The Protective Effect of Melissa officinalis L. in Visceral Hypersensitivity in Rat Using 2 Models of Acid-induced Colitis and Stress-induced Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Possible Role of Nitric Oxide Pathway

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aim of present study is to estimate the effects of Melissa officinalis L. (MO) on visceral hypersensitivity (VH), defecation pattern and biochemical factors in 2 experimental models of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and the possible role of nitric oxide. METHODS: Two individual models of IBS were induced in male Wistar-albino rats. In the acetic acid model, the animals were exposed to rectal distension and abdominal withdrawal reflex, and the defecation patterns were determined. In the restraint stress model, the levels of TNF-α, myeloperoxidase, lipid peroxidation, and antioxidant powers were determined in the (removed) colon. Rats had been treated with MO, L-NG-nitroarginine methyl ester (L-NAME), aminoguanidine (AG), MO + AG, or MO + L-NAME in the mentioned experimental models. RESULTS: Hypersensitive response to rectal distension and more stool defecation in control rats have been observed in comparison to shams. MO-300 significantly reduced VH and defecation frequency in comparison to controls. VH and defecation pattern did not show significant change in AG + MO and L-NAME + MO groups compared to controls. Also, significant reduction in TNF-α, myeloperoxidase, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), and an increase in antioxidant power in MO-300 group was recorded compared to controls. AG + MO and L-NAME + MO groups showed a reverse pattern compared to MO-300 group. CONCLUSIONS: MO can ameliorate IBS by modulating VH and defecation patterns. Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties along with its effect on the nitrergic pathway seem to play important roles in its pharmacological activity.

Ethical Priority Setting for Successful Publishing by Iranian Scientists

No abstract available.

narrative review of acute adult poisoning in Iran

Poisoning is a frequent cause of referral to medical emergencies and a major health problem around the world, especially in developing countries. We aimed to review the epidemiology and pattern of adult poisoning in Iran in order to facilitate the early diagnosis and management of poisoning. The pattern of poisoning is different in various parts of Iran. Pharmaceutical compounds were the most common cause of poisoning in most parts of Iran. Pesticide-related toxicities were more common in northern agricultural regions, whereas bites and stings were seen more commonly in southern Iran. Carbon monoxide poisoning was common in cities with many motor vehicles such as Tehran and in colder climates such as in northern and western regions due to inadequately vented gas appliances such as stoves and heaters. Majoon Birjandi [containing cannabis] is a unique substance used in eastern Iran. Poisoning by opioids, tramadol, and pesticides [organophosphate and aluminum phosphide] has remained a common hazard in Iran. Poisoning-associated morbidity and mortality rates vary by region and have changed over time due to the introduction of new drugs and chemicals. Early diagnosis and proper treatment may be lifesaving; thus, understanding the general pattern of poisoning in different regions is important

sources of work stress among nurses in private hospitals in shiraz, 2016 sources of work stress among nurses in private hospitals in Shiraz, 2016

Introduction: Since there are few studies on stress experienced by nursing staff in private hospitals, this study aimed to determine the sources of job stress among nurses in private hospitals in southwest of Iran

Method: In a cross-sectional design, nurses in private hospitals in Shiraz were investigated; about 160 nurses were selected by single-stage cluster sampling as the study samples in three selected hospitals. A standard questionnaire on the sources of job stress was used for data collection. The data were analyzed through SPSS, version 21, using Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests. The level of significance was considered as 0.05

Results: Five important causes of stress among nurses were low income, lack of job security, work-home interface, lack of enough time for work, and exposure with unsuitable physical situation. There were significant associations between the source of stress and having persons with chronic disease in family and concurrent education and work [P = 0.021, X2= 426.5 and P = 0.022, X2 = 717.5, respectively]

Conclusion: The sources of job stress should be considered for effective working of the hospital. Attention to nurses' salary and job security reduces job stress

Smokeless tobacco (paan and gutkha) consumption, prevalence, and contribution to oral cancer / 한국역학회지

