Microtitration of rubella virus in monovalent vaccinal products

Potency test for control of rubella vaccine is a significant factor to qualify production line and vaccination program. For this reason, WHO recommends to use the microtitration method by both vaccine companies and control laboratories. Then the study was done to improve this test. Three rubella virus samples, including an in-house standard, a lot of vaccine and an in-process product, were tittered in cell culture tubes. Then micro titration steps were tested on 96-well microplate using cocultivation of standard rubella vaccine dilutions and RK-13 cell line. After 6-7 days, final reading was done and calculated the titer. Two other samples were assayed with the micromethod. Titer reduction less than 0.5 log was acquired for each sample during frequent tests and between two methods. The procedure was profitable and accurate for potency and identity tests of rubella virus vaccine, on the basis of WHO recommendations

[Effects of carnitine on sperm parameters of infertile males with idiopathic asthenospermia]

Studies confirm that a number of nutritional and environmental factors may negatively affect spermatogenesis and cause male infertility. Carnitine is an important factor for sperm motility. Carnitine deficiency decreases sperm motility and may cause male infertility. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of carnitine on sperm parameters in infertile males with idiopathic asthenospermia. This study is a before and after clinical trial performed on 40 asthenospermia men who were treated with 750 mg per/day carnitine in Fatemieh infertility research center in years 2006-2007. Sperm parameters were assessed before and after treatment. The obtained data were analyzed using SPSS10 and paired T-test. The results showed a significant increase in sperm concentration, morphology, sperm total motility and rapid progressive motility after treatment by carnitine [p<0.05]. Carnitine supplementation has a significant effect on sperm parameters in men with idiopathic asthenospermia

comparative study of factors affecting reluctance to scientific writing from the viewpoints of basic and clinical sciences faculty members in Hamedan University of Medical Sciences in 2006

Although activities carried out in Hamedan University of Medical Sciences in regard to publishing scientific articles are appreciable, they are not gratifying yet. The aim of this study was to determine and compare the factors affecting reluctance to scientific writing from the viewpoints of basic and clinical sciences faculty members in Hamedan University of Medical Sciences in 2006. This was a descriptive cross-sectional study which was performed using census sampling method. The study population included all faculty members [n=260] of Hamedan University of Medical Sciences. The data gathering tool was a questionnaire consisting of two parts, asking about demographic data and measuring attitude. Questionnaires were distributed among all faculty members and finally the data driven from 228 gathered questionnaires was analyzed by SPSS software using descriptive statistical methods. Among the participants of this study, 102 persons [44.8 percent] were in basic sciences department and 126 persons [55.2 percent] in clinical sciences department. The primary factor affecting reluctance to scientific writing from the viewpoints of basic sciences group, was lack of proficiency in language skills with the mean score of 3.95 +/- 0.96 and from the viewpoints of clinical sciences members, it was due to extra occupation in educational affairs, teaching, and treatment with the mean score of 3.88 +/- 1.17. The participants of this study believed that extra occupation in educational activities and lack ofproficiencv in language skills are the primary barriers to willingness for scientific writing

[IL- 12 gene polymorphism in type I diabetes mellitus]

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease characterized by T-cell mediated destruction of pancreatic ?-cells. A variety of environmental and genetic factors are involved in the development of the disease. IL-12 is a cytokine secreted by different cells and plays and important role in cell-mediated immune responses and maintenance of cytokine network balance. Genetic polymorphisms in the IL-12 gene were shown to interfere with the transcriptional activity of the IL-12 gene, and this influences the production, secretion or activity of IL-12 growth factor. In this study the polymorphism in the 3'-untranslated region of the IL12Bgene encoding IL-12 p40 was investigated. In this case control study 75 type 1 diabetic patients who had definitely been diagnosed at least 2 years before sampling and were under Insulin therapy, recruited. A total of 88 healthy controls selected from voluntarily blood donors who had referred to IRAN Blood Transfusion Organization. DNA extracted from whole blood and polymorphism at +1188 nucleotide was assessed by SSP-PCR. Data were analyzed by SPSS, using chi- square test with 95% confidence interval. A statistical significance of AA presence [57%] at the +1188 3'-UTR position of IL-12 B gene in patients was found, after genotyping, compared to the control group[p<0.05]. Interleukin-12 [IL-12] is a key cytokine for the induction of Th1 immune responses. Polymorphism in the 3'-UTR of the IL-12 p40 gene and association with susceptibility to Diabetes type I evaluated. AA genotype was more frequent than AC and the AC more common than CC in diabetic patients. In another word, the A allele of the [A/C] polymorphism at position +1188 in the 3'-UTR found to be preferentially transmitted to people with type I diabetes.These polymorphisms may affect gene transcription of IL-12 p40, causing individual variations in cytokine production. A better understanding of the molecular mechanisms, will give us the opportunities to develop new and effective therapeutic approaches

