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Describes a relational data model that can be used for knowledge representation and manipulation in rule-based medical consultation systems. Fuzzy queries or attribute values and fuzzy set theory are discussed, functional dependencies are described, and an example is presented of a system for diagnosing causes of eye inflammation. (15 references) (LRW)

This study aims to evaluate the expression of genes associated with the fertilisation potential and embryo development, sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF), and acrosome reaction in male partners of infertile couples with different sperm parameters compared to fertile men. First, male partners of infertile couples with abnormal (N = 25) and normal sperm parameters (N = 25), and fertile men (N = 10) were included in experimental groups I, II, and controls respectively. The mRNA levels of the Annexin A2 (ANXA2), Sperm protein 17 (SP17), Plasma serine protease inhibitor (SERPINA5), and Peroxiredoxin‐2 (PRDX2) genes and SDF were evaluated. To evaluate the maturity of the sperm and oxidative stress, the acrosome reaction, the lipid peroxidation, and total antioxidant were measured. As result, SP17 showed a significantly lower expression in both experimental groups. SERPINA5 was significantly down‐regulated in experimental group I that was aligned with the low rate of acrosome reaction. Significant overexpression of PRDX2 was found between experimental group II and controls. Significant higher rates of SDF were seen in both experimental groups compared to the controls. Finally, our data suggest that differentially gene expression of SP17 is a potential diagnostic biomarker in infertile men either with normal or abnormal sperm parameters. SDF is one of the causes of male infertility, independent of the sperm parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It has been demonstrated that infertility can affect quality of life (QoL) in infertile couples. Resilience is considered a protective factor against the distress caused by infertility and the quality of life status. There is a new definition for Fertility Quality of Life that evaluates particularly the impact of infertility on various aspects of life. In this couple-based study, the main objective was investigating the quality of life based on the gender and resilience of infertile couples. Measurement tools were three questionnaires including a demographic one, a quality of life of infertile couples questionnaire and the Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale. Data analysis was done through paired t-test and linear multiple regressions test. Overall the difference of mean score for QoL is statistically significant (P > 0.001) between men and women (69.48% vs 58.87%), which means that QoL status was positive in men and neutral in women. In addition, the mean score of male resilience was more than female resilience (P = 0.009). The results showed there was a significant and positive correlation between the QoL status and resilience score (P = 0.008, r = 0.13) (P < 0.1), and resilience (β = 0.04 and P = 0.04) had a significant protective effect on the quality of life. Low resilience status in infertile couples is better to be considered as a risk factor compromising the quality of life and infertility consolers should keep in mind this issue and provide a comprehensive and holistic approach for a better outcome of infertility treatment. QoLICQ: Quality of Life in Infertile Couple Questionnaire; CD-RISC: Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale; IVF: in vitro fertilisation; ART: assisted reproductive technique; PTSD: posttraumatic stress disorder; IUI: intrauterine insemination; ICSI: intracytoplasmic sperm injection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Placenta has a strategic role in fetal/maternal exchange. A healthy placenta is essential for normal fetal development. Avoiding consumption of some foods and vegetables is suggested during pregnancy due to the risk of placental disorders. Celery is a high consumed vegetable that some studies concern about its adverse effect on pregnancy. The present study focused on its consumption side effects in different trimesters of gestation on mouse placenta. Methods: Duration of pregnancy in mice is three weeks. Five groups of 5 mice were considered. Groups I, II and III received celery hydro-alcoholic extract only during the 1st, 2nd and 3rd weeks of pregnancy, respectively and group IV received it during all the weeks of gestation. The 5th group was considered as control and just received placebo. The biometrical sizes of placenta (weight, length and diameter) were measured and histopathological analysis was done. Results: Celery consumption decreased the weight of placenta in groups II, III and IV. Also, placental length and diameter decreased in groups I and IV. Histopathological examination showed decrease of placenta trophoblastic giant cells and increase of trophoblast glycogen cells in the basal layer. Generally, morphological and pathological changes in the 4th group showed