[Evaluation of astaxanthin effects on the survival and proliferation of human adipose derived stem cells]

Background and Aim: In order to enhance in vivo stem cell viability and considering similar anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects of human adipose derived stem cells [hADSCs] and astaxanthin [AST] and their ability to cross the blood-brain barrier, we investigated the effects of [AST] on hADSCs proliferation and viability to provide a supplement for cell based therapy in MS patients

Materials and methods: After isolation of hADSCs and assessment of CD markers, they were cultured in DMEM-F12 medium in the presence of AST at various concentrations [1, 5, and 10 ng/ml] for 72 h. Finally, we assessed cell proliferation and cell viability by MTT and Tryphan Blue methods

Results: The results revealed that a high percentage of hADSCs expressed CD90 and CD44 markers and a low percentage of them expressed hematopoietic cell markers. In addition, in the group cultured in the presence of 5 ng/ml AST the mean percentage of cell viability increased significantly compared to other groups [p = 0.04]. Tryphan Blue results also revealed significant effect of AST on stem cell proliferation and culture of these cells in the presence of 5 ng/ml of AST, led to significant increase in the mean percentage of cell count compared to the results of the control group [p = 0.03]

Conclusion: Astaxanthin can increase hADSCs proliferation and survival and this agent can be used in the cell-based therapies in MS patients

[Comparison of two protocols for induction of differentiation of human adipose derived stem cells into oligodendrocyte progenitor cells]

Background and Aim: Multiple sclerosis [MS] is an autoimmune demyelinating disease which affects central nervous system [CNS]. The aim of this study was to provide a simple, short term and efficient method for differentiation of human adipose tissue-derived stem cells [hADSCs] into oligodendrocyte precursor cells in order to provide a homogeneous population of these cells

Materials and Methods: After stem cell isolation, cell differentiation was performed by two methods using embryoid body and ectodermal-like cells. The cell viability was evaluated by MTT assay and the mean percentage of differentiated cells expressing Olig2 and A2B5 markers was determined by using immunocytochemistry techniques. Data were analyzed by independent- samples t- Test

Results: The results showed that a high percentage of stem cells expressed CD90 and CD105 markers and a low percentage of them expressed CD14 and CD45 markers [hematopoietic cell markers]. In addition, the mean percentages of the cells which expressed oligodendrocyte progenitor cells markers [Olig2 and A2B5] were different in the two groups [P=0.031]. Moreover, comparison of cell viability showed significant light absorbance by the cells differentiated from embryoid body compared to the other groups [p = 0.044]

Conclusion: The differentiation of human adipose derived stem cells into oligodendrocyte progenitor cells using embryoid body is a rapid and efficient method in order to provide a homogeneous population of these cells

[Effects of nulliparity and multiparity on probability of breast tumor incidences: a review]

Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women. Despite much progress in its identification, advanced surgical techniques and chemotherapies, physicians have not been successful in the control and inhibition of its metastasis. The aim of this study is notification fertility specialist and stakeholders of malignant disease to inform the role of normal pregnancy, which support immunological response of mothers, special anti-tumor and anti-metastatic mechanism against breast cancer in women. Epidemiological studies in the field of cancer associated with pregnancy history show that pregnancy has a dual impact, short-and long term, on the development of breast cancer; the first, a transient effect the after delivery, stimulates the growth of cancer cells in the early stages of transformation and increases risk of cancer, a result of a short-term effect of pregnancy. In addition, the increased differentiation of stem cells that are capable of forming tumors in the breast due to pregnancy and hormonal changes, reduce the risk of cancer, a phenomenon related to the long-term effect of pregnancy. The immune system of multiparous women due to multiple chimerism that occur as a result of the contact of the maternal immune system with common tumor antigens and embryonic cells, is more powerful and resistant against breast tumors than their nulliparous counterparts

[ study of cell proliferation, TNF-alpha cytokine production and expression of CD8 marker in peripheral blood lymphocytes of women with polycystic ovary syndrome [PCOS] by co-culture with ovarian tumor cell lines [SKOV3, A2780]]

Introduction: Polycystic ovarian syndrome [PCOS] is a proinflammatory state that underpins the development of metabolic aberration and ovarian dysfunction in the disorder. Chronic inflammation and increased levels of androgens in these patients and their impact on the immune system, may be able to disrupt antitumor activity and thus increase the risk of developing malignancies including ovarian cancer

Materials and Methods: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells of 50 patients with PCOS and healthy controls were purified by Ficoll density gradient centrifugation. We then measured cell proliferation and concentrations of cytokines TNF- alpha at different time intervals [48 and 72 hours] after co-culture of ovarian [SKOV3, A2780] and breast [MCF-7, MDA-468] tumor cell lines with PBMC in indirect contact of trans well system

Results: Proliferative response of executive cells during stimulation with tumor cell lines after 48 hours was not statistically significant between patients and healthy controls. Between the 2 groups, proliferation rates at the end of 72h were significantly higher than after 48h [P<0.01]. The production of TNF- alpha in co-culture of A2780 cell lines significantly increased in the patient group in time compared to the controls [P<0.05]

