Researcher Bulletin of Medical Sciences
Year:2010 | Volume:15 | Issue:2 (74)|Papers Count:11

Background and Aim: Colorectal cancers often arise from benign polyps. Adenomatous polyps and serrated polyps progress step by step to adenocarcinoma and change to malignant cancers. Genetic and epigenetic changes have relationship with specific stages in polyp-adenocarcinoma progression and colorectal cancer histopathological changes. In this study we applied immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining in sporadic colorectal polyps to assay functional status of MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, and PMS2 proteins. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study we assessed all patients with sporadic colorectal polyps admitted and performed polypectomy in gastrointestinal department of Taleghani Hospital from 2004 to 2008. Results: IHC was abnormal in 6.8%, 4.5%, 3%, and 4.8% for MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, and PMS2, respectively. In all cases with abnormal PMS2, MLH1 was abnormal, while the same story happened with abnormal MSH2 and MSH6 (p<0.001). IHC staining results showed significant differences according to polyp location, and mean age of the patient (p<0.05). Meanwhile, adenomatous polyps and serrated adenoma polyps showed significant differences when MLH1 and PMS2 were considered (p<0.05). Conclusion: IHC staining is suggested for serrated adenoma specially those in left colon. However, IHC staining for right-sided polyps may not have increased benefits for patients' management.

Background and Aim: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is usually accompanied by cardiovascular disease risk factors in women especially obese subjects. The aim of this study was to investigate and compare the effects of two hypocaloric diets on weight loss and improvements of cardiovascular disease risk factors. Materials and methods: For this randomized clinical trial, weight reduction was attempted among sixty overweight and obese PCOS women who did not use any medication. They were randomly assigned into two groups; "conventional group" receiving 15% protein and 55% carbohydrate and "modified group" receiving 30% protein and 40% reduced glycemic load carbohydrates. They consumed hypocaloric diet for 12 weeks. In weeks 0 and 12, anthropometric data, 24-hour dietary recall for 3 days and fasting blood sample for measuring lipid profile, adiponectin and pro-inflammatory factors were obtained. Results: Subjects were aged 28.9±5.9 years old. There was no significant difference in percentages of weight loss between two groups. Reduction of total body fat in "modified group" was slightly higher, however, the difference did not reach a statistically significant level. Levels of LDL-C, TNF-a and IL-6 reduced and adiponectin increased significantly. CRP was significantly reduced in modified group. Conclusion: Weight loss was associated with reduction in LDL-C level and improvement of cardiovascular disease risk factors. However, its effect is independent of the diet composition.

Background and Aim: Postpartum depression is one of the most common psychiatric disorders following delivery. This disorder may lead to serious problems for mother, child and family. Studies carried out on the prevalence of postnatal depression (PND) have reported varying rates ranged 5% to 40%. There have also been some conflicting findings in investigating its relative factors. The aim of this study was to determine PND and its risk factors in women referring to health care centers in Qom. Materials and Methods: During this cross-sectional study 300 women were surveyed 6-12 weeks following their delivery. Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and Relative Factors Questionnaire were used for data gathering. Samples were assigned into two groups based on Edinburgh scores: ³13 as depressed subjects, and <13 as non-depressed subjects. Finally, logistic regression was used for data analysis. Results: Totally, the prevalence of postpartum depression was found to be 23%. Among factors, unplanned pregnancy, newborn anomaly, dissatisfaction with husband, low income, lack of social support, crisis in the past year, previous history of depression, and previous postpartum depression were significantly associated with PND. Conclusion: We strongly recommend further emphasis on maternal mental health. It is also necessary to include mental health screening, supportive and consultative programs in post-natal routine health care, especially for at risk women.

Background and Aim: Nowadays, drug addiction and its associated businesses are worldwide concern. The main purpose of the current study is to evaluate mental health status of IV drug abusers in Kashan prison. Materials and Methods: All IV drug abusers of Kashan prison were included for whom General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28) and demographic characteristic questionnaire were completed. Meanwhile, they were interviewed via DSM-IV check list and evaluated by three psychiatrists. Results: The following psychiatric disorders were commonly found among IV drug abusers: anti-social personality disorder in 28 (93.6%), mood disorder in 21 (47.7%), anxiety disorder in 8 (18.8%) and adjustment disorder in 3 (6.8%). A total of 19 subjects (43.1%) had multi disorders and 25 (56.8%) had only one disorder. In our setting, there was no statistically significant association between psychiatric disorder and marital status, job and educational level, however, the emergence of mental disorder among the unemployed male IV drug abusers and those younger than 30 years should be emphasized. Conclusion: Unfortunately, IV drug abusers are not in good mental health status. Since it was the first study of its kind in our country, further studies are strongly recommended.

