Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of anthocyanin on oxidative stress, sperm, and testis structure in diabetic rats
induced by streptozotocin (STZ).
Materials and Methods: In this experimental research, diabetes was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of STZ (50 mg/
kg). A total of 64 rats were assigned into four groups as follows: a control group, a diabetic control group, a diabetic group daily
administrated with anthocyanin at a dose of 100 mg/kg, and a healthy group daily administrated with anthocyanin for 56 days.
After intervention, all the rats were anesthetized, their blood samples were taken, and the serum levels of insulin, glucose, and
oxidative stress markers were measured. Finally, the testicles were removed and histological parameters were assessed.
Results: Treating diabetic rats with anthocyanin significantly improved the testis tissue damage, glucose, and insulin plasma
levels (P=0.001). Furthermore, the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) was up-surged and the serum levels of superoxide dismutase
(SOD) and catalase (CAT) were reduced (P=0.001). Also, anthocyanin administration (100 mg/kg BW) significantly rectified these
parameters (P<0.05).
Conclusions: Our results confirmed the antioxidant role of anthocyanin in improving the sperm parameters and testicular oxidative
damage caused by diabetes.

Background: Noticing the daily advancement of the role of ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELD generators in human life, examination of the biologic impacts of these waves has come to be extensively appreciated by researchers. During pregnancy, VITAMIN A is extremely essential for the DEVELOPMENT of fetus and its lack, insufficiency or excess can result in embryonic malformations. This study investigated the synergetic effects of VITAMIN A and extremely low frequency ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDs on the DEVELOPMENT of embryo SKIN in BALB/C MICE.Materials and Methods: This study was experimental in nature. Eighteen pregnant mice were divided into control, sham-exposed and experimental groups. The mice in the experimental group were given an intra-peritoneal injection of 15000 IU/kg VITAMIN A on the 10.5th day of gestation and were, then, exposed to a 50Hz ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELD 4 hours a day from 10 through 12th day of gestation. The animals were dissected and investigated morphologically and histologically on 17.5th day of gestation.Results: The results showed an increase in the mean weight of fetuses in the experimental group in comparison to the sham- exposed group (P<0.05). Also, Crown-Rump of fetuses in the experimental group increased in comparison to those in the sham- exposed group (P<0.001). Epidermis thickness increased significantly in experimental group in comparison to sham- exposed (P<0.05), while the average number of basal, spinous cells and hair follicles decreased significantly in the experimental group compared to the sham- exposed (P<0.001). Conclusion: The findings indicate that VITAMIN A usage and synergetic exposure to low frequency ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDs (50Hz) profoundly affect the DEVELOPMENT and growth of SKIN epidermis in the fetus of Balb/C mouse.

Background and Objective: Carbamazepine (CBZ) is an antiepileptic drug that causes
significant malformations such as neural tube defects (NTDs), cardiac, skeletal and craniofacial
defects if it is consumed during pregnancy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective
effect of folic acid on prevention of birth defect due to Carbamazepine in Balb/c mice.
Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, Sixty Balb/c timed-pregnant mice were
divided into 4 experimental and 2 control groups. Two experimental groups received daily
intraperitoneal injections of 30 mg/kg (group I) and 60 mg/kg/body weight (group II) of CBZ on
gestational days (GD) 6 to 15. Two other experimental groups (group III and IV) received
similar doses of CBZ with folic acid supplement (3 mg/kg/day) by gavages route for 10 days
before pregnancy and 15 days after GD0 (gestational day 0). Two control groups received
normal saline or Tween 20 (polysorbate 20). Dams underwent cesarean section on GD18 and
embryos were collected. External examination was done and data concerning malformations,
weight and crown- rump of fetuses were collected and analyzed by using SPSS-11.5 software
and ANOVA and chi-square tests.
Results: The mean weight and crown-rump of the fetuses in both experimental groups I and II
were significantly reduced. Also in both experimental groups I and II various malformations
were detected such as open eyes, limb defects, scoliosis, facial deformity and NTDs. The mean
weight and crown-rump of fetuses in the folic acid treated groups did not show any meaningful
differences in comparison with fetuses in experimental groups I and II. Also, meaningful
reductions in eye, vertebral, limb and facial defects were seen in fetuses of group III. In
experimental group IV, reduction of vertebral and limb defects were observed.
Conclusion: This study showed that consumption of folic acid (3 mg/kg/body weight) before
and during pregnancy can reduce birth defects due to CBZ in Balb/c mice fetus

