[Effect of ethanol on microvascular alterations in the brain cortex of epileptic mice treated by valporic acid]

Antiepileptic drugs can partiality control or achieve the convulsion. There are controversial issues about the use and effect of ethanol to control epileptic convulsion seizers. This study was done to determine the effect of ethanol on microvascular alterations in the brain cortex of epileptic mice treated by valporic acid [VPA]. In this experimental study, 36 BALB/c mice were allocated randomly into six groups including: 1-PTZ [Pentylenetetrazol], 2- Ethanol, 3- VPA+ PTZ, 4- ethanol + PTZ, 5-ethanol+ VPA+ PTZ and control groups. The animal brains were excluded and stained by Hematoxilin and eosin. Thirty-six optical microscopic field from each group were selected and microvascular count were determined. Immunohistochemical method was used for detection of injuries in the vascular brain tissue. Mean number of brain microvascular cortex significantly increaed in PTZ+ethanol and PTZ+ethanol+VPA groups in compare to controls [P<0.05]. Infiltration and thrombophlebitis were observed in vessels and cortical brain tissues in mice which received ethanol and PTZ. Proliferations in endothelial vascular cells were seen in PTZ and VPA+ethanol groups. Immunohistochemical method showed the endothelial cells of PTZ+ethanol groups were more stained in compare to the other experimental groups. Ethanol + PTZ cause cellular infiltration and damage to the cortical brain vessels although VPA reduces histological altheretions

[ relationship of spinal deformities with locomotion components of kepart test in elementary school students with dyspraxia]

Because of dyspraxia students have difficulty in some movements and deformity of the spine as a factor can lead to restriction of their movement, the purpose of the present study was to investigate the relationship between vertebral column deformities and components of the Kepart test in students with dyspraxia. The present descriptive analytical research is a cross-sectional study, involving the male elementary school students of Tehran in 2009. The participants were selected through multi-stage cluster sampling: Zone 4 was chosen by random from among the 22 municipal districts; 5 schools were selected by random from among many schools in the zone; finally, 1100 students were randomly selected. In the first step, we distributed the questionnaire about the conceptual - movement deficiency [validity 0.86]. Eighty students of 8 to 12 years with problems in at least 5 components [out of 14] participated in the Kepart test [validity 0.95]. From them, 34 students with the lowest scores were selected as the study subjects. Then, with the use of Spinal - Mouse machine, the vertebrate column deformities of students were studied from frontal and sagital aspects. For analyzing the data, Pearson's correlation coefficient was used in SPSS 13. The prevalence of deformities was flat back 40%, thoracic kyphosis 29.16% and thoracic scoliosis 20.83% in the subjects. A significant relationship [p=0.05, r=0.34] was found between lumbar lordosis and side walking in students with dyspraxia. Also, the prevalence of dyspraxia was 7.26%, and 2.18% suffered from severe dyspraxia. The results showed that the lower the amount of lumbar lordosis, the lower the students' ability to side walk

effect of ethanol on the efficacy of valproic acid in mice

Background and Purpose: Ethanol is known as anticonvulsant and proconvulsant but sometimes has no effect on seizure. There is no report about the role of ethanol on the anticonvulsant effect of Valproic acid [VPA]. In this study, we explore the effect of ethanol on the anticonvulsant effect of VPA

Methods and Materials: In this experimental study, eight groups of mice [25-30 gr] were injected pentylenetetrazol [PTZ] [37mg/kg; ip] every other day [3 times a week]. Groups receiving ethanol [0.5 and 1 g/kg; 7 and 21 continuous days; everyday; ip], PTZ was injected 30 minutes after ethanol. In Valproic acid+ethanol, Valproic acid [100 mg/kg] was injected 5 minutes before ethanol [1 g/kg]. Immediately after PTZ injection, seizure stages were recorded for 20 min. Seizure stage-4 duration [S4D], seizure stage-4 latency [S4L] and seizure stage 1 latency [S1L] were recorded from each mouse after PTZ injection, and data were compared with control groups. The basis of all decisions was a significant level of P<0.05. Data analysis was done in Statistica 5.5

