Modeling the structural relationships between trauma exposure with substance use tendency, depression symptoms, and suicidal thoughts in individuals with earthquake trauma experience: the mediatory role of peritraumatic dissociation and experiential avoidance.

BACKGROUND: Despite the fact that studies indicate that earthquake trauma is associated with numerous psychological consequences, the mediating mechanisms leading to these outcomes have not been well-studied. Therefore, this study investigates the relationship between trauma exposure with substance use tendency, depression, and suicidal thoughts, with the mediating role of peritraumatic dissociation and experiential avoidance. METHODS: The descriptive-correlational approach was employed in this study. The participants were people who had experienced the Kermanshah earthquake in 2017. A total of 324 people were selected by convenient sampling method. The Traumatic Exposure Severity Scale, the Peritraumatic Dissociative Experiences Questionnaire, the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire, the Iranian Addiction Potential Scale, Beck's Depression Inventory [BDI-II], and Beck's Suicidal Thoughts Scale were used to collect data. The gathered data was analyzed| using structural equation modeling in |SPSS Ver. 24 and LISREL Ver. 24. RESULTS: The study findings indicated that the intensity of the trauma exposure is directly and significantly associated with depression symptoms, peritraumatic dissociation, and experiential avoidance. The severity of exposure to trauma had a significant indirect effect on the tendency to use substances through experiential avoidance. This is while the severity of the trauma experience did not directly correlate with substance use and suicidal thoughts. In addition, peritraumatic dissociation did not act as a mediator in the relationship between the severity of trauma exposure with substance use, depression, and suicidal thoughts. CONCLUSIONS: The severity of exposure to the earthquake was associated with symptoms of depression and these findings indicate the importance of experiential avoidance in predicting the tendency to use drugs. Hence, it is essential to design and implement psychological interventions that target experiential avoidance to prevent drug use tendencies and to establish policies that lower depression symptoms following natural disasters.

Cutaneous Metastasis From Prostate Cancer on Posttherapeutic 177 Lu-Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen Scan.

ABSTRACT: In this note, we aim to present a patient with a known case of prostate cancer with widespread metastasis to the skeleton and liver who has undergone several cycles of chemoradiotherapy. The patient received 2 doses of 177 Lu-prostate-specific membrane antigen therapy, in which several zones of uptake were detected on the thoracic wall compatible with cutaneous metastatic lesions of prostate cancer.

The effects of Alpha-2a and Beta-1a Interferons on the Coronavirus disease 2019 prognosis.

BACKGROUND: The pandemic coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been associated with substantial mortality worldwide. Efforts have continued to find an effective treatment for COVID-19. In vitro activity of interferon (IFN) subtypes has been shown against the SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV. Furthermore, the superiority of IFN-ß over IFN-α2b and IFN-α2a has been demonstrated in MERS treatment. Early studies showed a low plasma level of IFNs in the peripheral blood or lungs of patients with severe COVID-19. This study assessed the effects of IFN-alpha-2a and -beta-1a on the prognosis of patients with covid-19 infection. METHODS: We conducted a triple-blind randomized clinical trial on adult patients with moderate to severe COVID-19 from April 2021 to June 2021. The patients were diagnosed based on clinical and laboratory findings and randomly assigned into four groups (A, B, C, and D) using the envelope allocation method. Patients in group A received IFN ß-1a; group B received IFN ß-1a placebo; group C received IFN α-2a, and group D was treated with IFN α-2a placebo. All patients concomitantly received the national protocol medications as well. RESULTS: A total of 95 eligible patients were randomly assigned into groups. National Early Warning Score 2 (NEWS2) index showed significant differences between groups only on the first day of admission (p-value = 0.001). CT scan scores on the first and tenth days slightly improved, although they were not statistically significant. Duration of hospitalization and hospital discharge did not significantly differ among all treated groups (Table 1). Mortality rates showed no significant statistical difference between the groups. However, viral clearance significantly accelerated in the patients receiving IFN ß-1a or IFN α-2a (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: It seems that IFN α-2a and IFN ß-1a are ineffective in treating COVID-19 patients. Further randomized clinical trials with large sample sizes are needed to estimate the effects of IFN α-2a or IFN ß-1a on the outcomes of COVID-19 disease.

