Ovarian aging is related to the reduction of oocyte quality and ovarian follicles reservation leading to infertility. Vitamin C is a natural antioxidant which may counteract with adverse effects of aging in the ovary. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible effect of vitamin C on NMRI mice ovarian aging according to the stereological study. In this experimental study, 36 adult female mice (25–30 g) were divided into two groups: control and vitamin C. Vitamin C (150 mg/kg/day) were administered by oral gavage for 33 weeks. Six animals of each group were sacrificed on week 8, 12, and 33, and right ovary samples were extracted for stereology analysis. Our data showed that the total volume of ovary, cortex, medulla and corpus luteum were significantly increased in vitamin C group in comparison to the control groups ( P ≤0.05). In addition, the total number of primordial, primary, secondary, and antral follicles as well as granulosa cells were improved in vitamin C group in compared to the control groups ( P ≤0.05). No significant difference was observed in total volume of oocytes in antral follicles between control and vitamin C groups. Our data showed that vitamin C could notably compensate undesirable effects of ovarian aging in a mouse model.

Background: Klebsiella pneumoniae is one of the most important causes of opportunistic infections, including lobar pneumonia, urinary tract infection (UTIs), and wound infection. Treatment of disease caused by this bacterium has also become a challenge, as many strains are resistant to all β-lactam antibiotics. Metallo-β-lactamases hydrolyze most β-lactam antibiotics, especially carbapenems, but cannot inactivate monobactams. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of Metallo-β-lactamase genes (blaIMP, blaVIM, and blaNDM) in K. pneumoniae isolated from clinical specimens. Methods: Clinical samples were collected from hospitals of Mazandaran province. Among 500 clinical samples collected, only 40 Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates were detected by culture and biochemical tests. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed on all isolates by the Kirby-Bauer method. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique was used for the identification of blaIMP, blaVIM, and blaNDM genes. Results: Antibiogram by disk diffusion method showed that 21 (52%) and 19 (48%) isolates were classified as imipenem resistant and sensitive, respectively. Of all the samples, 30 (75%), 7 (17.5%), and 36 (90%) contained blaVIM, blaIMP, and blaNDM genes, respectively. The co-existence of the blaVIM and blaNDM genes was observed in 22 (55%) isolates. The presence of both blaIMP and blaNDM genes was confirmed in 2 (5%) of the isolates. Four isolates (10%) had blaNDM, blaIMP, and blaVIM genes simultaneously, but none of these genes were present in one isolate (2.5%). Conclusions: This study showed that the prevalence of metallo-β-lactamase genes in K. pneumoniae isolated from clinical specimens is very high, so it is recommended that physicians treat patients based on phenotypic and genotypic characteristics.

With the increase of cancer disease and the side-effects of the current treatments, researchers are attempting to find methods with less side-effect. The fern Adiantum capillus-veneris L. has triterpenoid compounds which have anti-tumor characteristics. This study aims to investigate the fatal effect of the extract of this plant on breast cancer (MCF-7) and normal (MRC-5) cell lines using MTT method. A. capillus-veneris specimens were collected from Marzoon Abad Village and were dried at the temperature of 40° C by the use of Soxhlet and Ethanol % 96. Hydroalcoholic extract was produced from the aerial and underground parts of this plant and 3 fractions, i.e., Hexane, Chloroform and Ethyl acetate, were prepared from the extract. The compounds of the plant extract were identified by GC-Mass. The results demonstrate the presence of polyphenolic compounds, terpenoid, fatty acids, wax, alkaloid, Noxide and fibers, with strong antioxidant effect. The results of the MTT test proved that this extract had a dosedepending fatal effect on the MCF-7 cells and is capable of eradicating the cancer cells. On the other hand, its effect on cancer cells is more than its effect on normal cells. Also, IC50 in both of cell lines induced by the extracts of aerial and underground parts showed a significant difference. The fatal characteristics of the extract are comparable with the cisplatin anti-cancer drug.