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ABSTRACT Introduction & Objective: Visceral Leishmaniasis (kala-azar) is endemic in some areas of Iran, including: Ardebil, Fars, East Azerbaijan and Bushehr provinces and it’s sporadic in other regions. The causative agent of kala-azar in Iran is Leishmania infantum and its main reservoirs are canine. Materials and Methods: In this survey, blood samples were collected from all children of 10 years old and 10% of the adult population of Qahan district villages drawn by systematic sampling. Besides, blood samples were collected from all owner dogs of Anjile and some randomized samples of Nevis plus Qahan villages. The specimens were subjected to direct agglutination test (DAT). Results: Of the 416 human samples, 315 samples belonged to children 10 years old and 101 samples to adults. 226 (54.3%) out of 416 samples were prepared from males and 190 (45.7%) from females. Totally, 7 cases (1.7%) of human samples showed specific Leishmania antibodies with titers 1:3200 and above by DAT. Of the 32 dog samples, 8 cases (25%) showed specific Leishmania antibodies with titers 1: 320 or above. Two cases of seropositive dogs were necropsied and examined by parasitological procedures, and found to be highly infected by Leishmania. Conclusion: Results of this study showed that dogs are the main sources of infection for human visceral leishmaniasis in these regions.Likewise, kala-azar is endemic in Qahan district villages, especially in Anjile and Nevis villages, and visceral leishmaniasis is more prevalent in canine and children and also in males. These regions identified as new endemic focus of VL in Iran.

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ABSTRACT: Introduction & Objective: The infertility treatment by using in vitro matured oocyte has many potential applications. It minimizes the risk of ovarian hyper stimulation and is an alternative treatment for women with polycystic ovarian syndrome who may have problems regarding stimulation for IVF. This method may prove important for subjects in need of fertility preservation and also provides information about the final stage of oocyte maturation. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of HCG on the rate of in vitro matured oocyte and 8 cell embryos mediated by ICSI. Materials & Methods: This experimental study was done in Montaserieh IVF center and Islamic Azad University at Mashhad. One hundred sixty eight immature oocytes aspirated from women undergoing IVF cycles were divided into 3 equal groups and allocated for maturation in 3 medium cultures. All of 3 culture groups contained G1 medium supplemented with HSA 10% (Human Serum Albumin). Control group had no gonadotropin, but the first experimental group contained HCG 10 IU/ml and the second experimental group contained HCG 5 IU/ml. Matured oocytes were fertilized by ICSI and numbers of 8-cell embryos were investigated 72 hours after fertilization by invert microscope. Results: The results showed that both of the HCG concentrations significantly increased the rate of matured oocytes and also the rate of 8-cell embryos with respect to control group (p<0.05). No significant differences were found in rate of matured oocytes between the two experimental groups (p>0.05) while the number of 8-cell embryos was significantly higher in HCG 5IU/ml with respect to HCG 10IU/ml and control group (p<0.05) Conclusion :The results suggests that both of the HCG concentrations increase the rate of maturation of immature oocytes and the rate of 8-cell embryos but HCG (5IU/ml) has more effect on the number of 8-cell embryos mediated by ICSI.

