Background: Due to the lack of efficient anti-HIV vaccine, anti-HIV pharmaceuticals play an important role in controlling HIV infection. Also significant rise in drug resistance and drug toxicity has caused increased interest in finding new anti-HIV agents. In this study, a nano-sized version of lamivudine based on PEGylated chitosan was synthesized.

  Materials and Methods: In this research, nanoparticles of chitosan were efficiently PEGylated for increasing their stability in water and then the anti-HIV drug, lamivudine, was loaded on these PEGylated nanoparticles. After purification and lyophilization of new synthesized nanoparticle, the raw materials and final product were sampled and FTIR, HNMR and CHN analyses were done.

  Results: Results of HNMR spectroscopy showed that chitosan nanoparticle was successfully PEGylated. HNMR data confirmed FTIR results and indicated that lamivudine was conjugated on chitosan nanoparticle. In addition, CHN analysis data also confirmed both HNMR and FTIR data, and demonstrated that a high yield of chitosan nanoparticle PEGylation (approximately 97%) was done and illustrated a high capacity of lamivudine conjugation on nano-sized PEGylated chitosan (30% _W/W chitosan).

  Conclusion: In this study, lamivudine drug was successfully synthesized, based on PEGylated chitosan nanoparticle.

Background: Occult hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is defined as the presence of HCV-RNA in liver or peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in the absence of detectable hepatitis C antibody (anti-HCV) or HCV-RNA in the serum. Although occult HCV infection is less aggressive than classic chronic HCV infection, nevertheless it is important in management of hemodialysis (HD) patients. Occult HCV infection has been described in two different clinical settings: in patients with normal liver enzymes or in patients with abnormal values of liver enzymes. The aim of this study was to detect the occult HCV infection in hemodialysis patients with elevated liver enzymes.

Materials and Methods: This cross sectional study was performed in hemodialysis patients referring to 3 dialysis units in Tehran. In 30 anti-HCV negative HD patients with elevated liver enzymes, presence of HCV-RNA in plasma samples was tested by Reverse Transcriptase-Nested Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-nested PCR). In cases with negative anti-HCV and plasma HCV-RNA, HCV-RNA was checked in PBMC specimens by RT-nested PCR.

Results: A total of 30 HD patients with mean age 54.4± 14.1years and mean dialysis duration 81.2 ±64.4 months were enrolled in the study. All HD subjects were negative for HCV-RNA in plasma and occult HCV infection with RT-nested PCR method.

Conclusion: Occult HCV infection was rare in HD patients with elevated levels of liver enzymes.

Background: Remaining of crude oil in storage tanks usually lead to accumulation of oily sludge at the bottom of the tank which should be treated and disposed of in a suitable manner. In this research the feasibility of chemical oxidation with H2O2 and Fenton's reagent for removal of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) from composted storage tank sludges was investigated.

Materials and Methods: The sludge was mixed with immature compost at various sludge to compost ratios including 1:2, 1:4, 1:6, 1:8 and 1:10 and composted for 82 days. Then, hydrogen peroxide and Fenton’s reagent were added to the composted mixture in six concentrations including 2%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20% and 30% w w-1 for a period of 24 and 48 hr.

Results: TPH removal in composting reactors with the ratios of 1:2, 1:4, 1:6, 1:8 and 1:10 were 66.59, 73.19, 74.81, 80.20 and 79.91 percent, respectively. The mean TPH removal of 1:8 composted mixtures with 2%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20% and 30% of oxidant concentrations were 1, 5.09, 19.37, 28.16, 34.37 and 38.05 percent, respectively. The highest removal efficiency was achieved in stepwise addition to the sludge. As well, increasing oxidation time from 24 to 48 hr had a little effect on TPH removal increase and the removal efficiencies of H2O2 and Fenton were nearly similar.

Conclusion: Chemical oxidation with hydrogen peroxide and Fenton as a post-treatment step is an acceptable process in TPH removal from bottom sludge of storage tanks.

