Journal of Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences
Year:2017 | Volume:20 | Issue:4|Papers Count:7

Introduction: Angiogenesis is the physiological process through which new blood vessels form from pre-existing vessels. Cardiovascular endothelial factors are involved in diseases and vascular regulation.Stachys lavandulifolia belongs to the Laminaceafamily and its hydroalcoholic extract is used as a traditional treatment to reduce pain and inflammation. The present study was conducted to examine the effect of aqueous phase and hydroalcoholic extract ofStachys lavandulifolia on the expression changes of vascular endothelial growth factor gene (VEGF) and angiogenesis of chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane.Methods: In this study, 40 Ross fertilized eggs were randomly divided into control, sham and two experimental groups of treatment with aqueous phase and treatment with hydroalcoholic extract. On the 2nd day of incubation a window was opened on the eggs; on the 8th day a gelatin sponge of 1×4×4 diameter was put on the chorioallantoic membrane, and 75 mg/kg of each extract was added. On the 12th day, the height and weight of the embryos were measured, their blood vessel network was photographed by a stereomicroscope and the number and length of vessels around the sponges were measured via applying image J software. The VEGF Gene was sampled. Results were analyzed by Minitab software using t-test and ANOVA at a significance level of P<0.05.Results: The mean of the data showed no significant difference between control and sham groups (P>0.05). The mean number of vessels in the experimental group 1 (aqueous phase) had a significant reduction (P≤0.05), while the experimental group 2 (hydroalcoholic extract) showed no significant difference. Gene VEGF expression in the experimental groups increased compared to the sham group.Conclusion: The aqueous phase of Stachys lavandulifolia has anti-angiogenic effects, which appears to work through affecting VEGF receptors.

Introduction: Marital burnout can be considered both an underlying factor for serious martial problems and a consequence of these problems. The present study was conducted to determine the effectiveness of the emotionally-focused couple therapy (EFCT) and the problem-centered systems therapy of the family (PCSTF) on marital burnout in spouses of recovering addicts.Methods: The present quasi-experimental study was conducted on 27 eligible couples as volunteers. After conducting the pretest using the couple burnout measure, the participants were randomly assigned to three groups of 9, including a control group, an EFCT experimental group and a PCSTF experimental group. The study couples then individually attended 11 couple therapy sessions based on PCSTF and EFCT models. Posttests were ultimately conducted and the data collected were analyzed using ANCOVA.Results: The results obtained indicated significant reductions in marital burnout in both the EFCT and the PCSTF models compared to in the control group, while the effects of the two models were not significantly different.Conclusion: Although these two different therapeutic approaches address different dimensions of married life, both cause reductions in marital burnout. Integrating these treatment methods of marital burnout therefore seems to be effective.

Introduction: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of short-term creatine supplementation on oxidative stress and antioxidant enzymes after six bouts of 50-meter sprint swimming.Methods: This quasi-experimental study recruited eight trained female swimmers with the mean age of 25±4.4 years and body mass index (BMI) of 21.8±4.2 kg/m2 to perform six bouts of 50-meter sprint swimming with a 120-second active recovery in water. Then, subjects consumed Cr supplement (capsules containing 5 g monohydrate creatine), four times a day for six days. Blood samples were taken in resting position after the sixth bout of swimming before and following Cr supplementation period. Protein carbonyl (PC) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) concentration were measured using ELISA method.Result: Sprint swimming significantly increased PC concentration compared to resting state, but an insignificant increase was detected after Cr supplementation. In addition, sprint swimming led to a significant reduction in SOD levels after creatine supplementation compared to pre-test. Swimmers’ records after creatine supplementation in sixth bout of sprint swimming was also lower compared to the first bout.Conclusion: Cr supplementation can inhibit increased oxidative stress markers induced by high-intensity and short-duration exercise in trained female swimmers.

