Journal of Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences
Year:2019 | Volume:21 | Issue:6|Papers Count:8

Background and aims: Osteoprotegerin (OPG) is a competitive inhibitor of the differentiation and activity of osteoclasts, which inhibits the final stages of osteoclast formation and induces its apoptosis. In addition, OPG is considered as one of the most important candidate genes in the pathogenesis of bone diseases such as osteoporosis and idiopathic hyperphosphatasia. The G354A (Cys87Tyr) mutation in the OPG gene leads to idiopathic hyperphosphatasia. This mutation is probably related to osteoporosis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the presence of G354A (Cys87Tyr) in women with osteoporosis in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province. Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study, the bone mineral density (BMD) of the femoral neck and lumbar spine of women referring to Shahrekord bone densitometry centers was measured by the X-ray absorptiometry technique in 2013-2014. Based on T-scores, people with osteoporosis were identified and 70 patients were enrolled in the study after receiving their consent. Finally, DNA was extracted from blood samples, amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique, and sequenced by DNA sequencing method. Results: After DNA extraction from the blood, the quality and quantity were determined by gel electrophoresis and spectrophotometry, respectively. Then, the gene was amplified by the PCR method and the product was detected by gel electrophoresis, followed by sequencing the samples to investigate the presence of the mutation. Eventually, genotypes associated with Cys87Tyr mutation were not observed in the studied population. Conclusion: In the present study, the G354A (Cys87Tyr) mutation associated with idiopathic hyperphosphatasia was not found in women with osteoporosis.

Background and aims: Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) is a common sensory-motor polyneuropathy with a prevalence of 1/2500. It is divided into different subgroups and has various hereditary patterns. Among the different subgroups of CMT, type 1A is the most prevalent form of the disease, which is created due to the duplication of the PMP22 gene. In patients has a deletion in the PMP22 gene, the hereditary neuropathic disease is known to be liable to pressure. The aim of this study was to identify the patients affected by the disease with the new, simple, and fast qPCR method and to investigate the appropriateness of this method in evaluating these types of mutations. Methods: In this analytical-descriptive study (code: IR. SKUMS. REC. 1394. 152), gene duplication and deletion in the patients were studied using the Excel software. The blood samples of 15 families afflicted with CMT and 49 healthy individuals were collected in EDTA anticoagulant tubes and analyzed. DNA extraction and quantitative real-time PCR method were applied for the PMP22 gene as the target gene and the albumin gene as the internal control gene. Results: Two genes were compared in each patient, and it was found that 46% of the subjects had duplication in the PMP22 gene. Conclusion: The qPCR method is an easy and fast way to detect gene duplication and deletion in CMT patients. It does not require any statistical software and can be performed without needing for parental DNA. In addition, the results of this study are consistent with the results of various studies in some countries of the world where the highest levels of deletion and duplication in PMP22 gene are seen.

Background and aims: Water pollution by heavy metals is one of the most important environmental problems. Among the heavy metals, mercury (Hg) is a very toxic metal and its high concentration can lead to impaired pulmonary and renal dysfunction. The aim of this study was to determine the amount of Hg removal by carbon nanotubes coated with manganese (Mn) oxide from aqueous solutions. Methods: In this study, multi-walled carbon nanotubes coated with Mn oxide were prepared and used to remove Hg from aqueous environments. In addition, the physical and structural characteristics of the nanotubes were determined by the X-ray diffraction (XRD). The impact of diverse variables was further investigated, including the initial concentration of Hg, the initial pH of the solution, contact time, mixing rate, as well as the amount of nano-composite and the impacts of confounders (nitrate and chloride). Finally, optimum conditions for each of these parameters were obtained by the Taguchi statistical method. Results: The XRD analysis showed that the nanotubes were properly coated with Mn oxide. Furthermore, the results demonstrated that under pH 7, the rate of mixing of 150 rpm, the contact time of 60 minutes, the amount of nano-composite of 60 mg, and the initial density of Hg 80 mg/L can be achieved by removing 95% Hg. Moreover, the confounder factors of nitrate and chloride reduced the amount of Hg removal by 4 and 5%, respectively. Conclusion: Based on the results, the nanotubes coated with Mn oxide can be used as easy and strong absorbents for the rapid absorption of Hg from drinking water and industrial wastewater.

Background and aims: The positive effects of medicinal herbs on diabetes have been proved in previous studies. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of active Momordica Charantia on the treatment of liver diseases resulting from diabetes and the expression level of the Mcl-1 gene, which is a proapoptotic gene and becomes antiapoptotic in the event of damage. Methods: In this study, 42 adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 7 groups including healthy, diabetic, metformin, 150 mg/kg M. charantia controls, and three groups that received the active M. charantia with doses of 50, 100, and 150 mg/kg. All groups became diabetic with streptozotocin injected intraperitoneally except for the control and M. charantia. Afterward, they received the active M. charantia by gavage for four weeks (three times a week). Finally, the Kruskal-Wallis method was used for comparison among the groups. The statistical tests were analyzed using SPSS software, version 22. Results: The level of Mcl-1 expression in the diabetic control group (C) was significantly higher than that in the healthy control (A) and the M. charantia-receiving control group (B, P < 0. 05). The group receiving 150 mg/kg dose of M. charantia drug (G) had a better effect compared to the group that received 100 mg/kg (F), and this difference was significant (P < 0. 05). This increase indicated that the medication was dose-dependent. Conclusion: In general, a reduction in the level of Mcl-1 gene expression relied on the M. charantia dose. After the development of diabetes, this level significantly increased in the diabetic groups, but decreased after receiving M. charantia, leading to a decrease in the side effects and symptoms associated with diabetes.

