Chronic and abnormal increase of different types of dyslipidemia leads to some important diseases, such as constriction and abstraction of vessels in various parts of the body, especially in the ...heart. High lipid profile, such as increased total cholesterol and LDL as well as decreased HDL are recognized as cardiovascular disease risk factors. The present study aimed to estimate the prevalence of different types of dyslipidemia in Iran by a meta-analysis method.
A literature search for studies published during 1998-2015 was carried out using both Persian and English databases (SID, Magiran, IranMedex, MedLib, PubMed, and Scopus). Keywords such as lipid, dyslipidemia, CVD, cardiovascular risk factors, hypercholesterolemia, high LDL-C, low HDL-C, and prevalence were used in the search. Random-effects model was used for the analysis using STATA (version 11.2).
In total, 163 articles were identified of which 49 articles fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The estimated prevalence (95% confidence interval) of eligible articles for high cholesterol ≥200 mg/dl and ≥240 mg/dl was 42% (95% CI: 38-45) and 17% (95% CI: 14-20), respectively. Moreover, the prevalence (95% confidence interval) for high LDL-C ≥130 mg/dl and ≥160 mg/dl was 40% (95% CI: 32-48) and 19% (95% CI: 16-23), respectively. The pooled prevalence estimate for low HDL-C (<40 among males, <50 among females) was 43% (95% CI: 33-53) in both sexes of the Iranian people. All types of lipid component abnormalities (hypercholesterolemia, high LDL-C, and low HDL-C) were more prevalent in women.
The results indicate that the prevalence of different types of dyslipidemia in Iran is substantial. Given the risk of complications (e.g. cardiovascular disease and control of different types of dyslipidemia) in Iranian people, it is important to reduce the burden of cardiovascular diseases.
Fish contamination by heavy metals, even at low levels, has an adverse effect on human health. Mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb) are the most common heavy metals that contaminate sea foods. ...Rainbow trout is a fish species which is widely cultured in fresh water regions, e.g. in Yasuj, southwest of Iran. Heavy metal contamination was measured in three different culture areas (A, B, and C), with three different feed pellets used in Yasuj farms (I, II, and III). The sampling was conducted during February-April 2018 and the metals were measured using cold vapour atomic absorption with a Perkin Elmer 4100. The mean values of Hg, Cd, and Pb levels in the muscular tissue of the samples were 0.022, 0.105, and 1.07 mg/kg, respectively. Concentrations of Hg and Cd in edible tissues of rainbow trout were lower than the permitted values set by the WHO, the FDA, and the EC. The samples fed on mixture pellets III showed a significantly higher Hg content and a lower concentration of Cd in the muscle tissue compared to those given feed mixtures I and II (P < 0.05). Pearson correlation tests revealed significant correlations between the Cd and Pb concentrations and the weight of the fish samples (r = –0.519, r = –0.580). The lowest Cd concentration (0.076 mg/kg–1) was found in site A located close to the spring and not polluted by sewage from urban or rural areas. The study showed a correlation between the concentration of heavy metals in the fish samples and their weight, the degree of pollution, and the feeding mixture used in the farms.
To evaluate the hepatoprotective properties of Otostegia persica (O. persica) ethanol extract on carbon tetrachloride-induced liver damage in rats.
Fifty adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided ...into five groups. Group I served as normal control and was given only olive oil intraperitoneally (i.p.). Group II, III, IV, and V were administered CCl4 mixed with olive oil 1:1 (1 ml/kg) i.p., twice a week for 8 weeks. Group II was maintained as CCl4-intoxicated control (hepatotoxic group). Group III, IV, and V received O. persica extract at a dose of 40, 80, and 120 mg/kg for 8 weeks every 48 h orally, respectively. Biochemical parameters including aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin (TB), albumin (ALB), total protein (TP), and lipid peroxidation marker (Malonaldialdehyde, (MDA) were determined in serum. After 8 weeks, animals were sacrificed, livers dissected out, and evaluated for histomorphological changes.
The administration of CCl4 increased AST, ALT, ALP, TB, and MDA in serum but it decreased TP , and ALB compared with normal control. Treatment with O. persica extract at three doses resulted in decreased enzyme markers, bilirubin levels, and lipid peroxidation marker (MDA) and increased TP and ALB compared with CCl4 group. The results of pathological study also support the hepatoprotective effects which were observed at doses of 80 and 120 mg/kg.
The results of the present study indicate that ethanol extract of O. persica may have hepatoprotective effect which is probably due to its antioxidant property.
Stachys pilifera Benth has long been used to treat infectious diseases as well as respiratory and rheumatoid disorders in Iranian folk medicine. Antioxidants, antitumor, and antimicrobial properties ...of the plant have been reported.
This experimental study was designed to evaluate systemic and topical anti-inflammatory effects of the hydro-alcoholic extract from aerial parts of Stachys pilifera (HESP).
