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Background and purpose : Growth hormone deficiency is the reason of growth disorder in children. Therapeutic response is related to the factors such as, age, drug dosage, numbers of administrations and duration of therapy. Researches have been done to clarify the relationship between therapeutic response with the maximum amount of GH secretion in stimulatory tests. Ïn order to study this relationship, a research was conducted in Boali endocrine clinic on referred patients. in 1997-1990.
Materials and Methods : This study was an open clinical trial done on two groups of children with growth hormone deficienes. The patients were divided in two groups of  and B on the basis of maximum amount of growth hormone secretion on stimulatory tests. Group  included 11 patients, with maximum secretion of not more than 5 ng/ml. Group B, included 5 patients with maximum secretion of more than 5 ng/ml. Patients were matched for numerical and skeletal age, dosago and frequency of injection per week. Standard Deviation Score(SDS) for weight, height and the rate of growth were compared. The results were compared by paired T-test in the groups and T-test between the groups.
Results : The height growth, weight changes and also the growth rate in the groups were significant statistically. Weight SDS change was significant between two groups, but height and growth rate SDS changes between two groups was nor significant.
Çonclusion : No significant changes was observed in group Â, which could be due to the less number of samples and much height growth SDS changes. Hence, further studies with more number of samples is recommended.

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Background and purpose : Ënergy sources play an important role in preimplantation development. Ëffect of glucose, an importamt energy source, has been studied in different stages of embryo development. Ënergy sources play important role in embryos development in preimplantation peroid. Glucose is one of the main sources of energy supply, and it’s effect has been studied in different stages of embryo development. Since fructose and galactose are the important isomers of glucose, thus in addition to the effect of glucose, its isomers were compared on the development of mouse embryos.
Materials and methods : 4-6 weeks old swiss mice were supravulated by HMG and HÇG hormones. The mice were killed 48- 50h after last injection and 2- cell embryos were collected by flashing. The embryos were cultured randomly to hatching stage using T6 medium with glucose (T6+gl), galactose( T6+ gal), fructose( T6+fr) and without hexose(T6-h).
Results : The percentages of embryos reached to blastocyst were 91.25, 67. 09, 92.85 and 70. 92 respectivly. Âlso, 40.82, 25.21, 42.85 and 23.46 percent of embryos were hatched after 72h of culture respectively. The percentages of blastocyst and hatching embryos in T6+gl and T6+fr were significantly greater than those in T6+gal and T6-h (p<0.0001), but there were no obvious differences between embyos cultured in T6+gal and T6–h and those cultured in T6+gl and T6+fr in reaching to blastocyst and hatching stages.
Çonclusion : The results indicate that galactose can not be a proper replacement for glucose in primary embryos medium. But fructose can be an alternate for glucose in the medium, without causing any disorder in embryo development compared to glucose. But despite of this phenomenon, use of fructose as an alternate of glucose needs more studies.

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Background and purpose : Growth defect is one of the prevalent problems in pediatric. Ïn addition to the significant effect of protein and lack of calory on growth, zinc is also reported as effective factor in growth of milk feeded infants. Ïn this study the effect of zinc sulfate supplement on weight and hieght of the infants referring to the pediatric endocrine disease clinic of Boalo hospital was studied in the years 2001-2002.
Materials and methods : This was a double-blind placebo controled clinical trial done on the infants being referred from the sari health centers due to growth disorders. The subjects were divided in three groups as follow: severe malnutrition (SDS<-3), moderate mulnutrition (with SDS between 2-3) and normal infants or mild malnutrition (SDS>-2). Ïn order to neutralize the interfering factors, they were divided in 3 groups of bad, moderate and good on the basis of socio economic status. Ïn general, the subjects were created in 9 frames and randomly were divided in two case and control groups. Both of the groups were instructed about the need for energy and protein, and also for reduction of taking less nutritional food stuff. Ïn the case group zinc sulfate with dose of 5 mg/kg (1 mg/kg/zinc) was given dailty. Weight and height of the infacts prior and after interferance was compared, and serum zinc level prior to and after interferance was controled. T-test, X2 and paired-t test were used for comparison of the obtained results.
Results : 44 infants (23 girls and 12 boys) were under study. 21 persons were in case and 23 persons in control group. Both of the groups had similar basic features. Duration for administration of the drug was 3.3 months and followed up for 4.7 months. The obtained results are indicater of increasing in weight (P<0.02) and hieght (P<0.001) in both of the groups, but the differance between the above groups has not been significant. Most increase in weight was observed in group two (with moderate malnurition) P<0.0005. Âlso zinc sulfate reduced onset of gastroenteritis in case group (P<0.005).
Çonclusion : Zinc sulfate had no effect on weight gain in the subjects under study. Ït seems that growth indexes have improved due to amendment of nutritional status and provision of energy and protein. May be administration of zinc would reduce gastroenteritis. Similar study in the province with zinc difficiency is recommended.

