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This study investigated the impact of incubation time (1, 2, 4, and 7 days) on the functionality of sodium caseinate (SC) conjugated with the water-soluble fraction of bitter almond gum (SBAG) (1:2) under a controlled Maillard reaction. SDS-PAGE confirmed the conjugation between two biopolymers. The thermal stability of SC improved remarkably from ∼73 °C to 83 °C with the increasing incubation time up to 2 d The fluorescence intensity declined due to changing SC conformation. The conjugate prepared under 2 d incubation showed the highest viscosity and viscoelastic moduli. The solubility was improved with increased incubation time (from approximately 42.25% to 55.72%), whereas water holding capacity was not affected up to 4 d incubation (44.75±3.15% vs. 46.35±2.25%). A significant improvement in emulsifying, foaming, and radical scavenging activities was detected with the incubation time (from ∼68.2 to 190.5 m2/g, 40.85 to 97.55%, and 4.9 to 46.5%, respectively). However, prolonged incubation negatively affected some conjugate properties, including WHC, emulsion, and foam stability. Overall, the results suggest that an incubation period between 2 and 4 days could be desirable to improve most glycated SC attributes, allowing it to perform better in food applications.

Introduction: Uteroplacental Insufficiency (UPI) produces critical neurodevelopmental problems affecting the Intrauterine Growth Restricted (IUGR) in offspring. This study aimed to investigate the possible neuroprotective roles of Hesperidin (Hes) on the fetal cerebral cortex of the UPI rat model. Methods: In this experimental study, 40 pregnant Wistar rats (age: ~40 days, Mean±SD weight: 180±10 g) were randomly divided into 5 groups (n= 8/group). The study groups included control (normal saline, orally), UPI+NS (uterine vessel ligation+normal saline, orally), UPI+HES25, UPI+HES50, and UPI+HES100 (uterine vessel ligation+25, 50 and 100 mg/kg Hes, orally). After being anesthetized by ketamine and xylazine, UPI was induced by permanent bilateral closure of the uterine vessels on Gestation Day (GD) 18. From GD15, the Hes/NS-treated groups received Hes/normal saline until GD21. On GD21, the uterus, placenta, and fetus were dissected out and weighed. The oxidative stress parameters, including Catalase (CAT) activity, Malondialdehyde (MDA), and Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC) were measured in the fetal cerebral cortex. The expression of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) and Tropomyosin Receptor Kinase B (TrkB) was assessed by RT qPCR methods. The obtained data were analyzed by Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Tukey’s post hoc test. Results: The present study findings identified a significant difference in the uterine and fetus weight in Hes-treated mothers (P< 0.05). In the fetus, Hes reduced MDA, and increased CAT activity and TAC (P˂0.001 in the UPI+Hes100 group, compared to the UPI+NS group). UPI reduced BDNF and TrkB mRNA expression, compared to the control group (P

Background & Objectives: Diabetes is the most common metabolic disorder that disrupts the reproductive system. This study aimed to investigate the effect of Abelmoschus esculentus fruit hydroalcoholic extract on pituitary-testicular hormones and the expression of Arginase II gene in streptozotocin-induced diabetic adult rats. Material & Methods: In this experimental study, 36 adult Wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups including the control (untreated), positive control (60 mg/kg streptozotocin), negative control (400 mg/kg Abelmoschus esculentus hydroalcoholic extract), experimental 1, 2 and 3 (first 60 mg/kg streptozotocin and then 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg of Abelmoschus esculentus hydroalcoholic extract, respectively). 28 days later, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and testosterone hormones were measured by ELISA and the Arginase II gene expression was measured by Real-Time PCR. The results were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance and Tukey’s post hoc tests. Results: Compared to the control group, the levels of FSH and LH hormones increased significantly and the testosterone level decreased significantly in the positive control group. However, there were no significant changes in hormone levels in the negative control group. In experimental groups, the improvement in FSH, LH and testosterone levels was observed as dose-dependent compared to the control group. The expression level of Arginase II gene in the positive control and experimental 1 groups significantly reduced compared to the control group, but no significant changes were observed in the other groups. Conclusion: The Abelmoschus esculentus fruit hydroalcoholic extract in maximum dose has protective effects on the level of pituitary-testicular hormones and the expression of Arginase II gene in diabetic rats.

