To study the different effects of soy extract on pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced seizures in the presence and absence of ovarian hormones in rats, and the gender-dependent differences in the effects of phytoestrogens on behavior.

Objective: To investigate the effects of soy extract on pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-induced seizures in ovariectomized (OVX) rats. Methods: Female Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups (n=15 in each group) as follows: sham-operated, OVX, low-dose soy (LDS) and high-dose soy (HDS). The rats in each group were divided into two subgroups and received daily injection of a low dose of PTZ (40 mg/kg body weight, intraperitoneally, n=7 in each subgroup) for 14 d or a single injection of a high dose of PTZ (90 mg/kg body weight, intraperitoneally, n=8 in each subgroup). The rats of LDS and HDS groups were injected with 20 and 60 mg/kg body weight of soy extract intraperitoneally, respectively, just 30 min before each PTZ injection. The rats of the sham-operated and the OVX groups received saline instead of soy extract. After treatment, the rats were placed in a plexiglas cage and their behaviors were observed for 60 min. Results: The results of repeated injection of low dose of PTZ during 14 d showed that the seizure score of the rats of OVX group on days 3, 5, 8, 10, 11, 12, and 13 was lower than that of the sham-operated group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). However, the rats of both LDS and HDS groups had higher score compared with the OVX group on the mentioned days (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The results of a single injection of a high dose of PTZ showed a significant increase (P<0.01) in the generalized tonic-clonic seizure (GTCS), but not the minimal clonic seizure (MCS) in the OVX rats compared with the sham-operated rats. Treatment with both low and high doses of soy extract significantly decreased the GTCS and MCS latencies compared with the OVX group (P<0.01). Conclusion: Female hormones affect seizure severity induced by PTZ, and phytoestrogens of soy mimic this effects. However, more investigations need to be done in the future.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of Nigella sativa (NS) extract on memory performance and its possible mechanisms in scopolamine (Sco)-induced spatial memory impairment model using Morris water maze test.

METHODSThirty-two male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups. The control group received saline instead of both NS extract and Sco. The Sco group was treated by saline for two weeks, and was injected by Sco (2 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) 30 min before each trail in Morris water maze test. Sco+NS 200 and Sco+NS 400 groups were daily treated by 200 or 400 mg/kg of NS (intraperitoneally) for two weeks, respectively, and were finally injected by Sco 30 min before Morris water maze test. The brains of animals were removed to determine the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity and oxidative stress criteria in cortical tissues.

RESULTSTime latency and path length in the Sco group were significantly higher than in the control group (P<0.01), while the Sco+NS 400 group showed a significantly shorter traveled path length and time latency compared with the Sco group (P<0.01). AChE activity in the cortical tissues of the Sco group was significantly higher than the control group (P<0.01), while AChE activity in the Sco+NS 200 and Sco+NS 400 groups was lower than the Sco group (P<0.01). Following Sco administration, malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations were increased (P<0.01) in comparison with the control group, while cortical total thiol content decreased (P<0.01). Pretreatment with extracts caused a significant elevation in cortical total thiol content (P<0.01) and reduction in cortical MDA concentration (P<0.01) compared with the Sco group.

CONCLUSIONSHydro-alcoholic extract of NS prevents Sco-induced spatial memory deficits and decreases the AChE activity as well as oxidative stress of brain tissues in rats. Our results support the traditional belief about the beneficial effects of NS in nervous system. Moreover, further investigations are needed for better understanding of this protective effect.

Acetylcholinesterase ; metabolism ; Animals ; Ethanol ; chemistry ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Maze Learning ; drug effects ; Memory Disorders ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Nigella sativa ; chemistry ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Rats, Wistar ; Reaction Time ; drug effects ; Scopolamine Hydrobromide ; Spatial Memory ; drug effects ; Sulfhydryl Compounds ; metabolism ; Water ; chemistry

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to model the avoidable burden of the risk factors of road traffic crashes in Iran and to prioritize interventions to reduce that burden. METHODS: The prevalence and the effect size of the risk factors were obtained from data documented by the traffic police of Iran in 2013. The effect size was estimated using an ordinal regression model. The potential impact fraction index was applied to calculate the avoidable burden in order to prioritize interventions. This index was calculated for theoretical, plausible, and feasible minimum risk level scenarios. The joint effects of the risk factors were then estimated for all the scenarios. RESULTS: The highest avoidable burdens in the theoretical, plausible, and feasible minimum risk level scenarios for the non-use of child restraints on urban roads were 52.25, 28.63, and 46.67, respectively. In contrast, the value of this index for speeding was 76.24, 37.00, and 62.23, respectively, for rural roads. CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of the different scenarios considered in this research, we suggest focusing on future interventions to decrease the prevalence of speeding, the non-use of child restraints, the use of cell phones while driving, and helmet disuse, and the laws related to these items should be considered seriously.
Accidents, Traffic ; Cell Phones ; Child ; Head Protective Devices ; Humans ; Iran* ; Joints ; Jurisprudence ; Police ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors*

Background: and Purpose Acute necrotizing encephalopathy (ANE) is a rare neurological disorder that is often associated with viral infections. Since the emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), a few COVID-19-associated ANE cases have been reported. Since very little is known about ANE, the present study aimed to determine the clinical, biochemical, and radiological characteristics of affected patients. Methods: A search was conducted on PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science databases for articles published up to August 30, 2022 using relevant keywords. Case reports and series in the English language that reported ANE in adult patients with COVID-19 confirmed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction were included in this study. Data on the demographic, clinical, laboratory, and radiological characteristics of patients were extracted and analyzed using the SPSS software (version 26). Results: The study included 30 patients (18 males) with COVID-19 and ANE who were aged 49.87±18.68 years (mean±standard deviation). Fever was the most-prevalent symptom at presentation (66.7%). Elevated C-reactive protein was observed in the laboratory assessments of 13 patients. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging were the most-common radiological modalities used for brain assessments. The most commonly prescribed medications were methylprednisolone (30%) and remdesivir (26.7%). Sixteen patients died prior to discharge. Conclusions The diagnosis of COVID-19-associated ANE requires a thorough knowledge of the disease. Since the clinical presentations of ANE are neither sensitive nor specific, further laboratory and brain radiological evaluations will be needed to confirm the diagnosis. The suspicion of ANE should be raised among patients with COVID-19 who present with progressive neurological symptoms.