Histopathological study of the maternal exposure to the biologically produced silver nanoparticles on different organs of the offspring.

This research for the first time presents the possibility of crossing the biologically produced SNPs through the placenta to different organs of rat offspring. SNPs were produced using Fusarium oxysporum. After adding 1 mmol final concentration of silver nitrate solution to the culture supernatant and 5 min heating, SNPs were produced, and their production was proved using visible spectrum, transmission electron microscope (TEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses. SNPs were washed, and their concentration determined using inductively coupled plasma (ICP) instrument. SNPs were used for 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, and after determination of their half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) dose, their toxic and nontoxic doses were determined and used for in vivo studies. A total of 24 female rats, after detection of their vaginal plugs, were divided into 3 groups each having 8 members. A control group was treated with normal saline. The other two groups were treated by toxic and nontoxic doses of SNPs, respectively. After delivery and breastfeeding, the pups were scarified, and their organs were collected and analyzed using histological examinations. Results showed that SNPs had a maximum absorbance peak around 450 nm, with polygonal and round shapes. XRD results confirmed the presence of SNPs. The concentration of the SNPs after washing was 19 ppm/mL based on the ICP results. MTT assay results showed that SNPs had a dose-dependent toxic effect. Histopathological examination results showed that SNPs could pass through the placenta; both their nontoxic and toxic doses induced somehow mild alternations in the liver, kidney, testis, and ovary and had no effects on the brains of the rat offspring. In conclusions, the use of the biologically produced SNPs should be limited during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Effects of biologically produced gold nanoparticles: toxicity assessment in different rat organs after intraperitoneal injection.

Gold nanoparticles (GNPs) have different usage in the medical field. The plan of the present research was to evaluate the influence of the biologically produced GNPs on some rat organs. GNPs were produced using Fusarium oxysporum and their presence was confirmed using spectrophotometer, transmission electron microscope (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses. The non-toxic and toxic doses of GNPs were determined using MTT assay and were injected intraperitoneally into rats in 3 continuous days and their effects on the kidney, liver and testis were analyzed using microscopic technique. Results revealed that GNPs that were produced had 525 nm absorbance peak and average sizes of about 50 nm, with round and hexagonal shapes. Results from the XRD analysis showed the presence of GNPs in the reaction mixture. MTT assay results revealed that GNPs had somehow toxic effects which depend on their doses. Histological examinations indicated that based on the tested organ, the distribution and effects of GNPs were different which in the testis, the non-toxic dose had no effects and in some parts of the liver and kidney, it induced mild changes. The toxic dose of the GNPs in all the three tested organs induced mild changes. In conclusion, the in vitro and in vivo behaviors of the produced GNPs were different and GNPs even in high concentration induced low changes in the rat organs. This may be due to the short exposure and the use of the biologically produced GNPs.

Protective effect of pentoxifylline on male Wistar rat testicular germ cell apoptosis induced by 3,4-methylenedioxymeth amphetamine.

OBJECTIVES: 3, 4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) one of the methamphetamine derivatives that affect the reproductive system, has not been well understood. Many young people are consumers of drugs such as MDMA that can affect their reproductive capability. Apoptosis is the main mechanism for male infertility. Pentoxifylline (PTX) increases cAMP intracellularly and reduces tumor necrosis factor-α. This study aimed to investigate the protective effect of PTX administration in MDMA-induced apoptosis in testes of male Wistar rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty male Wistar rats weighing 250-300 g were randomly divided into five groups: control group (without any intervention), group receiving 7.5 mg/kg MDMA three times every two hours for one day, first experimental group receiving 100 mg/kg PTX just at the time of third injection of MDMA, second experimental group receiving 100 mg/kg PTX a week before MDMA administration, and the vehicle group, which received MDMA+saline. Two weeks later, testes were removed and prepared for H&E staining, TUNEL and Western blot techniques. RESULTS: There was a significant decrease of the score in the MDMA group compared with the control group. In first and second experimental groups, the quality of seminiferous epithelium was improved compared with the MDMA group. The number of TUNEL-positive cells/tubule increased in MDMA and vehicle groups, which is decreased by administration of PTX before MDMA. Expression of active caspase-3 significantly increased in MDMA group, which is significantly decreased by administration of PTX before MDMA. CONCLUSION: PTX can significantly reduce the severity of lesions in the testes following administration of MDMA.

