Nitric oxide involvement in additive antidepressant-like effect of agmatine and lithium in mice forced swim test

Lithium is still the main agent in the management of mood disorders such as depression. Likewise, agmatine protects the central nervous system (CNS) against depression. The aim of the present study was to examine the possible additive antidepressant-like effect of agmatine and lithium in mice forced swim test (FST) as well as exploration of the probable involvement of nitric oxide (NO) pathway in this response. Results showed that pretreatment with a subeffective dose of agmatine (0.01 mg/kg) augmented the antidepressant-like effect of lithium subeffective dose (3 mg/kg) (P < 0.001). L-NG-nitroarginine methyl ester (L-NAME, nonspecific nitric oxide synthase [NOS] inhibitor) at doses of 10 and 30 mg/kg, and 7-nitroindazole (7-NI, neuronal NOS inhibitor) at doses of 15 and 30 mg/kg potentiated the antidepressant-like effect of the subeffective combination of lithium (3 mg/kg) and agmatine (0.001 mg/kg) (P < 0.001, P < 0.01, respectively). However, various doses of aminoguanidine (25 and 50 mg/kg, inducible NOS inhibitor) failed to alter the immobility time of the same combination (P > 0.05). Moreover, pretreatment with subeffective doses of L-arginine (substrate for NOS, 300 and 750 mg/kg) reversed the augmenting antidepressant-like effect of agmatine (0.01 mg/kg) on lithium (3 mg/kg) (P < 0.001). Our results revealed that agmatine enhances the antidepressant-like effects of lithium and the NO pathway might mediate this phenomenon. In addition, constitutive NOS plays a dramatic role in this response.

The role of nitric oxide-cGMP pathway in selegiline antidepressant-like effect in the mice forced swim test

BACKGROUND

Considering the pivotal role of nitric oxide (NO) pathway in depressive disorders, the aim of the present study was to investigate the antidepressant-like effect of selegiline in mice forced swimming test (FST), and possible involvement of NO-cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) pathway in this action.

METHODS

After assessment of locomotor activity in open-field test, mice were forced to swim individually and the immobility time of the last 4 min was evaluated. All drugs were given intraperitoneally (ip).

RESULTS

Selegiline (10 mg/kg) decreased the immobility time in the FST similar to fluoxetine (20 mg/kg). Pretreatment with l-arginine (NO precursor, 750 mg/kg) or sildenafil (a phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor, 5 mg/kg) significantly reversed the selegiline anti-immobility effect. Sub-effective dose of selegiline (1 mg/kg) showed a synergistic antidepressant effect with NG-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, inhibitor of NO synthase, 10 mg/kg) or 7-nitroindazole (specific neuronal NO synthase inhibitor, 30 mg/kg), but not with aminoguanidine (specific inducible NO synthase inhibitor, 50 mg/kg). Pretreatment of mice with methylene blue (an inhibitor of NO synthase and soluble guanylyl cyclase, 10 mg/kg) significantly produced a synergistic response with the sub-effective dose of selegiline. Neither of the drugs changed the locomotor activity. Also, hippocampal and prefrontal cortex (PFC) nitrite content was significantly lower in selegiline-injected mice compared to saline-administrated mice. Also, co-injection of 7-nitroindazole with selegiline produced a significant reduction in hippocampal or PFC nitrite contents.

CONCLUSIONS

It is concluded that selegiline possesses antidepressant-like effect in mice FST through inhibition of l-arginine-NO-cyclic guanosine monophosphate pathway.

Possible involvement of ATP-sensitive potassium channels in the antidepressant-like effects of gabapentin in mouse forced swimming test

Gabapentin as an anticonvulsant drug also has beneficial effects in treatment of depression. Previously, we showed that acute administration of gabapentin produced an antidepressant-like effect in the mouse forced swimming test (FST) by a mechanism that involves the inhibition of nitric oxide (NO). Considering the involvement of NO in adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-sensitive potassium channels (KATP), in the present study we investigated the involvement of KATP channels in antidepressant-like effect of gabapentin. Gabapentin at different doses (5–10 mg/kg) and fluoxetine (20 mg/kg) were administrated by intraperitoneal route, 60 and 30 min, respectively, before the test. To clarify the probable involvement of KATP channels, mice were pretreated with KATP channel inhibitor or opener. Gabapentin at dose 10 mg/kg significantly decreased the immobility behavior of mice similar to fluoxetine (20 mg/kg). Co-administration of subeffective dose (1 mg/kg) of glibenclamide (inhibitor of KATP channels) with gabapentin (3 mg/kg) showed a synergistic antidepressant-like effect. Also, subeffective dose of cromakalim (opener of KATP channels, 0.1 mg/kg) inhibited the antidepressant-like effect of gabapentin (10 mg/kg). None of the treatments had any impact on the locomotor movement. Our study, for the first time, revealed that antidepressant-like effect of gabapentin in mice is mediated by blocking the KATP channels.