Effectiveness of Fortified Garlic Extract Oral Capsules as Adjuvant Therapy in Hospitalized Patients with Coronavirus Disease 2019: A Triple-Blind Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial.

Background: Herbal medicines have been extensively used to treat coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Garlic, known to exert antiviral and anti-inflammatory effects, can be coadministered with standard treatments to combat COVID-19. Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety profile of Gallecina oral capsules (Samisaz Pharmaceutical Company, Mashhad, Iran), a fortified garlic extract, as adjunctive therapy to improve the clinical status and symptoms in noncritically ill patients hospitalized for COVID-19. Methods: This triple-blind randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted on noncritically ill patients with COVID-19 hospitalized in the nonintensive care wards of Imam Hassan Hospital. Patients received remdesivir plus 90 mg Gallecina capsule or a placebo every 8 hours for 5 days or until discharge. The clinical status, respiratory symptoms, and laboratory parameters were recorded during the study period. Results: Patients were enrolled between April 24 and July 18, 2021. Data from 72 patients in the Gallecina group and 69 patients in the placebo group were analyzed. Oxygen saturation, C-reactive protein levels, and the distribution of respiratory distress and cough were similar between groups on the day of discharge. Although body temperature was significantly lower in the Gallecina group than that in the placebo group on the day of discharge (P = 0.04), it was within the normal range for both groups. The proportion of patients requiring supplemental oxygen for at least 1 day during the study was significantly reduced in the Gallecina group on days 3 and 4 and the day of discharge (P < 0.05). Gastrointestinal complaints were more prevalent in the Gallecina group than in the placebo group but the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.12). Conclusions: There was no significant effect on the primary outcome of clinical status on study day 6. Although the proportion of Gallecina-treated patients who needed supplemental oxygen significantly decreased on days 3 and 4 and the day of discharge, there was no significant difference between the groups on other days. The possible beneficial effects on oxygen requirements in noncritically ill COVID-19 patients may warrant further investigation. (Curr Ther Res Clin Exp. 2023; 84:XXX-XXX). Clinical trial registration: IRCT20201111049347N1.

The effect of royal jelly and silver nanoparticles on liver and kidney inflammation.

OBJECTIVE: Royal jelly (RJ) is a honey bee product for which, anti-inflammatory properties were shown in vitro. Nanoparticles, including nano-silver (NS), are plausible inflammation inducers that act by activation of immune cells and consequent production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. This project aimed to explore immunomodulatory effects of royal jelly and nano-silver on the kidney and liver. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this project, 40 male rats were grouped as follows: 10 rats as controls, 10 rats treated with RJ; 10 rats treated with both NS and RJ and 10 rats treated with NS. Liver and kidney interleukin (IL)-1ß, -2, -6, and -33 levels were determined using commercial ELISA kits. RESULTS: RJ reduced kidney IL-6 levels in comparison to control and NS--RJ groups. RJ and NS reduced kidney and liver IL-1ß levels. Kidney IL-33 levels were decreased in the RJ and nano-silver groups in comparison to the NS--RJ group. CONCLUSION: Based on this study, it may be concluded that RJ together with NS can play anti-inflammatory roles and may affect the function of immune cells.

Emotionally valenced and modality-specific dual tasks: Effects on voluntary reminding and proactive interference in trauma-exposed individuals suffering from PTSD.

Objectives: People suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) often experience distressing traumatic memories. Therapeutic methods that apply a secondary task while clients recall a trauma memory may further assist in modifying the vividness and emotionality of the trauma memory and in reducing intrusions. In this experiment, we aimed to investigate whether the emotional valence (positive vs. neutral) and sensory modality (visual vs. auditory) of a secondary task reduces the vividness and emotionality of the trauma memory and the proactive interference. Method: Sixty PTSD patients exposed to road traffic accident traumas were randomized to one of four groups in a 2 (emotional valence: positive, neutral) × 2 (modality: visual, auditory) design. Participants were then exposed to a positive or a neutral clip that was visual or auditory and were required to recall the trauma memory during exposure to the clip. Vividness and emotionality of the trauma memory and proactive interference were assessed before and after exposure to the clip and at a 1-week follow-up. Results: Results revealed that participants who recalled the trauma memory while exposed to the positive clip reported their trauma memory as being less distressing (but not less vivid) and indicated less proactive interference than did participants exposed to the neutral clip. Nevertheless, modality had no significant effect in attenuating the proactive interference under conditions of modality congruence. Conclusion: Inducing positive emotion while performing a dual task may be an effective module in therapeutic approaches. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).

