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ABSTRACT Background and Aim: Gerbillid rodents (Rodentia: Muridae: Gerbillinae) are the most important reservoir hosts of Leishmania major which is the causative agent of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL). Different gerbil species are reservoirs of ZCL in different parts of Iran. Since Jask City is the most important endemic area in Hormozgan Province and eastern part of Iran, the present study was designed to identify the gerbils' fauna in this city and detect the reservoir hosts of ZCL in Jask City. Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive study and the rodents were caught in rectangular wire-mesh traps from different areas of the city. The trapped animals were euthanized under chloroform anesthesia. Duplicate impression smears were prepared from the external ears and their morph metric characteristics were measured and recorded. After dissection of the abdomen of the animals by a scalpel liver and spleen of each animal were removed and preserved in a tube containing 70% ethanol and the whole body was incubated in another tube containing 10% formalin and sent to zoology lab for taxidermy and identification of different species. Impression smears were examined for leishman body by means of a light microscope after Giemsa staining. Small parts of spleen and liver of the animals were homogenized and used for DNA extraction. Whole DNA extracted usnig Proteinase K and Phenol/Chloroform/Isoamyl alcohol methods. The variable segment of minicircles of kinetoplast DNA was proliferated by means of nested-PCR technique using species-specific primers (LIN R4-LIN 17 –Lin 19). Results: All the 106 rodents in this study belonged to five species. Meriones persicus was the dominant species (27.35%). Microscopic examination detected the leptomonads in a female specimen of Tatera indica (3.7%), a female specimen of Meriones hurricane (3.85%) and a male specimen of Gerbillus nanus species (5.88%), while leishmania kinetoplast DNA was detected in one femalespecimen of T.indica, 2 female specimens (7/69%) of M.hurrianae, and one female and one male specimen (11/76%) of G.nanus species. The parasites were identified as L. major. Conclusion: Different species of gerbil rodents are active and abundant in the vicinity of human residential areas in Jask City. T. indica, M. hurricane and G. nanus species are reservoir hosts of ZCL in this endemic area. In this study we used molecular assay for detection of ZCL reservoir hosts for the first time in south east part of the country. Infection of G. nanus by L. major was detected for the first time in the world. Key Words: Zoonotic Cutaneous Leishmaniasis, Leishmania major, tatera indica, Meriones hurricane, Gerbillus nanus, Nested PCR, Jask, Iran. Conflict of Interest: Nill Received: Dec 25, 2010 Accepted: Apr 6, 2011

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Background and Aim: Human is always exposed to natural background ionizing radiation which may have harmful effects therefore, measurement of the natural background radiation is important. In this study, was measured the dose of effective natural background gamma radiation in indoor residential zones of Hamadan Province. Material and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we selected four stations along the main geographic directions and one in the center of city for measurement of the indoor dose rate in each of the cities in Hamadan Province. Based on the household numbers, some houses were selected randomly in every station and natural background indoor dose was measured by using RDS-110 survey meter. Then, using the results of our previous study about measuring the level of outdoor natural gamma radiation in this province, we determined the level of annual effective exposure dose from natural gamma radiation in Hamadan residents. Results: In Hamadan province cities, maximum and minimum indoor natural background radiation (gamma ray) belonged to Razan City (1.41±0.079 mSv) and Asadabad City (0.955±0.044 mSv), respectively. Mean annual equivalent indoor dose in Hamadan Province was 1.20±0.070 mSv. Also the maximum indoor natural background radiation dose (gamma ray) in the buildings with the age of more and less than 25 years were 1.42±0.219 mSv and 1.44±0.149 mSv, respectively. According to the results of this study and our previous study about outdoor gamma natural background radiation, the annual effective dose in Hamadan Province residents was 0.83 mSv. Conclusion: According to the results of this study, it seems that annual effective equivalent dose due to indoor gamma radiation in Hamadan Province exceeded the mean external exposure amount reported by UNSCEAR (0.5 mSv). Also the annual effective dose due to gamma background radiation in Hamadan Province residents is 0.83 mSv, which is higher than the global average (0.48 mSv) reported by UNSCEAR – 2000. Therefore epidemiological studies to assess the prevalence of chronic diseases associated with natural radiation exposure among Hamadan Province residents are recommended. Received: May 21, 2013 Accepted: Nov 30, 2013 Conflict of interest: None declared