Results: Pretreatment of animals with ethanol [1 g/kg for 7 days] decreased cumulative [c] S4D [%31.8 PTZ+Saline]; and with ethanol [1 g/kg for 21 days] decreased cS4D [%48.3 PTZ+Saline] [P<0.001], but increased cS4L [%112.6 PTZ+Saline] and cSL [%116.8 PTZ+Saline] significantly [P<0.001]. Pretreatment of animals with VPA [100 mg/kg] significantly decreased cumulative [c] S4D [%39 PTZ+Saline] [P<0.001], and significantly increased cS4L [%216.8 PTZ+Saline] and cS1L [%149 PTZ+Saline] [P<0.001]. Intraperitoneal injection of VPA+ethanol significantly decreased cS4D [%56.1 relative to PTZ+VPA and %46.1 relative to PTZ+Eth 1 [7]] [P<0.001]; it also increased cS4L [%233.9 relative to PTZ+VPA and %450 relative to PTZ+Eth1 [7]] [P<0.001], but had no effect on cS1L as compared to VPA and ethanol [1 g/kg; 7 days]

Conclusion: The results indicated that ethanol [1 g/kg] functions not only as an anticonvulsant but its simultaneous injection [7 continuous days] also enhances the anticonvulsant effects of valproic acid

[Gene experison of cell proliferative marker Ki67 in breast cancer]

Breast cancer is one of the most important malignant tumors world -wide and the second common cancer in the females. Breast cancer is associated with a number of environmental factors and genetic damages. Ki67 is a proto-oncogene which is activated in cell proliferation process. Ki67 is important in prognosis and response to chemotherapy. The aim of this study was to investigate the Ki67 gene expression in patients with breast cancer by immunohistochemistry method. This descriptive laboratory study was conducted on 80 breast cancer specimens from patients admitted to the hospitals in Sabzevar, Iran during 2005-09. Samples were fixed in formalin, the tissue processing was done and sections were stained by Hematoxilin and Eosin method. The malignancy was diagnosed by two pathologists blindly. Over expression of ki67 was determined with the immunohistochemistry method. Slides were scored into negative, weak, average and strong based on percentage of cells which were stained. The Data were analyzed by SPSS-11.5, Chi-Square and Fisher's exact tests. Ki67 proliferative marker was observed in 37 [46.3%] specimens with breast cancer. Sensivity of staining was one positive [+] in 15 cases, two positive [++] in 14 cases and three positive [+++] in 8 cases. There was a significant relationship between Ki67 gene expression and tumor type and tumor staging [P<0.05], but there was no significant relationship between Ki67 gene expression and tumor grade. It is concluded that, ki67 is expressed mostly in invasive and developed breast cancer

P53 gene expression with histopathological parameters in breast cancer patients

Background and Purpose: P53 gene is one of the genes which undergoes mutations in breast cancer. The rate of p53 gene mutation has been variously reported. However, its mutation is considered resistant to chemotherapy. This study is intended to determine p53 gene overexpression with histopathological parameters in breast cancer

Methods and Materials: This descriptive analytical research was conducted on 80 samples of non-randomized breast cancer cases admitted to hospitals in Sabzevar, Iran from 2007 to 2010

After samples were fixed in formalin, they underwent tissue processing and were stained by H and E. After malignancy diagnosis, the p53 gene overexpression was detected by immunohistochemical methods in the samples after fixation, tissue processing and antigen retrieval. The obtained data were analyzed in SPSS 11.5 using chi-square test

Results: Out of 80 specimens of breast cancer, p53 gene expression was observed in 39 specimens [48.8%], which was one positive [+] in 21 cases, two positive [++] in 10 cases and three positive [+++] in 8 cases. No significant relationships were observed between p53 protein stability with tumor stages, as well as age groups of over 45 years and below with tumor stages

Conclusion: P53 protein stability was detected in about half of the samples, which can signify the high rate of mutation of p53 gene in breast cancer in Sabzevar, Iran

