JOURNAL OF MAZANDARAN UNIVERSITY OF MEDICAL SCIENCES
Year:2011 | Volume:24 | Issue:81|Papers Count:11

Background and purpose: Mutation in factor V Leiden (R506Q), mutation of G20210A in prothrombin and mutation of C667T in methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTFHR) are part of genetic variant that increase the risk of thrombosis. The purpose of this study was to define the frequencies of three risk factors among thalassaemia major and thalassaemia intermedia compared with the normal subjects.Materials and methods: In this study in Sari city, North of Iran, 164 participants including 59 patients with thalassaemia intermedia, 99 patients with thalassaemia major and 105 normal individuals (as control) were studied. After DNA extraction from peripheral blood using the standard method, two different methods, ARMS-PCR and PCR-RFLP were used to determine the mutation in each of the three genes. Finally, frequency of the alleles was statistically compared.Results: Frequency of the mutation of G20210A in normal control was 0.48 percent and it was not seen in patients with thalassaemia major. Frequency of mutant allele C667T (allele T) in gene MTHFR were 24 percent in normal subjects, 26 percent in patients with intermedia and 18.4 percent in patients with majors thalassaemia. Frequency of FV leiden were 3.3 percent in normal control, 1.06% in thalassaemia intermedia and 0.48 percent in thalassaemia major.Conclusion: The results of this study showed that despite higher thrombotic risk in patients with thalassaemia (especially in thalassaemia intermedia), there was no significant difference among the thalassaemia major, intermedia and normal subjects on three genetic risk factors studied in this research.

Background and purpose: Malassezia is one of the etiologic agents of skin disorders such as acne and opportunistic pathogen for invasive infections. As no published evidence was found on the distribution of Malassezia in acne lesion in Mazandaran province, the present study was carried out to determine the prevalence of Malassezia in acne lesions in patients referred to dermatology clinic of Booali hospital in Sari city and to evaluate the susceptibility of isolated species to ketoconazole (KTZ‚ miconazole (MIZ) and clotrimazole (CLZ).Materials and methods: In the present study, 122 patients (66 female and 56 male) were recruited. Samples collected from inside of acne mounted by KOH+CFW for microscopic examination.Samples were also cultured using Leeming-Notman medium. The isolated species were identified by their morphologic and physiologic characteristics and confirmed by molecular method. Susceptibility to KTZ‚ CLZ and MIZ were done by Broth microdilution method. Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimal Fungicidal Concentration (MFC) determined for each drug.Results: In total, 60 cases (49.2%) were positive for yeast cells in direct microscopic examination.Yeast like fungi growth was positive in 23 samples. Malassezia furfur was obtained in 3 cases (2.5%). Candida species were identified in other cases. The MIC ranges were 0.03-2 mg/ml, 4-16 mg/ml and 2-16 mg/ml for KTZ‚ CLZ and MIZ, respectively. The MFC ranges were 0.03-2 mg/ml, 8-16 mg ml and 4-16 mg/ml for KTZ‚ CLZ and MIZ, respectively.Conclusion: As to considerable number of cases were positive for Candida species in acne lesions in the present study, the precise differential diagnosis based on culture of samples is emphasized. The results demonstrated that KTZ is the most effective imidazole against Malassezia furfur isolates.

Background and purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the serum concentration of copper (Cu), zinc (Zn) and copper/zinc ratio (Cu/Zn) in patients with ovarian cancer to compare with those in patients with benign ovarian lesions.Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out on 50 patients with ovarian cancer (malignant group) and 50 patients with benign ovarian lesions (benign group). Serum concentration of Cu and Zn were measured by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS). Chi-square test and student's t-test was used for analyzing the data using SPSS.Results: History of lactation and positive blood RH were higher in malignant group compared with benign group. There was a significant increase in mean serum levels of Cu (P<0.001) and the ratio of Cu/Zn (P<0.01) in malignant group compared with the benign group. However, there was no significant difference in the mean serum levels of Zn between the two groups (P>0.05).Conclusion: The study showed that serum copper and copper/zinc ratio were significantly higher in patients with ovarian cancer when compared with those patients with benign ovarian lesions. It seems that determination of serum copper and copper/zinc ratio can be used as a method to diagnose or to monitor the effect of treatment on ovarian cancers.