Proactive Interference in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.

Deficits in working memory (WM) have a role in maintaining posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, including intrusions, which are a hallmark of PTSD symptomatology. As intrusions are distressing and uncontrollable, it is important to investigate whether PTSD is associated with altered control of proactive interference in WM. Moreover, it is important to consider both verbal and visual WM, as previous research has demonstrated a visual versus verbal dissociation in PTSD. Although previous studies have explored proactive interference in visual and verbal stimuli using a recent probe task, the stimuli used thus far have been non-trauma-related. Therefore, we aimed to investigate proactive interference in PTSD using trauma-related verbal and visual stimuli. Road traffic accident (RTA) survivors with (n = 60) and without PTSD (n = 30) completed a recent probe task to assess proactive interference of visual and verbal trauma-related material. Participants with PTSD displayed significantly more proactive interference than trauma-exposed controls for visual, ηp 2 = .40, and verbal material, ηp 2 = .10, indicating that proactive interference is significantly impaired in PTSD. This demonstrates that further research is warranted and highlights the possibility of considering proactive interference of trauma-related stimuli in therapeutic approaches.

Investigation of grape sap on wingless/integrated and ß-catenin genes expression with histological factors on the hair follicle in rat.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Natural products are used to improve the damage caused by harmful reagents in various pathological situations. This study investigated the effect of grape sap as a natural product with antioxidant properties on follicle cell proliferation in bleomycin (as a chemotherapy agent with toxic effects on hair growth) treated rats skin. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: The bleomycin treated rats were administrated grape sap. Wingless/integrated (wnt) and ß-catenin gene expression as follicle proliferative markers were evaluated using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Furthermore, histological factors and total antioxidant capacity were evaluated. FINDINGS / RESULTS: The data showed that, grape sap increased the number of anagenic hair follicle in grape sap (100 mg/kg) group (P < 0.001), sebaceous glands (P < 0.001), blood vessel density (P < 0.001), and hair growth length (P < 0.001). Also, wnt and ß-catenin gene expression was elevated. The data showed that wnt and ß-catenin gene expression were elevated in grape sap treated animals versus bleomycin group (P < 0.01 and 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS: Our finding showed that grape sap can be effective in increasing hair growth a gains bleomycin toxic effects on skin hair growth.

Visceral leishmaniasis in an adult case in Northeast of Iran: A case report and literature review.

Leishmaniasis is a rare complication in adult cases even in endemic areas. Here, the first report of visceral leishmaniasis in a young woman in northeast of Iran has been described.

The effects of fluoxetine on the human adipose-derived stem cell proliferation and differentiation.

Fluoxetine is one of the most commonly used antidepressants. Fluoxetine could prevent the mesenchymal stem cell differentiation in lung fetus of rat. Moreover, the mesenchymal stem cells are also present in adult tissues. Therefore, in the current study, we aimed to investigate the effects of fluoxetine (FLX) on both proliferation and adipogenic/osteogenic differentiation of human adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs). After culturing of human ADSCs, these cells were treated with two concentrations of FLX (10 and 20 µm). Then, cells were differentiated by adding osteogenic and adipogenic media. The effect of FLX on human ADSCs proliferation was evaluated by MTT assay. Fluoxetine role on adipogenic and osteogenic differentiation of human ADSCs was analyzed by oil red and alizarin red staining and RT-PCR reaction. According to MTT assay, FLX showed a time- and concentration-dependent proliferation response and eventually decreased human ADSCs proliferation. RT-PCR analysis indicated that FLX significantly diminished the expression of osteogenesis-related genes such as RUNX2 and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Data also revealed a significant reduction in the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) and fatty acid-binding protein (FABP) (specific genes of adipogenic lineage). In addition, FLX decreased mineralized matrix and the amount of lipid droplets in human ADSCs by staining methods. Our observation demonstrated that the effects of FLX may be time-dependent. This drug possesses an increasing phase in proliferation and survival of human ADSCs (first 24 h) following a decreasing phase (after 48 h). Moreover, FLX could attenuate both osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation of human ADSCs.

