Background: Anxiety disorders are frequently common neuropsychiatric disorders. Herbal medicines are widespread and used universal as a treatment compound for anxiety. The present study investigated the effects of hydro-alcoholic extract of Salix aegyptiaca blossom on rat behavior in the elevated plus-maze (EPM) and compared results with the effects of diazepam, as a positive control drug. Materials and Methods: Seventy adult male Wistar rats were divided into seven groups (N = 10). Animals received S. aegyptiaca extract (25, 50, 100 mg/kg) or Diazepam (0.3, 0.6, or 1.2 mg/kg) intraperitoneally and the control group was given the vehicle (10 ml/kg) 30 min before submitting into plus-maze test. The number of entries into the open and closed arms, the percentage of entries into the open arms of the EPM, and the time spent in the open arms were recorded. Results: The results revealed significant increases in percentage of entries into the open arms (P < 0.01) and in the time spent in the open arms (P < 0.01) after administration of diazepam (0.3, 0.6) and S. aegyptiaca (50, 100 mg/kg) in compare with control group. S. aegyptiaca extract has no effects on the total distance covered by animals and number of closed arms entries, whereas diazepam decreased these parameters. The locomotor activity was not significantly changed by S. aegyptiaca. Conclusion: Single-session administration of optimum doses of total extract of S. aegyptiaca has anxiolytic effects in rat similar to the low dose of diazepam. More research is needed for better understanding of anxiolytic properties and neurobiological mechanisms of action and probable interactions of S. aegyptiaca extract with neurotransmitters.

Background: Infantile hemangioma (IH) is the most common tumor during infancy that usually appears as macular and gradually becomes a plaque or tumor. Approximately, 20% of all IH cases results in adverse effects and the Pulsed dye laser (PDL) 585 nm is a vascular laser leading to selective the micro vascular damage. Results of studies on non-selective B-blockers (e.g., timolol) indicate their effectiveness in preventing hemangioma growth. The aim of this study is a comparison of PDL plus timolol and PDL in the treatment of IH. Materials and Methods: This double-blind study was carried out on 30 infants (1-12 months old) and the patients were divided into two groups. Group A was treated with the four sessions PDL and the timolol gel 0.05% and Group B with PDL. Results: There were no differences in the mean age of patients for the diagnosis of hemangioma (Group A: 32.69 ± 24.64 days, Group B: 25.69 ± 21.16 days, P = 0.39) and the mean age at the start of the treatment (Group A: 148.125 ± 85.88 days, Group B: 146.25 ± 60.87 days, P = 0.94). There were a statistical difference in the mean of lesion size reduction (Group A: 17.62 ± 6.97 cm and Group B: 12 ± 5.71 cm, P = 0.018), mean percentage change in size mean (Group A: 71079 ± 23.41% and Group B: 54.59 ± 25.46%, P = 0.050) visual analog scale (Group A: 7.19 ± 1.51, Group B: 5.62 ± 1.78, P = 0.012) after treatment. There was no correlation between the time of beginning the treatment and the results (P = 0.857). Conclusions: Application of timolol with PDL is accompanied by the highest efficacy, cost benefits and the short time of treatment.

Background: When fitting hearing aid as a compensatory device for an impaired cochlea in a patient with sensorineural hearing loss (HL), it is needed to the effective and efficient frequency response would be selected regarding providing the patient's perfect speech perception. There is not any research about the effects of frequency modifications on speech perception in patients with HL regarding the cochlear desensitization. The effect (s) of modifications in frequency response of hearing aid amplification on the results of acceptable noise level (ANL) test is the main aim of this study. Materials and Methods: The amounts of ANL in two conditions of linear amplification (high frequency emphasis [HFE] and mid frequency emphasis [MFE]) were measured. Thirty-two male subjects who participated in this study had the moderate to severe sensorineural HL. Results: There was not any significant difference between ANL in linear amplification of hearing aid with HFE frequency response and ANL in linear amplification of hearing aid with MFE frequency response. Conclusion: The gain modification of frequency response not only does not affect the patient's performance of speech intelligibility in ANL test. This indicates that we need to note to the cochlear desensitization phenomenon when fitting hearing aid as a compensatory device for an impaired cochlea in a patient. The cochlear desensitization has not been considered properly in hearing aid fitting formula which is needed to be explored more about the bio-mechanisms of impaired cochlea.

