[ effect of hydro-alcoholic extract of Hyoscyamus niger seeds on learning and short-term memory in Balb/c Mice]

Hyoscyamus niger has many different therapeutic effects, such as anti-convulsive and sedative effects. In this study, we tried to evaluate the eventual effect of hydro-alcoholic extract of Hyoscyamus niger on spatial learning and memory in mice using Morris water maze task. In this study, 23 mice were randomly divided into one control group and two experimental groups. The control group received normal saline and the experimental groups received hydro-alcoholic extracts of Hyoscyamus niger [1 or 2 mg/kg, i.p.]. At first, saline or extracts were injected daily [7 days] and then spatial learning was evaluated for 5 consecutive days. For evaluating short-term memory, two probe-trial experiments were performed. Finally, data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA, followed by Tukey's test. Results obtained from day 3 and day 4 of the learning period showed a significant reduction in learning the water maze task in the experimental group [2 mg/kg] compared with the control group [p < 0.05]. In addition, probe-trial experiments demonstrated that Hyoscyamus niger [1 and 2 mg/kg] prevented formation of short-term memory, while control animals succeeded to make short-term memory. Hydro-alcoholic extract of Hyoscyamus niger decreases the learning of the water maze task and also disturbs short-term memory

[ effect of heating on useful components of garlic]

Garlic [Allium sativum. L] is an important dietary herb which its useful compounds may be altered during different processes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of heating on the amounts of allicin, felavonol, felavonoid, total phenolic components, and antioxidant capacity of garlic. In this experimental study which was conducted at Shahr-e-Kord University of Medical Sciences in 2009, the alcoholic extract of fresh, micro waved, and boiled garlic were prepared. Then, their antioxidant capacities were evaluated in linoleic acid and beta-carotene linoleate system. The phenolic contents were measured with Folin-ciocalteu method, felavonoid or felavonol contents with aluminum coloride method, and allicine contents with spectrophotometry method. Collected data were statistically analyzed using the SPSS software. Differences between the means of groups were evaluated by a two-tailed t-test for independent samples. The fresh and fresh boiled garlic had the highest and lowest antioxidant activities, respectively [P<0.05] while no difference was found between fresh and micro waved garlic [P>0.05]. The flavonoid and phenolic compounds in fresh garlic were more than micro waved or boiled garlic. The allicin content in fresh garlic was also higher then micro waved or boiled garlic [P<0.05]. All of these components were low in boiled garlic. Fresh garlic has the most useful compounds and consumption of this form of the vegetable is recommended

[Screening of mitochondrial mutations of A1555G, A 3243G, and A7445G in MTRNR1, MTTL1 and MTTS1 genes in subjects with nonsyndromic sensorineural hearing loss]

Various frequencies of the mtDNA mutations have been reported from different population world wild. Three mitochondrial DNA [mtDNA] mutations including A1555G, A 3243G, and A7445G which occurred in MTRNR1, MTTL1 and MTTS1 genes were considered as the main causes of mitochondrial hearing loss in some populations. To determine the frequency of the A1555G, A3243G, and A7445G mutations in nonsyndromic sensorineural hearing loss subjects in Gilan. Forty six subjects with nonsyndromic sensorineural hearing loss were screened by provided questionnaire and audiogram from Gillan Welfare Organization. PCR-RFLP procedure was used in order to presence the MtDNA of A1555GA 3243G and A7445G mutations and was confirmed by subsequent direct sequencing. There was no MtDNA of A1555G, A3243G and A7445G mutation in the cohort study of 46 deaf individuals. Investigation of PCR-RFLP of the MTTL1 gene for existence A3243G mutation lead to identification a G3316A variant that destroyed other restriction site, in the other site of PCR fragment. Our finding indicated that possibility the association of mitochondrial mutations with deafness is very low in deaf subjects in north of Iran. According to existence the G3316A that its pathogenesis in relation to hearing loss phenotype has not stabilized, the frequency of G3316A is 1.46% that can be had highlights role of mitochondrial mutation in deafness

[Effect of electromagnetic field [3mT frequency] on heart ulatrastructure in mice]

Background and aim: Due to the conditions provided by the modern life, the human being is exposed to electromagnetic field [EMF]. Appliance such as microwave oven, mobile phone, computer and power producing systems which have an extensive role in human life are the source of EMF. Epidemiological and experimental studies have shown the adverse effect of EMF on biological systems. Previous works, using light microscopes have shown that EMF could produce morphological changes in cardiovascular system. However, there are few studies regarding ultrastructural effect of EMF on living tissues. The aim of the present study was to investigate ultrastructural changes of cardiovascular system in EMF-exposed rats

Methods: Wistar rats were exposed to 3mili tesla EMF for 4 months, 4 hours/ day. After the experimental period, rats in control and experimental groups were sacrificed and tissue samples were prepared from the heart for electronmicroscopic studies

Results: The studies on the endocardium revealed that there was nuclear condensation and destruction of subendocardial layer in experimental group. In myocardium, in addition to nuclear condensation the mitochondria were also vague. There was a remarkable gap between the endothelial cells and basement membrane in the vessels of heart tissue. Epicard layer in EMF-exposed group was thinner than the control group

Conclusion: The obtained changes in the present study indicate the harmful effect of EMF on cardiovascular system after long-term exposure. It demands a protective policy for human being from probable effects of EMF