[Role of viruses in the destruction of the central nervous system and its impact on the multiple sclerosis]

Multiple sclerosis [MS] is a chronic inflammatory immune-mediated disease of the central nervous system. Despite extensive investigations, many aspects of etiology and pathophysiology remain unclear. In multiple sclerosis patients, immune system reacts against autologous proteins in the myelin membrane. Most evidences support the hypothesis that both genetic and environmental factors contribute to disease development. But after the failure of genetic findings to explain the reason for the unequal incidence of MS in identical twins, investigators focused further on environmental factors such as vitamin D deficiency, smoking, living in different latitudes and perhaps the most importantly the role of viruses in people whom are genetically susceptible to MS. There is increasing evidence that viruses may play important role in MS pathogenesis following environmental triggers. Recently, studies focused on the role of herpes virus family, especially Epstein- Barr virus, human herpes virus 6 [HHV-6] and Varicella Zoster virus, as the virus is prevalent in society. This review mainly focused on the identification of important viruses with key role in MS the mechanism behind pathogenesis and describes the animal models of MS. The results of researches are shown strong evidence of the virus or antibodies to viral components in active plaques in MS affected patients, but still cannot be stated with certainty that one or more specific viruses are simultaneously trigger the disease. Further studies are required to prove the pathogenesis of viruses in MS

Reform in medical and health sciences educational system: a Delphi study of faculty members' views at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences

Despite the strengths in the Iranian medical and health sciences educational system, areas in need of improvement have been noted. The purpose of this study was to understand the views of faculty members at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences about current and future needs for medical and health sciences education, with the goal of improving the quality of the educational system. The data were collected using a Delphi consensus method. Analysis of the findings identified the following key themes among the factors likely to contribute to medical and health sciences education and training: adding and/or increasing student numbers in higher degrees in preference to associate degrees; providing more interactive, student-centred teaching methods; improving the educational content with more practical and research-based courses tailored to society's needs; and an emphasis on outcome-based student evaluation techniques. These changes aim to respond to health trends in society and enhance the close relationship between medical education and the needs of the Iranian society

[ effect of intravenous transplantation of adipose-derived stem cells on hippocampal neurogenesis after 6-hydroxydopamine induced injury]

Released dopamine from dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta affects dentate gyrus [DG] neurogenesis in the hippocampus [HPC]. Damage to dopaminergic neurons in Parkinson's disease [PD] causes decreased neurogenesis in DG which results in memory impairment. This was an experimental laboratory study. We assessed the effect of intravenous transplantation of adipose-derived stem cells [ADSCs] on hippocampal neurogenesis after inducing injury by 6-OHDA [memory disability model of PD].We performed bilateral injections of 6-OHDA into substantia nigra [SNc] of male Wistar rats. First group of the rats received bilateral injections of 6-OHDA [6 micro g] dissolved in 2 micro l saline. Second group received saline injections instead of neurotoxin [sham group]. In the third group we transplanted the 3[rd] passage of ADSC cells which had been assessed for CD90 immunostaining [1×10[6] in 500 microl medium], via tail vein. The 4[th] group included injured rats which received an injection of the fluid of the culture media [500 micro l] through tail vein. After treatment, rats were sacrificed. The brains of the rats were removed, fixed with 4% paraformaldehyde, dehydrated, embedded in paraffin and cut into 10 micro m thick slices. We stained the sections with cresyl violet and determined the density of neurons in DG, CA1, CA3. Statistical analysis was performed by one-way ANOVA and Tukey test. P

Enteric protozoan parasites in rural areas of Bandar-Abbas, southern Iran: comparison of past and present situation

The main goal was to address the prevalence of enteric protozoan parasites in rural areas of Bandar-Abbas, southern Iran and to compare the results with the only conducted study in 1978. This descriptive study was performed from 2009 through 2010 on the 565 fecal samples. Formalin-ether concentration technique was performed and the analysis was carried out using Chi-square test in SPSS software version 13.5. Finally, the comparison of our results with the only previous study which was accomplished by Sheiban and Rezaeian in 1978 was done. The overall prevalence of the protozoan parasites was 48.8%. However, the prevalence of pathogen parasites was 23%. Previous research in 1978 showed 80.4% infectivity. The most protozoan parasites were Blastocystis hominis [25.53%], Giardia lamblia [17.2%] and Entamoeba coli [15.95%]. Previous study in 1978 found Entamoeba coli as the most common protozoa. Our finding revealed that the rate of single infectivity was much higher compared to previous research. The most frequency of infection was in children. The remarkable decrease of protozoan parasites is mainly due to progress in health care in the villages; however more effort should be done with the goal of eradicating infectious agents

[ effect of hydroalcoholic extract of mentha piperita [complement treatment] on severity of depressed patients]

Depression is a prevalent psychiatrical disease and among the most disabling psychiatrical health problems in various societies. It has been estimated that, till the year 2020, depression will be the second prevalent disease after cardio-vascular disease and will include 15% of the human diseases. This study was carried out to determine the effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Mentha piperita [complement treatment] on patient's depression severity. This is a triple blind random clinical trial research carried out on depressed patients referred to the Shahid Mofateh Clinic of Yasouj city during 2007-2008. The patient's depression severity was evaluated by Beck questionnaire and they were divided into 5 groups as random allocation and each group consisted of 24 persons. Then, Hydroalcoholic extract of Mentha piperita was given to four groups at the rate of 10.0mg, 50.0mg, 100.0mg and 200.0mg respectively per day and the fifth group received placebo. The treatment was continued for a period of two months. After this period, again the depression rates of patients were evaluated with the help of same questionnaire and were compared with the rates before the intervention. Collected data were analyzed with the help of descriptive tests, x[2] statistical test, one way variance analyzed and variance with repeated measurements. The results of the study indicated that the highest anti depression effect was seen in those patients who received 100.0mg and 200.0mg of the extract and the lowest rate allocated to the groups of 50.0mg, placebo group and 10.0mg respectively. Statistical analysis using repeated measurements confirmed the difference at the level of 0.1 between the mean of depression rate of the five research groups before and after intervention [p=0.078]. Based on the results of the current study, spearmint juice at the rate of 100.0mg and 200.0mg can be used as supplement in treatment of depressed patients. However, more studies are needed to find out the proper dose of the extract

[Injection of mitomycin-C in nasolacrimal duct for treatment of partial nasolacrimal duct obstruction]

To determine the safety and efficacy of mitomycin-C injection into the lacrimal duct for treatment of partial nasolacrimal duct obstruction in adults. This is a before-after clinical trial performed on 20 patients with partial primary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction. We injected 1.5 ml of mitomycin-C 0.2 mg/ml into the lacrimal duct and repeated it with concentration of 0.3 mg/ml for inadequate response. After 9 months of follow up, epiphora decreased in 80% of the patients, while the amount of obstruction decreased to 50%. In patients with low grade anatomical obstruction the improvement was 100% and with increasing degrees of obstruction, the success rate of this intervention decreased. Ophthalmic complications did not occur and nasal mucosal pallor was observed only in one patient. Intraductal mitomycin injection can reduce epiphora in adults with partial primary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction and is a safe method