QOM UNIVERSITY OF MEDICAL SCIENCES JOURNAL
Year:2018 | Volume:12 | Issue:8 |Papers Count:11

Background and Objectives: Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is a psychoactive substance that affects the central nervous system. Acetylcholinesterase enzyme, as one of the enzymes of central and peripheral nervous system, plays a role in the sympathetic and parasympathetic function. This enzyme transmits neural messages through hydrolysis of acetylcholine in the cholinergic synapses and is of great importance in memory and learning. In this study, the effect of THC was investigated on the cholinergic system in rat behaviors. Methods: In this experimental study, 10 adult male rats were used. First, the rats were anesthetized, then, two cannulas were placed in the ventricle using stereotaxic apparatus and THC was injected. The activity of the acetylcholinesterase enzyme was measured, and plus maze test was used to assess the anxiety behavior. Data were analyzed using t-student test. Results: In this study, THC reduced the activity of acetylcholinesterase enzyme, indicating memory impairment. Moreover, the percentage of time spent in the open arm and the percentage of the number of entries into the open arm increased (p<0. 05), and corticosterone levels increased, which both indicated an increase in anxiety. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that THC causes changes in memory and anxiety behaviors by impairing cholinesterase enzyme activity and neurotransmitter secretion.

Background and Objectives: Bleeding and pain are complications of tooth extraction, that preventive measures to reduce the severity of these complications will improve service quality and increase patient comfort. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of Gelatamp on pain and gingival bleeding after tooth extraction. Methods: This double blind randomized controlled clinical trial, was carried out on 71 patients referring to dentistry centers for extraction of two teeth at the same location in the maxilla or mandible. After tooth extraction, dressing was randomly performed using Gelatamp in one side and sterile gauze in another side. Bleeding and pain after tooth extraction were recorded at different times. Data were analyzed using chi square, Mann-Whitney, and Friedman statistical tests. Results: In this study, the mean (± SD) age of the patients was 29. 29± 6. 01 and 52. 1% of the subjects, were female. In the Gelatamp group, bleeding had stopped in the first hour in 97. 2% of cases and only in 2. 8% of cases, bleeding had stopped within 1-4 hours after tooth extraction. In the control group, bleeding continued in 50. 7% and 49. 3% of the cases, within the first hour and 1-4 hours after tooth extraction, respectively; this difference was statistically significant. The pain severity recorded at different times in the Gelatamp group, was significantly lower than the control group. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that using Gelatamp in the dental cavity after tooth extraction surgery, can reduce the amount of bleeding and pain intensity.

Background and Objectives: Ghrelin is a peptide hormone, which is secreted by stomach cells and has an important role in the metabolism and energy homeostasis. This hormone crosses the blood-brain barrier and enters the hippocampus, where it affects the learning process and memory. In the present study, the effect of intrahippocampal injection of ghrelin on morphine-induced amnesia was investigated using passive avoidance learning model in experimental male rats. Methods: In this experimental study, the animals were implanted with cannula in the CA1 region, and morphine was injected subcutaneously and ghrelin was locally injected into the CA1 region. Then, memory retrieval was assessed by a passive avoidance task. Results: Post-training subcutaneous administration of different doses of morphine (0. 5, 2. 5, 5, 7. 5mg/kg body weight) reduced step-through latency in a dose dependent manner, indicating morphine-induced amnesia. Injection of different doses of ghrelin into the CA1 region together with the effective dose of morphine (dose, 7. 5mg/kg body weight) significantly increased memory retrieval compared to the morphine group (dose, 7. 5mg/kg body weight). Conclusion: The findings of this study revealed that injection of ghrelin into the hippocampal region inhibits the morphine-induced amnesia in the passive avoidance learning model; therefore, it can be considered in the improvement of morphine-induced memory impairment.

