MEDICAL SCIENCES JOURNAL OF ISLAMIC AZAD UNIVERSITY
Year:2011 | Volume:21 | Issue:1 (63)|Papers Count:15

Background: Nicotine is an important part of cigarette smoke with strong physical and psychological effects on smokers. Methylphenidate (mph) is a medicine that has been prescribed widely for treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). In the present study, effects of both mph and nicotine on sperm motility which is one of the most effective factors in male fertility genital tract have been evaluated.Materials and methods: In this experimental study, one hundred and twenty male mice divided in 11 treated and one control groups. In treated groups, mph with doses of 2 and 10 mg/kg and nicotine with doses of 100, 200 and 400 microgr/kg were prescribed separately and in combinations orally for 40 days. At the final day, mice were killed and percent of sperm motility was calculated by counting gametes present in vasodeferan. Data were analyzed using Kruskal-wallis, Post-Hoc (Scheffe) and student’s t-test. P<0.05 was considered significant.Results: The sperm motility has been reduced significantly in groups that received both mph and nicotine.Conclusion: it can be concluded that even in light smokers, mph administration at high amount can reduce sperm motility.

Background: Neisseria meningitidis serogroup A Polysaccharides vaccines have been available for many years, but these vaccines have many disadvantages due to their induction of T-Cell independent responses. To overcome these problems, many researches have been focused on other parts of bacterial cell component such as OMV (Outer membrane vesicle). In this study, OMV containing PorA were extracted and evaluated by biological and immunological methods.Materials and methods: OMV were extracted by siadat, et al   method. Physicochemical properties of extracted OMV were analyzed by electron microscopy and SDS-page. The toxicity of LPS content in OMV was assayed by LAL test. The Presence of PorA was confirmed by western blot. Antibodies synthesis after immunization by OMV was evaluated using ELISA method.Results: The content of extracted protein was 0.1 mg/ml. Size of OMV was between 50 and 150 nanometer. SDS-PAGE showed that PorA was located in 35-40 kDa. LAL test showed that the endotoxin activity was ranged in 126EU/ml which is safe for using. The ELISA test showed that the total IgG titer was elevated after first injection.Conclusion: The results showed that the conformation of extracted OMV was stable, and there were no progeny determinants in OMV. Also, OMV elicited high level of specific antibodies against Neisseria meningitidis serogroup A. These results indicate that the OMV can be used as a meningococcal vaccine after further investigations.

Background: This study was conducted to assess the association of CagA (Cytotoxin associated gene A) positive Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) with bacterial colonization and immune response in gastric epithelial cells.Materials and methods: Gastric biopsy specimens of angulus, antrum, and lesser and greater curvatures were obtained from 138 patients with dyspeptic symptoms referred for endoscopy to Shariati Hospital, Isfahan. Specimens were evaluated for H. pylori and in positive ones, serum samples were investigated for anti-CagA IgG antibody. Immune response to Helicobacter pylori was classified according to Sydney system.Results: Of138 patients, 97 (70.3%) were infected with H. pylori from which CagA antibody was positive in 83.5%. No association was found between CagA positive antibody and age or gender (P>0.05). Also, no association was found between CagA status and bacterial colonization or epithelial immune response (P>0/05).Conclusion: The presence of CagA positive H. pylori is not related to bacterial colonization or gastric epithelial immune response in dyspeptic patients. However, according to evidence on the association of CagA positive H. pylori with increased of gastric cancers, strict follow-up of patients with this type of H. pylori is recommended even in the absence of severe epithelial immune response.

Background: Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFa) is one of the key cytokines that affects on pathology of microbial infections. It is suggested that genetic susceptibility to severe form of malaria is associated with TNFa promoter polymorphisms. The aim of present study was to investigate frequency of -308GàA, -244GàA and -238GàA polymorphism in 174 samples of Hormozgan and Kerman provinces.Material and methods: In case- control study, we investigated the prevalence of TNFa-244GàA, TNFa-308GàA and TNFa-238GàA polymorphism in 174 (154 healthy and 20 patients) individuals from Kerman and Hormozgan provinces of Iran. DNA extraction performed, and then PCR-RFLP was used to detect polymorphisms in -308,-244 and -238 loci.Results: In these three regions, 82.2% of healthy samples showed GG genotype, 14.26% AG and 0.19% AA. All samples of patients showed GG genotype in these three regions.Conclusion: It seems that evolutionary effect of malaria causes increased genotypes which related with protection against malaria or reduction of risk of cerebral malaria and death, although, there was no association between frequency of these genotypes and protection against malaria.