Cancer is the second important reason of mortality in the world. In this regard melanoma was
accounted as the most aggressive type of cutaneous cancer. Among drug extracted from natural products
from marine organisms have been focused investigations related to chemotherapeutic agents derived
from echinoderms such as sea cucumbers and starfish. In the present study, cytotoxic and apoptosis
inducing potential of Persian Gulf brittle stars dichloromethane extract were evaluated against melanoma
cancers. In this study, anti-proliferative effect of brittle stars dichloromethane extract on B16F10
melanoma cells examined by MTT assay and morphological characterization and death inducing effect
of Annexin-PI and PI flow cytometry. The data analysis was performed by SPSS software and p<0.05
were considered significant. The dichloromethane extract of brittle star revealed significant cytotoxic
effect on B16F10 melanoma cells with IC50= 31 µg/ml which is stronger than inhibitory effect of
methanol extract on melanoma cell growth. In addition, brittle star dichloromethane extract recruited
apoptotic pathway in the response of 31 µg/ml treatment. This study showed that certain concentrations
of dichloromethane brittle stars possess cytotoxic activity that can be used as an anticancer agent used in
clinical trial due to cell growth inhibition and apoptosis induction which offer therapeutic investigations
of dichloromethane brittle star extract as complementary for melanoma treatment and prevention

Nanoparticles of zinc oxide are widely used in commercial applications and the harmful effects of nanoparticles on the development of
oocytes have been studied in previous investigations. In this paper, we aimed to grow an eco-friendly procedure for the green synthesis of
zinc oxide nanoparticles (G/ZnO-NPs) utilizing aqueous extract of Ferula gummosa gum resin (Galbanum) and evaluated G/ZnO-NPs effects
on in vitro pre-antral follicle (PF) maturation compared to Galbanum extract alone and commercial zinc oxide nanoparticles (C/ZnO-NPs).
Synthesized, G/ZnO-NPs have an absorbance band at 320 nm and spherical shapes, the mean particle size of 36 nm and are reasonably stable
with a zeta potential value of -20 mV. FTIR results indicated that Galbanum extract covered the surface of ZnO-NPs. The results showed that
Galbanum extract inhibiting free radicals as well as increasing the production of estradiol and testosterone improves PF growth. Also, the
Galbanum extract increased expression of GDF-9 and BMP-15 versus the expression of Foxo1 and VNN1 that associated with atresia of PF
were reduced. However, the evidence suggests G/ZnO-NPs and C/ZnO-NPs, have negative effects on PF through increasing the production
of free radicals, reducing the expression of estradiol and testosterone, the reduced expression of GDF-9 and BMP-15, as well as the increased
expression of Foxo1 and VNN1. Overall, the findings of this study showed that Galbanum extract due to antioxidant effects, supports PF
development while C/ZnO-NPs and G/ZnO-NPs inhibit PF growth, and the Galbanum extract covered the surface of ZnO-NPs only slightly
offsets the disadvantages of these nanoparticles.

Background and Objectives: Retinal stem cells (RSCs) resided in ciliary epithelium have shown to possess a high ca-
pacity to self-renew and differentiate into retinal cells. RSCs could be induced to differentiate when they are exposed
to stimuli like natural compounds and suitable contexts such as biomaterials. The aim of this study was to examine
the effects of Retinol and alginate/gelatin-based scaffolds on differentiation potential of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs)
originated from mouse ciliary epithelium.
Methods and Results: MSCs were extracted from mouse ciliary epithelium, and their identity was verified by detecting
specific surface antigens. To provide a three-dimensional in vitro culture system, 2% alginate, 0.5% gelatin and the
mixed alginate-gelatin hydrogels were fabricated and checked by SEM. Retinol treatment was performed on MSCs
expanded on alginate/gelatin hydrogels and the survival rate and the ability of MSCs to differentiate were examined
through measuring expression alterations of retina-specific genes by ICC and qPCR. The cell population isolated from
ciliary epithelium contained more than 93.4% cells positive for MSC-specific marker CD105. Alginate/gelatin scaffolds
showed to provide an acceptable viability (over 70%) for MSC cultures. Retinol treatment could induce a high ex-
pression of rhodopsin protein in MSCs expanded in alginate and alginate-gelatin mixtures. An elevated presentation
of Nestin, RPE65 and Rhodopsin genes was detected in retinol-treated cultures expanded on alginate and alginate-gelatin
scaffolds.
Conclusions: The results presented here elucidate that retinol treatment of MSCs grown on alginate scaffolds would
promote the mouse ciliary epithelium-derived MSCs to differentiate towards retinal neurons.

Objective(s)
The possible risks of radio-frequency electromagnetic fields (EMF) for the living organisms and human body
are a growing concern for our society. In this study, we examined the possibility of changes in working
memory and hippocampal histological characteristics effects in mice brain following whole body exposure to
microwave radiation.
Materials and Methods
During gestation period, we exposed mice for 4 hr to Global system for mobile communications (GSM),
Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) of 200 mW/kg. Pregnant control mice were sham-exposed or free in a cage
without further restraining. Three month after exposure, animals were prepared for behavioral (Radial Arm
Maze (RAM) and Morris Water Maze (MWM)) and histological studies.
Results
The results showed that microwave exposed mice were slower than sham, and control in finding the
platform. Analyses of error rates in RAM and MWM performance revealed significant differences which
emphasize the effect of acute exposure to pulsed microwaves in deficit of spatial reference memory in the
mice. However in this study exposed group didn’t show any statistically significant loss of hippocampal
CA1, CA3 neurons versus controls or sham.
Conclusion
We conclude that there is evidence from the current study that exposure to MW radiation under parameters
examined caused decrements in the ability of mice to learn the spatial memory task.