Investigating the satisfaction rate of the students of sabzevar university of medical sciences from the educational services and facilities in 2008

Background and Purpose: Measuring the students' satisfaction from the university departments and educational system can have a paramount role in assessing the educational performance and activities. The aim of this study was to investigate the educational facilities and equipments

Methods: This descriptive analytical study was conducted in 2008 on 414 university students were selected through stratified random sampling. A researcher-made questionnaire was administered to collect data on facilities and educational services

The validity of the questionnaire had been confirmed by the faculty members and by Cronbach alpha coefficient. The obtained data were analyzed in SPSS 16 at first by descriptive analysis and then by ANOVA and t-test. The satisfaction rate was grouped into good, average and poor

Results: The study indicated that students' satisfaction from facilities and educational services were 41.4% in seven fields

Also, the overall satisfaction rate of male [34.4%] was higher than that of the female participants [20.9%]; and the difference was significant [P<0.01]. Also, the satisfaction rate was higher in students of 2-year programs [30.4%] than in 4-year program students [18.8%] [P<0.006]. But a comparison between the satisfaction rate of students of health [29.3%] and medical majors [24%] revealed no significant difference

Conclusion: The overall satisfaction rate of students from the current services and equipments of the university is average

Comparing the effects of three selected exercise patterns on the equilibrium of patients with parkinson

Background and Purpose: Parkinson's disease is one of the common debilitating factors in the elderly. It is caused by disorders in the nucleus of cerebral base which control body movements such as walking and body balance. The present research is intended to study and compare the effects of three exercise patterns [rhythmic, medical ball exercising and stretching exercise] on Parkinsonian patients' equilibrium

Methods and Materials: This quasi-experimental study involved the population of Parkinsonian patients in Kashan and Aranobidgol, Iran. Thirty five male patients [61 +/- 3 years old] with minor Parkinson's disease [Stage 3 in Y and H scale] were selected and randomly assigned into one of the three groups: rhythmic group [N=11], medical ball exercising group [N=12] and stretching exercising group [N=12]. All participants took their medications under medical supervision in the study period. Each group performed the assigned pattern for 10 weeks [three onehour sessions each week]. Berg Balance Scaling [BBS] was used for measurements, and dependent t-test, one-way ANOVA and LSD tests were used for data analysis. All analyses were done in SPSS 16

Results: The results showed that the three different exercising patterns [Rhythmic, medical Ball and stretching exercises] had significantly improved patients' equilibrium by 15.7 %, 5.58% and 4.28% respectively [P=0.001]. It also revealed that rhythmic exercises had more considerable effects on Parkinson patients' equilibrium recovery than medical ball [P=0.03], and stretching exercise [P=0.008]. The effect of exercising with medical ball and stretching exercises on Parkinson patients' balance recovery is almost identical, with no significant difference [P=0.530]

Conclusion: Rhythmic exercise patterns cause more considerable effects on the improvement of equilibrium in Parkinson's patients than other patterns

Rapid monitoring of indicator coliforms in drinking water by an enzymatic assay

Coliform group has been extensively used as an indicator of drinking water quality and historically led to the public health protection concept. Multiple tube fermentation technique has been currently used for assessment of the microbial quality of drinking water. This method, however, has limitations. Enzymatic assay constitute an alternative approach for detecting indicator bacteria, namely total coliforms and E.coli in various aquatic environments. This study compared the performance of LMX broth as an enzymatic assay with the standard methods multiple tube fermentation technique and presence-absence test, for the detection of indicator coliforms in drinking water samples. In addition, the potential effect of water quality on the microbial detection method was assayed through measurement of some physicochemical parameters. From the 50 drinking water samples tested, 8 [16%] and 7 [14%] contained total coliforms and E.coli as indicated by all three techniques. Although on average the LMX recovered more total coliforms and E.Coli numbers comparing to multiple tube fermentation, but there was no significant difference. A significant difference existed between the level of residual chlorine for positive and negative samples. In conclusion, enzymatic assay showed a rapid and less labor method, allowing the simultaneous detection of total coliforms and E.coli. The method is particularly useful in the early warning of fecal pollution of drinking water