Introduction: Paints are composed of extensive variety of hazardous substances, such as organic solvents and heavy metals. Occupational exposure to paint increases oxidative stress, hematological disorders, and DNA injury. This study was performed to explore the beneficial effects of Selvit on the paint workers by measuring total antioxidant capacity, lipid peroxidation, and blood parameters as main oxidative stress biomarkers.

Materials and Methods: This clinical trial study was conducted on 25 male workers who worked in the paint factory. Serum markers such as total antioxidant capacity (TAC), lipid peroxidation (LPO) and also hematological parameters were measured before and after using Selvit (14 days). SPSS software was used for data analyses and paired t-test and Pearson correlation analysis were applied.

Results: Results showed that after using the Selvit, an increase in TAC and a decrease in LPO were observed but they were not significant. Also, aspartate transaninase significantly decreased after using Selvit and high density lipoprotein significantly increased.

Conclusion: Selvit have beneficial effect on hematological parameters due to its antioxidant capacity.

Background: Allergic rhinitis affects 40% of general population and has an increasing prevalence. Sleep disturbance is an important problem in individuals with allergic rhinitis. Recent studies have shown that 68% of cases with perennial rhinitis and 48% with seasonal rhinitis have impaired sleep.

Materials and Methods: In this case-report study, 33 children with allergic rhinitis aging 6-18 years entered the study. Thirty five children without allergic rhinitis entered the study as control group. A questionnaire containing demographic data and types of sleep disorders filled for every child.

Results: Except respiratory disorder, there was no other significant difference between groups in any sleep disorder. Sixteen children (48.5%) in case group has respiratory disorder while none of control children were involved (P=0.0).

Conclusion: Nasal congestion is the main factor involved in sleep impairment in children with allergic rhinitis. Therefore, it seems that it is the first symptom to be treated.

Background: Mir-210 is proangiogenic microRNAis endothelial cells. This microRNA, causes the repression of some genes and proteins target so cause angiogenesis process. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of a High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) on Mir-210 and EphrinA3 receptor genes expression in soleus muscles of male rats.

Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, Twelve Wistar male rats(ageof eightweeks, average weight of 210.5±9.77)were randomly divided into exercise(n=6)and control (n=6) groups. High Intensity Interval Training was formed five days a week for eight weeks to taly including three Intervals (four minutes with an intensityof 90 to 100%VO2max and two minutes with an intensityof 50 to 60%VO2max).24 hours after exercise protocol, the rats were dissected and separated soleusmuscle. Mir-210 and EphrinA3receptor genes expression was performed by Real Time-PCRtechnique. Mir-210 and EphrinA3receptor genes expression were calculated by using the2∆∆CT and in dependentt-test to determine the significance of variables.

Results: Results showed that HIIT there had no significant effects on Mir-210 gene expression (p=0.16) Whe ars EphrinA3 gene expression in the exercise group was statistically significant (p=0.000).

Conclusion: It seems that a non-significant increase of Mir-210 and reduce in EphrinA3 gene expres sion, causes proangiogenic Operation ofendothelial cells and an increase in VO2max of rats following eight weeks of HIIT performance can be due to increased angiogenesis process.

Background: Peripheral nerve injures are common in clinical practice that includes from compression injury to complete disruption of nerve trunk. After injury nerves can grow and repair spontaneously, early end to end anastomosis is first choice for repair but only 50% of nerve fiber would be physiologically accurate and effective, thus several techniques for repair of nerve injury are introduced including combination of nerve transplant with silicon tubes, use of biologic and synthetic tubes for nerve conduit.

Materials and Methods: In this Exprimental study, 20 rats with the same weight were selected and kept in the same condition .The left sciatic nerve of them was cut and were divided in two groups.In the first group the facial flap method for repair of nerve injury was used .In the second group vein conduit method was used as standard method. Histological nerve repair was assessed after 45 days and the intact right sciatic nerve was used as control.

Results: Repair of nerve injury in proximal, mid and distal portion of nerve in facial flap method was more effective than vein conduit (P<0.05). Repair of nerve injury in proximal, mid and distal portion had no difference compared with control group (p>0.05).

Conclusion: Repair of nerve injury with facial flap method is more effective than standard method and can be used as a new method for nerve repair.

