real-time PCR. Materials and Methods: In this trial, a home-brewed SYBR green-based multiplex real time PCR, on the basis of melting curve analysis, was developed for the single or simultaneous detection of HCV and HIV-1 infections in plasma samples. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 16. Results: The results obtained from different reactions on several clinical samples showed that the analytical sensitivities of the developed assay for HIV-1 and HCV were 200 and 100 copies/ml, respectively. It was also shown that the primers designed for each virus had no interaction with each other and other interfering agents. Conclusion: Noticing the good level of sensitivity and specificity, easy handling, relatively low cost, and rapid analysis of samples, this method can be a useful and rapid approach for simple and effective detection of HCV and HIV-1 in plasma samples.

---

Background: It has been indicated that there is a relationship between vitamin B12 status and cognitive functioning. Measurement of serum vitamin B12 is routinely performed in patients with memory loss during initial diagnosis. Noticing the role of cholinergic system and vitamin B12 on memory, the aim of this experimental study was to examine the effect of the interactions between vitamin B12 and nicotine on memory retention in passive avoidance learning in adult male rats. Materials and Methods: The present study was an experimental one. Drugs, including vitamin B12 (0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.05, 0.1, and 1 µg/rat) and nicotine (0.1, 0.5, and 1 µg/rat) were administrated after training session intracerebroventriculary (i.c.v.). The drugs were used (i.c.v.) in a volume of 1µl/rat immediately after the training session. The level of memory retention was evaluated by passive avoidance learning. Twenty-four hours after training, a retention test was performed to determine long-term memory. Statistical analysis was carried out using one-way ANOVA test. Results: The results showed that the administration of vitamin B12 and nicotine significantly increased memory retention in rats. Nicotine significantly increased the response to vitamin B12 in memory retention process. Conclusion: Vitamin B12 through interaction with cholinergic system acts in memory retention process.

---

Background: Sodium arsenite has adverse effects on the reproductive system and vitamin E is a strong antioxidant and reproductive factor in the reproductive system. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of vitamin E on the structure and the number of ovarian follicles during its development in rats treated with sodium arsenite. Materials and Methods: Pregnant Wister rats (n=4) were divided into 4 equal groups, including control, vitamin E (100mg/kg/day), sodium arsenite (8mg/kg/day), and sodium arsenite+vitamin E. Oral treatment of the pregnant rats started from the 7th day of pregnancy till the end of the weaning and continued till the age of 120 days. After the treatment period, the right ovary was removed and fixed, and then the mean number of ovarian follicles and atretic follicles, mean thickness of zona pellucida, and volume of oocytes and its nuclei in different types of follicle were determined. Data were analysed using one-way ANOVA and the mean difference was considered significant at P<0.05. Results: In the vitamin E+sodium arsenite group, significant increase(P<0.05) in the total number of follicles, mean number of primordial, primary, secondary, antral, and graafian follicles, significant reduction (P<0.05) in atretic follicles, and significant increase(P<0.05) in the thickness of zona pllucida in secondary and antral follicles as well as oocyte volume in parimordial and primary follicles and its nuclei in primary, secondary, antral, and graffian follicles were observed in comparison with the other groups. Vitamin E in the sodium arsenite+vitamin E group increased the number of different types of follicles and the thickness of the zona pllucida (P<0.05), decreased the number of atretic follicles, and increased the volume of oocyte and its nuclei to the level of the control group. Conclusion: Vitamin E can be administered as a supplement to compensate for the adverse effects of sodium arsenite.

---

Background: The aim of this study is to assess antioxidative and pro-oxidative efficacy of ascorbate on serum albumin during iron-induced oxidative stress. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, albumin was placed in the oxidative system containing iron ions and different concentrations of ascorbate. To monitor albumin degradation, sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was performed according to Laemmli procedure. Oxidative modification of albumin was demonstrated using a method for determination of carbonyl groups by 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine. Results: By applying the carbonyl assay, ascorbate showed a dual effect: initial pro-oxidative effect on albumin changed to an antioxidant one in a dose-dependent manner. Our findings showed prooxidant effects for ascorbate in low concentrations (0-100 µM) and antioxidant effects in higher concentrations (100-300 µM). Also, electrophoretic pattern of plasma proteins showed significant protein aggregations in the range of 35 to 45 kDa of MW and protein degradations in the range of 115 to 180 kDa. Conclusion: Ascorbate can produce reactive oxygen species and can also inhibit the production of these oxidants in the presence of iron ions as well. These findings may be directly applicable to oxidative states during the administration of ascorbate and may be important in preventing oxidative modifications of proteins in blood circulation and other biological fluids.