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Background and Aim: Malassezia furfur is the cause of pityriasis versicolor. Phenolic compounds in the walnut leaf have antimicrobial effects. The purpose of this study was to examine the antifungal effects of alcoholic and aqueous extracts of walnut leaf on M. furfur, in vitro. Material and Method:Alcoholic and aqueous extracts of walnut leaf were prepared by simple distillation and Rotary method and then we studied the antifungal effects of these extracts on M. furfur by using disc and Well method, in vitro. Then the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal fungicidal concentration (MFC) were determined. SPSS18 software, two-way ANOVA and Bonferroni test were used for data analysis. Result:The largest growth inhibition zone diameters for water, ethanolic and methanolic extracts were 30, 28.66and 46.33 mm, respectively, that were observed at a concentration of 110 mg/ml. MIC of aqueous extract for M. furfur was 25×103 mg/ml and its MFC was 5×104 mg/ml. The MIC and MFC of walnut leaf ethanolic extract were 6250 and 125×102 mg/ml, respectively. Also MIC and MFC of methanolic extract were 25×103 and 5×103 mg/ml, respectively. Statistical results showed that extracts had a different effect on the diameter of inhibition zones and increased concentration of the extracts led to increased inhibition zone diameters (p<0.05). Conclusion:According to the results of this study, extracts of walnut leaf can be a promising therapy in the future for the treatment of infections caused by M. furfur. Keywords:Antifungal effect, Walnut leaf, Extract, Malassezia furfur Received: Apr16, 2014 Accepted: Nov17, 2014

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Background and Aim: Artificial gamete production from stem cells is a novel strategy for treatment of infertility. Among various stem cell sources, embryonic stem cells (ESC) can be considered as an appropriate source for in vitro formation of germ cells. In this study we evaluated the effect of BMP4 on proliferation and differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells into primordial germ cells (PGCs).
Materials and Methods: Embryonic stem cells (ESC) were cultured in ES medium. At first, embryoid bodies (EBs) were formed by hanging drop method, and then were differentiated into primordial germ cells at different concentrations of BMP4 (10, 50 and 100 ng/ml). The viability and proliferation rate of treated cells with BMP4 were evaluated by MTT assay. The EBs were cultured in induction medium. Expression of Oct4، Stella and Mvh genes were evaluated by real time PCR.
Results: In the group treated with BMP4 for 7 days, maximum cell viability was detected at the concentration of 10ng/ml. But the groups treated with100ng/ml of BMP4 showed minimum cell viability. Maximum expression of Stella and Mvh genes were detected at the concentration of 10ng/ml of BMP4 in the treated group.
Conclusion: The results showed that BMP4 can promote proliferation and differentiation of ES in vitro. Also different concentrations of BMP4 showed different effects on in vitro differentiation of ES into germ cells.

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Background and Aim: Asthma and allergy caused by arthropods are among the most common disorders which affect millions of people around the world. Among these diseases, respiratory allergic diseases and inhaled allergens are of particular importance. In this study we investigated all of the biotic and abiotic factors affecting the incidence and prevalence of allergen-related diseases, with emphasis on the arthropods allergens in the living environments of the patients referring to Imam Reza Clinic of Asthma and Allergy in Shiraz.
Materials and Methods: We selected 100 patients who had positive allergy skin tests to at least one of the house dust mites or cockroaches randomly. After informed consent, the patients filled out a previously designed questionnaire.
Results: Place of residence (city and village) and type of air-conditioning system showed a significant relationship with the severity of contamination with cockroaches in the settlements of the patients (P value= 0.028 and 0.007). There was a significant relationship between the place of residence and the presence of mites (P value= 0.001). Also lighting and ventilation of the patients' houses showed a strong correlation with the presence of mites. All (100%) of the places in which mites were found had a poor and very poor condition in regard to lighting and ventilation.
Conclusion: Lack of adequate light and ventilation in the patients' houses found to be the main causes of asthma and allergy in the patients. In general, due to the high abundance of some arthropods such as flies (Diptera), ant, silver fish, etc. in the houses of these patients, it can be assumed that arthropods other than mites and cockroaches may exacerbate allergic complications in the susceptible patients.
 

