Avicenna Journal of Clinical Medicine
Year:2013 | Volume:20 | Issue:1 (SN 67)|Papers Count:17

Introduction & Objective: Leishmania is a protozoan of the trypanosomatidae family. This protozoan has two stages in its life cycle, promastigote form in sand flies and amastigote form in macrophage of mammalian hosts. The purpose of this study was identification and comparison of proteins of Leishmania amastigote and promastigote stages.Materials & Methods: The present study is a cross sectional study of two forms of Leishmania major. To culture promastigotes, L.major (MRHO/IR/75/ER) from previously infected Balb/c mice was transferred to modified N.N.N medium with overlay of liquid BHI and then transferred to RPMI-1640 at 26oc±1 for mass production. After isolation and growth, promastigotes were transferred to liquid cell culture medium RPMI-1640 with pH 5.5 and incubated at 5% CO2 at 37oc for 72 hours until promastigote to amastigote transformation. Electrophoresis was performed with SDS-PAGE method to find and compare the molecular weight of the antigens of two stages.Results: The molecular weights of the bands observed in both forms were as follows: 19, 36, 50, 63, 65, 80, 90, 94, 96, 110-130 KDa. The proteins in the surface of only promastigote were 22, 28 and 46 KDa and special proteins in the surface of amastigote were 12 and 32 KDa.Conclusion: According to this study Leishmania parasite has stage specific proteins. Various studies have shown that axenic amastigotes and tissue amastigotes are similar in their protein content. Therefore, based on stage specific proteins, effective drugs and vaccines can be designed against leishmaniasis.

Introduction & Objective: Many surgical patients still experience moderate to severe pain after surgery despite efforts to administer new drugs and techniques. Postoperative analgesia clearly enhances patient’s satisfaction and facilitates earlier mobilization and rehabilitation.lidocaein has been introduced as part of post operative pain management and clinical studies revealed analgesic actions in patients with chronic neuropathic pain. Our goal in this study was to determine the effect of intravenous lidocaein on post operative pain of women undergoing cesarean section under spinal anesthesia.Materials & Methods: In this double blinded clinical trial study, 72 patients candidate for Cesarean section under spinal anesthesia were randomly selected and divided in two groups. In the case group, infusion of1.5 mg/kg lidocaein and in the control group infusion of the same volume normal saline started 15 minutes before the beginning of operation. After spinal anesthesia with definite technique in both groups, infusion of 1.5 mg/kg/h lidocaein in case group and the same volume normal saline in the control group was administered and continued till 0.5 hour after finishing the operation. Data including systolic and diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, analgesic score according VAS and using of analgesic drugs were recorded during 24 hours after the operation.Results: Pain intensity according to VAS score in the time 2, 6, 12 hours post operation were significantly lower in the case group (P2=0.05, P6=0.01, P12=0.05).Analgesic consumption in form of suppository & IV, 24 hours after surgery, was significantly lower in the case group. (P=0.001).Conclusion: Lidocaein infusion can decrease pain intensity & analgesic consumption after cesarean section under spinal anesthesia.

Introduction & Objective: One of the important issues in long term storage of cells is removal of animal serum from cell culture environments. The aim of this study was to evaluate amniotic fluid (AF), which is full of growth factors, as substitute for fetal bovine serum (FBS) in the cryopreservation protocol.Materials & Methods: In this experimental study human amniotic epithelial cells were isolated from placentas which were seronegative for microbial infections. The cells were preserved in 24 different patterns for 12 months in -196oC (liquid nitrogen) and viability of cells were determined before and after cryopreservation by trypan blue and MTT assay. Moreover, Oct-4 expression was studied to determine pluripotency before and after cryopreservation with immunocytochemistry. Results were compared between groups with ANOVA (Tukey Post-Test). P.value under 0.01 and 0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results: The presence of DMEM, FBS or AF is necessary for amniotic cell cryopreservation.Trypan-blue, MTT and immunocytochemistry showed that there isn’t significant difference between using AF and FBS in viability and pluripotency of cells. Moreover, results showed that DMSO is a better cryoprotectant compared to glycerol.Conclusion: Results showed that amniotic fluid can be a proper substitute for FBS in amniotic epithelial cells cryopreservation.

