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Hemodialysis catheter-related infections are associated with increased morbidity and mortality in end-stage renal disease patients. Here we present a case of an end-stage renal disease patient who presented with fever and weakness. During workup, we found a deeply inserted jugular vein double lumen catheter into the inferior vena cava that was complicated by infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There is an increasing concern over acute exposure of amphetamine and its derivative such as 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) on male reproductive toxicity. Supplementary vitamins can reduce the oxidative stresses and repair the damages on reproductive organs. This experimental study was conducted to evaluate the effects of folic acid (FA) on reproductive indices, the antioxidant enzyme activities, and histological changes of testis on adult male rats treated by MDMA. Methods: This experimental study was conducted on adult male Wistar rats. Animals were divided into 4 groups: control, MDMA, FA, and MDMA + FA. Animals received a dose of 10 mg/kg of MDMA and 1 mg/kg of FA for 7 or 14 days. Rats were anesthetized and sperm quality parameters (number, concentration, motility, and morphology), spermatogenesis indices [the mean seminiferous tubule diameter (MSTD), spermiogenesis index (SI), repopulation index (RI), and tubular differentiation index (TDI)], changes on testicular structure, antioxidant enzyme activities of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and malondialdehyde (MDA) beside serum level of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and testosterone were measured. Data were analyzed, using the one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and SPSS software. Findings: MDMA (both 7 and 14 days) caused significant changes in sperm quality (P < 0.001), spermatogenesis indices (P < 0.001), testicular histopathology, and level of LH, FSH, testosterone beside the antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, CAT, and MDA) (P < 0.001). Supplementation of FA in association with MDMA partially reversed these parameters and made them close to the control group. Conclusion: The results suggested that FA could reduce the adverse effect of MDMA on reproductive ability in adult male rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Methamphetamine (METH) is a widely addictive and abused psychostimulant drug that affects organs of body. In this study, the effects of METH administration for 7, 14, and 28 days on the histological and functional changes of the liver and pancreas of adult male rats were investigated. Methods: In this experimental study, 58 adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into seven groups including control (received no treatment), vehicle (received saline for 7, 14, and 28 days), and METH (received METH with a dose of 5 ml/kg, IP for 7, 14 or 28 days). Sampling from the liver and pancreas tissues was done after the above-mentioned times for each group, then, tissue samples were stained by H&E technique and evaluated for structural changes, as well as the evaluation of biochemical factors including SGPT, SGOT, and amylase enzymes. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA, using SPSS software version 20. Statistical significant level was considered at P<0.05. Results: In this study, METH caused a significant structural change in the liver and pancreas in the METH-treated groups compared with the control group. Functional changes depended on the length of treatment, with the 7-day treatment group having less damage than the 14- and 28-day periods. Conclusion: According to the results of the present study, methamphetamine administration for 7, 14, and 28 days had adverse effects on the rats liver and pancreas structure and their enzymes (SGPT, SGOT, and amylase). Therefore, underlying mechanism need further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Opium, as the most widely known opioid in the world, has significant effects on reproductive organs, which can affect fertility and influence the next generation. This study was performed to investigate the effects of opium administration on histological changes and spermatogenesis indexes in the testis of adult male rats. Methods:A total of 50 adult male Wistar rats were used. Animals were divided into 5 groups (n=10). Control (intact), Vehicle (received saline for 7 and 14 days) and Opium (received 2 mg/kg opium i.p. For 7 and 14 days) groups. Sample of testes were stained by H&E, then the number of spermatogonia, spermatocytes and Leydig cells were counted and spermatogenesis indexes which included tubular differentiation index (TDI), spermatogenesis index (SI), repopulation index (RI) and means of seminiferous tubules diameter (MSTD) were determined. Results: In opium groups, the number of seminiferous tubules cells and spermatogenesis decreased compared with the control group (P<0.001). Moreover, the results showed that TDI, SI, RI and STD parameters significantly decreased in 7th and 14th days, compared with the control group (P<0.001). Conclusion: The data showed the adverse effects of opium administration (for 7 and 