[ diagnostic value of CRP, ESR and white blood cell count in the diagnosis of chorioamnionitis in the mothers with premature rupture of membrane]

Several laboratory factors such as ESR, CRP and leukocyte count, have bee used for the diagnosis of placental membrane infection. However, results of studies on this subject had been different and sometimes controversial. This study was conducted to determine the role of CRP, ESR and leukocyte count in the diagnosis of infection of placental membranes in mothers with premature rupture of membrane. This was a descriptive and analytical observational study. The study population included all patients with premature rupture of membrane before 37 weeks of gestation. Sample size included 70 subjects. Sampling method was census. Data of the eligible patients were extracted from interview and laboratory results. Data were introduced into SPSS software and analyzed by means of T test and if necessary, by X[2] and non-parametric tests. This study included 70 patients. None of the patients had history of hypertension before 20 weeks of gestation, hypertension in previous pregnancy and history of drug use. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of CRP test for detection of chorioamnionitis were 16.7%, 67.7%, 4.5% and 89.8%, for WBC count 16.7%, 63.1%, 4% and 89.1%; and for ESR 66.7%, 50.8%, 11.1% and 94.3% respectively. The results of this study was compatible with those the previous studies and showed controversy about the predictive value of CRP for clinical and pathological diagnosis of chorioamnionitis. On the other hand lack of correlation between ESR values and WBC counts with chorioamnionitis which is not compatible with the results of some of the previous studies will reflect the need for future studies with larger sample sizes

[ evaluation of morphine based CPP on the astrocytes of male rat's dentate gyrus]

Morphological alterations of hippocampus and dentate gyrus due to opium were reported in humans and animals. Also other evidences have shown that astrocytes actively participate in synaptic plasticity. This study was done to determine the conditioning place preference [CPP] on astrocytes number of Rat dentate gyrus by immunohistochemical technique. In this experimental study, 48 male Wistar Rat weighted average 220- 250 g were used. For behavioural tests, Rats divided into eight experimental groups. The Rats were received morphine at different doses [2.5, 5, 7.5 mg/kg] for three days by subcutaneous injection and sham groups, received saline dose [1 mg/kg] and then CPP test in them were investigated. 48 hours after behavioural testing animals were decapitated under chloroform anesthesia and their brains fixed and after tissue processing, slices stained with immunohistochemistery techniques. For morphometric study PTAH staining of astrocytes was used. The most dose responses of morphine was observed in 7.5mg/kg. The number of astrocytes in the controls [20.627 +/- 6.129] was similar to control-saline group [17.339 +/- 4.71]. This difference was not significant, while the difference in the number of astrocytes in control group with morphine-treated experimental groups was significant [P<0.05]. We concluded that the phenomenon of conditioned place preference induced by morphine can cause a significant increase in the number of astrocytes of sham and experimental groups compared to controls

effect of low-frequency stimulations on perforant path kindling rate and ultrastructural changes of dentate gyrus in rat

Background and Purpose: Application of low-frequency stimulation [LFS] induces anticonvulsant effects. In this study, the effect of changes in LFS frequencies on its anticonvulsant effects in kindling model of epilepsy was investigated by determining the behavioral and ultrastructural changes

Methods and Materials: In this experimental study, 45 Wistar rats weighing 250-280 g were used. For induction of kindled seizures, stimulating and recording electrodes were implanted in perforant path and dentate gyrus respectively. Animals were stimulated in a rapid kindling manner. Different groups of animals received LFS at different frequencies [0.5, 1 and 5 Hz] following kindling stimulations and their effects on kindling rate were determined using behavioral and electrophysiological studies

After stimulating the animals for 7 days, they were killed and their dentate gyri were sampled for ultrastructural studies under electron microscopy. For data analysis, one-way and two-way ANOVA, LSD, Kruskal Wallis and Mann Whitney U were used in Statistica 2

Results: Different LFS frequencies had a significant inhibitory effect on kindling rate and decreased after-discharge duration and the number of stimulations to achieve stage 4 and 5 seizures significantly. In addition, application of LFS prevented the increase in the post-synaptic density and induction of concave synaptic vesicles following kindling. There was not any significant change between anticonvulsant effects of LFS at different frequencies

Conclusion: Obtained results show that LFS application can prevent the neuronal hyper-excitability by preventing the ultrastructural changes during kindling, and can exert its anticonvulsant effects

Germination and growth of six plant species on contaminated soil with spent oil

Effects of contaminated soil with spent oil on germination, above ground height and biomass of six herbaceous plant species were investigated by conducting a general phytotoxicity test and growth inhibition assessment. Six local plant species were used in order to investigate plant's ability to germinate and survive in a gradient of contaminated soil with spent oil. The species selected for this experiment include one species of Fabaceae [Medicago truncatular], four species of Gramineae [Bromous mermis, Secal serai, Triticum saliva andAgropyron deserterum] and one species of Linaceae [Linum ussitasimum]. Inhibitory effect of contaminated soil on germination, height of young seedling and dry weight were measured. In this study an artificial soil with a light texture included 85% sand, 10% silt and 5% clay was used. The exposure to the contaminated soil carried out using four consecutive concentrations [25, 50, 75, 100 g/kg]. Results obtained from the current investigation indicate that all species perform dose-dependent responses to the contaminated soils. Reduction in germination, above ground height and biomass for all species were significantly [P < 0.05] different when compared to their controls, however, Medicago truncatular performed the highest and Linum ussitatisimum the lowest inhibitory effect for germination, above ground height and dry weight of seedling

[Ultrastructural study of interestitial cells of cajal in hirschsprungs disease]

Introduction: This investigation was performed to study the anatomy and ultrastructure that is interstitial cells of cajal [ICC], of colon in Iranian patients with Hischsprung's disease [HD]

Material and Methods: Samples were obtained from healthy and pathologic segments of colon in 10 children under 10 years of age in which the distal part of colon was resected for surgical treatment of H.D. The specimens were prepared for electron microscopic studies and the ultrathin sections were obtained. Then the location and morphology of ICC in pathologic segments were compared with healthy ones

Results: In the affected segment, on ICC was detected among the smooth muscle cells and nerve endings, but the ultrastructural study showed mild differences with healthy parts

Conclusion: Lack of intermediate position of ICC in pathologic segments, considering it's inhibitory role on smooth muscle cell function, could be the reason for spasm in involved areas