[Detection of rotavirus genome by new silver staining method]

Rotaviruses are the members of the Reoviridae family containing double-stranded RNA [dsRNA] genome which are the main cause of gastroinentritis particularly in children less than three years. This study was designed to evaluate the detection of rotavirus genome by new silver staining method using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis [PAGE].In this descriptive study, the samples were collected from infected MA-104 cell culture and the RNA electrophoresis was performed in 10% polyacrylamide slab gels after RNA extraction. According to polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and sensitive staining analysis, rotavirus RNA segments were divided into 4 groups and single-nucleotides differences were clearly detected rapidly. New silver staining method using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis has the capacity to detect the rotavirus electeropherotype within a few minutes even in small DNA/RNA pieces up to 7 picograms

[Effect of mindfulness training on reduction of depressive symptoms among students]

Background and Objective: In psychotherapy, mindfulness is intended as a mode promotion of selfawareness think to improve well-being. This study was done to determine the effect of mindfulness training on reduction of depressive symptoms among students

Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, 40 female students with depressive symptoms were divided into mindfulness training and control groups. Subjects in experimental group received training mindfulness-based stress reduction and the control group did not receive any training. Training was performed eight sessions for experimentl group. Subjects completed the beck depression questionnaire prior and after the training

Results: The mean +/- SD of depression symptoms was 21.10 +/- 5.6 but after mindfulness training significantly reduced to 11.5 +/- 3.70 [P<0.05]

Conclusion: Mindfulness training reduces depression symptoms among female students

[Effect of insulin and leptin on ram sperm capacitation for in vitro embryo production]

Improvement of sperm quality as a research field in reproductive biotechnology of domestic animal can be considered as a key element for in vitro fertilization. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of insulin and leptin on ovine sperm capacitation / acrosomal reaction, viability and fertilization. The semen samples of 10 Bakhtiari rams were collected by artificial vagina. Using dose response study, the most efficient doses of insulin and leptin were chosen. Each sample was assigned to four experimental groups including insulin [1nM], leptin [100nM], mixed of leptin-insulin and control [without hormone]. Sperm capacitation/acrosomal reaction, viability and fertilization were evaluated by chlortetracycline staining, eosin-negrosin and in-vitro fertilization methods, respectively. values were compared among groups by 1-way ANOVA. Values of capacitation/ acrosomal reaction rate showed significant increase in response to insulin and leptin at 30, 60 and 120 min time points. The sperm viability was significantly [p<0.05] increased in response to insulin when compared with the control group at 30 min time point, without any effect in the other time points. On the other hand, insulin and leptin did not show significant effect [p>0.05] on sperm fertilization. This study indicated that insulin and leptin improved ram sperm capacitation / acrosomal reaction and viability while their effects on in vitro embryo production were inconsiderable

[ prevalence of limited joint mobility in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus in Kerman]

Limited joint mobility [LJM] is a complication of diabetes mellitus, which usually begins from the small joints of hands and is associated with long-term complications of diabetes, such as retinopathy and nephropathy. The aim of this study was to find the prevalence of Limited Joint Mobility in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus in Kerman in 2003. Sixty-six patients with type I diabetes mellitus [case group] and 66 sex- and age-matched, healthy subjects [control group] were enrolled into the study. LJM was diagnosed with "prayer sign" and its severity was categorized into 3 levels of mild, moderate, and severe. The results of measurements of glycosylated hemoglobin [HbA1c], date of birth, date of onset of diabetes, sex, weight, and height were recorded, as well. Anthropometric indices were calculated using the reference data of NCHS and WHO. Case and control groups had similar gender and age distributions. Anthropometric indices were significantly lower in cases than in controls [P<0.05]. LJM was observed in 25 ones in case group [37.9%] and in 5 ones in control group [7.6%] that shows statistically significant difference [P<0.001]. LJM in diabetic patients was positively correlated with age [P=0.047] and duration of diabetes [P<0.003], but not with age of onset of diabetes [P>0.05]. Mean level of HbA1c was significantly higher in diabetics with LJM than in those without LJM [P<0.001]. The presence and severity of LJM was inversely correlated with height for age and weight for age indices in the study group [P<0.05]. The observed results are in accordance with prevalence rates reported previously. Since LJM has been associated with more serious long-term complications of diabetes in cross-sectional studies, we believe diabetic patients should be tested routinely for this forgotten sign and appropriate preventive measures should be taken

Total burden of esophageal cancer disability adjusted life years in Golestan Province during 1387

