Razi Journal of Medical Sciences
Year:2015 | Volume:22 | Issue:136|Papers Count:19

Background: Anterior Cruciate Ligament injury (ACL) has destructive effects on the postural stability and muscle strength of the knee and impairs the neuromuscular control. Patients with ACL injury are divided into Coper and Noncoper groups. The purpose of this study was to compare the muscle strength and postural stability of the two groups of the patients with the ACL- injury: Coper and NoncoperMethods: In this case control study, 23 athletic individuals with ACL rupture (11 coper, 12 noncoper) and 12 healthy athletic control ones, completely matched with case groups as demographic parameters, participated. The strength and postural stability were evaluated. Postural control was evaluated through the Biodex Stability System in two levels (4&8). The muscle strength was evaluated by Isokinetic dynamometer and parameters were set at angular velocity of 60o/s and concentric form.Results: Both groups of coper and noncoper of the patients with ACL injury have less postural stability as compared to the control subjects, such that the coper group have the greatest changes in regard to the postural stability of the individuals (p<0.05). Also, the quadriceps muscle strength of the noncoper group is less than healthy group (p=0.00).Conclusion: The coper group with regard to muscle strength and noncoper group with regard to postural stability act very similar to the control subjects.

Background: Rabies is one of the most important zoonotic diseases. Rabies vaccination after dog bite incidence is an important way for prevention of this disease. This article aimed to determine the awareness of rabies vaccination necessity after dog bite among dog bite victims in Rasht city.Methods: This study was a cross-sectional study. During one year, we studied all cases that were at least 16 years of age, were bitten by a dog and had referred to rabies vaccination centers in Rasht city. During the research period we surveyed 482 cases of dog bite. For data collection we used researcher-made questionnaire. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistic, chi square test, independent samples t test, analyses of variance and logistic regression.Results: Only 59.8% of subjects were aware of necessity of rabies vaccination after dog bite. In comparison to illiterate individuals, having elementary and secondary education level (OR=3.45, CI: 1.54-6.02), high school education level (OR=4.65, CI: 2.09-10.35), and university education level (OR=7.60, CI: 2.92-19.73) increases the awareness of the necessity of rabies vaccination. Meanwhile rural inhabit decreases this chance (OR=0.57, CI: 0.36-0.89).Conclusion: It seems that a high percentage of population is unaware about the necessity of rabies vaccination after dog bites. Designing and performing educational programs about this issue especially in rural areas and people with lower educational level are necessary.

Background: Today, the synthesis of silver nanoparticles is very common due to their many applications in various fields. The synthesis of these nanoparticles is done by means of physical, chemical, or biological methods. However, due to its inexpensive and environmentally friendly features, the biological method is more preferable than the other two methods. Previous research has shown that nitrate reductase enzyme released by microorganisms, is a major factor in the synthesis of silver nanoparticles. In the present paper the effects of nitrate reductase enzyme amount and silver nitrate concentration on nanoparticles synthesis were studied.Methods: Silver nanoparticles obtained from biosynthesis using E. coli supernatant were synthesized. Finally, to be more accurate, Uv-VIS spectrophotometer and dynamic light scattering DLS were applied.Results: Using Uv-Vis spectrophotometer, wavelengths for silver nanoparticles in concentrations of 0.001M silver nitrate, one with 5 and the other with 20 cc of the bacterial supernatant containing the soluble nitrate reductase enzyme was calculated as 415, and 405 nm, respectively. Also, the climax was seen in 435 nm for 0.01M silver nitrate with 20 cc of the bacterial supernatant. The spectrophotometer determined the silver nanoparticles’ sizes for 0.001M containing 5 and 20 cc bacterial supernatant as 74.47, and 45.73 nm, respectively.Conclusion: The results showed that by increasing the amount of bacterial supernatant containing the soluble nitrate reductase enzyme, the size of produced silver nanoparticles will be smaller. Also, it was found that by increasing the concentration of silver nitrate the size of produced nanoparticles increases.

