Journal of Birjand University of Medical Sciences
Year:2016 | Volume:23 | Issue:1|Papers Count:8

Background and Aim: Kindling can increase anxiety-like behavior in rodents. Oxidative stress has an important role in arousing anxiety. It is known thatMatricaria Recutita has an antioxidant effect. Thus, the present study aimed at assessing the effects of this plant’s extract. on anxiety-like behavior induced by kindling in rats.Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 40 male Wistar Albino rats (wt: 200-250 g) were randomly divided into 4 equal groups, namely control (intact), kindling, diazepam (2 mg/kg), and aqueous extract ofMatricaria Recutita (30 mg/kg) intrapertoneally. Kindling was done by a sub-convulsive dose of pentylenetetrazole (PTZ, 40 mg/kg, i.p.) in the remainder. groups. Kindling parameters in all these animals were evaluated by a plus elevated maze. The percent of time spent in the open arms of maze (OAT %) and percent of entries in the open arms (OAE %) were accounted for anxiety evaluation. Increase in OAT % and OAE % indicated an anxiolytic effect. Finally, the obtained data was analyzed by means of Any-Maze software and P<0.05 was taken as the significant level.Results: Kindling significantly (P<0.05) increased anxiety response in rats for at least 24h following the last seizure (decrease in OAT % and OAE %). Administeration of diazepam andMatricaria Recutita induced a significant increase in OAT % and OAE %, thereby. displaying a decrease in the anxiety in the kindled rats (P<0.05). Activity rate of the animals increased in the extract-treated group.Conclusion: The results of the present study showed that Matricaria Recutita was able to improve elevated levels of anxiety in kindled rats. Therefore, further works are needed to elucidate the extent and mechanism of these effects.

Background and Aim: Thalassemia is considered as the most important monogenic disorders around the world. So far, about 60 mutations of this type have been reported in Iranian patients. Comparison between different provinces of the country reveals that the dispersion of the mutations is significantly various with respect to their types and frequencies. The current study aimed at assessing prevalent molecular mutations in b Thalassemia carriers in Birjand and Amirabad at the suburb of the city.Materials and Methods: In this descriptive in-vitro study, 34 carriers (15 females and 19 males), who had been identified through marriage screening tests at the health centers in the South Khorasan province were assessed. After obtaining written informed consent of the subjects and completing the respective questionnaires, 2 cc of intravenous blood sample from each subject were collected into EDTA tubes. Salting out and Arms-PCR methods were used for DNA extraction and mutation detection, respectively. Finally, the obtained data was analysed by means of SPSS software (V; 19) using Fisher’s test at the significant level of P<0.05).Results: It was found that among five mutations on 68 chromosomes, IVS 1-5 mutation with 47.1% frequency was the highest; and the mutations of Codon, Fr 8.9, IVS II-1 5, and Codon 37/38/39 had the frequency of 17.6%, 8.8%, 5.9%, and 5.9% respectively. Out of the mutations, 14.7 %.remained undetermined.Conclusion: The mutation patterns obtained in Birjand reveal an outstanding difference with the state of affairs in the north and west of IRAN..High frequency of consanguity marriages between thalassemia carrier individuals indicates the potential reason behind increasing the number of patients with major thalassemia.

Background and Aim: Klebsiella pneumoniae is a member of the Enterobacteriaceae family. There is a global emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains ofK. pneumoniae, a Gram-negative enteric bacterium that causes nosocomial and urinary tract infections. The aims of the present study were to identify theKlebsiella pneumoniae infections in hospitalized patients, characterization of bla CTX gene, detection cross-resistance and cefepime susceptible-dose dependent (SDD) in isolates.Materials and Methods: In present study, 111 strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae were isolated from patients hospitalized in Ghotbadden, Faghihi and Nemazee hospitals (Shiraz, Iran). The isolates were identified as K. pneumoniae, based on biochemical tests embedded in the API-20E system. Susceptibility testing (disc diffusion) was performed according clinical and laboratory standards institute (CLSI) guidelines. Detection cefepime susceptible-dose dependent (SDD)was performed. The detection of AmpC β - lactamases producing strains was done based on cefoxitin and cefepime disk tests. Thebla CTX gene was detected in the isolates by PCR molecular method.Results: Total 111 Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates were studied. The less effective drug was ceftazidime (37.8% isolates were sensitive). All SDD strains were susceptible to colistin and imipenem. Colistin (96.4%) and imipenem (88.3%) were the most effective antibiotics against isolates. Respectively, 41.4% and 35.1% isolates displayed resistance to gentamicin and amikacin. All colistin resistant isolates were imipenem sensitive. The results of PCR onbla CTX gene showed that 70.3% of the isolates possess the gene.Conclusion: Carbapenem drugs are effective against Klebsieella pneumoniae infections. These results indicate that multidrug-resistant (MDR) and extensively drug resistant (XDR) strains ofK.pneumoniae are rising, and fewer antibiotics may be useful for treating infections caused by these strains. Routine investigation and reporting of antibiotics resistance profile in patients presenting withKlebsiella infections is suggested.

Background and Aim: Male infertility is increasing worldwide. There is now emerging evidence that nutritional status is regarded as a critical determinant of normal reproductive function. Hence, today, the role of dietary nutrition has attracted the attention of researchers. Thus, the present study was conducted to elucidate the effects of tail fat (TF) enriched diet on male rat reproductive function.Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 30 adult male Wistar rats were randomly allocated into three equal groups and were fed with either standard diet (control) or standard diet enriched with 10 % of TF oil or standard diet enriched with 20% TF for 5 consecutive months. Finally, the rats were euthanized, the weights of their bodies, and their testes were measured. Then, the testes were dissected and the sections were stained with Hematoxylin-Eosin for quantitative histopathological examination. Besides, blood samples were collected for testosterone (T) assessment.Results: Compared to the control group, the rats fed with a diet enriched with 20% TF had significantly (P≤0.05)more body weight, while, their testes weight significantly (P≤0.0001) decreased. Also, histological changes showed that TF, in a dose dependence manner, significantly decreased germinal layer, seminiferous area, and spermatogonia number in the rats’ testes. There was no significant difference in T concentration between the groups.Conclusion: It was clearly found that excessive and long term intake of TF can be causative of hypogonadism and increase infertility in male rats.

