QOM UNIVERSITY OF MEDICAL SCIENCES JOURNAL
Year:2018 | Volume:12 | Issue:3 |Papers Count:12

Background and Objectives: Knee joint as the largest synovial joint in the body, consists of the lateral collateral ligament, cruciate ligament, and medial and lateral meniscus. For proper management, identification of damage to any structures of the knee is necessary. In this study, snsitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy of high resolution CT scan in meniscal lesions, were assessed. Methods: In this test accuracy assessment study, 57 patients with a history of positive meniscus lesion, who referred to Ayatollah Mousavi Hospital of Zanjan city from 2015 to 2016, were investigated by magnetic resonance imaging, high resolution computed tomography, and arthroscopy. Magnetic resonance imaging and high resolution computed tomography data, were compared to knee arthroscopy as the diagnosis gold standard. Kappa (κ ) correlation coefficient was used to calculate the consistency of the tests. Results: Out of the 57 patients presented with meniscal lesion, 52 patients (91. 2%) were male and 5 patients (8. 8%) were female. The highest incidence of meniscal lesions was in ages from 21 to 30 years. Among the causes of meniscal lesions, exercise with prevalence of 47. 9%, was the most prevalent cause of injury. In comparison with arthroscopy, the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of high resolution computed tomography were determined to be 64. 7%, 55%, and 60%, respectively, and for magnetic resonance imaging were 85. 2%, 50%, and 77. 5%, respectively. Conclusion: According to the results of the present study, specificity, sensitivity, and accuracy of high resolution computed tomography in the diagnosis of meniscal lesions, was lower than the previous studies.

Background and Objectives: Helichrysum artemisioides is one of the endemic medicinal plants in Iran. The aim of this research was to identify the chemical composition of H. artemisioides essential oil and its antibacterial and cytotoxic effects on colon cancer cell line (HT29). Methods: In this study, the essential oil of H. artemisioides was collected by hydrodistillation method using Clevenger apparatus. Chemical composition of essential oil was identified using a GC-MS device. Subsequently, antibacterial effect of the essential oil on pathogenic bacteria and its cytotoxic activity on colon cancer cell line (HT29), were determined using MIC and MTT methods, respectively. The expression of Bax and Bcl2 apoptotic genes in HT29 cell line, was assessed using real time PCR method. Results: GC-MS analysis of essential oil of the plant showed 55 compounds, most of which belonged to Carvacrol (12. 5%) and 1R-α-Pinene (12. 5%). Furthermore, the essential oil of this plant had the highest effect on Gram-positive bacteria and the least effect on gramnegative bacteria. Moreover, the essential oil of this plant had IC50=31. 54mg/ml on HT29 cell line. Results of real time PCR showed increase in expression level of Bax gene and decrease in expression level of Bcl2, respectively, 2. 9 ± 0. 2 (p<0. 05) and 0. 2± 0. 7 (p<0. 05). Conclusion: Considering antibacterial and anticancer effects of H. artemisioides essential oil, it appears that this plant has the potential to be used in pharmaceutical industries.

Background and Objectives: Over the past years, several factors, such as broad spectrum of antibiotics, immunodeficiency, chemotherapy, and transplantation have increased the risk of fungal infections in human. Among the fungal pathogens, Candida species are the most common cause of invasive fungal infections. The aim of this study was to investigate the antifungal effect of Bacillus atrophaeus (HNSQJYH170) lipopeptides on Candida species. Methods: In this experimental study, Bacillus atrophaeus (HNSQJYH170) isolated from Isfahan soil, was cultured in nutrient broth medium. Cell-free supernatant was collected by centrifugation and acidified by adding HCl. The obtained precipitate was collected by centrifugation and dissolved in the methanol solution 50%. Then, antifungal activity of lipopeptides against Candida species, was assessed by well diffusion method. Also, inhibitory effect of lipopeptide on germ tube production, was studied for Candida albicans. Results: Results showed that Bacillus atrophaeus (HNSQJYH170) lipopeptides do not have inhibitory effect on germ tube production in %95 of Candida albicans cells. Conclusion: According to the results of this research, probably Bacillus atrophaeus (HNSQJYH170) can inhibit Candida albicans invasion. Therefore, further researches are needed to confirm the results of this study.

Background and Objectives: Nowadays, drug abuse and depressive disorders, are one of the major problems and concerns in many countries of the world, especially in country of Iran, which can be a deterrent factor of growth and prosperity of society. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of group dialectical behavior therapy method on major depression in individuals referred to residential and semi-residential addiction recovery centers in Yasuj city. Methods: This study was a quasi-experimental study with pretest and posttest design and control group. Data were gathered using Beck Depression Inventory. ialectical behavior therapy group intervention, was performed on the experimental groups for eight 1. 5 hour sessions once a week, but no intervention was done in the control group. After the end of the intervention, the posttest was administered to both groups (experimental and control). Date were analyzed using analysis of covariance test at the significance level of p<0. 001. Results: In this study, group dialectical behavior therapy method resulted in reduction of major depression symptoms in the experimental group as compared to the control group at the significance level of p<0. 001. Conclusion: The results of this study indicated that dialectical behavior therapy can be used as a primary and/or add-on therapy to reduce the symptoms of major depression in individuals with drug abuse referred to addiction recovery centers.

