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Background and Objective: Herbal products consumption is increased worldwide. This study was done to compare the effect of Evening Primrose, Vitex agnus and vitamin E on premenstrual syndrome. Methods: In this clinical trials study, 210 women with premenstrual syndrome were randomly divided eqaly into Evening Primrose (500 mg, 3 times per day), Vitex agnus (40 mg/day) and vitamin E (400 Iu/day) groups. The subjects were received the thraputic regiment for 2 months. Severity of premenstrual syndrome was recorded for each subject using DSR Dickerson questinare, perior and at the end of intervention. Results: After intervention, severity of premenstrual syndrome was reduced in Evening Primrose group (60.58±30.6 to 34.09±19.81), Vitex agnus (61.23±30.54 to 25.25±17.78) and the vitamin E group, (61.24±32.04 to 54.9±19.24). Severity of premenstrual syndrome were reduced in the Evening Primrose and Vitex agnus groups in compared to vitamin E group (P<0.05). Severity of premenstrual syndrome were reduced in Vitex agnus in comparision with Evening Primrose (P<0.05). Conclusion: Vitex agnus, Evening Primrose and vitamin E can reduce severity of premenstrual syndrome, but therapeutic effect of Vitex agnus is more than Evening Primrose and vitamin E.

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Background and Objective: Despite enormous progress in the understanding of human reproductive physiology, the underlying cause of male infertility remains undefined in about 50.0% of cases, which are referred to as idiopathic infertility and affects about 5.0-7.0% of the general male population. Human apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease (ApE1) is a multifunctional protein that has an important role in the base excision repair (BER) pathway. ApE1 SNP T>G found in exon 5 led to substitution of Asp>Glu at codon 148. This study was done to evaluate the association of ApE1 Asp148Glu polymorphism and the risk of idiopathic male infertility. Methods: In this case-control study, blood samples were collected from 90 patients diagnosed with idiopathic male infertility and 90 healthy men, genotyped by Allele-Specific PCR (AS-PCR) method by using specific primers that were designed and the association between genotype and allele frequencies in cases and controls were estimated. Results: There was no significant association between ApE1 gene polymorphism at codon 148 in case and control groups. Conclusion: No significant association was found between the Asp148Glu polymorphism and idiopathic male infertility.

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Background and Objective: The growing evidence suggest on the association between dietary patterns and obesity. This study was done to determine the relation between pattern of nutrient intake and obesity in Isfahanian adults.

Methods: In this descriptive - analytical study, dietary data were collected using a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire in 8,691 subjects aged 18-55 years. Complete data of 6,724 and 5,203 adults were available for general and abdominal obesity, respectively. Daily intakes of 38 nutrients and bioactive compounds were calculated for each participant. Factor analysis was applied to derive major nutrient patterns.

Results: Three major nutrient patterns were identified: 1) pattern high in fatty acids, cholesterol, vitamin B12, vitamin E, zinc, choline, protein, pyridoxine, phosphorus, and pantothenic acid; 2) high in thiamine, betaine, starch, folate, iron, selenium, niacin, calcium, and manganese; and 3) high in glucose, fructose, sucrose, vitamin C, potassium, dietary fiber, copper and vitamin K. Men in the highest quintile of the second pattern were less likely to be generally obese in the fully adjusted model (95% CI: 0.20-0.76, OR: 0.39, P<0.05). After adjustment for potential confounders, a significant positive association was observed between the third pattern and general obesity among men (95% CI: 1.04-3.04, OR: 1.77, P<0.05), but it was not in women (95% CI: 0.74-1.88, OR: 1.18, P>0.05).

Conclusion: Nutrient patterns were significantly associated with general, but not abdominal obesity in the male Iranians participating in SEPAHAN study.

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Background and Objective: Iron oxide nanoparticles have wide applications such as MRI contrast agent and drug delivery. Nevertheless, their effects on human health have not been fully investigated yet. After cellulose, chitin is one of the most abundant organic materials in nature which is widely used in food industry, cosmetics, agriculture, medicine and the environment. This study was done to evaluate the effect of iron oxide nanoparticles coated with chitosan on renal functional indeces in rat.

