Leptin and prolactin reduce cryodamage in normozoospermic human semen samples during cryopreservation.

Objectives: Cryopreservation has destructive effects on the function and structure of spermatozoa. It is known that leptin and prolactin play an active role in decreasing the rates of reactive oxygen species and DNA fragmentation, as well as enhancing sperm motility. Hence, this experiment aimed to investigate the effects of leptin and prolactin as pro-survival factors on the normozoospermic human semen samples during cryopreservation.

Cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) analog and phosphodiesterase inhibitor (IBMX) ameliorate human sperm capacitation and motility.

Objectives: Human sperm quality is decreasing progressively. One of the foremost reasons for infertility is the failure in sperm capacitation. We examined the influence of a cAMP (cyclic-adenosine mono phosphate analog)+IBMX (3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine) on the motility and capacitation rate of human sperm over time.

Expression of RXFP2 receptor on human spermatozoa and the anti-apoptotic and antioxidant effects of insulin-like factor 3.

Insulin-like factor 3 (INSL3) has an important role in the human reproductive system; however, its detailed function is still mysterious. We aimed to investigate the possibility of expression of RXFP2 receptor on human spermatozoa and to determine the anti-apoptotic and antioxidant mechanism derived the binding of INSL3 and RXFP2. In this experimental study, the expression/location of the RXFP2 receptor was determined on the spermatozoa of fertile and infertile men.

Development of a High-Resolution Melting Analysis Method for CYP2C19*17 Genotyping in Healthy Volunteers.

Background: Genetic polymorphisms of drug metabolisms by cytochrome P450 (P450s) could affect drug response, attracting particular interest in the pharmacogenetics. Due to the importance of CYP2C19* 17 allele and its capability of super- fast metabolism and also lack of information about distribution of the alleles in Iranian population, this research aimed to use High Resolution Melting (HRM) method compared to PCR-RFLP for genotyping healthy Iranian population.

Methods: Blood samples were collected from 100 healthy Iranian volunteers.

Genetic Variation and Selection of Domain I of the Plasmodium vivax Apical Membrane Antigen-1(AMA-1) Gene in Clinical Isolates from Iran.

Background: Apical Membrane antigen 1 (AMA-1) is positioned on the surface of merozoite and it may play a role in attack to red blood cells. The main aim of present study was to determine the genetic variation, as well as, to detect of selection at domain I of AMA-1 gene Plasmodium vivax isolates in Iran.

Methods: Blood samples were collected from 58 patients positive for P.

Ginger as a miracle against chemotherapy-induced vomiting.

Background: Vomiting is one of the most prevalent side effects of chemotherapy in cancer patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of ginger plant on chemotherapy-induced vomiting, since the previous studies were somehow imperfect and have provided controversial results.

Materials And Methods: This randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted on 80 women with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy and suffering from vomiting in Imam Khomeini Hospital, Tehran, Iran, between July and December 2009.

Consequences of Ischemic Preconditioning of Kidney: Comparing between Male and Female Rats.

Objectives: Ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) is a leading cause of kidney transplantation failure, and ischemic-preconditioning (IPC) is a protective method against the IRI. In the present study, the defensive effect of IPC on rats' kidney was investigated and more importantly the differences between two genders were appraised.

Materials And Methods: THIRTY TWO WISTAR RATS WERE RANDOMLY ALLOCATED TO FOUR GROUPS: group A (8 male IR), B (8 female IR), C (8 male IPC) and D (8 female IPC).

Opium could be considered an independent risk factor for lung cancer: a case-control study.

Background: Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide, and half of all incident lung cancers are believed to occur in the developing countries, including Iran.

Objective: We investigated the association of opium with the risk of lung cancer in a case-control study.

Methods: We enrolled 242 cases and 484 matched controls in this study.

Role of endogenous vitamin E in renal ischemic preconditioning process: differences between male and female rats.

Background: Antioxidants such as α-tocopherol (vitamin E) and β-carotene (vitamin A) play an important role in protective effect of repeated brief periods of ischemia, namely ischemic preconditioning (IPC). Values of these antioxidants were investigated and compared after induction of ischemia reperfusion (IR) and kidney IPC in both male and female rats.

Methods: Forty eight Wistar rats were divided randomly into six groups of 8: groups A and B (male and female controls, respectively), group C (male IR or IR cases), group D (female IR cases) and groups E and F (male and female IPC cases, respectively).

Self-care behavior and affecting factors among patients with heart failure in Iran.

Objective: To diagnose self-care behavior of heart failure (HF) patients and their correlations with the affecting variables such as age, gender, marriage, educational status, disease duration, left ventricular ejection fraction, and contextual chronic diseases.

Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted in 5 hospitals of Tehran and Iran Universities of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran between March to April 2006. After providing written consent, 250 eligible patients participated.