QOM UNIVERSITY OF MEDICAL SCIENCES JOURNAL
Year:2017 | Volume:11 | Issue:1|Papers Count:12

Background and Objectives: In recent decades, due to the increasing use of devices generating electromagnetic fields in modern industrial societies, the biological effects of these radiations has been taken into consideration in terms of growth and development of living organisms. The aim of this study was to evaluate pathological changes in the kidney tissue structure induced by low-frequency electromagnetic field.Methods: In this experimental study, 80 rats were randomly divided into 4 groups of 20 each (one control group and 3 experimental groups). The control group did not receive any radiation. The experimental rats were exposed to electromagnetic field (cell phone waves) for 1, 2, and 3 months (20times a day, each time 15min). Finally, at the end of the experimental period, the rats were weighed and dissected. The appropriate tissue samples of the kidney were fixed in buffered formalin 10% for histopathological examinations. After preparing 4-5-μm thick sections, the tissues were stained with haematoxylin and eosin (H& E) and studied by a light microscope. The results were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Duncan post-hoc tests. The level of significance was considered to be p<0.05.Results: There was no significant difference in the results of body weight and kidney weight between the experimental and control group. Microscopic examinations of the experimental groups were indicative of histological changes, including hyperemia of the kidney vessels, degeneration and necrosis of tubular and glomerular cells, infiltration of inflammatory cells, and hemorrhage in the interstitial tissue.Conclusion: The results of the present study indicated that long-term exposure to cell phone waves has damaging effects on the kidney tissue structure.

Background and Objectives: Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a mycotoxin, which is produced by Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus. Among four types of AFB (AFB1, AFB2, AFB3, and AFN4), AFB1 is the most abundant and toxic in the world. Aflatoxin decreases sperm production and quality. In the present study, the effect of ABF1 was investigated on spermatogenesis, spermiogenesis, and cell apoptosis in the testicular tissue.Methods: In this experimental study, 24 albino mice were divided into 4 groups; control group intraperitoneally received 0.2 ml corn oil and experimental groups received AFB1 (20 mg) for 7, 15, and 35 days, respectively. After 7, 15 and 35 days, the testicular tissue samples were taken, and after preparing tissue sections, hematoxylin and eosin (H& E) staining was performed. Histomorphometric parameters and DNA damage was evaluated using DNA Ladder method. Data analysis was carried out using one-way ANOVA at the significance level of p<0.05.Results: In this study, AFB1 led to tissue damage, especially in germ cells line. The percentage of seminiferous tubules with differentiation indices, tubular repopulation, and negative spermiogenesis, increased in the mice received AFB1; seminiferous tubules diameter and germinal epithelium thickness, significantly decreased (p<0.05). Finally, AFB1 increased the DNA damages.Conclusion: The findings of this study revealed that AFB1 increases testicular cell apoptosis via DNA damages, also it can increase differentiation indices, tubular differentiation, and spermiogenesis in testicular tissue, which consequently lead to decrease in sperm production and quality.

Background and Objectives: Due to the lack of blood vessels in cartilage tissue, its damage is not repairable. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of soy isoflavone on proliferation and differentiation of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells into chondrocytes and expression of collagen II and aggrecan genes.Methods: In this experimental study, human subcutaneous fat was obtained during liposuction and incubated with collagenase enzyme (type 1) for the breakdown of collagen, and collagenase was deactivated by DMEM medium, and was cultured in the cell sediment after centrifugation, the cells were isolated after the third passage, were placed in chondrogenic medium for differentiate into the cartilage, and were divided into three groups, including control, treatment with TGF-b1, and treatment with soy isoflavones tablets. The tablets were dissolved in distilled water, sterilized by passing through a 0.2 um filter and were added to the culture medium. After 48 hours, cell viability was determined by MTT assay, and after 14 days, collagen II and aggrecan gene expressions were assessed by real-time PCR technique. Data were statistically analyzed by one-way ANOVA and Tukey's post-hoc test using SPSS 20 and p<0.05.Results: The results of MTT assay showed a significant increase in viability in the TGF-b1 group compared to the control and soy isoflavone groups (p<0.05). The RT-PCR indicated a significant increase in the expression of collagen II and aggrecan genes in isoflavones and TGF-b1 groups compared to the control group, and also, the mean CT associated with collagen II gene had a significant increase in isoflavone and TGF-b1groups compared to the control group (p<0.05).Conclusion: Soy in culture medium increases the expression of collagen II and aggrecan genes and cell proliferation, but this increase is not high compared to the TGF-b1 group.

