MEDICAL SCIENCES JOURNAL OF ISLAMIC AZAD UNIVERSITY
Year:2011 | Volume:21 | Issue:3 (65)|Papers Count:15

Apoptosis, as a programmed cell death, is activated in response to various stresses. Apoptosis is an active and energy need process that many mechanisms and genetic factors control it with specific programs.Apoptotic cells have specific features. Apoptosis acts in many different organic evolutionary stages. Aberrations in regulation of this process can cause many diseases, such as cancers. Different molecules, like miRNAs, have a role in apoptosis process. miRNAs, as regulatory molecules, act in abundant cellular mechanisms. Regarding their function, apoptotic related miRNAs were divided in proapoptotic and antiapoptotic groups. miRNAs target several mRNAs and also themselves were regulated by other genes. This regulatory loop between miRNAs and related genes cause complexity. miRNAs have different expression profile in normal and abnormal cells. Apoptosis and miRNA both act in different processes of tumorigenesis, metastasis and antiogenesis. miRNAs can be used as biomarkers in prevention, prognosis and prevention of different cancers.Advances in knowledge about miRNAs lead to develop new therapeutic trend.Recent researches have suggested using miRNAs involved in apoptosis in the treatment of cancers.

Background: Diabetes is the commonest carbohydrate metabolism disease which may be either due to insulin secretion deficiency or insulin dysfunction or both. This study was conducted to evaluate hypoglycemic effects of Thymus vulgaris extract and its regenerative effects on beta cells of pancreas.Materials and methods: In this study, male Wistar rats weighting 200-250 grams were included and maintained at 22±2 degrees Celsius. The rats were divided into 5 groups of 6 rats each. Experimental groups were made diabetes by streptozotocin (STZ) (70 mg/kg i.p.). Three experimental groups were gavaged with extract (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg) for 21consecutive days. After the end of treatment, blood samples were drown from heart and serum glucose, liver glycogen, SOD enzyme malondialdehyde (MDA) level, plasma antioxidant power were measured. Finally, the rats were deeply anesthetized and sacrificed for histological evaluation of their pancreas.Results: Serum levels of glucose and MDA were increased (p<0.001) and serum SOD activity and liver glycogen were decreased (p<0.001) significantly in the diabetic groups as compared with the control group. In diabetic rats treated with Thymus vulgaris extract, serum SOD activity, plasma antioxidant power and liver glycogen were increased and serum MDA levels and serum glucose were decreased (p<0.001). Thymus vulgaris extract increased the size and the number of pancreatic Langerhans islets looking like of normal rats.Conclusion: Treatment of diabetic rats with Thymus vulgaris extract not only decreases the level of serum glucose, but also has beneficial regenerative effect on Langerhans islands.

Background: Apoptosis is a regulated, energy-dependent, cell suicide mechanism that has also been reported to play a critical role in the development of diabetic cardiomyopathy. In the present study, the effect of grape seed extract on cardiomyocyte apoptosis status in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats was investigated.Materials and methods: 40 male wistar rats with age of 12 weeks and 200-300g weight were randomly allocated into four equal groups namely normal vehicle treated rats, healthy rats received 40 mg/kg grape seed extract, diabetic rats and diabetic rats treated with grape seed extract (40 mg/kg) for 12 weeks. Diabetes was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of STZ (50 mg/kg) in diabetic groups.Results: Significant increase of apoptotic cells was noted in diabetic rats. Oral administration of grape seed extract resulted in significant reduction of cardiomyocyte apoptosis in diabetic rats.Conclusion: These results provide confirmatory evidence of apoptosis in diabetes and point towards the possible anti-apoptotic effect of grape seed extract.

Background: Fetal cerebro- spinal fluid (CSF) contains many neurotrophic and growth factors. Rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cells have been widely used as an in vitro model of neuronal differentiation that undergo differentiation to sympathetic neuron-like cells in response to NGF, bFGF, EGF and GDNF.Materials and methods: CSF was removed by tapping the cisterna magna of Wistar rat fetuses (E17- E20). PC12 cells were cultured in RPMI plus 10% FBS. The cell viability and cell proliferation were measured by MTT assay.Neural differentiation markers (MAP-2 and b-III tubulin) expressions were analyzed by immunocytochemistry.Results: MAP-2 and b-III tuobulin were expressed in PC12 cells cultured in CSF supplemented medium, but not in the cells from control cultures. Viability and cell proliferation were significantly elevated in PC12 cells cultured in CSF supplemented medium in E18 compared with control ones. A significant neuronal-like outgrowth appeared as early as Day 3 after the application of the CSF supplemented medium E17 and E19.Conclusion: Our data are in the same line with pervious studies that clarify crucial role of CSF neurotrophic factors in neuronal differentiation. Taken together we address PC12 neuronal differentiation to CSF induction by its components especially growth factors.