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Introduction & Objective: Umbilical cord blood (UCB) is a source of Hematopoietic Stem Cells (HSC) and progenitor cells that can reconstitute the hematopoietic system in patients with malignant and nonmalignant disorders. Mesenchymal stem cell-derived from umbilical cord blood (UCB) have been differentiated to some kind of cells, such as osteobblast, adipoblast and chondroblast in Vitro. This study examined the differentiation of Umbilical Cord Blood (UCB) derived stem cells to functional hepatocytes. Materials & Methods: The present study was an experimental study which was carried out in the Payam-e-Noor University of Tehran in cooperation with Hamedan University of Medical Sciences in 2008. Umbilical cord blood (UCB) was obtained from Fatemieh hospital (Hamadan, Iran). Stem cells were isolated from the cord blood by combining density gradient centrifugation with plastic adherence. When the isolated cells reached 80% confluence, they differentiated to hepatocyte like cells. The medium which was used was consists of DMEM and 10% Fetal Bovine Serum (FBS) supplemented with 20 ng/mL Hepatocyte Growth Factor (HGF), 10 ng/mL basic Fibroblast Growth Factor (bFGF) and 20 ng/mL Oncostatin M (OSM).The medium was changed every 3 days and stored for Albumin (ALB), Alpha Fetoprotein (AFP), Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), and urea assay. Finally PAS stain was done to study Glycogen storage in the differentiated cell. Results: Measurement of biochemical factors in different days showed that concentration of albumin (ALB), alpha fetoprotein (AFP), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and Urea gradually increased. Also, PAS staining showed the storage of glycogen in these cells. Conclusion: Stem cell-derived from human umbilical cord blood (HUCB) is a new source of cell types for cell transplantation therapy of hepatic diseases and under certain conditions these cells can differentiate into liver cells.

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Introduction & Objective: Visceral Leishmaniasis (kala-azar) is the most important endemic disease in Northwestern Iran, particularly in Ardabil province. This study aimed to review the seroepidemiological studies which have been performed in Ardabil province during 1986-2009. Materials & Methods: In this descriptive analytical study, studies which have been carried out from 1986 through 2009 in Northwestern Iran about clinical, diagnostic and epidemiological features of Kala azar, using DAT, were reviewed. Collected data were analyzed using the SPSS software. Results: in total, 2703 of human visceral leishmaniasis were detected by direct agglutination test (DAT) in Ardabil province, 1787 (66.1%) of them were from Meshkin-shahr district, 837 (31%) cases were from Moghan district, and 79 (2.9%) cases were from Ardabil district. Ninety eight percent of the cases were under 10 years old while only 0.5% of the VL cases were ≥20 years old and 17% of them were under 1 year of age. Conclusion: Currently Kala-Azar is the most important endemic disease in Northwestern Iran, particularly in Ardabil province. Anti-Leishmania antibodies at the titers of ≥1:3200 using DAT along with clinical signs including fever, anemia and hepatosplenomegaly are considered as active visceral leishmaniasis. DAT antibody titer of 1/800 and lower and absent of clinical signs is considered as negative VL.

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Abstract Background & aim: According to the hypothesis that leishmania parasites can be escaped from immune system covered by blood group antigens (ABO) to prevent its recognition by the immune system. The aim of this study was to show the associated blood groups with symptomatic or asymptomatic visceral leishmaniasis due to Leishmania infantum in human. Methods: In this cross-sectional study the population was divided into two groups. The first group included 54 patients with kala-azar (antibody against Leishmania titers ≥1:3200 by TDA with clinical specificity) and the second group consisted of 45 subjects infected with Leishmania infantum (Leishmania antibody titers of1: 800 and 1:1600 by DAT method and non-specific symptoms). The distribution of the 4 main blood groups ABO type, sex, age, presence or absence of symptoms, clinical signs, and response to Glucantim therapy and DAT results were evaluated. Data were analyzed by chi-square test. Results: Most of the patients in group 1 were blood group A (37%) and the lowest number of blood group were B (12.8%). In the second group, most of the ABO blood group A (42.2%) and lowest in the ABO blood group AB (8.9%).There was no significant association between blood groups and clinical symptoms (p>0.05). Conclusion: This study showed that there is no association between blood group and incidence of symptomatic and asymptomatic kala-azar. Key words: Leishmania Infantum, Kala-azar, Blood Group, Human

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Backgrounds & aim: Sporadic Alzheimer's is known as a new type of devastating disease that the impairment of the insulin signaling pathway may be one of factors causing it. The aim of study was to determine the impact of humanin on spatial memory impairment induced by intraventricular injection of streptozotocin in rats. Methods: In this experimental study 42 male rats weighing 250 to 300 g were selected and then cannule implanted bilaterally into their lateral ventricles. STZ or saline was injected in lateral ventricle every other day for the first and the third days. Humanin drug was injected at doses (0.01, 0.05, 0.1and 1 n/mol) from days four until fourteenth. From day 14th to 17th the animal spatial memory was studied using water maze method. Data were analyzed by repeated measure and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Tukey's test. Results: Groups treated with humanin at doses 0.01, 0.05, 0.1 and 1 n/mol could not significant improved spatial memory deficits induced by STZ. Conclusion: Humanin with its known neuroprotective effects could not improve spatial memory deficits induced by intra-cerebroventricular STZ.

