Journal of Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences
Year:2019 | Volume:21 | Issue:1|Papers Count:9

Background and aims: Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a strong independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of short sprint interval training (SIT) and combined aerobic + resistance training (A+R) on Framingham risk score (FRS) and metabolic syndrome severity scores (MetS score) in overweight women with T2D. Methods: In this single-blind randomized clinical trial, 52 overweight females afflicted with T2D (aged 45-60 years, BMI>30 kg/m2, HbA1C ≥ 6. 5%) were randomly assigned to either SIT (n = 17), combined training (n = 17), and control groups (n = 18). Interventions consisted of SIT or combined aerobic-strength training for 10 weeks. Data were analyzed using a paired t test to compare pretest and posttest results in each group. A one-way ANOVA was employed to compare the number of changes in the experimental and control training groups after 10 weeks. Results: The results indicated that there were significant differences between the groups in FRS (P = 0. 001). However, no difference was found in Mets score (P = 0. 160). In addition, significant differences were observed in FRS between SIT and combined training groups (P = 0. 018) and also SIT and control groups (P = 0. 001). Conclusion: The results highlighted that SIT as compared to the combined training could be an effective strategy to improve FRS and Mets score in women with T2D.

Background and aims: Depression is considered a disease which is associated with various complications including suicide and imposes high costs on the health systems. The present study aimed to determine the effectiveness of group religious intervention on spiritual wellbeing and symptom reduction in patients with depression. Methods: In this clinical trial, 72 patients with depression were included using convenience sampling technique and then were randomly divided into patients with depression who underwent pharmacotherapy alone (group I) and those who underwent pharmacotherapy and religious intervention (group II). In addition, the religious group II participated in 5 90-minute sessions within three weeks and received the routine drug treatment. Then, a demographic questionnaire, Paloutzian and Ellison’ s Spiritual Well-Being scale, and Hamilton Depression scale were completed. Finally, the data were analyzed by the SPSS software, version 18. Results: There was no significant difference between the demographic characteristics of the patients (P > 0. 05). However, the mean scores of religious and existential aspects of spiritual health, as well as the mean total score of spiritual health after the intervention were significantly higher in group II who received religious intervention compared to group I (P < 0. 05). Conversely, the mean score of depression significantly decreased in groups I and II after the study (P < 0. 001). In other words, after intervention, the mean score of depression was significantly lower in group II who received religious intervention compared to the group I (P = 0. 038). Conclusion: In general, religious intervention, reduced the symptoms of depression in patients in addition to increasing the level of the spiritual health of the patients.

Background and aims: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a polygenic, inflammatory disease with a complex genetic inheritance that affects almost all the organs and systems of the host body. According to studies, STAT4 is a susceptible gene that can participate in the development of SLE in different populations. The aim of this study was to show the association between rs7582694 single nucleotide polymorphism with increased risk of SLE disease and two serological symptoms of the disease (i. e., anti-dsDNA and ANA) in the population residing in Lorestan province. Methods: The present study was conducted as a case control research. In this study, the prevalence of STAT4 gene G/C (rs7582694) single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the patients with SLE (n=122) and in control group (n=127) was investigated among a sample population from Lorestan province. This SNP was genotyped based on using two methods including PCR-RFLP (polymerase chain reactionrestriction fragment length polymorphism) and tetra-primer ARMS-PCR (amplification-refractory mutation system) methods. Results: According to the obtained results, the frequency of minor allele C from this SNP (related allele with the disease) as compared to the major allele G (normal allele) was significantly higher in SLE patients than the controls. In addition, it showed a significant association (odds ratio [OR] = 1. 623, 95% CI = 1. 111-2. 370, P = 0. 012) with susceptibility to SLE. Moreover, a significant correlation (OR = 2. 249, 95% CI = 1. 031– 4. 904, P = 0. 042) was found between the rs7582694 CC genotype and the risk of SLE in the population of Lorestan. Conclusion: Overall, based on the results it can be concluded that there was a relationship between the STAT4 gene G/C (rs7582694) SNP and the increased risk of SLE. However, no association was observed between the above-mentioned gene and anti-dsDNA or ANA that are some of the symptoms of SLE.

