CCR5 Δ 32 mutation is not prevalent in Iranians with chronic HBV infection

CCR5 is an important chemokine receptor involved in the recruitment of specific anti‐viral immune cells (e.g., NK cells and T cytotoxic cells) to the liver. Previous studies indicated that the Δ 32 mutation in CCR5 gene led to inactivation of CCR5. Several conflicting studies have suggested that this mutation may be associated with either recovery or persistence of HBV infection. The main purpose of this study was to compare the frequency of the Δ 32 mutation within the CCR5 gene in a group of patients infected chronically with HBV with healthy individuals from South‐East of Iran. Sixty patients with chronic HBV infection as well as 300 age‐, and sex‐match healthy individuals were enrolled in this study. Gap‐PCR was applied to determine the frequency of CCR5 Δ 32 mutation in both groups. The results demonstrated that none of the patients infected with HBV carried the CCR5 Δ 32 mutation while, 3 (1%) of the healthy individuals were found to be heterozygotic for this mutation. The CCR5 Δ 32 mutation is not a prevalent mutation in either the patients infected chronically with HBV or their health counterparts in the South‐East region of Iran. This may be attributed to either different genetic settings of the investigated population or lack of any significant correlation between this mutation and HBV pathogenicity. J. Med. Virol. 85: 964–968, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Efficacy of Crocus sativus L. on reduction of cadmium‐induced toxicity on spermatogenesis in adult rats

Cadmium is a toxic heavy metal element, which probably cause infertility by impairment in spermatogenesis. The present work aimed (i) to study the toxic effect of cadmium on spermatogenesis in rat, as well as (ii) the protective effect of Crocus sativus L. on cadmium‐intoxicated rats. Cadmium chloride was administered intraperitoneally during 16 days at intervals of 48 h between subsequent treatments. Crocus sativus L. was pre‐treated in both of control and cadmium‐injected rats. Animals were sacrificed on day 17 after the first treatment. The left cauda epididymis was removed and immediately immersed into Hank's balanced salt solution for the evaluation of sperm count and viability, and left testis was fixed in 10% formalin for histological evaluation. Following contamination with cadmium, a decrease was observed in the number and viability of cauda epididymis sperm, which were increased by Crocus sativus L. pre‐treatment (P < 0.05). In addition, cadmium decreased both cell proliferation and Johnsen Scores in the seminiferous tubules, which were reversed by Crocus sativus pre‐treatment (P < 0.05). Furthermore, cadmium‐induced decrease in the amount of free serum testosterone as well as an increase in lipid peroxidation activity in the testicular tissue was reversed by Crocus sativus L. (P < 0.05). These findings may support the concept that Crocus sativus L. can improve the cadmium toxicity on spermatogenesis.     

Antioxidant effect of manganese on the testis structure and sperm parameters of formalin‐treated mice

Manganese inhibits oxidative stress damage. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective role of manganese on testis structure and sperm parameters in adult mice exposed to formaldehyde (FA). Twenty adult male NMRI mice were selected and randomly divided into four groups: (i) control; (ii) sham; (iii) ‘FA’‐exposed group; and (iv) ‘FA and manganese chloride’‐exposed group. The FA‐exposed groups received 10 mg kg^?1 FA daily for 14 days, and manganese chloride was just injected intraperitoneally 5 mg kg^?1 on 2nd weeks. Mice were sacrificed, and spermatozoa were collected from the cauda of the right epididymis and analysed for count, motility, morphology and viability. The other testicular tissues were weighed and prepared for histological examination upon removal. Seminiferous tubules, lumen diameters and epithelium thickness were also measured. The findings revealed that FA significantly reduced the testicular weight, sperm count, motility, viability and normal morphology compared with control group (P ≤ 0.05). In addition, seminiferous tubules atrophied and seminiferous epithelial cells disintegrated in the FA group in comparison with the control group (P ≤ 0.05). However, manganese improved the testicular structure and sperm parameters in FA‐treated mice testes (P ≤ 0.05). According to the results, manganese may improve and protect mice epididymal sperm parameters and testis structure treated with FA respectively.     

Efficacy of Human Adipose Tissue-Derived Stem Cells on Neonatal Bilirubin Encephalopathy in Rats

Kernicterus is a neurological syndrome associated with indirect bilirubin accumulation and damages to the basal ganglia, cerebellum and brain stem nuclei particularly the cochlear nucleus. To mimic haemolysis in a rat model such that it was similar to what is observed in a preterm human, we injected phenylhydrazine in 7-day-old rats to induce haemolysis and then infused sulfisoxazole into the same rats at day 9 to block bilirubin binding sites in the albumin. We have investigated the effectiveness of human adiposity-derived stem cells as a therapeutic paradigm for perinatal neuronal repair in a kernicterus animal model. The level of total bilirubin, indirect bilirubin, brain bilirubin and brain iron was significantly increased in the modelling group. There was a significant decreased in all severity levels of the auditory brainstem response test in the two modelling group. Akinesia, bradykinesia and slip were significantly declined in the experience group. Apoptosis in basal ganglia and cerebellum were significantly decreased in the stem cell-treated group in comparison to the vehicle group. All severity levels of the auditory brainstem response tests were significantly decreased in 2-month-old rats. Transplantation results in the substantial alleviation of walking impairment, apoptosis and auditory dysfunction. This study provides important information for the development of therapeutic strategies using human adiposity-derived stem cells in prenatal brain damage to reduce potential sensori motor deficit.     