Background: The infants with congenital cardiovascular diseases are faced with too much problems in the case of their ongoing life. Mothers' stress investigation would be important because can receive the stress from his parents. The aim of the following study was determined anxiety in mothers of children undergoing cardiac surgery. Materials and Methods: The present study was conducted by an analytical study on 69 infants' mothers who were operated due to their cardiovascular abnormalities in Yazd Afshar Hospital (2012). In this study, some demographic information and influential factors were recorded germane to mothers' stress, including residential location, history of infant hospitalization or congenital disease as well as some questions in the case of stimuli of the hospital environment, family support, economic situation and the mothers' awareness of their stress. Results: There are statistically significant differences between mothers' stress and their age (P = 0.03) and infants' age (P < 0.0001). There are not statically significant differences between mothers' stress score mean and their educational level (P = 0.75), the infants' hospitalization history (P = 0.57), the history of congenital of disease in family (P = 0.24) and the family support in infant care (P = 0.08). Conclusion: Those mothers who asserted the stimuli of the hospital environment, infant and its mother support, economic situation and the mothers' awareness lack of disease and infant status as strong stress-making stimuli enjoy a stress high mean.

Background: The medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) is a part of brain reward system involved in cognitive functions such as learning and memory. The mPFC receives strong dopaminergic innervations from ventral tegmental area (VTA) that comprises a portion of the mesolimbic dopaminergic system (MLDS), and sends glutamatergic projections to both the VTA and nucleus accumbens (NAc). Materials and Methods: In this study, male Wister rats weighing 250-350 g were used. The effect of medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) electrical stimulation with different current intensities (25, 50,100, and 150 µA) in healthy and addicted rats on passive avoidance memory was studied here. Results: This study showed that 25 and 150 µA had no effect on improving avoidance memory in rats. Current intensities of 50 and 100 µA differ significantly with 25 and 150 µA. The PL of mPFC contributes to memory processing. Conclusions: The electrical stimulations of prelimbic with 50 and 100 µA current intensities were improved avoidance memory in addicted rats while learning impairment is caused in healthy rats while the electrical stimulation with these used current intensities.

Background: It is suggested that bromocriptine could be effective in treatment of prediabetic patients and, consequently, in preventing type 2 diabetes (T2DM). In this study, we investigated the effectiveness of bromocriptine on glycemic and metabolic control of prediabetic patients. Materials and Methods: In this double-blind, placebo controlled trial study, prediabetic patients diagnosed during Isfahan Diabetes Prevention Project (IDPP) were enrolled. They randomized in two bromocriptine (2.5 mg) and placebo-treated groups, for 12 weeks. After physical examination, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), HbA1c, Insulin, cholesterol, HDL-c, and triglyceride were measured and glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed. HOMA-IR and LDL-c were calculated. The mean of the data were compared in the bromocriptine and placebo treated groups, before and after intervention by intention to treat analysis using mixed effect model. P values < 0.05 were considered, statistically, significant. Results: In this study, 53 prediabetic patients (27 in the bromocriptine group and 26 in the placebo group) were treated. There were no differences between data of two groups at baseline (P > 0.05). The mean body mass index, systolic blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose and glucose of 30 min, 60 min, 120 min of post OGTT, HbA1c, insulin, HOMA-IR, lipid profile did not change, significantly, in both bromocriptine and placebo-treated groups after 12 weeks (P > 0.05). However, diastolic blood pressure (P = 0.02) and the area under the curve of glucose (P = 0.045) were decreased in the bromocriptine-treated group. Conclusion: Bromocriptine did not have significant effect on glycemic control of prediabetic patients. Further studies, with bigger sample size are recommended.

Background: To develop a non-invasive screening method for colorectal cancer, we evaluated the methylation of ALX4 gene promoter in serum samples from patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) and equal number of healthy individuals. Materials and Methods: In serum samples from 25 patients with colorectal cancer and 25 healthy control subjects, isolated serum free-floating DNA was treated with sodium bisulfite and analyzed by methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (MSP) with primers specific for methylated or unmethylated promoter CpG island sequences of the ALX4 gene. Results: Methylation of the ALX4 gene promoter was present in the serum DNA of patients with adenoma and colorectal cancer. A sensitivity of 68% and specificity of 88% were achieved in the detection of promoter methylation in colorectal neoplasia samples. The difference in methylation status of the ALX4 promoter between the patients with colorectal neoplasia and the control group was statistically highly significant (P < 0.001). Conclusions: The results indicate that this serum free DNA test of methylation of the ALX4 gene promoter is a sensitive and specific method. Therefore in combination with other useful markers it seems ALX4 has the potential of a clinically useful test for the early detection of colorectal cancer.