Background and Objectives: Humans live in the world of the waves and energies; the waves that are emitted from various sources and are harmful. One of the possible side effects of radioactive substances on the body is its effect on the amount of sperm production and fertility. In the present study, the effect of iodine 131, was investigated on the motility and number of sperm in male rat. Methods: In this experimental study, 40 adult male rats were divided into two groups: Treatment group treated with oral gavage of iodine 131 and control group. After 24 hours, the number and motility of sperms in both groups, were analyzed by T statistical test. Results: In this study, there was a significant difference in motility and number of sperm between the iodine 131 treatment group and the control group. Moreover, the number of active progressive and dead immotile sperm in the group treated with iodine 131, respectively, showed significant decrease and increase compared to the control group, but, there was no significant difference between the two groups in the less motile and non-progressive sperms. Conclusion: According to the results of this study, considering iodine 131 is used in the treatment of various diseases, thus, treatment with this method can have harmful effects on male reproductive system, such as motility and sperm count.

Background and Objectives: Parkinson disease is caused by destruction of dopamine-producing nerve cells. Given the antioxidant properties of Ferulago angulata, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of the extract of this plant on motor and memory disorders in animal model of Parkinson's disease. Methods: In this experimental study, 40 male Wistar rats (200-250g), were divided into 5 groups: 1-control; 2-Parkinson, and 3-Parkinson groups receiving chavill extract (doses, 100, 200, and 400mg/kg) by gavage for 14 days. To create animal model of Parkinson disease, the rats received 6-hydroxydopamine neurotoxin into the left medial forebrain bundle (MFB) of the brain. One day after the last gavage, motor and memory tests were performed in the rats. One-way ANOVA and Tukey's post hoc test were used to determine the difference between the groups. Results: Fourteen days after lesion formation in the MFB, following apomorphine injection in the right direction, the rats had a rate of more than 10 rounds per minute with rotation of 360 degrees. In the motor test of the Parkinson's group, maintaining balance on the rotarod (p<0. 01), time of keeping hands on horizontal bars (p<0. 001), muscle stiffness (p<0. 001), step length (p<0. 001), and avoidance memory (p<0. 001) showed a significant difference compared to the control group. Ferulago extract significantly improved various types of motor disorders caused by Parkinson disease and 200 and 400 doses improved memory in the Parkinson rats (p<0. 05). Conclusion: Intraperitoneal administration of Ferulago extract has a protective effect against 6-hydroxydopamine in the experimental model of Parkinson Disease.

Background and Objectives: The elderly individuals undergoing hemodialysis have lower quality of life compared to their healthy counterparts due to the complications associated with treatment and sedentary lifestyle. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of selected core stability exercises on restless legs syndrome and quality of life in the elderly patients undergoing hemodialysis. Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, a total of 30 patients undergoing hemodialysis with the mean age of 62. 24± 6. 51 years and the mean hemodialysis duration of 29. 4± 18. 44 months, were selected using the purposive convenience sampling method and were randomly assigned to two groups of experimental and control (each 15 subjects). To assess the restless legs syndrome and the quality of life, (RLS) and Kidney Disease Quality of Life Short Form (KDQOL-SF) questionnaires, were used. The experimental group performed selected core stability exercises for 6 weeks (three 45-minute sessions per week). Data analysis was carried out using analysis of variance statistical test at the significance level of p<0. 05. Results: Changes and interactions in both variables of restless legs syndrome (p<0. 001) and quality of life (p<0. 001) was significant in the posttest compared to the pretest in the experimental group. Moreover, a significant improvement was observed in the experimental group compared to the control group in the restless legs syndrome and quality of life (p<0/05). Conclusion: Based on the obtained results, the care staff of dialysis centers can recommend the core stability exercises as a safe and functional strategy to improve restless legs syndrome and quality of life in the elderly patients undergoing hemodialysis.

