[Antifungal effects of metalonic sumac [Rhus coriaria L.] essential oil on Schizothorax zarudnyi eggs]

Background: The use of chemical materials such as malachite green to disinfect fish eggs is banned in many countries due to its reversed environmental effects

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of metalonic sumac extract as antifungal agent on eggs of Schizothorax zarudnyi during the incubation period and to compare its effects with malachite green

Methods: 24 hours after fertilization, eggs were treated with four concentration of Methanolic sumac extrat [500, 750, 1000, 1250 mg/L] using static bath method every 12 h for 20 min and 0.1 mg/L malachite green using the same method every 12 h for 6 min. There was also a control group with no treatment to better analysis

Results: The results showed that the maximum and minimum fungal infection was observed respectively in control group with%20.23 +/- 0.51 and the samples treated with 1250 mg/L sumac extraction with%0.91 +/- 0.51. Furthermore, no significant differences in fungal infection, fertilization and survival rate were found among treated and untreated eggs [p>0.05]

Conclusions: Since no apparent deformities and abnormalities were observed in hatched larvae, suggested sumac extract with 500 mg/L concentration, as an environmental friendly matter, can be used for disinfection of S. zarudnyi eggs during incubation period

Reliability and validity of persian version of job content questionnaire in health care workers in Iran

The effect of poor psychosocial work conditions on health status has widely been discussed in occupational literature. Job Content Questionnaire [JCQ] is a widely accepted instrument for evaluation of psychosocial work conditions. To determine the reliability and validity of Persian version of JCQ. The questionnaire was translated into Persian and back translated. 490 Iranian health care workers completed the questionnaire. After 4 weeks, 196 participants completed the questionnaire once again. Factor analyses revealed an acceptable level of structure validity for the questionnaire. Cronbach's alpha was more than 0.75 for all scales except for psychological demand [alpha =0.60] and job insecurity [alpha =0.27]. Reassessment of participants after 4 weeks revealed an acceptable level of reliability for all scales except depression. The Persian version of JCQ is reliable and valid for assessing work conditions among Iranian health care workers, although revision is needed for job insecurity and depression scales

Effects of aqueous Echinacea purpurea extract on immunogenicity of DNA vaccine encoding M2 gene of Influenza virus

Continuous antigenic variation of Influenza a viruses causes a major concern to develop Influenza vaccine. Conserved antigens are suitable candidates for vaccine production due to its non-requirement to match the designed strains with circulating strains. The M2 gene is conserved among Influenza a viruses and has potential to be considered as a universal vaccine. This study was designed to evaluate the effects of aqueous Echinacea purpurea extract on immunogenicity of DNA vaccine encoding M2 gene of Influenza virus. This interventional study was carried out on female BALB/c mice with 3-4 week age [250-300 gr]. Plasmid DNA encoding M2 gene [pcDNA-M2] of Influenza virus A/New Caledonia/20/99 [H1N1] was transformed into E.coli top10 f' and cultured in LB broth media. Large scale plasmid preparation was done and the concentration was measured by spectrophotometric method. Mice were divided into eight groups and immunized three times with fifteen days apart. Vaccine groups received inactivated Influenza virus or pcDNA-M2, alone or in combination with Echinacea extract. Control groups were injected pcDNA, Echinacea extract, and phosphate buffer. All animals were left to bleed before immunization and at 21 days after the last vaccination and specific anti-M2 antibodies were measured by indirect ELISA. Then the mice were intranasally challenged under an aesthesia with mouse-adapted PR8 Influenza virus and monitored for 3 weeks to evaluate the vaccine regimen efficacy in reduction of mortality rate compared to control groups. Data were analyzed using SPSS-16, One-way ANOVA and Kaplan-Meier tests. The highest specific immune response was obtained in mice received inactivated virus plus extract [P<0.05]. Immune responses in mice inoculated with pcDNA-M2 were significantly higher compared to all control groups mice [P<0.05]. In addition the specific immune responses in group inoculated with pcDNA-M2 and aqueous extract was higher compared to the group receiving only pcDNA-M2 [P<0.001]. The highest survival rate was observed in mice injected with inactivated virus or pcDNA-M2 plus extract. This study showed that pcDNA-M2 induced specific immunity and protected mice against lethal challenge with PR8 Influenza virus. Furthermore, application of Echinacea extract with M2 gene vaccine increased vaccine efficacy

investigation of single ozonation process, catalytic ozonation process and single adsorption on activated carbon efficienciesfor removal of furfural from aqueous solution

