Background: Reproductive dysfunction is a complication of diabetes. Arctium lappa (burdock) root has hypoglycemic and antioxidative properties, which are traditionally used for treatment of impotence and sterility. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the effects of its hydro alcoholic extract on gonadotropin, testosterone, and sperm parameters in nicotinamide/ streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. Methods: In this experimental study, 56 adult male Naval Medical Research Institute (NMRI) mice (30–35 g) were randomly divided into seven groups: control, diabetes, diabetes + glibenclamide (0.25 mg/kg), diabetes + extract (200 or 300 mg/kg), and extract (200 or 300 mg/kg). Diabetes was induced with intraperitoneal injection of nicotinamide (NA) and streptozotocin (STZ). Twenty-four hours after the last extract and drug administration, serum samples, testes, and cauda epididymis were removed immediately for experimental assessment. Results: Body weight, serum luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), and testosterone levels, and sperm count (P < 0.05) and viability (P < 0.01) decreased in diabetic mice. Administration of glibenclamide significantly improved these reductions in diabetic animals (P < 0.05). However, the hydro alcoholic extract (300 mg/kg) enhanced sperm viability only in diabetic mice (P < 0.01). In addition, this dose of extract increased sperm count, LH, FSH, and testosterone in nondiabetic animals compared with the control group (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The results indicate that applied burdock root extract has anti-infertility effects in nondiabetic mice. Hence, this part of the A. lappa plant has an effect on the health of the reproductive system in order to improve diabetic conditions.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Somatization may influence persistence and severity of symptoms in gastrointestinal diseases. Some studies suggest that somatization is associated with chronic uninvestigated dyspepsia (CUD); however, the association is unclear. We aimed to determine the association between the profiles of somatic complaints with CUD and its symptoms. METHODS: In a cross-sectional study conducted on 4763 Iranian adults, somatic complaints were assessed using a comprehensive 31-items questionnaire. Patients with CUD were identified by the Rome III diagnostic criteria. Profiles of somatic complaints were derived from factor analysis. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the relationship between extracted profiles with CUD and its symptoms. RESULTS: CUD, bothersome postprandial fullness, early satiation, and epigastric pain or burning was identified in 723 (15.2%), 384 (8.1%), 302 (6.3%), and 371 (7.8%) of the study population. The frequency of all 31 somatic complaints was significantly higher in patients with CUD compared with controls (P < 0.001), and the most frequent was severe fatigue (45.1%). The profiles of somatic complaints were extracted in 4 domains, including “psychological”, “gastrointestinal”, “neuro-skeletal”, and “pharyngeal-respiratory”. The psychological (OR, 1.49; 95% CI, 1.44–1.54), gastrointestinal (OR, 2.22; 95% CI, 2.09–2.37), neuro-skeletal (OR, 1.52; 95% CI, 1.44–1.59), and pharyngeal-respiratory (OR, 2.09; 95% CI, 1.94–2.25) profiles were significantly associated with greater odds of CUD. CONCLUSIONS: CUD and its symptoms are strongly associated with higher levels of somatic complaints and their related extracted profiles. This perhaps explains that why it can be difficult to treat, however further prospective investigations are required to confirm these associations.
Adult ; Burns ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Dyspepsia* ; Fatigue ; Gastrointestinal Diseases ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Mental Disorders ; Prospective Studies ; Psychophysiologic Disorders ; Satiation