Background and aims: Measurement of the cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) (VO2peak) is not possible in every clinical and exercise setting due to complexity, cost, and time required. Submaximal field exercise test in an alternative method. Among exercise tests, the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) measures the maximal distance which a person can walk in 6 minutes. The purpose of the present study was to develop and cross-validate the VO2peak prediction equation based on the 6MWT in boys. Methods: VO2peak was measured by Bruce treadmill protocol with gas analysis in 157 healthy boys (13-17 years old). The 6MWT and anthropometric variables were measured according to standard methods. Data were analyzed using Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, Pearson correlation, and multiple regression analysis. Results: It was found that VO2peak of the boys had a significant correlation with 6MWT and anthropometric variables (r=0. 318-0. 853). VO2peak of the adolescent boys could be predicted by the distance walked in 6 minutes and body mass index (BMI) (R2 = 0. 825, SEE = 2. 81 mL/kg/min, P < 0. 001). When the new VO2peak prediction equation was applied for the subjects of this study, predicted VO2peak had a high correlation with measured VO2peak (r = 0. 908, P < 0. 001). Conclusion: The 6MWT and proposed native VO2peak prediction equation could be used as a simple and safe tool for measurement of the CRF in the boys. It seems that physicians, exercise and fitness coaches, and physiotherapists could be able to evaluate the effect of medical and exercise prescriptions on the CRF of the boys via performing the 6MWT. This claim needs future studies.

Background and aims: Soluble or circulating form of Klotho (i. e., anti-aging and longevity protein) has biological effects on various body cells and tissues. Considering the role of exercise training on protective proteins, the present study aimed to investigate and compare the effects of short-term high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) on plasma levels of Klotho, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and malondialdehyde (MDA). Methods: In this study, 24 male Wistar rats with a weight range of 250-300 g and 8-10 weeks old were randomly divided into control, HIIT, and MICT groups. Training included five consecutive days on the treadmill. HIIT including 6×2 minutes high intermittence with 85%-90% Vo2max and 5×2 minutes slow intermittence (active recovery) with 55%-60% Vo2max. MICT program was performed at 70% Vo2max that total distance running was the same for the HIIT group. Then, the plasma levels of Klotho, TAC, and MDA were measured by ELISA assay. Finally, one-way ANOVA and post-hoc Tukey tests were used for statistical analysis. Results: Based on the results, a significant increase was observed in plasma levels of Klotho and TAC in both HIIT and MICT groups compared to the control group (P < 0. 001) while these changes were significantly more dominant in the HIIT group compared to MICT group (P = 0. 024). However, the results demonstrated no significant difference between the groups regarding MDA (P = 0. 109). Contrarily, the finding revealed a significant positive correlation between Klotho and TAC (r=0. 79, 0. 83, 0. 79 in control, HIIT, and MICT groups, respectively, P < 0. 05), whereas a significant negative association between Klotho with MDA within all the groups (r=-0. 78,-0. 86, and-0. 81). Conclusion: In general, even short-term aerobic exercise training, especially HIIT increases circulating Klotho and TAC, therefore, this can confirm the positive effects of the training-induced exercise.

Background and aims: Irrational beliefs in brilliant talent students can influence their psychological hardiness and lead to adverse social and academic outcomes. The present study mainly aimed to compare the effectiveness of group reality therapy and positive psychotherapy in improving the irrational beliefs and psychological hardiness of male brilliant talent high school students in Shahrekord during 2017. Methods: The present experimental research, used pretest and posttest design including intervention and control groups. The study population included all the male gifted students in Shahrekord (N=276) who were first screened and then, 60 individuals were selected by convenience random sampling. Next, the individuals were assigned a number and then divided into two experimental groups (each containing 20 students) and one control group (including 20 students) using a random number table. Afterward, group reality therapy and positive psychotherapy interventions were performed within eight and ten weeks for the experimental groups, respectively. In addition, Jones Irrational Beliefs Test (IBT) and Kobasa’ s Psychological Hardiness Scale were employed to data collection. Six months after post-test implementation, the students were followed up. Finally, the data were analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVA and Bonferroni post hoc test. Results: The findings revealed that group reality therapy and positive psychotherapy led to a decrease in irrational beliefs while such therapies improved psychological hardiness in brilliant talent students (P < 0. 001). Conversely, the results of the post-hoc test indicated no significant difference between the effects of group reality therapy and positive psychotherapy on irrational beliefs and psychological hardiness in brilliant talent students (P > 0. 05). Conclusion: In general, group reality therapy and positive psychotherapy reduced irrational beliefs whereas they improved psychological hardiness of the brilliant talent students and therefore, these therapies can be used as effective interventions for the intended population.

