QOM UNIVERSITY OF MEDICAL SCIENCES JOURNAL
Year:2011 | Volume:5 | Issue:2 (18)|Papers Count:17

Background and Objectives: Epidemiological studies of Non-tuberculosis Mycobacterium is important because of the drug resistance pattern and worldwide dissemination of these organisms. One of genetic fingerprinting methods for epidemiological studies is VNTR (Variable Number Tandem Repeat). In this study genetic pattern of atypical Mycobacterium was evaluated by VNTR method for epidemiologic studies. Methods: 48 pulmonary and non pulmonary specimens separated from patients with the symptoms of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) and identified as Non-tuberculosis Mycobacteriumby phenotypic and PCR-RFLP methods were selected for this study. Clinical samples and their standard strains were evaluated according to VNTR pattern using the 7 genetic loci including ETR-B. ETR-F. ETR-C. MPTR-A. ETR-A. ETR-E. ETR-D. Results: The results of VNTR method showed that none of the 7 loci had any polymorphism in the standard strains of atypical mycobacterium. Some of these variable number tandem repeat in 42 clinical samples of non-tuberculosis Mycobacterium were polymorphic while the PCR product (for any loci) was not found in the remaining 6 specimens. Conclusion: Although the used genetic loci of this study were suitable for epidemiological studies of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, these loci were not able to determine the diversity of genetics of non-tuberculosis Mycobacterium Therefore, it seems necessary that other loci be studied using VNTR method.

Background and Objectives: Gene therapy is a new and specific method for therapy of leukemia. Antitelomerase agents can be used in cancer therapy. Telomeres are specialized heterochromatin structures that act as protective caps at the ends of linear eukaryotic chromosomes. Human telomeres consist of tandem repeats of the hexanucleotide sequence TTAGGG in double strand. Telomerase is detected in the majority of cancers, but not in normal tissue. Telomere maintenance in 80-95% of tumor cells is achieved by telomerase. The aim of this research was to assess the inhibitory effects of nano-oligonucleotides as a new nano technology method in gene therapy of leukemia in vitro. Methods: In this study, we employed'®P5’N3 phosphoramidate oliogoadenylate synthetic, called sense, antisense and scramble. Results: In this research, oligomers with.5 micromolr did not have any effect on telomerase phosphoramidaté ®P5’activity. But telomerase activity significantly decreased with N3 hTR sense and antisense after 3 days with 1 to 3 micro molar in comparison with control groups. Conclusion: One of the reasons for inhibition of telomerase via the aforementioned antisense is to link them with RNA telomere named hTR and hence prevent this enzyme from functioning. By doing this, in fact, hTR is dissolved. This method in vitro can be used in human leukemia.

Background and Objectives: 25-50 percent of all patients who are visited by GPs, have complains that are not medically explained. Their management is a challenge for GPs. In homeopathy (a method of alternative medicine) these symptoms are important for selection of remedies and in an effort to treat them. This study aimed at describing this existing situation by investigating the frequency of such complaints in the patients under study. Methods: This study is a cross-sectional study conducted in Isfahan in 2008 on 240 Patients who were visited in some of the clinics affiliated to Isfahan university of medical sciences. The patients were selected by convenient method. Data were gathered by the questionnaire and analyzed via SPSS 13.5 software using Chi-Square test. Results: Out of 240 patients, 150 were women (%65.4) and 90 were men (34.6%). 75.4 percent were 20-40 years old. 1.7 percent had no symptoms, 31.3 had 1-5 symptoms and 40.8 percent had 6-10 symptoms. The females had more symptoms than males. Symptoms of mind, GI, sleep and miscellaneous ones were 81.3, 80.4, 72.1 and 87.1 percent, respectively. The most frequent symptoms in each group were intrusive thought, salivation in sleep, waking frequently and dyspnea wearing tight collared clothes. Only 10.97 percent of patient referred to the physicians for these symptoms. Conclusion: The symptoms registered in homeopathy references have notable prevalence in the society but most of people with such symptoms will not go to a doctor for examination and treatment Therefore, it is very important to carry out more research regarding these symptoms. General population should receive more information and physicians, in turn, should use appropriate methods of therapy for treating these patients.