Study of the prevalence of hypertension in the urban population of Sabzevar, Iran

Background and Purpose: Hypertension is a common but asymptomatic disease which is easily traced and treated. However, if left untreated, deadly complications and hgih costs of treatement should be expected. This study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of hypertension in the urban population of Sabzevar, Iran

Methods and Materials: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on the population of urban families supported by the health centers in Sabzevar, Iran. 596 cases [age 19 years or older] were selected by stratified sampling. In addition to filling out the study questionniare, the systolic and diastolic blood pressure of the cases were measured by the standard method using Alpk2 sphygmomanometer and Litman stethescope. The hypertension threshold was considered as 140/90. Frequency and percentages were used to describe the data, and chi-square was used for the analysis in SPSS

Results: The prevalence of the systolic and diastolic BP hypertensions were 21.5% and 25.8% respectively, and the prevalence was higher with women rather than men [p<0.0001]

As ascending trend in the systolic and diastolic hypertnesion was observed with the increase in the age. Also, the prvalence of systolic and diastolic hypertnesions were observed to be 69.5% and 54% in cases of 55 years or older

Conclusion: This study indicated that the prevalence of hypertension was high in Sabzevar, Iran

Somatostatin 2A receptor and preprotachykinin A mRNA expression in bulbospinal C1 neurons in rats

Background and purpose: Sympatho-excitatory neurons which originate from Rostral Ventrolateral Medulla [RVLM] and project to spinal cord are necessary for the maintenance of resting sympathetic tone and integration of cardiovascular reflexes. Also, it is known that catecholamines, substance P and somatostatin are involved in blood pressure modulation in the brain stem. The aim of this study was answering to the question: Is somatostatin 2A receptor [SST2A] expressed in medullary C1 neurons which have preprotachykinin A [PPT-A] mRNA and are projected to spinal cord?

Methods and materials: This study was done on 12 male Sprague-Dawley rats. We used a complex of techniques such as retrograde labeling of spinally projecting neurons by injection of Cholera Toxin Beta [CTB] unit, In situ Hybridization [ISH] and Immunohistochemistry to identify PPT-A mRNA and SST2A receptor expression in C1 neurons of RVLM. For data description, mean +/- SEM as well as percentage were used

Results: Most spinally projecting neurons in RVLM [CTB+] are C1 neurons, i.e. they have Tyrosin Hydroxylase enzyme [TH+]. These neurons contain PPT-A mRNA or SST2A receptors, but no neurons were observed with the expression of both PPT-A mRNA and SST2A receptor

Conclusion: It seems that medulla C1 neurons, which project to spinal cord and express PPT-A mRNA or SST2A receptor, are two separate neuron types. They may have different modulatory effects on cardiovascular reflexes

effect of ganglion blockade on the cardiovascular responses of new pressor protein [NPP] in nephrectomized rats

Background and Purpose: New Pressor Protein [[NPP] is a human plasma enzyme structurally related to FXIIa, which potently raises Systolic Blood Pressure [SBP], Diastolic Blood Pressure [DBP] and Heart Rate [HR] in bioassay rats. These effects are strongly potentiated in nephrectomized [2NX] rats. Concurrently, there is a massive release of catecholamines from adrenal glands. This study is carried out to investigate NPP's mechanism of action and whether ganglionic blockade can affect NPP's responses by Pentolinium in 2NX rats

Method and Materials: Male Wistar rats, weighing 300-350g, were selected. In the nephrectomized group, after 24 h 2NX, animals were anesthetized by Inactin and ganglionic blocking agent Pentolinium [19.2 mg/kg s.c.] [P+ group] was injected. Measurements of SBP, DBP and HR were done in response to intravenous injection of NPP [5, 20 uL plasma equivalent] or purified FXIIa [300 ng/kg]. The results of this group [P+] were compared with those of the [P-] group