Background and aims: Platinum resistance has been one of the most important problems in the management of ovarian cancer. The effects of various chemotherapeutic agents are limited in patients with platinum resistance. Therefore, developing new anticancer drugs that can improve the effect of currently used cytostatics is critical. The current study investigated the effects of valproic acid (VPA) alone and in combination with cisplatin on ovarian cancer cells. Methods: In this experimental study, the human ovarian cancer cell lines (A2780-S and A2780-CP) were grown in RPMI-1640 medium in appropriate culture conditions. The cells were treated with various concentrations of cisplatin (0. 15-400 μ g/mL) or VPA (10-2000 μ g/mL) and were incubated for 24, 48, and 72 hours. Moreover, A2780 cells were co-treated with different concentrations of cisplatin and VPA for 48 hours. Afterward, cell viability was investigated using MTT assay. GraphPad Prism statistical software was used for the data analysis and ANOVA and Duncan’ s test were conducted. Results: A dose-and time-dependent reduction was observed in cell viability following the treatment with cisplatin or VPA. Moreover, cotreatment of the A2780 cells with cisplatin and VPA resulted in a significantly greater inhibition of cell viability compared to the treatment with either agent alone. Conclusion: Overall, it can be argued that VPA does not only cause inhibition of proliferation and induction of apoptosis in ovarian cancer cells but also helps to enhance the antiproliferative effects of cisplatin and results in the increased susceptibility to cisplatin in resistant cells. VPA may therefore be used to treat cancer in the future.

Background and aims: The “ postural control” is one of the important abilities to maintain body balance especially during upright stances which is a basic requirement in human life. The role of proprioception in the ankle joint function is essential to maintain balance and function correctly during gate and upright stances. Fatigue is one of the essential factors disrupting the proprioception. The purpose of the present study was to compare effective interventions on plantar and ankle proprioception in balance control with and without fatigue. Methods: Twenty female college students participated in this study. The participants taped the ankle or wore three types of insoles (i. e., normal, 10-degree lateral, and medial wedge) before and after using a fatigue protocol with and without visual information. Their static and dynamic balance was evaluated by the Biodex Balance System (BBS). Data analysis was performed employing the SPSS software. Besides, the significance level was considered at 0. 05. Results: The results indicated that application of wedge insoles was associated with a significant reduction of postural sway during static balance position. In addition, the 10-degree lateral wedge insole had a greater effect for improving the balance of non-visual position after using the fatigue protocol. However, there were no significant differences between taping and insole types regarding improving the dynamic balance. Conclusion: Generally, it was inferred that wedge insoles could be used to improve the static balance with and without fatigue. However, Kinesio tape had no effect on static balance. Moreover, results regarding the effectiveness of the studied interventions in relation to the dynamic balance improvement were not significant.

Background and aims: Gamma radiation is widely being used in medical-imaging centers. The aim of this study was to measure possible alterations in serum zinc and selenium levels among nuclear medicine staff. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out on 30 nuclear medicine staff as well as on 10 individuals as the control group. Blood samples (20 mL) were obtained from the participants and the serum specimens were isolated by centrifugation at 4000 rpm for 7 minutes. The samples were then used for measurement of zinc and selenium levels. Zinc and selenium levels were measured using atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) with a graphite furnace. The mean serum levels of zinc and selenium were compared using SPSS. Results: The mean level of zinc in the radiated group (70. 91± 14. 46 μ mol/L) was significantly lower than that in the control group (89. 75± 17. 35 μ mol/L) (P = 0. 002). A negative significant correlation was found between the duration of exposure to radiation and zinc levels (P = 0. 005). Furthermore, a negative significant relationship was observed between the mean radiation dose after 5 years and zinc concentration (P = 0. 019). Non-significant difference was found in the mean level of selenium between control (1. 71± 0. 35 μ mol/L) and radiation (2. 13± 1. 12 μ mol/L) groups. Furthermore, no significant correlation was found between selenium level and exposure time. Conclusion: Based on the results, declined level of zinc can be considered as one of the possible mechanisms caused by gamma radiation on cells which may be associated with oxidative damage. Therefore, zinc therapy can be helpful for those who work at medical radiation centers; however, it merits further studies.