Background: One of the most important causes of death due to tuberculosis is drug resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Rifampin is one of the most important drugs that are commonly used for treatment of tuberculosis. Mutations in rpoB gene of Mycobacterium tuberculosis cause rifampin drug resistant. The aim of this study was to investigate the type and frequencies of the mutation in this region in Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolated from patients in Tehran.Materials and methods: In this experimental study, 50 patients who did not respond to 6- month chemotherapy with anti- tuberculosis drugs were selected and tested for resistance to this drug. Patients’ sputum were obtained and cultured on Lowenstein-Jensen solid medium. After susceptibility testing, DNA of resistant strains was extracted and rpoB gene was amplified with PCR. Results were analyzed by computer using DNAMAN program.Results: 14 cases had mutations in this region of Mycobacterium tubrculosis. However, 6 isolates (30%) had no mutation in this part of the genome. The most frequent mutations occurred in codons 531(40%) and 515 (20%). We report mutation of codon 515 for the first time. Mutations in codons 526 (10%) and 510 (15%) were found.Conclusion: Mutation in codon 515 probably shows the different pattern of mutation in Tehran. Our data indicate 6 isolates without mutation in the 81bp region. According to this study, resistance to rifampin may have non genetic and genetic causes on genes outside of 81bp region.

Background: Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis which involves poultry is transmitted by food. The aim of this survey was to optimize PCR method in order to detect Salmonella enteritidis in poultry products.Materials and methods: In this basic research, 80 samples (40 broiler meat and 40 egg samples) were obtained from distribution centers in Karaj and suburb. Following the DNA extraction of the samples, PCR was optimized and performed using standard strain of Salmonella enteritidis (RTCC1621) as positive control and primers against the flagella coding sequence of Salmonella Enteritidis genome.Results: The analysis of the PCR products by agarose gel electrophoresis indicated the amplification of 250 bp segments in 16 out of 40 (40%) broiler meat and 9 out of 40 (23%) egg samples. The sensitivity of the PCR at the DNA level was found to be 1pg and the specificity of the PCR was determined using 6 other entric Gram negative bacteria and found to be positive only for Salmonella enteritidis.Conclusion: This study confirmed that PCR provides sensitive, specific and rapid approach for detection of Salmonella enteritidis in food samples.

Background: There is few studies in Iran investigated the viewpoint of nursing students and their trainers regarding preventing and facilitating factors of effective clinical teaching in Islamic Azad University. The aim of the present study was to compare the viewpoint of nursing students and their trainers regarding preventing and facilitating factors of effective clinical teaching.Materials and methods: In a descriptive-comparative study, all nursing students (n= 121) and clinical trainers (n= 21) of Islamic Azad University, Maragheh Branch were participated. Data were gathered by a questionnaire. Validity and reliability of questionnaire was determined by content validity and internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha), respectively. Questionnaires were completed with self-report method. Data analysis was conducted with SPSS, 13 software by Mann-Whitney U test.Results: 21 trainer and 121 students considered facilitating and preventing factors as important factors for effective clinical teaching. There were statistical differences between nursing students and nursing trainers viewpoints regarding facilitating factors of effective clinical teaching (p= 0.003). In other hand, there were no statistical differences between nursing students and nursing trainers viewpoints regarding preventing factors of effective clinical teaching (p= 0.08).Conclusion: These findings demonstrate the importance of facilitating and preventing factors of effective clinical teaching from the viewpoints of nursing students and trainers of Islamic Azad University. Attention to this factors have important role in improvement of clinical education of nursing students.

Background: Many patients with inguinal hernia are operated and hemovac is used to drain extra fluids from the surgery site. In this study, we compared the results of surgery in patients operated with hemovac vs. who had not hemovac.Materials and methods: In a randomized clinical trial, 86 patients with inguinal hernia were assigned into two groups. Patients were operated by Lichtenstein method and hemovac was used in one group. The short- term outcome was compared between two groups.Results: Severity of pain in hemovac group was mild in 20 cases, moderate in 16 and severe in 5, and in non hemovac group was mild in 19 cases, moderate in 20 and severe in 2. Severity of scar in hemovac group was mild in 21 cases, moderate in 20 and severe in 2, and in non hemovac group was mild in 25 cases, moderate in 16 and severe in 2. Inflammation in hemovac group was mild in 23, moderate in 20 and nobody had severe inflammation, while in non hemovac group was mild in 31 cases, moderate in 11 and severe in 1.Conclusion: There were no significant differences in pain, scar and inflammation among groups with and without hemovac. Using hemovac in inguinal hernia repair does not have effect on the healing of surgery site.