Background and Objectives: Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder is associated with many problems and several treatments have been proposed for the treatment of children with this disorder. The present study was carried out with the purpose of determining the effectiveness of play therapy and storytelling on the improvement of the symptoms of hyperactivity disorder/attention deficit disorder in students. Methods: The research method was pretest and posttest design with control group. At first, the Conners scale was implemented on 450 female students (age range, 7-12 years) in the schools of Semnan city. Then, 45 students who obtained the highest score based on the Conners scale, were voluntarily selected. In the following, these 45 students were randomly and equally assigned to two experimental groups of experimental (play therapy and storytelling) and control. Data analysis was performed using multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) and univariate variance analysis. Results: According to the results of MANOVA test, there was a significant difference between the experimental and control groups in the variables of hyperactivity, conduct, attention deficit, and anxiety [p≥ 0. 005, F=(35. 4)=17. 22]. The results of the univariate ANOVA indicated that there was a significant difference between all studied variables, except for inactivity between the groups (p<0. 005). Conclusion: The results of this study revealed that play therapy and storytelling have a positive effect on the improvement of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, thus, applying these methods can have beneficial results for students.

Background and Objectives: Common diseases of aging are preventable by observing the healthy lifestyle. It is of great importance to assess the lifestyle of the elderly in order to prevent diseases and improve their quality of life and health status. In this study, the lifestyle and its related factors, were investigated in the elderly population in Qom city. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study, was conducted by cluster sampling on 134 elderly people referring to medical health care centers of Qom city in 2017. Data were collected using demographic characteristics questionnaire and Iranian Elderly Lifestyle questionnaire. Data were analyzed by one way ANOVA and independent t-test. Results: The mean score of elderly people's lifestyle from the range of 42-211, was 179. 55± 19. 64, which is indicative of desirable lifestyle. The lifestyle of 122 elderly people (91%), was estimated to be desirable and in 12 elderly people (9%) was average. There were significant difference between elderly people’ lifestyle in terms of marital status, coexistence status, and economic and education level (p≤ 0. 05). The mean score of lifestyle in prevention, nutrition, stress management, and social and interpersonal relationships were higher in men compared to women. Conclusion: Given the results of this study, although the lifestyle of most elderly people in Qom city, was desirable, the lower scores of elderly women compared to the men, showed the necessity of applying appropriate interventions to improve lifestyle in elderly women.

Background and Objectives: Sleep is one of the essential and vital needs for human and is an effective factor in the child growth and development. The basic foundations of learning sleep habits are formed during childhood and a person tries to maintain it during lifetime. This study aimed to determine the sleep habits of primary school students of Nahavand city from the point of view of parents. Methods: In this correlational descriptive study, 240 students aged 6-11 years, were selected using random cluster sampling in Nahavand city in 2017. Data were collected by demographic information questionnaire and Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ). The questionnaires were completed as self report by the parents (mother or father). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics methods and independent t-test. Results: The mean score of the students' sleep habits was 64. 32± 9. 33 and the highest mean score of sleep habits was related to the dimension of sleeping behavior, 26. 87± 4. 75, and the lowest mean score was related to the dimension of night awake, 4. 35± 1. 48, which, in other words, the high mean was indicative of sleep habits’ disorder, and the low mean indicated less sleep habits’ disorder. Conclusion: The findings of this study showed that sleep habits’ disorders affect various aspects of the child's life.

Background and Objectives: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) or scleroderma is a chronic connective tissue disease with unknown etiology. This chronic disease is characterized by vascular changes, immune dysfunction, and internal organ fibrosis. Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a frequent complication and a major cause of mortality in SSc patients. So far, no effective treatment has been identified for this disease. Based on the evidence proposing inflammation as the primary cause of fibrosis in SSc, administration of glucocorticoids has been suggested for the treatment of SSc-ILD. This study was conducted with the aim of investigation of the therapeutic effect of dexamethasone in the mouse model of systemic sclerosis. Methods: In this experimental study, bleomycin was injected subcutaneously into BALB/c mice to induce pulmonary fibrosis. For intervention with dexamethasone, the mice intraperitoneally received 14 doses of the drug. To determine the effectiveness of dexamethasone, histopathological evaluation of lung fibrosis, was performed by Masson's trichrome staining. Results: In this investigation, bleomycin induced severe pulmonary severe lung fibrosis, and injection of dexamethasone significantly decreased collagen deposition and lung fibrosis (p<0. 0001). Conclusion: The results of this study indicated that dexamethasone can reduce bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in the mouse model of SSc; therefore, treatment with dexamethasone can be useful in inhibiting pulmonary fibrosis in the patients with SSc.