---

Background: To date, researchers have paid extensive attention to happiness and its relationship with a wide variety of personality, socio-demographic, and health-related factors. However, there is still little research on the issue of happiness. This study was done to investigate happiness and mental health and the relationship between them in the students studying at Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran, in 2010. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out on 315 students at Arak University of Medical Sciences who were randomly selected during 2010. The students' happiness was measured by Oxford questionnaire and their mental health was measured using GHQ28. Data were analyzed by t-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficient, Logistic regression, and Chi-square test using SPSS software. Results: The mean of happiness in the students was 40.72±14.14 with only 9.2% of them in the normal range of happiness. Their mental health score was 25.73±7.47 with 32.1% of them within the normal range. Pearson correlation coefficient showed a statistically significant relationship between happiness score and mental health score (r=-0.14, p=0.012). Conclusion: Happiness and mental health status in the students at Arak University of Medical Sciences necessitate the need for more serious attention to this issue in educational planning.

---

Background: Several different molecular methods have been developed that are capable of detecting HIV-1 in clinical specimens with different levels of sensitivity and specificity. This article describes the results of a reliability study on the development and application of a new real-time TMA method for isothermal detection of HIV-1. Materials and Methods: In this ex Primental study, the molecular beacon primer and probe set were designed for a 176-base-pair region of HIV-1 pol gene using a specialized software. Logarithmic serial dilutions from 10-107 copies of an in-vitro transcribed RNA were used for determination of the analytical sensitivity of the assay. Clinical specimens that had previously been evaluated positive or negative by a valid commercial assay were used for assessing the clinical sensitivity and specificity of the assay. Results: The analytical and clinical sensitivities of the assay were determined 500 copies/ml and 93.3%, respectively. The primers and the probe were HIV-1 specific and no cross-reaction was observed with other blood-borne viruses and human genome bioinformatically. The clinical specificity of the developed real-time TMA assay was examined experimentally using 20 negative samples and determined to be 100%. Conclusion: The developed real-time TMA assay can be used as an appropriate tool for the rapid and isothermal detection of HIV-1 in patients' blood and plasma samples.

---

Background: Pain is a complex problem, which can affect patients' physical and psychological condition. Inadequate postoperative pain control has adverse effects on the patients' physiological, metabolic and mental condition. Adding new supplement will increase the duration of analgesia. This study aimed to comparison of intratechal neostigmine and midazolam in increasing the time of postoperative analgesia. Materials and Methods: In this randomized double blind clinical trial, 60 patients with ASA class Ι, II who were candidate for elective colporrhaphy surgery under spinal anesthesia were randomly divided into 3 groups of 20 patients. All patients received hyperbaric lidocaine 5% and groups I received 1 mg midazolam, groups II received 50 μg Neostigmine and groups III received 0.5 cc normal saline additionally. Then according VAS pain score, postoperative painless duration and pain score were compared between groups by running SPSS software. Results: Mean of painless duration in the Midazolam, Neostigmine and control groups were 98.4±18.2, 74.5±32.6 and 64.5±9.9 minutes respectively which was significantly longer than in Midazolam group (p<0.001). The mean dose of requested analgesia in first 24 hours after surgery was significantly lower in Midazolam group (p<0.001). Conclusion: Inthrathecal midazolam and Neostigmine as a complementary medication to lidocaine 5% can increase painless duration in colporrhaphy surgery and midazolam is more effective than Neostigmine. Key Words : midazolam & Neostygmine , Spinal anesthesia, painless time , colporrhaphy

---

Background: Deaths due to cancer have been increasing in many countries in recent years. Probiotics are live microorganisms that have beneficial effects on consumer’s health. The aim of this study was to investigate antimutagenic and anticancer effects of Lactobacilli strains isolated from Tarkhineh in order to select potential probiotic strains. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 25 strains of Lactobacillus that had previously been isolated from Tarkhineh were used. Antimutagenicity test was performed based on proposed method of Ames. The results of the test were individuated after comparison between samples (suspensions of Lactobacilli) and positive (sodium azide) and negative (distilled water) controls. SPSS version 16 was used for statistical analysis. Results: Antimutagenic activity was observed only in four strains of Lactobacilli. The inhibitory percentage in the four strains of Lactobacilli, in its highest level was equal to 60.38 and in its lowest percentage equal to 39.37%. Also, the inhibitory percentage of mutation among the four strains in the presence of microsome were significantly different (P<0.05) than the absence of microsome. Adding the microsome of rat liver (S9) proved the anticancer effects of four Lactobacilli strains. Conclusion: Of the 25 strains of Lactobacilli, 4 strains which had the highest antimutagenicity effects were chosen as the potential probiotic strains.

