QOM UNIVERSITY OF MEDICAL SCIENCES JOURNAL
Year:2017 | Volume:11 | Issue:2|Papers Count:16

Background and Objectives: Cancer is one of the leading causes of death around the world with a very high degree of mortality. Conventional therapies by cytotoxic drugs have high levels of side-effects for patient. Chitosan is a biocompatible and biodegradable compound. Thus, according to the minimum systemic toxicity for peptide and drug delivery, it is considered in applied programs. In this study, the Immunological effect of chitosan nanoparticles, was investigated on breast cancer cells in animal model.Methods: In this experimental model, chitosan nanoparticles were synthesized. The size and electrical charge were determined using DLS apparatus and SEM. After creation of tumor model in female BALB/c mice. Injections in the test and control groups, were performed intraperitoneally. IL-4 and IFN-γ were assayed using ELISA method to investigate the immunomodulatory effects of the nanoparticles.Results: Electric charge and size of the nanoparticles were determined and confirmed to be+11 mv and 200 nm, respectively. The nanoparticle-treated group produced large amounts of IFN-γ (213 pg/ml), while IL-4 level decreased (p<0.5).Conclusion: These nanoparticles has the potential to shift immune responses from a Th2 to Th1 through IFN-g production. Hence, these nanoparticles may be an appropriate and effective candidate for cancer therapy.

Background and Objectives: In clinical conditions, it has been shown that Kinesio Taping (KT) is effective for many musculoskeletal disorders, but its effect on chronic low back pain (CLBP) has not been well studied. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of sham and actual KT in patients with non-specific CLBP.Methods: In this single-blind controlled clinical trial, the statistical sample size was 40 patients with non-specific CLBP. The subjects of experimental group (N=20; mean age, 48.6 years) received KT for paravertebral muscles with 10-15% tension in 8 sessions (during 4 weeks); while in control group (N=20, mean age, 50.3 years), KT was applied without tension in the same period of time. The primary variables included pain intensity and CLBP-related disability following a 4-week intervention; however, secondary variables were intensity of pain and disability, 12 weeks after the end of intervention. The data analysis was performed using descriptive statistical tests and linear analysis of variance.Results: In this study, KT application with tension caused no significant change in pain intensity and disability (4 weeks after intervention) (p>0.05). Also, no significant between-group difference was observed for the measured variables (p>0.05).Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, application of KT with tension to generate skin convolutions was not more effective compared to its application without tension. These results may challenge the suggested mechanisms for effectiveness of KT. Therefore, further researches are required to resolve this challenge.

Background and Objectives: Tetanus is a deadly zoonotic infectious disease. For nearly a century, tetanus vaccine has been produced and used. This study was carried out with the aim of preparation and evaluation of immunogenicity of chitosan nanoparticles containing tetanotoxin in comparison with Freund's adjuvant in mouse model for improvement of tetanus vaccine after subcutaneous onjection.Methods: In this experimental study, chitosan nanoparticles synthesis containing tetanus toxoid was performed using ionic gelation method. The morphology of nanoparticles was investigated using SEM and AFM, then, the nanoparticles were subcutaneously injected into mice and two weeks after the end of injection, blood was taken. Antibody titer was measured by indirect ELISA. Data were analyzed using one-way one-way ANOVA and Tukey test at significance level of p<0.05.Results: High-load antigen (uniform spherical morphology and the mean size of 144), were encapsulated in chitosan nanoparticles. After serum analysis, IgG antibody titer was significantly different between the mice that received antigen as nanoparticle and the control group, but no significant difference was observed in the antigen with Freund’s adjuvant group.Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, tetanus toxoid injection using nanoproces is able to induce humoral immune response almost equal to Freund’s adjuvant and can be an appropriate alternative.

Background and Objectives: Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) causes damage in liver, kidneys, lungs, testis, brain, and blood through generation of free radicals. The purpose of this study was to investigate the protective effects of Sophora pachycarpa root extract on CCl4-induced nephrotoxicity in male rats.Methods: In this experimental study, 36 male rats (weight range, 195-200 g) were randomly divided into 6 groups of 6 each: Pre-treatment groups 1, 2, and 3) at doses of 50, 100, and 250 mg/kg), control group, CCl4 group, and post-treatment group. At the end of the treatment period, serum levels of creatinine, total protein, and albumin, were measured. Then, the kidneys were removed from the animal’s body for histological examination.Results: Injection of CCl4 to the rats significantly increased the serum level of creatinine compared to the control group, while decreased the serum levels of albumin and total protein. Also, treatment with S. pachycarpa root extracts significantly reversed the aforementioned changes to normal levels. Treatment with the extract (250 mg/kg) led to remarkable improvement in histopathological changes of kidney sections.Conclusion: The results of this study indicated that S. pachycarpa extract can partly moderate the toxic effects of CCl4 in kidney, which is possibly due to the presence of its bioactive compounds.