Smokeless tobacco consumption, which is widespread throughout the world, leads to oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF), which is a long-lasting and devastating condition of the oral cavity with the potential for malignancy. In this review, we mainly focus on the consumption of smokeless tobacco, such as paan and gutkha, and the role of these substances in the induction of OSMF and ultimately oral cancer. The list of articles to be examined was established using citation discovery tools provided by PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar. The continuous chewing of paan and swallowing of gutkha trigger progressive fibrosis in submucosal tissue. Generally, OSMF occurs due to multiple risk factors, especially smokeless tobacco and its components, such as betel quid, areca nuts, and slaked lime, which are used in paan and gutkha. The incidence of oral cancer is higher in women than in men in South Asian countries. Human oral epithelium cells experience carcinogenic and genotoxic effects from the slaked lime present in the betel quid, with or without areca nut. Products such as 3-(methylnitrosamino)-proprionitrile, nitrosamines, and nicotine initiate the production of reactive oxygen species in smokeless tobacco, eventually leading to fibroblast, DNA, and RNA damage with carcinogenic effects in the mouth of tobacco consumers. The metabolic activation of nitrosamine in tobacco by cytochrome P450 enzymes may lead to the formation of N-nitrosonornicotine, a major carcinogen, and micronuclei, which are an indicator of genotoxicity. These effects lead to further DNA damage and, eventually, oral cancer.

Smokeless tobacco (paan and gutkha) consumption, prevalence, and contribution to oral cancer / 한국역학회지

Smokeless tobacco consumption, which is widespread throughout the world, leads to oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF), which is a long-lasting and devastating condition of the oral cavity with the potential for malignancy. In this review, we mainly focus on the consumption of smokeless tobacco, such as paan and gutkha, and the role of these substances in the induction of OSMF and ultimately oral cancer. The list of articles to be examined was established using citation discovery tools provided by PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar. The continuous chewing of paan and swallowing of gutkha trigger progressive fibrosis in submucosal tissue. Generally, OSMF occurs due to multiple risk factors, especially smokeless tobacco and its components, such as betel quid, areca nuts, and slaked lime, which are used in paan and gutkha. The incidence of oral cancer is higher in women than in men in South Asian countries. Human oral epithelium cells experience carcinogenic and genotoxic effects from the slaked lime present in the betel quid, with or without areca nut. Products such as 3-(methylnitrosamino)-proprionitrile, nitrosamines, and nicotine initiate the production of reactive oxygen species in smokeless tobacco, eventually leading to fibroblast, DNA, and RNA damage with carcinogenic effects in the mouth of tobacco consumers. The metabolic activation of nitrosamine in tobacco by cytochrome P450 enzymes may lead to the formation of N-nitrosonornicotine, a major carcinogen, and micronuclei, which are an indicator of genotoxicity. These effects lead to further DNA damage and, eventually, oral cancer.

Toxicity of nanoparticles and an overview of current experimental models

Nanotechnology is a rapidly growing field having potential applications in many areas. Nanoparticles [NPs] have been studied for cell toxicity, immunotoxicity, and genotoxicity. Tetrazolium-based assays such as MTT, MTS, and WST-1 are used to determine cell viability. Cell inflammatory response induced by NPs is checked by measuring inflammatory biomarkers, such as IL-8, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor, using ELISA. Lactate dehydrogenase [LDH] assay is used for cell membrane integrity. Different types of cell cultures, including cancer cell lines have been employed as in vitro toxicity models. It has been generally agreed that NPs interfere with either assay materials or with detection systems. So far, toxicity data generated by employing such models are conflicting and inconsistent. Therefore, on the basis of available experimental models, it may be difficult to judge and list some of the more valuable NPs as more toxic to biological systems and vice versa. Considering the potential applications of NPs in many fields and the growing apprehensions of PDA about the toxic potential of nanoproducts, it is the need of the hour to look for new internationally agreed free of bias toxicological models by focusing more on in vivo studies

Protective Effect of selenium-based medicines on toxicity of three common organophosphorus compounds in human erythrocytes in vitro

