Co-transplantation of human neurotrophic factor secreting cells and adipose-derived stem cells in rat model of multiple sclerosis

Objective: The presence of neurotrophic factors is critical for regeneration of neural lesions. Here, we transplanted combination of neurotrophic factor secreting cells [NTF-SCs] and human adipose derived stem cells [hADSCs] into a lysolecithin model of multiple sclerosis [MS] and determined the myelinization efficiency of these cells

Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 50 adult rats were randomly divided into five groups: control, lysolecithin, vehicle, hADSCs transplantation and NTF-SCs/ hADSCs co-transplantation group. Focal demyelization was induced by lysolecithin injection into the spinal cord. In order to assess motor functions, all rats were scored weekly with a standard experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis scoring scale before and after cell transplantation. Four weeks after cell transplantation, the extent of demyelination and remyelination were examined with Luxol Fast Blue [LFB] staining. Also, immunofluorescence method was used for evaluation of oligodendrocyte differentiation markers including; myelin basic protein [MBP] and Olig2 in the lesion area

Results: Histological study show somewhat remyelinzation in cell transplantation groups related to others. In addition, the immunofluorescence results indicated that the MBP and Olig2 positive labeled cells were significantly higher in co-cell transplantation group than hADSCs group [P<0.05]. Also, outcome of motor functional test showed significant improvement function in cell transplantation groups, as compared to the others [P<0.01]

Conclusion: Our results indicated that the remyelinization process in co-cell transplantation group was better than other groups. Thus, NTF-SCs/ hADSCs transplantation can be proper candidate for cell based therapy in neurodegenerative diseases, such as MS

review study: using stem cells in cartilage regeneration and tissue engineering

Articular cartilage, the load-bearing tissue of the joint, has limited repair and regeneration ability. The scarcity of treatment modalities for large chondral defects has motivated researchers to engineer cartilage tissue constructs that can meet the functional demands of this tissue in vivo. Cartilage tissue engineering requires 3 components: cells, scaffold, and environment. Owning to their easy isolation, expansion, and multilineage differentiation, adult stem cells, specifically multipotential mesenchymal stem cells, are considered the proper candidate for tissue engineering. Successful outcome of cell-based cartilage tissue engineering ultimately depends on the proper differentiation of stem cells into chondrocytes and assembly of the appropriate cartilaginous matrix to achieve the load-bearing capabilities of the natural articular cartilage. Furthermore, multiple parameters such as growth factors, signaling molecules, and physical conditions must be considered. Adult mesenchymal stem-cell-based tissue engineering is a promising technology for creating a transplantable cartilage replacement to improve joint function

Molecular and clinical investigation of Iranian patients with Friedreich ataxia

Friedreich ataxia [FRDA] is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by guanine-adenine-adenine [GAA] triplet expansions in the FXN gene. Its product, frataxin, which severely reduces in FRDA patients, leads to oxidative damage in mitochondria. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the triple nucleotide repeated expansions in Iranian FRDA patients and to elucidate distinguishable FRDA clinical differences in these patients. A number of 22 Iranian patients [8 females and 14 males] from 16 unrelated families were studied. DNA was extracted from the peripheral blood of patients. The frequency and length of [GAA]n repeats in intron 1 of the FXN gene were analyzed using long-range PCR. In this study, the clinical criteria of FRDA in our patients and the variability in their clinical signs were also demonstrated. An inverse relationship was observed between GAA repeat size and the age of onset. Although some distinguishable clinical features [such as limb ataxia and lower limb areflexia] were found in our patients, 90-95% of them had extensor plantar response and dysarthria. The results showed only one positive diabetes patient and also different effects on eye movement abnormality among our patients. The onset age of symptoms showed a significant inverse correlation with allele size in our patients [P>0.05]. Based on comparisons of the clinical data of all patients, clinical presentation of FRDA in Iranian patients did not differ significantly from other FRDA patients previously reported