Background & Objective: Cannabis is an addictive substance that is a pervasive global problem. Cannabis has many medicinal and psychoactive properties. Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are widely used in tissue engineering and organ transplantation. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of cannabis on the growth and proliferation of adipose tissue MSCs in rats. Materials & Methods: In this experimental study, MSCs were extracted from the adipose tissue of adult male rats and after culturing and confirming that they are mesenchymal by flow cytometry method by CD34-RPE, CD90-RPE and CD105-RPE conjugated antibodies, in the fourth passage of cell culture, the effect of cannabis toxicity at concentrations of 100 and1000 ng/mL during1to7 days on the growth process of these cells was investigated using MTT. Results: The cells detached from the adipose tissue could completely adhere to the floor of the flask, 24 hours after being transferred to the cell culture flasks. The results of flow cytometry showed that the expression of endothelial surface marker was negative and the expression of MSC markers was positive, which confirmed the basic identity of the extracted cells. The results of MTT also showed a significant increase in cell growth up to the third day and then a significant decrease in the growth of cannabis-treated cells up to the sixth day compared to the control group at P

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of different gums on glycemic and lipidemic parameters in patients with hyperlipidemia. Sixty patients were divided into four groups of 15 individuals in each group. Group 1 was selected as control. Groups 2, 3, and 4 consumed 300 mL of apple juice enriched with bitter almond, tragacanth and xanthan gum, respectively. After 6-week intervention, the bodyweight, BMI, serum TG, hyperinsulinemia and HOMA-IR were significantly decreased in the subjects consumed bitter almond gum-enriched juice when no significant differences were observed for other parameters. The effect of bitter almond gum was better than tragacanth and xanthan gum in all parameters tested. The findings of this study suggest that some of the identified bioactive compounds in bitter almond gum might be responsible for its effects and it can be a possible food supplements for the better management of overweight, obesity and hyperlipidemia.

Introduction: Cholestasis is a liver disease caused by a malfunction of the hepato-biliary system. Oxidative stress as a systemic complication is the main characteristic of cholestasis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective effects of Portulaca oleracea (PO) methanolic extract on liver dysfunction and tissue damage induced by bile duct ligation (BDL) in rats. Materials and methods: Twenty-eight male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: sham control (SC), BDL alone, SC plus 500 mg/kg methanolic extract of PO orally for 1 week, and BDL plus 500 mg/kg methanolic extract of PO orally for 1 week. After 1 week, the animals were anesthetized, and the liver and blood samples were taken from each animal. Biochemical parameters, oxidative stress biomarkers, histopathological changes, as well as the gene expression of IL-1, TNF-α, TGF-β, and α-SMA have been evaluated. Results: The methanolic extract of PO at a dose of 500 mg/kg significantly decreased the plasma levels of aminotransferases, alkaline phosphatase as compared to BDL group (P < 0.05), while it had no significant effect on the levels of oxidative stress markers in the hepatic tissue. The plasma level of malondialdehyde and ferric-reducing antioxidant power were markedly elevated in the BDL group in comparison to SC group (P < 0.05), while treatment with PO significantly reduced these markers (P < 0.05). The administration of PO attenuated hydroxyproline content, bile duct proliferation, and inflammation score in the cholestatic liver in contrast to non-treated BDL rats (P < 0.05). Moreover, the methanolic extract of PO markedly declined the expression of TNF-α and TGF-β pro inflammatory genes in contrast to BDL rats. Conclusions: Taken together, our findings showed that PO attenuated liver injury by decreasing liver function tests, inflammation, and hydroxyproline content. As a result, it is suggested that PO can be applied in cholestatic liver damage as a therapeutic or adjuvant agent.