Methods: In this experimental study, 60 adult female Wistar rats were allocated into 10 equal groups. Concentrations of 50, 100 and 150 mg/kg/bw from chitosan, iron oxide nanoparticles and chitosan coated nanoparticles were intraperitoneally injected into 9 groups and animals in control group were received normal saline. Blood samples were collected directly from the rat heart in the days 15 and 30 post after injection and renal functional indeces including urea, creatinine, uric acid, sodium, potassium and total protein were measured.

Results: There were no significant differences in the level of urea, creatinine, uric acid, sodium, potassium and total protein in the groups whom received chitosan-coated iron oxide nanoparticles compared to control. There was no mortality during the study time.

Conclusion: Short-term using of iron oxide nanoparticles coated with chitosan does not create any toxicity in the rat kidney.

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Background and Objective: Finding the pain relieving substances is one of the important aims of biological researches. This study was done to evaluate the antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory effects of Hyssopus officinalis extract in mice.
Methods: In this experimental study, 100 male adult mice were allocated into 5 experimental groups including control group receiving only normal saline and groups that received extract of Hyssopus officinalis at doses of 25, 50 and 75 mg/kg/bw, and positive control group in formalin test received morphine in acute and chronic phase of experiment and positive control group in anti-inflammatory test received dexamethasone. Formalin-induced paw licking was used to determine the anti-nociceptive activity of Hyssopus officinalis extract. The anti-inflammatory activity was determined by Xylene test.
Results: In the acute phase of pain (the first 5 minutes), doses of 50 and 75 mg/kg/bw (7.75±2.3, 8.75±2.1) of the Hyssopus officinalis extract significantly reduced the number of feet raised (P<0.05). Also, in the chronic phase of pain (20 min second), 25, 50 and 75 mg/kg/bw of doses (17.25±2.3, 11.75±2.9, 2.7±10.75) and morphine significantly reduced the duration of foot lift (P<0.05). The extract of Hyssopus officinalis with three doses of 25, 50 and 75 mg/kg/bw (13.33±3.1, 20±3.1, 19.83±2.8) showed high anti-inflammatory activity against Xylene induced ear edema (P<0.05).
Conclusion: This study showed that Hyssopus officinalis extract can inhibit pain and inflammation in animal model.

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Background and Objective: Chronic and recurrent abdominal pain affect about 7-20% of children in school age, and it is responsible for 2-4% of children's medical referrals. Helicobacter pylori infection in children can cause gastrointestinal problems in childhood, and the lack of treatment and eradication can lead to serious complications. This study was done to evaluate the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori ELISA stool antigen in children with chronic abdominal pain.

Methods: In this case control study, 33 children with chronic abdominal pain and 30 normal children were evaluated. The stool was tested by ELISA method to evaluate Helicobacter pylori antigen.

Results: 15.2% of chidern in the chronic abdominal pain group were positive for Helicobacter pylori. No positive case was found among control group. This difference between case and control groups was significant (P<0.05).

Conclusion: Considering the high prevalence of Helicobacter pylori antigen in children with chronic abdominal pain, it is suggested that children with chronic abdominal pain without a definite cause screened for Helicobacter pylori infection.

