ABSTRACT
Background: Azoospermia is the medical condition of a man not having any measurable level of sperm in his semen. Follicle stimulating hormone [FSH] is a member of the glycoprotein hormone family that plays an important role in human reproduction because of its essential role in normal spermatogenesis. Various Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms [SNPs] have been reported within FSH receptor [FSHR] gene that may affect the receptor function
Objective: The present study aimed to investigate the correlation between two FSHR SNPs at positions A919G, A2039G, and susceptibility to azoospermia in a group of Iranian azoospermic men. The association between FSH levels within the sera and A919G and A2039G alleles and genotypes were also investigated
Materials and Methods: This case control study was performed on 212 men with azoospermia [126 non-obstructive and 86 obstructive] and 200 healthy Iranian men. Two FSHR gene SNPs were genotyped using PCR-RFLP method. The relationship between FSH levels within the sera and A919G and A2039G alleles and genotypes were also investigated
Results: Statistical analysis indicated that at A919G position, AA genotype and A allele were more frequent in obstructive azoospermia cases compared to nonobstructive or normal men [p=0.001]. Regarding A2039G polymorphisms, no significant difference was observed between both azoospermia groups and the controls. The mean level of serum FSH was higher in the non-obstructive men compared to the obstructive patients [23.8 versus 13.8, respectively, p= 0.04]
Conclusion: The results of the present study indicated that the genetic polymorphisms in the FSHR gene might increase the susceptibility to azoospermia in Iranian men
ABSTRACT
Nowadays, with regard to the quantitative and qualitative growth of dental-plastic services and qualitative advances made in tooth-colored restorations, there is a great rise of demands for use of composite resins. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of diamond burs in comparison with carbide burs on bond strength of self etch adhesives to dentin. In this in vitro experimental study, sixty sound extracted human third molars were selected and mounted in a self-cure acrylic resin. Then, teeth were randomly assigned to two groups, [n=30 each]: In group A the teeth were ground with high-speed medium grit diamond bur and in group B with high-speed carbide burs. A composite cylinder 3 mm in diameter was bonded to each specimen with a self-etch bonding system and the shear bond test with performed using a universal testing machine. The results were expressed in MPa and were subjected to and Tukey's test. The average shear bonding strength in diamond and carbide burs were 17.67 [SD= +/- 4.41] and 14.51 [SD +/- .18] MPa, respectively. There was a significant difference in dentin bond strength when comparing bonding strength between two groups [P< 0.05]. The use of different burs was considered influential on the shear bond strength of the self-etch adhesives 'to dentin. This adhesive significantly outperformed when a diamond bur was used to prepare dentin surface
ABSTRACT
Cynodon dactylon L. pers is one of the plants with applied medicinal value. This study aimed to examine the effect of C. dactylon [L.] aqueous extract on catalase enzymatic activity in kidney and liver tissues as well as the changes in testicular tissues of diabetic rats. In this experimental study, 30 adult male rats were divided into five groups [n=6]. Control rats were injected with physiological saline and the others were made diabetic by the injection of streptozotocin [STZ; 70 mg/kg, i.p.]. The third, fourth and fifth diabetic groups were given the oral aqueous extract of C. dactylon at different doses [50, 250 and 500 mg/kg], respectively for 4 weeks. The catalase enzymatic activity in kidney and liver tissues were measured using Aebi method at the end of the treatment. Then the testis slices were stained and examined by electron microscopy. The activity of catalase enzyme in kidney and liver of diabetic rats treated with the 500 mg/kg extract was increased significantly compared to the untreated diabetic rats [P<0.05]. In the untreated diabetic group, coiled seminiferous tubules and the increased interstitial space of lubules were observable in testis. The aqueous extract-treated group, compared to the diabetic one, showed a significant recovery in the tissue parameters. Aqueous extract of C. dactylon [L.] have beneficial effects on the activity of anti-oxidant enzymes and changes in testicular tissue during the course of diabetes
ABSTRACT
In recent years, application of radioactive materials is developed fast for diagnosis and therapeutic purposes in nuclear medicine. Meanwhile, each worker on the basis of his organizational post, receives different amount of variation from various radioactive sources such as radiopharmaceuticals, radiopharmaceutical received patients, institute wastes like syringe, cotton soaked with polluted alcohol and so on. In this research work, the amount of absorbed dose of workers is measured in three nuclear medicine clinics in Guilan province. Among 35 workers investigated, 12 were chosen from clinic A, 13 from clinic B and 10 from clinic C. Workers' absorbed dose was measured using LiF: M,C,P thermo-luminescence dosimeter [TLD] made in special molds. These molds were fastened on their chest for two months. In order to minimize the uncertainty of outcoming results, there LiF dosimeters were used in each mold. This information is extracted using TLD reader and Win REMS software and finally the workers' average absorbed dose was calculated. The achieved results that workers' absorbed dose is the range of 0.94 to 14.6 mGy with the average of 2.2 mGy. The minimum absorbed dose was for the specialists of clinic C and the maximum absorbed dose was for the nurses in clinic A. The results also show that the maximum absorbed doses in all 3 clinics are received by nurses. In this study, the maximum amount of absorbed dose is related to nurses. This indicates that it is necessary to minimize the amount of patients exposure as well as workers' exposure, especially nurses, according to the basis ALARA principle, via accomplishing the laws, rules and standards of radiation protection and the proper use of hand equipments
Subject(s)
Humans , Radiation Protection , Radiation Dosage , Health Services Research , Nuclear Medicine , Reference Standards , Occupational ExposureABSTRACT
Maternal and infantile mortality are important health indicators of every society due to pregnancy incidents. Maternal and infant mortality and also neonatal tetanus incidents have direct relation with delivery condition. Neonatal tetanus and mortality among mothers and newborns have direct relation with delivery in non-hygienic condition. Non-hygienic delivery rate is very high in Sistan and Baluchestan province. Even in the city of Zahedan with a population of 450000, where as access to maternity hospital is possible for all residents of this city, 50-60% deliveries take place at home. In this study, the reasons of women were investigated for not referring to maternity hospital for delivery. The method of research was case control. Case group was selected from those women whose last deliveries had not taken place in maternity hospital and referred to health centers to vaccinate their children [no. 482]. Control group was selected randomly among women who referred to hospital to give birth [no. 198]. Hospital's high fee [38%], easy delivery at home [19%], fear from cesarean and drugs adverse reaction [13%] were the most prevalent reason for not giving birth at hospital. Employment and literacy rates of those women who had given birth at home were lower than control group. They were mainly from Suni and Baluch ethnic. In order to minimize the cultural barriers of referring to maternal hospital, we advise the respectful officers, to make insurance public, lower the treatments fee, held training programs and provide hygienic conditions with low cost for out of hospital deliveries