Background and Aim: Aloe Vera gel, with strong antioxidant properties, is used in the treatment of many renal disorders. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of Aloe Vera gel (JA) on urea, uric acid and creatinine levels of serum, and tissue structure of kidneys of rats diagnosed with MS through Ethidium Bromide (EB). Materials and Methods: This experimental study was performed on 48 female rats, which were divided into 6 groups of 8 samples, including control, sham (intraventricular treatment with saline), experimental treated with 14 μl of EB solution to the lateral ventricles with normal saline as a Gavage and receivers of 300, 600 and 1200 mg/ kg alcoholic extracts )JA(, as gavage with EB intraventricular meditation. In this study, prescriptions were taken for 35 days. In the end, after blood sampling from animal’s heart, some amount of urea, uric acid, and creatinine are extracted, and with providing different cross- sections, the tissue structure of their kidneys was studied based on histologic measurements. Finally, the data were analyzed using SPSS software (Version 20) using ANOVA and Duncan tests at the level of P

BACKGROUND: Stem cell-based therapy is one of the newest and evolving techniques in reproductive medicine. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of allogeneic bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) transplantation on the testis of busulfan induced azoospermia in Balb/C mice. METHODS: Eighteen adult Balb/C mice were divided into three equal groups including control, busulfan and busulfan+cell therapy (busul+CT). For induction of azoospermia, busulfan and busul+CT groups received two injections of 10 mg/Kg of busulfan intraperitoneally with 21 days interval. In the cell therapy group 35 days after the last injection of busulfan, cluster of differentiation (CD)90+/CD34-/CD45- BM-MSCs were injected into the efferent duct of testis. Eight weeks after the BM-MSCs therapy, mice were sacrificed and tissues were taken for histological and histomorphometric evaluations. RESULTS: In busul+CT group, cellular and total diameters and cellular and cross-sectional areas significantly increased in comparison to busulfan group (p˂0.001), but there were no significant differences between busul+CT and control group (p˃0.05). Numerical density and tubular count per area unit in busul+CT and control groups were significantly less than busulfan group (p˂0.001), but there were no significant difference between busul+CT and control group (p˃0.05). The luminal diameter and area showed no significant change in all groups (p˃0.05). In busul+CT group, spermatogenesis index significantly increased when compared to busulfan and control groups (p˂0.001 and p˂0.05, respectively). CONCLOSION: Histomorphometric findings showed CD90+/CD34-/CD45- BM-MSCs transplantation on the testis of busulfan-induced azoospermic in Balb/C mice recovered spermatogenesis. KEYWORDS: mesenchymal stem cell, cell therapy, azoospermia, busulfan, mouse

Background & objectives: Azathioprine is widely used for the treatment of autoimmune diseases. It has negative effects on the function of kidney. Therefore, considering the protective effects of ginger on nephrotoxins, the present study was conducted to investigate the effect of ginger on renal changes induced by azathioprine in rats. Methods: In this experimental study, 56 female rats were divided into 7 groups including control, sham and 5 experimental groups receiving azathioprine (50mg/kg), ginger (200mg/kg), azathioprine plus ginger (200,100 and 50 mg/kg). In this study, ginger was administered by gavage and azathioprine intraperitoneally in 21 consecutive days. At the end, serum levels of urea, uric acid and creatinine were measured and the histological structure of the kidneys was examined. The results were analyzed by ANOVA and Duncan tests at significance level of p≤0.05. Results: The results showed that azathioprine caused the destruction of structure along with cell necrosis, tubular degeneration, glomerular atrophy, urinary space enlargement, hyperemia and inflammatory cell infiltration in the renal tissue, as well as an increase in the serum level of urea, uric acid and creatinine at p≤0.05. However, simultaneous use of ginger and azathioprine reduced the serum levels of urea, uric acid, creatinine and improved the kidney structure compared to the azathioprine group. Conclusion: The results showed that ginger had a protective effect on kidney tissue, due to its antioxidant properties, by inhibiting free radicals produced by azathioprine and decreasing the severity degradation effects of azathioprine on kidney tissue and function.

BACKGROUND: The prelimbic area (PL) of the prefrontal cortex is susceptible to abnormal developmental stimuli that raises the risk of addiction. Glutamate receptors play a key role in opiate reinforcement and reward functions in this area. Therefore, we examined the effect of the DL-2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoic acid (AP5), as N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist into the PL on the phases of conditioned place preference (CPP) induced by morphine. METHODS: Male Wistar rats were divided into 12 groups (3 surgical groups for each dose of morphine in any phase of CPP) and anaesthetized with chloral hydrate. Cannula was implanted into the PL and the AP5 was injected into this area and morphine-induced CPP was investigated. Data were processed with the commercially available SPSS 22 software using one-way ANOVA and Tukey's test. p

