Razi Journal of Medical Sciences
Year:2018 | Volume:25 | Issue:166 |Papers Count:16

Background: Development and psychometric properties of an instrument in general health should be methodologically strong and follow standard procedures. An important factor of mental health is praying. The purpose of this study was to develop a questionnaire for assessing students' attitude towards prayer. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 500 students in the Jan. 2017 at the University of Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences (USWRS). The first draft of the prayer questionnaire (68 items) was based on literature review. To ensure content validity and face validity, the research panel team examined the questionnaire and the items were reduced to 33. Thereafter the questionnaire was tested by 9 students and also an expert panel team (10 persons) examined face and content validity. Then construct validity, internal consistency, and test-retest reliability of were assessed. Finally, Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve was used to assess the predictive ability of the attitude questionnaire and to inform the choice of a cut-off point. Data analysis was carried out using SPSS 21 software. Results: 18 items were omitted based on the content validity ratio (CVR<0. 6) and 11 items were added by the expert panel. For this questionnaire, the average content validity index of relevance, simplicity, and clarity were 0. 879, 0. 976 and 0. 958, respectively. Scale-Level content validity index was calculated 0. 937. Cronbach's alpha coefficient (0. 95) confirms the high internal consistency and test-retest coefficient (0. 903) confirms stability of this questionnaire. Factor analysis identified four factors, based on 22 items, which explained a total of 68% of the total variance. The cut-off point score by using the ROC curve analysis was calculated 53. 5. Conclusion: Our finding showed that the students’ attitude questionnaire with 22 items provided a reliable and valid tool to detect attitude of students towards praying. This questionnaire can be used in other universities in Iran.

Background: Given the importance of aromatic hydrocarbons in developing cancer, the necessity of educating individuals about methods to reduce it in food products and the importance of assessing individuals’ knowledge and practice to design effective educational programs, the present study aimed to determine the knowledge and performance of employers regarding suitable cooking methods to reduce the production of aromatic hydrocarbons in meat in 2017. Methods: In a cross-sectional study, 128 employers who were employed in Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran were selected randomly. Data were collected by a 46-item questionnaire and then analyzed through Pearson's correlation coefficient, One-Way ANOVA and T-test. P>0. 05 was considered significant. Results: Finding showed that about half of the participants were informed about meat barbeque on charcoal, frying method and smoking methods that generate aromatic hydrocarbons in meat. In addition, about 50% of participants expressed that steam and boiled methods for cooking meat can reduce the generation of aromatic hydrocarbons in meat. Most consumed meat among participants were meat fried, boiled and then barbequed on charcoal, respectively. Only 36. 7% of participants didn’ t eat the burned parts of meat. Conclusion: Given the lack of individuals’ information about the role of meat cooking methods in the production of aromatic hydrocarbons and the methods for reducing its production, it is imperative that health workers provide essential information in the cancer prevention education sessions.

Background: The purpose of this study was comparison of the effect of a therapeutic exercise program and oral administration of saffron on the levels of IL-6, TNF-a and glycemic control in type 2 diabetic women Methods: 48 type 2 diabetic obese women were randomly divided into four equal groups (saffron + training, training + placebo, saffron, placebo). The saffron group + training and training + placebo groups performed aerobic training with intensity of 60-75% of maximal heart rate for 8 weeks (three sessions per week). Daily dose of 400 mg of Saffron sprout powder (once a day) was used for two months. The placebo contained 400 mg of wheat flour. The following IL-6, TNF-a, Blood glucose and HbA1c variables; lipid profiles and HOMA-IR were tested. The Shapiro-Wilk test, variance analysis with repeated measures, Bonferron's post hoc test, and one way analysis of variance with LSD post-test. Results: In the post-test phase, the pre-test the variables IL-6 and TNF-α , blood glucose and HbA1c in intervention groups decreased significantly, and also in the post-test between group, saffron + training with training + placebo, saffron + training with saffron, saffron + training with placebo and saffron with placebo there was a significant difference (p<0. 05). Also, in variables of weight and BMI, there were statistically significant differences between saffron + training with placebo groups, training + placebo with placebo groups, and saffron with the placebo groups (p<0. 05). Conclusion: It can be possible aerobic exercise and saffron consumption have a protective effect against the increased levels of blood glucose and HbA1c. It is possible that the reduction of blood glucose, IL-6 and TNF-a in saffron recipients is due to the presence of saffron metabolites, especially flavonoids (crostein and crocin) and increased antioxidant defense system through saffron.

Cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of death worldwide. In spite of major efforts in medical and surgical interventions, deaths from cardiovascular diseases remain unacceptably high, warranting novel strategies for more effective treatments. To improve cardiovascular diseases therapy, novel drug delivery systems such as nanoparticles, which can control drug biodistribution and specifically target drugs to their site of actions, are promising options. Nanoparticles can increase bioavailability of effective drug concentration at the target site and minimize adverse effects by controlling drug availability at off-target sites. The main aim of this article is to briefly review nanocarriers’ researches (liposomes, micelles, polymeric nanoparticle and metal based nanostructures) for cardiovascular diseases namely atherosclerosis, restenosis and myocardial infarction. The results revealed promising efficacy in nanocarrier mediated therapies; however, these novel nanosystems should be optimized for this application area.

Background: Heart patients with hypertension and myocardial infarction and hemodialysis patients are at risk of lowering of blood pressure during hemodialysis. Therefore, continuous monitoring of blood pressure in health centers is a priority for deciding the type of therapeutic treatment in these patients. The aim of this study was to provide a decisionmaking model based on neural network and quality control charts for monitoring and continuous monitoring of blood pressure. Methods: This was an applied-developmental study carried out in cross-sectional method during 2014 to 2015, on 175 patients with hypertension in Ali ibn Abi Talib Hospital of Zahedan. The actual behavior of the systolic and diastolic blood pressure of these patients under the online model and its expected behavior was studied under the Offline model and in the form of an artificial neural network. By evaluating the true behavior of patients with their modeled blood pressure, residual values are produced and introduced as inputs of EWMA quality control charts in two steps to determine the state of the patient out of control and determine the status of the patient. Results: Highest and lowest total rate of accuracy of the proposed model, in the state of the patient out of control stage were 98. 75 and 95% in the status of the patient stage, respectively, 83. 75% and 70%. Narrower control limits with a confidence level (95. 45% confidence interval) in the state of the patient out of control stage and more open limits with a confidence level (99. 73% confidence interval) in the status of the patient stage. The higher overall total accuracy rate and lower error rates are provided in the model. Conclusion: According to the results of the research in regard to the field of statistical quality control, ease of visual comprehension, affordability and attention to the last critical condition of the patient, it is a model suitable for physicians and patients for healthcare decisionmakings.

Background: Studies showed thyroid hormones influence proliferation of cancer cells. The main aim of this study was to investigate the effects of cytotoxic thyroid hormone T4 on proliferation of brain glioblastoma cells (A172) in cell culture. Methods: In this laboratory experimental study, A172 cells were randomly divided into control group and groups exposed to doses 0. 1, 0. 5, 1, 5, 10, 20, 40, 50 Lambda (λ ) of thyroid hormone T4. The toxic effect of hormones was measured using MTT assay method. The data were statistically analyzed between groups using ANOVA. Results: The result demonstrated that highest toxicity of thyroid hormone T4 on glioblastoma cancer cells A172 was in 1 lambda (λ ) dosage and low toxicity in 0. 1 and 40 lambdas (λ ) dosages. Conclusion: Toxicity of Glioblastoma cancer cells is either hormone dependent or hormone independent.

Background: The current study reviews fundamentals of medical obstetrics in Holly Quran. The Holy Quran have clearly explained the pregnancy and obstetrics events. As these general subjects play an important role in healthy fertility in human beings, this study is done to discuss some important fundamentals of obstetrics, including pregnancy, healthy fertility and lactation. Methods: The method of this study is based on some documents using the verses in the field of women, obstetrics and scientific bases of embryology present in the Holy Quran. Results: With the use of the Holy Quran verses we realize that the health of women and their hygiene in fertility has religious base and it is one of the necessities for having a healthy and growing society. Conclusion: Important comments in Islamic education with comprehensive and strong motivation in the field of obstetrics have been noted for more than fourteen century.