Results: These results show that NPP and purified -FXIIa can increase SBP, DBP and HR in both groups [sham-2NX or 2NX rats]. These responses in [P+] nephrectomized rats are significantly higher than [P-] nephrectomized rats [P= 0.01 for each response]. However, in [P+] nephrectomized rats, the increment in SBP and DBP responses are more than HR response

Conclusion: It is concluded that NPP and FXIIa can produce such cardiovascular responses in rats. Although NPP does not require ganglion blockade for these responses, in P+ rats these responses have been potentiated and this potentiation is significant in nephrectomized rats. The results confirm the structural and functional relations between NPP and FXIIa. It also indicates that there is interaction between cholinergic and peptidergic pathways for producing cardiovascular effects of NPP

[ status of blood pressure in urban population of sabzevar in 1382]

Knowledge of the normal blood pressure [BP] in every region and its distribution by age and sex can help planners compile programs to control and prevent hypertension. This study was planned evaluate the BP in the urban population of Sabzevar.In a cross sectional study, 844 subjects from different age groups were selected through cluster sampling from the population covered and supported by health centers in Sabzevar. Their systolic and diastolic BP were measured in the standard format using ALPK2 sphygmomanometer and Littman stethoscope.According to the results of this study, 54% of the subjects were female and 46% were male; with the mean age of 30.9 +/- 17.8. In the age group less than 15 years, systolic and diastolic BP were 106.8 +/- 13.7 and 68.1 +/- 11.8mmHg respectively. Corresponding figures in the age group more than 55 years were 144.6 +/- 23.8 and 87.1[ +/- 12.3]mmHg respectively. Findings revealed that there was an ascending trend of systolic and diastolic BP as age increased. Prevalence of systolic and diastolic hypertension were observed to be 21.5% and 25.8%, respectively, with a higher prevalence in women than in men.No significant difference was found between mean systolic and diastolic BP of men and women. High BP requiring continuous interventional programs to make changes in the personal behaviors and lifestyle of the people

Role of bradykinin in the actions of [new pressor protein] related to human plasma beta FXIIa

Experiments show that new pressor protein [NPP] and bradykinin [BK] levels increase in hypertensive anephric patients. Both NPP and BK are known to stimulate the release of adrenal medullary catecholamines so we hypothesized that NPP injections provoke the production of endogenous BK, which might contribute to the cardiac and blood pressure actions of NPP. The aim of this study was to determine the cardiac heart rate [HR] and systolic blood pressure [SBP] effects of BK in 2NX and sham-2NX [control] rats for comparison with the effects of NPP. Male Wistar rats [300-350 g] n=8 per each group were anesthetized with Inactin and ganglion blocked and prepared for bioassay. After 24 h 2NX or sham-2NX [control] Cap was given and BP and HR were recorded before/after injecting NPP [20 uL plasma equivalent i.v.] or BK at 100 or 1000 ng/kg. In sham-2NX [control] rats, no Cap, NPP raised SBP by 32 +/- 3 mmHg and HR by 20 +/- 3 beats/min [bpm],BK at 100 ng/kg raised SBP trivially by 2 +/- 1 mmHg and HR by 1 +/- 0.5 bpm. BK at 1000 ng/kg, no Cap, raised SBP by 13 +/- 3 mmHg and HR 13 +/- 2 bpm. In 2NX rats [no Cap], NPP raised SBP by 58 +/- 6 mmHg and HR by 70 +/- 14 bpm,BK at 100 ng/kg raised the SBP by 4 +/- 1 mmHg and HR by 3 +/- 1 bpm. With BK at 1000 ng/kg, SBP rose 6 +/- 1 and HR rose 2 +/- 1 bpm. Cap injection strongly potentiated these effects in sham-2NX rats, but this treatment potentiated only BK responses in 2NX rats. In sham-2NX rats, the effects of BK at both lower and higher doses are the same as NPP response on SBP and HR. These effects are potentiated by Cap, but are modified differently by 2NX. Administration of HOE-140 [a specific bradykinin B2-receptor antagonist] blocked BK response completely, but this treatment blocked NPP responses moderately. Thus, BK is probably not the only mediator of NPP's cardiovascular effects and other mechanisms need to be investigated