Qom University of Medical Sciences Journal
Year:2017 | Volume:11 | Issue:9 |Papers Count:12

Background and Objectives: Irisin, as a myokine, has been known in reducing obesity and converting white to brown adipose tissue. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of high-intensity interval training and L-arginine supplementation on serum level of Irisin and body fat percentage in overweight and obese men.Methods: In this randomized clinical trial, 40 young healthy overweight and obese men (mean age, 24.5±6.5 years and body mass index, 29.4 ± 3.6kg/m2), were randomly assigned to 4 groups of high-intensity interval training, L-arginine supplementation, high-intensity interval training+L-arginine supplementation, and placebo. The training program consisted of 3 sessions/week high-speed interval running for 6 weeks. L-arginine supplement was consumed orally 6gr/day. Blood sampling and measurement of body fat percentage, was performed 24 hours before and 48 hours after training program and supplementation. Data were analyzed using ANCOVA and post-hoc Bonferroni tests (p<0.05).Results: The serum level of irisin significantly increased following 6 weeks of high-intensity interval training and high-intensity interval training+L-arginine supplementation (pvalues=0.017 and 0.019, respectively). While L-arginine consumption did not cause any significant changes in the level of irisin (p=0.19). Body fat percentage had no significant changes following 6 weeks of high-intensity training and L-arginine consumption (p>0.05).Conclusion: According to the findings of this study, 6 weeks of high-intensity interval training and high-intensity interval training accompanied by L-arginine supplementation can be an effective step in facilitating the activation of brown adipose tissue through increasing the serum level of irisin. Thus, high-intensity interval training can be used as a method in the treatment of obesity.

Background and Objectives: Today, use of herbal products for treatment of neurological disorders, including anxiety has become commonplace. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of hydroalcoholic extract of Pistacia atlantica kurdica and fluvoxamine on anxiety-like behavior in male rats under immobilization stress.Methods: In this experimental study, 30 mature male wistar rats weighting 170±30g, were divided into 5 groups of 6 each. To induce immobilization stress in the treatment groups, the restrainer was used, and to assess the anxiety-like behavior, the plus-maze test was used, and administration of extract of pistachio (400mg/kg) and fluvoxamine (120mg/kg) was performed through gavage. At the end, the levels of malondialdehyde and catalase in the brain homogenate as well as corticosterone and glucose in serum samples, were measured.Results: According to evaluation indices for anxiety-like behavior in mice, the effects of pistachio extract had significant difference compared to stress group. This extract improved the anxiety-like behavior with increasing the time spent in the open arms of the maze in the groups treated with the extract and extract+drug compared to the stress group. Also, the extract increased the catalase and decreased malondialdehyde, glucose, and corticosterone levels in extract and extract+drug treatment groups compared to control group. Increased time spent in the open arms, increased catalase, and decreased malondialdehyde and corticosterone, were observed in the fluvoxamine treated group.Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, the immobilization stress-induced anxiety-like behavior in animals, decreased by hydroalcoholic extract of pistachio and/or by fluvoxamine in the treatment groups.

Background and Objectives: A large number of studies has been conducted on applications of Polyamidoamine dendrimers, but their antibacterial activity has not been investigated extensively. The purpose of this study was synthesis and determining the antibacterial effect of nano polyamidoamine-G7 (NPAMAM-G7) dendrimer in the removal of Clostridium Perfringens, Bacillus Subtilis, Salmonella typhi, and Shigella dysenteriae bacteria from aqueous solution.Methods: This experimental study was conducted in microbiology laboratory of Iran University of Medical Sciences (autumn and winter 2015). Initially, dilution of 103CFU/ml was prepared from each strain of bacteria. Then, different concentrations of dendrimer (0.025, 0.25, 2.5, and 25mg/ml), were added to water at laboratory temperature (23-25oC). In order to determine the efficiency of dendrimers in the removal of bacteria, sampling were performed at different times (0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, and 60min), and were cultured on specific medium for each bacterium.Results: In this study, the antibacterial property of dendrimer in aqueous solution had direct relationship with increasing concentration of dendrimer and contact time. The concentration of 25 mg/ml of dendrimer at contact times of 30, 50, and 60 min, 100% removed bacteria Salmonella typhiand Bacillus Subtilis and at contact time of 60 min, 100% and 98% removed Clostridium Perfringens and Shigella Dysenteriaebacteria, respectively, from aqueous solution. The concentration of 2.5μg/ml at 30, 50, and 60 min contact times, 100% removed Bacillus Subtilis.Conclusion: The findings of this study revealed that Polyamidoamine-G7 dendrimers possess appropriate antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.