Background and Objectives: Type 2 diabetes is a risk factor for heart disease and has a major contribution in mortality due to cardiovascular diseases. In the present study, the effect of 12-week resistance training was investigated on cardiac hypertrophy, glucose, level, insulin, and insulin resistance index in STZ-induced diabetic rats.Methods: A total of 16 male Wistar rats (mean weight, 200±20g) were randomly divided into two groups of diabetic control and (N=8), diabetic resistance (N=8). The diabetic resistance training group performed a 12-week resistance training, and 48 hours after the end of the last training session, the rats were anesthetized and euthanized. The variables of interest (body weight, heart weight, left ventricular weight, percentage of heart weight to body weight, percentage of left ventricular weight to heart weight, resting heart rate, level of glucose, insulin, and insulin resistance index), were measured. Data analysis was performed using independent samples t-test at significance level of p≤0.05.Results: There was a significant difference among mean heart weight (p=0.050), left ventricular weight (p=0.002), level of glucose (p=0/000), insulin (p=0.000), and resting heart rate (p=0.021) in the resistance diabetic group compared to the control diabetic group.Conclusion: According to the results of the present study, it seems that resistance training is an important strategy to improve the structure and function of the heart in diabetics and it can be considered as an effective intervention method.

Background and Objectives: Chronic diseases are among the most important causes of mortality. The aim of the current study was to compare the Brain/behavioral systems and Dark personality traits of Machiavellianism, narcissism, and psychopathy in cancer, cardiovascular female patients and normal women.Methods: In this study, 60 individuals were selected using available sampling in three groups of 20 cancer patients, cardiovascular patients, and normal subjects. Finally, in order to test the goals and hypotheses of the research, the participants were studied based on Behavioral Activation System and Behavioral Inhibition System, and Dark Triad traits. Data analysis was performed using multivariate ANOVA, univariate ANOVA and post-hoc tests.Results: In this study, there was a significant difference among the three groups in Brain/behavioral systems and traits of Machiavellianism, narcissism, and psychopathy, so that the cancer and cardiovascular patients had higher score in dark triad traits compared to normal individuals. Also, the cancer patients had a higher score in Machiavellianism trait compared to the cardiovascular patients. In the brain/behavioral systems, cardiovascular and cancer patients had higher score in behavioral inhibition system (BIS) component compared to the normal individuals in the of behavioral inhibition system (BIS). Also, in the reward seeking subscale of behavioral activation system (BAS-f), cancer patients had a higher score compared to cardiovascular patients, which was significantly different.Conclusion: The results of this study indicated that cancer and cardiovascular patients, have greater extent of social disgusting personality traits as well as behavioral inhibition system as anxiety-predisposing factor.

Background and Objectives: The infections caused by Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus resistant strains often originate from hospitals, and their prevalence is increasing worldwide. Therefore, many efforts are being made to find new active plant compounds as alternatives to antibiotics. In this research, the antibacterial effect of methanol and ethanol extracts of Rumex cyprius seeds against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus strains.Methods: In this experimental study, methanol and ethanol extracts of Rumex cyprius seed, were prepared using Soxhlet apparatus. Antibacterial activity of the extracts were evaluated by well diffusion method, and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), were determined using microdilution method. Active compounds of the seed, were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The data were analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey tests. The level of significance was considered p<0.05.Results: In this study, ethanol and methanol extracts of Rumex cyprius seed prevented the growth of S. aureus and E. coli. Inhibition zone diameter of the ethanol extract in concentration of 500 mg/ml against E. coli and S. aureus, was 16.5 and 19mm, respectively. Inhibition zone diameter of the methanol extract in concentration of 500mg/ml against E. coli and S. aureus was 14 and 16.5mm. MIC and MBC values of ethanol and methanol extracts against E. coli and S. aureus, were obtained 62.5 and 125 mg/ml, respectively. In this study, The highest compound obtained from the seeds was 1, 2-Benzenedicarboxylic Acid (24.25%).Conclusion: Ethanol and methanol extracts of Rumex cyprius seeds had inhibitory effect against S. aureus and E. coli. The effect of these extracts on S. aureus is more than E. coli.