Background: Low back pain is one of the most significant musculoskeletal diseases of our time. Intervertebral disk herniation and central degeneration of the disk are two major reasons for low back pain, which occur because of structural impairment of the disk. The reduction of cell count and extracellular matrix, especially in the nucleus pulposus, causes disk degeneration. Different scaffolds have been used for tissue repairing and regeneration of the intervertebral disk in tissue engineering. Various methods are used for fabrication of the porosity scaffolds in tissue engineering. The freeze drying method has disadvantages such as: It is time consuming, needs high energy, and so on. The freeze-gelation method can save a great deal of time and energy, and large-sized porous scaffolds can be fabricated by this method. In this study, proliferation of the nucleus pulposus (NP) cells of the human intervertebral disk are compromised in the fabricated Chitosan-gelatin scaffolds by freeze drying and freeze gelation methods. Materials and Methods: The cells were obtained from the nucleus pulposus by collagenase enzymatic hydrolysis. They were obtained from patients who were undergoing open surgery for discectomy in the Isfahan Alzahra Hospital. Chitosan was blended with gelatin. Chitosan polymer, solution after freezing at -80°C, was immersed in sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution. The cellular suspension was transferred to each scaffold and cultured in plate for 14 days. Cell viability and proliferation were investigated by Trypan blue and MTT assays. Results: The MTT and Trypan blue assays demonstrated that cell viability and the mean of the cell number showed a significant difference between three and fourteen days, in both scaffolds. Accordingly, there was a significantly decrease in the fabricated chitosan-gelatin scaffold by the freeze-drying method. Conclusion: The fabricated chitosan-gelatin scaffold by the freeze-gelation method prepared a better condition for proliferation of NP cells when compared with the fabricated chitosan–gelatin scaffold by the freeze drying method.

Background: Recently, a lot of research has been conducted to investigate the molecular mechanisms of the low quality of oocytes with granulosa cells (GCs). GCs are one of the major cell types found in follicular fluid and purification of these cells from the follicular fluid is very important for further studies. Although, there are different techniques of purification, a method for separation of highly-pure and minimally-damaged cells is necessary. In this paper, we presented a novel method for high purification of GCs with a large quantity and high purity. Materials and Methods: Follicular fluid was collected from patients who referred for in vitro fertilization and GCs in follicular fluid were extracted by Ficoll, Percoll and Red blood cell lysing buffer (RLB) methods. Then purity of extracted GCs was assessed by flow cytometry and morphological properties of GCs were observed by differential interference contrast microscopy. The purity of deoxyribonucleic acid and ribonucleic acid extracts was examined by NanoDrop 1000, pre-restriction fragment length polymorphism and electrophoresis techniques. Quality and quantity of extracting GCs were affected during the cell separation procedures. Results: Our results showed that each of purification method can affect quality and quantity of extracted cells. Conclusion: RLB method for extraction of GCs was shown to be a convenient procedure in comparison with Ficoll and Percoll methods.

Background: Neurologic and Adaptive Capacity Scoring (NACS) has been introduced as a screening test for diagnosis of central nervous system depression due to intrapartum drugs on the neonate. This test can show neurological and behavioral changes even in the presence of a normal Apgar score. NACS has 20 indicators, each indicator allocating to itself the score zero, one or two. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of different anesthetic techniques on the NACS values. Materials and Methods: This study was performed as a randomized, single-blind clinical trial on 75 infants born with elective cesarean in Shahid Beheshti Hospital, Isfahan. Simple Sampling method was carried out and the information was gathered by questionnaires. Anesthetic techniques included general, spinal or epidural anesthesia. NACS score was assessed at 15^th min, 2 and 24 h after birth and then the anesthesia technique was recorded in the questionnaire. NACS score 35 or above was considered normal and 34 or less was abnormal. Results: In the present study, no significant correlation was found between the anesthesia techniques and NACS score. The mean NACS at 15 min after birthin the general, spinal and epidural groups were 33.5 ± 2.2, 33.0 ± 4.4 and 33.7 ± 1.6 respectively (P = 0.703). Conclusion: All three anesthetic techniques have identical effects on neurological and compatibility capacity of neonates born with elective cesarean; so, this could necessarily be a base to recommend the three methods equally.

Background: Poisoning is one of the most common medical presentations in a hospital. Hypoglycemic patients are at increased risk of toxicity. The purpose of this study was to compare capillary blood glucose and venous blood glucose measurements using glucometer against laboratory blood glucose in case of poisoned patients being in coma. Materials and Methods: During the 6-month study period, a random sample of 98 patients was admitted in the Department of Poisoning Emergency and Clinical Toxicology of Noor Hospital, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Iran from May 2010. Data collected included age, gender, poisoning reason, vital signs, and Glasgow Coma Scale. Capillary blood samples were obtained from the fourth fingertip of the non-dominant hand. t-Test, paired t-test, Pearson's correlation analysis, and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used for analysis. Results: The mean of capillary blood glucose was 115.7 ± 50.2, of venous blood glucose measured by glucose meter was 117.8 ± 47.3, and of glucose measured in vitro was 115.8 ± 55.1. Mean of blood glucose showed no significant difference with the three mentioned methods. The correlation between capillary and intravenous blood glucose samples measured by glucometer was 0.93, between capillary blood glucose and in vitro measured venous blood glucose was 0.78, and between venous blood glucose measured by glucose meter and in vitro measured sample was 0.81. The mean of capillary and venous blood glucose levels measured by glucose meter, capillary and venous blood glucose levels measured in vitro, and venous blood glucose levels measured by glucose meter had no significant differences. Conclusion: Using venous blood sample and measuring the glucose level in it by glucometer is an acceptable and advisable method, and capillary blood glucose measurement by using glucometer is not recommended for patients in coma.