Transient brain hypothermia reduces the reperfusion injury of delayed tissue plasminogen activator and extends its therapeutic time window in a focal embolic stroke model.

It has been reported that restriction of reperfusion after thrombolytic therapy in ischemic stroke may reduce tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) adverse effects and extend its time window. We examined whether shortIt has been reported that restriction of reperfusion after thrombolytic therapy in ischemic stroke may reduce tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) adverse effects and extend its time window. We examined whether short-term and mild local brain cooling can prevent hyperemia and/or adverse effects of delayed tPA in rat embolic stroke model. Male animals were subjected to embolic stroke and then randomly classified into control (saline), tPA (1mg/kg; i.v.), local hypothermia (LH), and tPA+LH. The drug was injected at 6 h after ischemia. LH was conducted by direct ipsilateral (injured) hemisphere cooling at 6.5h after stroke and maintained for approximately 30min. Cerebral blood flow was monitored in duration of 60 minute after tPA administration and hyperemic response was measured. Infarct volume, blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption, edema formation, neurological deficits, and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) level were measured 48 h later. A combination of tPA+LH significantly diminished infarct volume in comparison with the tPA (P< 0.001) and control (P<0.05) groups. Combination therapy also decreased BBB leakage (P<0.001), MMP-9 level or edema (P<0.05) and improved neurological functions at 24 and 48h after stroke. LH caused a gradual decrease in hyperemic response after thrombolysis compared to the control (P<0.05) or tPA (P<0.001) groups. LH alone also reduced infarct volume, BBB leakage or edema (P<0.05). The short-term local brain hypothermia may mitigate reperfusion injury following delayed tPA therapy and extend its time window up to 6h.

The expression of HoxB5 and SPC in neonatal rat lung after exposure to fluoxetine.

OBJECTIVE: Approximately 10% of pregnant women suffer from pregnancy-associated depression. Fluoxetine, as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, is being employed as a therapy for depressive disorders. The present study aimed to determine the effects of fluoxetine on neonatal lung development. METHODS: Thirty pregnant Wistar rats (weighing 200-250 g) were treated daily with 7 mg/kg fluoxetine from gestation day 0 to gestation day 21, via gavage. The control group received a similar volume of distilled water only. Following delivery, the newborns and their lungs were immediately weighed in both of the groups. The right lung was fixed for histological assessments while the left lung was used for evaluation of the expression of SPC and HoxB5 by the real-time polymerase chain reaction method. RESULTS: Results have indicated that even though the body weight and the number of neonatal rats in both groups were the same, the lung weight of neonates exposed to fluoxetine was significantly different compared to the control group (P<0.05). Expression of both genes was increased, nonetheless, only elevation of HoxB5 was significant (P<0.05). Histological studies demonstrated that lung tissue in the fluoxetine treatment group morphologically appears to be similar to the pseudoglandular phase, whereas the control group lungs experienced more development. CONCLUSION: According to the upregulated expression of HoxB5 concerning histological findings, results of the present study showed that fluoxetine can influence lung growth and may in turn lead to delay in lung development. So establishment of studies to identify the effects of antidepressant drugs during pregnancy is deserved.

The Effect of Loneliness on Social Networking Sites Use and Its Related Behaviors.

