[Antimicrobial effect of some medicinal smoke, Iranian traditional medicine]

Background: Nowadays, science tries to find a way to control the pathogens in public place and health centers. The use of medicinal smokes is common in Iranian traditional medicine to improve air quality and purify air

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the antibacterial activity of Herbal fume, contain frankincense, clove, sandalwood and camel grass against a variety of microorganisms

Methods: Herbal smoke include, sandalwood [Santalum album], camel grass [Cymbopogon schoenanthus], condor [Boswellia sacra] and clove [Syzygium aromaticum], against microorganisms, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis and Candida albicans, was investigated

Results: Sandalwood and camel grass fumes could inhibit C. albicans completely both in 7 minutes and inhibit B. subtilis in turn in 9 minute and 11 minute. Also they could inhibit E. coli and S. aureus in turn in 10 and 9 minute. Frankincense and clove fume had no significant effects. Mixing two plants, sandalwood and camel grass in the ratio 1:1, will enhanced the antimicrobial effects of these smoke and the inhibition time come shorter

Conclusion: According to this research, Sandalwood and camel grass smoke have significant effect. Microbes and fungi showed great sensitivity against herbal fume and the smoke expressed the possibility of industrial usage. Further research is required to identify the chemical composition of these plant smokes

Study of telomerase activity, proliferation and differentiation characteristics in umbilical cord blood mesenchymal stem cells

In recent years, considerable advances have been made in the field of regenerative medicine. Unlike embryonic stem cells, which pose the problems of ethical concerns and cause severe immunological reactions as well as neoplasma formation after transplantation, umbilical cord blood is a primitive source of mesenchymal stem cells that covers the benefits of both embryonic and adult stem cells

It has been determined that the proliferation capacity of cells is critically linked to the maintenance of the length of telomeres by telomerase activity. Since there is no information accessible regarding the pattern of telomerase activity in UCB-MSCs through several passages, the aim of this study was the evaluation of telomerase activity in UCB-MSCs, as a predisposing factor for cell immortalization

No telomerase activity was detected in UCB-MSCs from several passages applying telomerase rapid amplification protocol [TRAP]

Since there is a direct correlation between the activation of telomerase expression and neoplasma formation in adult somatic cells, UCB can be assumed as an excellent source of MSCs for therapeutic application with a high level of safety. According to the histological results, RT-PCR and biochemical assays, MSCs derived from UCB showed high differentiation capacity to bone and cartilage. UCB-MSCs showed very low level of differentiation potential to adipocytes. Our results showed that UCB-MSCs maintain their self-renewal and differentiation potential through several passages. Since a large number of metabolically active cells must be available in cell therapy, high proliferation capacity through several passages is a great advantage for large scale expansion of UCB-MSCs?

[ effect of laminin and gelatin extracellular matrix on short-term cultivation of neonate mouse spermatogonial stem cells]

To compare the effect of laminin and gelatin on short-term culture of spermatogonial stem cells [SSCs] from neonatal mouse testes. Cell suspension containing SSCs were isolated from testes of 6 day-old mice and cultured in the presence of Glial-derived neuroterophic factor [GDNF], Epidermal Growth Factor [EGF] and Basic Fibroblastic Growth Factor [bFGF] on laminin-and gelatin-coated plates for 9 days. Number and area of colonies were measured in 5th, 7th and 9th days after culturing. At 9th day Immunostaining was used to detect expression of SSC markers, alpha 6-Integrin and beta 1-Integrin. moreover, the colonies were harvested and the percentage of alpha 6-Integrin and beta 1-Integrin positive cells was assessed by flowcytometery in both groups. Immunostaining analysis showed that our culture system contained SSC colonies as they were positive for alpha 6-Integrin and beta 1-Integrin. Additionally, the number of colonies those were formed on laminin were significantly higher in comparison with those of other group. but colony area was higher on gelatin. There was no significant difference in percentage of cells that expressed alpha 6-Integrin, beta 1-Integrin detected by flowcytometry in both groups. laminin as extracellular matrix cause to increase the number of neonate spermatogonial colonies and decrease the area of them [P

[In Vitro Production of Germ Cells from Stem Cells: Hypes and Hopes]

Several lines of evidence have reported that mouse ESCs can successfully differentiate into primordial germ cells [PGCs] as well as into mature male and female gametes. Human ESCs and adult stern cells [ASCs] can also differentiate into PGCs. Differentiation of ESCs into germ cells of various stages seems to he a spontaneous and quick process, probably due to the nature of ESCs themselves and the microenvironment Of the culture conditions that favor this process. Although the functionality of these LSC-delived gametes tenuous to he established. derivation of both male and female gametes from ESCs raises the possibility of using these gametes to gain a better understanding of basic reproductive biology and. in particular, in conjunction with nuclear transfer technology. to extend the potential for therapeutic cloning and the treatment or infertility

arrangement of microtubules in embryos derived from mice young, old and reconstructed oocytes

To study the structure and distribution of microtubules in embryos derived from young, old and reconstructed oocytes. Embryos obtained from old [50 embryos], young [50 embryos] and reconstructed oocytes [10 embryos] were studied by immunocytochemistry. The microtubule structures of the embryos were studied by using fluroscent microscopy with FITC-PI filter and polyclonal antibody against alfa tubulin. The spindle structure of MII young oocyte and the obtained embryos were normal with the suitable condensation. There was no contact between chromosome and spindle in old Oocytes as well as the obtained embryos, in addition, the spindle was extended in old group. In reconstructed embryos, thin and scattered filaments were observed. This study reveals that the arrangement of microtubules in reconstructed embryos was caused by repeating of injection and oocyte manipulation. Also, interactions between karyoblast, cytoplasm and microtubuls may not be suitable. This may be caused by low fertilization in these oocytes

[Effect of direct current pulsation on maturation of mouse oocyte and development of fetus]

Introduction: In this study the immature mouse oocytes [Germinal Vesicles: GV], which were arrested in metaphase [MI], were activated with DC pulses and the effect of DC pulse frequency on immature oocyte activation and their subsequent in vitro development were studied

Material and Methods: Immature oocytes successfully passed the meiosis processes. That is, germinal vesicle stage of oocytes changed to germinal vesicle breakdown [GVB] and finally the first polar body extruded and reached metaphse II, [MII] and formation of 2-cell, 4-cell, 8-cell embryos. Immature Oocytes were separated from NMARY mice [4-6 week old] ovary in different phases. They were placed in M2 medium droplet and then activated with DC pluse [50V, 30micros]

Results: Immature oocytes [GV] began meiosis resumption and GVs changed to GVB and extruded first polarbody and some of them reached metaphase II. After 24 hours evaluation by inverted microscope was performed. Ovulated oocytes were inseminated with the capacitded epididymal sperm of the same strain of mice. One to four pulses with a duration of 30micros induced more oocyte activation [67% to 89%], maturation [68 to 77%] and embryo formation [44% to 84%]. Embryo formation increased significantly with more than two DC pulses [55-88%] compared with a frequency of less than two [51%] groups

Conclusion: This study revealed that electroactivation is helpful for in-vitro maturation, fertilization, embryo formation and development in female infertility, especially in those with irrgular secretion of follicle stimulating and luteinizing hormone [FSH, LH]