Background and Objectives: The fibrinolytic system is an important physiological mechanism, the function of which is decomposition of fibrin strands in blood vessels. In the present study, the effect of one season of preparation and competition, was investigated on fibrinolysis, D-dimer, and CRP indices in professional soccer players.Methods: In this semi-experimental study, 10 soccer players of Sanat Naft Abadan (age, 22.5±2.7 years; weight, 71±4kg; height, 178.5±4.5cm; BMI, 22.2±0.4kg/m2), participated in this study. The subjects performed one season of soccer preparation and competition, which lasted about 10 months. Blood samples (for measuring t-PA, PAI-1, D-dimer, and CRP), were taken in four stages: before the preparation season, after the preparation season, half-season, and at the end of competition season. Data were analyzed using repeated ANOVA and Bonferroni tests.Results: The training period caused a significant change in t-PA (p=0.003) and PAI-1 (p=0.005) resting levels, but caused no change in D-dimer and CRP resting levels. The paired analysis of the data showed a significant difference between the resting levels of t-PA (p=0.002) and PAI-1 (p=0.004) before the preparation period and after the competition season.Conclusion: According to the findings of this research, training causes an increase in the fibrinolysis system potential, hence, this may cause a decrease in the formation of thrombosis in professional soccer players.

Background and Objectives: Tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus) as a valuable medicinal plant is extensively used in traditional medicine. Bacterial resistance to antimicrobial agents, is one of the important problems in medicine. The aim of this study was to identify the chemical compounds of Artemisia dracunculus essential oil and evaluation of its antibacterial activity on Listeria innocua, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Salmonella typhi, and Enterobacter aerogenesin vitro.Methods: In this experimental study, the Artemisia dracunculus essential oil, was extracted using hydrodistillation method. The components of the essential oil, were identified by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) device. Disk diffusion method was used to measure the diameter of the inhibition zone, and broth microdilution method was used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). The minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), was determined using tubes or wells, where no color change was observed.Results: In this investigation, 18 compounds, were identified in Artemisia dracunculusessential oil. The major compound of the essential oil was p-Allylanisole. The diameter of inhibition zone for bacteriaListeria innocua, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Salmonella typhi, and Enterobacter aerogenes, were obtained 11.2, 14.2, 9.80 and 8.10 mm, respectively. MBC of Artemisia dracunculus essential oil for Staphylococcus epidermidis and Listeria innocua, was 9.2mg/ml and for Salmonella typhi and Enterobacter aerogenes, was 36.8 and 73.6mg/ml, respectively.Conclusion: According to the results of this study, the Artemisia dracunculusessential oil has antibacterial effect, which is lower in comparison with antibacterial effect of vancomycin and gentamicin antibiotics. Therefore, further researches are required for clinical application of the essential oil.

Background and Objectives: The mentality of individuals consists of schemas that include memories, problem-solving methods, mental and verbal imagery, and is a coherent system consisting of cognitive, emotional, and behavioral components. This study was performed aiming at investigating and comparison of correlation between early maladaptive schemas and attachment styles in male and female university students.Method: This study was conducted as a descriptive correlational study on the students of Qom University of Medical Sciences. A total of 120 students (60 males and 60 females), were selected using convenience sampling method. Research tools included Young Schema Questionnaire-Short Form and Collins and Read Attachment Styles Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficient and independent t-test.Results: The participants of both genders obtained the highest score in ambivalent attachment style, whereas there was no difference between the two genders in attachment styles. Insufficient self-control/self-discipline was the only schema that was different between the two genders (p=0.025). There was a significant correlation between ambivalent and avoidant attachment style and all domains of early maladaptive schemas. Also, there was a significant positive correlation between secure attachment style and the strict schema in females.Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, there was a significant correlation between insecure attachment style (ambivalent and avoidant) and most of the early maladaptive schemas.

Background and Objectives: The acquisition of extended spectrum b - Lactamases (ESBL) has made Klebsiella pneumoniae resistant to various types of antibiotics. The aim of this research was to determine the antibiotic resistance pattern and the frequency of TEM, SHV, CTXM, and PER genes in K. pneumonia strains isolated from Kermanshah medical centers.Methods: In this analytical cross-sectional study, a total of 165 different samples of patients, were collected from three hospitals (Imam Reza, Imam Khomaini, and Taleghani) and a medical diagnostic laboratory (Reference laboratory) in Kermanshah city during 2014-2015. Among them, 100 isolates ofK. pneumoniae were confirmed using API-20E kit. Antibiotic susceptibility test was performed by disk diffusion method and phenotypic screening test for ESBL production, was performed by combination disc. After extraction of bacterial genome, CTX-M genes (CTX-M-1 and CTX-M-9 groups), TEM, PER, and SHV were examined by PCR. Then, a number of PCR products were sequenced and analyzed using BLAST software.Results: Forty percent of the isolates were ESBL-producing and were 100% resistant to third generation of cephalosporins. The isolates of ICU and burn ward patients had a high prevalence of ESBL. The frequency of TEM, CTX-M-1, CTX-M, and SHV genes, were 28%, 32%, 35%, and 83%, respectively, but PER and CTX-M-9 group genes, were not found among the isolates.Conclusion: The results of this study indicated that the dissemination of ESBL-producing K. pneumoniae isolates, has increased in the isolates from inpatients and outpatients in Kermanshah. Therefore, it can be concluded that multidrug resistant isolates have increased, especially in wards, where patients are hospitalized for a long time. Therefore, identification of ESBL-producing K. pneumoniae strains in medical diagnostic laboratories, seems necessary.