Background: Derived hormones from Adipokines include leptin, adiponectin, resistin, apelin, omentin.The aim of present study was to investigate the effect of 12 weeks aerobic exercise on plasma levels of Apelin, Omentin and glucose in obese older women with diabetes type 2.

Materials and Methods: In this study, 30 obese older women were chosen. They were also divided in to two groups: control (n=15 Age: 53.3+5.88 BMI: 28.7+2.2) and experimental (n=15 Age: 52.6+ 7.12: BMI: 30.03+3.6) according to their fat percentage and BMI. The training program included aerobic exercises which were conducted increasingly, 3 times a week for 12 weeks. Blood samples were taken before starting the exercise training and also 24 hours after the last training session. U Mann-Whitney Test was used to evaluate the data and in order to compare each group's pretest and posttest, Wilcoxon test was used at the significance level of p&le 0.05.

Results: There were significant changes in apelin and glucose plasma levels in the training group (p=0.001 and p=0.006 respectively). Furthermore, no significant difference was observed between each group's omentin levels.

Conclusion: It was finally concluded that exercise training can facilitate the process of glucose entrance into a cell because of the continuous muscle contractions and also decrease the plasma glucose. Also each adipokine response might be depend on the intensity and duration of exercise training, separately.

Background: Impulsivity is a core social pathology. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to Effectiveness of group dialectical behavior therapy based on core distress tolerance and emotion regulation components on Expulsive Anger and Impulsive Behaviors.

Materials and Methods: Research method is a semi experimental socio-statistic approach consisting of experimental group (dialectical behavior therapy) and control group. Participants were patients referred to Amir Kabir Hospital in Arak. and who were Expulsive Anger and Impulsive Behaviors. Based on stratified random sampling, 16 patients (women) were placed in each group. Research tools included the structured diagnosis interview according to DSM-IV-TR (2000), Barrat impulsivity scale (1994) Distress Tolerance Scale (2005) Difficulties of Emotion Regulation Scale (2004) and dialectical behavior therapy were done for two months, 8 groups Sessions.

Results: The results of this study showed that there was significant difference between control and experimental groups after implementation of dialectical behavior therapy relying on component tolerance and regulation of emotional distress variables impulsive behavior and explosion furies (p<0.01).

Conclusion: Distress tolerance and emotion regulation components effective on Expulsive Anger and Impulsive Behaviors.

Background: Allergic rhinitis is a common disease which is present in 20% of general population. Major symptoms include sneezing, rhinorrhea, nasal congestion, and nasal pruritus. It seems that tricyclic antidepressants blocking histamine receptors may be used as an effective treatment in allergic rhinitis.

Materials and Methods: In this clinical trial study, 84 patients with allergic rhinitis entered the study and randomly divided into two groups. Patients of 1st group received cetirizine and 2nd group received doxepin for 2 weeks. After 2 weeks patients were evaluated about sneezing, rhinorrhea, nasal congestion, and nasal pruritus.

Results: The results of our study showed that clinical score of patients after 2 weeks was not different in both groups (p=0.261). The only symptom that was affected by the kind of treatment and was significantly different between groups was sneezing (p=0.005).

Conclusion: It seems that there is not much difference in using cetirizine and doxepin in treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis sympotoms. It is recommended that future studies use TCAs with more potent blocking anti-histamine receptors feature and on more samples.

Background: Colorectal cancer is the most common gastrointestinal cancer. Investigating the factors that predict survival time for these patients is important.The purpose of this study was comparison of parametric models by estimating the prediction error and also identifying the effective factors on predicted survival time of patients with colorectal cancer.

Materials and Methods: This cohort study was conducted with 600 patients who were suffered from colorectal cancer in Taleghani Hospital of Tehran between 2001 to 2005 and they were followed up for at least 5 years. For identifying the effective factors on survival time, of the patients we analyzed the data by some parametric models such as Weibull, Exponential and Log logistic and compared these models with the estimation of prediction error by apparent loss method.