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Abstract
Background and Aim: Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer that is the first cause of mortality among women in the world and the seventh rank among all cancers. One of the risk factors for cervical cancer is infection with the papilloma virus. On the other hand, microRNAs have been suggested as new markers for cervical cancer diagnosis. Meanwhile, microRNA129-2 is a cellular proliferation inhibitor and an invertebrate cellular agent. The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of microRNA129-2 in women with papilloma virus infected cervical cancer and compare it with women with cervical cancer without infection with papilloma virus and healthy group.
 
Methods: In this semi-experimental study, 20 paraffin tissue samples from women with papilloma virus infected cervical cancer, 20 samples of paraffin tissue from women with cervical cancer without infection of the papilloma virus and 20 samples of normal pap smear from Mirzakochek Khan Hospital The forest was collected in Tehran in 1394. After de-paraffinization, extraction of RNA was performed and expression of miR129-2 was investigated using Real Time PCR method among the groups. Data was analyzed using Grafpad prism6 software.
 
Results: According to the results a significant decrease was seen in the expression of this gene in infected patients compared to control group (p = 0.0004). Also, expression of miR129-2 in infected tissues of papilloma viruses was reduced in comparison with non-contaminated cancerous tissues (p = 0.0001). Although this decrease in expression was observed between the patients without infection with the papilloma virus and the control group, it was not statistically significant (p = 0.083). There was no significant relationship between expression of miR129-2 with age (p = 0.99) and grade of disease (p = 0.39).
 
Conclusion: Considering the reduced expression of miR129-2 in cancerous samples, the expression of miR129-2 expression can be considered as a valuable initial diagnostic agent and it plays an important role in determining the prognosis of cervical cancer.

 

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Abstract                
Background & aim: Caring is a science that encompasses human beings, reflecting experiences and phenomena in caring including: art and humanity. Humanity in the interpersonal interactions of the heart and the spirit of care and is an opportunity care for humanity to emerge and grow.  The purpose of this study was to determine the human care needs of burn victims.
 
Methods: This is a qualitative study in which purposeful sampling with maximum diversity was used. Data were collected through 18 unstructured in-depth interviews with second-degree burn patients admitted to Taleghani burn hospital in Ahvaz using purposive sampling method. In the research they answered. The collected data were analyzed using conventional content analysis approach by Elo and Kingas method.
 
Results: From the interviews, 564 initial codes were obtained. These codes were subdivided into 10 subcategories, four main categories and one theme in the analysis process. The main categories included the need for appropriate communication, accountability in care, care in new ways, observance of sexuality in care, and the theme of human care.
 
Conclusion:Using extracted classes, it can be said that patients, as a human being, have the right to receive care in their own blood, and measures should be taken by the stakeholders to provide human care to those suffering from burns.
 
 
 

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Background & aim: Angiogenesis is the production of new blood vessels from existing vessels. Angiogenesis depends on the balance between its activating and inhibitory factors. Endostatin, a 20-kDa fragment of collagen XVIII, is a member of the angiogenesis inhibitory protein group that inhibits endothelial cell proliferation and migration and tubular-like structure. The use of colorimetric methods by fluorescent probes as a tracer is widespread, so the aim of this study was to determine and detect the binding of anti-angiogenic peptide to human cord endothelial cells using a fluorescence marker.
 
Methods: In the present experimental study, the 27 amino acid fragment of the endostatin protein amino acid domain was labeled with FITC as a fluorescence marker. Gel filtration chromatography with Sephadex G10 was used to separate the bound peptides and finally FTIR method was used to confirm the binding of FITC to the peptide. Human umbilical cord endothelial cells were treated with marker-bound peptides after culturing and studied by fluorescence microscopy to observe peptide binding to their receptor on the surface of these cells.
 