Background and Objectives: Abdominal and general obesities are greatly affected by diet and physical activities. Prevalence of this complication in communities has an increasing trend, so that even adolescents are no exception in this regard. The current study aimed to investigate abdominal and general obesity and its related factors in’ students of Qom city.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 301 (17 girls and 114 boys) students in medical and Azad universities in Qom city. These individuals were selected by proportional to size sampling method and studied by anthropometric measures, international short physical activity questionnaire, and 11-item nutritional habits questionnaire. Data were analyzed by independent t-, chi-square, and correlation coefficient tests. The significance level was considered to be a=0.05.Results: The mean BMI and WHR in students was 22.6±3.2kg/m2 and 0.8±0.0, respectively. A significant direct correlation was observed between anthropometric measures and abdominal obesity. Only 23.3% of the students had regular sport activity, so that the mean light physical activity in obese students was lower than normal students (38.9±43.1 vs.60.8±67.5min). No heavy physical activity was seen in this group, and fast-food consumption was higher in this group of students compared to the normal students (93.2% vs.67.8%).Conclusion: According to the findings of this study, there is a significant relationship between nutritional status and level of physical activity and abdominal and general obesity. Therefore, overweight, abdominal, and general obesity were lower in male students, and subjects involved in regular physical activity and lower fast-food consumption.

Background and Objectives: Academic burnout negatively affects students and those around them in terms of subjective well-being, psychology, and physiology. This study aims to determine academic burnout and its related factors in students of Qom University of Medical Sciences.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 274 medical students studying in second and higher semesters in Qom University of Medical Sciences, 2015. The samples were selected using stratified sampling method. The Breso et al.'s Academic Burnout Inventory and demographic characteristics questionnaire were completed by students. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficient and multivariate analysis of variance at significance level of 0.05.Results: The mean age of the subjects was 21.9±3.7 years and the mean score of academic burnout was 1.73±0.64 (range: 0-4). According to the results of multivariate analysis of variance, there were statically significant relationships between academic burnout and variables of residence status and interest in the academic discipline (p<0.05). In addition, the results of Pearson correlation coefficient were indicative of an inverse statistical correlation between academic burnout status and the variables of age (r=-166, p<0.0001) and educational status (r=-0.242, p<0.0001).Conclusion: Considering the significant relationship between grade point average and interest in academic discipline with all subscales, planning to create a positive attitude towards academic discipline in students can be a protective factor against academic burnout as well as improvement of educational status.

Background and Objectives: Gastrinoma is a rare cause of peptic ulcers and should be suspected when manifestations, ulcer site, and response to treatment are not normal. Gastrinomas are mostly malignant and liver is the most common site of their metastasis. Arterial chemoembolization (obstruction by blood clotting with chemicals) and arteries that feed metastases, is used as a method to reduce the symptoms. Appropriate response is seen in more than half of the patients, although it is short term.Case report: The patient is a 42-year old man, who was healthy until 4 years ago that experienced acute abdominal pain due to duodenal ulcer rupture and two episodes of acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding due to perforation of two separate duodenal ulcers within 2 months of each other. He also complained of mild diarrhea and loss of appetite at that time. Laboratory examinations showed increased serum level of gastrin. Abdominal CT scan showed a small pancreatic head mass and three hepatic mass with increased contrast medium absorption. In CT-guided biopsy report, pancreatic head mass and uniform and apparently benign cells similar to islet cell tumor, were seen. Chemoembolization of liver metastasis arteries was performed, which after 6 months, CT scan showed almost complete regression of metastases and also primary pancreatic lesion.

Background and Objectives: Adipose tissue as an endocrine gland produces a large number of intermediate compounds that are involved in many metabolic processes. Omentin-1 as a beneficial adipokine, has attracted more attention from researchers due to its favorable effects on inflammation, glucose homeostasis, and prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of 8 weeks of progressive resistance training on plasma levels ofomentin-1, insulin resistance, non-high density lipoprotein (non-HDL), and some cardiovascular risk factors in overweight and obese men.Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, 20 healthy overweight and obese male subjects (22.75±1.29 years, 89.22±13.08kg, 28.36±3.98kg/m²), were selected as available subjects and randomly assigned to training (n=10) and control (n=10) groups. Exercise protocol included 8 weeks of resistance training (4 sessions/week, 60 min/session). Blood samples were taken before and after the exercise to evaluate blood variables. Plasma omentin-1 level was measured using ELISA method. Data were analyzed by paired and independent t-tests at the significance level of p<0.05.Results: After 8 weeks of resistance training in the experimental group, the level of serum omentin-1 insignificantly increased (p=0.79), and the levels of non-HDL-c (p=0.024), TG (p=0.017), TC (p=0.032), and systolic blood pressure (p=0.002) significantly decreased. There were no significant changes in other variables.Conclusion: The results of this study showed that 8 weeks of resistance training, in spite of positive effect on some cardiovascular risk factors (non-HDL-c, triglyceride, total cholesterol), had no significant effect on omentin-1 and insulin resistance.