Background and aims: Chronic pain is a common health problem that affects various aspects of life. Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) seems to be helpful in improving the quality of life and pain catastrophizing in patients with chronic pain. The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of ACT and physiotherapy on quality of life and pain catastrophizing in patients with chronic pain. Methods: The subjects were 75 women suffering from chronic pain who were considered for physiotherapy. They were randomly divided into 3 groups including ACT, physiotherapy, and control groups. The control group consisted of 25 patients who were on the waiting list for physiotherapy. The first group participated in 8 sessions of ACT, the second group attended 10 sessions of physiotherapy, and the control group received no treatment. The Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS) developed by Sullivan et al and the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF) questionnaire were used in this study. Results: The results showed that the quality of life in the ACT group was significantly higher than that in the physiotherapy group and control group (P < 0. 001). Moreover, there was no significant difference between the ACT and physiotherapy groups in reducing pain catastrophizing (P > 0. 05), while this difference was significant between the ACT and control groups (P < 0. 001). Conclusion: In general, ACT leads to a reduction in pain catastrophizing and an increase in the quality of life of patients with chronic pain. Therefore, beside the current therapy like physiotherapy, ACT can be used as another therapeutic choice for patients with chronic pain.

Background and aims: miRNAs, as a class of non-coding RNAs, take part in different cellular processes. Dysregulation of different miRNAs has been reported in numerous disorders to date. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease with high prevalence in Iran and Th17 cells play an important role in its pathogenesis. In the current study, we aimed to predict the possible role of miR-34a and miR-215 in the process of controlling Th17 differentiation, and hence, their possible impact on the onset and progression of MS. Methods: We investigated probable interactions of miRNAs and genes that participate in Th17 cells differentiation using miRwalk database as an integrative one which utilizes 10 different algorithms to predict miRNA-mRNA interaction. Results: Based on our findings, miR-34a and miR-215 were predicted to have a potential role in the induction of Th17 cells differentiation. Conclusion: Conclusively, miR-34a and miR-215 may up-regulate Th17 cells of MS patients. Since bioinformatics data have shown that these miRNAs suppress negative regulatory genes in Th17 cells differentiation, we suppose that down-regulation of these miRNAs could ameliorate MS symptoms. Therefore, several therapeutic approaches may be considered for these miRNAs besides their application as valuable prognostic/diagnostic biomarkers in detection of various stages of MS.

Background and aims: Carbapenems are the final-line treatments for multidrug-resistant, gram-negative infections. The patterns of resistance to carbapenems among hospital bacterial pathogens vary widely across different hospitals in a country. Considering that Escherichia coli is one of the most important causes of nosocomial infections, it is essential to study its drug resistance. Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study, a total of 80 samples of E. coli isolated from inpatients with urinary tract infections (UTIs) were collected in different wards (i. e., women, urology, infectious, and ICU) of Shahrekord hospitals. After the diagnosis and confirmation of bacteria by standard bacteriological methods, their sensitivity to imipenem and meropenem was investigated by the antibiogram (diskdiffusion) method. Then, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined by the E-test strip according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) standard. Results: In this study, resistance to meropenem and imipenem by antibiogram (disc diffusion) was observed in 21 (25. 26%) and 20 (25%) of the isolates, respectively. Twenty isolates had MIC ≥ 4 μ g/mL for meropenem, 13 isolates demonstrated MIC≥ 4 μ g/mL for imipenem, and 14 isolates had 1≤ MIC<4 μ g/mL and were semi-sensitive. Conclusion: In general, E. coli had significant resistance to carbapenems. Therefore, rapid and accurate identification of these strains can be a major step to the treatment and control of these strains and prevention of the spread of the resistance.

Hydatid cyst develops as a slowly growing cyst in patients infected with echinococcosis, which is caused by larval stages of cestodes (tapeworms) of the genus Echinococcus, and is also known as hydatidosis. Echinococcus granulosus is the most common Echinococcus species involving humans. Echinococcosis can involve any organ. The liver, followed by the lungs, is the most commonly involved organ. Hydatid cyst in the head and neck is so rare that only a few cases have so far been reported. The case reported here is an unusual location of hydatidosis even in countries where echinococcal infection is endemic. She is a 15-year-old girl presenting with asymptomatic cervical cyst. The result of the cervical computed tomography scan was similar to a benign congenital cyst but the frozen section demonstrated a hydatid cyst that was confirmed by final histopathology. We were encouraged to report this case due to the rarity of its location and difference between clinico-radiological presentations and frozen section.