Background: Furfural is a toxic chemical, so, to avoid its effects on humans and the environment, furfural-containing wastewater must be treated with an appropriate method prior to dispose in the environment. In this study, advanced oxidation methods based on ozone was used to removal of various concentrations of furfural in laboratory scale

Material and Methods: This study is an applied research and the required samples was taken in desired times. The effects of single ozonation process [SOP], catalytic ozonation process [COP], and single adsorption on activated carbon [SAP] on furfural removal efficiency in different conditions were studied

Results: In this study, the influence of some important parameters such as pH, activated carbon dosage and reaction time on the efficiency of SOP, SAP and COP was studied. In the case of pH, the results showed that the efficiency of all three processes in very acidic and very alkaline conditions were higher than the other pH. By increasing activated carbon dosages, the removal efficiency was also increased. Finally, the removal efficiency for the processes studied, increased by increasing reaction time

Conclusion: The higher removal efficiency of furfural in acidic conditions can be due to direct and catalytic oxidation of furfural by ozone. Higher efficiency in the alkaline pH may be due to indirect oxidation because of hydroxyl radicals generation. About the effect of reaction time, the removal efficiency of COP indicates that there was a synergistic effect in catalytic ozonation processes. The increase of reaction surfaces available for ozoneactivated carbon-furfural reactions could be the reason of increased efficiency with increasing dosages of activated carbon

Reliability and validity of Persian version of world health organization health and work performance questionnaire in Iranian health care workers

The effect of health status on productivity has widely been studied and discussed in literature. Valid and reliable tools are needed to evaluate the levels of health and productivity and provide detailed information, before any intervention is implemented. World Health Organization Health and Work Performance Questionnaire [HPQ] is a widely used instrument in estimating the workplace costs of health problems in terms of reduced job performance, sickness absence, and work-related accidents and injuries. To assess the reliability and validity of Persian version of HPQ in Iranian health care workers. The questionnaire was translated to Persian and back translated. 102 health care workers completed the questionnaire. Absence and sick-leave data was extracted from administrative records. Factor analysis revealed acceptable validity for the questionnaire in part A [health]. Cronbach's alpha was >0.73 for all scales of Parts B [work] and C [demographic]. Questions targeting days of absence and sick-leave had acceptable correlation with administrative records [Pearson's r>0.75], while questions on total hours worked showed lower correlation. Persian version of HPQ can be considered a reliable and valid tool in Iranian health workers

[Investigating the structure of central libraries' websites based on meta tags in medical science universities in Iran]

One of the recommended ways in organizing the information in the websites is the application of Meta Tags. The application of a variety of Meta Tags can affect the precision rate of search engines retrieval. They can also promote the rank of a website. The purpose of the study was to investigate the structure of libraries websites based on Meta Tags in medical science universities in Iran. This descriptive survey was carried out on 31 websites that included 342 web pages. Data was collected by a checklist and analyzed by SPSS. Title meta tags [98.53%] and Charset meta tags [89.47%] among 15 meta tag types had the most usage and refresh meta tag had the least usage. Usage of keyword and descriptive meta tags were 55.6% and 55.2%, respectively. Generally, 100% websites under investigation used one type of meta tags. Title, Charest, Robot, Keyword and Descriptive meta tags received more attention from the designers of central libraries. But Googlebot, Refresh, Expire and cache Meta Tags received less attention. Librarians' participation in creating library websites and the application of meta tags will play important role in electronic information retrieval

[ comparison of impulsivity between responsive and non-responsive obsessive-compulsive patients to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors]