Background and Objectives: Stroke can lead to permanent disabilities, including motor and cognitive impairments. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of Tai Chi training on cognitive status, dynamic balance, and quality of life in women with stroke.Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, 20 women with stroke (mean age, 65.8±3.5 years; weight, 68.4±14kg; and body mass index, 26.3±5.1 kg/m2) in Qom city, were selected voluntarily and randomly divided into experimental (N=10) and control (N=10) groups. Cognitive status, dynamic balance, and quality of life were assessed by Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and SF-36 quality of life questionnaires and Timed Up and Go test. Tai Chi group trained for 6 weeks, three 60-minute sessions per week (a 10-minute warm-up period, a 40-minute simplified Tai Chi exercise, and a 10-minute cool-down period). Data were analyzed using dependent and independent t-tests and (p<0.05).Results: Significant increases were observed in mental health, physical function, role limitations due to physical problems, and total quality of life score in the experimental group compared to the control group (p<0.05). Also, a significant improvement was observed in dynamic balance between the experimental group compared to the control group (p<0.05). But despite the improvement in cognitive status, no significant differences were seen between the two groups (p>0.05).Conclusion: According to de results of the study, it can be said that Tai Chi training as a low-intensity and simple training improves dynamic balance and quality of life in women with stroke.

Background and Objectives: Increasing emergence of fluoroquinolone resistance among clinical isolates of Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae), has limited the treatment options for treatment of infections caused by these bacteria. The aim of this study was to investigate the dissemination of genes encoding AcrAB and QepA efflux pumps among K. pneumoniae strains.Methods: This study was carried out on 117 K. pneumoniae strains isolated from patients hospitalized in selected hospitals in Tehran city, 2015-2016, Iran. Antimicrobial susceptibility tests were performed using disk diffusion method (based on CLSI guidelines) and identification of acr A, acr B and qep A genes using PCR assay.Results: In this study, colistin and tigecycline had the best effect against clinical isolates of K. pneumoniae. According to PCR results, 110 (94%) isolates had acrA gene and 102 (87%) isolates had acrB gene, respectively. The qepA gene was not found in any of the K. pneumoniae strains.Conclusion: According to the results of the present study, dissemination of the genes encoding AcrAB efflux pumps among K. pneumoniae strains, which cause resistance to fluoroquinolones, is a matter of concern. Therefore, infection control and prevention of the spread of drug-resistant bacteria requires careful management in drug prescription and identification of resistant isolates.

Background and Objectives: ERCP is a specific technique, which allows bile and pancreatic duct imaging along with a variety of therapeutic interventions. The complexity of this technique has led to a challenge between its benefits and its serious or even mortal complications, among which, pancreatitis is the most common. The aim of this study was to assess the incidence, risk factors, and protective factors of this complication.Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the research population was 310 individuals who referred to Gastroenterology and Hepatology Research Centre of Qom city. At the beginning of the study, demographic characteristics, medical history, and necessary laboratory results of the participants, were recorded and then they underwent ERCP. After 6 hours, physical examination was performed and serum amylase level was evaluated. Six hours after the procedure, the results of examination and amylase test were recorded. Data were analyzed using non-parametric Chi-square and parametric paired t-test.Results: The incidence of pancreatitis was 8.1% and mortality rate was 0.9%; %34 of the patients had hyperamylasemia. Cannulation was difficult, and the number of pancreatic duct cannulation was reported as a risk factor. The mean serum amylase level after ERCP, showed a significant increase in patients with pancreatitis.Conclusion: In this study, the incidence of pancreatitis was 8.1% and the mortality rate was 0.9%, which were similar to previous studies, but the protective role of pancreatic duct stenting was not confirmed. Also, pancreatic duct cannulation and its multiplicity was obvious risk factors. The serum amylase level had a definite association with clinical pancreatitis. More experience of endoscopist and improvement of device function reduced the risk of pancreatitis. Therefore, the serum level of amylase is a reliable factor for diagnosis of this complication.

