Mohammad Asghari

Effect of low frequency electrical stimulation on spike and wave discharges of perioral somatosensory cortex in WAG/Rij rats

Low frequency electrical stimulation has been revealed that as a potential cure in patient with drug resistant to epilepsy. This study tries to evaluate the effect of low frequency electrical stimulation (LFS) on absence seizure of perioral region primary somatosensory cortex (S1po). Eighteen male WAG/Rij rats were received LFS (3Hz, square wave, monophasic, 200μs, and 400μA) for 25min into S1po for a period of five days. There is 6 animals per group .The stimulating electrodes were implanted according to stereotaxic landmarks and EEG recording was obtained 30min before and after LFS to analyse frequency, number and duration of spike-wave discharges (SWD). The results showed that in animals with unilateral stimulating electrodes (Exp1) in first and second days and also in animals with bilateral stimulating electrodes (Exp2) in days 3rd and 4th. LFS had significant decrease effects (p<0.05) on mean number of SWD between pre-LFS. In comparison pre-LFS to post-LFS, mean of duration in Exp2 decreased significantly. In continuous application of LFS (5 days) only the data of first day was differently significant (p<0.05) but data of other days had no difference. Comparison of data between Exp1, Exp2 and control groups showed that the mean number of Exp1 was significantly different (p<0.05) and mean pick frequency in Exp2 was significantly decreased in comparison with Exp1 group (p<0.05). The LFS of S1po produces significant antiepileptic effect on absence seizure but it was not persistent till the next day and shows a short time effect.

Heavy Metal Contamination of Milk and Milk Products Consumed in Tabriz

Abstract: Background: In this study, lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), Iron (Fe) and arsenic (As) contents in milk and different dairy product samples from in Iran (Tabriz) were measured. Methods: Samples of 10 brands of pasteurized milk, yoghurt, traditional and industrial kashk were selected and quantitative analysis for heavy metals were performed by a Varian AA240fs atomic absorption spectrometer with a graphite Furnace (GTA 120). Results: The obtained ranges of mean heavy metals are given in the following: in milk 6.066-10.83, 2.343-6.070, 141.73-241.23, 2764.3-3151.3, 3.246-7.536ppb, in yoghurt 5.543-19.341, 3.143-8.830, 276.17-423.53, 2412.4-4115.7, 6.650-10.84, in industrial kashk 2.163-19.621, 1.541-13.45, 115.87- 565.40, 2588.4-5014.3, 4.346-20.351ppb, and in traditional kashk 7.972-32.723, 5.233-9.966, 416.42- 923.62, 4491.4-6402.3, 7.661-28.413 ppb, respectively. Conclusion: All the samples were below the internationally recognized permissible limits and did not pose any health risk to the consumption of milk and dairy products in Tabriz.

Effects of Citicoline on Level of Consciousness, Serum Level of Fetuin-A and Matrix Gla- Protein (MGP) in Trauma Patients with Diffuse Axonal Injury (DAI) and GCS≤8

BACKGROUND Citicoline, a neuroprotective drug, has been suggested to improve level of consciousness, mitigating secondary to brain damage and ectopic vascular calcification, following post-traumatic neurogenesis and angiogenesis, inducing calcification modulators, like fetuin-A and matrix Gla-protein (MGP). This study aimed to investigate effects of citicoline on levels of consciousness, serum levels of fetuin-A and MGP in patients with severe traumatic brain injury. METHODS This double blind randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted on patients with diagnosis of diffuse axonal injury (DAI) and GCS≤8. The cases were treated with citicoline (500 mg every 6 hours) intravenously for fifteen days. Daily GCS assessment and intermittent blood sampling were done for both cases and controls. RESULTS Fifty-eight patients were included in the study and during the study period, mean GCS levels improved in both groups; however, the difference was inconsiderable (p>0.05). Serum levels of fetuin-A, a negative phase reactant, increased in the group treated with citicoline (p=0.012), while these changes were insignificant for the controls (p=0.455). Serum levels of MGP, a calcification inhibitor, increased in the cases (p=0.046). The alterations were inconsequential in the control group (p=0.405). CONCLUSION The findings of this study suggest neutral effects of citicoline on level of consciousness and GCS. Through increasing levels of fetuin-A and MGP, citicoline may have protective effects against inflammatory damage and vascular calcification secondary to head trauma.