Comparing antioxidant capacity and vitamin C values between umbilical cord and maternal blood plasma and those in newborns with hypoxia

Oxygen intoxication plays an important role in the pathogenesis of some fetal diseases such as encephalopathy, ischemia and hypoxia. Antioxidants can reduce oxidative damage in newborns. The object of this research was measuring total value of antioxidant and vitamin C in blood sample of pregnant women before delivery, and also in umbilical cord blood of their newborn, and repeating these measurements 48 hours after birth in newborns with hypoxia and controlling group. The sample included 32 healthy pregnant women presented for delivery and also their newborns. The total values of antioxidant and vitamin C in plasma were measured by staining methods. There was no statistical meaningful difference in total values of antioxidants and vitamin C in women's blood and their newborn's cord blood. Also total values of antioxidant and vitamin C meaningfully increased in newborns with hypoxia after 48 hours. total values of antioxidant and vitamin C in blood plasma of newborn, increases in oxidative damage as a defense mechanism

L-carnitine level in seminal plasma of fertile and infertile men

To determine any correlation between infertility and semen quality with concentrations of L-carnitine in human seminal plasma. This case-control study performed in Fatemieh Hospital in Hamadan, Iran. Seminal plasma of 72 infertile men and 80 men with proved fertility as a control group was investigated and L-carnitine level was determined using UV enzymatic test at 340 nm. The concentration of L-carnitine was significantly lower in the infertile group compared with control group [80.59 +/- 56.43 mg/l versus 108.43 +/- 42.26 mg/l; P= 0.0009]. There was also a statistically significant positive correlation between seminal plasma L-carnitine concentration, total sperm count, and the percentage of motile sperm [P= 0.0009, and P= 0.0000, respectively]. These finding suggest that the determination of seminal plasma L-carnitine level may be a useful test in evaluation of male infertility

Antiepileptic drug therapy and serum carnitine levels in children prior to and following treatment

The physiologic function of carnitine, oxidation of fatty acid and lipid metabolism, is severely affected in carnitine deficiency, secondary forms of which lead to renal tubular disorders and chronic renal failure. Reduction in serum carnitine has been frequently reported in patients and experimental animals treated with antiepileptic drugs, one of which, valproic acid has consistently been found to cause the deficiency; the antiepileptic drugs, valproic acid, has consistently been found to cause the deficiency. Previous results, however, regarding the effects of other antiepileptic drugs have been less consistent. Considering the controversial results available in lterarure, the aim of this study was to determine the effect of Valproic acid, Carbamazepine and Phenobarbital on serum carnitine levels in epileptic children. In the present study, serum carnitine levels were randomly monitored before and six months after therapy in 39 epileptic patients receiving the antiepileptic drugs mentioned. Patient blood samples were taken before and six months after treatment and L-carnitine level was determined using the UV enzymatic test [Rouche Kit] spectronic Genesis 2, 340 nm. Results showed a significant fall in the L-carnitine levels of epileptic children taking these drugs [P< 0.01]. Considering the reducing effect of antiepileptic drugs on serum carnitine levels, it is recommended that a carnitine supplement be administered in pediatric epileptic patients to prevent the deficiency and related consequences caused by such therapies