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Background and purpose: Despite the vital effects of zinc on infant growth, the low zinc store of mothers especially in poor communities may lead to low content of zinc in their newborns. In the first 6 months of life, the young infant has a relatively high zinc requirement to support the very rapid growth of early infancy and growth retarding continues to be highly prevalent among children in low-Income countries. In this study we evaluated the effect of zinc supplementation on the infant growth and development.
Materials and methods: In a randomized double blind controlled field trial, 500 lactating women were identified and enrolled into the study within 2 week of delivery. They were enrolled only if they intended to exclusively breast feed for 6 to 12 months. Height (Ht), head circumference HC, weight and development milestone were evaluated monthly to 12 months. Data were analyzed using spss 10 software.
Results: WT. HT. and HC in infants of trial group were significantly higher than control group (p<0.05). Development milestone in trial group was seen earlier than in control group (p<0.05). There were negative correlations between birth WT and increasing WT in each month in trial and control groups.
Conclusion: the objective of the present study was to determine the effects of maternal zinc intake on infant growth and development. Further researches is needed, to evaluate the zinc supplementation for lactating women or infant.

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Background and purpose: Cyclophosphamide (CP), an antineoplastic drug, is also widely used in treatment of a variety of diseases such as lymphomas, leukemia, neuroblastoma, ovarian carcinoma, breast cancer and auto-immune diseases. However, its use has toxic effects on different tissues of the body, for example, it causes involution and degeneration of ovarian follicles and toxicity in the ovaries. In contrast, growth hormone (GH) improves the function of most body tissues and research has shown that it leads to the increase in the number and size of the ovarian follicles. The purpose of this study was to study the preventive effects of growth hormone during cyclophposphamide induced toxicity on the ovarian follicles.
Materials and Methods: In this study, 30 New Zealand white rabbits were divided into three groups containing 10 animals in each. Group 1 was the control group and only received placebo. Groups 2 and 3 were administrated 100 mg/kg body weight CP orally daily. Group 3 was also administered growth hormone 0/15 mg/Kg subcutaneously for 49 days (from 7 days before initiation of CP therapy to 14 days after the last administration of CP).The day after last administration of CP, all 30 rabbits were anesthetized by ether and ovariectomized and the number of different types of developing follicles, regressive follicles and degenerations in ovarian tissue was studied.
Results: Degeneration of follicles was observed in both groups 2 and 3, but the number of degenerated follicles in group two was more than that in group 3 which had received GH. The number of degenerated areas in ovarian tissue in group 2 was also higher than that in the other two groups. The difference between body weight and the weight of the ovaries in groups 1 and 3 was not significant, but there was a significant decrease in body weight and ovarian weight in group 2 compared with the other two groups.
Conclusion: These results suggest that co-administration of GH can improve the function of ovary and preserve the ovary and follicles from CP induced toxicity.

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Cornelia De Lange is a rare congenital syndrome with multiple anomalies including Facial dysmorphism, hirsutism, height, weight and head circumflex retardations, cardiac defects, gastrointestinal and renal defects and extremity anomaly. Prevalence of this syndrome is 1 to 30000 or 1 to 50000. The diagnosis of this syndrome is based on clinical evidence. Genetic foundation is known to have two forms including dominant autosomal and is X linked. Often mutations are NIPBL and SMC1L1. The aim of this paper is to show a case of Cornelia De Lange syndrome.

