Effect of [R]-[+] pulegone on ovarian tissue; correlation with expression of aromatase Cyp19 and ovarian selected genes in mice

Objective: Pulegone [PGN] is a monoterpene ketone, whose metabolites exert several cytotoxic effects in various tissues. The present study was conducted in order to evaluate the [R]-[+] PGN-induced alterations in ovarian aromatization, proto-oncogenes and estrogen receptoralpha [ER alpha] and ER beta receptors expressions

Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, mature albino mice were divided into experimental [received 25 mg/kg, 50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg PGN, orally for 35 days] and control [received 2% solution of Tween 80 as a PGN solvent, orally] groups. The mRNA levels of Er alpha, Er beta, p53, Bcl-2, and cytochrome p450 [Cyp19] as well as ovarian angiogenesis were analyzed through reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemical techniques, respectively. Moreover, apoptosis of follicular cells, serum estrogen and progesterone levels and mRNA damage were investigated via using terminal transferase and biotin-16-dUTP staining, electrochemilunescence and fluorescent microscopy methods, respectively

Results: The PGN reduced Er alpha, Er beta and Cyp19 expression at 50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg doses, while significantly elevating p53 and reducing Bcl-2 expression. Finally, PGN impaired ovarian angiogenesis, increased apoptosis, elevated follicular atresia and reduced serum levels of estrogen and progesterone

Conclusion: Chronic exposure to PGN [50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg], severely affects ovarian aromatization, proto- oncogenes mRNA levels and expression of ERs

Effect of Carrot Intake in the Prevention of Gastric Cancer: A Meta-Analysis

PURPOSE: Gastric cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related mortality, with the incidence and mortality being higher in men than in women. Various studies have shown that eating carrots may play a major role in the prevention of gastric cancer. We conducted a meta-analysis to determine the relationship between carrot consumption and gastric cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We searched multiple databases including PubMed, Cochrane Library, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and Persian databases like Scientific Information Database (SID) and IranMedx. The following search terms were used: stomach or gastric, neoplasm or cancer, carcinoma or tumor, and carrot. Statistical analyses were performed using Comprehensive Meta Analysis/2.0 software. RESULTS: We retrieved 81 articles by searching the databases. After considering the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 5 articles were included in this study. The odds ratio (OR) obtained by fixed effects model showed that a 26% reduction in the risk of gastric cancer has been associated with the consumption of carrots) OR=0.74; 95% confidence interval=0.68~0.81; P<0.0001). According to funnel graph, the results showed that the possibility of a publication bias does not exist in this study. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study showed an inverse relationship between the consumption of carrots and the risk of gastric cancer.

[ Relationship between Static and Dynamic Postural Stability Index and Anthropometrics Index in Healthy Men and Women with Normal BMI Index]

Background: Changing in anthropometrics index can cause a reduction in the balance of body and may be considered as a contributing factor in falling down. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the correlation between body mass index [BMI] and static and dynamic postural balance among healthy subjects.

Materials and Methods: Fifty healthy male and female University students were selected through simple non-probability sampling. Static and dynamic stability index were measured by means of Biodex Balance System and also a tape measure and non-digital scale were used to examine Anthropometrics index. Obtained data were analyzed through Independent t-test and Pearson Correlation test[p<0.05].

Results: Results did not show a significant correlation between static stability index and BMI among male and female groups [p>0.05] [for example: the overall static stability index r= 0.21, p=0.30 in male group] while, there was observed a significant correlation between dynamic stability index and BMI, Weight and Height variables among male and female groups [p<0.05] [for example: the overall dynamic stability index r= 0.54, p= 0.005 in male group]. Besides, there was an adverse significant correlation between the range of stability index and BMI [for example: the overall limit of dynamic stability r=-0.45, p=0.02 in male group].

Conclusion: present results indicated that there are a direct relationship between dynamic stability and anthropometrics indexes and also, an indirect relationship between the range of stability and anthropometrics indexes.

Evaluation of maternal urinary tract infection as a potential risk factor for neonatal urinary tract infection

Objective: To assess the relationship between maternal UTI during pregnancy and neonatal UTI

Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study included eighty neonates referred to Ali-e-Asghar Hospital, Tehran, Iran, in 2011. The participants were divided into the study [with diagnosis of UTI; n = 40] and the control [without this type of infection; n = 40] groups. The mothers were asked about the history of UTI during pregnancy, and if the response was positive, the trimester in which UTI had occurred. Urinalysis and urine culture were carried out for all neonates

Results: Overall, 14.9% of neonates had mothers with a positive history of UTI during their pregnancy [4.4%, 6.1%, and 4.4% during the 1[st], 2[nd], and 3[rd] trimesters, respectively]. A significant relationship was detected between the occurrence of UTI in neonates and maternal UTI, so that the overall prevalence of UTI among neonates of affected mothers was significantly higher than that observed among non-infected mothers [30.0% versus 6.8%; p = 0.001]. Maternal UTI resulted in 5.9-fold increased risk of neonatal UTI. In UTI group, the most common bacterial etiologies of UTI were Escherichia coli [65.9%], followed by Klebsiella [14.6%] and Staphylococci [9.8%]