Background: Considering the portion of H. Pylori negative cases among patients with peptic ulcer and probable role of factors others than H. Pylori in this disease, we compared clinical symptoms, endoscopic and histologic findings of cases with and without H. Pylori infection to evaluate the association between these findings and H. Pylori.Methods: In this cross sectional study, 166 patients with gastrointestinal complaints suggesting peptic ulcer, gastritis and other gastric or duodenal disorders referring to gastrointestinal clinic of Taleghani Hospital underwent upper endoscopy and according to the culture of biopsy sample were divided to H. Pylori positive and negative groups.Results: There were 86 in HP+ (case) and 80 patients in HP- (control) group. Mean age and gender percentage was not statistically significant between them. Only pain due to hunger had statistical significant difference (p=0.01) between cases and controls (7.5% vs. zero in cases and controls, respectively). Gastrointestinal ulcer in HP+ cases was higher than HP negatives according to endoscopic findings (17.4% vs. 1.3%, p<0.001). Multiple logistic regression showed HP is independently associated with observing ulcer in upper endoscopy (OR=16.69, 85% CI: 2.1, 129.57; p=0.007).Conclusion: We cannot assume cases as HP+ only by relying on clinical symptoms and diagnosis of peptic ulcer or gastritis. Evaluation of patient for HP before eradication regimen is necessary.

Background: The studies about the effect of exercise training on expression of Uncoupling Protein 1 (UCP-1) in different adipose depots were few. Thus, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of eight weeks endurance training on expression of this gene in white visceral adipose tissue of retroperitoneal depot of wistar rats.Methods: 20 rats were purchased, and were divided randomly into two groups included: 1) Control (n=10) and 2) Endurance Training (n=10). After two weeks of acclimatization with environment, the subjects of training group underwent continues endurance training on treadmill for eight weeks. After training program, rats were euthanized under an intraperitoneal injection of xylazin-ketamine and retroperitoneal adipose tissue were quickly dissected out and frozen. The Syber Green Real Time (RT)-PCR method were used to measure the gene expression of UCP-1.Results: Data showed that the gene expression of UCP-1 was significantly higher in trained group than control (3.11±1.28 v.s 1.00; p=0.005), and both body weight (290±6.60 v.s 310±5.05; p=0.031) and body mass index (0.54±0.02 v.s 0.60±0.01; p=0.024) were significantly lower in trained group than control.Conclusion: Long term endurance exercise training slightly lead to decrease of weight loss and body mass index, to increase of expression of thermogenin protein namely UCP-1 (a main marker of browning of white adipose tissue) in white visceral adipose tissue of retroperitoneal depot. In this regard, exercise training has additional and different effect in increasing energy expenditure and probably plays a role in weight loss through the changing of gene expression pattern.

Background: The hippocampus, a vital center for learning and memory, is extremely vulnerable to neurological diseases. Several reports of cognitive and memory impairment have been published in patients with Multiple sclerosis (MS). The prevalence of MS is highest where environmental supply of vitamin D is low. In the present study spatial working memory and reference memory after treatment with vitamin D3was assessed in an experimental model of MS.Methods: For demyelination induction, 2ml lysolecithin was injected streotaxically into the CA1 area of hippocampus in male rat. Animals treated with vitamin D3, received 5mg/kg vitamin D3 for 14 and 21 days post lesion with intraperitoneal injection. Histological assessments of the demyelination process were done with specific myelin staining. The spatial working memory and reference memory were investigated by radial arm maze.Results: Administration of lysolecithin as the inducer of MS disease caused demyelination and impairment of spatial working and reference memory at days 14 and 21 post lesion in lysolecithin treated animals. While the administration of vitamin D3 for 14 and 21 days caused improvement of spatial working and reference memory compared to the group receiving lysolecithin alone.Conclusion: It seems that treatment with vitamin D3 is able to prevent spatial working memory and reference memory reduction in an experimental model of MS. However, evaluation of beneficial effects of vitamin D3 on the spatial memory in MS patients requires much more extensive clinical studies.