The Effect of Ondansetron and Meperedin on Preventing Shivering After Off-pump Coronary Artery Bypass Graft

One of the most common complications of operation and anesthesia is shivering. The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of Ondanseton and Meperedine in preventing shivering after off-pump coronary artery bypass graft (OPCAB). In this double-blind randomized clinical trial, the sample consisted of 90 patients, who were candidates of CABG under general anesthesia. These patients were assigned to three groups, each containing 30 subjects: meperedine group (A), ondansetron group (B) and control group (C). Group (A) received 0.4 mg/Kg/IV of meperedine, group (B) received 8mg/IV of ondansetron and group (C) received Normal Saline. All these drugs were injected 15 minutes before the end of surgery. After the end of surgery, the intubated patients were transferred to the ICU and their body temperature was assessed through eardrum by a specialist who was blind to the research. The incidence of shivering in groups A, B, and C was 46.48%, 31.18%, and 60.83%, respectively (P=<0.01). The incidence of shivering was 64.4% in males and 35.6% in females (P=0.222). Also, the amount of incidence of shivering up to 3 hours after surgery was 75.87 % (P=0.064). Bradycardia was 3.3% in group (A) and 0.0 % in group (B). Other variables (myoclonus, seizure and rash) showed no statistically significant difference (P=0.353). According to the findings, it was demonstrated that ondansetron is more effective in preventing shivering after Off-pump CABG than meperedine.     

The Role of Marital Status,Literacy, and Urbanity in Suicidal Behavior by Burns in the Province of Khorasan,Iran

A prospective study of all suicidal behaviors by burns requiring hospitalization was conducted in the province of Khorasan, Iran, from March 21, 2005 to March 20, 2006, to examine marital status, urbanity and literacy among these patients. Data were obtained through interviews during the course of hospitalization. A total of 130 patients with suicidal behavior by burns were identified (incidence rate of 2.9 per 100,000). Females had a higher rate of suicidal behavior by burns than males (4.2 vs. 1.6 per 100,000, P < 0.001). The rate of suicidal behavior by burns was higher among single persons than married persons (4.3 vs. 3.5 per 100,000). The rate of suicidal behavior by burns among the rural population was slightly higher than the urban population (3.2 vs. 2.7 per 100,000). The high rate of suicidal behavior by burns among young, married women in Khorasan is a social tragedy.     

Relationship between glycated hemoglobin,Intensive Care Unit admission blood sugar and glucose control with ICU mortality in critically ill patients

Background and Aims:

The association between hyperglycemia and mortality is believed to be influenced by the presence of diabetes mellitus (DM). In this study, we evaluated the effect of preexisting hyperglycemia on the association between acute blood glucose management and mortality in critically ill patients. The primary objective of the study was the relationship between HbA₁c and mortality in critically ill patients. Secondary objectives of the study were relationship between Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admission blood glucose and glucose control during ICU stay with mortality in critically ill patients.

Materials and Methods:

Five hundred patients admitted to two ICUs were enrolled. Blood sugar and hemoglobin A₁c (HbA₁c) concentrations on ICU admission were measured. Age, sex, history of DM, comorbidities, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score, sequential organ failure assessment score, hypoglycemic episodes, drug history, mortality, and development of acute kidney injury and liver failure were noted for all patients.

Results:

Without considering the history of diabetes, nonsurvivors had significantly higher HbA₁c values compared to survivors (7.25 ± 1.87 vs. 6.05 ± 1.22, respectively, P < 0.001). Blood glucose levels in ICU admission showed a significant correlation with risk of death (P < 0.006, confidence interval [CI]: 1.004–1.02, relative risk [RR]: 1.01). Logistic regression analysis revealed that HbA₁c increased the risk of death; with each increase in HbA₁c level, the risk of death doubled. However, this relationship was not statistically significant (P: 0.161, CI: 0.933–1.58, RR: 1.2).

Conclusions:

Acute hyperglycemia significantly affects mortality in the critically ill patients; this relation is also influenced by chronic hyperglycemia.     

Chronic Administration of Daidzein,a Soybean Isoflavone,Improves Endothelial Dysfunction and Attenuates Oxidative Stress in Streptozotocin‐induced Diabetic Rats

The effect of chronic daidzein, a soybean isoflavone, on aortic reactivity of streptozotocin‐diabetic rats was studied. Male diabetic rats received daidzein for 7 weeks a week after diabetes induction. Contractile responses to KCl and phenylephrine (PE) and relaxation response to acetylcholine (ACh) were obtained from aortic rings. Maximum contractile response of endothelium‐intact rings to PE was significantly lower in daidzein‐treated diabetic rats relative to untreated diabetic rats, and endothelium removal abolished this difference. Endothelium‐dependent relaxation to ACh was significantly higher in daidzein‐treated diabetic rats as compared with diabetic rats and pretreatment of rings with nitric oxide synthase inhibitor N(G)‐nitro‐l‐arginine methyl ester and/or indomethacin attenuated it. Two‐month diabetes also resulted in an elevation of malondialdehyde (MDA) and decreased superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and daidzein treatment significantly reversed the increased MDA content and reduced activity of SOD. Therefore, chronic treatment of diabetic rats with daidzein could prevent some abnormal changes in vascular reactivity in diabetic rats through nitric oxide and prostaglandin‐related pathways, and via attenuation of oxidative stress in aortic tissue and endothelium integrity seems essential for this effect. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.