more deviations from the control group. Basal and Labyrinth layer thickness decreased in the experimental groups. Also, hyperaemia was observed in labyrinth layer of the experimental groups. Conclusion: Due to the decrease of placenta biometrical sizes and histo-pathological adverse effects, it is advised that celery should be used with more precaution, during pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The present study aimed to evaluate the sperm chromatin quality and rate of apoptosis in formaldehyde (FA)-exposed mice and the possible protective effects of curcumin (Cur) on the fertility potential of spermatozoa. Methods: Twenty-four adult male NMRI mice were randomly divided into three groups: Group Ι (control), group ΙΙ (Sham) received Cur solvent (2 ml/day, intraperitoneal), group ΙΙΙ received FA (10 mg/kg, intraperitoneal), and group ΙV received FA+Cur (100 mg/kg, intraperitoneal). After 35 days, the spermatozoa from right cauda epididymis were analyzed using Chromomycin A3 (CMA3) and TUNEL staining. Result: Regarding CMA3 and TUNEL tests, the data revealed a significant increase (P<0.05) in control and sham groups compared to the FA and FA+Cur groups. There was also a significant decrease in CMA3 tests and apoptosis in FA+Cur group compared to FA group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Cur, as a potent antioxidant, can attenuate detrimental effects of FA on the chromatin quality and apoptosis in an experimental animal model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Prescribing antidepressant drugs is becoming common. These drugs are known to affect sexual functions. Objective: The study is aimed to assess the effects of amitriptyline and venlafaxine on sperm parameters and evaluate Malondialdehyde (MDA) and 1, 1-Diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl values in BALB/mice spermatozoa. Materials and Methods: Forty adult male BALB/c mice were separated into five groups. Group I (control) received distilled water; group II amitriptyline (4 mg/kg); group III amitriptyline (4 mg/kg) +vitamin C (10 mg/kg); group IV venlafaxine (2 mg/kg); and group V received vitamin C (10 mg/kg) + venlafaxine (2 mg/kg). All drugs were administered by oral gavage for 35 days. After excision of caudal epididymis, it was located in 1 mL Ham's F10 medium at 37oC for 15 min and then analysis of sperm parameters was performed. To examine lipid peroxidation and total antioxidant capacity, the MDA and 1, 1-Diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl were measured, respectively. Results: The mean sperm parameters in the group treated with amitriptyline were significantly lower than in the other groups. MDA tests showed a significant difference between amitriptyline and control groups (p=0.007). Conclusion: The results of this study showed that amitriptyline consumption can weaken sperm parameters, which can be attributed to the increased production of ROS and toxicity resulting from amitriptyline consumption. Moreover, venlafaxine improved sperm parameters in mice and the lipid peroxidation in this group did not change compared to the control group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Acrylamide (ACR) consumption is increasing all over the world. There are some evidence on the literature about its neurotoxic effect on mature animals, but the effects of ACR on postnatal development have been less studied. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of ACR on development of cortical layer, white matter, and number of Purkinje cells of the cerebellum in rat newborns. Methods: This study was carried out on 20 female Wistar rats (average weight: 180 g, aged: two months). The rats were divided into four groups. Pregnant rats were orally fed with ACR 10 mg/kg and vitamin C 200 mg/kg. In this study, 6 infants of each group (weighting 32-35 g) were randomly selected at day 21 after birth and placed under deep anesthesia and transcardial perfusion. Their cerebellums were fixed and histopathological changes were evaluated with Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) staining and cresyl violet method. The volume of cerebellar cortical layers and number of Purkinje cells were investigated by Cavalieri's principle and physical dissector methods. The obtained data were analyzed by 1-way ANOVA and LSD test using SPSS. P<0.05 considered as statistically significant. Results: The results showed that newborns of ACR-treated female rats have decreased cerebellar weight (P=0.05) and lower than average number of Purkinje cells (P=0.001). ACR also decreased the volume of granular and molecular layer and increased the volume of white matter. While the results showed decreased in white matter volume in vitamin C group (P=0.001). Conclusion: ACR induces structural changes in the development of the cerebellar cortical layers in rat newborns, but these changes may be prevented by vitamin C as an antioxidant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In recent years, concerns have been raised about human reproductive disorders. Caffeine consumption is increasing by the world's population and there is a relationship between caffeine intake and adverse reproductive outcomes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of caffeine on implantation sites, number of live births, birth weight, crown-rump length (CRL) and abnormality in pregnant rats. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 40 female albino rats (170-190 g) were randomly divided into two experimental and two control groups (n=10/each group). In both experimental groups, animals received caffeine intraperitoneally (IP: 150 mg/kg/day) on days 1-5 of pregnancy. In experimental group 1, treated animals were euthanized on day 7of pregnancy and the number of implantation sites was counted. In experimental group 2, treated animals maintained pregnant and after delivery, the number of live births, birth weight, CRL and abnormality of neonates were investigated. In control group, animals received IP injections of distilled water. Data were analyzed by independent t test. Results: Results showed that administration of caffeine significantly decreased the number of implantation sites, number of live births and CRL as compared with control group (P<0.05). There were no significant differences regarding birth weight and abnormality of neonate rats between experimental and control groups. Conclusion: These results suggest that caffeine caused anti-fertility effect and significantly decreased CRL in neonate rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective(s): Growing evidence indicates that extract of Ginkgo biloba (EGb) attenuates hippocampaldependent memory deficit in aged individuals; however, very little is known about the effect of EGb on the structure of hippocampus. Therefore we examined the EGb-induced morphological changes of the Cornu Ammonis (CA) region in aged rats. Materials and Methods: Sixteen aged male Wistar rats, 24 months old, were randomly divided into experimental and control groups. Experimental group was orally administered EGb (100 mg/kg/d for 8 weeks), and the control group received a similar volume of water. The volume estimation of CA hippocampal field was done by Cavalieri principle and a quantitative Golgi study was also used for analysis of dendritic arborizations of CA3 and CA1 pyramidal cells. Results: Results revealed that EGb-treated aged rats had greater volumes than control animals in the layers of pyramidal and radiatum lacunosum moleculare in both CA3 and CA1 subfields. The neurons of CA3 and CA1 in experimental rats had more dendritic segments and larger total dendritic length compared to the control. The results also showed that the aged rats treated by EGb had more numerical branching density in the apical dendrites of CA3 and CA1 pyramidal cells. Conclusion: The results of the present study show that long-term administration of EGb could produce morphometrical changes in hippocampal pyramidal cells in aged rats. Results also provide a neuroanatomical basis for memory improvement due to chronic treatment with EGb. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Theoretical courses on anatomical sciences are taught through integrative or regional approaches. It seems that integration helps teachers to convey the materials better to medical students, especially during their clinical stage. Therefore, we decided to study the viewpoints of faculty members of anatomy department in medical universities of Iran toward the horizontal integration of anatomical sciences. Method: This descriptive cross-sectional study was performed on faculty members of anatomy whose universities had performed Horizontal Integration for anatomical sciences courses, in year 2011. Using simple random sampling, a number of anatomy faculty members who had participated in National Congress of Anatomy were selected. Study instrument was a researcher-made questionnaire, including questions on faculty members' familiarity with Horizontal Integration for anatomy courses, availability of facilities for this integration, and their level of satisfaction with integration program and their opinion regarding the temporal priority of lessons. The collected data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: According to 16 (33.3%) of participants, integration had a little efficacy in better understanding of adjacent anatomical elements. Twenty four (50%) of the participants stated their familiarity with the process of integration as high and very high. Twenty four (50%) teachers were highly and very highly agree to teach lessons systematically. Eighteen (37.5%) teachers highly agreed with integration of embryology and anatomy. Respondents classified the temporal priority of courses as anatomy, histology, embryology, and physiology, respectively. Conclusion: According to the fact that a half of teachers agreed to the horizontal integration of basic science courses in high and very high levels, and considering the results of this study, it is suggested to develop the curriculum and lesson plans based on this prioritization schedule including anatomy, histology, embryology, and physiology respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]