BACKGROUND: Busulfan, a chemotherapeutic drug, is an alkylating antineoplastic agent that belongs to the class of alkyl sulfonates and has some side effects on fertility. This research was aimed to investigate the effects of busulfan on testicular tissue and serum levels of anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) and testosterone in adult mice. METHODS: Eighteen adult male Balb/C mice were collected randomly and were assigned in three groups including; control, azoospermia and spontaneous recovery. The groups, except for control group, received two injections of busulfan (10 mg/kg) intraperitoneally with 21-days interval in order to induce azoospermia. Thirty-five and 140 days after the last injection, the effects of busulfan on testicular tissue were evaluated by histologic, histomorphometric and hormonal changes. AMH and testosterone were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and radioimmunoassay (RIA) kits, respectively. RESULTS: Hormonal analyses showed no significant differences in AMH and testosterone serum levels. Histologic and histomorphometric evaluation showed disrupted spermatogenesis in azoospermia group, and restoration of spermatogenesis spontaneously in spontaneous recovery group. CONCLUSION: Busulfan at doses was used had no effect on AMH and testosterone serum levels. Busulfan can also induce azoospermia on a temporary basis however, in long term, spontaneous recovery can occur. The results indicated that some side effects are reversible and may depend on the dose applied. KEYWORDS: Busulfan, anti-Mullerian hormone, testosterone, mouse, testis

Background & aim: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common causes of infertility in women. Due to the prevalence of PCOS in worldwide, this study aimed to compare the effect of metformin with ginger on pituitary-gonad function in PCOS adult female rats was performed. Methods: In this experimental study, 72 adult female rats divided to control, sham PCOS and 7 experimental groups PCOS receiving metformin at 500mg/kg, the ginger at doses 100, 200 & 300mg/kg and ginger at doses 100, 200 & 300mg /kg with metformin at 500 mg/kg were used. All injections by gavage and for 28 days were conducted. After phlebotomizing the animals, to measure hormones FSH, LH and estrogen, progesterone and testosterone, their ovaries removed and after preparing tissue sections, follicles were counted. Data obtained by 18-SPSS software and ANOVA and Duncan were analyzed, then the significant difference of data at P> 0.05was considered. Results: The results showed that letrozole by creating PCOS causes to increase atretic follicles, testosterone, estrogen and reduce other follicles and FSH at P

Introduction: The polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) carried along with hormonal– metabolic disorders, oxidative stress and ovulation dysregulation. Several studies have shown the role of Gallic acid (GA) as a potent antioxidant in oxidative stress induced disorders. Considering the antioxidant properties of GA, we investigate the effect of GA on the serum level of pituitary-ovary axis hormones and activity of ovary tissue antioxidant enzymes of PCOS model was studied. Methods: 32 Wistar female rats were divided into four groups: Control, PCOS+Saline, PCOS+GA50, PCOS+GA100. PCOS was induced by single muscular injection of Estradiol valerate (4 mg/kg/BW).Then, GA was prescribed with doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg for 21 days, orally. At the end of treatment period, serum levels of LH, FSH, Estradiol, testosterone and progesterone as well as the tissue level of dismutase superoxide enzymes (SOD), catalase (CAT) and Malondialdehyde (MDA) in the ovaries were measured by ELISA technique. Differences between data were analyzed by one way ANOVA and the p ˂ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Levels of LH, Estradiol and testosterone as well the MDA in treatment group with GA were increased significantly compared to the PCOS group (p ˂ 0.05), while the serum level of FSH and progesterone and tissue level of SOD and CAT enzymes were increased significantly in GA-treated groups than the PCOS group (p ˂ 0.05). Conclusion: GA modifies the level of sex hormones in PCOS model by increase of antioxidant enzymes activity.

