Medical Sciences Journal of Islamic Azad University,Tehran Medical Branch
Year:2009 | Volume:19 | Issue:2 (56)|Papers Count:16

Background: Trifluralin is a dinitroaniline herbicide and is used for controlling of annual grasses and broadleaf weeds in agriculture. It enters into the plants through developing roots and stops plant cells from dividing and elongation (meristemic inhibitor). According to entrance of this herbicide into the body via fresh vegetables, in this research the effects of trifluralin on reproductive parameters of the male wistar rats including serum LH, FSH, testosterone, and changes in testicular tissue and body weight were investigated.Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, forty male wistar rats with weight of 250±5g were randomly divided in 5 groups, including control, sham (received normal saline as a solvent), and three experimental groups receiving 500, 1000 and 2000 mg/kg oral trifluralin, respectively. It was administered orally once a day for 16 days. After 16 days, body and testis weight were measured and blood samples were taken from heart and used for measurement of LH, FSH and testosterone levels. To evaluate histological changes, testes were removed and weighed and, after obtaining tissue section, stained by Hematoxilin-Eosine.Results: Serum testosterone, FSH, and LH levels showed significant decrease in experimental groups (p<0.001, p<0.05). There was significant decrease in the number of germinal and somatic cells in testis in experimental groups (p<0.05). There was also a significant decrease in body and testis weight, and concentration of sperms in experimental groups (p<0.05).Conclusion: Oral administration of trifluralin could decrease gonadotropins and testosterone levels and impair steroidogenesis and spermatogenesis by oxidative stress and production of free radicals. 

Background: Influenza virus causes the cell death in animals and human beings. Cell death occurs in two manners as necrosis and apoptosis. In this study, the types of cell death in lymphoid tissues assessed in experimentally infected chickens with H9N2 avian influenza virus (A/chicken/Iran/772/2000).Materials and methods: In this experimental study, 20 SPF chickens aged 3 weeks were divided equally into two groups. The treatment group was infected with 0.2 ml of 1:10 dilution and 107.5EID50 titer of the virus intra-nasally and the control group was treated with saline normal in the same volume. Lymphoid organs including spleen, thymus and bursa of fabricius were collected after 72 hours of treatment and tissue specimens were fixed in 10% buffered formalin. Microscopic sections with the thickness of 5-6 micron were stained by H&E method.Results: Histopathological examination of lymphoid tissues of the experimental groups indicated necrosis, apoptosis and lymphoid depletionsin the treatment group. Apoptotic changes in the splenic tissues were significantly different between two groups (p<0.001). There were no significant differences between two groups in terms of changes in the thymus and bursa of fabricius. However, Necrotic changes and lymphoid depletions in the splenic tissues, thymus and bursa of fabricius were significantly different between two groups (p <0.001).Conclusion: This study indicates that H9N2 avian influenza virus is able to cause lymphoid tissue damages through induction of apoptosis and necrosis. 

Background: Apoptosis or programmed cell death (PCD) is an important mechanism in both development and homeostasis of human tissues for the removal of superfluous cells and its induction is an effective method in the treatment of cancer. The aim of this study was the evaluation of induced apoptosis of apigenin in the human B cell lymphoma.Materials and methods: In this experimental study, three human lymphoma B cells were cultured in RPMI1610, supplemented with 10% fetal calf serum, peniciline-streptomycin and L-glutamine, at 37oC for 2 days. Cancer cell lines were treated by apigenin and Cellular vital capacity was determined by MTT. Then, effects of apigenen on human lymphoma B cells were examined by flowcytometry technique.Results: During MTT, human lymphoma B cell line revealed significant apoptosis at 10, 15 and 20 μg/ml concentrations compared with controls (p<0.01). Flowcytometry assay showed that apoptotic bodies were significantly different in three human lymphoma B cells and 48 hours was appropriate time for inducing apoptosis.Conclusion: This study revealed the anticancer effects of apigenin and its effecst on apoptosis on human lymphoma B cells in vitro. 

Background: Prenatal diagnosis and prevention of live-born children with Down syndrome is a principle priority of Iran’s ministry of health. The aim of this study was the rapid diagnosis of Down syndrome by quantitative real-time PCR technique as a new method for prenatal diagnosis. Material and methods: In this experimental study, two milliliters of peripheral blood was obtained from each patient and normal control. Then genomic DNA was extracted using salting out method. DYRK1A2 gene as target gene and PMP22 gene as reference gene were analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR technique. Results: DYRK1A2/PMP22 gene ratio was 1.68±0.13 and 1.00±0.09 in Down syndrome and normal samples, respectively (p<0.001), demonstrating 3 copies of target (DYRK1A2) gene in trisomy 21 syndrome and 2 copies in normal individuals.Conclusion: DYRK1A2/PMP22 gene ratio is significantly higher in patients with Down syndrome compared with normal individuals. So, quantitative real-time PCR technique can be used as a sensitive, accurate and reliable technique for rapid diagnosis of trisomy 21 syndrome. 