Background: Epigenetic changes is one of the most important outcomes of Physical activity results, and Heterochromatin Protein 1b is one of main factors of this processes. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of endurance training on left ventricle hp-1b gene expression in Wistar male rats.Methods: 20 rats (241±7.3 g) 8 weeks of age randomly assigned to control (n=10) and experimental (n=10) groups. The experimental group performed a 14-week treadmill running program (6 days per week, with 30 m/min speed), then heart dimensions and weight were determined using m-mode and weighing, respectively. They were anesthetized and sacrificed 48 hours after. The heart was extracted and then Real time-PCR method was used to determine hp-1b gene expression level of in the left ventricle. Finally the data obtained were evaluated using t-test.Results: weighted indexes showed that the weight of isolated left ventricle and heart in experimental group more than control group, and also left ventricle of experimental group was bigger than control group, as the left ventricle-to-body weight ratio of experimental group (2.3±0.18) was significantly more than control group (2.049±.12). Also the left ventricle-to-BSA ratio of experimental group (0.168±0.008) was significantly more than control group (0.153±0.006), these finding was coincided with significantly (p<0.05) increase of hp-1 gene expression (49 fold) in left ventricle of experimental group.Conclusion: The results of this study showed that endurance activity induce increase in heart internal dimension and also weight of it especially in left ventricle that this structural changes was coincided with hp-1beta gene expression change. This means each tissue remodeling was accompanied with gene change.

Background: Phytic acid is phosphated compound that exists as potassium-magnesium salt in aleurone layer of cereals. Phytic acid has a strong ability to chelate many minerals, such as calcium, iron and zinc. It changes these essential minerals to insoluble complexes and inhibits minerals bioavailability. In this study,the effect of several lactic acid bacteria (casei, fermentum, plantarum and acidophilus) sourdough on phytic acid of baguette bread was investigated.Methods: In this laboratory experimental study to each of the dough sample, bacterial suspension containing 108 (cfu/g) bacteria of each Lactobacillus strains, was inoculated separately and held for 20 hours at 37oC. after baking, the amount of phytic acid in each sample was evaluated and compared with the control sample (without bacterial suspension). Phytic acid content was determined by spectrophotometric method (the total phosphorus content was determined using the Molybdovanadate method).Results: The mean of phytic acid content of the blank sample, was 186.17 mg per 100 g, and mean of phytic acid in sourdough lactic acid bacteria were 138.84 (fermentum), 126.22 (acidophilus), 148.31 (casei) and 129.37 (plantarum) mg per 100 g, respectively. The results showed that the effect of sourdough derived from lactobacilli in reducing the amount of phytic acid, in comparison with control sample, is significant (P£0.05).Conclusion: Sourdough lactic acid bacteria significantly reduced levels of phytic acid of baguette bread. L. acidophilus, caused the highest decreasing in phytic acid and L. casei, the lowest.

Background: Evaluation of clinical skills, investigates routine tasks of a physician in the workplace. Direct observation procedural skills or DOPS test is used to evaluate clinical procedures. The aim of this study was determination of impact of emergency department internship course on medical interns’ clinical performance and it’s affecting factors by this test.Methods: This study was semi-experimental and DOPS test was applied to all emergency department interns two times at the beginning and end of the study period and the assessor scored them according to a checklist suited for interns’ performance. Test scores were compared by Wilcoxon test.Results: In total, 76 participants were able to fulfill the first and second tests. The mean (SD) of test scores was from 12.35(±1.59) to 13.60 (±1.28) which shows 1.25 score increase (p=0.00).Conclusion: DOPS test showed that clinical performance of interns has increased significantly during one month of emergency course, so investigating of effective variables in improving clinical competencies of future physicians seems very useful.

Background: Phototherapy is broadly used for treatment of neonatal icter, therefore phototherapy and its side effects are important. Platelet depletion can lead to bleeding and serious complication, so it is necessary to study carefully the effect of phototherapy on platelet level.Methods: This research is a descriptive-cross sectional and prospective study conducted in Shahid Rajaee Hospital, Tonekabon, during 2013-14.The number of infants investigated were 100 iceric neonates. Before start of phototherapy, the neonates’ platelets were measured by a counter, however neonates with less than 150000 mm3 platelets were eliminated. After phototherapy the number of platelets was checked. Neonates who needed blood exchange, sepsis, ABO-Rh incompatibility and suffered other sorts of illnesses, were eliminated.Information was recorded in checklist, and results were analysed by spss18 statistically with Chi-square test.Results: This study showed that among 100 neonates understudy, 61 showed platelet reduction after phototherapy, 9 of which showed platelet level less than 150000. The average platelet level before phototherapy was 233400 with S.D 55621.19 and the average of platelet levels after phototherapy was 228420 with S.D 167083.27. There wasn’t any significant relation between platelet levels before phototherapy and after it. This reduction revealed a significant relation toward the amount of platelet among term neonates whom their platelet levels were 250000-300000 before phototherapy, with phototherapy duration, weight, total bilirubin, gestational age and phototherapy intensity.Conclusion: Phototherapy caused platelet level reduction, although this reduction was in the normal range.