Results: findings by Fluorescence microscopy confirmed binding antiangiogenic peptide to its specific receptor. Various conditions such as concentration, time, and temperature were tested to achieve the proper conditions for marking peptides. Unlabeled FITCs separated by gel filtration Chromatography method with sephedex G_10. Human umbilical endothelial cells (HUVECs) are harvested and treated with conjugate samples (FITC-peptide) from gel filtration chromatography. After the required time, the cells were fixed and the binding of labeled peptides to their receptors on HUVECs was analyzed by Fluorescence microscope.
 
Conclusion: The results of fluorescence microscopy confirmed the binding of this antiangiogenic peptide to its specific receptor on endothelial cells. Different experimental conditions such as peptide concentration and FITC and incubation time and temperature were studied to obtain the appropriate conditions for peptide labeling. Free FITCs were separated by conjugated FITC-peptide samples by gel filtration chromatography. Human umbilical cord endothelial cells (HUVEC) cultured with FITC-peptide conjugated samples were treated. The cells were then fixed and examined by fluorescence microscopy.
 

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Background & aim: Hydatid cyst is one of the most common parasitic human and animal diseases in the world and Iran as well and, is important from health and economic viewpoint. Understanding the latest status of the disease prevalence and its associated factors is essential for decision makers and health authorities in each region. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of hydatid cyst in slaughtered livestock in Sarpol Zahab city and the sero-epidemiology of human hydatid cyst in this city.

Methods: In the present descriptive cross-sectional study which was carried out in 2018, carcasses of 3000 cattle, including 1000 cattle, sheep and goats in Sarpol slaughterhouse were studied. Size, fertility, and infectivity were assessed. Moreover, 736 blood samples were collected randomly from health care centers and tested by ELISA. The findings were analyzed in terms of demographic information including age, sex, and occupation, history of contact with dogs and location of their general profile. Data were analyzed using chi-square test.

Results: Totally, 8 (1.1%) of patients, 5 (5.62%) men and 3 (5.37%) women were positive for anti-hydatid cyst antibody. There was no statistically significant relationship between positive cases and place of residence, education, sex and history of continuous contact with the dog. The prevalence of hydatid cyst was 8.7% in cattle and 18.8% in sheep, 4.5% in cows and 2.8% in goats. No significant difference was seen between the infection rates in sheep, cattle and goats (p <0.05). In terms of sex, 53.6% of infected animals were females and 46.4% males, which was statistically significant (p <0.05). In terms of organs, 84.04% of cysts were detected in sheep liver, 86.7% in cattle and 89.3% in goats.

Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the prevalence of human hydatid cyst is lower than in most areas of Iran, but its prevalence is relatively high in livestock in the region. These findings necessitate to pay attention to control programs to disrupt the parasite cycle between the definitive and intermediate hosts.

 
 

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Background and aim: Cell therapy is important by means of a new method for repairing critical bone defects. On the other hand, graphene and its derivatives, including quantum-graphene particles (GQDs), have recently been considered as effective factors in cell differentiation, and evidence suggests that these particles may be effective in differentiating into bone cells. Therefore, the aim of the preswnt study was to determine the effect of graphene quantum dots on osteoblastic differentiation of human endometrial-derived stem cells.
 
Methods: This is an experimental study that was conducted in 2019, in the cell culture research laboratory of Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz. After extraction of endometrial stem cells derived from human uterine tissue samples using collagenase enzyme and their purification, the cells were cultured in two groups, including the control group in standard osteogenic medium and the experimental group in the same medium of GQDs with a concentration of 50 Micrograms per milliliter was added. Data were then analyzed using rejection staining, alkaline phosphatase activity and gene expression by qRT-PCR. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA.
 
