Medical Sciences Journal of Islamic Azad University,Tehran Medical Branch
Year:2008 | Volume:18 | Issue:1 (51)|Papers Count:15

Background: Prenatal diagnosis of fetal sex is usually performed by invasive methods such as sampling through amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling. One potential non-invasive approach involves analysis of cell-free fetal DNA in maternal plasma or serum. The objective of our study was to investigate the feasibility of using fetal DNA in maternal plasma for prenatal diagnosis of fetal sex.Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, a nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique was developed for fetal SRY gene identification using cell-free fetal DNA in maternal plasma. Peripheral blood samples were obtained from 32 pregnant women at the gestational period from 8 to 13 weeks and cell-free DNA was extracted by the phenol/chloroform method from plasma. The nested PCR was carried out to amplify the fragment of SRY gene by two sets of PCR primer pairs. Analysis was then performed on the PCR product. Specifically, the presence of Y-chromosome sequences in maternal blood plasma indicates that the fetus is male, whereas lack of a signal will indicate that the fetus is female.Results: Among the 32 pregnant women, SRY sequences were detected in 14 plasma samples after nested PCR amplification, while the 18 women bearing female fetuses had the negative results. The sensitivity of this technique was 87.5%.Conclusion: The phenol/chloroform extraction of fetal DNA in maternal plasma is an effective and simple method, and the nested PCR amplification of SRY sequence is a convenient and low-cost approach for the non-invasive early prenatal diagnosis of fetal sex.

Background: There are numerous studies on the effects of caffeine on memory and learning. The activation of a2-adrenoreceptors has been reported to impair memory functions in both rats and humans. In this study, interaction of a2-adrenergic system and caffeine on memory and learning was evaluated.Materials and methods: In this experimental study, 90 wistar rats assigned into six groups of fifteen. Rats received yohimbine (4, 6, 8, 10mg), as a a2-adrenergic antagonist, clonidine (2, 4, 6mg), as a a2-adrenergic agonist, and caffeine (10, 20, 30mg). The cannula was implanted into the right lateral ventricle of all rats with steriotaxi method. Then, they were trained in shuttlebox. Post-training intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection was carried out in all experiments and optimum doses were identified.Results: Caffeine and yohimbine fostered memory and learning (p<0.001), while clonidine diminished these abilities compared to saline injection (p<0.05). Co-administration of the optimum doses of clonidine and yohimbine showed statistically significant reduction in the time of step-through latency (p<0.05). Instead, co-administration of clonidine and caffeine revealed no significant increase in the time of step-through latency (NS).Conclusion: It is concluded that yohimbine and caffeine, unlike clonidine, increase memory.

Background: Sesame oil includes unsaturated fatty acids and phosphatidyle choline (lecithin). Regarding to nutritional properties and lack of cardiovascular side effects of sesame oil, its effect on blood cholesterol level in aged and young rats were studied.Materials and methods: In this study, aged and young rats were assigned into four groups of eight as follows. One group received ordinary diet, as control and other groups received additional sesame oil 10% for 2, 3 and 4 weeks, respectively. Finally, blood samples were obtained from rat hearts and were studied by enzymatic methods.Results: Total cholesterol level was statistically lower in both young and aged rats receiving sesame oil 10% for 2, 3 and 4 weeks, compared with control groups (p<0.05). Conclusion: This study showed that sesame oil is able to decrease blood cholesterol leve.

Background: Despite health improvement, the incidence of tuberculosis has increased during recent years. In this study, the diagnostic value of PCR method was evaluated in the detection of mycobacterium tuberculosis in urine samples.Materials and methods: In this diagnostic test study, we evaluated all urine samples gathered from inpatients and outpatients visited in Massih Daneshvari hospital between 1999 and 2005. PCR results were compared to the findings of direct smear and culture of urine samples.Results: Totally, 509 urine samples were studied. In 2 samples, every three tests (culture, bacterioscopy and PCR) were positive; in 5 samples bacterioscopy was positive, but PCR was negative. In 19 samples, PCR was the only positive test. In 471 samples every three tests were negative. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of PCR method in detecting of mycobacterium tuberculosis in urine sample was 31%, 96%, 31% and 96%, respectively.Conclusion: As sensitivity of PCR test is low, it is not considered to be a useful method for detecting mycobacterium tuberculosis in urine, but according to high specificity, it can be used for identifying healthy people and following up patients' response to treatment.

