Objectives: Determine the prevalence of asymptomatic urinary tract infection (AUTI) among pregnant women. We also determined the antibacterial susceptibility of the isolates to various antibiotics and associated risk factors in AUTI. Materials and Methods: One thousand five hundred and five consecutive pregnant women were included in the study. Mid-stream urine specimen for complete examination of urine was obtained. Results: Of 1505 pregnant women, 134 (8.9%) had bacteriuria. The mean age of the all the pregnant women included in the study was 28.40 years with a standard deviation of 6.16. Age ranged from 15 to 45 years of age. The urine culture of the asymptomatic pregnant women (1505 cases) showed growth in only 134 cases (8.9%). Escherichia coli was the commonest organism 79 (58.96%) followed by CN Staphylococcus 22 (16.8%) and S aureus 18 (13.43%). Escherichia coli, which comprised 58.96% (79) of the isolates, were 88.62%, 87.35%, and 83.55% sensitive to cefotaxime, ciprofloxacin and cefotizoxime respectively. Similarly, E. coli were 89%, 70%, and 20% resistant to ampicillin, cotrimoxazole, and nitrofurantoin respectively (OR 1.57 95% CI 1.01, 2.44). After analyzing, four variables, hemoglobin levels seem to be independently associated with asymptomatic bacteriuria . Conclusion: Prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria among pregnant women was 8.9%. The predominant organisms were Escherichia coli 58.96% (79%), followed by CN Staphylococcus 22 (16.8%). Most strains of Escherichia coli showed that they were resistant to ampicillin, tetracycline and gentamicin.

Background The aetiological role of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) in oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) was evaluated by assessment of the presence and status of HPV DNA in a Kurdish population in the west of Iran. Methods One hundred and three paraffin-embedded ESCC tissue samples, diagnosed between 2007-2013, were included in the study. DNA was extracted and then HPV presence and genotypes were determined by PCR and INNO-LiPA genotyping, respectively. Results HPV DNA was detected in 11/103 (10.7%) of ESCCs. HPV-18 and HPV-16 genotypes were determined in five and six samples, respectively. Co-infection of HPV-6 was only found with HPV-18 in two cases. There were no statistically significant distinctions between HPV-positive and HPV-negative cases with regard to clinical and pathologic findings. Conclusion The present study indicates that, among a group of Kurdish people in two provinces in the west of Iran, as a low-risk ESCC area, HPV could be one of the risk factors, although in a small proportion of the patients.

Family with sequence similarity 83 member H (FAM83H) protein-coding geneplay an essential role in the structural organization, calcification of developing enamel, and keratin cytoskeleton disassembly by recruiting Casein kinase 1 alpha (CSNK1A1) to keratin filaments. In this study, we have applied CRISPR Cas9 nickase (D10A) to knockout (KO) the Fam83h gene in NMRI outbred mice. We generated homozygous Fam83h KO mice (Fam83h Ko/Ko ) through a premature termination codon, which was validated by Sanger sequencing in F0 generation. Next, we also bred the FAM83H KO for two generations. Reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis approved the Fam83h KO mice. The Fam83h KO mice had evidence of normal morphology at the cervical loops, secretory and maturation stages, and mandibular molars. In comparison with the normal wild-type mice (Fam83h W/W ), the F2 homozygous KO (Fam83h Ko/Ko ) had sparse, scruffy coats with small body size and decreased general activity. Also, they had the natural reproductive ability and natural lifespan. In addition, delay in opening the eyes and dry eyes among infant mice were seen. The F1 heterozygous mice looked comparable to the normal wild-type mice (Fam83h W/W ), which showed autosomal recessive inheritance of these phenotypes. The KO of FAM83H had controversial effects on the development of teeth and the formation of enamel.The phenotype defect in dental development and the enamel formation were seen in three mice among four generations. It can be concluded that null FAM83H in outbred mice not only showed the reported phenotypes in null inbred mouse but also showed normal lifespan and reproductive ability; dental deficiency in three homozygous mice; and the symptoms that were similar to the symptoms of dry eye syndrome and curly coat dog syndrome in all four evaluated KO generations. K E Y W O R D Samelogenesis imperfecta, CRISPR-Cas system, family with sequence similarity 83 member H protein, knockout mice, outbred mice