Background and Objectives: Atherosclerosis is a type of cardiovascular disease (CVD), which is known as the most important cause of death in the world. In atherosclerosis, arteries get thicker due to the entry of lipids and become inflamed. Epidemiological studies have shown that in addition to demographic and laboratory factors (age, sex, cholesterol, smoking, hypertension, obesity, and diabetes), genetic factors are also associated with progression of atherosclerosis. LDL-C is one of the most important risk factors for cardiovascular disease. In this study, the relationship of PCSK9 levels with serum sdLDL-C levels and other variables, was investigated. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a total of 126 individuals (68 Men and 58 women), were studied. Serum PCSK9 concentration, was measured using quantitative sandwich ELISA; serum sdLDL-C levels were measured using precipitation method; and other laboratory parameters were measured by routine methods. Data were analyzed by statistical tests of Kolmogorov-Smirnov, Pearson linear regression, and t-tests. The significance level was considered p<0. 05. Results: PCSK9 levels had a significant correlation with total cholesterol (r=0. 3, p=0. 001) and LDL-C (r=0. 3, p=0. 001). In addition, there was a significant correlation between sdLDL-C/LDL-C and sdLDL-C (r=0. 875, p<0. 001); however, PCSK9 did not correlate with sdLDL-C and other parameters. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that PCSK9 variations are associated with lipid profile, but although sdLDL-C level is associated with lipid profile, it is not affected by PCSK9.

Background and Objectives: The age of first pregnancy can have important effects on the rate of social changes, periodic fertility rates, and economic issues. In this study, variables affecting the age of first pregnancy, were investigated in couples of Birjand city. Methods: This 4-year retrospective cohort study, was conducted in 2015 on 180 couples of Birjand city, who were contracted marriage in 2011. The data collection tool was a checklist consisting of questions, such as birth date of the first child (if they had children), the birth year of the woman and the man, the education of the woman and the man, the occupation of the woman and the man (before and after the marriage), and so on. Data were analyzed using Cox regression method. Results: 57. 2% of the respondents had children and the rest were excluded. The mean age of the mother at the time of birth of the first child was 24. 72± 4. 19. Cox regression analysis showed that among the studied variables, man's age at marriage, man's place of birth, insurance, man's occupation, place of residence, and woman’ s occupation (before marriage) can be the variables affecting the age of first pregnancy. Conclusion: According to the results of the present study, pregnancy at young ages mostly occurs in women who are at the lower socioeconomic level. Therefore, it is suggested that family planning policies should be implemented more purposefully and more focused on medium to high socioeconomic levels.

Background and Objectives: Given the prevalence of stomach cancer, the role of behavior in the prevention of this cancer and efficacy of Health Belief Model (HBM) constructs in the prediction of wide range of health-related behaviors, the present study was performed to determine the efficacy of HBM constructs in the prediction of preventive nutritional behaviors of stomach cancer among female students residing in dormitories of Yazd University. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 124 female students residing in dormitories of Yazd University, were selected through available sampling (non-random) method. Data were collected by a researchermade questionnaire and analyzed by Pearson's correlation coefficient, one-way ANOVA, t-test, and multiple linear regression. Results: The mean age of the students was 25. 39± 2. 91 years. Ninetyfive percent of participants reported many barriers for adopting preventive behaviors and only 1% performed the preventive behaviors at the desirable level. The results showed that perceived barriers variable could explain 13% of students’ nutrition behavior for prevention of stomach cancer (r2=13%, f=7. 45, p<0. 001). Conclusion: The result of this study showed that perceived barriers construct is the only predictor variable of nutrition behaviors in the prevention of stomach cancer. Therefore, conducting intervention programs is necessary to reduce perceived barriers for the prevention of stomach cancer.