Objective: Organophosphorus [OP] compounds are used to control pests, however they can reach the food chain and enter the human body causing serious health problems by means of acetylcholinesterase [AChE] inhibition and oxidative stress [OS]. Among the OPs, chlorpyrifos [CHP], malathion [MAL], and diazinon [DIA] are commonly used for commercial extermination purposes, in addition to veterinary practices, domestic, agriculture and public health applications. Two new recently registered medicines that contain selenium and other antioxidants, IMOD and angipars [ANG], have shown beneficial effects for OS related disorders. This study examines the effect of selenium-based medicines on toxicity of three common OP compounds in erythrocytes

Materials and Methods: In the present experimental study, we determined the efficacy of IMOD and ANG on OS induced by three mentioned OP pesticides in human erythrocytes in vitro. After dose-response studies, AChE, lipid peroxidation [LPO], total antioxidant power [TAP] and total thiol molecules [TTM] were measured in erythrocytes after exposure to OPs alone and in combined treatment with IMOD or ANG

Results: AChE activity, TAP and TTM reduced in erythrocytes exposed to CHP, MAL and DIA while they were restored in the presence of ANG and IMOD. ANG and IMOD reduced the OPs-induced elevation of LPO

Conclusion: The present study shows the positive effects of IMOD and ANG in reduction of OS and restoration of AChE inhibition induced by CHP, MAL and DIA in erythrocytes in vitro

Formulation of a traditionally used polyherbal product for burn healing and HPTLC fingerprinting of its phenolic contents

Nowadays, plants have been considered as powerful agents for treatment of disorders regarding to their traditional use. In Iranian Traditional Medicine [ITM], plants have a special role in the treatment of various diseases. Burns with their devastating outcomes have been discussed in ITM as well. In the present study, a polyherbal ointment [PHO], retrieved from ITM, was formulated for burn healing and it's HPTLC fingerprint was prepared. Aqueous extracts of Malva sylvestris and Solanum nigrum leaves and oily extract of Rosa damascene petals [4.85%, 4.85% and 33%, respectively] were added to white beeswax, eucerin and white petrolatum as ointment base. In addition to the microbiological tests, physical stability and rheological behavior of the product were assessed. Fingerprinting of phytochemical constituents of PHO was performed by using silica gel plates and toluene: ethyl acetate: acetic acid [60: 40: 1] and ethyl acetate: formic acid: acetic acid: water [100: 11: 11: 10] as mobile phases. The results showed that PHO was stable towards physical changes and successfully passed microbiological tests. Moreover, PHO exhibited plastic behavior which is in favor of a topical burn product. In addition, HPTLC fingerprinting of PHO demonstrated the presence of several phenolic constituents corresponding to the plant extracts. Regarding to the role of phenolic compounds in wound healing process, PHO could be an appropriate candidate for burn healing with respect to its traditional use in ITM. Moreover, HPTLC fingerprinting could be utilized as an applicable method for quality control of the prepared formulation

Comparative toxicological study between exposed and non-exposed farmers to organophosphorus pesticides

Objective: The purpose of this work was to compare DNA damage, acetylcholinesterase [AChE] activity, inflammatory markers and clinical symptoms in farmers exposed to organophosphorus pesticides to individuals that had no pesticide exposure

Materials and Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey with a total of 134 people. The subject group consisted of 67 farmers who were exposed to organophosphorus pesticides. The control group consisted of 67 people without any contact with pesticides matched with the subject group in terms of age, gender, and didactics. Oxidative DNA damage, the activities of AChE, interleukin-6 [IL6], IL10 and C-reactive protein [CRP] in serum were measured and clinical examinations conducted in order to register all clinical signs

Results: Compared with the control group, substantial gains were observed in the farmers' levels of oxidative DNA damage, IL10 and CRP. There was significantly less AChE activity in farmers exposed to organophosphorus pesticides. The levels of IL6 in both groups did not significantly differ

Conclusion: The outcomes show that exposure to organophosphorus pesticides may cause DNA oxidative damage, inhibit AChE activity and increase the serum levels of in-flammatory markers. Using biological materials instead of chemical pesticides and encouraging the use of safety equipment by farmers are some solutions to the adverse effects of exposure to organophosphorous pesticides

The Role of Visceral Hypersensitivity in Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Pharmacological Targets and Novel Treatments