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in the interrelationships among obsessive- compulsive disorder, impulsivity, and serotonin and previous studies produced mixed results. This study aimed at investigating the comparison of impulsivity between responsive and non-responsive obsessivecompulsive patients to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors [SSRIs]. In an ex post facto design, using Sadock and Sadock's [2007] definition, and through convenience sampling, 27 Obsessive-Compulsive patients were divided into two groups [responsive and nonresponsive to SSRI] and were examined through 11th Barratt Impulsivity Scale, Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale [symptom checklist], and Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV. The mean scores of impulsivity and its components in responsive patients were higher in comparison with non responsive ones. Centroids of responsive and non responsive groups were significantly different regarding impulsivity, attentional, motor, and nonplanning impulsiveness [p< 0.009]. Among the four variables, there were significant differences only in impulsivity [p<0.01], attention [p< 0.01] and impulsiveness between responsive and non responsive groups [p <0.05]. The findings of this research shows that there is a significant difference in impulsivity level between responsive and non-responsive obsessive-compulsive patients to SSRIs, and the mean score of impulsivity in nonresponsive patients is higher. However, attending to some paradoxes in the literature, more researches are needed to provide a comprehensive theoretical explanation for the interrelationships among impulsivity, OCD, and responsivity to SSRIs

[ investigation of the brain-damaged patient's function in the visual-motor Bender-Gestalt test in comparison with their brain MRI portraits and normal subjects]

In this research, the brain-damaged patient's function in the visual-motor Bender-Gestalt Test was compared with their brain MRI portraits and normal subjects. Thirty patients with brain-damaged from neurosurgery department in Ahvaz Golestan Hospital were selected. Using matching method, 30 normal subjects were selected as control. The instruments used for this study were the Bender-Gestalt Test and brain MRI portraits. In order to analysis the data, t-test and correlation tests were used. The results revealed that there was a significant difference between the performance of brain-damaged patients and normal subjects [control group] in the Bender-Gestalt Test. In addition, there was a positive correlation between the conclusions of the Bender-Gestalt Test and brain MRI portraits of patients. The qualitative performance of patients in the Bender-Gestalt Test was associated with their Brain MRI portrait. There was a positive relationship between the performance of brain-damaged patients in the Bender-Gestalt Test and their Brain MRI portrait. Therefore, as the previous studies showed, the Bender-Gestalt Test as a neuropsychological test can be confidently used to studying the visual-motor performance of brain-damaged patients

Epidemiology of human brucellosis in Ferdows, Sarayan and Boshrooyeh counties of southern Khorasan province in 2004-2005

Brucellosis is a bacterial zoonosis transmitted directly or indirectly to humans from infected animal. In this research human cases of brucellosis in three counties of southern Khorasan province since April 2004 until March 2005 were studied. In this prospective descriptive study, human cases with symptoms that suspicions to brucellosis pulse Wright titer

Simple and multiple relationships between big-five personality dimensions and addiction in university students

This study aimed at investigating the simple and multiple relationships between personality traits and addiction potential in university students. Three hundred and forty two students were selected by cluster sampling from the Shahid Chamran University [Iran]. The scales used for this descriptive study were NEO-FFI personality inventory and Iranian Addiction Potential Scale [IAPS]. To analyze the data, we used descriptive and inferential statistic test via spss-13. There were simple and multiple relationships between personality traits and addiction potential. Multiple regression analysis [stepwise method[showed that neuroticism, conscientiousness and agreeableness had significant multiple correlation with addiction potential [F=32.89, P<0.001]. The components of openness and extroversion eliminated from regression. Personality traits predicted addiction potential in university students. The most important suggestion of this research was to pay attention scientifically to personality characters as a fundamental factor of this difficulty, rather than just emphasizing on the cessation of drug or alcohol using

[Spontaneous resolution of vesicoureteral reflux [VUR] in Iranian children, a single center experience in 533 cases]