Background: Urinary tract infection with E.coli (UPEC) is one of common bacterial infections. This study investigates the distribution of three pathogenic genes, including aggR, aap and aatA and their linkage with the gene stbA (gene essential for maintaining Plasmid pAA) in UPEC infections.Materials and methods: E.coli samples from 244 patients with urinary tract infection were collected from clinical laboratories in west of Tehran (Iran) between 2008 and 2009. E.coli isolation was performed with standard laboratory methods. DNA was extracted from samples and the presence of pathogenic genes aap, aggR, aatA and stbA was investigated by PCR method.Results: Among 244 UPEC samples, 104 samples did not have any of three pathogenic genes, but 14 samples carried stbA gene. Among 140 UPEC samples with pathogenic genes, 94 (46.6%) aap gene, 52 (23%) aggR gene and 80 (35.4%) aatA gene were identified alone or in combination with each other. Also, the presence of stbA gene in 140 samples containing pathogenic gene or genes was not persistent as only 44 samples had this gene.Conclusion: Our results showed that the pathogenic plasmid aggR, aap and aatA gene patterns in E.coli change in different clinical settings. These three genes exit from one loci on plasmid and locate elsewhere. This study also showed that aggR, aap and aatA genes are not restricted to EAEC strains.

Background: There is an international consensus that evaluation of MYCNamplification should be done in all cases of newly diagnosed neuroblastoma. MYCN is the most important prognostic factor for neuroblastoma and determines treatment strategy.Materials and methods: In this study we evaluated paraffin embedded tissue block and bone marrow aspiration of 75 neuroblastoma patients with mean age of 4.1 years, including 32 female and 43 male, by conventional and also real time quantitative PCR.Results: Forty eight and 43 percent were MYCN amplification positive by Real time and conventional PCR, respectively. 28% of patients less than one year old and 48% of patients older than one year showed MYCN amplification.50 percent of cases with pathological diagnosis of small round cell tumor had MYCN amplification.Conclusion: PCR is a fast, reliable and cost effective method for the evaluation of MYCN amplification and can be performed using DNA extracted from small tissue samples and paraffin embedded blocks. As expected regarding detection power and convenience, Real time PCR was superior to conventional PCR.

Background: Due to the large number of PKU-causing mutations in the phenylalanine hydroxylase gene, it may be not possible to detect the mutation. In these cases, segregation analysis of the variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) polymorphic marker associated with this gene is applied in carrier detection of PKU. Considering the population heterogeneity in Iran, we undertook to investigate allelic frequencies of this marker in the province of Yazd (central Iran) until beginning of 2008.Materials and methods: 24 people, including 9 patients and their parents and siblings, were studied. After DNA extraction from their blood, PCR and gel electrophoresis for VNTR containing fragment was carried out.Results: Totally, 6 VNTR alleles were identified. Only 4 of them were present in mutant chromosomes. The distribution of PKU alleles in chromosomes was as follows: 5.5% VNTR3, 11.0% VNTR7, 78.0% VNTR8 and 5.5% VNTR12. In non-PKU chromosomes, alleles were distributed as follows: 20.0% VNTR3, 20.0% VNTR7, 33.0% VNTR8, 13.0% VNTR9, 7.0% VNTR11 and 7.0% VNTR12.Polymorphic information content (PIC) of this marker was calculated at 63%.Conclusion: This PIC indicates that it is a suitable marker for carrier detection of PKU in the first degree relatives of population under study.

Background: Matridex is a filler containing hyaluronic acid polymers, hypermelosis and dextran that affects on the fibroblasts and macrophayes to induce soft tissue augmentation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the longevity and complications of Matridex for soft tissue augmentation in facial atrophic lesions.Materials and methods: Fifty patients with scars and wrinkles on the skin face were included in this study. The depth of the lesions was divided to 5 grades. Patients were re-evaluated 2 weeks, 3 and 6 months and 1 year after injection. Data were analyzed by SPSS software.Results: After 6 months, 78% had less absorption of the filler and after one year, 16% had still the filler in the treated area. There was significant difference between depth of the lesions before injection and 6 months and 1 year after treatment. After 6 months follow up 81.8% had completely absorption in NLF area and 18.2% in glabella area. There was no significant difference between the volume of injection and absorption after 6 months, while there found significant difference after one year. There were no long- term complications and 16% showed short- term complications.Conclusion: Longevity of Matridex is between 6 months and one year in most patients. Some patients may have more than one year longevity. No serious complications were noted by using this filler.