Backgroung and Objetives: Staphylococcus aureus is an important cause of infection in hemodialysis patients. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence rate of S. aureus carriers in hemodialysis patient and the antibiogram of all isolated samples. Methods: In this descriptive study, 244 hemodialysis patients (under hemodialysis in Kamkar Hospital in Qom), were included. Patients’ information were collected using a questionnaire, then, nasal swabs were taken from the depth of the anterior nasal vestibule and were cultured. To perform antibiogram, discs of vancomycin, erythromycin, clindamycin, cefazolin, cotrimoxazole, doxycycline, rifampin, methicillin, and imipenem, were used. Results: In this study, among 244 patients, (141 men and 103 woman), 25% were S. aureus carrier, of them, 11. 5% were methicillin-resistant (MRSA) and 85. 2% were methicillin sensitive (MSSA). The highest frequency (46. 3%) was in the age group of 40 to 60 years. The most frequency in terms of duration of hemodialysis was reported in the age group of 1 to 5 years (51. 6%) and in terms of the type of underlying disease for diabetes (30. 7%). The most frequency in terms of duration of underlying disease was in the age group of 1 to 10 years (39. 8). Most patients (85. 7%) had not been hospitalized in the past one month, and most of them, were anemic (82. 4%). There was a significant relationship between the positive culture result and hemoglobin level (p=0. 08). Also, there was a significant relationship between duration of the underlying disease and positive culture result (p=0. 05). Conclusion: According to the results of this study, significant prevalence rate of S. aureus nasal carriers in dialysis patients and their relative high resistance to methicillin, recommends the need for followup and treatment of theses patients.

Background and Objectives: Influenza is one of the most common infectious diseases, which its pandemics has so far caused mortality and heavy losses several times in developing countries. This research aimed to determine the predictors of preventive behaviors of influenza A (H1N1) based on Health Belief Model among Jiroft people. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 400 individuals of Jiroft city in 2016. Samples were selected using cluster sampling. Data were collected by a researcher-made questionnaire based on Health Belief Model. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficient and linear regression. Results: Among the preventive behaviors of H1N1, regular hand washing with water and soap (58% always, 24. 2% often) and covering mouth and nose while coughing or sneezing (51% always, 27. 5% often), had the highest frequency. There was a significant positive correlation between behavior and knowledge (r=0. 206, p=0. 001), benefits (r=0. 308, p=0. 001), susceptibility (r=0. 130, p=0. 009), and perceived severity (r=0. 248, p=0. 001). The Health Belief Model constructs predicted 15% of variance of preventive behaviors of H1N1 influenza, among which, perceived benefits (β =0. 233) was the most powerful predictor. Conclusion: The findings of this study showed the application of Health Belief Model in prediction of H1N1 influenza preventive behaviors, although weak, thus, this model can be used, with emphasis on perceived benefits, in developing educational programs and intervention techniques to change attitudes and behaviors of people in this area.

Background and Objectives: Considering the combination of traditional medicine application with popular culture in Iran as well as relationship between beliefs of people in each region and the amount and way of using medicinal plants (called ethnobotany), this study was carried out with the aim of identification and traditional use of some medicinal plants in Jafar Abad district of Qom Province. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was performed on 320 individuals using convenience sampling in Jafar Abad district of Qom Province (including Jafarieh city and its villages) in 2016. The data were collected by a checklist. Medicinal plants were identified using plant flora books. Results: Of 37 dominant plant species from 22 families, plants of the Lamiaceae and Asteraceae families, were the most frequent plant flora in the region. Among the collected medicinal plants, 23% was used in the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases as the most common diseases, 18% for respiratory diseases, 13% for removal of urinary system stones, 10% for hair and skin diseases, and 2% for oral and dental diseases. A few native people treated joint pains and infertility using medicinal plants. Conclusion: Given the intactness of the region and lack of sufficient documentation, so far no information has been recorded in the past references on medicinal properties and way of using the plants of this area. Therefore, further investigations in this field can lead to identify new medicinal plants and provides an opportunity for farmers and locals to prepare the way for commercialization of medicinal plants through their cultivation.

Background and Objectives: Oral health is a key component of general health and quality of life. The purpose of this study was to determine knowledge, attitude, and performance of medical and dentistry students of Qom University of Medical Sciences in the field of oral and dental health. Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, a questionnaire was completed by 152 dentistry and medical students of Qom University of Medical Sciences. Using the questionnaire, information on age, gender, knowledge, attitude, and performance of medical and dentistry students of Qom University of Medical Sciences in oral and dental health, were collected. Data were analyzed using Chi-square and logistic regression. The significance level was considered to be less than 0. 05. Results: In this study, the mean age of the students was 20. 98± 2. 03, and 50% of them were male. Overall, 45. 4% of the students, had high knowledge and 51. 3% had positive attitude towards preventive oral and dental care. In multivariate logistic regression model, there was a significant relationship between being male and lower level of knowledge, and there was a significant relationship between being female and studying Dentistry with positive attitude. The Possibility of regular use of dental floss was more reported among female students and students with high knowledge. Also, high knowledge had significant association with dental check-up in recent past year. Conclusion: The results of this study indicated that the status of knowledge, attitudes, and self-care performance of students about preventive oral and dental care, is at average level, and therefore, designing coherent programs for improving these variables, is necessary to promote personal and professional performance in preventive oral and dental care.