Background & objectives: Ritalin is one of the drugs used in the treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This study aimed to investigate the comparative effect of Ritalin with grape seed extract on passive avoidance learning in adult male rats. Methods: In this experimental study, 40 adult male Wistar rats divided randomly into 5 groups of 8 rats including control, sham and three experimental groups. The control group received no treatment. The sham group received 1 ml of distilled water per day. At the same time the experimental groups received 100 mg/kg grape seed extract, 1 mg/kg Ritalin or 100 mg/kg grape seed extract together with 1 mg/kg of Ritalin by gavage for 28 days. For measuring the amount of avoidance learning, Shuttle box was used. Data analyzed by ANOVA and consistent Tukey's tests using SPSS-18 software and p>0.05 considered as significant. Results: The results showed that Ritalin decreases the passive avoidance learning, while the grape seed extract alone or together with Ritalin increases passive avoidance learning. Conclusion: The outcome of this research shows that taking Ritalin leads to decreasing passive avoidance learning. However, the simultaneous taking Ritalin with grape seed extract inhibits the Ritalin effect and increasing the learning.

Background & Objective: Gelofen is one of the anti-inflammatory drugs which is used to relieve the pain and reduce the inflammations. This drug has side effects on body's tissues. This study aimed to investigate the effect of Tribulus terrestris (Tt) plant on hepatic transaminases due to the Gelofen consumption. Materials & Methods: In this experimental study 56 rats were divided into 7 groups of 8 rats, including control, sham and 4 experimental groups receiving Gelofen 400mg / kg, Tt extract 80 mg / kg, Tt extract 20mg / kg and Gelofen with 400mg / kg doses, Tt extract 40mg / kg and Gelofen 400mg / kg, and Tt extract 80mg / kg and Gelofen 400mg / kg. Gelofen was prescribed intraperitoneal and Tt was prescribed orally for 21 days. At the end of phlebotomizing the animals, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) levels were measured, and the results were analyzed by ANOVA and Duncan tests. The significant difference in the data was considered P> 0/05. Results: The results showed that the transaminase concentration in the groups receiving Gelofen alone and with the Tt extract in doses of 20mg /kg and 40 mg /kg had a significant increase compared to the control group and the groups receiving Tt alone and Tt with the dose of 80mg/kg with Gelofen,had a significant decrease compared to the control and Gelofen alone groups (P> 0/05). Conclusion: The results showed that the Tt extract led to prevent the negative effects of Gelofen on hepatic tissue in a dose-dependent manner and in result on the serum levels of liver transaminases.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between isokinetic relative torques of hip, knee and ankle joints and the height of guide leg jump in young men. Methods: 27 college male athletes with mean age of 25±3.5 years, height 178.5±7.8 cm and weight of 75.7±10.7 kg voluntarily participated in this study. Isokinetic torque of hip, knee and ankle joints and the height of vertical jump were measured using BIODEX SYSTEM PRO 4 and digital vertical jumping tester systems respectively. Pearson correlation test at p

Background & objectives: The teratogenic effects of electromagnetic radiation on different processes of growth caused many concerns related to the harmful effects of cell-phone radiation on human health. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of cell-phone radiation on estrogen, progesterone, FSH and LH hormones together with dynastic sexual cells of adult female offspring of pregnant rats affected by these radiations. Methods: In this experimental study, 24 pregnant female rats divided into 3 groups including the control, sham and experimental groups were used. The control group received no radiation and the experimental group was exposed to cell-phone radiation at the beginning of pregnancy (4 hours daily for 14 days). The control group was exposed around turning-on cell-phone without conversation over the same period. After giving birth and after maturity, 10 female offsprings of different groups separated and after phlebotomizing, sexual hormones levels was measured and by separating the ovaries, ovarian follicles species were counted. The results analyzed using ANOVA and T tests. Differences in statistical analysis of data were considered significant at p

Yeast protein hydrolysate may be considered as a good source of bioactive peptides. Yeast hydrolysate was prepared by two different physical-enzymatic and autolysis treatments to identify the most active angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory and antioxidant peptides. The most active hydrolysate was obtained after sonication-trypsin hydrolysis. The hydrolysate was subjected to fractionation by ultrafiltration. Fraction with molecular weight of