Nitric oxide mediates effects of acute, not chronic, naltrexone on LPS-induced hepatic encephalopathy in cirrhotic rats

Recent studies suggest endogenous opioids and nitric oxide (NO) are involved in the pathophysiology of hepatic encephalopathy (HE). In this study, the interaction between the opioid receptor antagonist and NO was investigated on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced HE in cirrhotic rats. Male rats were divided in the sham- and bile duct ligation (BDL)-operated groups. Animals were treated with saline; naltrexone (10 mg/kg, i.p.); or L-NAME (3 mg/kg, i.p.), alone or in combination with naltrexone. To induce HE, LPS (1 mg/kg, i.p.) was injected 1 h after the final drug treatment. HE scoring, hepatic histology, and plasma NO metabolites levels and mortality rate were recorded. Deteriorated level of consciousness and mortality after LPS administration significantly ameliorated following both acute and chronic treatment with naltrexone in cirrhotic rats. However, acute and chronic administration of L-NAME did not change HE scores in cirrhotic rats. The effects of acute but not chronic treatment of naltrexone on HE parameters were reversed by L-NAME. Plasma NO_x concentrations elevated in BDL rats, which were decreased after acute and chronic treatment by naltrexone or L-NAME, significantly. We suggest both acute and chronic treatment with naltrexone improved LPS-induced HE. But, only acute treatment with naltrexone may affect through NO pathway.

The correlation between dietary fat intake and blood pressure among people with spinal cord injury

BACKGROUND

Studies have demonstrated the effect of different dietary fats on blood pressure (BP) in general population. However, these associations have not yet been described in people with spinal cord injury (SCI).

METHODS

Referred patients to Brain and SCI Research Center between 2011 and 2014 have been invited to participate. Only paraplegic individuals were recruited and patients with injury at cervical or higher thoracic sections were excluded to omit the bias effect of autonomic dysreflexia. Dietary intakes were assessed by recording consumed foods by 24-hour dietary recall interviews using Nutritionist IV 3.5.3 modified for Iranian foods. Systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) were measured 3 times and the mean values entered analysis.

RESULTS

Higher intakes of cholesterol were related to higher BP (P = 0.010 and 0.011 for SBP and DBP, respectively). Similarly, intake of saturated fat was positively correlated to both SBP (P = 0.016, r = 0.21) and DBP (P = 0.011, r = 0.22). The effect of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) on BP was insignificant (P = 0.760 and 0.720 for SBP and DBP, respectively). However, intake of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) was related to lower BP among people with SCI.

CONCLUSION

This study has demonstrated that higher intakes of cholesterol and saturated fat are associated with increased BP, whereas DHA is an antihypertensive agent. Dietary modifications with reduction of cholesterol and saturated fat along with intake of additional DHA supplements may help to reduce BP in spinal cord injured-individuals with hypertension.

Effect of 5-HT7 receptor agonist, LP-211, on micturition following spinal cord injury in male rats

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Central and peripheral 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) receptors play a critical role in regulation of micturition reflex. The aim of this study was to evaluate effect of a 5-HT7 receptor agonist, LP-211 (N-(4-cyanophenylmethyl)-4-(2-diphenyl)-1-piperazinehexanamide) on micturition reflex in acute spinal cord-injured (SCI) rats during infusion of vehicle into the bladder.

METHODS

SCI was induced by compressing T10 segment using an aneurysm clip, extradurally in male rats. Following two weeks, LP-211 doses (0.003-0.3 mg/kg) were administered cumulatively (intraperitoneally, i.p.) with 20 min interval. The 5-HT7 antagonist, SB-269970 ((R)-3-[2-[2-(4-Methylpiperidin-1-yl) ethyl] pyrrolidine-1-sulfonyl] phenol hydrochloride), was administered after achievement of LP-211 dose-response. A cystometric study was performed 2 weeks after spinal crushing in all the animals. Cystometric variables consisting of micturition volume (voided volume), residual volume (volume remaining in the bladder after voiding), and bladder capacity (micturition volume plus residual volume). Voiding efficiency was calculated as the percent of micturition volume to bladder capacity.