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Background and Objective: Various infections and the formation of stones could be the cause for bile duct obstruction of that sterile organ. Determination of pathogenesis factors and the bacteria involved in infections are important in the prevention of disease, and cares needed following surgery. This study was done to determine the bacteria in the gallbladder of patients with cholelithiasis and evaluation of pathogenic factors of the prevalent isolated bacteria.
Methods: In this descriptive laboratory study, 35 samples of gallbladder tissues which contained gallstones were collected under sterile conditions in “Department of General Surgery of Imam Khomeini Hospital”, Tehran, Iran during 2016. The stone types were analyzed and decomposed by chemical procedures, and the bacteria existed in the tissues were also identified using biochemical experiments. The tissues with negative results in microbiological studies were looked for any contaminating bacteria, applying the DNA extracted from gallbladder tissue as a template using F27 and R1492 as the primers for PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) amplification of 16SrRNA gene. Those with the positive results of microbiological tests were subjected to the DNA sequencing following gel purification and blasted against the NCBI gene database. The most frequently isolated bacteria were studied according to the intensity of biofilm formation, using the microtitre plate method. CsgF and Ag43 (Flu), the genes involved in the induction of such phenotype were also analyzed in this study. The antibiotic resistance assay of the isolates was performed using disc diffusion procedure.
Results: Thirteen out of thirty five samples of post-surgery gallbladder tissues were found to be infected by different bacteria, including: Klebsiella (3 cases), Escherichia coli (4 cases), Enterobacter (1 case), Staphylococcus aureus (2 cases), Enterococci (2 cases), and Streptococcus (1 case). In 23 out of 35 samples (65.7%), no bacteria could be isolated using microbiological methods. However, in seven out of 23 samples, the amplified 16SrRNA had an indication of Klebsiella (6 cases) and Enterococcus (1 case) isolates. Therefore, the most prevalent genus in gallbladder infections was Klebsiella (47.36%). Chemical analysis showed that the highly frequent compound of gallstones (98%) were of cholesterol and bilirubin. Escherichia coli with fourcases were the highest culture growing isolated bacteria, in all of which, the biofilm formation genes were present. In the two out of four Escherichia coli isolates the intensity of biofilm formation was high. Although, in the remaining two isolates was medium. While, they were found to be sensitive to the most of the antibiotics, they showed resistance to Tetracycline, Ciprofloxacin and Ceftazidime in different ranges.
Conclusion: The present study provided evidence that non-cultural bacteria are hihly present in gallbladder infections. The high potential of the commonly isolated bacteria in biofilm formation should be taken as a warning to follow the precise protocol of antibiotic prescription for treatment of gallbladder infections.

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Background and Objective: Control of postoperative pain is one of the most important stages in the recovery of patients after surgery. This study was done to compare the effectiveness of combined Ondansetron and Apotel on the post-operative pain after surgery of upper limb fractures.
Methods: This double blind clinical trial study was done on 50 individual (41 male and 9 female) with upper limb fractures referring to 5 Azar hospital in Gorgan northern Iran during 2017. Patients were assigned (block randomization) into control and intervention groups. After the end of operation in the recovery phase, both groups received pain PCA (Patient Controlled Analgesia). In control group, the pain pump consisted of 2 grams of Apotel and in the intervention group; the pain pump consisted of 2 grams Apotel and 8 mg of ondansetron. Visual Analogue Score (VAS) was evaluated in both groups after surgery for 24 hours. Pain score of patients compared in the 2 groups during the 3 time intervals after surgery.
Results: 4 hours after upper limb fracture surgery, the mean pain was significantly decreased in the intervention group (3.20±0.707) compared to control group (3.64±0.569) (P<0.05). 12 hours after upper limb fracture surgery The Mean pain, in the intervention group (1.88±0.927) was significantly reduced in compare to control group (2.64±1.186) (P<0.05). 24 hours after upper limb fracture surgery, The Mean pain was significantly reduced in the intervention group (1.40±0.645) in compare to control group (2.08±0.997) (P<0.05).
Conclusion: This study showed that administration of compination of Apotele and Ondansetron in post-operative pain of upper limb fractures is effective than apotele alone.