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of exendin-4 on reproductive alteration in a D-galactose-induced aging mouse model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this experimental study, 72 male Naval Medical Research Institute mice (20~25 g) were randomly divided into six groups: control, exendin-4 (1 nmol/kg), exendin-4 (10 nmol/kg), D-galactose (500 mg/kg), D-galactose+exendin-4 (1 nmol/kg), and D-galactose+exendin-4 (10 nmol/kg). The aging model animals were gavaged with D-galactose for six weeks, and exendin-4 was injected intraperitoneally in the last 10 days. At the end of treatment serum luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and testosterone levels were evaluated and the cauda epididymis and testis were removed to analyze the sperm count and testis morphology. RESULTS: The testis weight and volume decreased in the D-galactose group (p<0.01 and p<0.05) respectively. Exendin-4 (1, 10 nmol/kg) increased these parameters in the normal and aging mouse models. Serum LH and FSH levels increased and the sperm count decreased in the D-galactose group (p<0.05). Further, exendin-4 (1 nmol/kg) decreased LH and FSH levels and increased the serum testosterone level and sperm count in both normal and aging animals. CONCLUSIONS: D-galactose can induce aging alternations in the male reproductive system such as decreased sperm count and increased serum LH and FSH levels through reactive oxygen species over production and reduced antioxidant enzyme activity. Further, co-administration of exendin-4 reduced reproductive complications of D-galactose in an aging mouse model.
Academies and Institutes ; Aging* ; Animals ; Epididymis ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone ; Galactose* ; Humans ; Luteinizing Hormone ; Male ; Mice* ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; Sperm Count ; Spermatozoa ; Testis ; Testosterone

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of the hydro-alcoholic extract of Rhus coriaria seeds on the reproductive system of nicotinamide-streptozotocin-induced type-2 diabetic mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this experimental study, 56 male Naval Medical Research Institute mice were randomly divided into seven groups (n=8): control; diabetic mice; diabetic mice administered glibenclamide (0.25 mg/kg); diabetic mice who received the hydro-alcoholic extract of R. coriaria seeds (200 and 400 mg/kg groups); and normal mice who received this extract (200 and 400 mg/kg groups). Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal administration of streptozotocin (65 mg/kg) 15 minutes after an injection of nicotinamide (120 mg/kg). Then, glibenclamide and the above mentioned extract were administered orally for 28 consecutive days. Twenty-four hours after the last treatment, serum samples, the testes, and the cauda epididymis were removed immediately for hormonal, testis morphology, and sperm parameter assessments. RESULTS: Body and testicular weight, sperm count and viability, and serum luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone and testosterone levels were significantly lower in the diabetic mice (p<0.05). The diabetic mice treated with 400 mg/kg of the hydro-alcoholic extract of R. coriaria seeds recovered from these reductions (p<0.05). Further, glibenclamide alleviated hormonal and sperm count depletion in diabetes-induced mice (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The present results indicated that the hydro-alcoholic extract of R. coriaria seeds has anti-infertility effects in diabetic males.
Academies and Institutes ; Animals ; Antioxidants ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Epididymis ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone ; Glyburide ; Humans ; Luteinizing Hormone ; Male ; Mice* ; Niacinamide ; Rhus* ; Sperm Count ; Spermatogenesis ; Spermatozoa ; Streptozocin ; Testis ; Testosterone

BACKGROUND: Over the past two decades, enterococci have emerged as an important agent responsible for hospital acquired infection. Several virulence factors contribute to the adherence, colonization, evasion of the host immune response, and pathogenicity and severity of the infection. Enterococcus faecalis is the most common and virulent species causing infections in hospitalized patients. The aim of the present study was to examine the prevalence of genes encoding virulence factors and antimicrobial resistance patterns of E. faecalis strains isolated from hospitalized patients in Shiraz, south west of Iran. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 51 E. faecalis isolates from the urine, blood, pleural fluid, peritoneal fluid, eye discharge, endotracheal tube (ETT) and transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) specimens of patients were identified by phenotypic and genotypic methods. Antimicrobial sensitivity tests and detection of virulence factors were performed using standard methods. RESULTS: The efa and asa1 were the most frequently detected gene (100%) among the isolates, followed by esp (94.1%), ace (90.2%), gelE (80.4%), cylA (64.7%), and hyl (51%). More than half of the isolates (52.9%) were high level gentamicin resistant (HLGR). Vancomycin resistance was observed among 23 (45.1%) isolates. The lowest antimicrobial activity was related to erythromycin (3.9%), tetracycline (5.9%) and ciprofloxacin (9.8%). No isolate was found resistant to fosfomycin and linezolid. CONCLUSION: Our data indicated a high incidence of virulence factors among E. faecalis strains isolated from clinical samples. Colonization of drug resistant virulent isolates in hospital environment may lead to life threatening infection in hospitalized patients. Therefore, infection control procedures should be performed.
Ascitic Fluid ; Ciprofloxacin ; Colon ; Enterococcus faecalis* ; Enterococcus* ; Erythromycin ; Fosfomycin ; Gentamicins ; Humans ; Incidence* ; Infection Control ; Iran* ; Linezolid ; Portasystemic Shunt, Surgical ; Prevalence ; Tetracycline ; Vancomycin Resistance ; Virulence Factors* ; Virulence*