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Bone growth plates or physis are present at the end of long bones and are responsible for longitudinal growth. These plates consist of 4 layers and are lucent in radiography as a line perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, Because of cartilage layer x-ray absorption is less than calcified bone. Gradually increases with age and bone maturity these line will be narrower and as longitudinal bone growth stops, the line disappears. This phenomenon occurs at different ages in different bones of the skeleton but with complete maturity at the age of 19, all growth plates are closed and sclerosed. Re-appearing after closing is uncommon. We introduce two young patients in this study due to trauma have been treated for an ankle cast and the growth plates of tibia and fibula in their control X-ray was re-appeared. Subchondrel Bone Resorbtion is a known phenomenon that will occur after 6 to 8 weeks immobility in any bone. The lucent line caused by imbalance in osteoblast and osteoclast activity and bone absorption. Re-appearing of growth plates can be caused by reversed ossification and bone absorption.

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Background and purpose: In most cases, drugs used for chemotherapy are ineffective and have unpleasant side-effects. This has made scientists to find more effective drugs with less toxicity. Lagenaria siceraria is an important medicinal plant in the world and anti-tumoral activity of Lagenaria species has been reported in some studies. This study was designed to evaluate the anti-tumoral effect of methanolic extract isolated from Lagenaria siceraria on lung cancer cell line. Materials and methods: Hydroalcoholic extract of Lagenaria siceraria was prepared by percolation method. Cultivated cancer cell line of lung (A549) was incubated with different concentrations (0.1, 1, 10, 100, 250, 1000, 500, and 5000 µg/ml) of the extract for 72 hours and cell growth inhibition was determined using MTT assay. Cisplatin was considered as positive control. The resulting data was analyzed using ANOVA and t-test. Results: Results of MTT assay showed strong and dose-dependent inhibition of cancer cell growth by the extract of Lagenaria siceraria. This extract caused a significant decrease in proliferation of lung cancer cell line (IC50 = 93.094 ± 6.5 μg/ml). Conclusion: The results of this study suggest anti-tumoral activity of Lagenaria siceraria, however, isolation of efficient compounds of this extract and evaluation of their effects on tumor-bearing animal models are suggested.

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Background and purpose: Growth disorders in children are important amongst health issues resulting in serious complications. The aim of this case-control study was to determine factors related to growth disorders in 6 month to 2-year old children using multiple regression analysis. Materials and methods: In this study 150 children with growth problems as cases, and 200 children with desirable growth as controls were randomly selected from ten primary health care centers. A questionnaire regarding demographic characteristics, fertility history and nutritional status was completed through face-to-face interview with selected children’s mother. The influence of different factors on undesirable growth was evaluated using multiple logistic regression in SPSS and Stata. Results: The results indicated a significant correlation in type of pregnancy (wanted or unwanted) (OR= 2.58), mother’s age (<20) (OR= 1.52), number of pregnancies (OR= 2.7), gestational age (preterm) (OR= 3.8), breast feeding (OR= 3.3), type of labor (OR= 2.4), multiple pregnancies (OR= 2.02), low socioeconomic status (SES) (OR= 1.68), and conflicts in the family as a proxy of stress (OR= 1.66) with growth problems (P<0.05). Also, some variables such as conflicts in the family, type of pregnancy, birth weight and breast feeding, number of pregnancies and type of labor showed interactional influences. Conclusion: This study showed that some factors are highly associated with growth disorders among which some could predict the growth problems. Parental training on nutritional requirements of children, suitable time of pregnancy, supporting poor people and decreasing stress are recommended to enhance the health of children.

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Controlling the release of drugs and other therapeutic molecules has great importance in novel drug delivery. Nanoparticulate systems have the ability to control drug release and increase the presence of these compounds in blood flow and could convey them to a specific position. Growth factors are endogenous peptide which begins cellular signals to regulate cellular activities. The main problem is the instability of these factors in bloodstream and lack of proper distribution in systemic administration. Nanoparticles mainly nanocarriers have the ability to overcome this problem and play a great role in intelligentization of tissue engineering because of their unique features, including the creation of physical protection and collaboration with the scaffolds and cells. Due to the increasing use of growth factors in healing damaged tissues, and their application in tissue engineering, in this article a number of nanoparticles useful for the release of growth factors with a few examples are reviewed.