Background & Objectives: Lithium is the metal used in bipolar disorder treatment. As for the prevalence of the disorder infertility (childbearing) age and the use of lithium, this study aimed at studying the effects of drugs on histological changes, and the ovarian function in the first generation of adult female offspring was performed. Materials & Methods: In this experimental study, 40 pregnant mice were divided into 5 groups of 8, including a control group. The control and the experimental groups consumed three dosages of 60, 120, and 180 mg/kg lithium carbonate for 21 days. At the end of the sixth week postpartum, 10 mice were randomly selected from the offspring in each group and were then phlebotomized in order to measure the estrogen, progesterone, FSH, and LH hormones. Their ovaries were removed, and after preparing and staining the tissue sections, the types of follicles were counted. The results were analyzed using SPSS-18 software and ANOVA and Tukey's tests. Finally, the significant difference of data P 0/05 was considered. Results: The results showed that lithium caused a significant increase in the number of atresia follicles and a reduction in primordial, primary, and secondary follicles, graph and corpus luteum, estrogen, progesterone, FSH, and LH hormones in the first generation offspring at P≤ 0/05. Conclusion: Using lithium during pregnancy led to an increase in the atresia follicle and a decrease in other follicles in the first generation offspring; moreover, the sex hormone levels also decreased probably due to the reduction in the follicle and corpus luteum.

Background and Aim: Hop with, scientific name of Humulus Lupulus, has got estrogenic, sedative, hypnotic, and antiseptic properties in the treatment of certain diseases. The present study aimed at assessing the effects of the herb on pituitary–thyroid hormones in adult male rats. Materials and Methods: This experimental study was conducted on 45 adult male Wistar rats. The rats were divided into 5 equal groups including control (no treatment), control (saline) and three experimental groups receiving doses of the hop flower extract 50,100, and 150mg/kg gavage for 10 days, respectively. At the end of the tenth day .,blood samples were derived from the rats’ hearts and their blood hormone concentrations of Thyrotropin (T3), Thyroxine (T4), and Thyrotropin (THS) were measured by means of gamma counter . The obtained data was analysed employing SPSS software (V: 18) using Anova and Tukey. Statistical tests at the significant level P≤0.05. Results: It was found that the experimental groups receiving doses of 150 and 100 mg/kg, their serum hormone levels of T3, T4 and TSH levels significantly reduced (P≥0.05). Conclusion: The results showed that the ethanol extract of hop flowers with a flavonoid phytoestrogens reduce T4, T3 and TSH hormones.

Background and Aim: Valsartan as a receptor antagonist angiotensin-II (AngII) is used to treat blood pressure disorders and affects various tissues of the body. Thus,the present study was performed to investigate the effect of Valsartan on the axis of the pituitary-gonadal axis in mature female rats. Materials and Methods: In this research, 40 mature female Wistar rats were randomly divided into 8 member groups including control, sham and experimental groups. Initially, all the animals were homogenized through intramuscular injection of estradiol valerate and progesterone. Then the animals of sham group daily received 1 ml of olive oil (solvent) and the experimental groups were gavaged daily doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/ Kg Wt , of Valsartan The control group members were not Administered anything. All drugs were administered for 21 days and at the end of the period, through deriving blood from the heart of animals the required serum was prepared by means of relevant hormonal kits to measure the levels of FSH, LH, estrogen and progesterone. The obtained data was evaluated using ANOVA and Tukey tests ,and P< 0/05 was taken as the significant level. Results: Statistical results analysis showed that Valsartan caused a significant reduction in hormones of FSH, LH, estrogen and progesterone. Conclusion: Valsartan , as a receptor antagonist of Ang II inhibits the secretion of gonadotropin hormones and accelerates their effect on blocking the follicular cells of the female sex ,causing the reduction of female hormones.

Introduction:Zolpidem drugs, as a GABA agonist, is one of the antidepressant and hypnotic drugs. Based on the results of the studies, excessive amounts of this drug could affect the amount of normal endocrine activity and its metabolic activities. Hence, there was an attempt in this study to measure the levels of hormonal axis hypothalamus – pituitary – thyroid hormone plasma in adult male rats.Material and Methods:In this research, 50 male mature rats with the weight of 200±10 grams were enrolled as the experiment, witness and control groups. The experimental group was divided into 3 subgroups and 150, 300 and 450 ml per kg of zolpidem was administered orally for 21 days. 0.2 ml distilled water was given to the witness group, but the control group did not receive anything. At the end of 21 days, blood sample was taken from the heart ventral areas and the density of the hormones of T3, T4 and TSH were measured using Eliza method and the commercial kits. The results were evaluated using independent T-test.Results:According to the results of this study, the density of T3 hormones in the experiment group did not show any meaningful differences with the control group, while the density of T4 and TSH hormones showed a meaningful decrease in the experiment and control groups (P