Background and purpose: More than 3% of the world population are infected with Hepatitis C virus (HCV) and 50-80% of these patients progress to chronic disease. Approximately 50% of chronically infected patients do not respond to treatment. The purpose of this study was to determine the risk factors for hepatitis C virus among high-risk populations (Intravenous drug addicts and patients with Thalassemia, Hemophilia, hemodialysis patients) in Mazandaran.Materials and methods: Totally, 132 patients (34 with Thalassemia, 31 with hemodialysis, 30 with Hemophilia, and 37 with Intravenous drug addiction) were studied. All patients had anti-HCV and were HCV-RNA positive. Demographic data, epidemiological characteristics, clinical findings and laboratory parameters were recorded in questionnaire. Descriptive analysis was used to determine frequency, mean and standard deviation of parameters. Qualitative and quantitative variables were compared by Chi-square test and ANOVA respectively.Results: 132 patients with established chronic infection (mean age, 35.13 ± 11.92) were studied.The major participants were males (68.9% against 31.4%, P=0.001). The frequencies of alchohol consumtion, drug abuse, history of imprisonment and uncontrolled sex were significantly higher in intravenous drug addicts compered to patients with thalassemia, hemophilia, and patients under hemodialysis (p<0.0001). However, no significant differences were observed between the prevalences of coinfection with HIV and/or HBV and also hospitalization history in high risk groups (p=0.43 and p=0.48, respectively) Conclusion: Due to the lack of vaccine for prevention, inadequate medical treatment for HCV infection and according to the role of nosocomial transmission of HCV infection, serious prevention efforts should be performed in society specially health-care centers and blood banks. Since intravenous drug addiction may play an important role in HCV transmission and persistence, it is necessary to perform psychologic and clinical conseling related to importance of risk factors. Also, development of health insurance especially for vulnerable groups in society is recommended.

Background and purpose: Dyes and cyanide are the most important sources of environmental pollution, found in industrial wastewater, which are harmful for human health and environment. The purpose of this research was to investigate the Kinetic and efficiency of titanium dioxide photacatalytic process in removal of Reactive Black 5 (RB5) dye and cyanide from aquatic solution in a batch system.Materials and methods: This research was an applied-fundamental study. A reactor was designed and optimum dosage of TiO2 was determined, 1g/L keeping other parameters constant. The effect of pH, contact time and initial Reactive Black 5 (RB5) dye and cyanide concentration was studied at a constant concentration of TiO2 (1 g/L).Results: The result showed that removal efficiency of Reactive Black 5 (RB5) dye and cyanide decreased with increasing pH and initial Reactive Black 5 (RB5) dye and cyanide concentration. There was also an increase in specific removal efficiency by increasing the contact time and the TiO2 dosage. In addition, kinetic parameters were obtained by application of Langmuir and Hinshelwood equation.Conclusion: The results showed that removal of Reactive Black 5 (RB5) dye and cyanide can be efficiently performed by UV/TiO2.

Background and purpose: Maastricht index is an international parameter for assessment of nutritional status in hospitalized patients. This study was designed to compare Maastricht index between patients who received a standard enteral feeding product and kitchen made nutrition in intensive care units (ICU) of a teaching hospital.Materials and methods: In a Randomized Clinical trial, 60 patients undergoing enteral feeding were divided in two groups. They randomly received either FersubinÒ (a standard enteral feeding available in Iran) or kitchen made nutrition (routine nutrition delivery in most hospitals of Iran). In both groups nasogastric tubes were used for delivery of nutrients. Assessments of patients on the basis of Maastricht index were done at baseline, third and tenth days after beginning enteral feeding.Results: Fifty five patients completed the study. Results showed that there was not any significant difference in Maastricht Index between groups at the baseline (before starting enteral feeding) (P=0.5), whereas there are significant difference between the two groups in the third and tenth days of observation (P<0.05 for both times).Conclusion: Results of this study suggested that patients under standard enteral feeding nutrition are probably better nourished than patients that received conventional enteral feeding with kitchen made products.

Background and purpose: Suicide is an important problem and its prevention is a worldwide priority. Previous suicide attempt is the most anticipator of death following complete suicide. Evaluation of intention to die as a major factor in severity of suicide attempt can be useful in suicide prevention programs.Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out on163 patients with suicide attempt by poisoning who were admitted in Sanandaj hospitals in 2008. Descriptive and interpretative analyses including Chi-square test were performed for data analysis using SPSS software.Results: There was a significant relationship between age, history of previous suicide attempt, education and planed suicide with intention to die. No significant relationship was found between gender, marital status, notification of attempt and the suicide method with intention to die.Conclusion: As the majority of suicide attempters thought that they will be dead afterwards, suicide attempt by poisoning should be considered as a serious problem. More attention should be paid to all suicide attempters specialty those who have older age, lower education level, a history of previous suicide attempt and planned suicide.