Background and Objectives: LBW is the strongest factor related to prenatal, neonatal, postnatal and childhood mortality and morbidity. Air pollution is one of the risk factors that is recently gaining attention. This study was carried out to determine the relationship between the CO ambient and low birth weight in women referring to Tehran hospitals in 2007-2008. Methods: In this historical cohort study 225 pregnant women having lived within 5 kilometers of a monitoring station during pregnancy and referring to selected hospitals in Tehran were investigated. An information questionnaire was used for data collection and sampling was done by multistage sampling and convenience method. Women were assigned to low exposure group and high exposure group based on mean exposure to each pollutant during pregnancy. These two groups were matched with respect to confounding factors. SPSS software version 15, T statistics, c2, Man Withnney, and Relative Risk procedures were used for data analysis. Results: The result showed that 31.6% of CO high exposure group and 7.4% of CO low exposure group had Low birth weight baby. The result also showed a significant relationship between exposure to high amount of CO and LBW (p=0.001). Relative Risk calculated with confidence interval (RR=4/67, CI= (1/76-9/43) was found to be 95% and the amount of attributable risk was 66%. Conclusion: Based on these finding, exposure to carbon monoxide pollution can cause LBW. There should be an educational program about the disadvantages of CO pollutant on pregnant women living in densely populated areas of the city. Moreover, practical approaches should be provided to reduce these pollutants.

Background and Objectives: Pulp stone (PS) is foci of calcification within the dental pulp whose etiology remains yet unknown. The prevalence of PS has been reported to very variable in other studies. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of PS in city of Rafsanjan. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out by periapical or bite-wing radiographs in 800 patients having referred to the department of oral and maxillofacial radiology of Rafsanjan dentistry school. Opaque masses were considered as PS in the coronal portion of the pulp. The data were analyzed by t-test and Chi-square statistical procedures. Results: The prevalence of PS was calculated to be 20% in 800 patients (21.7% men, 18.9% Women). There was no significant relationship between PS and gender. As age increased, the prevalence of PS increased (p<0.0001). there was a significant difference between the mean age of the patients with PS (31.7±9.62 years) comparable to patient without PS (28±8.75 years) (p<0.0001). The prevalence of PS was higher in first molar teeth.conclusion: with regard to the result of this study, the prevalence of PS is rather high and increases with age. The high prevalence of PS and the probable common mechanism between PS and other diseases can be basis of designing more studies.

Background and Objectives: Depression is one of the common problems of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Depending on the severity of lung disease in patients and the kind of study, the prevalence of depression has been reported to lie between 10%-80%. Depression may not be diagnosed in routine examinations, so the patients may not receive appropriate treatment. Due to the lack of similar studies in Iran, the main purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of depression in COPD patients in Qom. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 207 known cases of COPD were evaluated for depression and its severity by using standardized tests of Beck depression screening. Other variables in the study such age, sex, educational level, marital status and smoking rates were taken into account. SPSS version 15 and Chi square test were utilized for data analysis (p<0.05). Result: data analysis showed that 83.3% of patient suffer deform varying degrees of depression, of whom 12.9% had severe or very severe depression. Moreover, a significant relationship was found between depression and education level.Conclusion: Depression is one of the common problems in COPD patient reducing their quality of life. It can be treated by physicians which can lead to improved quality of life for these patients.

Background and Objectives: Lamivudine is the first nucleoside analogue licensed for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B patients which is effective in suppressing virus replication and results in reduced disease activity. However the most important problem of lamivudine treatment is the emergence of lamivudine resistance strains with amino acid substitution in the YMDD motif of the DNA polymerase during the treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of YMDD motif mutations in chronic hepatitis B patients treated with lamivudine. Methods: 56 chronic hepatitis B patients who had not previously received interferon and/or a nucleoside/nucleotide analogue, received lamivudine for a minimum of 6 months were examined in this study. HBV DNA was extracted from serum samples, and YMDD mutations in the HBV DNA polymerase gene was determined using PCR-direct sequencing. HBV DNA quantification was determined using real-time PCR. Results: 56 patients 39 (69.6%) male and 17 (30.4%) female with mean age of 34.12 (±13.6) were evaluated. YMDD motif mutations were observed in 15 out of 56 patients (26.7%). 8 of these mutations (14.2%) were in the form of YIDD and the remaining 7 (12.5%) in YVDD form. Serine mutation at YMDD motif was not found in this study. Conclusion: YMDD motif mutations leading to lamivudine resistance is common in our chronic hepatitis B patients. Molecular diagnosis of YMDD motif mutations using methods such as direct DNA sequencing can detect upcoming viral resistance in chronic hepatitis B patients.

Background and Objectives: The liver as a key organ of metabolism and excretion is constantly endowed with the task of detoxification. Hepatotoxicants can induce various disorders of the organ. Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) is a potent hepatotoxin producing centrilobular hepatic necrosis and is widely used for animal models of hepatotoxicity. Molybdenum functions as a co-factor for a limited number of enzymes including xanthine oxidase, aldehyde oxidase and sulfite oxidase in mammals, and is believed to be an essential trace element in human and nutrition. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the protective effect of sodium molybdate against experimentally induced-CCl4 liver injury. Methods: Adult male rats were orally administered with different doses of sodium molybdate (0.05, 0.1 and 0.2g/kg bw/daily) along with CCl4 (50% CCl4, in olive oil, 1ml/kg bw, intrapertioneally) twice a week for 28 consecutive days. Biochemical parameters like alanine amino transferase, aspartate amino transferase, alkaline phosphatase and total protein levels in the serum were determined. Results: In present study, the level of serum markers such as alanine amino transferase, aspartate amino transferase, and alkaline phosphatase were significantly increased in CCl4 treated rats. While Simultaneous treatment of sodium molybdate at doses 0.05, 0.1 and 0.2g/kg bw significantly decreased alanine amino transferase, aspartate amino transferase and alkaline phosphatase at the dependent dosage manner. Moreover, it had no effect on serum total protein levels. Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrate the hepatoprotective effect of molybdenum and thus scientifically supports the use of this trace element for treatment of liver disorders.