Background: About 3 million (3-5 percent) of Iranian population have diabetes mellitus. This study was conducted to investigate the impact of physical activity training on the participants’ health indexes (fast blood sugar, HBA1c, body mass index, lipids of blood, pulse rate and blood pressure) based on the transtheoretical model (a kind of behavior change model) among type 2 diabetic patients in 2007.Material and methods: In this quasi-experimental study with a before and after design, 32 patients with type 2 diabetes who were the member of the Iranian Diabetes Society were selected according to the inclusion criteria by non-probable (simple) sampling. Data regarding to the participants’ health indexes and physical activity were collected based on questionnaire, interview and observation methods before and after 1.5 and 3 months physical activity training sessions.Results: Some health indexes of the participants, including FBS, HBA1c, TG, LDL, were improved significantly after 3 months of the study (P<0.05) which demonstrates the positive effect of doing exercises on patients. Moreover, the quality of doing each exercise was also significantly improved (P<0.05). Based on the transtheoretical model the stages of patients’ physical activity were improved and most of them were categorized in the maintenance stage after 3 months.Conclusion: This study confirms the positive impact of physical activity training on the participants’ health indexes based on the transtheoretical model among type 2 diabetic patients and recommends doing exercise regularly.

Background: Pre-eclampsia, a kind of hypertension in pregnancy, is a frequent complication in pregnant women. Overall incidence of pre-eclampsia is 2-7 percent that reaches to 6-7 percent in nullipar women. Regarding decreased activity of antioxidant substances, we evaluated the effect of vitamin C (an antioxidant) on nullipar women to prevent occurrence of pre-eclampsia.Material and methods: In this experimental study, 200 nullipar women were assigned into 2 groups randomly. The first group received vitamin C, 1000 mg daily, within 12 to 22 weeks and continued until the end of pregnancy. The second group was considered as the control group and didn't receive the medication. Body mass index (BMI), pre-eclampsia incidence, SGA, preterm labor and low birth weight of newborns were compared between two groups.Results: Majority of pre-eclamptic women were in age group 21-25 years with BMI of 25-30 kg/m2. Among vitamin C group, the frequency of preeclampsia, preterm labor and SGA was 6%, 3% and 4%, respectively, while it was 6%, 7% and 7% in control groups.Conclusion: This study revealed no significant correlation between taking vitamin C and preeclampsia, LBW, preterm (premature) delivery and SGA.

Background: This study was designed to compare the benefits of intramuscular progesterone, 100 mg daily, and cyclogest suppository, 400 mg BID, to support luteal phase in IVF cycle.Materials and methods: In this Clinical Trial study 162 patients, between 20-40 years, were selected for rapid Zift cycles. Seventy seven cases used 400 mg cyclogest suppository BID and 88 used 100 mg daily intramuscular progestron to support luteal phase. Age, duration of infertility, number of follicles and number of embryos were the variables which were assessed. Pregnancy rate and abortion rate were also compared between the two groups who underwent the treatment.Results: Frequency of chemical pregnancy (positive b-HCG) was 27.3% in cyclogest and 30.6% in intramuscular progesterone group and there was no significant difference between two groups (NS). Clinical pregnancy, according to sonography findings on 5th week, was seen in 22.1% of cyclogest and 27.1% of intramuscular progesterone group (NS). Frequency of ongoing pregnancy was 15.6% in cyclogest and 18.8% in intramuscular progesterone group and there was no significant difference between two groups (NS).Conclusion: In this study, the frequency of pregnancy, including chemical and clinical pregnancy, in intramuscular progesterone group was more than cyclogest group, whereas there was no significant statistical difference between two groups with regard to the number of cases. Therefore, we need to assess the study with more cases. 

Background: The aim of this study was to assess the frequency of symptoms of depression, general anxiety, obsessive compulsive and phobia in interictal phase among patients suffering from epilepsy.Materials and methods: This cross sectional observational study was performed on 137 outpatients referred to neurology clinic of Imam Hossein hospital in 2004. All patients were in the interictal phase. Demographic and epilepsy variables and a questionnaire including items asking about depression, general anxiety, obsessive compulsive and phobia of SCL-90-R (symptoms check list-90- revised) was completed.Results: Relative frequency of depression, general anxiety, obsessive compulsive, and phobia was 55.4%, 44.9%, 55.8% and 23.2%, respectively. Phobia symptoms were associated with lower educational level (p=0.029), unemployment (p=0.013) and older age (p=0.013). The symptoms of obsessive compulsive (p=0.041) and general anxiety (p=0.044) were associated with older age. Different psychiatric symptoms were not correlated with sex, amount of drug use, marital status and the duration of the disease or type of epilepsy.Conclusion: Our findings highlighted that depression and obsessive compulsive symptoms in the first grade and general anxiety and phobia in the second grade are among the causes of morbidity among epileptic patients. Psychiatric symptoms are suspected to be higher in older, unemployed, and less educated epileptic patients. A close cooperation between neurologists and psychiatrists is necessary in the approach to the patients with epilepsies.