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Background and purpose: Human epidermal growth factor (hEGF) is a polypeptide of 53 amino acids with various medical application such as wound healing. The purpose of this study was cloning, expression, and purification of recombinant human EGF (rhEGF) and assessment of its mitogenic effect on NIH 3T3 cells. Materials and methods: Subcloninig of hEGF was performed in to pET24a (+). Protein expression was done under standard conditions. According to the protein expression as inclusion body, mild solubilization using alkaline pH buffer was utilized for protein solubilization. Ultimately, after refolding of solubilized proteins, MTT assay was performed to assess the mitogenic effect of rhEGF in NIH 3T3 cells treated with various concentrations of rhEGF. Results: Mild solubilization of inclusion bodies with alkaline buffer and subsequent refolding had a very high efficiency. MTT assay showed that cells treated with our rhEGF exhibited significantly higher proliferation compared to control after 72 h (P < 0.0001). Conclusion: It seems cytoplasmic expression system is an efficient system for production of recombinant hEGF. The method presented in this study is a simple, accessible, affordable and of high efficiency for solubilization of inclusion bodies which is also helpful in achieving bioactive form of human epidermal growth factor.

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Background and purpose: Trigonellafoenum-graecum seed has galactogogues properties due to phytoestrogens structure and can increase the volume of breast milk. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of herbal tea containing Trigonellafoenum-graecum seed consumed by mothers on growth parameters of baby girls (0-4 months of age) attending health centers in south of Tehran, 2014. Materials and methods: This clinical trial study was performed in 78 mothers breast feeding their 0-4 month old baby girls. They were randomly assigned into two groups (n=39 per groups). The intervention group received herbal tea containing 7.5g Trigonellafoenum-graecum seed powder and 3g black tea and the control group received herbal tea containing 3g black tea powder. The mothers used the beverages three times a day for 4 weeks,. The weight, height and head circumference of the babies were measured using baby weight measurement scale, stadiometer and tape measure in the beginning of the study and each week until 4 weeks. Data was analyzed by independent sample t test and repeated measurement test in SPSS. Results: No significant difference was found between the two groups in weight, height and head circumference before the intervention (P>0.05). After four weeks Trigonellafoenum-graecum significantly increased the babies’ weight from 5282.05 ± 1021.51 to 6383.07 ± 952.06 and head circumference from 38.31 ± 1.62 to 39.92 ± 1.50 (P<0.001), but it had no effect on the height of studied girls (P=0.078). Conclusion: The results showed that consumption of Trigonellafoenum-graecum seed-containing herbal tea by mothers could improve the weight and head circumference of breastfed babies. (Clinical Trials Registry Number: IRCT201312102751N10)

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Background and purpose: Low birth weight (LBW) is a serious health problem of neonates in the world. Most of these babies need to stay in hospital and may not have enough calories and protein intake that leads to inappropriate weight gain. This study aimed at investigating the amount of calories and protein intake in neonates admitted in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in Sari Bu-Ali Sina Hospital.

Materials and methods: This cross sectional study was carried out in 100 newborns admitted to NICU in 2015. All information including relevant demographic characteristics and calories, dextrose and lipid intake was calculated. SPSS V.16 was used for data analysis.

Results: The newborns were 68% male and 32% female. Exclusively breastfed infants included 51% of the cases and 42% had combination feeding (dietary supplements and breast milk). Mean intake of daily calorie was 63.2± 22.6 calories per kilogram per day.

Conclusion: Despite the efforts of NICU staff to promote breastfeeding, calorie and protein intake was less than standard amounts due to many reasons and this requires more attention.  

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Background and purpose: Application of three-dimensional scaffolds with the ability to simulate a three-dimensional in vivo environment has opened new perspective on targeted differentiation and therapeutic use of stem cells. In this study we examined the compatibility of CD93 stem cells with biodegradable pcl- gelatin scaffold.

