Generation of mouse spermatogonial stem-cell-colonies in a non-adherent culture

Objective: The properties of self-renewal and division in spermatogonial stem cells [SSCs] support spermatogenesis. There is a number of reported methods for in vitro SSC culture systems. The development of a culture system that effectively supports isolation and self-renewal of germline stem cells [GSCs] is of tremendous benefit for clinical trials, experimental research, and as potential treatment for male infertility. The current study aims to consider the cultivation and behavior of GSCs in a non-adherent culture system

Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, we cultured testicular cells from neonatal mice in agarose coated plates in the presence of Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium [DMEM] medium [CTRL group], 10% fetal bovine serum [FBS]+DMEM [10% group], and growth factor [G group] that contained 2% FBS, glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor [GDNF], epidermal growth factor [EGF], and fibroblast growth factor [FGF]. Mouse spermatogonial stem-like colonies were isolated approximately 3 weeks after digestion of the testis tissue. After passages 2-3, the identity of the mouse spermatogonial stem-like cells was confirmed by immunocytochemistry, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction [RT-PCR], and flow cytometry against the germ cell markers alpha 6, beta 1, c-Kit, Thy-1, c-Ret, Plzf, and Oct4. The statistical significance between mean values in different groups was determined by one-way analysis of variance [ANOVA]

Results: We observed spermatogonial stem-like colonies in the G and 10% groups, but not the CTRL group. Immunocytochemistry, flow cytometry, and RT-PCR confirmed expressions of germ cell markers in these cells. In the spermatogonial stem-like cells, we observed a significant expression [P<0.05] of germ cell markers in the G and 10% groups versus the testis cells [T]. Their proliferative and apoptotic activities were examined by Ki67 and PI/annexin V-FITC. Alkaline phosphatase assay showed that mouse spermatogonial stem-like colonies were partially positive

Conclusion: A non-adherent culture system could provide a favorable method for in vitro short-term culture of spermatogonial stem-like cell colonies

Effect of calcium alginate coating on shelf life of frozen lamb muscle

Considering the potential benefits of edible coatings and films for storage of food materials, effect of edible calcium alginate film on shelf life of frozen lamb muscles was studied in the present research. Microbial analyses including total microorganisms count and psychrophilic bacteria count and chemical analyses such as total volatile nitrogen [TVN] and moisture content determination were performed. Coated and uncoated samples had not statistically significant difference in total microbial count, total volatile nitrogen level and moisture content. However, there was statistically significant difference between the coated and uncoated samples in terms of psychrophilic bacteria count [p<0.05]. Considering the role of psychrophilic bacteria in meat spoilage, results of the current research confirmed that calcium alginate films may be to some extent effective in shelf life extension of frozen lamb muscle

Molecular diagnosis and characterization of Bacillus subtilis isolated from burn wound in Iran

Bacillus subtilis refers to stretched and sometimes curved, gram-positive, aerobic, and catalase-positive bacilli, which has thermo-resistant endospores. It has been known as a normal flora in the human but can be pathogens In the case of opportunistic. Also, it can be the pathogen of nosocomial infections such as wound among hospitalized patients. Purpose of this study was to identify the type of nosocomial infections in a burn patient suffering from wound infections and septicemia. In November 2012, sampling was made from the burn wound of a 26- year-old woman infected with septicemia using a sterile swab. The wound sample was cultured on a blood agar medium. Various routine biochemical tests were performed for species detection and identification. Eventually, PCR was used to increase the reliability and accuracy in the identification of the isolated bacterium. The PCR product was then sequenced. According to the results of different biochemical tests and molecular identification, the bacteria separated from B. subtilis wound were reported. The mentioned gene was recorded under access number AB894357 in the gene bank. According to the conducted studies, although B. subtilis is known as a commensal bacterium, it can be considered a pathogen of nosocomial infection, which subsequently causes secondary infections. Considering that B. subtilis is known as a nonpathogenic bacterium, it is recommended to pay more attention to its diagnosis and treatment as an opportunistic pathogen among hospitalized patients