FINDINGS

Intact and sham-operated rats showed few significant changes in micturition reflex. SCI rats responded to LP-211 (0.003-0.3, mg/kg, i.v.) with dose-dependent increases in bladder capacity, and residual volume. In this treatment group, LP-211 induced significant dose-dependent increases in micturition volume, resulting in significant increases in voiding efficiency (P<0.001) compared to intact and sham-operated rats, SB-269970 (0.1 mg/kg, i.v.) completely reversed the LP-211-induced changes on micturition volume and voiding efficiency was decreased significantly.

CONCLUSION

The 5-HT7 receptors activation by LP-211 facilitated the micturition reflex. Furthermore, 5-HT7 receptors do seem to play an important role in physiological regulation of micturition, and as a result, may represent a new strategy to improve voiding efficiency after SCI in patients in the future perspective.

Antidepressant effect of pramipexole in mice forced swimming test: A cross talk between dopamine receptor and NMDA/nitric oxide/cGMP pathway

Pramipexole is a dopamine D2 receptor agonist indicated for treating Parkinson disorder. This study was aimed to investigate the effect of pramipexole in forced swimming test (FST) in mice and the possible involvement of activation of D2 receptors and inhibition of N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors and nitric oxide-cyclic guanosine monophosphate (NO-cGMP) on this effect. Intraperitoneal administration of pramipexole (1-3mg/kg) reduced the immobility time in the FST similar to fluoxetine (20mg/kg, i.p.). This effect of pramipexole (1mg/kg, i.p.) was ceased when mice were pretreated with haloperidol (0.15mg/kg, i.p,) and sulpiride (5mg/kg, i.p) as D2 receptor antagonists, NMDA (75mg/kg,i.p.), l-arginine (750mg/kg, i.p., a substrate for nitric oxide synthase) or sildenafil (5mg/kg, i.p., a phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor). The administration of MK-801 (0.05mg/kg, i.p., a NMDA receptor antagonist) l-NG-Nitro arginine methyl ester (l-NAME, 10mg/kg, i.p., a non-specific nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor), 7-nitroindazole (30mg/kg, i.p., a neuronal NOS inhibitor) and methylene blue (10mg/kg, i.p.), an inhibitor of both NOS and soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) in combination with the sub-effective dose of pramipexole (0.3mg/kg, i.p.) reduced the immobility. Altogether, our data suggest that the antidepressant-like effect of pramipexole is dependent on the activation of D2 receptor and inhibition of either NMDA receptors and/or NO-cGMP synthesis. These results contribute to the understanding of the mechanisms underlying the antidepressant-like effect of pramipexole and reinforce the role of D2 receptors, NMDA receptors and l-arginine-NO-GMP pathway in the antidepressant mechanism of this agent.

Involvement of NMDA receptors and L-arginine/nitric oxide/cyclic guanosine monophosphate pathway in the antidepressant-like effects of topiramate in mice forced swimming test

Topiramate (TPM) is an agent primarily used in the treatment of epilepsy. Using mice model of forced swimming test (FST) the current study was basically aimed to investigate the influence of TPM on depression by inhibiting NMDA receptor and nitric oxide-cGMP production. When TPM was administered in a dose of 20 and 30 mg/kg by i.p. route it reduced the immobility time during FST. However this effect of TPM (30 mg/kg, i.p.) in the FST was abolished when the mice were pretreated either with NMDA (75 mg/kg, i.p.), or l-arginine (750 mg/kg, i.p. NO precursor), or sildenafil (5mg/kg, i.p. Phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor). The immobility time in the FST was reduced after administration of L-NAME (10mg/kg, i.p, a non-specific NOS inhibitor), 7-nitoinidazol (30 mg/kg, i.p. a nNOS inhibitor) or MK-801 (0.05 mg/kg, i.p, a NMDA receptor antagonist) in combination with a subeffective dose of TPM (10mg/kg, i.p.) as compared with single use of either drug. Co-administrated of lower doses of MK-801 (0.01 mg/kg) or L-NAME (1mg/kg) failed to effect immobility time. However, simultaneous administration of these two agents in the same doses with subeffective dose of TPM (10mg/kg, i.p.), reduced the immobility time during FST. None of these drugs were found to have a profound effect on the locomotor activity per se during the open field test. Taken together, our data demonstrates that TPM exhibit antidepressant-like effect which is accomplished either due to inhibition of NMDA receptors or NO-cGMP production.