Background: Prenatal care reduces the incidence of prenatal illness and death by health promotion, danger signs recognizing, and where to seek care for pregnancy complications. The purpose of this study was to determine the barriers of prenatal care and the relationship between the barriers of prenatal care and pregnancy outcome among women visited Tabriz hospitals.Materials and methods: In this cross-sectional study, 140 mothers were selected by purposed sampling among women visited Tabriz hospitals. Data were gathered by questionnaires, mothers file and newborns identification card.Chi-square, T-test, Spearman correlation, Kolmogrov Smirnov and Kruskal Wallis were used to analyze data.Results: There was a significant correlation between early married mothers (2%), low education of mothers (73%), low income for the family (73%), rented houses (46%), multi pregnancy (33%), many children in the family (25%), unwanted pregnancy (30%), usual complications in the pregnancy (67%), the lack of prenatal care in the previous pregnancies (27%), going to the centers at the time of problems (16%), the lack of encouraging factors (52%), inappropriate situation of clinics (30%), doctors office (17%), preterm labour (3%), fewer than 7 points of Apgar score (12%) in the first minute of birth, IUGR (3%), LBW (5%) and the adequacy of prenatal care (p<0.001).Conclusion: The significance of prenatal contacts not only does the provision of quality and client-centered counseling and encourages pregnant women to obtain adequate prenatal care; it also suggests safe motherhood programs should emphasize the education and communication content of prenatal care.

Background: Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the most common type of vaginitis during reproductive period. Preterm labor, tubal infertility and pelvic inflammatory disease are more prevalent among women with vaginosis. Regarding high amount of refers and lack of data about their risk factors, this study was conducted.Materials and methods: In this descriptive- analytic study, 1000 women referred to Tabriz health centers were randomly selected. Data were collected by a questionnaire containing demographic and fertility characteristics, previous history of treatment of symptoms as well as individual and sexual hygiene, researcher’s observations and results laboratory tests. Three samples were obtained from vaginal and cervical secretion and were used for microscopic observation and culture. Amsel’s diagnostic criteria were used for bacterial vaginosis. Data were analyzed by chi-square, t-test, exact Fisher test and logistic regression.Results: Gardnerella Vaginalis was found in 9.2% of vaginal discharges. Risk factors of BV included number of delivery, vaginal delivery, abortion, IUD utilization, individual and sexual hygiene and duration of antibiotic use. Number of vaginal delivery and abortion, vaginal pH, sexual hygiene, women’s education and husband’s occupation were predictive factors of BV.Conclusion: This study showed that diagnosis and treatment of BV based on symptoms could not be appropriate. It is recommended that laboratory testing should be added to clinical observation and examination to detect BV, especially before IUD insertion.

Background: Anxiety, as a cognitive process, is the most prevalent mental disorder among any age group of human. In response to anxiety, subjects experience different psychological reaction, such as worry about physical situation and hypochondriasis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency and association of anxiety and hypochondriasis student of Islamic Azad University.Materials and methods: This is a correlation- descriptive study.Among students of Islamic Azad University, Lahijan medical branch, 300 subjects were selected by random- stratified sampling. Data were gathered by demographic, Spielberger anxiety and hypochondriasis questionnaires. SPSS was used to analyze data.Results: 28.3 and 34.4 percent of college students had severe anxiety and severe hypochondriasis, respectively. There was significant association between anxiety and hypochondriasis, and also between them and age, sex, marital status, residency, economic status, diseases at infancy and parents diseases (p<0.05).Conclusion: Anxiety can decrease the capability and personal or social functionality. As hypochondriasis is a reaction to psychological or affective problems such as anxiety, these researches can improve people mental health.

Background: Learning is considered as the basis of the education system, and the other issues in this field depend on this important factor.The students’ presence and their participation in the classroom are considered as the foundation for learning and education. This study was conducted to assess the causes of absenteeism and lack of attention to the instructions among medical students of Islamic Azad University, Tehran Medical Branch.Materials and methods: The participants of this causal- comparative study consisted of 375 students from basic medical science group. The instrument used for the present study was a 3- section form designed by the researcher himself.Results: Among the 4 factors affecting students’ presence in the classroom, the instructors’ performance was the major cause of their absenteeism and the next parameter was educational programming. Self and family problems and medical science situation in society were the other effective factors, respectively.Conclusion: According to our findings, the accurate and continuous assessment of the quality of instruction, holding methodology, expression skills, and successful interrelation skill workshops for the instructors especially the inexperienced, and modifying the educational programs will increase the students’ interest to participate more in the classroom.