Conclusion: Our findings confirmed the association between the history of UTI in mother and occurrence of UTI in neonate, emphasizing to pay more attention for assessing and managing UTI in neonates in order to reduce the related complications

[Designing a new CAD system for pulmonary nodule detection in High Resolution Computed Tomography [HRCT] images]

Lung diseases and lung cancer are among the most dangerous diseases with high mortality in both men and women. Lung nodules are abnormal pulmonary masses and are among major lung symptoms. A Computer Aided Diagnosis [CAD] system may play an important role in accurate and early detection of lung nodules. This article presents a new CAD system for lung nodule detection from chest computed tomography [CT] images. Twenty-five adult patients with lung nodules in their CT scan images presented to the National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, Masih Daneshvari Hospital, Tehran, Iran in 2011-2012 were enrolled in the study. The patients were randomly assigned into two experimental [9 female, 6 male, mean age 43 +/- 5.63 yrs] and control [6 female, 4 male, mean age 39 +/- 4.91 yrs] groups. A fully-automatic method was developed for detecting lung nodules by employing medical image processing and analysis and statistical pattern recognition algorithms. Using segmentation methods, the lung parenchyma was extracted from 2-D CT images. Then, candidate regions were labeled in pseudo-color images. In the next step, some features of lung nodules were extracted. Finally, an artificial feed forward neural network was used for classification of nodules. Considering the complexity and different shapes of lung nodules and large number of CT images to evaluate, finding lung nodules are difficult and time consuming for physicians and include human error. Experimental results showed the accuracy of the proposed method to be appropriate [P<0.05] for lung nodule detection

[Effects of extremely low frequency [ELF] pulse and DC magnetic fields on the growth of E. coli]

Biological effects of extremely low frequency [ELF] pulsed electromagnetic fields have become attractive for research but still the mechanisms for this effects are not known. Moreover some reported biological effects of ELF are questionable due to poor reproducibility of the experiments. In this project ELF pulsed and DC magnetic fields were investigated on the growth rate of E. Coli DH5-alpha. In this experimental study, The cells were cultured in a lactose defined medium divided into two groups of 5 cuvetts and then were incubated. The experimental group was then placed in the field while the control group was left with no field. The applied fields were pulsed 6 msec apart and different frequency ranges from 10 to 45 Hz with the increment of 5 Hz and effective field range of 2 to 4 mT with an increment of 1mT and a constant field of 1mT through out the experiment. The growth rate was studied with turbidometery by spectrophotometers in the specified time interval. The growth rates in logarithmic phase and lag time were evaluated. The results indicated that pulse and DC combined magnetic fields increase the growth rate except in 15, 25 and 40 Hz frequencies. Lag time doesn't change in 15, 30 and 45 Hz frequencies. But in 20 and 40 Hz frequencies, magnetic field causes on increase and in 10, 25 and 45 Hz frequencies maximum decreases lag time. So in this frequency range, the magnetic field effect on the lag time has been repeated at an interval of 15 Hz. This research shows the existence of certain frequency windows for the resonance of the effects of the magnetic field on growth the cell

ergonomical study of the postures of doing in tailors, shoe makers, saddlers and carpet makers by OCRA[1] analysis method

Among the work-rated musculo skeletal disorders, those of upper limbs cover the most. This is caused because of tenderness and vulnerability of these limbs compared with lower limbs from one hand, and more involvement of these limbs to the activities from the other. As a consequence the limbs are more exposed to dagerous factors causing musculoskeletal disorders, thus more likely to be affected by musculoskeletal disorders. One of the methods to analyse the dangerous factors causing upper limbs musculuskeletal disorders is occupational repetitive actions [OCRA]. The method is a job analysing tool which is applied to perform a total and effective estimation toward various risky factors affecting upper limbs [ie. shoulders, elbows, wrists, hands and fingers]. The present study is carried out in an attempt to surveying and ergonomic analysing the work done postures of tailors, shoe makers, saddlery and carpet makers in the some present workshops of Tehran province prisons by OCRA Index method. This study is of analytic - descriptive type which is done on a sectional basis [cross - sectional]. The target population were chosen as 496 prisoners to carry out NORDIC questionnaire method and also OCRA Index. In questionnaire method four job as tailoring [203 prisoners], shoe making [211 prisoners], saddlery [67 prisoners] and carpet making [15 prisoners] were analysed and in OCRA method, 17 job/tasks as tailoring [7tasks], shoe making [5 tasks], saddlery [4tasks] and carpet making [I task] were analyzed for right hand and also 17 job/tasks for left hand. The results of this study that acquired by x[2] test, Me Nemar test,Kruskal-Wallis test and independent t-test, as follows; unequality in ratio of musculuskeletal disorders of upper limbs in the four mentioned jobs [P value = 0.003], unequality of means of OCRA index between the above four jobs [P value < 0.001], present a significant relationship between level of OCRA index and the kind of job, were proved. [P value < 0.001]. The highest OCRA index numbers were achieved for the Carpet making task and Overall, Carpet making was assessed as the most dangerous job and Shoe making, Tailoring and Saddlery came in next grades of risk, respectively [P value< 0.001]