Background and Aim: One of the most harmful factors which demolishes the quality of research is the prolong time intervals between study completion and article preparation, submission, acceptance and publication. The present study was conducted to determine the elapsed time between conducting the research and preparing the article, submission, acceptance and publication in a group of Dentistry Scientific and Research journals. Materials and Methods: For this cross sectional study, all eligible articles were surveyed according to their claimed times for carrying out the research, and the time intervals between article preparation and submission, acceptance and publication in month. According to Delphi Analysis, a research's delay will occur in either of the following situations: 1) the time consumed for conducting the research until its submission or the time interval between submission and acceptance takes more than 6 months, 2) the time interval between acceptance and publication takes more than 3 months. Finally, the association between research's delay and the following variables was determined: publisher, field of specialty, number of authors, references status (date, type, number of Persian references), and financial supporting organization. Results: Totally, 5 journals and 474 articles were surveyed among which 39.5% were subjected for research's delay. A research's delay was noted for the time consumed for conducting the research until its submission (85%), the time interval between submission and acceptance (57.4%), and the time interval between acceptance and publication (19.4%). A research's delay was associated with publisher, number of Persian references, and older dated references. Conclusions: A research's delay is a serious concern among the aforementioned journals, hence, considering the recognized consequences of such delays, the required actions for shortening the intervals are requested.

Background and Aim: Hospital surfaces can serve as reservoirs of potential pathogen bacteria. b-lactam antibiotics are developed as wide-spectrum antibiotics, however, the emergence of bacteria encompassing b-lactamase was a major challenge for physicians. The present study was conducted to determine the frequency of b-lactamase and antibiotic sensitivity pattern in isolated pathogen bacteria from low and high hospital contact surfaces. Material and Methods: This experimental study was conducted on 194 isolated samples in Azzahra hospital in Isfahan. Samples were collected from high and low contact surface with swab in NB (Nutrient Broth). Bacteria were identified with microbiological techniques, however, b–lactamase production was assessed with acidometric and antibiogram pattern was achieved with Kirby Bauer method. Results: Of 194 isolated bacteria, the following organisms were detected: Staphylococcus spp. 55%, Bacillus spp. 26.3%, Enterobacteriaceae 9.8%, Pseudomonas spp. 3.9%, other gram negative bacteria 4.5% and Streptococcus spp. 0.5%. Meanwhile, 61.5% of bacteria produce b–lactamase. According to antibiogram, organisms showed the highest and lowest resistance to penicillin and gentamicin, respectively. Conclusion: Widely spread of b–lactamase represents high spread of bacteria in hospital surfaces. Obviously, improvement in the quality of disinfectant agents could pave the way for better management of antibiotic-resistant nosocomial infections.

Background and Aim: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the most common arrhythmia and is a risk factor for stroke and heart failure. Apelin is a protein with multiple effects on cardiovascular system such as: endothelium-dependent vasodilation, positive inotropy, declining ventricular preload and after-load and increases cardiac contractility. Plasma level of Apelin is a practical tool for evaluating the severity of heart failure, however, it could be a good prognostic factor in Lone AF. Material and methods: In this case-control study, 26 patients with Lone AF and 27 age- and sex- matched controls were enrolled. Meanwhile, the following exclusion criteria were applied at baseline: cardiomyopathy, congestive heart failure, hyperthyroidism, hypertension, coronary artery disease, valvular heart disease, and rheumatic heart disease. Then, 3cc citrated venous blood was obtained and Apelin plasma level was measured with ELISA technique. Results: The study population included 17 males and 9 females with the mean age of 53.1±12.4 years in the LAF and 16 males and 11 females with the mean age of 51.8±8.3 years in the control group. Level of Apelin was not significantly differed between LAF and control group. However, patients aged ³60 years had significantly lower Apelin level when compared with those younger 60 years. Furthermore, gender did not influence the level of Apelin in LAF and control group. Conclusion: Results revealed no reduction in Apelin level of Lone AF group aged <60 years old, but there was a significant reduction in Apelin level among patients aged ³60 years. Hence, Apelin level determination is of low benefit in patients aged <60 years.

Background and Aim: Chronic diabetes mellitus via various pathways including augmented oxidative stress accompanies disturbances in learning, memory, and cognitive skills in humans and experimental animals. Due to the presence of some evidence for anti-diabetic and antioxidant activity of Cynara scolymus (CS), this study was conducted to evaluate the effect of chronic oral administration of CS on learning and memory status of diabetic rats. Materials and Methods: Female Wistar rats were divided into control, CS-treated control, diabetic, and CS-treated diabetic groups. Treatment groups received rat chow containing CS with no restriction for 6 weeks. For induction of diabetes, streptozotocin was injected intraperitoneally at a single dose of 60mg/kg. For evaluation of learning and memory, initial (IL) and step-through latencies (STL) were determined at the end of study using passive avoidance test and alternation behavior percentage was obtained using Y maze. Results: There was no significant change in IL in diabetic and treated-control and -diabetic rats as compared to control group. Meanwhile, STL significantly decreased in diabetic (p<0.01) and CS-treated control (p<0.05) groups, while it was non-significantly reduced in treated-diabetic group. In addition, alternation behavior percentage was significantly lower in diabetic and treated-diabetic groups when compared with controls (p<0.01 and p<0.05, respectively), but it was non-significantly higher in treated-diabetic group as compared with diabetics. Conclusion: Although CS treatment could enhance the capability of consolidation and recall in diabetic animals, but it could not improve spatial memory in diabetic animals using Y maze. Other spatial memory tests using radial arm and Morris water mazes are recommended in future research studies.