Conclusion: Our findings confirmed that, compared to healthy individuals low levels of chronic inflammation in patients with PCOS exhibit increased proliferative response of immune cells and TNF- alpha levels. An increased risk of cancers in patients with PCOS however requires investigation of other aspects of anti-tumor responses in vitro, with larger sample sizes

[A causal model of servant leadership, psychological empowerment and entrepreneurship: case study]

Introduction: paying attention to organizational entrepreneurship and productive employment in organizations in charge of health care is of great importance due to the diversity of activities and health services and the need to improve their quality. Therefore, the present study aimed at investigating the mediating role of psychological empowerment among servant leadership and organizational entrepreneurship among Zahedan medical sciences university staff

Methods: 187 staff from Zahedan medical sciences university were selected through simple random sampling. They answered to self-report questionnaires of servant leadership, psychological empowerment, and organizational entrepreneurship. Path analysis by means of LISREL software was used to analyze the data

Results: the findings generally showed that the relationship between servant leadership and organizational entrepreneurship was influenced by the components of psychological empowerment so that servant leadership, through psychological empowerment components, had indirect positive effect on organizational entrepreneurship. Moreover, the results displayed that among components of servant leadership, service and humility had the most indirect effect on organizational entrepreneurship

Conclusion: based on the study results, university administrators can provide the context for the growth of psychological empowerment components and, in turn, help to increase organizational entrepreneurship by kindness, humility and serving the staff

Vertical strabismus cases and their surgical outcome in Yazd, Islamic Republic of Iran

Early diagnosis and management of strabismus is needed to avoid complications such as amblyopia. In this retrospective cohort study we reviewed the profile and surgical outcome of vertical strabismus patients attending a clinic in Yazd city in the Islamic Republic of Iran. From the medical files of 265 patients, 19.2% were found to have pure vertical deviation and 80.8% had combined horizontal and vertical strabismus. Congenital causes were recorded for 83.0% of cases and 24.9% had a family history of strabismus. Hypertropia [91.7%] was more common than hypotropia [8.3%]. There was a statistically significant relationship between age at onset and vertical strabismus. Female patients had a higher rate of congenital vertical strabismus than did male patients. There was no significant association between surgery outcomes and sex or age of onset of strabismus. Early diagnosis and management in affected families and screening of patients with strabismus family history is needed

[Psychometric properties of diabetes management self-efficacy scale [DMSES]]

This research, aimed at determining the psychometric properties of the Diabetes Management Self-Efficacy Scale [DMSES] in type II diabetes patients. We Selected 112 patients with type II diabetes [according to diagnosis of profession], reffered to Alzahra hospital and asked them to complete the questions [for determining reliability]. To study the concurrent validity of DMSES, 40 patients were asked to complete the General Self-Efficacy Inventory [GSES] and Diabetes Care Behavior Inventory. Result Showed that all four subscales have significant and relatively high test-retest and internal reliability. The coefficients of concurrent validity were significant [0.81, 0.48], and results of the correlation matrix showed that the scale has good internal structure. Results of this research is similar to other versions of DMSE in other languages, and the DMSES scale was shown to be a valid and reliable instrument and can be a common and cross-cultural instrument

Pathological findings of osteoarthritis in sternoclavicular joint

The sternoclavicular joint [SCJ] is the only synovial articulation between the upper extremity and the trunk. This joint is one of the most frequently used joints, so osteoarthritis [OA] should be very common. However, there are few studies about OA in this joint. In this study, 48 sternoclavicular joints from the left and right joints of 23 cases and two left joints from two further cases were studied. Right and left sternoclavicular joints were removed together in an unselected sequential autopsy series. Ninety two blocks were prepared by cutting every SCJ to superior and inferior parts. Using histological staining, the articular surfaces of the SCJs were assessed microscopically. Contact radiography was done to help assessing the presence or absence of osteoarthritis. The features of normal joints were found in 18 blocks. Osteoarthritis changes were seen in 82 of the 92 blocks. There was no significant correlation between age and osteoarthritis. No differences in the degenerative changes were found between the sexes. Severe osteoarthritis changes were more common in the right SCJ and inferior part of the joint than in the left and superior parts respectively. The osteoarthritis changes were severe in 36.6% of cases and mild to moderate in 48.8%. OA was very common in these SCJs, which is not related to age and sex of the cases. There are clear changes in structure and glycan expression in the articular cartilage of the osteoarthritic sternoclavicular joint, which allow a distinction to be made between mild, moderate, and severe osteoarthritis and normal cartilage. Histochemical staining of the joints can lead to accurate diagnosis of this disease

[Quality and quantity evaluation of flavonoids in the aerial parts, flowers and fruits of Varthemia persica [var. persica] DC]

Varthemia persica is an aromatic plant belonging to the Astraceae family. The plant is endemic to Iran. It contains volatile oils and the main constituents of volatile oils are sesquiterepens. There is no information regarding flavonoid constituents. Extract was prepared from freeze-dried power of flower, fruit and aerial parts with methanol-water [1-1] and HCl [1.2 M]. Determination of myricetin, Lute Olin, apigenin, quercetin and kaempferol in all samples were carried out by HPLC. The plant flowers contain all five mentioned flavonoids, however, fruit and aerial parts contain only kaempferol, lute Olin and quercetin. The plants can be considered as flavonoid containing plant and are a good candidate for pharmacological studies