Background and purpose: Angi Pars is a new herbal based compound formulation produced recently for treatment of diabetic foot ulcers by improvement in angiogenesis. This hypothesis suggests that perhaps the drug could reduce adverse effects of diabetes on the testicular function by improving blood supply. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of Angi Pars consumption on testis through evaluation of sperm count and sperm morphology in chronic diabetic rats.Materials and methods: This experimental study was carried out on 60 male rats weighing 200 -250 g. The animals were randomly divided into 5 groups (Four experiments and one control). Diabetes was induced by S.C. injection of STZ (60mg/kg) at single dose in all experimental groups. After 56 days, animals in control and first diabetic groups received saline, and in other three diabetic groups received Angi Pars, insulin and Angi Pars- insulin, respectively, for 14 days (one spermatogenesis period). Finally, 24 hours after the last injection, animals were anesthesized and sperms were collected from caudal epididymis and number and morphology of sperms were assessed. Collected data were analyzed by ANOVA, using SPSS software.Results: The sperm number increased significantly in treatment diabetic groups in comparison with non-treatment diabetic group. In the Angi pars-insulin treatment diabetic group, the number of sperm was more than other treatment diabetic groups and was approximately close to the control group.Although in the Angi pars-insulin treatment diabetic group, the abnormal sperms were less than other diabetic groups, but this was not statistically significant. Sperm morphology was not significantly different in diabetic groups.Conclusion: The results showed that Angi Pars has positive effects on number of sperms in diabetic animals especially when it is used with insulin.

Background and purpose: Eye injury seems to be mostly preventable, is common causes of visual loss. This study was conducted in order to evaluate ocular injury causes & prevalence in the Mazandaran province.Materials and methods: This is a retrospective cross-sectional study carried out on existing data in 13 hospitals of the Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences during the years of 2007-2008. Kind of hospital, age, gender, causes of injury, procedures, complications; the time elapsed between injuries till to arrive to hospital, possibility of covering of eye at the time of injury, activity of patient at the time of injury, and the place of occurrence were different variables to be studied. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics and Wilcoxon test using SPSS software.Results: Of 264 hospitalized patients, 66 (%25) were female, 196 (%74.2) were male and 2 (%0.8) were undetermined. The mean and standard deviation of age was 29±2 and the age of most damaged patients was between 21-30 years. Damage to the left eye occurred in 122 (%46.2) and to the right eye in 126 (%47.8) and subject to in both eyes 16 (%6). The most frequent type of eye injury was open wound of eyelid and periocular area in 65 cases (%24.62). Most external causes of eye injury were bee sting, toxin and steam (%21.51). The most common procedure was corneal laceration repair 57 (%23.2) and the most complication was traumatic cataract in 9 cases (%27.2). In this study only one patient had safety goggles during time of trauma.Conclusion: Injuries of eye in Mazandaran province need to be seriously reconsidered, and educational and preventing programs should be designed for young groups.

Primary heart tumors are not common. Although myxoma is the most common tumor of the heart, mitral valve myxoma is extremely rare. The patient is a 55 years old woman who had atypical retrosternal pain, retinal artery emboli and visual deficit. In transesophageal echocardiography a (4x3x3) cm mass was detected in posterior leaflet of mitral valve. The posterior leaflet of mitral valve was totally resected and the mitral valve was successfully replaced with prosthetic mechanical valve. Histopathology result confirmed myxoma.

Background and purpose: Recent research indicated that there is a co-activation of pelvic floor muscles (PFM) and abdominal muscles during voluntary and involuntary activity as a normal function, which may be impaired in women with stress urinary incontinency (SUI). The purpose of the present study was to review the previously published studies concerning co-activation of abdominal and PFM with particular attention to its clinical application in patients with SUI.Materials and methods: A literature search for the period of 2000-2010 was performed, using PubMed, ProQuest, Science Direct, Thomson, EMBASE, OVID, CINAHL and MEDLINE databases. Pelvic floor muscle, abdominal muscles, transverse abdominis, Co-activation, electromyography and ultrasonography were used as keywords.Results: Twenty one articles were selected according to the inclusion criteria of the study. There was a wide variation among studies in terms of methodology, main outcome measures, sample size, procedure, imaging parameters and electromyography parameters, etc.Conclusion: The results demonstrated that there is adequate evidence to support co-contraction of the PFM with abdominal muscles in voluntary, involuntary and reflex activities and this co-contraction could be lost or impaired in individuals with SUI.