Surprisingly low infertility rate in married type 2 diabetic women: A rather curious paradox to the current opinion of insulin resistance as the joint pathogenesis of poly cystic ovary syndrome and type 2 diabetes mellitus.

BACK GROUND: Sharing the same pathophysiologic principle which is insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and poly cystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are usually considered closely related and easily interchangeable medical entities. Numerous attempts have been made to document this illusory perspective. OBJECTIVE: Based on a delicate pathophysiologic notion, we believe that fully developed T2DM is infrequently observed with fully featured PCOS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In an observational descriptive study 257 married T2DM women were consecutively included and meticulously investigated for fertility history and, albeit, clinical and biochemical features of PCOS. RESULTS: Of 257 married diabetic women only six (2.3%) had no children. In one case a male problem (azoospermia) and in the second case, late marriage (aged 45 at wedding ceremony) was the cause of infertility. Thus, only four (1.6%) might have been labeled as true female factor infertility. Astounding to report was the average pregnancies for each participant which was 5.1±2.5, ranging from zero to fifteen. CONCLUSION: we would suggest that, despite the well-established fact of insulin resistance as the common pathophysiologic process for T2DM and PCOS, they are definitely separate medical entities. As a matter of fact T2DM and PCOS are the two opposite aspect of the insulin resistance coin.

Developing a household survey tool for health equity: A practical guide in Islamic Republic of Iran.

BACKGROUND: An obvious gradient in health outcomes has been implicated in many evidences relating to social and economic factors. Proper data are requested to convince policy-makers calling for intersectoral action for health. Recently, I.R. of Iran has come up with 52 health equity indicators to monitor health equity through the country. Conducting regular surveys on 14 out of 52 national health equity indicators is needed to provide a basis for the health inequality analysis through the country. We aimed to introduce a survey tool and its related protocols on health equity indicators. METHODS: This study was conducted through addressing the literature and expertise of health and demographic surveys at the national and international levels. Also, we conducted technical and consultative committee meetings, a final consensus workshop and a pilot study to finalize the survey tool. RESULTS: We defined the study design, sampling method, reliable questionnaires and instructions, data collection and supervision procedure. We also defined the data analysis protocol on health equity indicators, generated from non-routine data. CONCLUSION: A valid and reliable tool, which could be employed at the national and sub-national levels, was designed to measure health equity in Iran. Policy-makers can use this survey tool to generate useful information and evidence to design appropriate required intervention and reduce health inequality across the country.

Association of dysfunctional uterine bleeding with high body mass index and obesity as a main predisposing factor.

BACKGROUND: Dysfunctional uterine bleeding (DUB) defined as abnormal uterine bleeding in the absence of underlying structural abnormalities. Recently, obesity has been suggested as a main underling risk factor for DUB; however, evidences on the role of this predisposing factor are not adequate. The current study aimed to assess status of obesity in women who suffered from DUB. METHODS: In an observational case series study conducted at a referral endocrinology clinic in Shahrood city, Samnan, 20 consecutive women with the final diagnosis of DUB referred from 2009 to 2011 were evaluated. Obesity was assessed using calculation of body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference. RESULTS: The mean waist circumference was estimated 102.95±9.77 cm in the range of 90-119 cm. With respect to BMI measurement, the mean of BMI was 32.63±3.34 kg/m(2) ranged between 26.92 and 39.06 that two-third of studied women suffered from overweight status and other one-third cases were obese. CONCLUSION: There is a strong association between obesity and DUB and therefore weight reduction should be considered as a conservative treatment besides of other medical or surgical treatment approaches.

Sudden reversible vitritis after keratoprosthesis: an immune phenomenon?