Background: There is high prevalence of pencicllinase producing Neisseria gonorrhoeae and antibiotic resistance in numerous areas of the world. The aim of this study was to investigate drug resistance of gonococci.Material and methods: In this cross-sectional descriptive study, vaginal discharge of 126 patients visited for vaginal discharge or suprapubic pain or admitted for periodic examination in Azad University hospitals were studied. Direct smear and gram stain of vaginal discharge was prepared and it was cultured into Tyer-Marthin media. Sensitivity to antibiotics was evaluated in positive cultures.Results: Direct smear and gram staining of cervical discharge revealed 48 (38.1%) gram negative kidney shaped diplococci, but in selective media, only 12 (9.5%) Nesseria gonorrhoeae was detected. From 12 strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, 8 (66.6%) were resistant to penicillin, 8 (66.6%) to spectinomycin and 8 (66.6%) to co-trimoxazol, but neither of specimens were resistant to ceftriaxone.Conclusion: Direct smear of vaginal discharge isn't enough for proper diagnosis of Neisseria gonorrhoeae and it should be confirmed by culture. Ceftriaxone is the best choice for treatment of gonococcal infections, but there is resistance to spectinomycin, co-trimoxazol and penicillin.

Background: Annually, thousands of people referred to forensic medicine organization to receive clinical records relating to assaults, accidents, conflicts, medical malpractices, physical examination of living body and cadaver. Considering the importance of medical records in response to legal issues, this study reviewed medical records to law enforcement response to the hospitals affiliated of Kashan University of Medical Sciences.Materials and methods: This descriptive study was done on clinical records of health care centers of Kashan sent to the forensic organization in 2010. Types of documents requested by the medical examiners, the reasons for referral to medical centers and legal reasons for not using of clinical records were evaluated. Information of those forensic cases that their answers need clinical records was gathered. Data were analyzed using software SPSS ver.15.Results: Of  10212 referrals to the forensic medicine organization, 1320 (13%) cases were requested  for clinical records, and the most cases (80%) were related to accidents. Not accuracy of information in 134 cases (15.10%), incomplete records in 264 (12%), no credibility of evidences due to lack of date and stamp in 28 (2%), no credibility of evidences due to lack of signature in 31 (2%), invalidity due to lack of following documentation principles in 57 (4.3) and mismatch final diagnosis with paraclinical reports in 32 cases (2.4%) were reasons of not using these information.Conclusion: In general, the quality of medical records for documentation has several weakness points in accuracy, correctness, completeness, compatibility and having physician signature.

Background: Crimean Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a viral zoonosis disease was reported from different part of world since 1944. This research was conducted to study the epidemiology of CCHF and also confirm the epidemic of disease in the province of Khorasan Razavi in spring and summer 2009.Materials and methods: In this cross-sectional study, all suspected and probable CCHF cases reported to surveillance system in the Spring & Summer of 2009 were studied.Results: In the first 6 months of 2009, 13 people were infected to this virus in the Khorasan razavi province. Compared with previous years, it confirms an outbreak. Four patients (31%) were medical staff of Ghaem hospital, four patients (31%) were butchers and the rest (38%) were farmer or poultry staff.Conclusion: According to our findings, medical staffs, butchers and ranchers are seriously at risk more than others. For prevention of epidemic, case finding, early diagnosis and training of high risk groups are essential in surveillance system.

Background: Arterial variations can cause many problems in treatment of patients. So, it seems that knowledge about these variations can improve the process of treatments.Case Report: During dissection of a 55 year-old male cadaver, it was seen that radial artery had been separated from the second part of axillary artery and brachial artery had been continued in forearm as ulnar artery.Conclusion: This variation is important because radial artery is used for injection of drugs, catheterization and bypass grafting of coronary arteries. Attention to this variation may facilitate the surgical approaches and decrease the risk of arterial injuries in upper limb.