Materials and methods: In this experimental study, three-dimensional scaffolds made of PCL -gelatin using electrospining synthesis and its molecular structure was tested by SEM electron microscopy. The scaffold surface was disinfected by UV ray. The hematopoietic CD93stem cells of those isolated previously were divided into two groups including normal cultured (plate) and culture on scaffolds (scaffold + cell). The survival and growth of the cells were measured through MTT assay and electron microscopy at 7, 14, and 28 days after culturing.

Results: Electron microscopic analysis on the seventh day showed appropriate adhesion of CD93 cells on scaffold fibers and secretion of extracellular matrix. Survival rate of the cells at 7, 14, and 28 days after culturing were not significantly different between the two groups. But at the same days significant differences were observed in the Scaffold + Cell group (P< 0.05).

Conclusion: This study suggests that PCL nanofiber scaffolds has high compatibility with CD93 stem cells and proximity to this scaffold lead to increased survival and growth of the cells. Further studies on the treatment of tissue damage and scarring by CD93 stem cells using this scaffold can be effective in increasing treatment efficiency.

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Background and purpose: Essential oils are volatile components of plants. Some essential oils with phenolic compounds have a strong antimicrobial properties. Probiotics are live microbial food supplements which beneficially affect host by improving its intestinal microbial balance, and they are well recognized as antimicrobial agents that compete with pathogenic bacteria and inhibit their growth. Various types of probiotic bacteria have different sensitivities to essential oils. Some essential oils increase the growth of probiotics and some others decrease the growth or inhibit that. Simultaneous use of herbal essential oils and probiotics is a new approach in preventing growth of pathogenic bacteria in food, therefore, this study aimed at evaluating researches conducted in Iran about the effect of medicinal plant essential oils on the performance of probiotic microorganisms.

Materials and methods: A literature search was conducted in electronic databases including Pubmed, Science Direct, Elsevier, SID, Magiran, and Google Scholar and articles published from 2006 until 2016 (the last decade) were selected. The search keywords included medicinal plants, probiotics, and growth inhibition.

Results: The studies showed that compounds found in essential oils have different functions on probiotic bacteria. In other words, in some cases they acted as amplifiers and in some they showed inhibitory effects.

Conclusion: Essential oils of oregano, olive leaf, malt, cinnamon, garlic, dill, cumin, soy, and peppermint have positive effects on the growth of probiotic bacteria, while Kelussia, thyme, Teucrium polium and simultaneous use of oregano and Ziziphora have negative effect on probiotic growth.

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Background and purpose: Endothelial growth factor type b with anti-angiogenic activity and inhibition of tumor growth are considered as new anticancer drugs. The aim of this research was to study the expression of vegf111b in HEK293 human cells.

Materials and methods: In this experimental study, HEK293 cells were transfected by pBUD.VEGF111b vector containing the VEGF111B gene through lipofectamine method. The mRNA of transfected cells and control cells were extracted and cDNA was built over it. Then, the expression levels of vegf111b were measured using Real time- PCR.

Results: Transfection of HEK293 cells was successfully done and 48 hours after transfection of HEK293 cells, ct of the vegf111b expression in transfected cells was 23.17 and ct of the GAPDH control gene expression in these cells was 21.11. In the control (untransfected) cells the ct of GAPDH was 21.09 and there was no expression of vegf111b in these cells.

Conclusion: Expression of Vegf111b recombinant protein in HEK293 cells is the first step for further research on this protein. Current study has provided the possibility of using this product for future research on angiogenesis and cancer treatments.

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Background and purpose: Nerve growth factor (NGF), as neurotrophin, has a role in response of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis to stress. In this study, we investigated the role of NGF by inhibiting nerve growth factor anxiety-like behaviors induced by forced swim stress in rats.

Materials and methods: In this experimental study, 24 male Wistar rats (200-250 g) were randomly divided into four groups (Control group: vehicle group and treatment groups: 10, 50 and 100 µM of AVG 879 tyrphostin). Intraventricular injection of vehicle and AVG 879 is exerted before force swim stress. Morris water Maze was used to investigate anxiety levels. Data was analyzed by STATISTICA V 5.5 usig ANOVA test.