Background: In the recent decades, there has been an increasing effort to study possible biological effects of extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMFs). In this study, the effects of 50 Hz, 0.6 mT pulsed electromagnetic field on proliferation and biochemical properties, in a prostate cancer cell line, DU-145, and the simultaneous treatment of these cells with electromagnetic field and anticancer drug, berberine, were exploredMethods: Control and treated cells were seeded in separate plate dishes and cell proliferation, concentration of reactive oxygen species (ROS), survivin expression and DNA damage were studied by MTT assay, Fluorescence spectrometry, Western blotting and Comet assay, respectively.Results: Our results showed a significant increment in cell proliferation and intracellular concentration of ROS after 24-72 hours of continuous exposure to the field. The treatment did not affect the expression level of the cancer biomarker, survivin, but acted as a genotoxic agent and increased DNA single and double strand damages. The results also showed that continuous exposure to the applied field does not have any effect on the cytotoxic activity of berberine in DU-145 cells.Conclusion: On the whole, it seems that the studied electromagnetic field acts as a tumor promoter in this cell line, possibly through induction of oxidative stress and DNA damage.

Background: The clustering of gene expression data plays an important role in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. These kinds of data are typically involve in a large number of variables (genes), in comparison with number of samples (patients). Many clustering methods have been built based on the dissimilarity among observations that are calculated by a distance function. As increasing the dimensions reduces the performance of distance functions, most of the methods provide low accuracy. In this paper a new dissimilarity measure is introduced based on a classification method, called Random forests (RF). The performance of this new measure has been evaluated in the gene expression data.Methods: In this article, the clustering problem of Chowdary data set, using the RF dissimilarity measure, is under consideration. At the first step, the clustering problem is converted to classification problem, thereafter; the new dissimilarity is calculated using the classification method of random forests. Finally, the data are clustered with a partition around mediod algorithm and the results are then evaluated by adjusted rand index. All the analysis is implemented with R software.Results: The value of adjusted rand index (0.8149) represents an acceptable agreement between clusters and true groups. The most effective gene in constructing the clusters was gene no.31 which was detected by using the unique ability of RF that is identifying the importance of variables.Conclusion: The random forest dissimilarity is an efficient criterion for measuring dissimilarity in gene expression data clustering. Detection of effective genes in clustering that is done with RF, helps the researcher in the diagnosing and treatment of the cancers.

Background: According to the growing process of the elderly people in different countries especially developing countries, diseases and problems of this developmental stage can implement expense on governments and cause many disabilities that severely affect the quality of life of older people. The aim of this study was to study the effect of educational intervention in the context of physical activity to improve the quality of life of older men in Qom.Methods: A quasi-experimental intervention study with a sample size of 140 subjects in intervention and control groups were selected randomly from among of the population pensioners of Qom. Scale used in this study was WHOQOL-Old questionnaire. The questionnaires were completed by face to face with the questioner. For data analysis the descriptive statistics and chi-square test and analysis of variance with repeated data were used. The significance level in this study was p<0.05.Results: Based on the results the average life quality score in control group that did not receive education was 3.67±0.3 which changed to 3.75±0.31. The mean quality of life in the intervention group before the intervention was 3.75±0.31 and after intervention, this rate changed to 3.96±0.32 representing increase in the quality of life in the intervention group (p<0.001).Conclusion: Based on the results of the study, interventional education on physical activity is effective in improving the quality of life in older adults. On the other hand, by assessing the quality of life of elderly people we can know the dimensions of the problems and challenges in elderly. Accordingly effective steps could be taken in order to improve health care, social support, cultural and economical support and ultimately improving their quality of life.