Results: Among 600 patients there was 344 men (57.3%) and 256 wemon (47.7%). Of total, 151 patients were died that 62.3% of them were men. Univariate analysis showed that the effect of BMI, sex, staging of tumor, tumor site were significant but in multivariate model staging of tumor and BMI were significant. By the estimation of prediction error, the best model was Log logistic.

Conclusion: With respect to the importance of survival time prediction, we found that we can use the prediction error to compare the parametric models. In addition, because of effectiveness of tumor stages and BMI in the patients’ survival time, survival time could be increased by an on-time diagnosis and an appropriate controled diet.

Background: Shigella is the causative agent of human shigellosis and its lipopolysaccharide is detected by TLR4. TLR4 belongs to Toll-like receptors family and many immunological pathways are triggered when these receptors are stimulated. Many researches showed increasing in TLR4 expression in mesenchymal stem cells through lipopolysaccharide treatment. The main goal of this study is detecting the optimum lipopolysaccharide between shigella strains through stimulation of immune system for vaccine studies.

Materials and Methods: In this experimental study human bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells were treated with three distinct concentrations (0.1, 0.01, and 0.001) of shigella (S. flexneri, S. dysenteriae, S. sonnei) extract containing lipopolysaccharide. Then TLR4 expression in mRNA level was investigated by RT-PCR and Q-PCR. The cells treated with phosphate buffered saline have been considered as a control group.

Results: Expression of TLR4 was shown in all of case groups except treatment with concentration 0.001 of extracts from sonnei and dysenteriae and also control group. The variations in the expression of TLR4 was dose-dependent in all of case groups. The maximum expression of TLR4 related to treatment with extract from shigella flexneri strain and the minimum expression related to treatment with shigella sonnei extract. The use of lipopolysaccharide from E. coli as a positive control indicated that lipopolysaccharide in shigella extracts is responsible for the increased expression of TLR4.

Conclusion: The TLR4 expression level was increasesed by S. flexneri extract, so it could be recommended for increasing vaccine efficiency.

Background:  Ferula assa-foetida is one of the common medicines that was used as antiseptic with a view to traditional uses, it can be used as a safe and effective drug to treat diseases particularly resistant bacterial infections. This study aims to product gelatin nano- capsules containing Ferula assa-foetida essential oil and investigate their antioxidant and antibacterial activities.

Materials and Methods: This experimental study was performed on gelatin nano-capsules containing Ferula assa-foetida essential oil (FAO) (2, 4, 6 and 8% w/w), glycerol (25% w/w) as plasticizer and glutaraldehyde as cross-linker. The morphology, antioxidant and antibacterial activities and operation of the nano-capsules were assessed according to American Standards by Scanning Electron Microscopy, ABTS, and microbiological tests.

Results: Gelatin nano-capsules exhibited low antioxidant and antibacterial activities while gelatin nano-capsules incorporated with FAO exhibited excellent antioxidant and antibacterial. The highest rates of these effects were seen merged with 8% of FAO.

Conclusion: Gelatin nano-capsules merged with FAO have excellent physical form, as well as they are an appropriate antioxidant and antibacterial that have been considered to produce antoxidant and antibacterial drugs.

Background: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the important causes of hospital infections septicemia, in patients hospitalized in burn ward and those with cystic fibrosis. Considering the PAPI-2 important role in bacteria pathogenesis, the aim of this study is to investigate the frequency of the encoding genes exoU and xerC as markers of PAPI-2 from isolated environmental and clinical samples.

Materials and Methods: In this descriptive study, 40 isolates from sewage of burn wound hospital and 30 from patients hospitalized in burn ward of the hospital covered by shahid Beheshti University, respectively. The frequency of PAPI-2 in both environmental and clinical strains was detected by using PCR and the primers exou and xerc.

Results: Of 40 studied environmental pseudominas aeruginosa strains that their genus and species were confirmed by chemical tests, 30 samples (75%) consisted of exoU gene and 32(80%) included xerC gene. Also, of 30 isolated strains of burn patients, 23 isolates(76.7%) contained both exoU and xerC gene. The results revealed a high prevalence of PAPI-2 (90%) between clincial and environmental samples of pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Conclusion: With due attention to the results, information reveal that the importance and prevalence of pathogenicity island type 2 were high in Iranian clinical and environmental Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates. Also, considering all environmental isolates have at least one of genes, we should care about the risk of transporting pathogenic strains and find solutions to control it.

