Prevalence of Transfusion-transmitted Virus (TTV) Infection and its Association with Renal Post-transplantation Complications in Iran.

BACKGROUND: Transfusion-transmitted virus (TTV) is a single-stranded DNA virus. Renal transplant patients have a higher risk of TTV infection. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of TTV and its correlation with post-renal transplantation complications in a population of Iranian patients. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed on 120 renal transplant recipients. TTV infection in the peripheral blood samples was detected by semi-nested polymerase chain reaction (semi-nested PCR). Then, the relationship between TTV and renal post-transplant complications was examined. RESULTS: 34.2% renal transplant recipients were positive for TTV. There was a significant correlation between the presence of TTV and diabetes, acute transplant rejection, and urinary tract infection. We did not find any direct correlation between the presence of TTV infection and hypertension, hyperlipidemia, respiratory tract infection, and cytomegalovirus infection. CONCLUSION: We found an increased rate of TTV infection in renal transplant recipients associated with post-transplantation complications. TTV may be an important risk factor for some post-renal transplantation complications.

Effect of diet contains sesame seed on epididymal histology of adult rat / Efecto de la dieta con semillas de sésamo sobre la histología del epidídimo de la rata adulta

Sesamin is a major lignan constituent of sesame seed and considered as a key factor in a number of beneficial effects on human health. Sesame leaves intake improve and increase epididymal spermatocytes reserve in adult male sprague dawley rat. The present study was aimed to investigate the effects of contain sesame seed on epididymis histologhical structure. Thirty adult male rats were divided into two groups of 15 rats each. The regimen group received diet containing 30% sesame seed, while the control group received diet along 12 weeks. The right epididymis were removed and minced into several pieces on a specimen bottle containing normal saline for some few minutes to allow the sperms to become motile and swim out and sperm parameters were analyzed. Left epididymis were divided into three sections and fixed into bouin,s solution for further investigation. Serum FSH and LH concentration were estimated by ELISA technique, Testosterone concentration was done by using Chemo-Luminance method. The body weight gained during the treatment period did not differ significantly among groups. The mean epididymal sperm motility and count of the experimental group was significantly higher than control group. LH levels significantly increased in experimental group compared to controls but significant changes in FSH and testosterone levels were not observed in both groups. The results obtained showed that the mean epididymal diameter of the tubular, lumen and epithelium in three parts were not significant in two groups. It can be concluded that sesame seed improves sperm parameters (motility and count) and also can increase LH. But diet contains sesame seed did not affect on epididymal tissue and body weight.

La sesamina es un importante componente de los lignanos en las semillas de sésamo, y se considera un factor clave en una serie de efectos beneficiosos para la salud humana. La ingesta de sésamo podría mejorar y aumentar la reserva de espermatocitos en el epidídimo en ratas macho adultas Sprague Dawley. El presente estudio tuvo como objetivo investigar los efectos de una dieta que contiene semillas de sésamo sobre la histología del epidídimo de rata Wistar adultas. Treinta ratas macho fueron divididas en dos grupos de 15 animales. El grupo con régimen especial recibió una dieta que contuvo 30% de semillas de sésamo, mientras que el grupo control recibió una dieta estándar durante 12 semanas. El epidídimo del lado derecho fue removido y se cortó y maceró en varios trozos sobre un recipiente de vidrio conteniendo una solución salina normal, durante algunos minutos para permitir que los espermatozoides se volvieran móviles y nadaran fuera; luego los parámetros espermáticos fueron analizados. El epidídimo del lado izquierdo se dividió en tres secciones y se fijó en solución de Bouin para análisis adicionales. Las concentraciones séricas de FSH y LH se estimaron mediante la técnica ELISA, y la concentración de testosterona mediante el método quimioluminencia. El peso corporal obtenido durante el período de tratamiento no difirió significativamente entre los grupos. La motilidad media de espermatozoides del epidídimo y recuento del grupo experimental fue significativamente mayor que el grupo control. Los niveles de LH fueron significativamente mayores en el grupo experimental; no se observaron cambios significativos en los niveles de FSH y testosterona en ningún grupos. Los resultados obtenidos mostraron que el diámetro medio del epidídimo, lumen y epitelio en tres partes diferentes no mostraron cambios significativas en ambos grupos. Se puede concluir que las semillas de sésamo mejoran los parámetros espermáticos (motilidad y recuento), y también puede aumentar la LH. Sin embargo, la dieta que contiene semillas de sésamo no afectó el tejido del epidídimo y peso corporal.

