Restless Legs Syndrome in shift workers: A cross sectional study on male assembly workers

Background  

Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) is a common neurological movement disorder characterized by symptoms that follow a circadian pattern. Night and rotating shift work schedules exert adverse effects on functions of the human body by disturbing circadian rhythms, and they are known to cause sleep disturbances and insomnia. In this paper, we investigate the possible association between shift work and RLS.     

Improvement in wild endangered Persian sturgeon,Acipenser persicus (Borodin, 1897) semen cryopreservation by 2‐hydroxypropyl‐beta‐cyclodextrin (HβCD)

In this study, cryopreservation feasibility of Persian sturgeon (Acipenser persicus) and the effect of different doses of 2‐hydroxypropyl‐beta‐cyclodextrin on thawed spermatozoa quality (motility duration and motility percentage) were investigated. For freezing, semen of seven male individuals was pooled in equal volumes and diluted with 4°C [Tris‐HCl (100 mM), pH = 8, DMSO 10%] extenders containing 0, 5, 10, 15 mM of HβCD in a ratio of 1:1(semen/extenders). Then semen was filled into 0.5‐mL straws, and was frozen with vapour of liquid nitrogen at 4‐cm above surface of liquid nitrogen. After 3 min, straws were plunged in to liquid nitrogen. Thawing was performed at 40°C water baths for 15 s. Motility duration of the 10 mM HβCD treated spermatozoa at days 14 (228.98 ± 16.39) and 56 (199.66 ±21.78) were longer than other treatments. In day 56, the motility percentage in treatment with 10 mM was significantly higher (16.14 ± 2.54) (P < 0.05) compared with 5 mM treatment (8.75 ± 2.47) (P < 0.05). Therefore, it is recommended that 10 mM of HβCD can be used as an additive cryoprotectant for increasing cryopreserved spermatozoa quality in this species.     

Anticonvulsant Effect of Cicer arietinum Seed in Animal Models of Epilepsy: Introduction of an Active Molecule with Novel Chemical Structure

Background: Cicer arietinum (Chickpea) is one of the most important harvests in the world with high nutritional value. Lack of essential oils in the seeds of Chickpea is an advantage in search for drug-like molecules with less toxicity. We evaluated anticonvulsant effect of C. arietinum in common animal models of epilepsy. Methods: Dichloromethane extract was obtained from C. arietinum seeds by percolation. Acute toxicity of the extract was assessed in mice. Protective effect of the extract was examined against tonic seizures induced by maximal electroshock (MES; 50 mA, 50 Hz, 1 s) in mice, clonic seizures induced by pentylenetetrazole (PTZ; 60 mg/kg, i.p.) in mice, and electrical kindling model of complex partial seizures in rats. The extract was fractionated by n-hexane to f1 and f2 fractions. The extract and fractions underwent phytochemical analysis by thin layer chromatography. The active anticonvulsant fraction, f1, was subjected to matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass analysis. Results: The crude extract had neither toxicity up to 7 g/kg nor protective activity in MES and kindling models. However, it significantly inhibited clonic seizures induced by PTZ. f1 fraction mimicked protective effect of the extract. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of considerable amount of alkaloids in the extract and fractions. Moreover, a novel structural class was detected in f1 fraction. Conclusion: Finding an anticonvulsant molecule pertaining to a new structural class in the seeds of C. arietinum promises an effective and inexpensive source of antiepileptic medication. Further studies are needed to identify its mechanism of action and more clues into its structure-activity relationship. Key Words: Anticonvulsants, Cicer, Kindling, Pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)     

Comparative Study of the Effects of Wildfire and Cultivation on Topsoil Properties in the Zagros Forest,Iran

Eurasian Soil Science - This study compares the long-term effects of a wildfire on basic topsoil properties—bulk density, particle-size composition, pH, electrical conductivity, total C and...     

Physiological inhibition of growth hormone secretion by both insulin‐like growth factors‐I and ‐II in chickens

1. The role of both insulin‐like growth factors (IGF)‐I and ‐II in regulation of growth hormone (GH) secretion in chickens was examined. Seven‐week‐old male broiler chickens were injected intravenously (iv) with recombinant human IGF‐I or IGF‐II or specific anti‐IGF‐I or IGF‐II immunoglobulins. Blood samples were taken before treatment and at 15 min intervals afterwards for 1 h. Controls received saline iv.

2. Both IGF‐I and IGF‐II administration resulted in a rapid, significant decrease in plasma GH concentrations, but the concentrations of both triiodothyronine and thyroxine remained unchanged.

3. Immunisation against both IGF‐I and IGF‐II produced a significant elevation in plasma GH.

4. These data show that both IGFs can regulate GH concentrations in birds. Furthermore, the immunoneu‐tralisation data suggest that these hormones have a physiological role in the regulation of GH secretion.     

The effects of oral vitamin E on induction and consequence of experimental diabetes mellitus in rats

Streptozotocin destroys the beta-cells of pancreas by generation of reactive oxygen species and vitamin E has documented antioxidant properties. To evaluate the preventive effect of vitamin E on induction of diabetes by streptozotocin and effect of oral vitamin E consumption on carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, forty male Wistar rats divided randomly to control, E1, E2 and E3 groups. The diet of E1, E2 and E3 groups were supplemented with 1, 2 and 4 g kg(-1) of vitamin E, respectively. Four days later all rats were made diabetic by IP injection of 45 mg kg-' streptozotocin and blood glucose was measured 72 h later to determine the severity of blood glucose elevation. Glycosylated hemoglobin, triglyceride, total cholesterol and HDL-c were measured and LDL-c and VIDL-c calculated in plasma of 6 diabetic rats with glucose more than 200 mg dL(-1) in each groups 21 days after streptozotocin injection. Vitamin E had no effect on diabetes induction by streptozotocin, but elevation of glycosylated Hb and reduction of LDL-c in group E3 were significant. Vitamin E also increased HDL-c although it was not statistically significant. We suggest that oral vitamin E consumption may have some beneficial effect on the correction of lipid metabolism disorders of diabetes, although it may worsen carbohydrate metabolism in mild diabetes.     