---

Background: Since nearly 90% of patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) have high telomerase activity and significant shortened telomere length, these patients have, therefore, been suggested to be good candidates for the therapeutic intervention with telomerase inhibitors. This study was done to investigate the effects of BIBR1532, a non-nucleoside inhibitor of telomerase, on APL cells. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, for investigating the effect of BIBR1532, NB4 leukemic cells were cultured in the presence of various concentrations of BIBR1532. Succeeding apoptosis assay, Caspase-3 activity assay, and quantitative real-time PCR were applied to examine the effect of this drug on apoptosis percenage, enzymatic activity of Caspase-3, and quantitative expression of genes mRNA involved in apoptosis. Results: The results showed that BIBR1532 induced apoptosis in NB4 cells in a dose-dependent maner. Moreover, real time PCR results showed that BIBR1532 led to a significant decrease in mRNA of Bcl-2 gene and signficant increases in transcription of Bax, PUMA, and Caspase-3. Conclusion: Since treatment with BIBR1532 could exert rapid apoptotic cell death in NB4 cells andactivate cellular apoptosis route, anti-telomerase-based therapy can regarded as a suitable strategy for APL treatment. Patients with progressive shortening of telomere length and high levels of telomerase activity are suitable candidates for treatment with telomerase inhibitors.

---

Background: ASSR is the latest threshold detection technology in pediatric audiology. The aim of this study is to investigate the degree to which ASSR thresholds correlate with click-ABR thresholds.

Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 32 children ranging in age from birth to 7 years were evaluated by ASSR and ABR in moderate to severe and severe to profound hearing loss groups.

Results: The correlation coefficients for frequencies of 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000, mean of 2-4 and mean of 1-4 kHz were between 0.68- 0.90 in moderate to severe hearing loss and 0.79-0.96 in severe to profound hearing loss.

Conclusion: Strong correlations were found between ASSR and click-ABR thresholds in all frequencies. This correlation was greater for higher degrees of hearing loss.

---

Background: Peripheral nervous system damages reverse as retrograde to alpha neuron cell bodies and cause spinal degeneration. The fact that herbs, due to their antioxidant properties, have an important role in viability and reproduction of neurons has led to the application of their extracts. Hence, this study was done to determine the neuro-protective effects of the hydroalcoholic extract of Nigella sativa on alpha-motoneurons degeneration after sciatic nerve injury in rats.

Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 24 male Wistar rats with average bodyweight of 250-300gr were divided into four groups of six: Control, compression, A (compression+hydroalcoholic extract 50 mg/kg), and B (compression+hydroalcoholic extract 75 mg/kg). In compression and treatment groups, the right leg sciatic nerve was subjected to compression (30 seconds). In treatment groups, the extract was injected intraperitoneally two times after compression. After 28 days, lumbar segments of spinal cord, L2-L4, were sampled through perfusion method. After going through tissue passage stages, they were cut in serial sections (7µ) and stained with toluidine blue. Then the density of alpha motoneurons of the spinal cord ventral horn was measured by dissector method.

Results: Neuronal density showed a significant difference between the compression and control groups (p<0.05). Also, in treatment groups A and B, it had a significant increase compared to the compression group (p<0.05).

Conclusion: The results indicated that the hydroalcoholic extract of Nigella sativa has neuro-protective effects and the increase in neuronal density is relevant to the amount of extract used.

---

Background: Gastric ulcer treatment with chemical drugs is associated with a multitude of side effect. One of the most important groups of probiotics is lactic acid bacteria. The aim of this study was to investigate the healing effects of Lactobacillus pentosus on gastric ulcer induced by acetic acid.

Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 45 male Wistar rats were divided into experimental, control 1, and control 2 groups. After one day of fasting, the rats were operated and gastric ulcer was induced by acetic acid. One day after surgery, the groups were treated with the 1010 cfu/day bacteria, dissolved in one ml of milk sterilizer, 1 ml of milk sterilizer, and 1 ml of normal saline, respectively, via gavage. On days 1, 4, 7, 10, and 14 after the induction of gastric ulcer, the animals were killed and the wound size (mm2) and the effect of the bacteria on the healing of wounds were measured for each rat.