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Background and Objective: Oxaliplatin is the main agent used in the treatment of colorectal cancers. Oxaliplatin inhibits DNA replication and transcription and to induce apoptosis or necrosis in cancer cells and rapidly dividing cell lines. This study was designed to determine the effect of Oxaliplatin on sperm parameters of 60 days old offspring during pre-pregnancy, pregnancy and lactation period in mice.
Methods: In this experimental study, 32 female NMRI mature mice were randomly allocated into 4 groups. Animals in control group were received 0.2 ml saline intraperitoneally (IP) during 21 days of pre-pregnany, pregnancy and lactation periods. Animals in experimental groups including pre-pregnant, pregnant and lactation groups were received 3 mg/kg oxaliplatin trice a week IP during 21 days before mating, during pregnancy and lactation periods, respectively. At the 60th postnatal day, all the male offspring were euthanized and sperm samples were obtained. Analysis of sperm parameters including count, motility, vitality, maturation and DNA integrity was done.
Results: Sperm count, motility and DNA integrity were significantly reduced in all three groups of Pre-pregnancy, pregnancy and lactation in comparison with control group (P<0.05). Moreover, the percentage of immature and dead sperms were significantly increased in oxaliplatin groups (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Admistration of oxaliplatin induces adverse effect on sperm quality in perinatal period. The greatest effect of this drug is on lactation period. Also, by increasing the time interval for oxaliplatin administration in mice to puberty of offspring, the adverse effects of this drug on the quality of sperm parameters are reduced.

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Background and Objective: Many studies have been done on the effects of ginseng and green tea on inflammatory factors and liver enzymes, but no research has yet studied the comparative effects of ginseng and green tea extracts with Pomeol Breuler on C-reactive protein (CRP) and liver enzymes in hyperlipidemic rats. This study was done to evaluate the effects of ginseng and green tea extracts in comparison with Pomeol Bruler on CRP and liver enzymes in hyperlipidemic rats.
Methods: In this experimental study, 42 male Wistar rats were randomly allocated into 7 groups. Animals in group 1 (control group) received a normal diet. The experimental groups 2-7 received a high-fat diet for a month. The groups were treated with the extract for 8 weeks and by intraperitoneal injection. Groups 1 and 2 received 77.5 mg/kg/day and 155 mg/kg/day green tea extract, respectively. Groups 3 and 4 received 103.3 mg/kg/day and 206.6 mg/kg/day ginseng extract, respectively. Group 5 received 0.16 g/kg/day of Pomeol Bruler, and group 6 received green tea extract (155 mg/kg/day) and ginseng extract (206.6 mg/kg/day). At the end of the treatment, the level of CRP and liver enzymes including aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) were measured.
Results: The level of CRP was significantly reduced in the rats treated with ginseng, green tea, and Pomeol Bruler compared with the control group (P<0.05). The level of AST and ALT did not differ significantly between the ginseng, green tea, Pomeol Bruler, and control groups.
Conclusion: The combined use of ginseng and green tea with Pomeol Breuler for 8 weeks may reduce inflammatory factors but does not affect liver enzymes.
 

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Background and Objective: Toll-like receptors (TLRs) located in the fallopian tube epithelial cells play a crucial role in the immunological response to sperm and pathogens. The present study aimed to compare the function and response of TLR3, TLR4, and TLR5 receptors in the presence of sperm under both physiological and pathological conditions in vitro.
Methods: In this descriptive laboratory study, OE-E6/E7 cells were cultured with fresh sperm samples obtained from normozoospermic individuals (n=10) and specific ligands for TLR3, TLR4, and TLR5 receptors in three groups consisting of sperm, specific ligands, and sperm + specific ligands. A control group was also included without adding sperm or ligand. The concentrations of IL-6 and IL-8 secreted from OE-E6/E7 cells in all four groups were determined using the ELISA method.
Results: Exposure of sperm and specific ligands to TLR3, TLR4, and TLR5 receptors in fallopian tube epithelial cells led to a significant increase in the concentration of IL-6 and IL-8 cytokines. There was no significant difference in the secretion of these cytokines from OE-E6/E7 cells between the two groups of ligand and ligand + sperm.
Conclusion: The response of fallopian tube epithelial cells to sperm exposure through TLRs leads to an increase in cytokine secretion. However, simultaneous exposure of sperm and TLR-specific ligands does not result in a cumulative increase in cytokine secretion. Therefore, it is plausible that the TLR signaling pathway may be regulated negatively by some other factors. Further studies are required to investigate this issue.