Background and Objectives: Toxins produced by the bacteria are one of the most common cases, which can, together with other bacterial pathogens, cause or aggravate the disease. One of the diseases caused by bacterial toxins, is toxic shock syndrome. The tst gene encodes this toxin that can be easily transferred between different strains of Staphylococcus aureus. In this study, toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 gene was investigated in methicillin-resistant clinical strains of Staphylococcus aureus using multiplex PCR method.Methods: This study is a cross-sectional study, during a 9 month period, 470 samples were collected from patients hospitalized in different wards of treatment centers of Zahedan University of Medical Sciences in 2015. Phenotypic method was used for isolation and initial screening. Oxacillin and Cefoxitin discs were used. After isolation of resistant strains, femA and mecA genes and tst gene were investigated using phenotypic method and multiplex PCR method, respectively.Results: Of 170 clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus, 93 isolates were phenotypically methicillin-resistant, among which 89 isolates had mecA gene and 14 isolates had tst gene.Conclusion: The results indicated that the prevalence of methicillin-resistant strains and the strains carrying causative gene for TSST1, is high in Zahedan. Also, circulation of these isolates can lead to much more severe effects in individuals with weak immune system.

Background and Objectives: Addiction is a destructive scourge that severely threatens human society, especially the adolescents and young adults. Individuals' perception and reaction to environmental stimuli and their disability in cognitive processing of emotional information and emotional regulation can propel individuals toward addiction. Hence, this study was performed with the purpose of investigating the correlation between sensory processing sensitivity and alexithymia with tendency to addiction.Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 166 Golestan dormitory resident female students of Qazvin University of Medical Sciences in 2015. The samples were selected randomly. Data were collected by Tendency to Addiction, Sensory Processing Sensitivity, and Alexithymia Scale (FTAS-20) questionnaires. Data were analyzed by Pearson's correlation coefficient and stepwise regression analysis.Results: The results of Pearson’s correlation showed that there was a significant correlation between components of ease of excitation, aesthetic sensitivity, and alexithymia with tendency to addiction (p<0.05, p<0.01), and the results of stepwise regression analysis showed that components of ease of excitation, aesthetic sensitivity, and alexithymia together explain 20.4% of the variance of tendency to addiction. Also, there was not a significant relationship between low sensory threshold and tendency to addiction.Conclusion: According to the results of this study, the improvement of individuals' perception and reaction to environmental stimuli, cognitive processing of emotional information, and emotional regulation, can facilitate prevention of addiction.

Background and Objectives: Medical science research is one of the most important parts of research in societies, and large research budgets are spent in this area. On the other hands, training researchers in medical universities is one of the important missions of universities. This study aimed to determine the attitude of medical students of Qom University of Medical Sciences towards research.Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was performed on all medical students of Qom University of Medical Sciences in the first semester of 2015-2016. A total of 150 students were selected by convenient sampling method. Data collection tool included demographic characteristic questionnaire and valid and reliable attitude assessment questionnaire. Data were analyzed using independent t-test at the significance level of less than 0.05.Results: In this study, 62.7% (N=94) of the subjects were female and 37.3% (N=56) were male. The mean age and grade point average of the students were 21.52 and 18.98, respectively.54.7% of the students had no collaboration and participation in research activities. The mean score of attitude toward research was about 86.60±7.66. Also, it was determined that only 7% of the students had positive attitude and 98.7% had moderate attitude. There was no significant difference between attitude score based on the gender and history of research activity (p>0.05).Conclusion: The findings of this study indicated that attitude towards research is not favorable in the students of Qom University of Medical Sciences. Thus, it is recommended to implement motivational program and providing broad information.

Background and Objectives: Stroke is a rare complication of myocardial infarction (AMI). Aspirin, plavix, and enoxaparin are among drug treatments for myocardial infarction, which lead to stroke. The present study is a case report of stroke after myocardial infarction, which discusses patient’s records and clinical history along with paraclinical findings.Case Report: The patient was a 60-year-old man with a history of heart disease and diabetes, presented with severe chest pain and dyspnea to the Emergency Department of Yasuj Sajad Hospital on January 29, 2015, and after taking ECG, it was found that there was no signs of myocardial infarction, but troponin test was positive two times. The diagnosis was myocardial infarction without ST segment elevation. The patient took aspirin and plavix, and after subcutaneous injection of enoxaparin at the dose of 80 mg, his level of consciousness decreased, which caused GCS: 5, right-side mydriasis, and motor paralysis in the left half of the body, therefore, CT was performed, and the patient that had about 90 ml hemorrhage in temporoparietal lobe. The patient was transformed to the operating room and 60 ml blood was removed using partial lobectomy and a microscope. After hospitalization in ICU for several days, the patient was extubated under the SIMV mode.Considering the high prevalence of heart disease, especially increasing rate of myocardial infarction in the country, anticoagulants should be more carefully used and after administration of this group of drugs, patients be regularly monitored for side effects.