Results: The treatment with Lactobacillus pentosus strains significantly decreased wound size in the experimental group compared with control groups. Significant increases in the number of neutrophils, macrophages, fibroblasts, significant decreases in the number of neutrophils, macrophages, and increased numbers of fibroblasts were observed in the experimental group compared to the control groups. Also, significant reductions in the number of neutrophils, macrophages, and fibroblasts were seen in the experimental group compared with the other two groups.

Conclusion: Lactobacillus pentosus has healing effects on gastric ulcer induced by acetic acid.

---

Background: Brucellosis is a debilitative disease that imposes heavy costs on the economy and society. Therefore, using the most accurate and efficient method to diagnose this disease is essential. In Iran, Brucella melitensis is the common causative agent for brucellosis and BP26 protein of this bacterium has a good level of antigenicity. Thus, the aim of this study is to produce Brucella melitensis recombinant BP26 protein with a PET28a expression vector.

Materials and Methods: In this applied-fundamental study, genomic DNA was isolated from bacterial culture through proteinase K (pK) and phenol/chlorophorm protocol. Then, two pairs of primers were designed based on the known sequence in the gene bank for amplification of Brucella melitensis bp26 gene and PCR reaction was set up and optimized. The PCR product was cloned first into PTZ57R/T vector and accessed on the PET28a vector and sequenced. The recombinant vector was transformed and expressed into E. coli BL21 (DE3). Then, the recombinant protein was purified with Ni-NTA column of chromatography against His tag.

Results: The size of PCR product was in accordance with the part of bp26 gene size in the gene bank. The bp26 gene without adding IPTG had little expression and 3 hours after adding IPTG with a 1 Mm concentration to culture media, extreme expression was observed.

Conclusion: The production of recombinant BP26 protein from isolated Brucella melitensis native to Markazi province was done. Noticing the importance of BP26 protein and its significance for future studies on providing brucellosis diagnosis kits, its production was made possible.

---

Background: Funnel plot is a graphical tool for investigating publication bias in meta-analysis studies. The aim of this study is to introduce another application of funnel plot that is monitoring one of the Iranian family performance indices and determining the position of each health center of Markazi province in terms of patient referral rates by general practitioners to specialists and to compare it with bar and caterpillar plots.

Materials and Methods: In order to draw the funnel plot, the average monthly percent of referrals for each district of Markazi province in 2011 was computed. In this study, Iranian Ministry of Health and Medical Education standard figure of 10% was considered as the limit of referral to the second level of Iranian health services. The 99% confidence interval of the control limit for each district was computed according to 3 standard deviations of the percent of referrals relative to the total patient visits.

Results: Based on funnel plot results, five out of ten districts were in the expected range of referral (Ashtian, Saveh, Tafresh, Khomein, and Komijan). However, in other five districts, the referral rate was greater than the expected rate (Arak, Shazand, Zarandiyeh, Delijan, and Mahallat). Mahallat district had the highest rate of referral.

Conclusion: The funnel plot was more informative than the other two plots Thus, it can be viewed as a useful tool in monitoring health programs throughout the country.

---

Background: The emergence of drug-resistant strain of M.tuberculosis is one of the most critical issues facing TB researchers and clinicians. Rapid diagnosis of drug-resistant tuberculosis is essential for the prompt initiation of effective second-line therapy to improve treatment outcome and limit transmission of this obstinate disease. The aim of this study is to develop a Real-time PCR assay for the detection of mutations in RRDR (rifampcin resistance determinant region) of rpoB which conferring rifampicin resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

 Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, the primer and probe set were designed for a RRDR region of rpoB gene using a specialized software. Clinical specimens that had previously been evaluated resistant or sensitive by using convential method, were used for assessing the clinical sensitivity and specificity of the assay.

Results: The clinical sensitivity of the assay was determined 100%. The primers and the probes were rpoB specific and no cross-reaction was observed with other microorganisms and human genome bioinformatically. The clinical specificity of developed Real-time PCR assay was examined experimentally using 25 negative samples and determined to be 100%.

Conclusion: The developed real-time PCR assay can be used as an appropriate and efficient tool for the rapid detection of rifampicin-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

---

Background: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the probable changes of HSP70 , liver enzymes & Cpk in professional athletes after a training season and participating in skating open world championship.

Materials and Methods: 10 elite female skaters were chosen. Eccentric exercise test were performed in three sections (24 hours before the beginning of the training, after six months of training (before participating in Skating World Championship) and 24 hours after the end of world championship). The training program consisted of 26 weeks of training, performed 5 times a week encompassing specialized skate trainings. Blood samples were taken before and after each eccentric exercise test.