INTRODUCTION: The current research was conducted to examine the effect of "Loneliness", on time spent in Social Networking Sites (S.N.S), main reasons for S.N.S use, and its related behaviors. MATERIALS & METHODS: 156 students of Shiraz University voluntarily participated in this research. Loneliness was assessed usingthe UCLA Loneliness scale. 25% of highest scoring students reported that they were lonely whereas 25% of the lowest scoring students were considered to be non-lonely. The positive and negative reasons of using S.N.S were assessed based on Reasons for Internet Use Scale, and internet behaviors were assessed based on Scale of Internet Behaviors. RESULTS: There was no difference in time spent in S.N.S as well as the positive and negative reasons of using S.N.S (contrary to literature), but internet behaviors showed a significant difference between "lonely" and "non-lonely" individuals. "Lonely" and "non-lonely" individuals showed a significant difference in "social aspect" of S.N.S behaviors. There was also a significant difference between "Lonely" and "non-Lonely" individuals in "Negative impact" of S.N.S behaviors. Yet, there seemed to be no difference in "competency and convenience aspect" of S.N.S behaviors. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggested that there is no difference between lonely and non-lonely individuals in reasons for using S.N.S and time spent in S.N.S. This finding stands contrary to previous research findings and general literature on the subject In other words, what drives people to S.N.S at the first place shows no significant difference between lonely and non-lonely individuals while after attending S.N.S, social behavior of lonely individuals shows a significant difference which is consistently enhanced online. Lonely people also significantly develop internet-related problems in their daily functioning, including interference with real life socializing.

The Persian Version of a Participation Scale: Is It Valid and Reliable Enough for Use among Iranian Patients with Multiple Sclerosis?

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine the face and criterion validity, stability reliability, and internal consistency of the Persian version of the Impact on Participation and Autonomy (IPA-p) scale among Iranian people with multiple sclerosis (MS). METHODS: Trained experts interviewed 364 MS patients and their relatives to assess the criterion validity, stability reliability, and internal consistency of the IPA-p scale. Ten specialists from different disciplines were also recruited to assess its face validity. A consent form was completed by the patients and their relatives. Internal consistency reliability was measured using Cronbach's alpha and stability reliability was assessed using interclass correlation coefficients (ICCs). The test-retest method was used to detect the reliability of the questioner. The study subjects completed the IPA-p scale on two occasions separated by an interval of 30-45 days. Study checklists were also used to assess the face validity, stability reliability, and internal consistency of the IPA-p scale. RESULTS: About 50% of the respondents reported their perceived overall participation to be "good" or "very good" and 60% of the specialists rated the ability of the IPA-p scale to measure what it was designed for as "excellent." Spearman correlation coefficients were >0.8 for all but one IPA-p domain. Cronbach's alpha between the mean IPA-p scale scores achieved on two separate occasions ranged from 0.858 to 0.913. The highest and lowest internal consistencies belonged to the "social relationships" and "education and learning" domains, respectively. The test-retest ICCs for the nine domains were between 0.789 and 0.919, and all were significant at p<0.001. CONCLUSIONS: The IPA-p questionnaire can be considered a valid and reliable instrument for assessing self-reported participation among Iranian MS patients.

Implementation of Hepatitis Information Management System in Iran.

INTRODUCTION: Nowadays, hepatitis is of the most important health priorities around the world, where information plays a very significant role in specialized diseases prevention planning, and policy- and decision-making processes. Thus, this study addressed challenges of hepatitis information management and investigated the outcomes of establishing a hepatitis information management system to overcome such challenges. To this end, this research intended to study the implementation of an Electronic hepatitis information management system. METHODOLOGY: This is an applied-developmental study with following specifications and procedures: preparation of study proposal and design, justification of the design's stakeholders, approval of the design by the Postgraduate Education Council of Faculty, determination of pilot hepatitis control center, software development, deciding on control, prevention, and treatment centers, and finally development of a network-based system for collecting and managing hepatitis information. FINDINGS: Results indicated that the inconsistency and lack of integrity of data, as well as the lack of communication between related units prevented timely information register of viral hepatic patients and services that are provided to them. This inhibited the possibility of considering a follow-up process. However, the implementation of this system and involvement of relevant units greatly solved these problems. CONCLUSION: Results show that the implementation of an electronic system for the management of hepatitis control, prevention, and treatment is a regional and national requirement; since, this system with its empowered infrastructure is capable in providing desired services to all laboratories, counseling and health centers, specialized clinics, and physicians connected to the hepatitis network. This enables them to follow up and monitor patients' conditions. That mentioned system paves the way for the analysis of gathered information, managers' and specialists' access in different regions to the data for making appropriate and accurate decisions.

