Qom University of Medical Sciences Journal
Year:2016 | Volume:10 | Issue:6|Papers Count:13

Background and Objectives: Ceftriaxone is a third-generation cephalosporin antibiotic, which has a broad-spectrum activity against bacteria. Recently, its adverse effects on the reproductive system, was revealed. The aim of this study was to investigate the adverse effects of ceftriaxone on testicular tissue in adult male mice.Methods: A total of 40 adult male mice were randomly divided into 5 groups: Control group received normal saline; the first and second experimental groups, respectively, received ceftriaxone at doses of 20 and 50 mg/kg bw for 7 days; and the third and fourth groups, respectively, received 20 and 50 mg/kg bw of the drug for 45 days. After preparation of tissue sections, routine and specific staining was performed, and histological, histomorphometric, and histochemical studies were carried out. The data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s test. Significance level was considered as p<0.05.Results: The histological evaluations in experimental groups showed changes as atrophy of some seminiferous tubules, decrease in the spermatogenesis and sertoli as well as disruption and disintegration. Morphometric studies showed significant decreases (p<0.05) in the mean diameter of seminiferous tubules, testicular capsule, thickness of epithelium of seminiferous tubules, distribution of leydig cells and lymphocytes, and insignificant increase (p>0.05) in the interstitial tissue thickness in all the experimental groups compared to the control group. In the experimental groups, Sudan Black and alkaline phosphatase reactions were intense, while PAS reaction was weak.Conclusion: Ceftriaxone damages testicular structure, which includes loss of balance of the spermatogenic cell population and decrease in the spermatogenesis and spermiogenesis processes.

Background and Objectives: Botulism syndrome is caused by Clostridium botulinum neurotoxin. This neurotoxin has seven serotypes ranging from A to G. The best way to prevent botulism syndrome caused by Botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT), is using recombinant vaccine made from its binding domain (due to having sufficient epitopes to stimulate immune system). In this study, the binding domain of BoNT serotype A (BoNT/A), was investigated.Methods: Initially, BoNT/A gene with accession number CP000727.1, was obtained from GenBank and was codon optimized according to the codon usage of E. coli. Then, the sequence was synthesized in pET28a plasmid and then subcloned in pGEX-4T-1 expression plasmid. The subcloning was done using PCR with Pfu DNA polymerase and then double digestion with XmaI and XhoI restriction enzymes. E. coli BL21 strain was used as the expression host. The selected marker for pGEX-4T-1 was ampicillin.Results: PCR and restriction digestion with the mentioned enzymes confirmed the subcloning process. The assessment of gene expression was performed by SDS-PAGE and western blotting (using horse anti-BoNT/A (and then glutathione affinity chromatography was performed. Although, the subcloning was performed successfully, no protein expression was observed.Conclusion: According to the findings of this study, it seems that other hosts, such as eukaryotic hosts should be used for recombinant expression of BoNT/A binding domain.

Background and Objectives: Microorganisms that are capable of accumulating lipid up to 20% of their biomass are called oleaginous microorganisms. In this study, optimization in lipid and linolenic acid production was investigated in Aspergillus niger as an oleaginous filamentous fungi.Methods: In this study, at first different strains of filamentous fungi were isolated, and after staining of the isolates with Sudan Black, their oil was extracted using chloroform/methanol. Then, the isolates with oil/dry biomass ratio of more than 20% were considered as oleaginous filamentous fungi. After microscopic examination, the identified isolate was optimized in terms of oil production. Finally, the amount of linolenic acid was evaluated using gas chromatography.Results: At first, 20 filamentous fungi isolates were isolated. According to the results of Sudan Black staining, lipid inclusions were observed in all the fungal isolates. The amount of oil produced in all isolates, showed that the percentage of oil production in isolates 4, 5, and 16, was more than 20%. In microscopic examination, the isolate 5 was Aspergillus niger. The best pH, temperature, time, and carbon source for oil production by Aspergillus niger was 4.5, 30oC, 96 hours, and fructose, respectively. The amount of linolenic acid in Aspergillus niger was reported 22.4% using gas chromatography.Conclusion: The results of this study revealed that Aspergillus niger is an appropriate filamentous fungi for linolenic acid production.