Brief historical perspectives of malaria in Iran

The history of malaria as a serious human disease dates back to ancient times. For centuries, malaria has been a deadly disease with high morbidity and mortality that profoundly impacted the socioeconomic status of endemic countries. However, its causative agent remained unidentified until the last decades of the nineteenth century. There were no effective synthetic anti-malarial agents until the mid-twentieth century. Currently malaria has been eliminated or pre-eliminated in numerous countries; however, this preventable and curable disease remains a significant global health problem. A major concern is drug resistance. Presented here, is a brief look at the history of malaria in Iran and the rest of the world, particularly during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries

Impact of quality mentorship on achievements of shiraz medical school in the 1970s and the role of Professor Faramarz Ismail-Beigi

Almost four decades ago, an eminent physician, outstanding mentor and scholar, Professor Faramarz Ismail-Beigi [b. 1941] was appointed Chair of the Department of Internal Medicine at Shiraz Medical School. Soon, this proved to be the beginning of a golden era in medical education at that center. Professor Ismail-Beigi invited outstanding teachers and physicians to collaborate with him. Their efforts during the next decade laid a strong and unique foundation for medical education based on quality mentorship and role-modeling. In this paper, we briefly highlight the importance of mentorship in medicine and medical education, followed by a glance at the academic life and career of Professor Ismail-Beigi and his role as a prominent mentor at the Shiraz School of Medicine

Physicians in the first academy of Iran [1935-1953]

Over seven decades ago, as the result of endeavors of a group of leading literary and scientific figures the Farhangestan-e-Aw-wal [First Academy of Iran] was established in May 1935 and its activity continued until 1953. Presented here is a brief historical account of the establishment of the First Academy of Iran as well as a look at the biographical sketches of physicians at the academy

historical profile of diphtheria in Iran during the 19th and 20th centuries

Diphtheria is a contagious and life-threatening disease historically regarded as a major cause of mortality, particularly in children. Over the past centuries, frequent diphtheria outbreaks have occurred. Herein, after a quick look at the history of diphtheria throughout the world, a historical account of this lethal disease in Iran during the 19th and 20th centuries is presented

history of leprosy in Iran during the 19[th] and 20[th] centuries

From ancient time leprosy has been regarded as a terrifying, stigmatized disease; nevertheless, its cause remained unidentified up to the late 19[th] century. For centuries numerous leprosy victims worldwide suffered from its morbidity and were socially isolated. The afflicted individuals were segregated because they were considered [unclean] and had to live in leper colonies, generally under very poor conditions. Physicians believed that leprosy was an incurable, highly contagious, and hereditary disease. In 1873, the Norwegian physician, Gerhard Armauer Hansen [1841 - 1912], ended the myth of leprosy and discovered its causative agent, known as Mycobacterium leprae. Hansen's discovery was a great triumph in the fight against leprosy. In the 1930's, the first effective antileprosy drug, dapsone, was introduced and in the early 1980's multi-drug therapy was popularized because of high efficacy in resistant cases. Here, we have presented a brief look at the history of leprosy in the world with special focus on the historical account of leprosy in Iran, particularly during the 19[th] and 20[th] centuries

memory of i raj afshar [1925 - 2011], a renowned scholar of Iranian studies

On March 9th, 2011, the eminent scholar of Iranian studies, historian, bibliographer, Persian manuscript expert, journalist, biographer and writer, Iraj Afshar passed away at the age of 85 in Tehran. His demise was a great loss to Iranian culture. He edited or wrote around 300 books in various fields of Iranian studies, including the history of medicine in Iran and published more than 2000 papers in local and international journals. The late Afshar was considered as a world-class Iranologist who promoted Persian culture for over five decades and had profitable mutual worldwide connection with famed scholars in the field of Iranian studies and pertinent international societies. Herein is a brief look at his life and career, with special focus on his works in the field of the history of medicine in Iran

brief history of tuberculosis in Iran during the 19[th] and 20[th] century

The history of tuberculosis as a worldwide fatal illness traces back to antiquity, a well-known disease in ancient civilizations. However, its causative agent remained unidentified until the last decades of the 19[th] century, when discovered by Robert Koch. In due course, preparation of the BCG vaccine, application of the Mantoux intradermal diagnostic tuberculosis test and administration of proper antituberculosis medications eventually controlled tuberculosis. However, despite these significant advancements tuberculosis remained uneradicated, particularly in developing countries after the emergence of both multidrug-resistant tuberculosis and HIV co-infection. Presented here, is a brief review of the history of tuberculosis in the world as well as its historical background in Iran, mainly during the 19[th] and 20[th] centuries