frequency of premature ejaculation in patients with irritable bowel syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome [IBS] is identified by chronic abdominal pain and altered bowel habits in the absence of organic etiology. Premature ejaculation is the most common male sexual disorder. We aimed to evaluate the frequency of premature ejaculation disorders in patients with IBS referred to a gastrointestinal clinic in Rafsanjan, Iran, in 2012. Of all the menreferred to the gastrointestinal clinic, those with a diagnosis of IBS [based on Rome-II criteria] were interviewed. Premature ejaculation disorder based on DSM-FV-TR criteria was documented by psychiatry interview. History of psychiatric diseases of the patients and their family were assessed by interview done by a psychiatrist. The data were analyzed by using SPSS software [version 16]. Descriptive statistics, inferential tests, and Chi-square test were used for analyses. One hundred and fifty two men with IBS were evaluated. Based on the Rome-II criteria, 89 [58.6%] patients were suffering from premature ejaculation disorder. Fifty nine [38.8%] patients expressed drug addiction. Sixty eight [44.7%] had a history of psychiatric disease in the past and 84 [55.3%] patients stated they were not suffering from any psychiatric diseases. Forty six [30.3%] patients had a history of psychiatric disease in their family, and 106 [69.7%] did not have any history of psychiatric disorder. High frequency of premature ejaculation in patients with IBS with a family history of psychiatric disorder and severe stress during the past year suggested that there was a relationship between factors contributing to psychiatric disorders [neurotransmitters, environmental factors, and genetics] and premature ejaculation. Premature ejaculation is more common in patients with IBS. Drug abuse, family history of psychiatric disorder, and severe emotional stress during the past year, significantly increase the frequency of premature ejaculation

in vitro study on chick somite ability to express cerberus, chordin, FGF8, follistatin, and noggin transcripts

In vitro simulation of developmental processes is an invaluable tool to shed light on the intrinsic mechanism of developmental biosystems such as central nervous system in mammals. Chick somites have been used to simulate the neural differentiation of human neural progenitor cells. In the present study, we aimed to indicate whether somites have the ability to express required neural differentiation factors at mRNA level. Chick embryos were isolated from the yolk surface of the fertilized eggs and somites were subsequently isolated from embryos under a dissecting microscope. Total RNA of the somites was extracted and RT-PCR carried out with specific primers of cerberus, chordin, FGF8, follistatin and noggin. Data showed that five aforementioned factors were co-expressed after 7 days in vitro by somites. We concluded that neural induction property of somites appeared by production of required neural differentiation factors including cerberus, chordin, FGF8, follistatin and noggin

[Ginger effects on control of chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting]

Chemotherapy-induced nausea [CIN] in the anticipatory and acute phase is the most common side effect in cancer therapy. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of ginger capsules on the alleviation of this problem. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was performed on 80 women with breast cancer between August till December 2009 in Imam Khomeini Hospital, Tehran, Iran. These patients underwent one-day chemotherapy regime and suffering from chemotherapy-induced nausea. After obtaining written consent, samples were randomly assigned into intervention and control groups. Two groups were matched based on the age and emetic effects of chemotherapy drugs used. The intervention group received ginger capsules [250 mg, orally] four times a day [1 gr/d] and the same samples from the placebo group received starch capsules [250 mg, orally] for three days before to three days after chemotherapy. To measure the effect of capsules a three-part questionnaire was used, so the samples filled every night out these tools. After collecting the information, the gathered data were analyzed by statistical tests like Fisher's exact, Kruskal-Wallis and Chi-square using version 8 of STATA software. The mean +/- SD of age in the intervention and placebo groups were 41.8 +/- 8.4 and 45.1 +/- 10 years, respectively. Results indicated that the severity and number of nausea in the anticipatory phase were significantly lower in the ginger group compared with placebo group [P=0.0008, P=0.0007, respectively]. Also, the intensity [P=0.0001] and number [P=0.0001] of nausea in the acute phase were significantly lower in the ginger group. On the other hand, taking ginger capsules compared with placebo did not result in any major complications. Consuming ginger root powder capsules [1 gr/d] from three days before chemotherapy till three days after it in combination with the standard anti-emetic regimen can help to reduce the anticipatory and acute nausea.

[Appeal of herbal plants as a mechanism for the relief of acute vomiting induced by chemotherapy]

Acute vomiting is one of the most common side effects of chemotherapy during the first 24h in patients with cancer. This study investigated the palliative effect of ginger extract on the rate of this complication. This study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial that was conducted from August to December 2009 in Imam Khomeini Hospital on 80 women with breast cancer undergoing 1-day chemotherapy periods and suffering from vomiting. After obtaining written consent, the samples were randomly assigned into intervention and control groups. Two groups were matched with each other based on the age and emetic risk of chemotherapy drugs used. Participants of the ginger group received ginger capsules[250mg, orally], four times a day [1gr/d] and the samples from the control group received placebo capsules containing starch from three days before to three days after chemotherapy. During this period, to measure the effect of capsules, a two-part questionnaire was used. So, the patients filled these tools out every night. Then, gathered data were analyzed using statistical tests like Fisher's exact, Kruskal-Wallis and Chi-square by the STATA software version 8. The two groups were matched with each other according to the emetic risk of chemotherapy drugs and disease duration [p=0.1, p=0.06, respectively]. Results indicated that the cases of vomiting in the acute phase were significantly lower in the ginger group compared with placebo group [p=0.04]. Also taking ginger capsules compared with placebo did not wake certain complications [p=0.06]. Taking ginger powder capsules [1gr/d] starting three days before chemotherapy for six days and beyond the routine anti-emetic regimen could reduce the acute phase vomiting