Experience with vesicoureteral reflux [VUR] differs in different centers and there are lots of controversies surrounding this issue. The aim of this study was to evaluate Spontaneous resolution and prognosis of the disease among Iranian children. In this case series study, 1278 children with urinary tract infection and visited at pediatric nephrology clinic in Tehran, Iran during 1999-2007 were studied. Primary VUR was found in 533 Patients. Following the diagnosis, the patients received prophylactic antibiotic and were annually followed with radionucleo cystography [RNC]. Patients underwent surgery in case the medical treatment failed [breakthrough infection] or new renal scar formation. 533 patients with VUR were studied. Patients' mean age with VUR was 3.7 +/- 2.4 years [range: 2 days to 18 years old]. During an average follow-up duration of 3.3 +/- 2.2 years, spontaneous resolution was observed in 40% of 279 patients who had follow-up RNCs. The mean interval between VUR diagnosis and spontaneous resolution was 1.5 +/- 1 years [range: 2 months to 6 years]. The resolution rate was decreased with increment of reflux grade so that for grades I to V, VUR was resolved in 63%, 57%, 27%, 22% and 10% of the cases, respectively. Anti reflux surgery was performed in 27[10%] of patients during follow-up. Based on the excellent results obtained from clinical therapy using low dose antibiotics, it is recommended that VUR grades 1 to 4 be managed medically with low-dose oral antibiotic prophylaxis and close follow-ups

Evaluation of aminoglycosides [gentamicin, neomycin, streptomycin] and fluoroquinolones [ofloxacin] antibiotics on spermatogenesis in rat

Gentamicin, Neomycin, Streptomycin and ofloxacin are synthetic antibacterial agent belonging to the family of aminoglycoside and fluoroquinolones antibiotics with a very broad spectrum against microbial pathogens, especially Gram-negative and urinary tract infectious diseases which nowadays have good effect in diseases treatment in more countries world-wide. The aim of this study was to see the effects of this drugs inducement, in Spermatogenesis cycle in rat. The fifty male wistar rat were selected and randomly divided into five groups; control [n=10] and test [n=40]. The test groups was received 5mg/kg [IP] Gentamicin, 50mg/kg [IP] Neomycin, 40mg/kg [IP] Streptomycin, and 72mg/kg [PO] ofloxacin daily for fourteenth day; however the control group just received vehicle [IP]. In fourteenth day the testis tissue of Rat in whole groups were removed and sperm was collected from epididymis then prepared for analysis. Light microsopic Obervation Showed that sperm cell count and viability as compared with compared with control group decreased significantly [p<0.001]. When compared with control group, percentage of sperm motility decreased significantly in all experimental except ofloxacin group [p>0.05]. Since in our study ofioxacin had only effect on sperm population and viability and hadn't any effect on sperm motility percentage, so it seems that using this antibiotic is safest more than others on sperm health parmeters

Detecting the P24 antigen in lymph nodes of BLV infected cattle

In this study 19 BLV infected and 2 healthy lymph nodes were analysed by Western blotting to detect viral p24 antigen. Western blotting was carried out by Rabbit anti p24 serum and p24 monoclonal antibody. Rabbit serum in western blotting could detect 45, 50, 54, 58 and less than 19 kD bands of proteins and monoclonal antibody could detect 30, 32, 39, 45, 50 and 53 kD bands. Our results indicate polymorphism of proteins with p24 epitope in different BLVinfected samples. Otherwise, it could be concluded that BLVstructural proteins sharing p24 epitopes have high degree of phenotypic diversity

Expression of synaptonemal complex protein 3 [SYCP3] m RNAin the testis: a molecular marker for spermatogenesis in azoospermic men

Men with unexplained infertility and azoospermia are often observed in the context of genetic defects. The expression of a wide variety of genes is developmentally regulated during human meiosis. Synaptonemal Protein 3 [SYCP3] gene, located on chromosome 12, encodes a DNA-binding protein as the structural component of the synaptonemal complex,which mediates the synopsis or homologous pairing of chromosomes during meiosis. Absence of SYCP3 in mice may lead to male infertility as well as female sub-fertility. SYCP3 expression analysis could be a tool for the prediction of human spermatogenesis progression, especially in infertile men. SYCP3 mRNA expression in testicular samples of 110 patients with non-obstructive azoospermia were studied in Avesina Infertility Clinic in Tehran, Iran during 2005 and early 2006. Semi-quantitative nested reverse transcriptase-PCR was employed in order to find the strength of gene expression. Using histopathological scoring for all samples, the expression level of SYCP3 during spermatogenesis was also evaluated. Testicular SYCP3 mRNA expression was observed in 67 patients [60.9%]. The expression level correlated with the degree of spermatogenic failure [p<0.0001]. While this gene had been expressed in patients with hypo-spermatogenesis and maturation arrest, a lack of expression was seen in those with spermatogonial arrest, Sertoli cell-only syndrome and testicular atrophy. These data indicate that SYCP3 is expressed in the human testis and it is restricted to germ cells. Our findings, in association with those obtained in experimental animals, show that lack of SYCP3 expression may have negative effects on spermatogenesis and male fertility. SYCP3 gene expression may help detect specific spermatogenesis stages in conjunction with histopathological findings