Anti-inflammatory effects of HESP was studied in four well-known animal models of inflammation, including carrageenan- or formalin-induced paw edema in rat (thirteen groups, 6 rats per each group), and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)- or xylene-induced ear edema in mouse (ten groups, 6 mice per each group). The rats received HESP (50-400 mg/ kg) orally 45 minutes before the subplantar injection of carrageenan or formalin. In TPA or xylene tests, HESP (1, 2.5, and 5 mg/ear) was applied topically simultaneous with these phlogistic agents on the ear mice. Finally, pathological examination of the inflamed tissues (paw and ear) was carried out.
Acute toxicity study of the extract showed that no rats were killed at 5000 mg/kg (LD50 > 5000 mg/kg). The extract (100 and 200 mg/ kg) significantly suppressed carrageenan-induced paw edema 1, 2, 3, and 4 hours after carrageenan challenge in comparison with the control group (P < 0.001). The HESP (100 and 200 mg/kg) also produced a considerable antiedematogenic effect in the formalin test over a period of 24 hours (P < 0.01). Furthermore, topical administration of the HESP (1, 2.5, and 5 mg/ear) inhibited TPA- and xylene-induced ear edema in comparison with the control group (P < 0.001). The pathological analysis of the paws and ears revealed that HESP was capable of reducing tissue destruction, cellular infiltration, and subcutaneous edema induced by the indicated phlogistic agents.
The present data confirmed systemic and topical anti-inflammatory effects of Stachys pilifera which is comparable to indomethacin.
Pomegranate has been taken great scientific attention in recent years due to its health benefits. Pomegranate seed oil is a rich source of 9-cis, and 11-trans conjugate linolenic acid. The aim of ...this study was to evaluate the effect of dietary pomegranate seed oil on the fertilization potency of rat's sperm.
Twenty-four male Wistar rats were divided into four groups. The first group, which served as the control group, received 1 mL of corn oil for seven weeks. Groups II, III, IV served as the experimental groups received 200, 500 and 1000 mg/kg of pomegranate seed oil, for the same period of time respectively. After seven weeks, all of the rats were sacrificed, and their epididymis sperm was collected and added to IVF medium (T6) containing metaphase II oocytes. Almost 21 oocytes had been removed from every female rat oviduct. In this medium, oocyte fertilization, cleavage rates, and embryo development into blastocysts, were evaluated by inverted microscopy.
Levels of LD50 in the oral route in male rats were more than 5000 mg/kg body weight. Our data showed that the rates of fertilization, cleavage and embryo development into blastocysts were higher in the groups that had received 500 and 1000 mg/kg body weight of pomegranate seed oil.
This study demonstrated that pomegranate seed oil had a positive effect on the fertilization potency of male rats. These beneficial effects may be useful in assisted reproductive technology.
In vitro maturation (IVM) of oocytes and subsequent, in vitro fertilization (IVF) for the generation of embryos in the laboratory has important values. Growth factors are a component of a complex ...system of autocrine and paracrine factors that have a regulatory role in ovarian function and affect oocyte maturation. Therefore, the aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of IGF-I on IVM and IVF of mice oocytes during culture with α-MEM and TCM199 medium.
Cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs) and denuded oocyte were obtained from 4-6 week old NMRI mice and underwent in vitro maturation and in vitro fertilization in presence or absence of IGF-I with α-MEM and TCM199.
Maturation rate (79.6%), fertilization rate (87.2%), two cells development rate (79.5%) and blastocyst rate(43.2%) was higher in COCs cultured in α-MEM with IGF-I, while lower maturation rate (50.6%) fertilization rate (61%), two cells development rate (48.8%) and blastocyst rate(14.6%) were seen in cultured denuded oocytes (DOs) in TCM199 without growth factor. As well as, maturation fertilization, two cells development and blastocyst rates in COCs were higher than DOs.
Our findings have shown that IGF-I is involved in the oocyte biology and improve the oocyte maturation, fertilization and embryo development to blastocyst competence in vitro. In addition, it has also shown that cumulus cells are vital for oocyte development when IGF-1 added to the mediums.
Oocyte Culture of Germinal Vesicle (GV) and its growth improves Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) invitro and infertility. Inappropriate culture medium environment, low quality of oocytes, ...increase in Oxidative Stress (OS) events, Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) and free radicals production are the main factors that result in unsuccessful Invitro Maturation (IVM) and decrease in reproduction.
The present study was conducted with the aim to evaluate the effect of β-mercaptoethanol (BME) and Cysteamine (CYS) on IVM improvement, embryo fertilization and development of blastocyst of mouse immature oocyte.
Oocytes were obtained from 4-6 weeks old Naval Medical Research Institute (NMRI) female mice, 48 hours after stimulation with Intraperitoneal (IP) injection of 10 IU Pregnant Mare Serum Gonadotropin (PMSG). GV oocyte with and without cumulus cells were isolated from ovaries and cultured in Tissue Culture Medium (TCM) 199 with availability of 100 μM of antioxidants (BME and CYS). After 24 hours, mature oocyte in metaphase II (MII) were fertilized with sperm in In vitro Fertilization (IVF) medium (T6) and evaluated for fetal development into blastocyst.