OBJECTIVETo examine the utility of bedside echocardiography in detecting the reversible causes of pulseless electrical activity (PEA) cardiac arrest and predicting the resuscitation outcomes.

METHODSIn this prospective interventional study, patients presenting with PEA cardiac arrest were randomized into two groups. In Group A, ultrasound trained emergency physicians performed echocardiography evaluating cardiac activity, right ventricle dilation, left ventricle function, pericardial effusion/tamponade and IVC size along with the advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) protocol. Patients in Group B solely underwent ACLS protocol without applying echocardiography. The presence or absence of mechanical ventricular activity (MVA) and evidences of PEA reversible causes were recorded. The return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) and death were evaluated in both groups.

RESULTSOne hundred patients with the mean age of (58+/-6.1) years were enrolled in this study. Fifty patients (Group A) had echocardiography detected in parallel with cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Among them, 7 patients (14%) had pericardial effusion, 11 (22%) had hypovolemia, and 39 (78%) were revealed the presence of MVA. In the pseudo PEA subgroup (presence of MVA), 43% had ROSC (positive predictive value) and in the true PEA subgroup with cardiac standstill (absence of MVA), there was no recorded ROSC (negative predictive value). Among patients in Group B, no reversible etiology was detected. There was no significant difference in resuscitation results between Groups A and B observed (P equal to 0.52).

CONCLUSIONBedside echocardiography can identify some reversible causes of PEA. However, there are no significant changes in survival outcome between the echo group and those with traditional CPR.

Objective: To examine the utility of bedside echocardiography in detecting the reversible causes of pulseless electrical activity (PEA) cardiac arrest and predicting the resuscitation outcomes.Methods: In this prospective interventional study,patients presenting with PEA cardiac arrest were randomized into two groups.In Group A,ultrasound trained emergency physicians performed echocardiography evaluating cardiac activity,right ventricle dilation,left ventricle function,pericardial effusion/tamponade and ⅣC size along with the advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) protocol.Patients in Group B solely underwent ACLS protocol without applying echocardiography.The presence or absence of mechanical ventricular activity (MVA) and evidences of PEA reversible causes were recorded.The return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) and death were evaluated in both groups.Results: One hundred patients with the mean age of (58±6.1) years were enrolled in this study.Fifty patients (Group A) had echocardiography detected in parallel with cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).Among them,7 patients (14％) had pericardial effusion,11 (22％) had hypovolemia,and 39 (78％) were revealed the presence of MVA.In the pseudo PEA subgroup (presence of MVA),43％ had ROSC (positive predictive value) and in the true PEA subgroup with cardiac standstill (absence of MVA),there was no recorded ROSC (negative predictive value).Among patients in Group B,no reversible etiology was detected.There was no significant difference in resuscitation results between Groups A and B observed (P=0.52).Conclusion: Bedside echocardiography can identify some reversible causes of PEA.However,there are no significant changes in survival outcome between the echo group and those with traditional CPR.