Journal of Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences
Year:2020 | Volume:22 | Issue:2|Papers Count:8

Background and aims: Today, the prevalence of structural and functional disorders of sperm and subsequently the possibility of occurrence of autism, spontaneous abortion, and infertility has increased dramatically. This study aimed to investigate the potential effects of myoinositol and N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) on the improvement of processed spermatozoa indices. Methods: In this study, 63 patients with male factor infertility were studied in Hazrat Zahra Infertility Center of Shahrekord. To do liquefaction, the semen sample was incubated at 37° C for 20 minutes. The Density Gradient Centrifugation protocol was used to process sperm. The processed sperm samples were incubated at 37° C for 20 minutes in four groups of control, myo-inositol (2 mg/mL), NAC antioxidant (10 Mm/L) and myo-inositol+NAC. All biological parameters of sperm were evaluated using Makler slide, SQA-V sperm analyzer gold version 2. 48, TUNEL assay, and Toluidine blue staining. Results: In the present study, 63 men aged 22-58 years with infertility complaints were studied. The NAC group and the myo-inositol group exhibited significantly higher motility in comparison with the control group (P < 0. 001). The NAC group also had a significantly higher number of TUNEL-negative cells and a lower number of TUNEL-positive cells than the control group (P < 0. 01), but in other variables, the differences were not statistically significant. The morphology, S0, S1, S2 and staining types in the intervention groups did not show any significant difference compared to those in the control group (P > 0. 05). Conclusion: NAC and myo-inositol were able to improve certain indices such as sperm motility and integrity; therefore, the quality of sperm could be improved by these drugs to treat infertility.

Background and aims: The imbalance between energy intake and consumption has been recognized as an important factor contributing to the gestational weight gain (GWG). Additionally, the determination of the effect of macronutrient composition on GWG has been recommended by researchers. Therefore, we examined the effect of nutrition education on weight gain, energy, and energy-adjusted macronutrients intake during three trimesters of pregnancy which have not been widely studied. Methods: This randomized single-blinded clinical trial was performed on 192 primiparous pregnant women in Isfahan, Iran, from May 2015 to September 2016. Data were collected using a questionnaire completed through interviews with pregnant women and prenatal care-related records. We developed an individualized calorie-appropriate diet for each participant at enrollment and then three 45-60 minute training sessions were held at 6-10, 18, and 26 weeks of pregnancy and the subjects’ weights were measured during these sessions. A consecutive 3-day food intake record at 6-10, 18 and 34-36 weeks was obtained from two groups to determine the macronutrients. Moreover, physical activity scores were estimated before and after the intervention. Results: The mean weights at 18, 26, and 40 weeks of gestation were significantly lower in the intervention group ( P = 0. 024, P = 0. 040, and P = 0. 015, respectively). The total energy, energy-adjusted carbohydrate and protein intake at 6-10, 18, and 34-36 weeks of gestation were not significantly different between the two groups (P > 0. 05). However, the mean energy-adjusted fat intake decreased ( P = 0. 043). In addition, the mean energy-adjusted dietary fiber intake was significantly higher in the intervention group ( P = 0. 001). Conclusion: In the present individualized calorie-appropriate trial, the mean weights decreased during three trimesters in the intervention group. Additionally, calorie, energy-adjusted carbohydrate and protein intake did not change after intervention while energy-adjusted fat intake decreased.

Background and aims: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of 2 months of endurance training (ET) along with ginger consumption on the serum levels of liver enzymes (ALT and AST), enzymatic activity of superoxide dismutase, and malondialdehyde (MDA) in liver tissue in male Wistar rats. Material and Methods: 40 adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 groups according to the weight as follows: control (n=8), sham (n=8), ET (n=8), ginger (n=8), and ET + ginger (n=8). The training protocol was an ET program on a treadmill for two months (5 days a week). Besides standard water and food, in groups using the supplement, 100 mg of ginger solution per kg body weight of the rats was injected three days a week. Then, 48 hours after the last training session and after 8 hours of fasting, blood and tissue samples were collected over night and the serum levels of liver enzymes (ALT and AST), MDA level of the liver tissue, and activity of the liver superoxide dismutase (SOD) were measured. One-way ANOVA and Tukey post-hoc test were used for data analysis. Results: The results showed that after 8 weeks, the activity of liver SOD in ET group (131. 7 ± 18. 6, P = 0. 001) and ET + Ginger group (130. 2 ± 31. 3, P = 0. 001) significantly increased in comparison with the control group (83. 8 ± 14. 9). Moreover, liver MDA levels in the ET group (0. 38 ± 0. 08, P = 0. 008) and ET + Ginger group (0. 37 ± 0. 09, P = 0. 013) significantly increased in comparison with the control group (0. 25. 0 ± 03). However, 8 weeks of ET coupled with ginger consumption had no effects on the serum levels of AST and ALT (P > 0. 05). Furthermore, ginger had no effect on MDA level and enzymatic activity of SOD (P > 0. 05). Conclusion: This study does not support the protective effects of ginger on the reduction of liver enzymes levels and improvement of the antioxidant status.