Introduction & Objective: Metabolic syndrome is one of the main health problems raised around the world and vitamin D deficiency is a possible new risk factor. The aim of this study was to understand this relationship in the Iranian population.Materials & Methods: This case-control study was done on 186 subjects over 20 years referred to endocrine clinic in the spring and summer of 2011. Clinical and laboratory data were collected using questionnaires. After determining the subjects with metabolic syndrome according to ATP III criteria and the control group, blood samples of all participants were taken to measure 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and sent to the laboratory. The collected data were analyzed with statistical software SPSS v.16.0 and Pearson's chi square test.Results: Comparing vitamin D levels between the healthy individuals and the patients showed significant differences between the two groups (32.6±16.5 in the control group vs.17.3±10.7 in the case group). In the patients, those with vitamin D deficiency compared with those with normal levels of vitamin D, had higher levels of BMI and triglycerides and lower levels of HDL cholesterol.Conclusion: It seems that vitamin D-deficient individuals have a greater chance of having metabolic syndrome. However, prospective studies are needed to prove this relationship.

Introduction & Objective: Stem cells are determined by their unique features. One of them is high proliferation ability and the other is potency of differentiation to various tissues. The results of new works in various countries around the world including Iran show the growing momentum of works on stem cell therapy. Working with stem cells from different origins including the cells originated from fetal and adult origin (such as bone marrow, dental root, cord, etc) is in progress.The goal of this work was to clear the maintenance and stability of genetic materials of human mesenchymal stem cells through consecutive subcultures in our lab conditions in Hamadan University of Medical Sciences.Materials & Methods: In an experimental work, human umbilical cord was used as a rich source of stem cells. Isolated stem cells, after proliferation phase, increased and filled the bottom of the flasks in consecutive passages. After some successive consecutive subcultures, stem cells aged and this may cause damages to genetic material that is evaluated in primary passages (passages number 1-5), middle passages (passages number 8-12) and late passages (passages number 15-18) by the single cell gel electrophoresis assay (comet assay). Also their karyotypes were examined; Solid technique and G-banding staining for chromosome analysis in the stem cells were employed. Several microscopic slides from each passage were prepared. Then 20 cells were randomly selected from the slides related to each group. In all selected cells, damages were examined and their degree of damages were scored based on the standard patterns, from 0 to 4. The averages were compared by Kruskal-Wallis test in different groups.Results: Average scores related to three studied cell groups, primary, middle and late passages, were 0.4, 2.8 and 3.6, respectively. Prepared karyotypes from the cells belonging to passages 1-5 were normal but in the aged passages they were abnormal numerically and structurally. Our results showed that the aging phenomenon and its consequences such as DNA damages should be considered in the work with consecutive passages of stem cells.Conclusion: We concluded that in our laboratory conditions, the stem cells taken from human umbilical cord blood are only usable for research purposes in early passages (below passage five).We recommend using passages more than five only for educational purposes in our laboratory; and it is better to do the same work in such research centers.

Introduction & Objective: This cross-sectional study was undertaken to assess the association between dietary energy density and prevalence of the cardiometabolic risk factors among Tehranian adult women.Materials & Methods: In this cross-sectional study we assessed habitual dietary intakes of 486 Tehranian adult women by the use of a validated food frequency questionnaire. Dietary energy density (DED) was calculated as each individual’s reported daily energy intake (kcal/d) into total weight of foods (excluding beverages) consumed (g/d). Fasting plasma glucose (FPG), lipid profiles and blood pressure were measured. Diabetes (FPG≥126 mg/dL), dyslipidemia (based on Adult Treatment Panel III) and hypertension (based on Joint National Committee VI) were defined. The presence of “at least one risk factor” and "at least two risk factors" of the three major risk factors for cardiovascular disease (hypertension, dyslipidemia and diabetes) were also evaluated. To explore the associations between DED and cardiometabolic risk factors, we obtained prevalence ratios in different models accounting for confounders.Results: Mean dietary energy density was 1.77±0.35 kcal/g. Consumption of energy-dense diets was associated with higher intakes of energy, dietary fat, cholesterol, vegetable oils, refined grains and high-fat dairy products and lower intakes of dietary carbohydrates, fruits, vegetables, meat and fish. Adherence to an energy-dense diet was associated with elevated levels of serum triglycerides, total- and LDL-cholesterol and lower levels of serum HDLcholesterol.Women in the top quartile of DED were more likely to have dyslipidemia (61% vs.31%, P<0.05), at least one (68% vs.35%, P<0.05) and at least two (29% vs.10%, P<0.05) cardiometabolic risk factors as compared with those in the bottom quartile. Additional control for BMI slightly attenuated the associations. No overall significant associations were found between consumption of energy-dense diets and risk of having diabetes or hypertension either before or after adjustment for confounders.Conclusion: Consumption of energy-dense diets was significantly related to the high prevalence of dyslipidemia, at least one and at least two risk factors among Tehranian adult women. Prospective studies are required to confirm our findings.