Results: The duration time in closing arm reduced in the group that received AG-879 at low concentrations (10 and 50 μM) (P< 0.05), while it increased in the group that received Tyrphostin at 100 μM (P< 0.05). Also, the time duration in the open arm significantly increased in rats that had AG-879 at 10 and 50 μM, but at 100 µM of the drug this parameter decreased (P< 0.05).

Conclusion: Exposure to stress increased anxiety-related behavior. Compared with the control group, anxiety-like behaviors reduced in the groups that received nerve growth factor inhibitor.

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Background and purpose: Waste stabilization pond is one of the conventional wastewater treatment processes especially in warm climate regions. This study investigated the effect of baffle and attached growth on improvement of coliform removal efficiency.
Materials and methods: This research was carried out in pilot scale adjacent to wastewater treatment plant in Ahvaz, Iran. The pilot composed of a control system and three other systems. In control system two ponds were serially connected. Dimension and configuration of other three systems were similar to those of the control system. However, the ponds in these systems were equipped with various baffles and fixed bed media. Within four months, the capability of each system in coliform removal was evaluated in various detention times and coliform die-off coefficient (K_b) of each pond was determined.
Results: During sampling with average detention time of 8.7 day, the average of coliform removal was 69% in control system, while it in two, three and four baffles system these values were 80, 84 and 86%, respectively. Also, K_b20 average in the first pond of control system was 0.11 d^-1 and in other systems with increasing of baffles and media packages number to two, three and four it increased to 0.16, 0.17 and 0.18 d^-1, respectively. Furthermore, K_b20 in second pond was higher than first pond of each system.
Conclusion: Use of baffles and fixed bed media improved coliform removal efficiency. The efficiency of two and three baffles system was more than that of the control system and was found to be better than four baffles system technically and economically

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​Background and purpose: Glycation products, oxidative stress, and inflammation contribute to the development of diabetic nephropathy (DN) due to the elevation of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1). This study aimed at investigating the effect of Cysteine (Cys) on TGF-β in DN rat model.
Materials and methods: In this experimental study, 40 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups (n=10 per group): control, Cys, DN, and DN + Cys. DN was induced in rats by nephrectomy of the left kidney and injection of streptozotocin. The Cys and DN groups were treated with Cys (0.05% in dirking water) for three months. Glucose, insulin, diverse glycation products, lipid profile, oxidative stress markers, TNF-α, proteinuria, and serum creatinine levels were determined in all rats. Data analysis was done in SPSS V16.
Results: Cys decreased the sera level of TGF-β1, renal dysfunction parameters, diverse Glycation, oxidative stress, and inflammatory markers in DN rats. Furthermore, the treatment improved glycemia and dyslipidemia (P> 0.001).
Conclusion: Cysteine with antioxidant, anti-glycating, and anti-inflammatory properties ameliorated DN owing to advantageous effects on glucose and lipid metabolism in rats with diabetic nephropathy. Furthermore, this treatment showed multiple protective effects on kidney by reducing the TGF- β1 levels.
 

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Background and purpose: Beta thalassemia major is one of the most common inherited blood diseases and patients with this condition require regular blood transfusions. The resulting iron overload deposition causes endocrine gland disorders, including growth hormone (GH) abnormality. In this study, we examined the effects of recombinant growth hormone (rGH) in these patients.
Materials and methods: This retrospective study was performed in thalassemia major patients in Amirkola Thalassemia Center, using the medical records (2011-2018), to evaluate the therapeutic effects of rGH on  growth velocity of six short stature patients aged 7-15 years (four boys and two girls). On the basis of abnormal or normal response to GH provocation test, the patients were included in GH deficiency (GHD) group (n=3) and idiopathic short stature (ISS) group (n=3), respectively. The data were analyzed in SPSS-18.
Results: The mean age of patients was 11.00 ± 2.75 years old. The mean values for growth velocity before and after the treatment were 4.00± 0.86 and 7.83 ± 1.25 cm/year in GHD group (P=0.057) and 4.06 ± 0.81 and 6.00 ± 1.50 cm/year in ISS group, respectively (P=0.023).
Conclusion: In this study, the positive therapeutic effects of rGh in improvement of growth velocity were seen in thalassemia major patients (both GHD and ISS groups).