Serotonin 5-HT7 receptor agonist, LP-211, exacerbates Na(+), K(+)-ATPase/Mg(2+)-ATPase imbalances in spinal cord-injured male rats

BACKGROUND

The observed controversy that N-(4-cyanophenylmethyl)-4-(2-diphenyl)-1-piperazinehexanamide (LP-211), a selective serotonin (5-HT7) receptor agonist, may either modify or exacerbate imbalances in serum electrolyte concentrations and renal tissue of spinal cord trauma cases has not been reported yet. The aim of this study was to better understand the effects of a new 5-HT7 receptor agonist, LP-211, on serum electrolyte changes in spinal cord injured- (SCI) rats.

METHODS

Sixty male rats were assigned to the following groups: A) Intact (saline as vehicle, 1 ml/kg, i.p.), B) Intact [LP-211, (0.003-0.3 mg/kg, i.p.)], C) Sham-operated [laminectomy + vehicle (1 ml/kg, i.p.)], D) Sham-operated [laminectomy + LP-211 (0.003-0.3 mg/kg, i.p.)], E) Treatment [laminectomy + spinal trauma (SCI) + vehicle (1 ml/kg, i.p.)], F) Treatment [laminectomy + spinal trauma + LP-211 (0.003-0.3 mg/kg, i.p.)]. SCI was performed by placing an aneurysm clip, extradurally at the level of T10. After two weeks, LP-211 was administered cumulatively and each dose was injected (i.p.) with 20 min interval. At the end of the experiment, blood samples were collected for biochemical evaluations of the electrolytes employing standard commercial kits.

RESULTS

The present results indicate elevated serum levels of Na(+), K(+), and Mg(2+) in SCI rats and significant differences demonstrated between the groups [P < 0.001, F(5, 35) = 23.92], [P < 0.001, F(5, 35) = 67.63], [P < 0.001, F(5, 35) = 71.144], respectively. So that, in groups B, D and F, there was a significant increase in K(+) and Mg(2+) serum levels compared to the groups A, C, and E (P < 0.001). Furthermore, Na(+) serum levels in SCI (LP-211), laminectomy (LP-211), and intact (LP-211) groups tended to be statistically lower than SCI (saline), laminectomy (saline) and intact (saline) groups. Infact, hyponatremia, hyperkalemia and hypermagnesemia was obtained in group F. Nevertheless, in the remaining measured serum electrolytes such as calcium (Ca(2+)), iron (Fe(2+)) and phosphorus (P(3-)), chlorine (Cl(-)), copper (Cu(+)), and zinc (Zu(+)), no significant changes were observed.

CONCLUSION

It was shown that acute additive LP-211 treatments in the SCI group led to hyponatremia, hyperkalemia and hypermagnesemia, it may be stated that LP-211 treatment as a promising candidate for treating SCI complications in some systems especially urinary tract might take into consideration and further studies would be needed to clarify its benefits or drawbacks. The observed discrepancies, nevertheless; will also pose new questions. Altogether, this will ultimately contribute to further understanding the pathophysiological role regarding 5-HT7 receptor activation.

Injury-related characteristics and quality-of-life among Iranian individuals with spinal cord injury

BACKGROUND

Health-related quality-of-life (HR-QOL) may be affected by various factors including injury-related characteristics among individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). However, the impact of the influence of these variables has not yet been fully described in Iranian population. Here, we assessed the relationships between injury-related characteristics and HR-QOL among Iranian people with SCI.

METHODS

HR-QOL was assessed using short-form health survey (SF-36). Referred patients to Brain and Spinal Injury Research Center between 2010 and 2012 were invited to participate in this investigation. Injury-related characteristics including injury level and completeness, time since injury, plegia type, and American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) Impairment Scale were evaluated.

RESULTS

Total of 104 patients (85 men and 19 women) entered the study. The majority of patients had a complete injury (77.9%). The most frequent ASIA score was A (75%), and the most common level of injury was at thoracic sections (61.5%). Lower injury levels were associated with higher scores in physical component summary (P = 0.040), mental component summary (P = 0.010) and subsequently total score (P = 0.006). Mean age and time since injury were 52.58 ± 12.69 and 10.88 ± 16.68 years, respectively, and were not related with HR-QOL (P = 0.70 and 0.220, respectively). There was no difference in terms of HR-QOL between patients with complete and incomplete injury. Paraplegic individuals had significantly higher scores in the domain of physical functioning compared to patients with tetraplegia (P = 0.007).