Introduction & Objective: Deaf children have special emotional reactions, Understanding these characteristics and problems can help medical and paramedical professionals, parents and teachers to reach the purpose of behavioral adaptability. The present study was performed in order to recognize disorders, emotional problems and functions of deaf children compared with normal children in emotional components of anxiety, depression, aggression, impulsivity and lack of compromise.Materials & Methods: In order to recognize emotional disorders and problems of deaf children, sample groups of 120 male and female patients (60 deaf children and 60 children with normal hearing with equal number of male and female) enrolled in primary schools of Hamadan province were selected by multi stage randomly sampling in this casual_comparative study.House-Tree-Person (HTP) and Draw-A-Person tests (DAP) were used to determine their emotional problems.Results: Ourresults indicate that in terms of parameters related to the two tests (distance of three components of each other, anxiety, aggression, depression and impulsivity and lack of compromise), participants' overall scores in two tests by major scales such as anxiety(a=0.01, P<0.05; 3.48, 3.13) aggression (a=0.05, 0.01, P<0.05; 6.12, 3.97) depression (a=0.05 P<0.05; 3.75, 3.81), impulsivity (a=0.05, 0.01, P<0.05; 3.47, 3.01) and lack of compromise (a=0.05, 0.01, P<0.05; 4.89, 4.95) are significantly different from each other.Conclusion: Thedeaf children in terms of denotative parameters related to the two tests are significantly different from normal children; and the overall scores obtained on each of the scales generally show a significant difference with normal children, In the deaf group with regard to gender variable (male and female) significant differences in some of the scales such as distance of three components of each other, anxiety, aggression, depression and lack of compromise iare observed between the deaf boys and girls.

Introduction & Objective: Leptin, the main peptide secreted by adipose tissue, is considered an alarming factor in the regulation of body fat content. With regard to the physiological effect of exercise as one of the potential regulators of leptin secretion from adipose tissue, this study was performed to examine the effects of resistance exercise on leptin.Materials & Methods: Twenty inactive and obese female students (10 controls and 10 experimentals) participated in this study. The subjects in the experimental group performed an 8 week resistance training program (chest press, leg press, lat pull down, leg curl, bicep curl, leg extension) with 60-70 percent of 1RM. ELISA was used to measure leptin.Results: The results of this study showed that 8 weeks of resistance training significantly decreased BMI (31.32 kg/m2 versus 29.73 kg/m2, P=0.0001), weight body (80.5kg versus 76.25kg, P=0.0001), WHR (0.93 versus0.89, P=0.0001) and body fat percent (27.48 versus 24.85, P=0.0001) in EG. Statistically significant differences were not seen in leptin (P=0.939), insulin (P=0.336), glucose (P=0.264) and insulin resistance (P=0.306) between CG and EG.Conclusion: The results of this study showed that, there was no significant difference in leptin levels and insulin resistance between the control and experimental groups, after 8 weeks of resistance training.