Effect of diet contains sesame seed on adult Wistar rat testis / Efecto de la dieta con semillas de sésamo sobre el testículo de la rata Wistar adulta

Studies show that some antioxidants are effective in improving male infertility. According to several antioxidant compounds that exist in sesame seed, this study was designed and carried out to the effects of sesame seed diet consumption on adult male rats testis structure and sex hormones. This experimental study was carried out on 30 adults Wistar rat, 200 g that obtained from laboratory animal center at Kashan University of Medical Sciences. Rats were divided into experimental and control groups randomly. The control group received standard diet and experimental group received diet containing 70% standard diet and 30% sesame seed after weaning for 12 weeks. At the end of the study, testis weight and volume were measured and seminiferous tubules; lumen epithelium diameter, LH, FSH and testosterone concentrations were evaluated. Data was analyzed by SPSS software and t-test. P< 0.05 was considered to significant level. Bodyweight rats, weight and volume testis and percentage volume seminiferous tubules vessels in two groups were not significant. The mean cells number and motility of sperm in left epididym, number of cells epithelium and percentage volume of epithelial, lumen and interstitial of this tubules were extremely significant (P<0.0001) in the experimental group compared to control. LH concentration increased significantly in the experimental group compared to control (P<0.03). Sesame seed intake improved testicular parameters, fertility and sperm production in males.

Estudios demuestran que algunos antioxidantes son eficaces en la mejora de la infertilidad masculina. Debido a la presencia de varios compuestos antioxidantes que existen en la semilla de sésamo, este estudio fue diseñado y realizado para evaluar los efectos de su consumo sobre la estructura testicular y las hormonas sexuales de ratas macho adultas. Se utilizaron 30 ratas Wistar adultas de 200 g obtenidas desde el centro laboratorio animal de Kashan University of Medical Sciences. Las ratas se dividieron en grupos experimental y de control. El grupo control recibió una dieta estándar y el grupo experimental una dieta que contenía 70% de dieta estándar y 30% de semillas de sésamo, después del destete durante 12 semanas. Al final del estudio, se midieron el peso y volumen de los testículos y túbulos seminíferos, diámetro luminal epitelial, y las concentraciones de LH, FSH y testosterona. Los datos fueron analizados mediante t-test con el programa SPSS. Fue considerado significativo un valor P<0,05. El peso corporal de las ratas, peso y volumen testicular, y el porcentaje volumétrico de los túbulos seminíferos en los dos grupos no fue significativo. La media del número de células y la motilidad de los espermatozoides en epidídimo izquierdo, número de células del epitelio y porcentaje volumétrico del epitelio, y lumen intersticial de los túbulos fueron significativos (P<0,0001) en el grupo experimental en comparación con el control. La concentración de LH aumentó significativamente en el grupo experimental en comparación con el control (P<0,03). La ingesta de semillas de sésamo mejora de los parámetros testiculares, la fertilidad y la producción de espermatozoides en machos.

Analysis of quality and feasibility of an objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) in preclinical dental education.

INTRODUCTION: An objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) has been implemented in preclinical dentistry. It was taken at an early stage (propaedeutics course). The objectives of this study were to evaluate the reliability, validity, and feasibility of the examination, and the effect of circuit number on OSCE score. METHODS: The OSCE was designed by an expert committee on the basis of pre-reviewed blueprints and checklists. Eleven stations formed an interdisciplinary circuit. Six groups of students (n = 62) passed sequentially round the same circuit. Statistical analysis was performed by using SPSS. Reliability was determined by measurement of internal consistency (Cronbach's α, Guttman's λ(2) ), standard error of measurement (SEM) (comprising generalisability index α, dependability index ϕ and pass 150;fail reliability p(c) ), consistency coefficient κ, item 150;scale correlation (Pearson correlation), and, because the unidimensionality of the stations could not be assumed, factor analysis including varimax rotation. Convergent validity (Pearson correlation, t-test), and predictive validity for future preclinical courses and the final preclinical examination were assessed by analysis of variance (ANOVA). The effect of the circuit number on score improvement was calculated, including a correction for the general competence of the students (ANOVA). Cost was calculated on the basis of the time invested. RESULTS: Fifty-three out of sixty-two students passed the OSCE (mean score: 67%, SD 7.7, range, 47-81). Scores for each station correlated significantly with total scores (r = 0.35-0.54, P < 0.01). For internal consistency, α = 0.75 (relative SEM 3.8) and λ(2) = 0.766. The dependability index was ϕ = 0.694 (absolute SEM 4.4), p(c) = 0.89 and κ = 0.61. Factor analysis yielded two components: dental-materials-oriented stations and all other stations (explained variance 43%). Scores correlated significantly with success in passing practical tests (i.e. performing dental procedures under examination conditions) (known group validity, P < 0.01) and with scores for subsequent courses and the final preclinical examination (Physikum) (predictive validity, P < 0.001). Later groups performed 4% better on average (CI 95%: 1.2-6.8%; P < 0.01). The cost was 181 Euro per student. CONCLUSIONS: The OSCE is reliable and valid in the context of preclinical dentistry. The cost is substantial. The problem of improvement of students' results with ascending circuit number has to be addressed.