Results: In the present study, for the first time, the results of the interaction between GQDs and endometrial derived stem cells were shown in in-vitro condition and and it was confirmed that the presence of GQDs in the osteogenic medium could lead to significant incrassation in osteogenic differentiation efficiency of endometrial cells. Actually, alkaline phosphatase activity and formation of calcium nodules (that are given more intensity by alizarin red) were significantly increased in the experimental group compared with the control group, which indicated previous and better activation of osteogenesis in the experimental group. These results were confirmed with the significant up-regulation of phenotypically related osteogenic genes (Runx2, osteopontin, and osteocalcin) which were measured using a qRT-PCR technique.
 
Conclusion:  The results of the present study suggested that differentiation of uterine endometrial stem cells into bone cells in a standard osteogenic medium to which GQDs have been added could potentially be a practical method of increasing osteoblastic differentiation and cell therapy.
 
 

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Background & aim: Human papillomavirus is the most common sexually transmitted disease and the main risk factor for malignant and malignant lesions in the cervix. The aim of the present study was to determine and evaluate the prevalence of human papillomavirus in women with abnormal pap smear referred to Shahid Mofatteh specialized clinic by Multiplex PCR & Reverse Dot Blot Hybridization in Yasuj, Iran.
 
Methods: The present descriptive-analytical study was conducted during the years 2015-2016. A total of 67 abnormal cervical cytology specimens including 51 ASC-US specimens, 9 LSIL specimens and 7 HSIL specimens were collected and analyzed by Multiplex PCR & Reverse Dot Blot Hybridization. The collected data were analyzed using chi-square test
 
Result: The overall prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV) was 61.2%. 36 (87.8%) women were infected with high-risk types of human papillomavirus, 26 (63.4%) with low-risk types and 2 (4.9%) with unknown types. The most common high-risk types were HPV 39 (43.9%), HPV66 (31.7%), HPV31 (26.8%) and HPV18 (14.6%), respectively. HPV16 was detected in only 2 samples (4.9%).
 
Conclusion: The results of the present study indicated a high prevalence of papillomavirus infection in women with abnormal Pap smear. In addition, different high-risk genotypes of this virus were identified compared to other studies in Iran. Further samples from wider geographical areas are needed to study the molecular epidemiology and genotypes of human papillomavirus.

 

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Background & aim: Storing frozen sperm in liquid nitrogen is a widely used method of preserving them for a long time. Many of these sperms are not damaged or survive after thawing, and many lose their motility. These injuries are caused by damage to the sperm membrane and changes in permeability to ions due to changes in osmotic pressure, the formation of ice crystals, and increased production of oxygen free radicals. The aim of the present study was to determine the relationship between intracellular calcium concentration and the production of oxygen free radicals in fresh and frozen human-thawed spermatozoa.
 

Methods: In this quasi-experimental study conducted in 2013, 35 samples of fertile human cement were randomly selected and divided into two groups: fresh and frozen-thawed. The sperm of the frozen-thawed group were preserved under liquid nitrogen for one month. The effect of 10 µM calcium ionophore A23187 was evaluated on fresh and thawed sperm motility, viability, and acrosome reaction. Oxygen free radical production and intracellular calcium content were evaluated using luminol and Flou-3/AM staining by chemiluminescence and flowcytometric method, respectively. Data were compared using the Mann–Whitney test. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant.

 
Results: The percentage of alive, motile and progressive sperm and the percentage of sperm with intact acrosome decreased significantly after the freezing-thawing process. The addition of A23187 to the medium increased intracellular calcium in live sperm but decreased the percentage of live and motile sperm in both groups. The production of free radicals increased per live cell in both groups, but this increase was significantly higher in the frozen-thawed group than in the fresh group. The results indicated a significant positive relationship between intracellular calcium and the production of oxygen free radicals.
 
Conclusion: Calcium ions were required for normal sperm function, but increased calcium entry by A23187 into fresh or frozen-thawed sperm causes more damage and reduced motility and survival. The amount of oxygen free radicals had a direct and significant relationship with intracellular calcium. Freezing damage was exacerbated by higher levels of intracellular calcium, which may be due to increased production of oxygen free radicals.
 