Background: Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria are member of Enterobacteriaceae which are one of the common causes of urinary tract infections. Beta-lactamase enzymes are important factors for antibiotic resistance of beta-lactam family in gram-negative bacteria. According to increasing rate of urinary tract infections due to antibiotic resistant E. coli, the aim of this study was to study the antibiotic sensitivity pattern relative to beta-lactam antibiotics and the presence of SHV and TEM beta-lactamase genes in E. coli specimens isolated from patients with urinary tract infections. Methods: In a descriptive study, 181 E. coli strains are collected from urine of patients with urinary tract infections and then the sensitivity of the antibiotic is measured by Disk diffusion method. Combined Disk test is used for confirming ESBL-producing E. coli phenotype and finally, the presence of SHV and TEM beta-lactamase genes in ESBL positive isolates were analyzed by multiplex PCR. Results: From 181 isolates, 66 strains (36. 46%) were resistant to cefotaxime and 82 strains (45. 30%) were resistant to ceftazidime. Also, 58 percent of isolates were ESBL positive, 16 strains (33%) of them were the carrier of SHV gene and 28 strains (58%) were the carrier of TEM gene and also 3 isolates (6%) were the carrier of both TEM and SHV genes. Conclusion: According to the production of ESBL which is considered as a great threat to society, it seems it is essential to use suitable molecular methods along with other phenotypic methods to identify this type of resistance.

Background: Muscle fatigue can change the muscle activation pattern during running and causes some disorders in running biomechanics. The aim of present study was to determine the effect of muscle fatigue on electromyographic activation pattern and co-contractions of lower extremity muscles during running. Methods: Fourteen males (age: 23. 76± 2. 14 years, weight: 78. 45± 2. 54 kg, height: 179. 82± 2. 32 cm) participated in quasi-experimental study. Surface electromyography activity from rectus femoris, vastus medialis, vastus lateralis, biceps femoris, semitendinosus, medial gastrocnemius, soleus and tibialis anterior muscles were recorded during running before and after fatigue protocol on treadmill. Paired t-test was used to analyze the data (p<0. 05). Results: Muscle fatigue altered the muscle activation pattern of the lower extremity muscles as well as co-contractions levels in various phases of running. Conclusion: Changes in muscle activation pattern and co-contractions during running can cause lack of control over contact joints and increase the risk of overuse injurie.

Background: Blood glucose increases production of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) and oxidative stress in diabetic patients. Recent research suggests that use of probiotics have beneficial effects on biomarkers of oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to determine effects of probiotics Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactobacillus casei on biomarkers oxidative stress in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Methods: 32 male wistar rats were assigned to 4 groups randomly: group CN, consumed a normal standard diet (with buffer saline 0. 2), group CL (probiotic diet 109cfu / ml), group D (diabetic rats+high fat diet), group DL (diabetic rats+high fat+probiotic). After 6 weeks levels of malondialdehyde, total antioxidant and antioxidant enzymes (catalase, glutathion peroxidase and superoxide dismutase) were measured. Results: A significant decreases in serum levels of malondialdehyde and significant increase in levels of antioxidant enzymes (catalase and glutathion peroxidase) and total antioxidant capacity were observed in the probiotic supplements groups (p<0. 05). Conclusion: Consumption of probiotics Lactobasilus acidophilus and Lactobacillus casei had beneficial effects on biomarkers of oxidative stress in diabetic rats.

Background: Fungi Malasezia furfur (M. furfur) is the causative agent of pityriasis versicolor disease. The compounds in the Artemisia deserti (A. deserti) have antimicrobial properties. The purpose of this research is investigation of the antifungal effect of aqueous and alcoholic extracts of plant A. deserti on the M. furfur in the laboratory conditions. Methods: From the A. deserti plant by the method of percolation, the aqueous and alcoholic extracts were prepared and then concentration of 40, 50, 60 and 70 mg/ml was made. In order to evaluate the antifungal effects of these extracts on M. furfur in laboratory Disc diffusion method, Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Fungicidal Concentrations (MFC) was investigated. SPSS21 software and the two-way ANOVA were used to analyze the data (p<0. 05). Results: Maximum diameter of inhibition growth by application of ethanolic, methanolic and aqueous extracts was 18, 17. 33 and 13. 66 millimeter, respectively that were seen in the concentration of 70 mg/ml. M. furfur fungus was more susceptible to ethanolic extract of A. deserti. The MIC and MFC of the aqueous extracts with 25×103 and 5×103, respectively, was better in comparison to MIC and MFC of other extracts. Also, with an increase in the concentration of the extracts, the antifungal effect was also increased (p<0. 05). Conclusion: Different extractions had different effect on the diameter of growth inhibition and by increasing the concentration of extracts, the diameter of growth inhibition increased too. With more research in the in-vivo, it is hoped that this plant will be used in the future as a combination to treat skin diseases caused by this fungus.