PURPOSE: To report our experience with late vitritis associated with keratoprosthesis (KPro). METHODS: Between 1990 and 2003, 218 patients underwent an all-polymethylmethacrylate, collar button-shaped KPro surgery. Eight patients developed a total of 12 episodes of sudden, massive vitritis. Five of these patients had an Ahmed shunt implant, 3 had anterior vitrectomy during surgery, and 4 had a soft contact lens in place. Preoperative diagnoses were multiple graft failures, chemical burn, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, or ocular cicatricial pemphigoid. All patients were maintained on prophylactic topical ofloxacin 0.3% or polymyxin-B/trimethoprim, as well as prednisolone acetate 1% (in 2 cases, medroxyprogesterone 1%), at least twice daily. Vancomycin (14 mg/mL) was also given twice daily in 2 patients. RESULTS: Vitritis occurred in 8 patients (12 episodes), 2 to 23 months postoperatively. All patients presented with sudden, very marked decrease in vision, with little or no pain, tenderness, conjunctival redness, or discharge. Eight of the 12 events were subjected to vitreous tap and injection of antibiotics and steroids on the day of presentation. Cultures grew Staphylococcus epidermidis, only in liquid (broth) media, in 3 cases; the other 5 showed no growth. The vitritis episodes resolved after 2 to 9 weeks. Full recovery to pre-episode status of a quiet eye with clear vitreous was seen in all patients. Visual acuity recovered almost completely or completely (mental debilitation in one patient made accurate assessment uncertain). CONCLUSIONS: This phenomenon of sudden vitritis after KPro, with few other symptoms and with complete recovery, would be uncharacteristic of a bacterial endophthalmitis. It may represent a uveitic immune phenomenon.

Treatment of retinal capillary hemangioma.

OBJECTIVE: To report on the methods of treatment and the visual outcome of eyes with retinal capillary hemangioma (RCH). DESIGN: Retrospective consecutive noncomparative case series. PARTICIPANTS: Data on 68 patients with RCH were reviewed for the methods of treatment and visual outcome. METHODS: Statistical analysis using cumulative multinomial logistic regression (generalized estimating equations) was performed to determine significant predictors of visual outcome. RESULTS: Among 68 patients with RCH with von Hippel-Lindau disease (n = 31) and without von Hippel-Lindau disease (n = 37), we identified 174 RCH in 86 eyes. The overall median age at diagnosis of RCH was 30.8 years (range, 2.8-73.8 years). The RCH was bilateral in 18 cases (26%), and a family history of von Hippel-Lindau disease was positive in 19 cases (28%). Twenty-nine of the tumors (17%) touched the optic disc and were classified as juxtapapillary RCH, and the remaining 145 (83%) were extrapapillary in location. Ninety-nine (58%) RCH were 1.5 mm or smaller in size. The RCH were initially managed by observation (46%), laser photocoagulation (25%), or cryotherapy (23%). Small RCH (< or =1.5 mm in size; 63 of 99; 64%) and those touching the optic disc (14 of 29; 48%) were more likely to be initially observed. Sixty-three (82%) of the 77 RCH that were initially observed remained stable for a median follow-up of 84 months. The remaining 14 progressed and were successfully controlled with laser photocoagulation or cryotherapy. Either laser photocoagulation or cryotherapy was effective as the sole method of treatment in controlling 74% (26 of 35) and 72% (28 of 39) of extrapapillary tumors, with a mean number of 1.2 and 1.1 sessions, respectively. In a multivariate model, the only variables that were significantly related to final vision of

Descemet membrane tear after cataract surgery.

Descemet membrane detachment is a potentially devastating complication of cataract surgery. Small localized detachments are rarely problematic, however persistent extensive detachments can affect visual acuity. In severe cases penetrating keratoplasty may be required for restoration of vision. One case of a persistent descemets membrane tear is presented and the progress after surgical repair via suture and injection of air is described. The patient was followed for 5 months after repair with persistent haze and mild corneal edema, though vision improved to 20/25+.