 

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Background & aim: Nanotechnology is a new research field with wide applications in cancer management. Among the various metal nanoparticles, silver nanoparticles have been used to treat many cancers due to their high antitumor potential. Despite the potential benefits of these nanoparticles, the extent to which they affect normal cells has become a challenge. In addition, their anti-cancer effects on 5637 bladder cancer cells have not been well established. The aim of the present study was to determine the anti-cancer effects of silver nanoparticles on the survival of 5637 bladder cancer tumor cells in comparison with normal embryonic kidney cells HEK-293.
 

Methods: In the present experimental study performed in 2021, the survival of 5637 cells of bladder cancer and normal cells of embryonic kidney (HEK-293) 24 hours after treatment with 30-50 nm silver nanoparticles with concentrations (0-125). Micrograms per milliliter was evaluated by MTT(dimethyl thiazole-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) test. Morphological changes were also assessed by light microscopy. VEGFA gene expression level and cell migration rate were evaluated by quantitative polymerase chain reaction and scratch testing, respectively. The collected data were analyzed using Shapiro-Wilk statistical tests, one-way and two-way analysis of variance, Tukey post hoc test.

 
Results: The results of the present study indicated that the reduction in survival in 5637 and HEK-293 cells after treatment with silver nanoparticles was dose-dependent, which significantly decreased in 5637 tumor cells. HEK-293 was more than normal cells (p <0.05). In addition, treatment with concentrations of 50 and 60 μg / ml silver nanoparticles significantly reduced VEGFA gene expression (p<0.05) and inhibited the migration of 5637 bladder cancer cells (p<0.001).
 
Conclusion: AgNPs could reduce the viability of 5637 and HEK-293 cells as their inhibitory effects on 5637 cells viability were significantly more than HEK-293. Furthermore, AgNPs suppressed the 5637 cells migration.
 
 
 

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Background & aim: The role of artificial sweeteners in the occurrence of cancer risk has been widely discussed during the last few decades. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to determine the dynamic and molecular simulation of the interaction of saccharin(SA) with human p53 protein.

Methods: The present bioinformatics study was conducted in 2023. The interaction of SA and sodium saccharin (SSA) with the human p53 gene promoter (Pp53g) has already been published in 2019 in two theoretical and experimental sections. But in the present study, the binding ability and the binding site of SA ligand as a synthetic sweetener with human p53 protein (receptor) as a tumor suppressor was theoretically performed. The amino acid residues involved in the interaction, energy free binding and binding constant were determined. Molecular docking was used for molecular interaction calculations. More detailed information about the binding method of the ligand-receptor complex was obtained by molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. The structure and topology file for the human p53 protein extracted from the protein database was created based on the AMBER 99 force field with the GROMACS 5.3.1 program. Acpype/Antechamber program with General AMBER Force Field (GAFF) was used to create structure file and ligand topology in MD simulation. This force field was compatible with the AMBER 99 force field. The simulation time in explicit solvent was 50 ns for SA-p53 protein complex. The collected data were analyzed using different software and compared with the results of related articles.

Results: The results of molecular docking indicated that the SA compound was bound to human p53 protein with a binding energy of -4.55 kcal/mol and a binding constant of 462.18 μM. A hydrogen bond was formed between SA and amino acid Leu137. The conformational changes resulting from MD simulation for the ligand-protein complex showed that SA can bind to Arg196 and His179 as key amino acids of p53 protein in the DNA binding region through two hydrogen bonds. SA can also be placed in the adjacent of amino acids Leu137, Ala138, His179, Asp184 and Met237 through hydrophobic bonds. The values of the plots of root mean square deviation (RMSD), root mean square fluctuation (RMSF), radius of gyration (Rg) for free p53 protein and in the presence of SA ligand show the stable binding of SA to p53 protein.

Conclusion: The present study could provide valuable information about the binding mechanism of SA to human p53 protein as a macromolecule at the molecular level with subatomic details. The results can be useful in determining the potential carcinogenic risk of this sweetener due to its high consumption and the design and synthesis of newer and safer artificial sweeteners.