Background and Objectives: Falling is one of the important concerns of older adults and is associated with a series of constraints, such as decline in social activities, general physical weakness, physical activities avoidance, and decrease in quality of life. Assessment of falling-related factors, such as gait efficacy, is important. In this research, validity and reliability of Persian translation of "Modified Gait Efficacy Scale", was investigated in older adults.Methods: This descriptive study was performed in older adults in Qom city. Data were collected using Modified Gait Efficacy Scale, Falls Efficacy Scale-International, and Activities-Specific Balance Confidence. Subjects were selected from urban areas of Qom city by available sampling. Data were analyzed using factor analysis with principal component and Varimax rotation, Pearson correlation coefficient, and independence student t-test.Results: In this study, the mean age of the subjects was 70.8 years. The results of confirmatory factor analysis led to extraction of one factor with eigenvalue greater than 1, named "Gait Efficacy", which explained 85.52% of total variance. Excellent correlation between the mean score of this scale with Fall Efficacy Scale-International (-0.93), and Balance Confidence (0.95), was confirmed the convergent validity of the scale (p£0.001). Differential validity and the reliability, were confirmed by three methods, including test-retest (0.96), intraclass correlation (0.96), and internal consistency (0.97).Conclusion: Persian translation of "Modified Gait Efficacy Scale" is a valid and reliable measure and can be used for research and educational purposes. Therefore, assessment of some other psychometric properties of this scale, is suggested for next studies.

Background and Objectives: Considering the fact that internet is a necessity in today’s life and using the internet for different purposes can lead to addiction and dependence, this research was conducted to determine the level of internet addiction among medical students in Qom University of Medical Sciences.Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study, was carried out on all medical students studying in Qom University of Medical Sciences in 2016. In this study, 116 students were selected by convenience sampling. Data collection tool included personal characteristics questionnaire and standard internet addiction questionnaire of Young. Data were analyzed by central statistics indices, independent t-test, and ANOVA, at the significance level of lower than 0.05.Results: In this study, most of the samples were female (68.1%) and the mean age of the participants was 20.5±2.7, and only 10.3% of the participants were married and 60.3% used the internet at home. Also, the majority (57.8%) of the subjects, were mildly dependent on the Internet. According to the independent t-test, the mean score of internet addiction was significantly higher in males than females (p=0.001), and it was also significantly higher in singles than the married ones (p=0.001).Conclusion: The results of this research were indicative of high level of internet dependence among the studied students; so that familiarization of the student with internet dependency, proper use of this technology, and its usage management, seem necessary.

Background and Objectives: Family is a natural social system and one of the main pillars of society. Marital satisfaction is an overall and mental evaluation of the nature of marriage, which includes the level of meeting the needs, expectations, and desires of the individual. The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between sexual dysfunction and sexual self-esteem with marital satisfaction in female nurses.Methods: This research was performed as a descriptive correlational study. Statistical population included all married female nurses in Kermanshah hospitals supervised by the Ministry of Science. Samples were selected from 3 hospitals by available sampling, and 150 subjects were selected according to Morgan table. The used tools included Marital Satisfaction Scale (ENRICH), Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), and Sexual Self-Esteem Inventory for Women (SSEI-W). Data were analyzed using correlation coefficient and regression statistical tests.Results: There was a significant negative correlation between sexual dysfunction and marital satisfaction (0.001) and a significant positive correlation between sexual self-esteem and marital satisfaction (0.001). The results of the regression analysis showed that sexual dysfunction and sexual self-esteem predicted 0.16 of marital satisfaction (p<0.001, f=0.4, r2=0.16).Conclusion: The results of this study showed that sexual function and sexual self-esteem are important and effective factors in marital satisfaction.

Background and Objectives: One of the important functions of the immune system is producing soluble or cellular components that protect the body against any threats. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of circular resistance training on serum level of IL-17 and immunoglobulins M, A, G in obese handicapped men.Methods: In this semi-experimental study, 22 disabled and obese men (age range, 25±5 years and BMI, 30±2.5kg/m2), were selected purposefully and divided into two groups of experimental (n=12) and control (n=10). The experimental group started a maximal repeat for 8 weeks, 3 sessions per week (intensity, 60-65%), and with a gradual increase of 70-80%, they performed a maximal repeat in the final sessions. The control group did not participate in any sport program. Blood samples (for assessment of IL-17 and immunoglobulins levels), were collected before, immediately after one training session, and 8 weeks after training. Data were analyzed using Kolmogorov-Smirnov and analysis of variance tests at the significance level of a<0.05.Results: In this study, the levels of IL-17, IgM, IgA, IgG had no significant change immediately after one session and after 8 weeks of training(p˃0.05).Conclusion: Based on the results of the current study, circular resistance exercises do not affect serum levels of IL-17 and immunoglobulins.