Background: pseudomonas aeruginosa as an opportunistic pathogen is the most important infectious agent in hospital and has resistance to the common antibiotics. In this study, susceptibility of pseudomonas aeruginosa to quinolones and beta-lactams, and also relation of bacterial capsule and antibiotic resistance were assessed. Material and methods: In this experimental study, 100 strains of pseudomonas aeruginosa from Imam Khomeini hospital were collected and its susceptibility to some of quinolones and beta lactams was determined on the basis of the minimum inhibitory concentration on agar. In order to detection mucoid and non-mucoid strain, capsule was detected by India- ink staining and alginate precipitation methods, and then relation of bacterial capsule and antibiotic resistance was evaluated.Results: MIC method demonstrated 90% susceptibility to ofloxacin, 89% to ciprofloxacin, 59%  to nalidixic acid, 43% to ceftizoxime and 39% to ceftriaxone. The susceptibility of these strains was also examined on the basis of disk diffusion agar on moler Hinton medium, and susceptibility to used antibiotics was as following: co-amoxiclave 0%, ceftizoxime 23%, ceftriaxone 29%, carbenicillin 48%, nalidixic acid 50%, Ticarecillin 53%, Ciprofloxacin 36%, ofloxacin 70% and norfloxacin 89%. All strains had alginate capsule and only diameter of capsules was different between strains.Conclusion: This study showed that the method of disc diffusion has less accuracy compared to MIC in determining susceptibility to antibiotics.

Background: Migraine prevention is a major step in control and decreasing frequency of this severe and disabling type of headache. Current study was performed to determine the comparative efficacy of topiramate and sodium valproate in the management of migraine headache.Materials and methods: In this double-blind randomized clinical trial, among patients attending to Amir-al-momenin hospital between 2006 and 2007, 285 patients (50.1%) received sodium valproate with a dose of 200 mg/day and 284 subjects (49.9%) received topiramate with a dose of 100 mg/day for one month. Results: 262 patients (91.9%) in sodium valproate group and 266 subjects (93.7%) in topiramate group had good response to treatment (NS). In sodium valproate group, 40 patients (14%) and in topiramate group, 41 subjects (14.4%) experienced drug adverse effects (NS). Conclusion: According to lack of statistically significant differences between therapeutic efficacy and adverse effects of sodium valproate and topiramate, both modalities may be indicated upon with patient's conditions and physician's opinion. 

Background: Tobacco use mainly begins since adolescence. According to susceptibility of adolescents to high risk behavior such as tobacco use, this study designed to evaluate prevalence and some determinants of tobacco use among secondary and high school students in Pakdasht and Damavand cities.Materials: and methods: We carried out an analytic cross-sectional study among secondary and high school students by using an anonymous self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire was completed by 2618 eligible students aged 13 and 15 years. History and current use of tobacco and also their feeling about their health in a spectrum from excellent to bad were evaluated.Results: 26.1% of boys and 21.1% of girls had history of tobacco use (p=0.003). Mean age (±standard deviation) at which smoking started was 12.3±2.69 and 12.7±2.01 for boys and girls, respectively. 13.3% of secondary school and 13.7% of high school students were tobacco users at the time of study. Mean daily consumption of tobacco was 3.4 and 2.2 percent among secondary and high school students, respectively. No-users of tobacco had the better feeling of health than tobacco users (p=0.0005).Conclusion: This study showed higher prevalence of tobacco use among secondary school than high school students. According to beginning of tobacco use before high school in majority of students, early prevention programs should be performed in secondary school students. 

Background: The associations between celiac disease (CD) and chronic psychiatric disorders have been reported in several studies. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of CD in patients with chronic psychiatric disorders.Materials and methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, two hundred inpatient subjects with depression disorders and schizophrenia admitted to Razi hospital in Tabriz, Iran were studied.  Five milliliters of blood were collected from each subject. IgA anti-tissue transglutaminase antibody (anti-tTG) was examined by ELISA. The total serum IgA levels were determined by turbidimetry. Patients with positive anti-tTG and IgA deficiency were referred to upper gastrointestinal endoscopy.Results: The mean age of 200 subjects (100 depressive and 100 schizophrenic males) was 37±10.06 years (range 18-68 years). One (1%) schizophrenic and two (2%) depressive patients were positive for anti-tTG. IgA deficiency was determined in three (3%) schizophrenic and two (2%) depressive subjects. Chronic diarrhea was not seen in any of the patients. None of the anti-tTG positive and IgA deficient subjects allowed duodenal mucosa biopsy.Conclusion: Seroprevalence of CD in schizophrenic (1%) and depressive patients (2%) was slightly higher than general population. Therefore, regular screening for CD is suggested in patients with chronic psychiatric disorders. 