[Gondishapur school of medicine: the most significant medical center in antiquity]

Iran has a rich civilization and a long history, during which medical sciences flourished at specific periods. For instance, medicine blossomed in Sassanid's era [226-652 AD]. One of the most remarkable cultural and scientific centers of Sassanid's era was the city of Gondishapur located in Shah-Abad near Susa, Khuzestan province, south-west of Iran. The city was rebuilt in the third century AD, whereupon it soon became the most important scientific center of the ancient world. Gondishapur Medical School was a renowned cosmopolitan institution and had a crucial impact upon further development of medicine in Islamic era. At this school, the Greek, Persian, and Indian medical heritage was conserved, developed, and then transferred to the Islamic world and subsequently to the West. Gondishapur hospital was also an excellent model for establishment of hospitals particularly in the Islamic countries. Presented here is a brief account of the foundation of Gondishapur School of Medicine and its role in promoting medical science in antiquity

history of the 1918 Spanish influenza pandemic and its impact on Iran

Approximately ninety two years ago, the worst influenza pandemic or "Spanish flu" occurred in 1918, at the end of the First World War [WWI, 1914-1918] which resulted in the deaths of millions of people worldwide. The death toll exceeded the total number of victims of WWI. The 1918 Spanish flu was a deadly, major global event that affected many countries, including Iran. In Iran, it was accompanied by a high mortality rate estimated to be more than one million. However, detailed information on the impact of this outbreak in Iran is scarce. The present paper describes a brief history of the influenza pandemics in the world as well as the spread of the 1918 Spanish flu to Iran

[Mouse and human spermatogonial stem cells]

Spermatogonial stem cells [SSCs] are in the beginning of a complex process in which they transmit genetic information from generation to generation. Any failure in this process can result in infertility. It has been suggested that transplantation of spermatogonial stem cells, following their maintenance and culturing, may restore fertility in some infertile patients. Because fertility restoration through SSCs transplantation has been successfully achieved in animal experiments, we hope human studies can follow in the near future. The isolation and cultivation of SSCs help us study their biological characteristics and their application in therapeutic approaches. In this review, we studied spermatogenesis in rodents and humans. We also compared markers and different SSC culture systems in both

brief history of the discovery of the circulation of blood in the human body

The present article describes briefly the development of the theories regarding the circulation of blood in humans, from the time of Galen [second century C.E.] to the work of William Harvey [17th century C.E.]. We shall summarize the views of Galen together with those of two prominent Iranian physicians of the Middle Ages [Razi and Ahwazi known in the West as Rhazes and Haly Abbas respectively] as well as that of Ibn-Nafis from Damascus [the discoverer of the pulmonary circulation] and the Spanish physician and cleric Michael Servetus and finally the definitive work of William Harvey, the English physician who described the mechanism of both the systemic and pulmonary circulation of blood in the human body

brief history of the estabushment of Shiraz Medical Auxiliary Training School: the forerunner of Faculty of Medicine at Shiraz University

Shiraz Faculty of Medicine was officially inaugurated in 1952[1]. Indeed, it replaced the former "Medical Auxiliary Training School" [Amouzeshgah-e Alee Behdari Shiraz] that was founded in 1946. The school was intended to run a four-year course, the so-called Behdar training. The graduates of the Medical Auxiliary Training School were allowed to work only in small areas with population of less than 10,000. They had to pass a final exam after their four-year training. The graduates could also continue their medical education at medical school after practicing few years in selected areas, to become a licensed physician. Therefore, the Medical Auxiliary Training School in Shiraz can be considered as the forerunner of the Faculty of Medicine at Shiraz University. The present article provides a brief history of the establishment of Medical Auxiliary Training School of Shiraz