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is the most common disorder referred to gastroenterologists and is characterized by altered bowel habits, abdominal pain, and bloating. Visceral hypersensitivity (VH) is a multifactorial process that may occur within the peripheral or central nervous systems and plays a principal role in the etiology of IBS symptoms. The pharmacological studies on selective drugs based on targeting specific ligands can provide novel therapies for modulation of persistent visceral hyperalgesia. The current paper reviews the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying therapeutic targeting for providing future drugs to protect or treat visceroperception and pain sensitization in IBS patients. There are a wide range of mediators and receptors participating in visceral pain perception amongst which substances targeting afferent receptors are attractive sources of novel drugs. Novel therapeutic targets for the management of VH include compounds which alter gut-brain pathways and local neuroimmune pathways. Molecular mediators and receptors participating in pain perception and visceroperception include histamine-1 receptors, serotonin (5-hydrodytryptamine) receptors, transient receptor potential vanilloid type I, tachykinins ligands, opioid receptors, voltage-gated channels, tyrosine receptor kinase receptors, protease-activated receptors, adrenergic system ligands, cannabinoid receptors, sex hormones, and glutamate receptors which are discussed in the current review. Moreover, several plant-derived natural compounds with potential to alleviate VH in IBS have been highlighted. VH has an important role in the pathology and severity of complications in IBS. Therefore, managing VH can remarkably modulate the symptoms of IBS. More preclinical and clinical investigations are needed to provide efficacious and targeted medicines for the management of VH.

prevalence of magnetic resonance imaging hyperintensity in migraine patients and its association with migraine headache characteristics and cardiovascular risk factors

To determine the frequency of hyperintense foci in migraine patients and the relationship with migraine headache characteristics and cardiovascular risk factors. Ninety patients with migraine headache [70 without aura and 20 with aura] were enrolled and interviewed. Information on their headache [severity, frequency, and mean disease duration] and other related data was obtained by completing a clinical checklist. Subsequently, brain magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] was performed and each patient was then evaluated for hyperintense lesions. Of the 90 patients, 29 [32%] had silent hyperintense lesions on their MRI. The mean age of the patients with hyperintense foci was 41 years while those with no lesions was 33 years [p<0.010]. Supratentorial hyperintense lesions represented the majority of lesions in the patients [n=46, 63%]. Moreover, 56.3% of the lesions [n=41] were located within the right hemisphere. Cardiovascular risk factors such as smoking, serum cholesterol, oral contraceptive pills use, and body mass index [BMI] were not significantly different in these two groups [p>0.050]. The lesions were found significantly more frequently in the patients who experienced chronic migraine [p=0.032]. Our study adds weight to the theory that disease duration has a key role in the formation of hyperintense brain lesions. Certain cardiovascular risk factors such as sex, smoking, serum cholesterol, and BMI, do not affect the presence or absence of such lesions, suggesting that the relationship between migraine and these lesions may be directly due to the effects of migraine itself

On the protection by the combination of CeO[2] nanoparticles and sodium selenite on human lymphocytes against chlorpyrifos-induced apoptosis in vitro

Chlorpyrifos [CP] as an organophosphorus pesticide is thought to induce oxidative stress in human cells via producing reactive oxygen species [ROS] that leads to the presence of pathologic conditions due to apoptosis along with acetylcholinesterase [AChE] inhibition.This study aimed to evaluate the apoptotic effects of CP and to assess the protective potential of CeO[2] nanoparticle [CNP] and sodium selenite [SSe] by measuring cascades of apoptosis, oxidative stress, inflammation, and AChE inhibition in human isolated lymphocytes. In the present experimental study, we examined the anti-oxidative and AChE activating potential of CNP and SSe in CP-treated human lymphocytes. Therefore, the lymphocytes were isolated and exposed to CP, CP+CNP, CP+SSe, and CP+CNP+SSe after a three-day incubation. Then tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-alpha] release, myeloperoxidase [MPO] activity, thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances [TBARS] levels as inflammatory/oxidative stress indices along with AChE activity were assessed. In addition, the apoptotic process was measured by flow cytometry. Results showed a significant reduction in the mortality rate, TNF-alpha, MPO activity, TBARS, and apoptosis rate in cells treated with CNP, SSe and their combination. Interestingly, both CNP and SSe were able to activate AChE which is inhibited by CP. The results supported the synergistic effect of CNP/SSe combination in the prevention of apoptosis along with oxidative stress and inflammatory cascade. CP induces apoptosis in isolated human lymphocytes via oxidative stress and inflammatory mediators. CP firstly produces ROS, which leads to membrane phospholipid damage. The beneficial effects of CNP and SSe in reduction of CP-induced apoptosis and restoring AChE inhibition relate to their anti-oxidative potentials