Comparison of nerve repair with end to end, end to side with window and end to side without window methods in lower extremity of rat

Although, different studies on end-to-side nerve repair, results are controversial. The importance of this method in case is unavailability of proximal nerve. In this method, donor nerves also remain intact and without injury. In compare to other classic procedures, end-to-side repair is not much time consuming and needs less dissection. Overall, the previous studies in this field have just evaluated nerve recovery by non functional or functional parameters. As it has proven, the results of functional and non functional studies are not always matched. Therefore, this study was designed to evaluate this method by functional [Sciatic function index] and non functional parameters [histochemical study]. In this experimental study, forty adult male Wistar rats [200-250g] were used their left proneal nerve was cut and divided into four groups: 1- control group [n=10]. In this group, nerve was exposed and cut and implanted onto adductor muscles, 2- end-to-end anastomosis [n=10]. In this group, peroneal nerve cut and two segments were anastomosed end-to-end, 3- end-to-side anastomosis with window [n=10]. In this groups, peroneal nerve was cut and anastomosed with window to tibial nerve, 4- end-to-side anastomosis without window [n=10]. In this group, peroneal nerve was cut and anastomosed without window to tibial nerve. After 1, 8 and 16 weeks, functional [Sciatic function index] and after 16 weeks non functional studies [histochemical study] were performed and the results compared. All experimental groups [group 2,3,4] motor recovery at 8th, 16[th] week were not statistically different [p>0.05]. In histological recovery with end to end neuroraphy in rat model. Due to the fact that the diameter of nerves and muscles which might be neurotised in human are much bigger and not comparable with rat, it is suggested to set up some set of experiments on the bigger size animals such as primates in further studies for generalization of results to human being

[Ginger extract reduces delayed gastric emptying and nosocomial pneumonia in ARDS patients hospitalized in ICU]

About 20% of patients who are hospitalized in ICU have ALI/ARDS. Their feeding is usually via enteral nutrition. Delayed gastric emptying [DGE] is a major problem in patients with enteral nutrition, and they are at increased risk for aspiration and subsequent development of pneumonia. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of Ginger extract on DGE and developing nosocomial pneumonia in patients with adult respiratory distress syndrome [ARDS] who are hospitalized in intensive care unit [ICU]. In this double- blind randomized clinicl trial, thirty two ARDS patients, who were on mechanical ventilation and fed via nasogastric tube, were randomly divided two groups. Experimental group [n=16] received ginger extract, and control group [n=16] received coconut oil. The amount of feeding tolerated at the first 48 hours of feeding and within study period, nosocomial pneumonia, number of ICU free days, number of ventilator free days and morality were evaluated during 21 days of intervention. Nosocomial pneumonia was significantly less frequent in the ginger extract group [6.3% in the ginger extract group versus 31.3% in the control group. p= 0.07]. There was no significant difference between two groups in mortality rate. The mean number of ventilator free days was 11.25 +/- 4.73 days in ginger group versus 7.18 +/- 5 days in control group [p=0.02]. The mean number of ICU free days was 4.43 +/- 3.5 days in control group versus 7.06 +/- 3.2 days in ginger group [P=0.04]. This study showed that gastric feed supplementation with ginger extract might reduce DGE and help to reduce the incidence of ventilator associated pneumonia [VAP] in ARDS patients

Screening of Iranian plants for antifugal activity: part 2

In this study, 278 species from 37 families of native Iranian plants were screened for in vitro antifungal activity against 19 fungal strains. Initially, the crude extracts in concentration of 100 micro g/ml were tested. Among 278 plant extracts, 201[71.27%] of them showed antifungal activity against at least one fungal strain. A wide range of total extracts of different species were shown to have potentially noticeable antifungal effects. The outstanding species were: Mentha longifolia, Saliva multicaulis, Thymus transcaspicus, Zataria multiflora, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Hulthemia persica, Heracleum persicum, Pimpinella anisum, Pragnos ferulacea, Pragnos uloptera, and Viola odorata