Background: The ability of physicians and nurses to work together as a unified team is essential to improve outcomes, error and risk reduction, and optimum care. The purpose of this study was to determine the association between nurses’ communication skills and nurse-physician relationship and collaboration in Alborz hospital of Karaj in 2008. Materials and methods : In this descriptive–correlative study, 100 nurses entered the study by convenience sampling. Data were collected by self-report questionnaire. The instruments for gathering data were included sample selection and demographic data form, communication skills questionnaire, nurse-doctor relationship questionnaire and nurse-physician collaboration questionnaire.Results: There was significant positive correlation between communication skills and nurse-physician relationship (P<0.001), but significant correlation was not found between communication skills and nurse-physician collaboration. Staff shortage (72%), government policies (52%) and failure of communication skills (67%) were the most effective factors on nurse-physician relationship.Conclusion: This study showed that appropriate communication skills increases nurse-physician relationship, but it doesn’t affect on nurse-physician collaboration in the management of patients. Interventions for increasing nurses' communication skills can improve nurse-physician relationship. 

Background: One of the prevalent psychological disorders, mainly occurring at the end of adolescence and early young hood, is eating disorder which is characterized by abnormal pattern of eating and miscognition of body weight and food consumption. The aim of this study was to determine the body image and its relation with the eating disorder among female students of Islamic Azad University in Tehran center branch.Materials and methods: In this descriptive-correlative study, EAT (eating attitudes test) and MBSRQ (multidimensional body self relations questionnaire) were administered to 400 female students selected randomly by stratified sampling. Data were analyzed by chi-square and exact Fisher test using SPSS ver.14 software.Results: Majority of students (87%) had negative body image. According to eating attitudes test (EAT), 21.5% of students had eating disorder. Eating disorder diagnostic inventory (EDDI) revealed that 1.8% and 7.8% of students had anorexia nervosa (AN) and bulimia nervosa (BN), respectively. There was significant correlation between eating disorders and body mass index (p<0.05) and father job (p=0.05).Conclusion: The prevalence of eating disorder among Iranian female students is almost similar to other countries. The majority of people with negative body image had eating disorder, however there was no significant correlation between body image and eating disorders. 

Background: Zinc status has been shown to influence various cell-mediated immunologic mechanisms. These cell-mediated mechanisms are important in preventing mucocutaneous infections caused by Candida albicans. This study was designed to evaluate the association of zinc status and recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis.Materials and methods: In this case-control study, plasma levels of zinc in 51 patients with recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis and 50 age-matched healthy control women were assessed by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry.Results: Mean plasma levels of zinc were 74.9 ±13 mg/dl and 87±23.5 mg/dl in patients with recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis and control group, respectively (NS). 4 (8%) women of control group and 5 (11.1%) women of patients group had zinc levels lower than normal value (NS).Conclusion: It seems that zinc deficiency is not a risk factor of recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis. 

Background: The signs and symptoms of neonatal sepsis are often non-specific and can make the diagnosis of infection more difficult. This leads to treat majority of neonates with antibiotics without bacterial infections. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of positive bacterial cultures and isolating the etiologic agents from neonates with suspected sepsis.Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 120 neonates with suspected bacterial sepsis admitted in Mahdieh hospital, Tehran, Iran . Blood culture was performed by BACTEC 9120 system, as a more sensitive method compared to current blood culture techniques.  Sepsis was classified as definite, probable, or possible based on clinical findings of sepsis, hematologic data, blood culture and CRP.Results: Among 120 neonates, 11 cases had positive blood culture. Seven of them were positive by staphylococcus epidermidis and the rest by entrococcus, lactobacillus, diphtheroid and gram positive bacillus. Definite, probable, and possible sepsis was found in 1.7%, 9.2% and 89.1% of neonates, respectively. Early onset sepsis was determined in 90.8% of patients. The most common clinical manifestations were respiratory distress and apnea.Conclusion: It is beneficial to use an automated blood culture system such as BACTEC which is a sensitive method and lead to earlier detection of bacterial growth.