Background:  Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) is defined as the occurrence of two or more consecutive pregnancy losses prior to 20^th week of gestation. There are several leading causes of RPL including uterine anatomical defects, infections, genetic, immunological, and environmental factors. However, despite in a large number of cases no causes have been identified, therefore, it is introduced as idiopathic.

Recent studies have implicated the role of miRNAs in endometriosis, preeclampsia, infertility and RPL. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the association of miR-196a2C>T (rs11614913) with RPL in Iranian women.

Materials and Methods: In this case-control study, 183 Iranian women including 83 patients with at least two unexplained consecutive pregnancy losses and 100 healthy controls with at least one live birth and no history of pregnancy loss were investigated. Patients with recurrent pregnancy losses due to anatomic, hormonal, chromosomal, infectious, autoimmune, or thrombotic causes were excluded from the study group. Genotyping was performed using Tetra- ARMS PCR method.

Results:  Significant difference in distribution of miR-196a2 rs11614913 genotypes was found in RPL patients in comparison to controls, with p value of 0.04 and odds ratio equal to 2.96 (95% CI: 1.03-7.03).

Conclusion: The results of the present study provide evidence for association between genetic variation in miR-196a2 and recurrent pregnancy loss. Further studies will be required to validate the significance of the studied genetic variation in diverse populations and its regulatory role on target genes.

Background: One of the important adaptations that occurs after exercise is increased capillary density or angiogenesis. Vascular endothelial growth factor, has a mitogenic role for endothelial cells and acts as an important intermediator in the process of angiogenesis. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of two kind of endurance training on vascular endothelial growth factor gene expression in healthy male rats.

Materials and Methods: In this laboratory experimental study, 18 male Wistar rats at the age of eight weeks, with an average weight of 210/5± 9/77g were  selected and randomely divided into three groups (control (n=6), ET (n=6) and HIIT (n=6)). Aerobic continuous training was performed 5 days a week, totally in eight weeks for 30 minutes with 70-75% VO2max and high intensity interval training consisted of three periods (four minutes with 90 to100% VO2max and two minutes with 50 to 60% VO2max). Vascular endothelial growth factor gene expression was measured by real time-PCR technique. To determine the significance of variables between these groups, one-way ANOVA and Tukey's post hoc tests were used.

Results: The results showed that the gene expression levels of vascular endothelial growth factor were increased significantly (p=0/006, F=7/243) in intense aerobic continuous and interval training groups compared to control group. Changes in exercise groups compared with each other were not significant.

Conclusion: According to the results of this study, increased levels of vascular endothelial growth factor gene expression in both training groups caused pro-angiogenic function in endothelial cells and an increase in ratsVO2max following eight weeks training may be due to increased angiogenesis process. High intensity interval training may cause faster adaptations in the body of organism than aerobic continuous training.

Background: Despite advances in surgical techniques and risk management practices in recent years, wound dehiscence following abdominal laparotomy has still high prevalence. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of retention sutures on wound dehiscence of emergent abdominal laparotomy.

Materials and Methods: In this randomized clinical trial study, 160 patients scheduled for emergency laparotomy for peritonitis or trauma were enrolled. Half of the patients randomly underwent retention suture and the other half underwent routine sutures. Finally, the amount of surgical wound dehiscence and complications were assessed. 

Results: Three patients (3.7%) in retention group and 11 patients (13.7%) in the control group developed wound dehiscence which there was a significant difference between them (p=0.025). It was determined by multivariate logistic regression that wound dehiscence is correlated with hemodynamic status, type of trauma and injury to the abdominal organs, and sex. The incidence of wound dehiscence, early hemodynamic instability, penetrating abdominal trauma and damage to the intestines were higher in males. 

Conclusion: In general, it seems that the preventive use of retention sutures in patients with multiple risk factors for postoperative wound dehiscence can be useful.