14 days) on spermatogenesis and its indexes in rat testis tissue. The underlying mechanisms need further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Activation of IKK/NF-kB signaling pathway plays a critical role in inflammation-driven tumor progression. Several natural compounds able to inhibit the IKK/NF-kB activation pathway have been shown to either prevent cancer or inhibit cell growth. Extensive studies have been carried out on the Nigella sativa (N. sativa) by many researchers, and its pharmacological activities including anticancer, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory functions have been explored. This study investigated the effect of N. sativa extract on the mRNA level of NFk (p50, RelB) and IKK (IKKA, IKKB) to determine one of the anti-inflammatory mechanisms of N. sativa in breast cancer cells. Methods: In this experimental study, MCF7 cell line was treated with different concentrations of hydroalcoholic extracts of N. sativa (0, 200, 400,600,800 µg/mL) for 24, 48 and 72 h. Effects of the extract on cell viability and NFk (p50, RelB ) and IKK (IKKA, IKKB) gene expression were analyzed by MTT assay and real time PCR, respectively. Results: mRNA expression levels of NFk (p50, RelB) and IKK (IKKA, IKKB) in the treatment group were lower than the untreated (control) group. Fold difference (p50, RelB) of gene expressions in treatment groups were statistically significant (P =0.001 and P =0.003) and the fold difference of IKK (IKKA, IKKB) in the treatment groups was lower than that of the untreated groups (P=0.01 and P=0.001). Conclusion: One possible anti-inflammatory mechanism of N. sativa is associated with the reduction in mRNA levels of NFk (p50, RelB) and IKK (IKKA, IKKB) in breast cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Previous studies have reported the antifertility activities of sulfonamides. This study was designed to evaluate the effects of co-trimoxazole and its co-administration with folic acid on ovarian tissue in female rats. Methods: A total of 54 rats were randomly divided into 9 groups (n=6). Group I served as the control and group II (vehicle) received saline. Other groups, III to IX, received co-trimoxazole (30, 60, and 120 mg/kg; i.p.), folic acid (1 mg/kg; i.p.) or their combination for 14 days, respectively. The oocytes were obtained from each group at the end of the 14th days and scored for maturational status as germinal vesicle (GV), metaphase I (MI), or metaphase II (MII). The number of primordial follicle (PrF), primary follicle (PF), and secondary follicle in formalin-fixed ovaries were counted under light microscopy. The data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA followed by post-hoc Dunnet test using SPSS statistical software (version 17.0). Results were considered statistically significant at P<0.05. Results: Co-trimoxazole (60 and 120 mg/kg) treatment for 14 days caused a significant decrease in the number of GV (P=0.02, P<0.001), MI and MII (P=0.03, P<0.001), a significant increase in structural abnormalities, including PrF, PF and secondary follicle (P<0.001) as well as congestion, inflammation and necrosis of ovarian tissue compared to the vehicle group. Folic acid co-administration with co-trimoxazole reversed partially all these parameters compared to the co-trimoxazole group (P<0.001). Conclusion: The data showed the adverse effects of co-trimoxazole on the ovarian maturational status and tissue structure which was reversed partially by folic acid co-administration in rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Methamphetamine (MAMP) as a recreational drug has devastating effects on the central nervous system (CNS). Several studies have shown that MAMP has inhibitory effects on oogenesis and spermatogenesis, and causes impaired fertility. This study designed to investigate the effect of mAM Padministration on histological changes and spermatogenesis indices in the testis of adult male rats. Methods: In this experimental study, 50 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into control (received no treatment, n = 10), vehicle (received saline for 7 and 14 days, n = 20), and experimental group [received MAMP, 5 ml/kg, intraperitoneal (IP) for 7 and 14 days, n = 20]. Testicular tissue samples were stained by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) technique. For histological study, we counted the number of spermatogonia, spermatocytes and Leydig cells. Spermatogenesis indices which include: tubular differentiation index (TDI), spermiogenesis index (SI), repopulation index (RI) and the mean seminiferous tubules diameter (MSTD) were studied. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA, using SPSS software. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Findings: This study showed that MAMP caused a significant decrease in number of seminiferous tubules cells and spermatogenesis in treated group compared with the control group. Moreover, results showed a significant decrease in spermatogenesis indices including TDI, SI, RI, and MSTD in 14th day, compared to control group (P < 0.001). Conclusion: The data showed the adverse effects of MAMP administration (for 7 and 14 days) on testes structure and spermatogenesis indices in rat testis tissue. The underlying mechanism(s) needs further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Different techniques have been proposed for the treatment of gingival recession. The majority of current procedures use autogenous soft.tissue grafts, which are associated with morbidity at the donor sites. Acellular dermal matrix (ADM) Alloderm is an alternative donor material presented to reduce related morbidity and provide more volume of the donor tissue. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of an ADM allograft for root coverage and to compare it with a connective tissue graft (CTG), when used with a double papillary flap. Materials and Methods: Sixteen patients with bilateral class I or II gingival recessions were selected. A total of 32 recessions were treated and randomly assigned into the test and contralateral recessions into the control group. In the control group, the exposed root surfaces were treated by the placement of a CTG in combination with a double papillary flap; and in the test group, an ADM allograft was used as a substitute for palatal donor tissue. Probing depth, clinical attachment level, width of keratinized tissue (KT), recession height and width were measured before, and after 2 weeks and 6 months of surgery. Results: There were no statistically significant differences between the test and control groups in terms of recession reduction, clinical attachment gain, and reduction in probing depth. The control group had a statistically significant increased area of KT after 6 months compared to the test group. Conclusion: ADM allograft can be considered as a substitute for palatal donor tissue in root coverage procedure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Methamphetamine (METH) is a widely addictive and abused psychostimulant drug that affects organs of body. In this study, the effects of METH administration for 7, 14, and 28 days on the histological and functional changes of the liver and pancreas of adult male rats were investigated. Methods: In this experimental study, 58 adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into seven groups including control (received no treatment), vehicle (received saline for 7, 14, and 28 days), and METH (received METH with a dose of 5 ml/kg, IP for 7, 14 or 28 days). Sampling from the liver and pancreas tissues was done after the above-mentioned times for each group, then, tissue samples were stained by H&E technique and evaluated for structural changes, as well as the evaluation of biochemical factors including SGPT, SGOT, and amylase enzymes. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA, using SPSS software version 20. Statistical significant level was considered at P<0. 05. Results: In this study, METH caused a significant structural change in the liver and pancreas in the METH-treated groups compared with the control group. Functional changes depended on the length of treatment, with the 7-day treatment group having less damage than the 14- and 28-day periods. Conclusion: According to the results of the present study, methamphetamine administration for 7, 14, and 28 days had adverse effects on the rats liver and pancreas structure and their enzymes (SGPT, SGOT, and amylase). Therefore, underlying mechanism need further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Male infertility has been reported following long-term sulfasalazine, however, the precise effects of co-trimoxazole on sperm quality is controversial. Objective: In this study, we evaluated the effects of co-trimoxazole and its coadministration with folic acid on sperm quality and histological changes of testes in male rats. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 136 male Wistar rats were divided into 9 groups: I (control), II (vehicle) received saline, III: received folic acid (1 mg/kg /daily i.p., and IV- IX received co-trimoxazole (30, 60, and 120 mg/kg/daily; i.p.)+folic acid (1 mg/kg/daily; i.p.) for 14 or 28 days. Sperm samples were obtained from each group at the end of 14th and 28thdays. Sperm numbers, motility, and viability were evaluated on a hemocytometer. Hematoxylin and Eosin stained testes were done for evaluation ofthe number of Leydig cells, vascularity, spermatids, spermatocytes, and means of seminiferous tubules diameter under light microscopy. Results: Co-trimoxazole treatment for either 14 or 28 days caused a significant decrease in the percentage of sperm number, motility, and viability (p<0.001) compared to the control group. Also, high doses of co-trimoxazole caused a significant decrease in testes structural abnormalities means of seminiferous tubules diameter, spermatids, and spermatogonia) compared to the vehicle group (p<0.001). Folic acid co-administration with co-trimoxazole partially reversed the decrease in sperm quality and structural abnormalities of high doses of co-trimoxazole (60 and 120 mg/kg/daily) (p<0.001). Conclusion: The data showed the adverse effects of co-trimoxazole on sperm quality and testes morphology which was protected partially by folic acid coadministration in rats. The underlying mechanism (s) needs further investigations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]