Introduction & Objective: Cardiovascular diseases are main causes of mortality and morbidity in the current world. Hypertension is one of the most important risk factors for the cardiovascular diseases. Herbal medicine is much regarded because of their natural source and less side effects. This study was done to evaluate the effects of hydro-alcoholic extract of Luctuca-Sativa (LS) on blood pressure in rats.Materials & Methods: Hypertension was induced in the rats by Desoxycorticosterone (DOCA)-Salt then the hypertension induction was confirmed by tail-cuff method before treatment. The effects of one week treatment by LS hydro-alcoholic extract (100mg/kg/day) on blood pressure; Heart Rate (HR) and Plasma Renin Activity (PRA) were investigated and compared with the control groups. Under anesthesia (urethane 1gr/kg) Mean Arterial blood Pressure (MAP) and HR were measured directly from Femoral Artery. In order to investigate the extract effects on MAP and HR, also possible mechanisms of these effects, intravenous injection of different concentrations of extract with and without pretreatment with histamine H1 receptor antagonist (Chlorpheniramine 10 mg/kg) were performed. PRA was measured by radioimmuonoassay method. Urine volume was also measured during the treatment Results: The results of this study show that DOCA-Salt induced hypertension and decreased PRA in the rats. LS hydro- alcoholic extract treatment causes significant decrease of MAP in hypertension- treated group in comparison with non-treated group and also the level of PRA and urine volume increased by extract treatment. Our Findings showed that LS extract has no significant effect on HR.Conclusion: The results of this study indicated hat LS hydro-alcoholic extract due to interaction with kidney and diuretic effects decreased MAP and normalized PRA in the DOCA-Salt hypertensive.

Introduction & Objective: Pentachlorophenol (PCP) is a refractory phenolic compound. Owing to its high poisonous and carcinogenic nature, PCP is on the US EPA’s list of priority pollutants.As a result, it is one of the important pollutants that need to be removed during water and wastewater reclamation processes. The efficiency of the catalytic ozonation process (COP) was assessed based on the removal of PCP from the aqueous solutions and its intermediates were studied.Materials & Methods: In this experimental study, catalytic ozonation process was applied to remove PCP in aqueous solution and its intermediate was studied. The influence of several variables was examined, including pH of solution, contact time, dissolved ozone concentration and dosage of g-Al2O3 in semi batch reactor. The determination of PCP concentrations in solutions was analyzed by HPLC using the UV detector (254nm).Results: Ourresults showed that the removal effectiveness of PCP has been increased by rising pH, contact time, catalyst dosage and dissolved ozone concentration. Removal efficiency of PCP was determined 89% and 100% in SOP and AOP after 60 minutes, respectively. The pHzpc of alumina was determined 8.6.Conclusion: Due to high performance of g-Al2O3 as catalyst in catalytic ozonation and increasing the PCP removal, it is thus concluded that the integrated catalytic ozonation is a promising and economically affordable technology for the treatment of wastewater containing pentachlorophenol and other similar compounds.

Introduction: Mucormycosis is a rare, fatal infection which mainly affects the patients with diabetes or immunodeficiency. Various clinical forms of the disease include rhinocerebral, pulmonary, cutaneous, gastrointestinal, and disseminated infection. The aim of this study was to report a rare case of mucormycosis involving middle ear.Case Report: A 22-year-old female patient with a history of type 1 diabetes mellitus and end stage of renal disease who were under treatment with insulin and twice a week hemodialysis refered to hospital because of abrupt onset of severe left ear pain, and received oral antibiotics.Her symptoms worsened and left facial palsy developed the day after. Myringotomy was done and administration of parenteral antibiotics were begun. Subsequently, she developed left fifth and sixth cranial nerve palsies, followed by fever, unconsciousness, left hemi-facial edema, and serosanguinous discharge from eye and nose. In spite of parenteral antibacterial and antifungal therapy, she developed refractory septic shock and died.Conclusion: Acute otitis media in diabetic patients may be due to mucormycosis. Considering the rapid progression of necrosis and fatality, prompt diagnosis and therapy for mucormycosis is mandatory.

Introduction: Anthrax is an acute infection caused by the Bacillus anthracis, a gram-positive organism, aerobic, sporulating rod.. Basilus anthracis causes pulmonary, gastrointestinal and cutaneous disease.Case Report: We report a 21 -year-old pregnant female with cutaneous anthrax infection involved the small finger dorsal surface of hand. She had not a history of contact with animals. She was treated with penicillin.Conclusion: This infection is very contagious and early diagnosis is very important and prognostic.