Background and Objectives: LMS is a general monitoring method for fitting smooth reference centile curves in medical sciences. They provide the distribution of a measurement as it changes according to some covariates like age or time. This method describes the distribution of changes by three parameters; Mean, Coefficient of variation and Cox-Box power (skewness). Applying maximum penalized likelihood and spline function, the three curves are estimated and fitted and optimum smoothness is expressed by three curves. This study was conducted to provide the percentiles of lipid profile of Iranian children and adolescents by LMS. Methods: Smoothed reference centile curves of four groups of lipids (triglycerides, total-LDL- and HDL-cholesterol) were developed from the data of 4824 Iranian school students, aged 6-18 years, living in six cities (Tabriz, Rasht, Gorgan, Mashad, Yazd and Tehran-Firouzkouh) in Iran. Demographic and laboratory data were taken from the national study of the surveillance and prevention of non-communicable diseases from childhood (CASPIAN Study). After data management, data of 4824 students were included in the statistical analysis, which was conducted by the modified LMS method proposed by Cole. The curves were developed with a degree of freedom of four to ten with some tools such as deviance, Q tests, and detrended Q-Q plot were used for monitoring goodness of fit models. Results: All tools confirmed the model, and the LMS method was used as an appropriate method in smoothing reference centile. This method revealed the distributing features of variables serving as an objective tool to determine their relative importance. Conclusion: This study showed that the triglycerides level is higher and HDL-C level is lower in Iranian children and adolescents than their counterparts in Western countries. Future studies with larger sample size and with higher density at the end points and equal distribution of measurements in changing limits of covariates would hopefully reach more precise findings.

Background and Objectives: Air pollution has broad social, economical, political and technical aspects. one of the major issues in this regard is taking measures to prevent its increase. Since suspended particles are among the standard pollutants, the present study was carried out with the aim of measuring the amounts of these particles. Methods: In the present study, the suspended particles ( PM1, PM2.5 and PM10) were measured at two sites in Qom city. For each of them, 60 samples were selected with the Enviro Check during five consecutive months during summer (2 months) and fall. Results: During sampling, PM10 in the period between October 22’th to November 22nd 2007 had the maximum amount with the mean of 117mg/m3 and in the period between September 22’th to October 22nd 2007 it had the minimum amount with the mean of 83mg/m3. PM2.5 in the period between November 22nd to December 22nd 2007 with the mean of 33mg/m3 had the maximum amount and in the period between July 22nd to October 22nd 2007 it had the minimum amount with the mean of 8mg/m3.Conclusion: Based on the findings of this study, the densities of suspended particles PM1, PM2.5 and PM10 were below the standard levels on most occasions. The amounts of AQI for them were normal and acceptable.

Background and Objectives: In recent years there have been noticeable changes in diagnosis and treatment of colon disorders by colonoscopy and direct vision. Along with its international development, this useful equipment is being used in Iran to treat various disorders. It should be mentioned that there are no exact statistics of these disorders to date. This study was done with aim of evaluating the diagnostic findings in patients undergoing colonoscopy in Qom during 2007-2008. Methods: This descriptive-cross sectional study was done on 500 patients having referred to colonoscopy ward of Hazrate-e-Masoome Hospital in Qom. After colonoscopy, patient data were entered into a special questionnaire and then pathologic findings were added to it. The data were taken for statistical analysis.Results: Out of 500 patients undergoing colonoscopy 279 were male (55.8%) and 221 female (44.2%). In all groups and both sexes the most common reason for carrying out colonoscopy was abdominal pain (46.6%) rectorrhagia (41%). As regards diagnosis, a total of 199 cases (39.8%) of all 500 colonoscopies had normal colonoscopy,124 cases (24.8%) had hemorrhoid, 64 cases (12.8%) had polyp, 55 cases (11%) had inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), 30 cases (6%) had tumor, 17 cases(3.2%) had diverticulosis and 12 cases (2.4%) had solitary rectal ulcer. There was a significant relationship between abdominal pain and tumor, polyp and diverticulosis. (p<0.001)Conclusion: based on the finding of this study, the prevalence of cancer and IBD is higher in men diverticulosis is higher in women. The highest prevalence of IBD was in the age group of 21-30 years. With an increase in age, the incidence rate of this disease decreases.