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Background and Aim: Osteoporosis is one of the most common bone diseases that is caused by an imbalance between the activity of osteoblasts and osteoclasts. Osteoprotegerin (OPG) plays an active role in inhibiting osteoclasts by binding to the receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL). The balance in the OPG/RANKL ratio is important in bone remodeling. The current study investigated and compared the effects of mumie extract and chemical drugs on cell proliferation, expression of OPG and RANKL in MG63 cells.
Materials and Methods: The effects of 100, 200 and 300 μg/ml of mumie extract on cell proliferation, expression of OPG and RANKL in MG63 cells were investigated in experimental groups, positive and negative control groups. Data were analyzed by ANOVA test.
Results: Significant increases were observed in the proliferation of MG63 cells after exposure to 100 and 200 μg/ml concentrations of mumie extract. 200 μg/ml concentration of the extract significantly decreased the expression of RANKL and increased the expression of OPG. It also increased OPG/RANKL ratio significantly in the experimental groups, compared to those in the negative control groups. Although the effects of 100 μg/ml and 200 μg/ml concentrations were similar to each other, they showed no significant effects on the variables. 300 μg/ml concentration of the extract showed a reverse and insignificant effect.
Conclusion: 200 μg/ml concentration of mumie extract had a significant effect on the expression of two important factors in bone remodeling. Therefore, individuals susceptible to osteoporosis can use mumie extract as an alternative to chemical drugs.
 

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Background and Aim: Surgically induced menopause after bilateral oophorectomy, leads to a sudden drop in the secretion of sex hormones from the ovaries. Hysterectomy is another surgical procedure that leads to menopause, without an abrupt drop in the secretion of sex hormones. The aim of this study was to compare the prevalence rates of metabolic disorders between hysterectomized and oophorectomized women.
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study included postmenopausal women participating in Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study. Initially, 549 surgically induced postmenopausal women (age range of 20-70 years) entered the study. Then, all the subjects with menopausal age of 50 years or older were excluded. Data were extracted from Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study Questionnaires.
Results: The mean age of the participants and age at menopause were 60.8 ± 9.8 and 43.7 ±4.6 years, respectively. The prevalence rate of the metabolic syndrome in the postmenopausal women who had undergone bilateral oophorectomy (71.3%) was higher than that in the hysterectomized women (66.5%), but this difference was not significant. Prevalence of pre-hypertension was higher in the oophorectomized women after adjusting for confounding variables (31.7% vs. 23.0%, P = 0.01).
Conclusion: Our findings showed the prevalence rate of pre-hypertension was higher in oophorectomized women. Therefore, screening measures for the prevention of this disorder in these women are necessary.

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Background and Aim: Thyroid hormones play an important role in the development and maturation of the central nervous system before and after birth. There is not enough scientific evidence about the effect of subclinical hypothyroidism on neurocognitive development in offsprings. This systematic review was conducted to assess the effect of maternal subclinical hypothyroidism on the neurocognitive development of children.
Materials and Methods: In this systematic review, the PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases as well as SID, Irandoc, and Magiran (Persian databases) were searched for the English and Persian related articles using appropriate keywords. In the current systematic review, of 411 records obtained through primary searching, 9 eligible cohort studies were evaluated. The quality of articles was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale.
Results: Different studies have used different scales to evaluate the neurodevelopment of offsprings with different age ranges at the time of assessment. The results of 5 of the 9 selected studies indicated a lower IQ and neurodevelopment scores in the children born to mothers with subclinical hypothyroidism than in those born to euthyroid mothers. In four studies, there was no difference in neurodevelopment scores in the offsprings between the two groups.
Conclusions: There is no consensus about the impact of maternal subclinical hypothyroidism on neonatal neurodevelopment. Considering the limitations of the current methods for assessment of neurocognitive development of children, the use of new biochemical parameters for precise and early evaluation of neurocognitive development in offsprings should be taken into consideration.