[ effects of Matrigel on the developmental processes of mouse blastocysts]

Culturing embryos on Matrigel[TM], is one of the most suitable methods for studying in vitro embryonic developments. As Matrigel has not been used extensively in different species for embryonic development studies, this study was undertaken to determine the effects of Matrigel on the developmental processes of mouse blastocysts. To a number of female NMRI mice, hMG and HCG injections were made for ovulatory stimulation and then they mated with males from the same strain. Later on, blastocysts were obtained and randomly divided into 2 groups: 150 case blastocysts and 134 control blastocysts. Blastocysts were cultured for 48 hours in M16 medium, supplemented with 4mg/ml of bovine serum albumin [BSA]. Later, the blastocysts were compared with the blastocysts cultured in Matrigel plus the same medium. Developmental studies were carried out every 24 hours for 2 days. The data was analyzed by SPSS software and the results were tested by chi-squared. After 24 hours, a significantly higher ratio of embryos reached the hatched blastocysts stage ? in the case group [74%], compared with that of the control group [52.2%], [p<0.05]. At the same time the percentage of fragmented blastocysts in the control group was 11.9% which was significantly higher than the case group [2%], [p<0.05]. After 48 hours, 41% of blastocysts cultured in the control medium, developed to stage I, the value being significantly more than the blastocysts in the case group [p<0.05]. Moreover, after the same period of time [48 hours], the percentage of stage II hatched blastocysts in the case group [79%] was higher than the control groups [59%], [p<0.05]. Matrigel use in enriched culture media can increase development and growth of mouse blastocysts. It also seems that ultrastructural studies of cultured embryos or immunocytochemical studies from this regard would be beneficial in understanding the processes involved

Testis specific gene 10 expression in the testes of patients with non-obstructive azoospermia

Disorders in the expression of any gene effective in spermatogenic pathway is known as a probable cause of non-obstructive azoospermia and male infertility. The way responsible genes for sperm motility are expressed can considerably affect male fertility. Recent studies show that TSGA10 gene is effective in the natural process of spermatogenesis as protein produced by this gene in mouse results in the production of the main structure of sperm tail. Up to now, no comprehensive studies have been done on the way this gene is expressed in the infertile's testical tissue. In this study, TSGA10 mRNA expression in testicular samples of 84 patients with non-obstructive azoospermia was investigated by semi-quantitative nested RT-PCR in Avesina Infertility Clinic during 2005-6. Moreover, expression levels of TSGA10 during spermatogenesis were evaluated using Johnsen's method for histopathological scoring of the samples. For statistical analysis, SPSS software [Version 11.2] was used. The difference between gene expressions was done based on quantitative variables by the use of t-test and covariance analysis and alpha<0.05 was regarded as a statistically significant value. Testicular TSGA10 mRNA expression was observed in 31 patients, [36.9%], with non-obstructive azoospermia which it had a statistically significant correlation with spermatogenesis progress [p<000.0]. Histopathologically, the gene had been expressed in patients with higher Johnsen's score of spermatogenesis while a lack of expression was seen in all of those with Johnsen's score less than 4.5. The findings indicate that TSGA10 is expressed in human testis and it is restricted to germ cells. It seems that lack of TSGA10 expression may have negative effects on spermatogenesis and on male fertility. On the other hand, determination of the timing of gene expression in a certain level of spermatogenesis may also be used to determine levels of spermatogenesis in azoospermic patients alongside histopathological findings

case report of recurrent hydrops fetalis due to maternal alloimmunization with Kell antigen