Background: Primary angle closure glaucoma is one of the common causes of blindness in the world and methods of treatment are associated with side effects such as loss of corneal endothelial cells. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects YAG laser peripheral iridotomy on count and morphology of endothelial cells in patients with primary angle closure glaucoma suspects.Methods: In this prospective study, all 34 patients with primary angle closure glaucoma, referring to Poustchi and Motahari Clinics during 2012-13 were exposed to YAG laser peripheral iridotomy. Central count and morphology of endothelial cells were assessed before and 3, 6 and 9 months after YAG laser peripheral iridotomy. Bayesian transition and Bayesian random effects models were used for assessing of count and morphology of endothelial cells.Results: In this longitudinal study, 88.2% (30 patients) of patients were female and 11.8% (4 patients) were male and mean (±sd) of their age were 53.41±7.903 years. None of the variables had significant effect on morphology of endothelial cells and only variable age had significant effect on count of endothelial cells.Conclusion: The results showed that the number and morphology of corneal epithelial cells of primary angle closure glaucoma suspected patients is not affected by YAG laser peripheral iridotomy and thus can be used as a prophylactic procedure with minimal side effects in these patients.

Background: Vitamin D has an active role in the immune system. This study is aimed to evaluate serum levels of 25-hydroxy vitamin D in children with burns.Methods: In this analytical cross-sectional study which was done in children ward of burn injury hospitals in 2012-14, 118 patients were studied. A checklist consisting of age, sex, the degree burns, and entire surface of burn, serum level of 25-OH-Vit D, total protein, albumin, phosphorus, calcium, ionized and total calcium and PTH was measured. Data were entered into SPSS v.16 and analyzed.Results: Hundred and eighteen patients (68 (57.6%) male and 50 (42.4%) female) with mean age of 4.04 (SD=3.04) years old were studied. Mean level of 25-OH-Vit D was 14.58 (SD=6.94) ng/ml. Ninety five (81.3%) had 25-OH-Vit D lower than 20 ng/ml and 19 (16.1%) had 25-OH-VitD between 21-30 ng/ml. We found significant correlation between 25-OH-Vit D and total protein, albumin, Ca and significant negative correlation between 25-OH-Vit D and body surface area (p=0.001).Conclusion: Level of 25-OH-VitD in children after severe burns is low and these patients need to use vitamin D supplement. Level of 25-OH-VitD was not sufficient in 96.6%, while 81.3% had deficiency and 16.1% had insufficiency.

Background: Increasing number of patients facing end-organ failure, as well as the therapeutic challenges surrounding allotransplantation, has catalyzed the evolution of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. The successful recapitulation of development requires choosing an ideal scaffold material as a mediator of biochemical and biophysical signals. The extracellular matrix (ECM) functions as a scaffold for tissue morphogenesis and provides cues for cell proliferation and differentiation. Rabbit decellularized lung tissue was used for fabrication of scaffold.Methods: In this experimental study, the fabrication of scaffold from rabbit lung tissue was done via snap freezing method, use of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and cell bleaching. Interactions between scaffold and blastema tissue were evaluated and scaffolds were placed in blastema rings and stored in culture media for 30 days. Sampling of blastema and scaffolding tissues was done for every five days.Results: Histological and microscopic analysis confirmed the removal of cells from prepared scaffolds and porosity was done for lung tissue scaffold. The penetration, proliferation and differentiation of cells was also studied when blastema tissues were cultured on scaffold by using different days.Conclusion: In this study, a three-dimensional natural scaffold was fabricated from lung tissue using SDS treatment. The prepared scaffolds can have an inductive effect on the cell behaviors such as migration, penetration, division, and probable differentiation. However, further studies are necessary to demonstrate the identity and behavior of the cells and scaffold characterization. It seems obtained scaffold after decellularization of lung tissue can be used as suitable model for primary research in lung tissue engineering.

Background: Current researches have shown that among psychological factors, sleep quality and chronic fatigue plays a role in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular and gastrointestinal diseases. The purpose of this study was to predict the risk of cardiovascular and gastrointestinal disease through sleep quality and chronic fatigue in shift workers.Methods: 195 shift workers of an industrial company were selected by stratified random sampling and they completed survey questionnaires. The scales used for this study were 18-item physical diseases questionnaire (with two subscales), 11-item sleep quality questionnaire and 10-item chronic fatigue questionnaire.Results: The results showed that there is significant correlation between shift workers sleep quality and risk of physical disease and its subscales (p<0.0001). There is significant linear correlation between shift workers’ chronic fatigue and risk of physical disease and its subscales (p<0.0001). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that there are relationships between shiftworkers sleep quality and chronic fatigue with risk of physical disease (R2=0.266, p<0.0001).Conclusion: Overall, based on these findings, we can say that poor sleep quality and chronic fatigue of shiftworkers increases risk of cardiovascular and gastrointestinal diseases.