Vaginismus in Iran: A Single Center Report of 7 Years Experience.

BACKGROUND: Vaginismus is a sexual disorder that can cause painful intercourse. Although several studies have shown a relationship between higher education and socio-economic level of women with vaginismus, the relationship between demographic characteristics and other variables remains unclear. OBJECTIVES: The present study was conducted to determine the demographic characteristics of women with vaginismus, coming to family health clinic, between 2007 and 2013. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study is a cross-sectional study that was conducted on 115 clinical records, from early 2007 until the end of 2013, that have received a diagnosis of vaginismus. In these clinical records, the data on female and male age, education and employment, duration of marriage, type of marriage (traditional, virtual, etc.), being a virgin, erectile dysfunction of husband, information of families, sexual satisfaction, marital satisfaction, residential, non-medical types of medical treatment and hymenectomy were derived. RESULTS: The results showed that the average age of women was 29 ± 5 years and the average age of the spouses was 33 ± 6 years. Undergraduate education most prominent among women (52%) and spouses (42%). In terms of employment status, most women were housewives (54%) and the majority of male were employees (54%). The most frequent form of marriage was traditional (80%). The maximum elapsed time of marriage was between 1 - 3 years (43%). In most women, the first attempt for intercourse was from the second day of marriage to the end of the first week (73%). Hymenectomy was done by 9% of women. Totally, 45% of the men, the wives of whom were suffering from vaginismus, experienced erectile dysfunction. In 37% of couples, their sexual life was satisfactory. The most referred specialist for treatment was the urologist (17%). In 27% of women with vaginismus, numerous references to a variety of medical specialists and psychologists were also recorded. Of the total, 7% of couples experienced traditional and non-academic treatments. CONCLUSIONS: As vaginismus can affect the stability of marriage, it is necessary to assess sexual dysfunction from all directions, including demographic characteristics and variables that affect the incidence of vaginismus. Therefore, based on the data obtained, we can diagnose and properly treat sexual dysfunction, in time, and teach couples how to deal with it.

Effect of aqueous extract of Achillea millefolium on the development of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in C57BL/6 mice.

OBJECTIVE: Achillea millefolium (A. millefolium) is widely used as an anti-inflammatory remedy in traditional and herbal medicine. In this study, we investigated the effect of an aqueous extract from A. millefolium on experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) and on the serum cytokine levels in C57BL/6 mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: EAE was induced in 63 C57BL/6 mice weighing 20-25 g (8 weeks old). Following immunization, the treatment protocol was initiated by using different doses of an aqueous extract from A. millefolium (1, 5, and 10 mg/mouse/day). Histopathologic assessments were performed by hematoxylin and eosin (H and E) and luxol fast blue (LFB) staining. Behavioral disabilities were recorded by a camera. Serum levels of interleukin (IL)-10, IL-12, and transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: On average, mice developed classical behavioral disabilities of EAE, 13.2 ± 1.9 days following immunization. Treatment of mice with A. millefolium led to delay the appearance of behavioral disabilities along with reduced severity of the behavioral disabilities. Treatment with A. millefolium prevented weight loss and increased serum levels of TGF-ß in immunized mice with MOG35-55. EAE-induced mice, which were treated with A. millefolium, had less cerebral infiltration of inflammatory cells. CONCLUSION: The results demonstrated that treatment with aqueous extract of A. millefolium may attenuate disease severity, inflammatory responses, and demyelinating lesions in EAE-induced mice. In addition, following treatment with A. millefolium, serum levels of TGF-ßwere increased in EAE-induced mice.

Biochemical and hemato-immunological parameters in juvenile beluga (Huso huso) following the diet supplemented with nettle (Urtica dioica).