CONCLUSION

lower injury level is a significant predictor of better QOL among individuals with SCI whereas other injury-related characteristics including completeness, time since injury and plegia type may not influence HR-QOL.

Clinical Grade Human Adipose Tissue-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cell Banking

In this study, our aim was to produce a generation of GMP-grade adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells for clinical applications. According to our results, we fulfill to establish consistent and also reproducible current good manufacturing practice (cGMP) compliant adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells from five female donors. The isolated cells were cultured in DMEM supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum and characterized by standard methods. Moreover, karyotyping was performed to evaluate chromosomal stability. Mean of donors' age was 47.6 ± 8.29 year, mean of cell viability was 95.6 ± 1.51%, and cell count was between 9×106 and 14×106 per microliter with the mean of 12.2×106 ± 2863564.21 per microliter. The main aim of this project was demonstrating the feasibility of cGMP-compliant and clinical grade adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells preparation and banking for clinical cell transplantation trials.

Effects of combining methylprednisolone with magnesium sulfate on neuropathic pain and functional recovery following spinal cord injury in male rats

Methylprednisolone (MP) has been widely used as a standard therapeutic agent for the treatment of spinal cord injury (SCI). Because of its controversial useful effects, the combination of MP and other pharmacological agents to enhance neuroprotective effects is desirable. Magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) has been shown to have neuroprotective and antihyperalgesic effects. In the present study, we sought to determine the effect of combining MP and MgSO4, on neuropathic pain and functional recovery following spinal cord injury (SCI) in male rats. A total of 48 adult male rats (weight 300-350 g) were used. After laminectomy, complete SCI was achieved by compression of the spinal cord for one minute with aneurysm clips. Single doses of Magnesium sulfate (MgSO4), (600 mg/kg), Methylprednisolone (MP), (30 mg/kg) or combining MgSO4 and MP were injected intraperitoneally. Prior to surgery and during four weeks of study Tail flick latency (TFL) and BBB (Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan) score and the acetone drop test were evaluated. In mean values of BBB score, a significant difference was observed in SCI+veh compared with other groups (P<0.05). Mean TFL also was significantly higher in SCI+veh compared with other groups (P<0.05). Mean acetone drop test score and weight were significantly different in MgSO4, MP and combining MgSO4 and MP  treated groups compared with SCI+veh group (P<0.05). These findings revealed that MP, MgSO4 and combining MgSO4 and MP treatment can attenuate neuropathic pains following SCI in rats include: thermal hyperalgesia and cold allodynia. They also can yield better improvement in motor function and decrease weight loss after SCI in rats compared with the control group.

Magnetic resonance imaging of transplanted stem cell fate in stroke

Nowadays, scientific findings in the field of regeneration of nervous system have revealed the possibility of stem cell based therapies for damaged brain tissue related disorders like stroke. Furthermore, to achieve desirable outcomes from cellular therapies, one needs to monitor the migration, engraftment, viability, and also functional fate of transplanted stem cells. Magnetic resonance imaging is an extremely versatile technique for this purpose, which has been broadly used to study stroke and assessment of therapeutic role of stem cells. In this review we searched in PubMed search engine by using following keywords; "Stem Cells", "Cell Tracking", "Stroke", "Stem Cell Transplantation", "Nanoparticles", and "Magnetic Resonance Imaging" as entry terms and based on the mentioned key words, the search period was set from 1976 to 2012. The main purpose of this article is describing various advantages of molecular and magnetic resonance imaging of stem cells, with focus on translation of stem cell research to clinical research.

Psychosocial outcomes following spinal cord injury in Iran

Objective/background In patients with spinal cord injury (SCI), SCI causes psychosocial complications that vary based on culture, conditions, and the amenities of each community. Health planners and social services should have full knowledge of these issues in order to plan schedules that address them. In this study, we aimed to understand the psychosocial problems of persons with SCI in Iran and to explore the requirements for minimizing these difficulties. Design This was a descriptive cross-sectional study. Setting Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Research (BASIR) Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Participants One hundred nineteen persons with SCI referred to BASIR clinic to receive outpatient rehabilitation. Methods In this study, trained interviewers administered a questionnaire to the participants. The questionnaire consisted of socio-demographic variables and psychosocial questions about finances, employment, housing, education, and social communication problems. Results Psychosocial problems for persons with SCI are mainly associated with financial hardship due to unemployment and the high cost of living, followed by difficulties with transportation, house modification, education, marriage, social communication, sports, and entertainment. Psychological problems include sadness, depression, irritability/anger, suicidal thoughts, and a lack of self-confidence. The levels of the aforementioned problems differ with respect to sex. Conclusion Persons suffering from SCI can face some serious psychosocial problems that may vary according to sex. For example, transportation difficulties can lead to problems such as unsociability. After recognizing these problems, the next step would be providing services to facilitate a productive lifestyle, enhancing social communication and psychological health, and ultimately creating a higher quality of life.