Background: Although it is accepted that inducing cardioplegia is the gold standard in myocardial protection, there is still no consensus on the exact type of the cardioplegia. There are fewer studies on the type of the cardioplegia in hearts of the children than adults and they are contradictory. The effects of esmolol have been reviewed (a type of ultrashort-acting beta-adrenergic antagonist, i.e., ß-blockers) in conjunction with the cardioplegia due to the effect of the β-blockers in reducing the myocardial ischemia and reperfusion. Materials and Methods: The left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF), systolic blood pressure, central venous pressure (CVP), heart rate, etc., were recorded separately in patients who received the cardioplegia without esmolol (n = 35) and with esmolol (n = 30) and matched for the age and sex. Results: The amount of inotrope used in the group without esmolol (100%) was considerably higher than in the group with esmolol (86.7%). Postoperative arrhythmias did not differ significantly between the two groups. There was no significant difference in the duration of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), time of the extubation, length of the ICU stay, the first day EF after surgery, and the first week EF after surgery as well. Creatinine kinase-MB (CKMB) was significantly higher in the group without esmolol during operation than in the group with esmolol. Conclusions: The patients who received cardioplegia along with esmolol had less inotropic requirement after operation, and increase in EF and cardiac output (CO) 1 week after surgery. In addition, it reduced damage to the heart during surgery, and patients may have greater stability in the cardiac conduction system.

Background: Keratoconus is a bilateral non-inflammatory corneal disease. Collagen cross-linking (CXL) is a new treatment option for the disease that uses ultraviolet A light irradiation and riboflavin administration. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of CXL on corneal topographic and refractive values in patients with keratoconus younger than 18 years of age. Materials and Methods: For the clinical trial study, 37 patients (64 eyes) younger than 18 years of age with progressive keratoconus were included. Age, sex, family history of keratoconus, and history of allergic disorders and eye rubbing were recorded. Refractive, topographic, and topometric indices were evaluated before and 12 months after the CXL with 3mW for 30 minutes. Results: Mean age (±SD) of the patients was 15.83 ± 1.53 years; 26 (70.3%) of the 37 patients were male. Fourteen (37.8%) had positive family history of keratoconus, 11 (29.7%) had history of allergic disorders, and 15 (40.5%) had positive history of eye rubbing. Of the refractive values, cylinder value decreased significantly from −4.50 ± 0.29 to −4.11 ± 0.28 (P = 0.001). Also, the logarithm of minimal angle of resolution (logMAR) uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) and best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) improved significantly 12 months after CXL (P = 0.012 and 0.001, respectively). Maximum keratometry before and after the operation was 53.82 ± 0.72 and 53.33 ± 0.72, respectively (P = 0.018). Differences for simulated K values, the thinnest cornea pachymetry, keratoconus index (KI), index of highest asymmetry (IHA), and index of highest decentration (IHD) before and 12 months after the CXL were statistically significant (P = 0.015, 0.034, <0.001, 0.017, 0.019, and 0.004, respectively). Conclusion: CXL improves the refractory, topographic, and topometric indices in patients with keratoconus younger than 18 years of age.

Backgrounds: In Persian traditional medicine, palm date spathe (PDS) is introduced as an analgesic. Therefore, this study was designed to investigate the analgesic effect of hydroalcoholic extract of PDS on acute and chronic pain in mice in comparison with diclofenac and morphine. Materials and Methods: In this study, which was conducted in summer 2014, 220 male mice (20–30 g) were randomly divided into two categories, each consists of 11 groups as follows: A normal control group, a solvent (Tween 80) control group, 3 morphine positive control groups (2, 4 and 8 mg/kg), 3 diclofenac positive control groups (10, 20 and 30 mg/kg), and 3 main experimental PDS groups (2, 20, and 200 mg/kg). Hot plate was applied on animals in one category and writing test on the other category to assess acute and chronic pain, respectively. Results: In the writing test, the average writing time and number of animals receiving a maximum dosage of morphine, diclofenac, and PDS were significantly less than the control group. In the hot plate test, only groups receiving different doses of morphine at different time points and those received 30 mg/kg diclofenac at 15 min after the intervention showed significant difference with the control group. Conclusion: 200 mg/kg extract of PDS, revealed a significant analgesic effect on chronic pain, but it did not show any analgesic effect on acute pain.