فهرست مطالب firoozeh niazvand

Nanoparticles and nanocomposites in low concentrations can be a suitable alternative to antibiotics. In this study, for the first time, silver-zinc oxide nanocomposites were synthesized from the cellulose of Barhi date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) seeds.

In this study, the chemical compounds of Berhi date palm seed extract (such as phenols, flavonoids, and ascorbic acid) were first assessed, and silver-zinc oxide nanocomposites were synthesized. The properties of the synthesized nanocomposites were evaluated using different spectroscopy and microscopy techniques. The antibacterial activity of the extract and silver-zinc oxide nanocomposites was investigated against standard strains of Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Staphylococcus aureus. The cytotoxicity of the extract and nanocomposites against breast cancer cells MCF-7 and normal cells MCF-10A were finally evaluated.

In the extract, there were high concentrations of flavonoids and phenols. Based on scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy, the size of synthesized nanocomposites was 20±5 nm with a spherical shape. The diameter of the inhibition zones was 21.3±0.5 mm and 19.4±0.7 mm for Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli, respectively. According to the MTT assay results, the nanocomposites were more cytotoxic to MCF-7 breast cancer cells than normal cells MCF-10A.

The synthesized zinc oxide-silver nanocomposites have antibacterial and anticancer properties with fewer side effects and significant efficacy, which can be used as a potential therapy in the future.

Women undergoing cesarean section may have some difficulties in self-care and the care of their baby due to post-operative pain as well. If anxiety-inducing factors in the mother are not controlled or treated, they can cause dangerous complications before and after cesarean section. This study aimed to investigate the level of anxiety before and after surgery in the candidates for cesarean section in the hospital. In the present descriptive-analytical and cross-sectional epidemiological study, 60 women admitted to the gynecology department of Abadan University of Medical Sciences for elective cesarean section entered the study. Data were collected by Hamilton Anxiety Questionnaire and Demographic Specification Questionnaire. Patients completed the anxiety questionnaire 2-3 hours before entering the operating room and 2-3 hours after the operation. Chi-square tests and t-tests were used to analyze the data in SPSS v.22.  The mean pre-operative anxiety was 9.95 ±7.99, which reached 1.2 ±0.9 after surgery. The mean scores of women’s anxiety before and after surgery were significantly different (P <0.05). Before the operation, 45 (75%) had mild anxiety and 15(25%) had moderate anxiety. The different dimensions of the Hamilton Anxiety Questionnaire surgery were significantly different before and after (P <0.05). Hamilton’s Anxiety Questionnaire score did not show significant correlation with employment status but there was a significant positive relationship with age (P <0.05). The majority of participants had mild anxiety, possibly due to a history of cesarean section. Therefore, it is recommended that nurses consider these safe, non-invasive, cost-effective selfcare techniques along with medication.

Recognition of peripheral nerve variations plays a crucial role in therapist or surgeon evaluations. In human arm, ulnar nerve is one of the three principal nerves that move from the neck down to the hand and provide sense and function of the hand.

Present article reports a scarce finding, the unusual branch of the ulnar nerve along with the main trunk originated under the flexor carpi ulnaris near the cubital region. After descending along the medial side of the forearm flexor surface about 5 cm proximal to the wrist has been divided into 2 cutaneous branches.

Awareness and ability in recognition of position and variations significantly influence the result of ulnar nerve improvement. Sufficient knowledge of all possible variations may be helpful for surgical improvement and effective nerve blockage.

Due to proven anti-tumor activity of quercetin (QT), however the low effectiveness of QT has restricted its use. This study aimed to assess the toxic effect of QT encapsulated in solid lipid nanoparticles (QT-SLNs) on the cell death (Autophagy) of MCF-7 human breast cancer cells.
 

MCF-7 and MCF-10A (non-tumorigenic cell line) cell lines treated with 25 µml/mL of QT or QT-SLNs for 48 h. Cell viability and Autophagy were evaluated to determine the toxic effectiveness of the QT-SLNs.

The QT-SLNs with appropriate characteristics were prepared. The QT-SLNs showed sustained QT release until 48 h. Cytotoxicity assessments indicated that QT-SLNs inhibited MCF-7 cells growth with a low IC50 (50% inhibitory concentration) value, compared to the free QT. QT-SLNs induced a significantly increased in Autophagy in the MCF-7 cells. Following QT-SLNs treatment, the expression of the ATG-5 protein significantly increased in comparison with free QT-treated cells. Furthermore, The QT-SLNs significantly increased autophagy indexes in MCF-7 cells. Viability and autophagy of MCF-10A cells were not affected by QT or QT-SLNs.

According to these results, SLN significantly enhanced the toxic effect of QT against human breast cancer cells.

Curcumin has been found to be very efficacious against many different types of diseases. However, the major disadvantage associated with the use of curcumin is its low systemic bioavailability. In the present study the protective effects of curcumin-loaded poly lactic-co-glycolic acid nanoparticles (nanocurcumin) against mono-iodoacetate-induced osteoarthritis in rats was investigated. Mono-iodoacetate was injected into right knee joints to induce osteoarthritis. In experimental groups, 14 days after injection of mono-iodoacetate, curcumin (200 mg kg-1) and nanocurcumin (200 mg kg-1) were gavaged, respectively, for two weeks. Then the rats were sacrificed and the right knee joints were removed and fixated in 10% formalin for histological assessments. Cellularity and matrix staining were significantly increased in articular cartilage of curcumin-treated animals compared to mono-iodoacetate group (p