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Background: Researchers have mentioned many beneficial effects for the compounds present in the toothbrush tree (Miswak) (Salvadora persica: SP); such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. The current study aimed to evaluate the effect of aqueous-alcoholic extract of toothbrush tree on the wound healing of second-degree skin burns in BALB/c mice. Methods: In this study, 60 mature mice (8 weeks) were used. The mice were divided into 5 groups of twelve. Groups 1 and 2 were respectively treated with concentrations of 5% and 10% of aqueous-alcoholic extract of the toothbrush plant, group3 was treated with silver sulfadiazine ointment (positive control), group4 was treated with Vaseline (negative control), and group 5 (sham) received no treatment. A second-degree circular burn wound with a diameter of 1 cm was made on the back of the animal. The first to fourth groups were dressed twice a day. On days 4, 7, 10 and 14, sampling was performed from the wounded site and wound healing was evaluated histopathologically. Results: Inflammation and infiltration of neutrophils and lymphocytes, being compared to the negative and sham control groups, were significantly reduced in the group treated with 10% SP extract (P

Tumors of the nervous system can be originated from several locations. They mostly have high mortality and morbidity rate. The emergence of resistance to chemotherapeutic agents is a hurdle in the treatment of patients. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been shown to influence the response of glioblastoma/glioma and neuroblastoma to chemotherapeutic agents. MALAT1, NEAT1, and H19 are among lncRNAs that affect the response of glioma/glioblastoma to chemotherapy. As well as that, NORAD, SNHG7, and SNHG16 have been shown to be involved in conferring this phenotype in neuroblastoma. Prior identification of expression amounts of certain lncRNAs would help in the better design of therapeutic regimens. In the current manuscript, we summarize the impact of lncRNAs on chemoresistance in glioma/glioblastoma and neuroblastoma.

Background: The aim of this study was to design and assess the effects of hydroalcoholic extract of Matricaria chamomilla (MC) on preantral follicle culture of mouse ovaries in a three-dimensional culture system. Methods: Isolated preantral follicles were randomly divided into three main groups: the control group containing 10% fetal bovine serum without MC extract (G1), the first experimental group supplemented with 25 μg/ml hydroalcoholic extract of chamomile (G2), and the second experimental group supplemented with 50 μg/ml hydroalcoholic extract of chamomile (G3). Results: After 12 days of culture, the survival rate (P < 0.05), antrum formation (P < 0.01), metaphase two oocytes (P < 0.01), and the expression of PCNA (P < 0.05) and FSHR (P < 0.05) genes significantly decreased in G3 as compared with G1. On the other hand, at the last day of culture (day 12), the mean diameter of follicles cultured in the medium which was supplemented with 50 μg/ml hydroalcoholic extract of chamomile significantly decreased as compared with the G1 (P < 0.05). In addition, the levels of progesterone and dehydroepiandrosterone hormones significantly increased in the medium of G3 relative to G1 (P < 0.01), while in the medium of G1, the level of 17β-estradiol was significantly higher than that of other groups (P < 0.01). Reactive oxygen species levels of metaphase II oocytes were significantly decreased in G2 as compared with G1 (P < 0.01). Conclusion: Adding chamomile extract to culture media appeared to decrease follicular function and development.

Notochord is an axial structure derived of embryonic mesoderm and in addition to structural supporting role in inducing nearby germinal layers, it has a basic role in formation of organs such as vertebral column, axial vessels, neural tube and primitive gut. This organ undergoes essential changes during the development process. First, arises from the primitive node and terms notochordal process, while containing a central canal. Then, transforms to notochordal plate and thereafter, changes to a cord called definitive notochord. Finally, it degenerates in centra and remains in intervertebral discs and makes its nucleus pulposus. Glycoconjugates are macromolecules containing carbohydrates that interfere in some biological phenomena such as cell proliferation, differentiation, migration and apoptosis during the development of numerous organs. The terminal sugars of carbohydrate chains are mainly responsible for these duties. These sugars are identifiable by using some polypeptides derived from plants and animals sources termed lectins. Lectins are linked exclusively to these sugars and the applied technique is called lectin histochemistry. Investigation of the developmental changes of notochord using this technique has shown that different glycoconjugates with divers terminal sugars such as N-acetylgalactoseamine (GalNac), N-acetylclucoseamine (GlcNac), galactose (Gal), fucose (Fuc), mannose (Man) and neuraminic acid (NeuAc) and also Gal-GalNac and GalGlcNac disaccharides are expressed during morphogenesis period in this organ of different animal species. Review of extensive studies carried out on development of notochord and its inductive role on nearby tissues has revealed that it is a highly glycosylated tissue and diverse glycoconjugates with different terminal sugars are expressed in it. Some of these molecules are probably involved in morphological changes of notochord while, the others are present in secreted substances from it and play key roles in its inductive effects on the nearby tissues.

Drug abuse is considered as the most common poisoning in the world. Stimulants agent especially amphetamines and methamphetamines are among important abused substances. Different types of neurologic, psychiatric, respiratory, gastrointestinal, and cardiogenic complications have been reported to be related to methamphetamine consumption. Some of these substances could cause dysrhythmias which is the most prevalent etiology of cardiogenic syncope. Ecstasy, as one of the most commonly abused drugs, is known as a cause of cardiac dysrhythmias. Here we report a young boy who was admitted into the emergency department following three syncope attacks. All cardiac and neurologic assessments were normal; and finally ecstasy abuse was detected as the main etiology of syncopes.

Introduction: Sleep deprivation can cause hyperalgesia and interfere with analgesic treatments. The aim of the present study was to establish an obligatory sleep-abstinence model and also evaluate the effects of intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection of crocin on pain perception in Wistar rats. Methods: In this experimental study, 35 adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 groups (n=7). The intra-ventricular cannulation was done for all rats before sleep deprivation. Sleep deprivation was performed by placing animals on a chamber equipped with an automatic animated conveyor (5 s with an interval of 3 min) for 72 h. Subsequently, the sleep-deprived animals received ICV injection of saline (MOD), Morphine 10 µg (MOR), Crocin 10 ug (Cr10), and Crocin40 µg (Cr40) using a microsyringe. Besides, a non-sleep-deprived group was allocated as a Control Group (NC) and only received an ICV injection of saline. Fifteen minutes after the ICV injections, pain perception was evaluated by the hot plate test (54±0.4◦C). Results: Compared with the NC group, latency significantly decreased in the MOD group (6.28±0.48 vs. 4.28± 0.48, p

Background and purpose: Azulene is a non-alternating hydrocarbon with various biological activities including anti-inflammatory activity. This study investigated the effects of azulene on granulation tissue formation and epithelialization in skin wound healing in mice. Materials and methods: In this experimental study, 60 adult male BALB/c mice were divided into 5 groups (n=12): experimental groups I and II were treated with 1% and 2% azulene, respectively and groups III and IV were treated with nitrofurazone and ucerin cream, respectively. Group V did not receive any treatment. After deep anesthesia, a linear wound (2 cm length) was made on dorsal thoracic skin of the mice. Then, wound samples were taken at days 4, 7, 10, and 14 after treatments and processed for histological and microscopic examinations using Hematoxiline-Eosin (H&E) and Masson Trichrome staining methods. Data analysis was done in SPSS V24 applying One-way ANOVA and Tukey test. Results: The means of granulation formation, angiogenesis, fibroblast cells, and collagen formation increased significantly in groups I and II at days 7, 10, and 14 compared to those of the negative control and sham groups (P