Effect of Monensin on Serum Lipoproteins, Triglycerides, Cholesterol and Total Lipids of Periparturient Dairy Cows

Serum concentrations of very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL), low-density lipoproteins (LDL), high-density lipoproteins (HDL), triglycerides, cholesterol, and total lipids of a group of monensin-treated cows (n = 7) were compared with those of a control group (n = 6) from about 10 days before calving to 45 days postpartum. Monensin was fed in the diet from about 20 days before predicted calving date to 45 days after parturition. Blood samples were obtained on days 20 and 10 before predicted calving, and on days 4, 15, 25 (phase I), and days 35 and 45 (phase II) post calving. Cholesterol (p = 0.046) and total lipids (p = 0.003) were lower in the treatment group 10 days before calving. Concentrations of serum triglycerides and VLDL (p = 0.017), and that of LDL (p = 0.032) were significantly higher in the treatment group in phase I postpartum. No significant difference was detected between groups during phase II. Comparison of the entire length of the trial showed higher concentrations of triglycerides and VLDL in the treatment group (p = 0.009). It is concluded that monensin is effective in increasing secretion of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins from the liver during the postpartum transition period of dairy cows. This may be effective in reducing the intensity of hepatic lipidosis and the incidence of periparturient diseases resulting from disturbances in energy metabolism.     

Standardization of the outbred BALB/c mice as a suitable animal model for <Emphasis Type="BoldItalic">Besnoitia caprae</Emphasis> studies

The Apicomplexan parasite Besnoitia caprae infects wild and domestic goats. Knowledge on Besnoitia caprae specially an optimized animal model is sparse. Experimental infections with tachyzoites of BC-Pars obtained from BALB/c mice were conducted in outbred mice to determine the infectivity and LD50 of Besnoitia caprae. Six groups of five mice were intraperitoneally infected with 12.5 × 10³, 25 × 10³, 5 × 10⁴, 1 × 10⁵ and 2 × 10⁵ tachyzoites and a control inoculum of DMEM, respectively. Although morbidity and mortality were observed in all groups, two mice in the 12.5 × 10³ group showed alopecia and skin lesions on 60 days post-infection (DPI). Histopathological and molecular examination of skins confirmed B. caprae infection. The LD₅₀ was calculated as 25 × 10^3.2 tachyzoites per mouse. The results indicate that outbred BALB/c mice can be used as a suitable model of besnoitiosis and to screen candidate treatments and to test the efficacy of vaccines for besnoitiosis.     

Exploring the potential for top-dressing bread wheat with ammonium chloride to minimize grain yield losses under drought

The frequency and severity of drought is predicted to rise in many parts of the world. Considering that drought is the main constraint on rain-fed wheat crop production, both agronomic and genetic measures have been taken to minimize yield losses under drought. Beyond its role as a micronutrient, chloride also acts as an osmoticum, implicated in the regulation of stomatal aperture. This study explores the potential for chloride fertilization of Australian bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) to minimize grain yield losses caused by drought stress. For this, two drought-tolerant commercial genotypes (Mace and Gladius) and a well-studied drought-tolerant genotype used in wheat breeding (RAC875) were treated with ammonium chloride, potassium chloride, or ammonium bicarbonate, the latter two treatments served as controls for chloride and ammonium, respectively. Plants were grown under either a watered or water-restricted (drought) regime. The genotype RAC875 was found to accumulate leaf chloride at a significantly higher level than the other genotypes under optimal growth conditions. Under drought conditions, top-dressing RAC875 plants with ammonium chloride resulted in up to a 2.5-fold increase in grain number and this effect was not seen when plants were top-dressed with either of the control fertilizers. The ammonium chloride treatment also minimized losses of grain yield in RAC875 plants grown under drought. Treatment effects were accompanied by an increase in stomatal conductance. These results collectively suggest that the compound fertilizer ammonium chloride can improve drought tolerance of wheat.     

Antibiotics,Penicillin and Sreptomycin improve semen quality indices of endangered Caspian brown trout,Salmo trutta caspius (Kessler, 1870) during in vitro short‐term storage

In this study, we examined the effects of 500 IU mL^?1 penicillin + 500 μg mL^?1 streptomycin sulphate on semen quality indices of endangered caspian brown during 12 days short‐term storage at 4°C. Twenty‐four millilitre semen samples with good quality were considered for the experiment. The semen samples were then stored in the presence and absence of 500 IU mL^?1 penicillin + 500 μg mL^?1 streptomycin sulphate. The semen quality parameters including percentage and duration of sperm motility were measured 0, 3, 6, 9 and 12 days after storage. In the antibiotic receiving group, the values of percentage and duration of sperm motility reduced 3 and 6 days after storage respectively and reduced to lowest levels at day 12. In the antibiotic‐free group, the duration and percentage of sperm motility decreased significantly after 3 days of storage and reached to lowest values at day 12. Also, percentage and duration of sperm motility in each storage time were significantly higher in the antibiotic receiving group than in the antibiotic‐free group. The overall values of percentage and duration of sperm motility for all storage periods were higher in the antibiotic receiving group than in the antibiotic‐free group. In conclusion, our results demonstrated that 500 IU mL^?1 penicillin + 500 μg mL^?1 streptomycin sulphate improves the viability of caspian brown trout during short‐term storage.