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Background & objectives: Acne Vulgaris is a chronic inflammation of pilosebaceous glands. Some studies have indicated the significant decrease of linoleic acid in the sebum composition of the patients with acne. The aim of this study was to determine the probable therapeutic effects of linoleic acid on moderate acne.
Methods: In a double-blind randomized clinical trial, 40 women with moderate acne were divided into two groups, each group with 20 each with 20 samples. After recording the nutritional and demographic factors, the case group received, 100 mg oral doxycycline daily plus 3 gr conjugated linoleic acid and the control group received 100 mg doxycycline daily plus 4-3 oral paraffin capsules as placebo for one month. The number of acne lesions were counted before and after treatment and the mean of   Acne Severity Index (ASI) and Global Acne Grading System (GAGS) were determined for each group. The collected data were analyzed by SPSS software using chi-square, independent t-test and paired t-test.
Results: The mean age was 22.8±5.5, in the case group and21.7±5.1 in placebo group indicating no statistically significant deference (p=0.51). At the end of treatment there was no statistically significant deference between the two groups in decreasing acne (p=0.31). During the treatment, ASI reduced from 129.5±13 to 77±11.6 in the case group and from 132±18.6 to 67.5±11.6 in the placebo group, –but there was no statistically significant deference between the two groups (p=0.37).
Conclusion: It seems using 3 gr oral conjugated linoleic acid daily for 1 month has no effect on remission of acne.

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Background & objectives: Trichostrongylus spp. are common parasites of herbivorous animals and trichostrongyliasis is an important zoonotic disease in Iran, especially in northern Iran. Routine laboratory methods for diagnosis of these infections are direct smear and formalin-ethyl acetate techniques. There is no enough evidence about the sensitivity of nutrient agar plate culture for detection of Trichostrongylus spp infections. The objective of this study was to compare the nutrient agar plate culture and the formalin-ethyl acetate sedimentation techniques for laboratory diagnosis of human trichostrongyliasis in an endemic area of northern Iran.
Methods: A total of 1553 fresh stool samples were collected from residents of 31 villages within the Fouman district in Guilan province during 2015–2016. All samples were examined using nutrient agar plate culture and formalin- ethyl acetate concentration techniques for detection of Trichostrongylus spp. infections.
Results: Overall, 71 cases were diagnosed with Trichostrongylus spp. by at least one of the methods. Considering parasitological results as the diagnostic gold standard, the sensitivity and specificity of nutrient agar plate culture were 90.1% and 100%, respectively. Also, the sensitivity and specificity of the formalin ethyl acetate concentration method were 95.8% and 100%, respectively.
Conclusions: According to the results of this study, the formalin ethyl acetate method is more sensitive than nutrient agar plate culture in the diagnosis of human trichostrongyliasis, especially in humid climate regions such as North of Iran.
 

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Background & objectives: The present study investigated the effects of royal jelly on lead acetate induced toxicity on sperm parameters, reproductive hormone assay, and bak gene expression in NMRI male mice.
Methods: In this study, fifty four male mice were randomly divided into nine groups: control group (without royal jelly) (n=6); sham group(10 ml normal saline) (n=6); lead group (1000 ppm, oral) (n=6); Group 4: royal jelly (100 mg/kg/day, oral) (n=6); Group 5: royal jelly (250 mg/kg/day, oral)(n=6); Group 6: royal jelly (500 mg/kg/day, oral)(n=6); Group 7: royal jelly (100 mg/kg/day, oral) + 1000 ppm lead (n=6); Group 8: royal jelly (250 mg/kg/day, oral) + 1000 ppm lead (n=6) and Group 9: royal jelly (500 mg/kg/day, oral) + 1000 ppm lead (n=6). On day 35, blood samples were collected from anaesthetized mice by cardiac puncture to assess reproductive hormones and the testes were harvested for determination of sperm parameters and expression bak gene. Sperm parameters including motility, viability, DNA damage, morphology and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) levels were determined.
Results: The results showed that administration of royal jelly significantly enhanced sperm parameters and all reproductive hormone levels compared to control mice, (p<0.05). Also, treatment with lead acetate caused a significant reduction in levels of all reproductive hormones and a significant diminution in sperm motility, morphology, viability; with an increase in percentage of dead spermatocytes (p<0.05). The co-administration of the 250 and 500 mg/kg/day royal jelly with lead acetate could ameliorate the deleterious effects of lead acetate resulting in a significant increase in sperm parameters and all reproductive hormones and increase the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) levels (p<0.05). Also, the expression of bak gene in all treated (sham, royal jelly groups) and control groups was significantly lower than the lead acetate group (p<0.05).
Conclusion: In conclusion, our findings suggest that the royal jelly has a beneficial effect on male reproductive parameters following lead acetate induced toxicity in mice.

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Background & objectives: Over the last couple of decades, research has focused on attempting to understand the genetic influence on sports performance. Whole exome sequencing (WES) has great potential to explore all possible genetic variants associated with physical performance. However, this new technique has not been used in sports genetics research. Therefore the aim of this case study was to report new variants in genes involved in skeletal muscles strength (ACE, NOS3, IGF1R, IL-6) in an elite weightlifter using WES.
Methods: After obtaining a written testimony from a 32-year-old man, who is a member of the Iranian national weightlifting team, 5 cc of blood was taken and then DNA was extracted. DNA samples were analyzed using the whole exome sequencing method.
Results: Whole exome sequencing analysis revealed a missense variant (99454613G>A) in IGF1R, 22771156C>T polymorphism in IL-6, 150695726T>C and 150704250C>G polymorphisms in NOS3 and 61573761T>C and 61564052A>G in ACE genes.
Conclusion: Results of whole exome sequencing analysis revealed a missense variant and polymorphism in muscle strength and hypertrophy related genes in this elite weightlifter. However, other studies with larger sample sizes are needed to investigate the relationship between these variants and power athlete status. 

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Background & objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of preventive administration of ketamine, fentanyl and paracetamol on pain intensity and hemodynamic parameters after deep vitrectomy.
Methods: In this clinical trial, 80 candidates of deep vitrectomy surgery were randomly assigned into 4 groups (1-4) and received 0.5 mg / kg ketamine, 2 μg / kg fentanyl, 10 mg/kg of paracetamol and equivolume of normal saline respectively intravenous infusion during the last 15 minutes of surgery. Pain intensity and hemodynamic parameters were recorded and analyzed.
Results: Pain intensity was significantly higher in placebo group during the first 4 hours after operation (p<0.01), but no significant differences were observed between the study groups at 8 and 24 hours after operation in this regard. There were no significant differences between the three intervention groups in terms of pain intensity during the study. Also there were no significant differences between the 4 study groups regarding to hemodynamic parameters.
Conclusion: The use of each of the three intervention drugs significantly reduced the pain intensity compared to the control group without any hemodynamic derangement.

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