During pregnancy, irregular blood group antibodies originating either from earlier pregnancies or from blood transfusions may severely affect child health. In this report, a case of maternal alloimmunization to Kell antigen is described.The mother had a history of partial mole and four repeated intrauterine fetal death due to hydrops fetalis.Screening of irregular blood group antibodies revealed that she has anti-Kell with the titer of 1:4096. Also in genetic analysis, a C677T homozygous mutation of MTHFR gene was found, which could potentially enhance destructive effects of anti-Kell antibody. The described case emphasizes the importance of being informed about the presence of irregular blood group antibodies during pregnancy which may cause recurrent hydrops

[ clinical implicatoin, history case report and ultrastructural study of Leydig cell tumor in canine testicle]

Objectives: clinical case report of leydig cell tumor in dog

Design: clinical case study

History: an eleven year old male German shepherd dog was reffered, small animal hospital of faculty of veterinary medicine because of Anorexia. Because of poor body condition, the animal was euthanised and submitted for necropsy examination. Based on the light and electronic microscopic observation, leydig cell tumor was confirmed

Clinical implications: occurrence of tumor in dog is without clinical findings, therefore maybe testicles are not necroptize at necropsy. Thus the rate of tumor, must probably be higher than it is reported

Results: histopathology and uttrastructural observations, confirmed the leydig cell tumor

[Effects of clove oil [Eugenia caryophyllata] anesthesia on haematological parameters, certain serum enzymes and some tissues in common carp [Cyprinus carpio]]

Objectives: side effects of 100 and 200ppm clove oil, were studied on some haematological parameters, serum enzymes and brain, liver, kidney, spleen and gill of common carp [Cyprinus carpio]

Animals: common carp [Cyprinus carpio]

Procedure: anaesthesia in common carp was induced by 100 and 200ppm clove oil under acceptable water quality conditions at 20+/-2 degree c and hematological and biochemical parameters and histopathology of hematopoietic tissues [kidney and spleen], liver, brain and gills were studied

Statistical analysis: SPSS and SX software one way ANOVA and student t-test

Results: no significant differences were found in levels of WBC, RBC, haematocrit, haemoglobin, MCH, MCHC, alanintransarninase [ALT], aspartatetransaminase [AST], alkalinphosphatase [ALP] and lactatedehydrogenase [LDH] between the anaesthetized fish and control groups [0.3>P>0.1]. Also, there was not any histological abnormality observable in liver, kidney, spleen and gills of anaesthetized groups. However, only hyperemia was seen in brain of both groups

Conclusion: according to the results administration of clove oil, up to 200ppm in aquaculture is safe and recommended

[Effect of vitrification on apoptosis in mouse blastocysts]

In recent years there have been a great advances in vitrification of embryos. However, there is no reliable vitrification protocol to ensure a high embryo survival rate, Because the mechanisms of embryo injury has not been discovered precisely. The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of vitrification on apoptosis in mouse blastocysts. Ninety five mouse blastocysts were obtained by flushing from Swiss Albino mouse and randomly divided into control and experimental groups. Blastocysts in the control group [52] were cultured in Ml6 media for 2 hours and then the apoptotic index were obtained after staining by TUNEL technique with PI. Blastocysts in the experimental group [43] were vitrified just after flushing in EFS40 solution and kept in LN2 for one month. After thawing and culture in M16 for 2 hours, the apoptotic indices were obtained by TUNEL staining. The results showed that the mean number of blastomers in the vitrified blastocysts group [44.91 +/- 2.47] was not significantly different [P=0.176] from those that seen in the control group [50.23 +/- 2.9], while the mean number of apoptotic blastomers in vitrified blastocysts group [4.08 +/- 0.28] was significantly higher [P=0.02] as compared to the control group [4.93 +/- 0.22]. The mean apoptosis Index in vitrified blastocysts [11.87 +/- 0.63] was significantly higher [P<0.004] than the control group [9.12 +/- 0.67]. We can conclude that the vitrification can increase apoptotic cell death in mouse blastocysts