Background and Aim: Statins promote the proliferation and survival of endothelial cells. ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELD, too, affects ANGIOGENESIS. In the present research, the effect of ATORVASTATIN together with a low frequency ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELD (50 Gauss) on ANGIOGENESIS of chick embryo was assessed.Materials and Methods: 98 fertilized eggs were divided into 7 equal groups in the following manner: control group and experimental ones 1) lab case, 2) ATORVASTATIN (0.1 mm) group, 3) ATORVASTATIN (10 mm) group, 4) ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELD group, 5) ATORVASTATIN (0.1 mm) and ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELD group, 6) ATORVASTATIN (10 mm) and ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELD group. On the eighth day of incubation a gelatin sponge was placed on chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) and was soaked with 10 microliters of ATORVASTATIN (0/1 mm) for groups 2, 5, 3, and 6); and for groups 3 and 6 ten microliter of ATORVASTATIN (10 mm) On the 10th day the eggs of the groups 4, 5, and 6 were put under an ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELD for four hours. On the twelfth day, incubation of ANGIOGENESIS and respective length of vessels in all samples was measured. The obtained data was statistically analyzed by means of SPSS software (v.16), ANOVA and Tukey test P0.05). Comparison between mean number and length of vessels in the control and group 2 showed a significant increase (p=0.001), but groups 3 and 6 was showed a significant decrease in the mean number and length of vessels compared with the controls (p<0.001). Comparison between mean length of vessels in the control and group 4 revealed a significant decrease in the average length of vessels (p=0.001).Conclusion: Synergistic effects of ATORVASTATIN (10 mm) and ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELD cause inhibition of ANGIOGENESIS in chorioallantoic membrane. Besides, ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELD has an inhibitory effect on stimulatory effect of ATORVASTATIN 0.1 mm on ANGIOGENESIS.

Introduction
Emerging hypotheses suggest a causal role for prenatal androgen exposure in some cases of Autism
spectrum disorders (ASD). The ratios of the lengths of the bones of the 2nd to the 4th digits (2D:4D) are
purported to be markers for prenatal androgen exposure and to be established early in gestation. Ratio of
second and fourth digits (2D:4D) is usually used as a proxy for prenatal testosterone.
Methods and Materials
In this study, 2D:4D on 48 children with ASD ( Case group) and in 41 normal child (Control group) were
measured. Two groups were matched with the gender and age. Both groups were selected by convenience
sampling method. All statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 19 software, considering as
significant less than.
Results
Results showed that the average ratio of 2D:4D in ASD children were lower than the ratio in control
group (P<0.05(. 2D to 4D finger-length ratio of the right of children with autism was lower than the
normal children (P0.05(.
Conclusion
The results indicate that the 2D:4D ratio could be used together with other parameters as an indicator of
the likelihood of developing autistic traits in offspring. Results achieved in this research can be valuable
in further biological and psychological approaches in neurocognitive research and diagnostics of children
from ASD.

Introduction: Eugenol is a substance obtained from clove that has some therapeutic properties. Angiogenesis involves the formation of new blood vessels from the primary vessels. Since today natural products are taken into consideration in regard with anti-angiogenic therapies, this study intended to investigate anti-angiogenic effects of eugenol on chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) of chick embryo. Methods: In this experimental study, 70 Ross fertilized eggs were randomly divided into: control, sham and five experimental groups. On the 8th day of incubation, experimental groups were treated with 0.5 -5 mM of eugenol. On the 12th day, all cases were photographed and the numbers and lengths of vessels around the sponges were measured via applying image J software. Furthermore, the hemoglobin content was measured using Drabkin test, and then the embryo weight was recorded. The study data were analyzed statistically via SPSS software utilizing ANOVA test at significance level of p<0.05. Results: No significant difference was observed in regard with average number and length of vessels in sham and control groups. It is worth mentioning that the average number and length of vessels in experimental groups of 3, 4 and 5 revealed a significant decrease compared to the control group (p<0/001). The hemoglobin content of experimental groups of 2، 3, 4 and 5 demonstrated a significant decrease (p<0/001). Moreover, the weight of the embryos in 3, 4 and 5experimental groups showed a significant decrease compared to the controls (p<0.001). Conclusion: As the study findings revealed, Eugenol was reported to have inhibitory effect on angiogenesis in the chick embryo, therefore, it may be regarded as a good candidate for studies concerned with cancer treatment and pathological conditions associated with angiogenesis.