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Background: Hemophilia A is an X-linked bleeding disorder caused by heterogenous mutations in factor VIII gene that encodes coagulation factor VIII (F8) protein. Due to the high heterogeneity of mutations, large size (186 kb) and structural complexity of the F8 gene, direct mutation analysis is costly and time consuming. Alternatively, linkage analysis using informative polymorphic markers such as single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers has been introduced as a rapid and cost effective method for hemophilia A carrier detection in families with an affected individual. Several SNP markers associated with the F8 gene region have been studied.

Materials and Methods: In this exprimental study, the characteristics of A/T SNP (rs4898352) as an informative marker located in intron 18 of F8 gene region was investigated in Isfahanin population. rs4898352 marker was genotyped using tetra primer ARMS PCR method followed by agarose gel electrophoresis in 140 unrelated control healthy females in mentioned population. New primers were designed for rs4898352 marker using the oligo 7 software. The allele frequency, degree of heterozygosity and Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium were estimated by use of Genepop program. The polymorphism information content (PIC) value was estimated using the Powermarker software.

Results:  The results showed that the allele frequency of rs4898352 polymorphism for A and T alleles was 0.482 and 0.518, respectively. The observed heterozigosity rate was 60%. Analysis of Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium demonstrated that the Isfahan population was in equilibrium (p>0.05) for rs4898352 marker. Moreover, analysis of PIC value revealed that this marker could be considered as a highly informative marker in the mentioned population.

Conclusion: Together, the data suggested that rs4898352 could be introduced as an informative marker for molecular diagnosis of hemophilia A in Isfahan Population

Background: There are numerous negative side-effects of child sexual abuse such as post- traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, and behavioral problems. The purpose of this study is the use of Specific Recall Training on depression and anxiety in children with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) caused by Sexual Abuse.

Materials and Methods: This study was a quasi-experimental with a pre-test, post-test and follow-up design and with a control group.34 children with post-traumatic stress disorder caused by sexual abuse were selected by available sampling and were randomly assigned to two groups. The experimental group was educated over 7 sessions of 1.5 hours by Specific Recall Training method. To collect data, the Spence children's anxiety questionnaire and children's depression questionnaire were used. Data were analyzed by using the SPSS-20 software and multivariate analysis of covariance method.

Results: The findings showed that specific recall training, significantly reduce depression and anxiety scores. In follow up, the pre-test effect, the long term effect of treatment on depression was observed (F=5.943, p=0.021), but it can't effectively reduce anxiety.

Conclusion: The results showed that specific recall training was effective on depression and anxiety in children with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) caused by sexual abuse. Therefore, counselors and therapists can use this method for the treatment of children with mentioned disorder.

Background: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of preconception endurance exercise training with voluntary exercise activity during pregnancy in mother mice on lipid profile in adult offsprings.

Materials and Methods: Twenty four C57BL/6 female mice were randomly divided into four subgroups: trained in preconception period and exercised during pregnancy (TE)(20.3±1.02g); trained in preconception periods but unexercised during pregnancy (TC)(21.58±0.4g); untrained in preconception periods but exercised during pregnancy (CE)(21.02±0.23g); untrained and unexercised (CC)(19.23±0.45g). Trained mice were subjected to a protocol of moderate endurance exercise training over a period of 4 weeks for 5 days before pregnancy. The fasting blood samples were collected from adult mice(8 weeks old) and serum levels of glucose and lipid profile were measured. Data were analyzed using two way ANOVA and Tukey’s post hoc test.

Results: The Glucose test results in offspring showed that there was a significant interaction between group and sex and group main effect (p<0.001) Glucose levels of male offspring were significantly lower in TC and TE groups. Results on LDL also showed that the sex main effect was significant (p<0.001), and LDL levels of male born to TE and TC dams lower than in female offspring.

Conclusion: Improving the mother's physical fitness by providing regular endurance training in the preconception period and maintaining it by exercise activty throughout pregnancy may have potential for eliciting positive changes in lipid profile of offspring, specially males.