comprehensive review of clinical trials on EGFR inhibitors such as cetuximab and panitumumab as monotherapy and in combination for treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer

Metastatic colorectal cancer is the fourth most common cause of death due to cancer after those of lung, stomach, and liver. Anti epidermal growth factor receptor drugs as a targeting therapy seem to be good candidates for curing metastatic colorectal cancer. Two available anti epidermal growth factor receptor monoclonal antibodies are cetuximab and panitumumab which have been approved for metastatic colorectal cancer treatment. Through the available literature on NCBI and clinical trials, 31 clinical trials in which cetuximab or panitumumab as monotherapy or in combination with chemotherapy were used for the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer patients in different line settings and 12 clinical trials in which bevacizumab was used for being compared with anti epidermal growth factor receptor monoclonal antibodies or chemotherapy were chosen for reviewing and comparing the results of overall survival, progression free survival and adverse effects. Cetuximab and panitumumab are well accepted for the treatment of mCRC patients at all stages in different line settings. Although cetuximab administration in metastatic colorectal cancer patients is mostly associated with better overall survival and panitumumab results in better progression free survival, to confirm the superiority of each of them in the treatment protocol of epidermal growth factor receptor monoclonal antibodies, more clinical trials with larger sample size are needed. Through current available data from clinical studies, it can be concluded that the best treatment outcome is achieved by a combination of anti epidermal growth factor receptor monoclonal antibodies with conventional chemotherapy

A randomized, double blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial of silymarin in ulcerative colitis / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the clinical efficacy of silymarin in ulcerative colitis (UC) patients.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A randomized double blinded placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted in 80 UC patients whose disease had been documented and were in remission state between September 2009 and October 2010. Patients were assigned to silymarin group (42 cases) and placebo group (38 cases) using a random number table. Either silymarin (140 mg) or placebo (lactose mono-hydrate, corn starch magnesium stearate) tablets were given once daily for 6 months along with their standard therapy. The efficacies were assessed by disease activity index (DAI), frequency difference of the disease flare-up, and paraclinical data.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Ten patients (4 in the silymarin group due to nausea and 6 in the placebo group due to disease flare-up and abdominal pain) discontinued the study. An improvement in hemoglobin level (11.8±1.6 g/dL vs. 13.4±1.2 g/dL,P<0.05) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (23.7±11.5 mm/h vs.10.8±3.2 mm/h,P<0.05) was observed in the silymarin group but not in the placebo group. DAI significantly decreased in the silymarin group and reached from 11.3±3.5 to 10.7±2.8 (P<0.05). Thirty-five out of 38 patients in the silymarin group were in complete remission with no flare-up after 6 months as compared to 21 out of 32 patients in the placebo group (P=0.5000).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Silymarin as a natural supplement may be used in UC patients to maintain remission.</p>

Propofol attenuates toxic oxidative stress by CCl4 in liver mitochondria and blood in rat