Introduction: Female genital mutilation (FGM) comprises of various procedures that damage female genitalia for non-therapeutic intentions, and it offers multidimensional and interdependent effects. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine whether FGM versus non-FGM couples in Kermanshah in Iran vary in relationship characteristics, such as relationship satisfaction, sexual satisfaction, and mental health.Methods: To achieve this goal of research, a sample of 414 couples (206 FGM couples and 208 normal couples) of Uramanat area in Kermanshah Province, were selected by non-randomized sampling. Enrich Marital Inventory, 25-SCL Mental Health Inventory and the Arizona Sexual Experience Scale were used for data collection. Data were analyzed between the two groups by utilizing independent ttest.The significance level was P<0.05.Results: The findings indicated that there was a significant difference between FGM couples and normal couples. Besides, the results revealed that the two groups of participants had significant differences in mental health, marital satisfaction, and sexual function. Overall, FGM couples compared with normal couples had lower levels of mental health, marital satisfaction, and sexual function.Conclusion: FGM is associated with frequent psychosexual difficulties in Uramanat couples; notably orgasm difficulties, sense of incomplete sexual-needs fulfillment, and neurotic symptoms. Awareness of the psychosexual effects of this operation could help women cope with psychological and psychosexual problems, and could prevent the performing of this inhuman action on others.

Introduction: Therapeutic strategies such as chemotherapy can affect gonadal adipose depots. The present study was conducted to assess stereological, morphometric and morphological changes in mouse testicular histoarchitecture structure following bilateral epididymal white adipose tissue lipectomy (BiEWATx) Methods: In this experimental study, adult male mice were divided into three equal groups (n=6). In the lipectomy group, following induction of anesthesia, both epididymal white adipose tissues (EWATs) were harvested by a posterior abdominal incision, with adequate precautions to prevent any damage to neural and vascular structures of the testis. In the sham group, after induction of anesthesia, an incision was made in the posterior abdomen and after manipulation without removal of the adipose tissue, the incision was stitched. In the control group, animals received 100 mg per kilogram of body weight of intraperitoneal ceftriaxone at the time of opening the abdomen in the other two groups. After 35 days, testis of all animals were harvested and histological assessments were subsequently performed.Results: Bilateral epididymal white adipose tissue lipectomy (BiEWATx) led to a significant reduction in diameter, the height of the germinal epithelium, cross sectional area and numerical density of seminiferous tubules, the number of sections of seminiferous tubules per unit area of testis, and severe morphological changes in the testis tissue compared to the control and sham groups.Conclusion: It appears that BiEWATx can provide the grounds for structural changes in the mice testis.

Introduction: Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a common genetic disorder in white populations with an autosomal recessive pattern, caused by mutations in the CFTR gene. The frequency of more than 1950 various mutations reported in the CFTR gene significantly varies in different populations.DF508 is a common mutation in exon 10, which is first addressed in the molecular analysis of the disease. Other exons are required to be investigated owing to failing to identify mutations in the patients. The present study was conducted to investigate mutations in exons 4, 11 and 21 of the CFTR gene using the sequencing method in CF patients in Kermanshah province, Iran.Methods: The present descriptive study was conducted on all patients with CF presenting to the medical genetics center in Kermanshah in 2010-2011. After taking blood samples and extracting DNA using saturated NaCl solution, sequences of exons were amplified using PCR and sequenced for identifying mutations.Results: The frequency of mutations was found to be respectively 0, 0 and 5.5% in exon 11, 21 and 4. The D110H mutation was found to be homozygous in one subject and heterozygous in another. Moreover, the 4029A>G polymorphism (12.9%) was found to be homozygous in two subjects and heterozygous in three others.Conclusion: The D110H mutation is recommended to be included in the screening programs of the study population. The results obtained support the effects of ethnic and geographical factors on the distribution of CF mutations.

Introduction: Using addictive drugs can change the amount of neurotransmitters, especially dopamine and glutamate. Glutamate has been known to trigger the relapse and tendency toward addictive drugs. The glutamate receptor ionotropic NMDA type subunit 1 (GRIN1) contains the single- nucleotide polymorphism C1001G (rs11146020) and encodes N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NDMA) receptor subunit 1 (NR1). The present study was conducted to investigate the relationship between the rs11146020 polymorphism in GRIN1 and addiction to heroin and methamphetamine.Methods: The present case-control study recruited 90 male heroin and methamphetamine addicts treated with methadone and 100 healthy men. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood using Iraizol kits. Four pairs of specific primers were designed using AlleleID 7.5, and the T-ARMS PCR was optimized.Results: The genotype distribution of GG, GC and CC was respectively found to be 66%, 31% and 3% in the control group and 58%, 31% and 11% in the patient group.The statistical analysis suggested no significant differences between these two groups.Conclusion: No significant relationships were observed between the C1001G polymorphism in GRIN1 and addiction to heroin and methamphetamine.