Background and Objectives: Researches on attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder indicated that this common disorder would not be resolved with age and continues into adulthood. This study was carried out with the objective of validation and normalization of diagnostic scale of adult attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder scale in Iranian sample.Methods: This study was performed as a psychometric study on the patients (1400 to 1600 cases) referred to two psychiatry and neurology clinics in Tehran in the autumn and winter of 2014. Among these patients, 301 persons were selected by purposeful non-random sampling according to the sample size formula based on ratio or two-value variable (patient and non-patient) and related questionnaire was administered to them. Cronbach's alpha, Spearman- Brown, and Guttmann’s coefficients was used to evaluate concurrent validity and reliability and exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis in order to assess the construct validity.Results: In this study, Cronbach's alpha of the total scale was 0.88 and for the subscales of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity were 0.82, 0.72, 0.67, respectively. The correlation coefficients between the mentioned scale and adult attention deficit/hyperactivity questionnaire (Wender Utah) was obtained 0.59, and between the subscales and the Wender Utah questionnaire, were 0.56, 0.49, and 0.40, respectively, which all three were significant (p<0.01). Confirmatory factor analysis results showed that this scale has three factors and two goodness-of-fit indices.Conclusion: The results of this study revealed that specialists can diagnose and treat the patients using this diagnostic scale.

Background and Objectives: Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a group of metabolic disorders, which its prevalence is growing worldwide and increases the risk of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. In the present study, the metabolic syndrome status was investigated based on the NCEP/ATP III criteria in individuals at risk for diabetes.Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 514 individuals at risk of diabetes (20 to 60 years old), who referred to Amir-Al-Momenin Hospital of Ahvaz, entered the study based on inclusion and exclusion and using convenience sampling method. Data collection tools were demographic characteristics questionnaire, and anthropometric data entry checklist, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and blood biomarkers (blood sugar, fasting blood sugar, triglyceride, etc.). In this study, MS was evaluated based on NCEP /ATP III criteria, which the presence of three or more than five criteria was indicative of the existence of this syndrome. Data analysis was performed using independent t-, Chi-square, and Pearson correlation tests at a significance level of 95%.Results: In this study, the most common ATP III criterion was abdominal obesity in patients at risk for diabetes. In general, 1.75% of statistical population had MS. Also, the prevalence of MS in women at risk for diabetes and non-employees was significantly higher. Also, there was a significant correlations between waist circumference and all the parameters, except FBS.Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the prevalence of MS in people at risk for diabetes is very high in the city of Ahvaz. Therefore, the risk of type II diabetes and cardiovascular diseases is very high in these individuals and requires serious corrective measures and special attention of health policy makers to this group.

Background and Objectives: Identification of nutritional status and physical activity pattern can be beneficial in improving public health. This study was carried out with the aim of assessing physical activity status and determining food habits in male students in Arak City.Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 400 male students (12-14 years old) were selected from public school of Arak City by stratified randomized sampling. Then, questionnaires, including demographic information, physical activity level, and nutritional status (food frequency) were completed; height and weight were measured according to standard methods using a stadiometer and weighing scales, and body mass index was calculated and compared with CDC 2000 criteria. The data were analyzed using analysis of variance test.Results: In this study, the total prevalence of underweight, overweight or obesity, and normal weight among the analytes, were 11.7%, 15.3%, and 72.9%, respectively. The physical activity score was estimated to be 2.5, which was indicative of moderate level of physical activity. The frequency of consumption of dairies, fruits, and vegetables were significantly lower than the amounts in Iranian food guide pyramid.Conclusion: The findings of this study emphasize the importance of guiding and motivating people to include physical activity and healthy nutritin in their lifestyle and improvement of health and well-being.

Background and Objectives: Pregnancy and transition to parenthood lead to major psychological and social changes in women and men. This study was conducted with the purpose of determining the fathers' anxiety level in the first 8 weeks after mothers' delivery.Methods: In a descriptive cross-sectional study with stratified random sampling method, the anxiety level was evaluated in 403 fathers. The data collection tools were demographic characteristics questionnaire and standard State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-S) with cutoff of 45, which were completed after obtaining a written informed consent from each participant. Data were analyzed using Chi-square test and logistic regression model at 95% level of confidence.Results: The mean state and trait anxiety scores of fathers' were 34.04±9.24 and 34.57±9.80, respectively. Approximately 14% of the fathers had state and 15% had trait anxiety. There was a significant relationship between state anxiety of fathers and their income, and between trait anxiety and age, occupation, and having insurance. Fathers' anxiety level decreased with increasing age. the odds of having trait anxiety was higher in men with low education and no insurance.Conclusion: Considering the increasing level of fathers’ anxiety after mothers' delivery compared to the general population and its relationship with individual and social factors, it seems necessary to improve social supports, especially for young men.