Neurotrophins (NTs) are a family of secreted growth factor proteins primarily involved in the regulation of survival and appropriate development of neural cells, functioning by binding to their specific (TrkA, TtkB, and TrkC) and/or common NGFR receptor. NGFR is the common receptor of NTs, binding with low-affinity to all members of the family. Among different functions assigned to NGFR, it is also involved in apoptosis induction and tumorigenesis processes. Interestingly, some of the functions of NGFR appear to be ligand-independent, suggesting a probable involvement of non-coding RNA residing within the sequence of the gene. Here, we are reporting the existence of a conserved putative microRNA, named Hsa-mir-6165 [EBI accession#: FR873488]. Transfection of a DNA segment corresponding to the pre-mir-6165 sequence in Hela cell line caused the generation of mature exogenous mir-6165 (a ∼200,000 fold overexpression). Furthermore, using specific primers, we succeeded to detect the endogenous expression of mir-6165 in several glioma cell lines and glioma primary tumors known to express NGFR. Similar to the pro-apoptotic role of NGFR in some cell types, overexpression of pre-mir-6165 in U87 cell line resulted in an elevated rate of apoptosis. Moreover, coordinated with the increased level of mir-6165 in the transfected U87 cell line, two of its predicted target genes (Pkd1 and DAGLA) were significantly down-regulated. The latter findings suggest that some of the previously attributed functions of NGFR could be explained indirectly by co-transcription of mir-6165 in the cells.

This paper addresses two questions. Does inflation in Iran stem from fiscal policy? Does inflationary impact depend upon the sources of budget deficit financing? Although the above questions have already been studied, there is no consensus on the findings, since the results are sensitive to the methodologies and the time period covered by the data. This paper employs vector autoregressions, impulse response functions, variance decomposition and cointegration techniques to estimate the short and long term relationship between inflation and a number of fiscal indicators in Iran. The annual data are used over the period 1973 to 2006. Particular emphasis is placed on the government budget deficit predominantly financed by government borrowing. The results indicate that inflation is mostly induced by import prices, oil revenue and government budget deficit.

Background: The do-not-resuscitate (DNR) order in end-stage patients constitutes a critical medical decision, directing healthcare providers to withhold cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in the event of cardiopulmonary arrest upon the patient's request. Objectives: This study aims to analyze the attitudes of healthcare providers and the general population toward the concept of DNR orders in end-stage patients. Methods: Conducted from September 2021 to May 2022, this cross-sectional study aimed to gauge the attitudes of healthcare providers and the general population toward DNR orders in end-stage patients using a questionnaire assessing attitudes toward DNR. The research population included healthcare providers--physicians and nurses--from healthcare centers affiliated with Iran University of Medical Sciences, selected through convenience sampling, and the general population comprising individuals frequenting parks near these healthcare centers within the relevant municipal districts. Results: Among the 164 participating healthcare providers, 139 (84.8%) were female. Participants' ages ranged from 21 to 57 years, with an average age of 36.78 ± 7.79 years. The study found that healthcare providers had a significantly higher average attitude score toward DNR (29.85 ± 9.46) compared to the general population (27.08 ± 9.78). Healthcare providers with adequate financial status exhibited a more positive attitude toward DNR in end-stage patients compared to those with excellent or poor economic status (P = 0.001). Additionally, the relative frequency of individuals experiencing a poor prognosis of disease was significantly lower among healthcare personnel than the general population (P = 0.018). Healthcare providers without family members or friends in their end-stage of life demonstrated a more favorable attitude toward DNR for these patients (P = 0.001). Conclusions: The study revealed that healthcare providers exhibited a significantly more positive attitude toward DNR compared to the general population. Furthermore, healthcare providers experienced a lower relative frequency of individuals facing a poor prognosis of disease compared to the general population. However, the relative frequency of experiencing family members or friends in the end stage did not significantly differ between healthcare providers and the general population. Healthcare providers with less than 2 years or more than 20 years of experience in the medical field demonstrated a more positive attitude toward DNR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]