Background and Objectives: Nowadays herbal medicine is excessively used in traditional medicine for diabetes. The Cyperus rotundus rhizomes in traditional medicine are used for decreasing blood glucose and lipid. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the effect of rhizomes extract of this plant in insulin resistance model of male rats. Methods: This experimental study was carried out on 36 adult male wistar rats in the weight range of 150-200 (g). Diabetes was induced by fructose 10% in drinking water for 8 weeks, then the animals were divided randomly into 4 groups: control, Fructose induce, aqueous extracts of Cyperus rotundus rhizomes (500 mg/kg), MeOH extracts of Cyperus rotundus rhizomes (500 mg/kg). 48 hours after the last gavage with extracts, the rats were fasted for 12h, then blood samples were collected from heart, serum was dissented and blood glucose, insulin, fasting insulin resistance index (FIRI), lipid profile and hepatic enzymes were determined.Results: Glucose in fructose group in comparison with control group showed a significant increase. Insulin in aqueous and MeOH extracts groups in comparison with control group significantly increased. FIRI in aqueous extract group in comparison with control group was significantly higher (p<0.05). Lipid profile was not change in any of them. MeOH extract, showed a decrease in all of the hepatic enzymes (Alkaline phosphatase, aspartate, and AST, alanine Transferase).Conclusion: Aqueous has could not probably be effective in decreasing diabetic complications. But is it believed that with extensive study on MeOH extracts, we can reach a more efficient decrease in diabetes and antihepatotxicity.

Background and Objectives: Nowadays, the remarkable growth of population and its subsequent overcrowding in big cities maybe an important factor in causing neural system sensivity against environmental agents. Taking this issue into account, the present study aimed at investigating the effects of social stress on cortex of mouse cerebellum. Methods: 60 adult male mice of the NMRI strain were selected at the age of 5-6 weeks and were randomly divided into 6 groups. In the first three groups, 5 animals per cage (as control), 10 animals per cage (mild stress condition) and 15 animals per cage (sever stress condition) were housed for one month and the next three groups with same condition in same manner were housed for two months (groups 4, 5 and 6). All animals were anesthetized and weighed. The samples of right lobe of cerebellum were removed and fixed for light microscopic study. The thickness of the molecular and granular layers and the number and height of purkinje cells were analyzed by Image Tool soft ware. Results: The results showed that the mean weight of animals in group 3 and group 6 (sever stress condition) were significantly reduced compared to the control group (p<0.001), The mean height of purkinje cells in all stress groups (group 2, 3, 5 and 6) was significantly reduce compared to group 1 (P<0.001). The thickness of the molecular and granular layers in all stress groups showed insignificant difference compared to the control group.Conclusion: it can be concluded that the social stress has a detrimental effect on cortex of mouse cerebellum by decreasing the weights of animals, the number and height of cerebellar purkinje cells.

Background and Objectives: Nowadays sepsis is one of the major causes of mortality in severely ill patients in ICU. At least part of mortality rate in sepsis is due to fewer number of specific clinical symptoms for prompt diagnosis. Moreover, due to lack of specific marker for detection of this disease, problems occur in differentiation of infectious and non-infectious factors. In recent years, there have been some reports of increase in serum level of procalcitonin in these patients but the correlation between PCT with severity and outcome of disease in patients with sepsis in ICU is not yet known. The aim of this study was to examine the correlation between severity and outcome with procalcitonin (PCT) levels in these patients.Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on patients with bacterial infectious diseases in ICU. Sampling was don on day 1 and day 3 and day 7 of admission to ICU. A semiquantitative PCT-Q test for measurement of procalcitonin was used. After that sepsis severity and outcome of disease were compared with procalcitonin levels. Data were then analyzed by SPSS and the results were compared using Pearson chi-square test.Results: Thirty five patients (22 men and 13 women) had internal criteria for inclusion in this study.Eighteen patients died. There was a direct correlation with severity of disease (p<0.01) but there was not any correlation between high Serum procalcitonin concentrations (³1 ng/ml) known and mortality.Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that there is a correlation between severity of disease and procalcitonin levels. Therefore, it is recommended that measurement of serum procalcitonin be done to determine the severity and likely outcome of disease in all patients with sepsis admitted to ICU.

Background and Objectives: Leishmaniasis is one of the parasitic diseases causing a limited number of skin lesions in patients suffering from it; but in some patients a greater number of these lesions are observed which need systemic treatment and active follow -up.Case Report: The patient is a 56 years old female suffering from lesihmaniasis who lives in Farajabaad village from the central district of Qom province. She referred to Qomrood health center for treatment. This patient had more than 29 lesions in her different organs, while The leishmaniasis patients usually have limited number of wounds (maximum 5 lesions in most cases).