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Background and Aim: studies show that antioxidants prevent conversion of NO3/NO2 to nitrosamines compounds. tha aim of this study was to determine the potential effect of interaction between dietary intakes of vitamin C and NO3/NO2 on urinary and serum levels of NO3/NO2.
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study included 251 adults aged >19 years was performed in the phase 6 of  the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study in 2015. Food intake was assessed using a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. The average daily intake of nitrate and nitrite and vitamin C was estimated. Serum and urine levels of nitrate and nitrite were measured using  the Grease method. In order to determine the effect of vitamin C on the interaction of nitrate and nitrite in urine and serum, linear regression test was used to modify the effects of confounders.
Results: There was a significant correlation between intake of nitrate and its urine level, above the median level of vitamin C intake (B = 0/004, P-value = 0/004). Also, this correlation remained significant after adjusting for age, sex, body mass index, calorie intake (B = 0.03, P-value = 0/001). The effect of vitamin C interactions on nitrate intake and urine level in the adjusted model for nitrate and nitrite was also found to be significant (B = 0/003 P-value = 0/001).
Conclusion: Increased intake of vitamin C significantly increases urinary excretion of nitrate and it is effective in  the interaction between dietary intakes and urinary excretion of nitrate.

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Background and Aim: Selenium poisoning can occur in human and animals due to excess intake of selenium compounds. Considering the tissue oxidative damage in toxic amounts of Selenium, the present study was conducted to evaluated the effect of Beta vulgaris extract, a plant containing antioxidant compounds, on the treatment of experimentally induced selenosis. 
Materials and Methods: In this study, 32 rats were divided into four equal groups: control group, the second group received 6 mg/kg  of sodium selenite daily, the third and fourth groups received the same amount of sodium selenite along with the oral administration of 240 and 500 mg/kg of hydroalcoholic extract of Beta vulgaris respectively, for ten days. At the end of the study, serum levels of total bilirubin, aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), malondialdehyde (MDA), Glutathione peroxidase (GPX), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) were measured. Pathologic changes in liver, kidney, heart, brain, lung, skin tissues and hair were evaluated. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey's post-hoc test. P< 0.05 was considered significant.
Results: Serum levels of total bilirubin, AST, ALT, and ALP in the group receiving extract at the dose of 500 mg/kg along with sodium selenite showed a significant decrease compared to those in the group receiving sodium selenite (P < 0.05). Concentrations of GPX, SOD, and CAT in the group receiving sodium selenite and the extract at the dose of 500 mg/kg were significantly higher than those in the group receiving sodium selenite alone (P < 0.05). Also in this group pathologic changes in the above mentioned tissues were significantly reduced compared to those in the group receiving Selenium alone(P < 0.05).
Conclusion: The results revealed that Beta vulgaris extract can reduce the biochemical, oxidative stress and pathological effects of experimental selenosis

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Background and Aim: Diabetes is a metabolic disease with high blood sugar levels. Olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) are able to express various growth factors and integrin-linked kinase (ILK) plays an important role in regulating various processes of cells. In this study, we investigated the effects of silybinin on the expression of vascular-endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and ILK under normal and high glucose conditions in OECs.

Materials and Methods: In this study, OECs were extracted from the olfactory mucosa of neonatal rats and cultured. Low (1,5M) and high (50,75 µM) concentrations of silybinin were added to the cell culture media under normal and high glucose conditions. At the end of the study, we measured the expression of VEGF and ILK proteins using western blot technique. Data were analyzed by ANOVA test.

Results: Under high glucose conditions, low concentrations of silybinin maintained expression and at high concentrations silybinin caused a dose-dependent decrease in ILK significantly. However, under high glucose conditions, low concentrations of silybinin significantly decreased expression of VEGF but high concentrations of silybinin caused a significant dose- dependent increase in VEGF expression.

Conclusion: High glucose condition increased ILK and VEGF expression in the OECs, and treatment with lower concentrations of silybinin maintained ILK expression and decreased VEGF expression. Therefore, it seems that lower concentrations of silybinin can be effective in protecting cells from cytotoxicity due to diabetes hyperglycemia by stabilizing ILK and reducing VEGF levels.