Anti-oxidant effects of propofol [2, 6-diisopropylphenol] were evaluated agains carbon tetrachloridet CCl[4] -induced oxidative stress in rat liver. 30 male rats were equally divided in to 6 groups [5 rats each]. Group I [control], while Group II was given CCl[4] [3 mL /Kg/day, IP]. Animals of Groups III received only propofol [10 mg/Kg/day, IP]. Group IV was given propofol+ CCl[4]. Group V was administered vitamin E [alpha-tocopherol acetate 15 mg/Kg/day, SC] .Animals of Group VII received alpha-tocopherol acetate + CCl[4] once daily for two weeks. After treatment, blood and liver mitochondria were isolated. Anti-oxidant enzymes activity such as glutathione peroxidase [GPx], superoxide dismutase [SOD] and oxidative stress marker such as reduced glutathione [GSH] and lipid peroxidation [LPO] concentration were measured. Oxidative stress induced with CCl[4] in liver mitochondria was evident by a significant increase in enzymatic activities of GPx, SOD, and LPO and decreased of GSH and vailability of mitochondria. Propofol and vitamin E restored CCl[4]-induced changes in GSH, GPx, SOD and LPO in blood and liver mitochondria. CCl[4] decreased viability of mitochondria that was recovered by propofol and vitamin E. It is concluded that oxidative damage is the mechanism of toxicity of CCl[4] in the mitochondria that can be recovered by propofol comparable to vitamin E

influence of pregnancy and lactation on maternal bone health: a systematic review

Osteoporosis is considered as an important public health problem especially in postmenopausal women. There are some hypotheses support the contributory effect of pregnancy and lactation on osteoporosis later in life. High calcium demand during pregnancy and lactation and low estrogenic state support those hypotheses. Numerous studies have investigated on the issue but there is no consensus about the contributory effect of pregnancy and lactation on osteoporosis. To explore the current state of fact, in the present study, all bibliographic databases were searched and all relevant studies on the topic of osteoporosis, lactation, and pregnancy were reviewed. The review shows that despite of controversial results, pregnancy may have protective effect on bone especially if followed by lactation

Effect of hypertonic saline infusion versus normal saline on serum ngal and cystatin c levels in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft

Acute kidney injury [AKI] is a common and life-threatening complication following coronary artery bypass graft [CABG]. Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin [NGAL] and Cystatin C have shown to be good predictive factors for AKI. Recently, there has been a growing interest in the use ofhypertonic saline in cardiac operations. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prophylactic anti-inflammatory effect ofhypertonic saline [Group A] infusion versus normal saline [Group B] on serum NGAL and Cystatin C levels as the two biomarkers of AKI in CABG patients. This randomized double-blinded clinical trial recruited 40 patients undergoing CABG in Tehran Heart Center, Tehran, Iran. After applying exclusion criteria, the effects of preoperative hypertonic saline [294 meq Na] versus normal saline [154 meq Na] infusion on serum NGAL and Cystatin C levels were investigated in three intervals: before surgery and 24 and 48 hours postoperatively. The probable intraoperative or postoperative confounders, including pump time, cross-clamp time, heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, central venous pressure, arterial pH, partial pressure of arterial oxygen, fraction of inspired oxygen, blood sugar, Na, K, Mg, hemoglobins, white blood cells, hematocrits, and platelets, were recorded and compared between the two groups of study. The study population comprised 40 patients, including 25 [62.5%] males, at a, mean age +/- SD of 61.7 5 +/- 8.13 years. There were no statistically significant differences between the patients' basic, intraoperative, and postoperative characteristics, including intraoperative and postoperative hemodynamic variables and supports such as inotropic use. Intra-aortic balloon pump use and mortality were not seen in our cases. Three patients in the normal saline group and one patient in the hypertonic saline group had serum NGAL levels greater than 400 ng/ml. Moreover, 10 patients in Group A and 17 patients in group B showed a rise in serum Cystatin C levels above 1.16mg/dl. Patients with AKI had significantly elevated NGAL and Cystatin C levels [p value < 0.001], but there were no significant differences in the decrease in the NGAL level in the hypertonic saline group versus the normal saline group [230.91 +/- 92.68 vs. 239.74 +/- 116.58 ng/ml, respectively; p value = 0.792], or in the decrease in the Cystatin C level in the hypertonic saline group versus the normal saline group [1.05 +/- 0.26 vs. 1.06 +/- 0.31, respectively; p value = 0.874]. Pre-treatment of CABG patients with hypertonic saline had no significant effect on serum NGAL and Cystatin C levels compared to the normal saline-receiving group. Our present data, albeit promising, have yet to fully document outcome differences