Background and Objectives: Staphylococcus epidermidis is one of the effective factors causing nosocomial infections. This study was performed to investigate the antibiotic resistance pattern in the methicillin-resistant S. epidermidis strains isolated from clinical samples in Isfahan Province.Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 150 isolates of S. epidermidis were isolated from detected from the patients hospitalized in hospitals and treatment centers of Isfahan City. The antibiotic resistance pattern was evaluated by disk diffusion method. The presence of the gene encoding antibiotic resistance to methicillin (mec A) in the isolates were investigated using PCR method. Data were analyzed with Chi-square and Fisher's exact statistical tests.Results: In this study, most isolates were related to urinary tract infections. The highest resistance was reported to penicillin (98.9%), erythromycin (89.4%), ciprofloxacin (77.7%), clindamycin (65.9%), tetracycline (63.2%), and meticillin (54%). None of the strains showed resistance to vancomycin and linezolid. Molecular studies indicated the presence of mec A gene in 76% of the studied isolates.Conclusion: According to the results of this study, vancomycin and linezolid antibiotics can be the best choice of treatment for infections caused by S. epidermidis. Also, high resistance of S. epidermidis can be a serious warning for increased multiple antibiotic resistance. Molecular studies are indicative of high sensitivity of molecular methods in the investigation of methicillin-resistant isolates.

Background and Objectives: Given that no comprehensive studies have yet been conducted on treatment of infectious wastes in hospitals of Qom City, this research was performed with the purpose of investigating the treatment methods used in these hospitals and monitoring the performance of waste elimination devices.Methods: Required information was obtained through in-person visit and observing the current situation, and the variables affecting waste treatment were extracted based on the type of treatment systems, and were collected, and accordingly, biological monitoring tests were designed for the studied hospitals. The data were analyzed using Fisher's exact test.Results: In this study, from 9 active hospitals in Qom Province, only 3 hospitals were equipped with waste treatment system. In hospital A, growth of Bacillus stearothermophilus spore were observed in 6.25% of the samples, while no microbial growth was recorded in hospital B. The initial investment to buy the machine in hospital A was about four times than that of hospital B.Conclusion: The findings of this study showed that treatment device of hospital B is more appropriate compared to the devices of hospital A due to complete destruction of spores, lower cost (for purchase), and maintenance.

Background and Objectives: Given the growing elderly population in the country, significant proportion of chronic diseases in this group, and necessity of investigation on aspects of the elderly health in order to prevent disability and reduce the complications of diseases in them, this study was conducted to determine the manifestations of nose, sinus, larynx, head, and neck among the elderly over 60 years in the rural areas around Rasht City.Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 35 villages of were randomly selected Rasht city from, and 413 elderly subjects randomly entered the study. After obtaining a written informed consent, the elderly were examined by general practitioners and an otolaryngologist.Results: A total of 413 subjects [195 (47.20%) females and 218 (52.80%) males] with the mean age of 73.47±7.04 participated in this study. The most common sinonasal disorder was septal deviation (60.68%). Other sinonasal disorders were mucosa paleness (18.23%), stuffy nose feeling (12.83%), hyposmia (12.10%), anosmia (3.14%) and nasal polyposis (1.43%). The most common oral disorder was dental problems (88.90%). Other common disorders of the mouth, pharynx, and larynx included dry mouth (46.73%), dysphagia (24.21%), snoring (40.19%), inflamed mucosa (14.50%), and the most common neck disorder was thyroid enlargement (2.56%).Conclusion: The results of the present study showed that the prevalence of nose, sinus, larynx, head, and neck disorders is significant among the elderly population of Guilan.

Background and Objectives: Knowledge is a necessary component for behavioral changes, including behaviors related to oral and dental health and prevention of oral disease. Family has the most important role in children's oral and dental health. This research aimed to determine knowledge, attitudes and performance of the parents of preschool and primary school children referring to health centers of Qom City about the importance of preserving Primary Teeth and its related factors.Methods: This study was conducted as a descriptive-analytical study on 267 mothers of preschool children referring to selected health centers of Qom City in 2014. Data was collected using questionnaire and interview. The reasearcher-made tool was a 22-part questionnaire containing 21 multiple-choice questions and one descriptive question. The data were analysed using simple and multiple logistic regression descriptive statistics.Results: In this study, the participants’ knowledge about the care of primary teeth in 51.1% of cases was poor, 48.9% of the participants had a positive attitude about the care of primary teeth, and 60% of the participating parents showed a good performance for the care of primary teeth. There was a significant relationship between female gender and knowledge and positive attitude of parents about the care of primary teeth (p<0.05) according to multiple logistic regression model. Also, in multiple logistic regression model, there was only a significant relationship between attitude and performaance (p<0.05).Conclusion: According to the findings of this study, training parents about the importance of care of primary teeth, should be performed in line with individual needs of children and parents to succeed in the prevention programs for oral and dental diseases in children.