Qom University of Medical Sciences Journal
Year:2018 | Volume:12 | Issue:10 |Papers Count:12

Background and Objectives: Furosemide is one of the elements of drug therapy for cardiogenic pulmonary edema, but its systemic administration is associated with complications, such as hypotension, renal damage, and decreased serum potassium. Inhalation administration is a new route, which does not have the side effects of systemic administration, but its effectiveness is still unclear. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of treatment with the nebulized furosemide in patients with acute cardiogenic pulmonary edema Methodes: This clinical trial study was conducted on 125 patients with acute cardiogenic pulmonary edema reffering to the Department of Emergency Medicine of Rasoul Akram and Firouzgar hospitals in 2017. The samples were randomly assigned to two groups of experimental (62 individuals receiving furosemide with nebulizer) and control (63 individuals receiving normal saline with nebulizer). After the vital Signs intervention, the data relating to the lung were compared using t-test and Chi square test. Results: There was no difference between the two studied groups in terms of the mean changes in systolic (intervention 129, plasebo 128. 9) and diastolic blood pressures (intervention 79. 2, plasebo 78), pulse rate (intervention 92. 2, plasebo 91. 8), respiratory rate (intervention 22. 8, plasebo 22. 3), and blood oxygen saturation (intervention 92, plasebo 91. 7). Changes in lung auscultation showed no statistically significant changes between the groups (p=0. 56). Conclusion: The finding of the present study revealed that inhaled furosemide had no positive effect in the patients with acute pulmonary edema. Therefore, considering the novelty of the issue, further studies are recommended.

Background and Objectives: Studies have shown that antidiabetic drugs can inhibit cancer cells proliferation. The aim of this study was to investigate the cytotoxic effects of metformin on cervical cancer (Hela) cells in comparison with non-cancerous kidney cells (Hek293). Methods: In this laboratory experimental study, Hela and Hek293 cells were purchased from Pasteur Institute Cell Bank and divided into group receiving metformin (at doses of 0. 001, 0. 01, 0. 1, 1, and 10mg/ml) and control group. Cytotoxic effect of metformin on cell line, was measured using MTT assay method. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA. Results: Exposure of Hela cells to 0. 01, 0. 1, 1, and 10mg/ml of metformin resulted in significant decrease in cell viability compared to the control group, however, exposure of Hek293 cells to metformin concentrations did not significantly change cell viability. Conclusion: The results of this study indicated that exposure to metformin can reduce viability of cervical cancer cells but had no significant cytotoxic effects on non-cancerous cells. Accordingly, use of metformin should be considered for treatment and prevention of cervical cancer.

Background and Objectives: Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is one of the common cancers that originates from lymphatic cells. The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of the DNAi containing pegylated nanoliposome (antisense drug) on decrease of BCL-2 gene expression. Methods: In this study, to prepare DNAi containing pegylated nanoliposome, 3 formulations were prepared with 5, 10, and 15% combinations of PEG 2000 with certain ratios of phospholipid and cholesterols. After purification by a Zetasizer, the mean diameter of nanoliposome was measured. Drug efficacy was determined based on the standard curve of the drug. Cytotoxicity effect of the product was determined by treatment with 0. 2, 0. 5, and 0. 8μ g/μ l concentrations of each formulation in triplicate in vitro using MTT method. Then, BCL-2 gene expression was analyzed in DLCL2 cell line. Data were analyzed using one way ANOVA. Results: The mean diameter of the DNAi containing pegylated nanoliposome was estimated to be 117 nm. The mean efficacy of the drug was 67%. The MTT assay on DLCL2 cell line indicated that the highest amount of cell growth inhibition was observed in treatment with pegylated nanoliposomes 10% (PEG10) and the concentration of 0. 5μ g/μ l. Also, BCL-2 gene expression was significantly decreased in DLCL2 cell line in all concentrations of PEG10 in 48 hours, and the lowest level of BCL-2 gene expression was observed in 0. 5μ g/μ l concentration. Conclusion: PEG10 nanoliposome formulation has higher efficacy in drug preservation and release compared to other two synthesized liposomes. It seems that the synthesized nanoliposome has the potential for using in pharmaceutical industries.

Background and Objectives: Ischemic stroke is a major cause of mortality all over the world. Among impairments observed in ischemic survivors, there is considerable cognitive learning and memory impairment. The purpose of this study was to determine the protective effect of dextran-curcumin conjugate on memory impairment and cerebral infarct volume in the animal model of global cerebral ischemia. Methods: In this experimental study, 35 rats were divided into 5 groups. Pre-treatment and positive control groups were treated with curcumin and dextran-curcumin conjugate (15mg/kg orally) for 30 days. The control and ischemia groups received distilled water. For induction of global cerebral ischemia model, right and left carotid arteries were clamped for 5 min by vascular clamps and then the vascular clamps were removed after 10min, and in the following, the carotid arteries were clamped again for 5min and finally the vascular clamps were removed and blood circulation was returned to both carotid arteries. Forty-eight hours after induction of the model, memory impairment was assessed by Novel Object Recognition Test. The cerebral infarct volume was measured by 2, 3, 5-triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC). Results: In this study, discrimination index showed a significant decrease (p˂ 0. 05) in the ischemic group and a significant increase (p˂ 0. 01) in the curcumin and dextran-curcumin pretreatment groups. Moreover, the cerebral infarct volume significantly decreased in dextran-curcumin group compared to the ischemic group (p<0. 05). Conclusion: The findings of this study revealed that dextran-curcumin conjugate can improve cognition and memory disorders induced by global cerebral ischemia.