Background and Aim: Using drugs during pregnancy is one of the most important health concerns Prenatal care is crucial in addicted women and thus educational interventions are required. In the present study, the effectiveness of an educational intervention based on ‘Theory of Planned Behavior’ on prenatal care of addicted women was evaluated.Materials and Methods: This randomized field- trial study was performed on 46 pregnant addicted women who were randomly divided into equal experimental and control groups. The validity and reliability of the questionnaire used had been confirmed. before, immediately after, and two months after the intervention in both groups. The intervention consisted of 6 sessions, based on the theory of planned behavior, which was implemented for the experimental group. Data analysis was performed using. independent t- test, Anova and Fisher’s exact test. The obtained results were interpreted at the significant level 0.05.Results: It was found that a significant increase in the mean change in attitude, intention, and perceived behavioral control before and immediately after the intervention in the experimental group compared to the control one (P<0.05).Conclusion: The results of the study showed the effectiveness of the education based on the theory of planned behavior on the attitude, perceived behavioral control, and behavioral intention associated with prenatal care.

Background and Aim: Copper ions, due to forming complexes with organic and mineral compounds, can have worrying effects on health and environment. In the present study, the effect of powdered magnetic carbon activated by iron-oxide nanoparticles in removing of CU (V; II) from aqueous solutions was assessed.Materials and Methods: This experimental study aimed at determining the effect of powdered magnetic carbon activated by iron-oxide nanoparticles parameters including PH, contact time, absorbing dose, and initial concentration on copper (II) removal.from aqueous solutions; through an indirect current. In order to assess the qualities of the synthetized adsorbent, TGA, FT-IR and SEM tests were applied. Residual concentration of copper was measured at 324nm wavelength by means of atomic absorption spectrometry flame. The obtained data was analyzed using Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm model.Result: It was found that synthetic nanoparticles (PH=10), with the adsorbent dosage of 1gr/l, can remove more than 96% of copper ions from aqueous solutions at 2 minutes. Also, the results showed that copper absorption pattern is more in accord with Langmuir model.Conclusion: Based on the current findings, magnetic synthesized nanoparticles coated with carbon. are in sporadic form in aqueous solutions. and can easily be separated using external magnetic environment.Moreover, because of existant active carbon sites absorption in iron oxide structure suferficial absorbtion capacity increases and and these nanoparticles reveal to have a high performance in the removing process of copper pollutants from aqueous solutions.

Background and Aim: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and vitamin D deficiency are both too common during menopause. Since the effect of different doses of vitamin D supplements on blood sugar, insulin concentration and insulin resistance are unknown, the present study aimed at investigating the effects of different doses of the vitamin D supplements on visceral fat, blood sugar, insulin concentration, and insulin resistance in ovariectomized rats.Materials and Methods: In this randomized experimental study, 32 female Wistar rats were divided into 4 equal groups as follows: three groups. that received vitamin D supplements (high, moderate, and low dose) and one control group. After 8 weeks of different doses of vitamin D supplementation plasma concentration of glucose, insulin and HOMA-IR were measured in the three groups. The obtained data was statistically analyzed by means of dependent t-test and ANOVA. at the significance level of P<0.05.Results: After a period of eight-week intervention, body weight, BMI, waist circumference, visceral fat, insulin, blood glucose and HOMA-IR at high, moderate, and low doses of vitamin D supplementation were significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). High dose of vitamin D compared with moderate and low doses significantly caused reduction in insulin, blood glucose, and HOMA-IR (P<0.001 for all three variables).Conclusion: The findings of the current study showed that a high dose of vitamin D causes significant improvements in FPG, insulin, and insulin resistance evaluated by HOMA-IR. It was also found that adding vitamin D supplements can improve glucose control in menopause model of rats.

Background and Aim: Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a condition that, in case of delay in diagnosis and treatment, can lead to serious complications like pulmonary embolism. Given the importance of assessment and identification of diseases in every community, the current study aimed at assessing the epidemiology of DVT patients in Birjand.Materials and Methods: The present descriptive-analytical study was conducted on all DVT patients admitted to Birjand Vali-e-asr hospital between 2009 and 2014. A trained medical student completed each researcher-designed questionnaire. based on an intern’s history recording, a physician's orders, and a nurse’s note. Then, the patients were called up demanding the status of the patient and disease complications, readmission, or death. Finally, the obtained data was encoded and analyzed by SPSS (V: 18) at the significant level P<0.05.Results: During the study period, 263 patients with DVThad been hospitalized in Birjand Vali-e-asr hospital .Out of the patients, 50.2% were males. Mean age of the subjects was 55.84 ± 18.45 years. In 98.1% of the cases the lower extremity was involved. The most prevalent risk factor was immobilization and the least risk factor was family history of DVT. Regarding the relationship between DVT risk factors and sex only smoking cigarettes was both significant and more prevalent. During 5 years, 3.8% of the population had died due to DVT complications. Recurrent DVT in 6% and pulmonary emboli in 3.4% of the patients were diagnosed.Conclusion: Given that the most common risk factor for DVT in our study was immobilization, prophylaxis is necessary in patients at high risk tin order to decrease occurrence possibility of DVT.