BME and CYS could significantly (p<0.05) increase the rate of IVM and oocyte evolution, and embryo formation in medium culture. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that existence of Cumulus Oocyte Complexes (COC) significantly showed better IVM, fertilization and evolution trend as compared to oocytes without cumulus cover or Denuded Oocytes (DO), especially in TCM199 plus BME and CYS. So that the change in GV stage oocytes to MII (maturation rate), fertilization rates or 2PN formation, and two cell embryos formation or blastocyst development rate in the treatment group with addition of BME & CYS and COC was statistically significant as compared to the DO group (p-value < 0.0001).
Both cellular and environmental factors could be important and involved in ART improvement.
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains a major global health problem. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and risk behaviors for HBV infection among high risk groups in Kohgiloyeh and ...Boyerahmad province, in Southwest of Iran.
Blood samples were collected from 2009 subjects, between 2009 and 2010 in Kohgiloyeh and Boyerahmad province, in southwest of Iran. Recruited subjects were the high risk groups for HBV infection, including inmates, injecting drug users, health care workers, patients on maintenance haemodialysis, hemophilic patients and patients with a history of blood transfusion. Their serum samples were tested for the presence of antibodies to hepatitis B core antigen (HBc IgM, IgG) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Seropositive specimens were tested for HBsAg. Demographic features of participants were recorded during sample collecting.
HBsAg was detected in 24 of the 2009 subjects, giving an overall prevalence of 1.2%. All HBsAg positive cases were males. The prevalence of HBsAg among injection drug users was 3.2%. Significant correlation was found between HBV infection and drug abuse, level of education and place of residence (p<0.05), while no significant correlation was found between HBV infection and previous history of blood transfusion, unprotected sexual behavior, and thalassemia.
Based on the findings of this study, incarceration and drug abuse are the most important risk factors for acquiring HBV infection in this region. Modifying behavior, improving the individual education and expanding the HBV vaccination coverage may reduce the rate of infection in the region.
To compare efficacy and complications of spinal anesthesia versus general anesthesia in percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL).
In a prospective randomized study, 110 patients were randomly assigned ...into two groups for PCNL; group 1 (n = 52) underwent general anesthesia and group 2 (n = 58) received spinal anesthesia. In group 1, PCNL was performed using standard technique under general anesthesia. In group 2, spinal anesthesia was done by injecting bupivacaine and fentanyl in spinal space L4 in sitting position. Thereafter, a urethral catheter was placed in lithotomy position, head of the bed was tilted down for 5 to 10 minutes, and the level of anesthesia was checked. Then, PCNL was done by standard technique. Complications were recorded and analyzed by SPSS software using Chi-Square and Student's t tests.
Mean stone size in groups 1 and 2 was 34.2 ± 9.8 mm and 31.3 ± 7.9 mm, respectively. Intra-operative hypotension and postoperative headache and low back pain were more in spinal group than the general group with a significant difference (P < .05). No neurologic complication was observed in both groups. Need to narcotic medications on the day of operation in groups 1 and 2 was 12.4 ± 3.1 mg and 7.8 ± 2.3 mg of morphine sulphate, respectively (P = .03). The cost of anesthetic drugs was 23 ± 3.7 US $ and 4.5 ± 1.3 US $ in groups 1 and 2, respectively (P = .001).
Spinal anesthesia with combined bupivacaine and fentanyl is a safe, effective, and cost-effective method for performing PCNL in adult patients.
Cryobiology is an essential tool in assisted reproductive technology. Research in this area focuses on the possibility of restoring fertility in women with reproductive problems or after cancer ...treatments.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate viability of oocytes, In vitro maturation and embryo development in vitrified germinal vesicle oocytes with and without cumulus cell after single and stepwise vitrification procedure.
Germinal vesicle oocytes with or without cumulus cells were obtained from 4 weeks old female mice 48h after intraperitoneal injection of 7.5 IU pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG). For vitrification collected oocytes vitrification were exposed to cryoprotectant, which was composed of 30% (v/v) ethylene glycol, 18% (w/v) Ficoll-70, and 0.3 M sucrose, either by single step or in a step-wise way. After exposure to cryoprotectant and immerged in liquid nitrogen, the oocytes were thawed and washed in medium TCM199 two times. Then the oocytes transferred to IVM medium for maturation and embryo development to blastocyst.
The oocytes survival rates after vitrifying-warming, maturation rate, the capacity of fertilization and embryonic development to blastocyst were examined in vitro. The oocytes survival, maturation to MII, fertilization developmental rate in the step-wise exposure and with cumulus cell was significantly higher (p<0.05) as compared with corresponding rate in the single step procedure without cumulus cell.
The results of present study indicated that oocytes vitrified with cumulus cells and stepwise procedure had positive effect on maturation and developmental rate to blastocyst than oocytes without cumulus cell and single step procedure.