Stem cell therapy for treatment of epilepsy

Epilepsy as one of the most common neurological disorders affects more than 50 million people worldwide with a higher prevalence rate in low-income countries. Excessive electrical discharges in neurons following neural cell damage or loss cause recurrent seizures. One of the most common and difficult to treat types of epilepsy is temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) which results from hippocampal sclerosis. Nowadays, similar to other diseases, epilepsy also is a candidate for treatment with different types of stem cells. Various stem cell types were used for treatment of epilepsy in basic and experimental researches. Two major roles of stem cell therapy in epilepsy are prophylaxis against chronic epilepsy and amelioration cognitive function after the occurrence of TLE. Several animal studies have supported the use of these cells for treating drug-resistant TLE. Although stem cell therapy seems like a promising approach for treatment of epilepsy in the future however, there are some serious safety and ethical concerns that are needed to be eliminated before clinical application.

Perspectives of Iranian medical students about do-not-resuscitate orders

OBJECTIVE

To study the attitudes of Iranian medical students towards the do-not-resuscitate (DNR) decision.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, 220 medical students (110 interns and 110 residents) of Tehran University of medical sciences were selected. They asked to answer to the questionnaire which included two items: first item consisted of demographic questions (age, sex, and level of education); second item included questions about DNR Orders which derived from a previous study conducted by Hosaka et al.

RESULTS

A total of 185 questionnaires returned (Response rate (RR=84%)). Ninety five were residents and ninety were interns. Seventy four percent of residents and 53% of interns felt that DNR order is sporadically necessary. Near 30% of interns and 40% of residents had participated in DNRs in their study period and the most case was the patient with terminal cancer. The most common person who decided DNR orders were physicians.Most participants believed that DNR cards are useful for establishing in clinical settings.

CONCLUSION

As DNR is definitely a medical decision, it should be clearly discussed with patients and their families. So, it should be provided in standard format in medical situations.

Attitude toward plagiarism among Iranian medical faculty members

The goal of this study was to assess attitude towards plagiarism in faculty members of Medical School at Tehran University of Medical Sciences. One hundred and twenty medical faculty members of Tehran University of Medical Sciences were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. They were asked to answer to valid and reliable Persian version of attitude towards plagiarism questionnaire. Attitude toward plagiarism, positive attitude toward self-plagiarism and plagiarism acceptance were assessed. Eighty seven filled-up questionnaires were collected. Mean total number of correct answers was 11.6±3.1. Mean number of correct answers to questions evaluating self-plagiarism was 1.7±0.4 and mean number of correct answers to questions evaluating plagiarism acceptance was 1.4±0.2. There was no significant correlation between plagiarism acceptance and self-plagiarism (r=0.17, P=0.1). It is essential to provide materials (such as workshops, leaflets and mandatory courses) to make Iranian medical faculty members familiar with medical research ethics issues such as plagiarism.

Clinical grade cultivation of human Schwann cell, by the using of human autologous serum instead of fetal bovine serum and without growth factors

Clinical grade cultivation of human schwann cell by the utilization of human autologous serum instead of fetal bovine serum, and also avoiding any growth factors, can increase safety level of this procedure in cases of clinical cell transplantation. The aim of this study was demonstration of the feasibility of clinical grade schwann cell cultivation. In this experimental study after obtaining consent from close relatives we harvested 10 sural nerves from brain death donors and then cultured in 10 seperated culture media plus autologous serum. We also prepared autologous serum from donor's whole blood. Then cultured cells were evaluated by S100 antibody staining for both morphology and purity. Cell purity range was from 97% to 99% (mean=98.11 ± 0.782%). Mean of the cell count was 14,055.56 ± 2,480.479 per micro liter. There was not significant correlation between cell purity and either the culture period or the age of donors (P>0.05). The spearman correlation coefficient for the cell purity with the period or the age of donors was 0.21 and 0.09, respectively. We demonstrated the feasibility of clinical grade schwann cell cultivation by the using of human autologous serum instead of fetal bovine serum and also without the using of growth factors. We also recommended all cell preparation facilities to adhere to the GMP and other similar quality disciplines especially in the preparation of clinically-used cell products.