Background and Objectives: Infections caused by resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains mostly originate from hospitals, and its prevalence is increasing in many countries of the world. Therefore, many efforts have been made to find new active plant compounds as an appropriate substitute for antibiotics. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the active compounds, antibacterial and antibiofilm activity of aqueous and methanol extracts of Mazuj and Ghalghaf galls against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Methods: This study was performed on standard strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and a number of clinical strains. The methanol and aqueous extract of Mazuj and Ghalghaf galls, were prepared by Soxhlet method. Antibacterial activity of the extracts was assessed by well diffusion method, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) by microdilution method. The anti-quorum sensing activity of methanol and aqueous extracts of Mazuj and Ghalghaf galls was investigated on anti-biofilm activity of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Results: The methanol and aqueous extracts of Mazuj and Ghalghaf galls showed antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The MIC values of the extracts were obtained to be 6. 25-25mg/ml. The extracts of Mazuj and Ghalghaf galls inhibited the formation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms in concentrations higher than 6. 25. Conclusion: According to the results of this study, the extracts of Mazuj gall have appropriate antibacterial activity against the studied bacteria. Also, the methanol extract had higher antibacterial activity than the aqueous extract. Therefore, it is suggested that more extensive research be conducted on the identification of its antimicrobial compounds as a suitable alternative to antibiotics for the treatment of diseases.

Background and Objectives: Social phobia is the fourth common psychological disorder, which causes extreme suffering from rejection and criticism and/or other factors, thus withdrawal from the society due to avoiding this pain. The present study was performed with the aim of elucidation of the effect of personality traits and metacognition on social phobia. Method: This research was conducted as a descriptive correlational study on 300 students (182 females and 118 males) of Tabriz University. The samples were selected from the students using stratified random sampling method. Data collection tools were the Revised NEO Personality Inventory (NEO-PIR), short form of the Metacognitions Questionnaire (MCQ-30), and Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN). Data analysis was performed using simultaneous regression analysis test. Results: In this study, personality traits, neuroticism positively and extraversion negatively (at the levels of p<0. 01 and p<0. 05, respectively) and metacognition components negatively (at the level of p<0. 01), significantly predicted social phobia. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that therapists should pay more attention to the role of personality traits and metacognition in the etiology and treatment of social phobia.

Background and Objectives: Evidences indicate that self-care in hypertension is one of the most important strategies for the control of high blood pressure. Observing self-care behaviors in patients with hypertension can help individual in regulation and control of blood pressure. One of the factors of access and awareness of health issues and, consequently, self-care is health literacy. In this study, the correlation between applied health literacy and self-care behaviors, was investigated in hypertensive patients of Gachsaran city. Methods: This study was conducted as a descriptive-analytical study on 354 patients with hypertension referring to health centers covered by Comprehensive Health Services Centers in Gachsaran county in 2016. Data were collected using demographic questionnaire, HELIA (Health Literacy for Iranian Adults) questionnaire, and Self-care Behaviors questionnaire. Results: In this study, among the 354 paticipants, the levels of health literacy were 40% adequate, 56% borderline, and 4% inadequate. There were significant correlations between the total score of health literacy and adherence to regimen diet self-care behavior (r=0. 092, p=0. 085) and physical activity as another self-care area (r=0. 122, p=0. 022) and adherence to medication regimen (r=0. 007, p=0. 038), but no significant correlation was observed between tobacco use (r=0. 010, p=0. 854) and health literacy (r=0. 1317, p=0. 35). Conclusion: The findings of the present research indicated a significant relationship between health literacy with variables of medication regimen and physical activity, and since these factors are effective in prevention and control of blood pressure, thus, measures should be taken to educate and improve health literacy in the patients under coverage.

Background and Objectives: Knowledge and dietary behaviors play an important role in the development, control, and treatment of diabetes. This study was conducted with the objective of comparing knowledge and dietary behaviors between individuals with type 2 diabetes and healthy subjects referred to health centers in Neyshabur city. Methods: This research was performed as a descriptive correlational study on 143 subjects (60 diabetics and 83 healthy subjects) referred to Health Center No. 7 in Neyshabur city. The samples were selected using available sampling method from volunteer referrers. The data collection tool was a researcher-made questionnaire that was used for evaluation of knowledge and dietary behaviors after validity and reliability assessment. The data were analyzed by Chi square, independent t-test, Mann-Whitney, logistic regression, and ANCOVA tests. Results: In this study, the score obtained from knowledge and dietary behaviors, was significantly different between diabetics and non-diabetics (p<0. 001). Nutrition knowledge score in diabetic patients was obtained 42. 9± 25. 1 and in healthy subjects 71. 2± 22. 9 from the score of 100. The dietary behaviors score in diabetics was 48. 3± 17. 8 and in non-diabetic subjects was 61. 6± 20. 4 from the score of 100. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the level of nutrition knowledge in diabetic subjects was low and inadequate compared to the healthy subjects, and inappropriate dietary behaviors were more common in them. Therefore, it is suggested that in addition to presenting necessary trainings, the effects of these factors on the incidence and treatment of diabetes be investigated in future studies.