Objective COVID-19 has recently emerged as a serious threat to global health. This study examined the laboratory investigations of patients with COVID-19, with an emphasis on liver enzymes. Methods This retrospective, single-center study was performed on patients with COVID-19 who were admitted to Imam Reza Hospital, Iran from March 2020 to February 2021. Laboratory tests included a complete blood cell count, white blood cell (WBC) count, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR), lymphocyte/monocyte ratio, and levels of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase. Patient survival was among the outcome measures investigated in association with laboratory findings. Results We enrolled 77 patients with COVID-19 and 63 healthy controls. In comparison with the control group, patients with COVID-19 showed COVID-19 increased ALT, WBC, neutrophils, NLR, and PLR, and decreased platelet counts and lymphocytes. Conclusion Although elevated levels of AST, NLR, PLR, and LMR were found in patients with COVID-19, they were not linked to mortality. Given the presence of AST in other tissues, the influence of SARS-CoV-2 on the liver should be interpreted with caution.

Background and Aim: Nanotechnology is the precise and controlled manipulation of the atomic or molecular structure of nanoscale materials for the preparation of particulate matter with new properties and specific applications. Many in vivo and in vitro studies have shown the negative and destructive effects of nanoparticles on male germ cells.Nanoparticles include primary particles with at least one of their dimensions less than 100 nm. Material and Method: This study included 20 male and female adult mice (NMRI), between 6 and 8 weeks of age and weight of 25-30 g. We placed every two adult female mice with a male adult mouse in a cage for mating. Pregnant mice were randomly divided into 4 groups.)control,titanium, nigella sativa,titanium +nigella sativa). Animals were sacrificed by cervical spine dislocation under anesthesia. Then, using a neobar lamel and under the optical microscope, number of sperms and their morphology were assessed. Result : In this study, semen parameters including sperm morphology and number and also weights of organs were assessed. We found decreased number of sperms, increased number of abnormal sperms and decreased weight in the titanium group. But protective effect of Nigella sativa in the treatment group led to a significant difference in the sperm parameters compared to that in the titanium group (p>0.05). Conclusion: TNP reduced sperm count and increased the number of abnormal sperms, Previous studies by Hajshafiha showed the ability of nanoparticles to cross the bloodtesticular barrier. Protective and antioxidant effects of Nigella sativa can greatly reduce the toxicity of TNP. NS had a potent protective effect against the toxic effect of TNP on testese.

Background and Aim: Dexamethasone affects testis hemostasis through reduction of testosterone level. In one study dexamethasone induced spermatogenesis defects through epithelial vacuolizations and sloughing of germ cell layer. Materials and Methods: Forty NMRI mice were randomly divided into four groups. Control and dexamethasone groups received normal saline and dexamethasone (5 mg/kg) respectively for 7 days. Dexamethasone and Nigella sativa ) NS ((5 mg/kg) were given to the third group and the fourth group(Nigella sativa group) received 5 mg/kg Nigella sativa for 7 days. Epididymal sperm parameters were used for evaluation of the effects of dexamethasone and Nigella sativa on testis. Results: Epididymal sperm parameters (count,motility and abnormal sperm) showed significant alterations in dexamethasone group (p<0.05). Treatment with NS+ dexamethasone significantly prevented these changes (p<0.05). Conclusion: Numerous studies have been performed to evaluate destructive effects of dexamethasone on male reproductive system. The aim of this study was to assess protective effect of Nigella sativa against the side effects of dexamethasone on male reproductive system. We found that dexamethasone could decrease sperm parameters. These changes were reduced by using Nigella sativa.