Results: there was no significant change, in HSP70 concentration in response to eccentric exercise test, in pre exercise period (p>0.898). But, it illustrated a significant increase in after eccentric exercise test, in post exercise period (p<0.031). Moreover, in measuring down, it showed a significant increased in the amount of liver enzymes and Cpk after eccentric exercise test in second and third step compared to first step (p<0.05).

Conclusion: the results of the study illustrated that improving an athlete's physical fitness level during training season and matches leads to a significant increase in the protective level of the body (via the production of HSP70), depending also on the ability of the body of the individual in producing that protein. It can also be stated probably individual body fitness level, is an important factor in determining ALT, AST, ALP levels after performing eccentric exercise.

---

Background: Pentoxifylline is a xantin derivative that causes deduction of blood viscosity, improves peripheral blood current and increases tissues oxygenization. In this study, considering special properties of this drug and inspite of undefined mechanism of its effect, the effect of pentoxifylline on skin biomechanical indices in acute phase of skin wound healing in rat is evaluated.

Materials and Methods: In this experimental study 14 adult Wistar rat were divided in two groups of experimental (n=7) receiving 100mg/kg twice a day and control (n=7) receiving distilled water intraperitoneal. Incisional wounds, 20mm length in identical pattern were created on back skin of rats. On day 15 skin strips containing incision were excised and used to evaluate biomechanical indices, work up to maximum force-Nm and Tensile strength= Rm-N/mm2. Results were analyzed by Spss soft ware and K-S, Levens and student T-Test.

Results: According to biomechanical test findings, pentoxifylline administration causes improvement in biomechanical indices of skin after 15 days of drug administration. Discrepancy between skin biomechanical indices of experimental and control subgroups was significant (p<0.05).

Conclusion: Pentoxifylline caused improvement in skin biomechanical indices and accelerated skin wound healing in experimentals.

---

Background: Naphthalene is a polyaromatic hydrocarbon (PAH_s) present in many water sediments. This study evaluated the performance of UV/H₂O₂ reaction to decompose naphthalene in the aqueous solution.

Materials and Methods: It was an experimental-laboratory study. A one liter cylindrical glass reactor was used for performing all degradation experiments. The radiation source was a low pressure mercury UV lamp emitting at 254 nm (30 W, UV-C) which was placed above a batch photoreactor for UV/H₂O₂ experiments and different concentrations of H₂O₂ (5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 mg/L) were tested.

Results: In 15 mg/L naphthalene in UV/H₂O₂ system and reaction times 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 100 and 120 minutes, 15, 28, 31 , 36, 42, 52, 56, 73 and 59.5% naphthalene removal efficiencies were observed and COD removal efficiencies in reaction times 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 100 and 120 minutes, 22, 38, 45, 61.5, 67.5, 70, 80, 88.5 and 76 % were observed. When the initial pH values were 3, 4, 5, 6, 7,9, 10 and 12 the naphthalene removal efficiency was approximately 75.8, 63.4, 62, 58.5, 44.8, 35.8 and 30%, respectively, with UV/H₂O₂ system.

Conclusion: The experimental results of this study suggested that the dosages with 20 mg/L H₂O₂ at pH= 3 with 2.8 W/cm² UV intensity (254 nm) provided the optimal operation conditions for the mineralization of naphthalene yielding a 73% mineralization efficiency after 100 minutes of reaction time.

---

Background: One of the side effects of chemotherapy agents is gonadal suppression leading to infertility. The present study examined the feasibility of using a gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-A) in the prevention of busulfan induced azoospermia in prepubertal mice.

Materials and Methods: In this case and control research, Leuprolide (3.8 mg/kg) was given to prepubertal male mice 2 weeks after or prior to busulfan (40 mg/kg) administration. The animals received one or two doses of leuprolide after busulfan administration with 4 weeks apart. Six weeks after the last leuprolide treatment, the sperm parameters were analyzed icluded sperm count and motility according to the World Health Organization criteria.

Results: At the time of scarifies, testicular weight were increased in animals receiving leuprolide. In animals receiving leuprolide pretreatment, the percentage of progressive and immotile sperm was significantly (p&le0.05) increased and decreased respectively. But the percentage of non progressive sperm did not change. The sperm motility in busulfan treated animals with post treatment didn't change. The sperm count also increased in pretreatment animals but it was not significant (p&ge0.05).

Conclusion: The present study demonstrates that leuprolide pretreatment resulted in improvement in sperm motility in prepubertal male mice.