The present study investigated the effects of different dietary nettle (Urtica dioica) levels on biochemical, hematological and immunological parameters in beluga (Huso huso). Fish were divided into 4 groups before being fed for 8 weeks with 0%, 3%, 6% and 12% of nettle. The blood samples were collected on week 4 and 8. The use of nettle did not significantly change the mean cell volume, mean cell haemoglobin, lymphocytes, eosinophils, albumin, glucose, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase and lysozyme activity on week 4 and 8. After 4 weeks, the total red blood cell (RBC) and hematocrit (Ht) showed a significant increase in 12% nettle group compared to the 3% nettle and control groups but haemoglobin (Hb) had a significant change in 12% nettle compared to the control. At the same time was not found a significant change in the mean cell haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), total white blood cell (WBC), neutrophils, respiratory burst activity (RB), total immunoglobulin (Ig) and total protein (TP), triglyceride (Tri) and cholesterol (Chol). After 8 weeks, the fish treated with nettle exhibited significantly increase in neutrophil and Hb levels compared to the control and between treatment groups, 12% nettle group shown the highest Hb while RBC and Hct values significantly rose in fish fed by 12% compared to the control. Supplementing 6% and 12% nettle increased the WBC and MCHC compared to the other groups. The group fed 12% showed a highly significant difference in RB, TP and Ig after 8 weeks. However, Tri and Chol were significantly decreased in the juvenile beluga fed by the 6% and 12% nettle diet compared to the other groups. The results suggest that by using this herb there will be an improvement in hemato-biochemical parameters and immune function of juvenile beluga.

Proinflammatory cytokines in the embolic model of cerebral ischemia in rat.

Increased levels of proinflammatory cytokines have been recorded after the onset of transient or permanent brain ischemia and are usually associated with exacerbation of ischemic injury. Embolic stroke model is more relevant to the pathophysiological situation in such patients, because the majority of ischemic injuries in humans are induced by old thrombi that originate from the heart and carotid arteries. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate changes of inflammatory cytokines after embolic stroke. Rats were subjected to embolic stroke, induced by a natural old clot which was injected in Middle Cerebral Artery (MCA), or sham stroke, which the same volume of saline was injected into the MCA. At 48 h after stroke induction, the levels of 5 cytokines (IL-1α and ß, IL-6, IFN-γ and TNF-α) were determined in 500 µg of total protein using the Bio-Plex Rat Cytokine Array (BioRad), according to the manufacturer's instructions in ischemic and non-ischemic cortices. While stroke animals showed infarctions and neurological deficits, we did not observe any cerebral infarction and neurological deficits in sham-operated animals. The levels of IL-1α (p=0.000) and -ß (p =0.004), IL-6 (p =0.008), TNF-α (p =0.000) and IFN-γ (p =0.044) were significantly increased compared to sham treated animals. The findings of the present study suggest that part of ischemic injury in the embolic stroke may be mediated through the increased levels of inflammatory cytokines.

Drug utilization evaluation of imipenem and intravenous ciprofloxacin in a teaching hospital.

Drug Utilization Evaluation (DUE) studies are designed to assess drug usage appropriateness. We aim to evaluate the drug utilization of intravenous ciprofloxacin and imipenem, two of the broad spectrum antibiotics that consume a significant proportion of our hospitals' outlay, in different wards of a teaching hospital in Zabol. During a 5 months period (December 2010 to May 2011), 263 patients who received imipenem or intravenous ciprofloxacin were assigned to this study. Retrospective review of patient's records was carried out. Data were converted to Defined Daily Dose (DDD) and the ratio of prescribed daily dose per DDD was calculated. Among these records, 100 patients received either imipenem or ciprofloxacin. The ratio of prescribed daily dose to DDD was 1.5 for both antibiotics. Almost all patients received empiric therapy in both groups. Only 13 patients (26%) in ciprofloxacin group and 4 patients (8%) in imipenem group received their antibiotics consistent with American Hospital Formulary System (AHFS) mentioned indication. Baseline Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) and serum Creatinine were ordered for only 37 patients (74%) in both groups with 15 abnormal results but dose adjustment performed just in one case with decreased renal function. In conclusion, the majority of courses with both drugs were empirically selected and continued and required lab tests for drug monitoring and dose adjustments were not performed in most cases. Educational interventions, developing a local formulary and a strict antibiotic prescribing policy for example by prior approval by an infectious disease consultant can help significantly to overcome these problems.