Maintenance of health and its fair and just promotion in any society is the responsibility and duty of its respective government. Appropriate financial allocations and prudent decisions in the health sector requires the definition of an index that would reveal the loss resulting from early deaths of any cause and originate from disabilities due to nonfatal outcomes. The disability adjusted life years [DALY] index has such a characteristic. Esophageal cancer is the third prevalent cancer of the gastrointestinal tract. In Golestan Province, among the variety of cancers, it is the third leading cause of death and its incidence rate in the province is the highest in the country. In this study we try to compute the burden of this cancer. In this manner, while estimating the importance of this disease in Golestan Province, we aim to pave the way for scientific and effective assessments of this disease and determine an action plan for its containment. In this cross-sectional study, we used Dismod II software that has been designed for cancer modeling in populations. With this software, we computed the burden of cancer for the year 1387 in Golestan Province. The data needed as input for Dismod II included the population of the province, mortality and incidence rates that originated from esophageal cancer, all which were obtained from the 1385 census, Mortality Registry System, Cancer Registry' System and expert panel views. Total burden of esophageal cancer according to DALY in Golestan Province during 1387 was 2992/48 years in the total population. Amongst males, it was 1533/65 years and 1408/46 years in females due to years of lost life [YLL]. As a result of years lived with disability [YLD], it was 25/54 years in males and 24/84 years in females. The burden of esophageal cancer per 1000 population of Golestan Province equaled 1 /76 years for females and 1/88 years for males. The peak age of esophageal cancer burden was in the age groups of 60 to 80 years and above 80 years. The relative high burden of esophageal cancer in Golestan Province compared to other parts of the country is justifiable due to the existence of the highest incidence rate in this province. Therefore, we believe that esophageal cancer should be one of the highest priorities of the health system of the province. However, the final and definitive judgment is contingent upon computations of the burden of other cancers and diseases at the provincial level and its respective rankings

Effect of ultrasound treatment on methylcellulose film properties and application of modified films in packaging of baguette bread

Edible films are generally defined as stand-alone thin layers of materials. They can form pouches, wraps, capsules, bags, or casings in many processes. Coatings are a particular form of films directly applied to the surface of foods. Films are generally prepared using biological polymers such as proteins, polysaccharides and lipids. Edible films have weak mechanical properties and water-vapor permeability [VWP], which can be improved by physicochemical modifications, e.g., ultrasound [US] treatment. Also, edible films, due to their biodegradable nature, can substitute [after appropriate physiochemical modifications] synthetic packaging for foods such as bread. Edible films of methylcellulose [MC] were prepared and the effects of US treatment [5-, 15-, 30- and 45-min durations] on their WVP, tensile strength [TS], and percentage elongation at break [E%] were determined. The effect of relative humidity [52, 57 and 75%] on WVP of the films was also determined. In addition, we also investigated the ability of applied wrappings to retard baguette bread staling by assessing the mechanical and organoleptic properties of breads. 15mm films containing 45% glycerol, treated with ultrasound waves for 5min [the best conditions], were selected and their effect on retarding bread baguette staling determined. Results showed a significant effect of ultrasound treatment on the MC films' WVP and mechanical properties. Moreover, relative humidity influenced WVP of the films. The MC films retarded staling of the bread samples only for one day. Ultrasound treatment can affect physical and mechanical properties of MC films to a large extent. Mechanical and organoleptic tests of bread indicate that the wrapping can retard staling of baguette bread only for one day. Thus, more research in needed to elucidate more light on the applicability of edible MC films in food packaging

[ therapeutic effects of oral administration of garlic extract and tablet on experimentally lead acetate poisoning in mouse]

To study the therapeutic effects of garlic extract and tablet on lead poisoning in mouse. Experimental study. Eighty mature male mice with 22-25g body weight. Mice were divided into 8 groups of 10 mice each. All groups received lead acetate [5mg/kg of bady weight] for 21 weeks and after then treated daily for another 4 weeks as follows: group A1, 500mg/kg fresh garlic; group A2, 250mg/kg fresh garlic; group A3, 125mg/kg fresh garlic; group B1, 1/4 Garlet tablet per kg body weight [Eq. to 500 mg fresh garlic]; group B2, 1/8 Garlet tablet per kg body weight [Eq. to 250 mg fresh garlic]; group B3, 1/16 Garlet tablet per kg body weight [Eq. to 125 mg fresh garlic]; group C, 5mg/kg lead acetate and group D did not received any thing in both the first 4 and the second 4 weeks. These results showed that daily administration of fresh garlic [preferably 250-500 mg/kg] or Garlet tablet [1/4 of one garlet tablet per kg body weight] can have therapeutic effects on mice with chronic lead administration. Result showed that garlic and garlet tablets [in a lower grade] have the ability to reduce the lead residues in soft tissues as well as bone in chronic lead poisoned mouse. So, it can be concluded that garlic can be used for lead poisoning therapy in mouse and probably in human and other animals. Moreover, fresh garlic or garlet tablet in aforementioned dose could be used in areas with lead pollution