Background: This study was performed to evaluate the myopia prevalence, myopia progression, and various potential myopia risk factors in medical students’ final year (Internship period) at Islamic Azad University, Tehran unit.Materials and methods: In this cross-sectional study, 240 medical students were selected through simple random sampling. The students, who spend Internship course at the university hospitals in the first term of 1383, were asked to complete a questionnaire designed to assess the prevalence of myopia, myopia Progression, and possible risk factors. The first part of questionnaire was completed by all participants and the second part was completed only by myopias. Myopia was defined on a per student basis at the mean spherical equivalent of equal to or less than – 0.5 diopters (D) at the end of medical school. Myopia progression defined as the difference between current myopia and spherical equivalent at the beginning of medical school. Results: Among 240 students, the prevalence of myopia was 22.1%, myopia and astigmatism 29.2%, astigmatism 12.1%, astigmatism and hyperopia %2/9, hyperopia 1.7%. The prevalence of total refractive errors was 67. 9% and the prevalence of myopia found to be 51.3%. The mean equivalent sphere for the myopic student was – 2.28 D and the mean myopia progression during medical school was – 0.75 D. Myopia increased in 78.8% during medical college. Among myopic student 10% become myopic after the beginning of medical School. The mean age of onset of myopia was at 16 years of age. There was significantly statistical association between myopia and female gender, age of onset, positive myopia family history, and reading distance.Conclusion: Prevalence of myopia in our study was higher than worldwide prevalence. It may demonstrate the role of academic education and generally the reading required works as a risk factor for myopia. 

Background: The nutrition and immunity effects of breastfeeding have been known, so it seems important to identify effects of different factors on secretion of breast milk for encouraging the mothers to breastfeeding.Materials and methods: In this analytic prospective study, the effects of different types of delivery on continuity of breastfeeding and better weight gain of newborns were evaluated in 200 newborns by normal vaginal delivery and 200 newborns by cesarean section, in 1383 at three hospitals in Tehran. The newborns weight in 1.5- and 3-month and the type of newborns nutrition were compared between two groups.Results: Among vaginal delivery group, breast feeding was associated with full success in 70%, partial success in 21.5% and no success in 8.5%, while these figures were 48%, 29% and 23% in cesarean group, respectively.Conclusion: It seems to be longer time of breast feeding and better weight gain of infants in normal vaginal delivery comparing to cesarean section.

Background: In the domain of performing care and cure affaires, one of the basic principles in most health centers is the muscle injections and dressing. As a psychomotor domain, after years and reaching the normality level of muscle injections and dressing, alterations may occur in the performance. So we attempted to investigate the relation between the background experience of the hospital staff and their consideration about the standards of muscle injections and dressing in different wards of selective hospitals in Esfahan.Materials and methods: In this analytic cross-sectional study, data were obtained through different checklists to observe the importance of considering the standards of muscle injections and dressing, after certifying the validity and reliability. By random sampling, 38 cases of muscle injection and 31 cases of dressing were observed without notifying the practitioner. After completing the checklists, they were informed because of moral considerations; then those who agreed to take part in the research, the demographic questionnaire was also completed and obtained data were analyzed by SPSS software.Results: Most cases were married women aged 29-31 for muscular injections and 22-30 for dressing. The nurses who did muscular injections had 10-19 years work experience and who did dressing had 1- 9 years work experience. There was no significant association between the experience and considering the standards of muscle injections (NS), whereas this relation for considering the dressing standards were significant (p=0.02). Most cases with considering the importance of standards of muscle injections and dressing did the care at medium degree (%55.2 and %51.5, respectively).Conclusion: professional experience was correlated with considering the dressing standards, while it showed no significant association with muscular injection.

A 35-year woman, from Zahedan, was admitted to Shaheed Sadoughi hospital for abdominal pain. She was suffering from a sudden left flank pain during 3 weeks ago and bloody stool from two days before reffering to the hospital. After performing paraclinical evaluations, including routine laboratoryexams, plain abdominal radiography and CT scan, she underwent left radical nephrectomy with the diagnosis of a retropritoneal mass. Pathologic studies found renal angiomyolipoma with involvement of omentum. As we didn't find a similar case in the search of medical databases, it seems that this is the first report of renal angiomyolipoma with involvement of omentum to our knowledge.