Background and aims: Caring for patients with multiple sclerosis causes family caregivers many problems and challenges. Self-management interventions can facilitate the caring process and increase the quality of patient care. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a self-management program on Self-concept of the family caregivers of multiple sclerosis patients. Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted in 2018 at the MS Treatment Center of Shahrekord. The samples were selected through convenience sampling method. First, participants were assigned to two groups of men and women by stratified random sampling, and then men and women were assigned randomly to intervention (n=35) and control (n=35) groups. For the intervention group, the selfmanagement program was implemented twice a week in 8 sessions. Data collection was performed using the Coopersmith self-concept Inventory in two groups before, immediately after, and three months after the intervention. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 16. 0. Results: The mean scores of self-concept in the intervention and control groups before the intervention were 72. 6± 9. 1 and 72± 10. 6, respectively. There was no significant difference between the mean score of self-concept between the intervention and control groups before the intervention (P > 0. 05). The mean scores of self-concept immediately after the intervention in the two groups were 86. 4± 9. 2 and 73± 10. 6, and three months after the intervention, they were 103± 7. 4 and 73. 9± 10. 5, respectively. A significant increase in the scores of self-concept in the intervention group (P<0. 001) was observed. Moreover, the independent t test showed a significant difference in the two groups immediately after and three months after the intervention (P<0. 001). Conclusion: Self-management program increased the self-concept of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients’ caregivers. Therefore, selfmanagement can play a critical role in improving the quality of life of family caregivers and coping with the physical and psychological stress related to their caring role.

Background and aims: The cardiac angiogenesis is one of the complications of diabetes. The oxidative stress occurs when there is an imbalance between the production of free radicals and antioxidant defense of the body. In diabetes mellitus, hyperglycemia induces increased oxidative stress through biological processes. Diabetes is also associated with reduced antioxidant defense by reducing glutathione, catalase, and superoxide dismutase. Rosa damascena Mill has antioxidant properties. This study aimed to investigate the effects of hydroalcoholic extract of R. damascena Mill on cardiac angiogenesis in diabetic rats. Methods: In this experimental study carried out in 2016, a total of 48 adult male Wistar rats (190-200 g) were randomly divided into 8 groups (n = 6) including control, extracts (200, 400, and 1000 mg/kg), diabetic, and diabetic plus extracts (200, 400, and 1000 mg/kg). Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal (i. p. ) injection of streptozotocin (STZ) (50 mg/kg) and the rats were gavaged with different doses of extract for 30 days. At the end of the treatment, serum levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were determined by enzymelinked immunosorbent assay and the rat hearts were removed for immunohistochemistry study. Results: The treatment with hydroalcoholic extract of R. damascene Mill had no significant effect on cardiac capillary density [F (7, 40) = 0. 5, P > 0. 05] and the serum levels of VEGF [F (7, 40) = 0. 406, P > 0. 05]. However, there was no significant difference in blood glucose level in extract groups compared to control rats as well as diabetic plus extract groups compared to diabetic rats [F (7, 40) = 0. 787, P > 0. 05]. Conclusion: According to our results, the hydroalcoholic extract of R. damascene Mill had no effect on cardiac angiogenesis in the normal and diabetic subjects. These findings were probably due to the insufficient amounts of effective ingredients, especially flavonoids, in this plant, or the duration of extract administration.

Background and aims: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is known as the fourth leading cause of death across the world. The fate of patients depends on the metastatic spread of cancer cells. Micrometastases are small clusters of cancer cells with no diagnostic evidence during diagnosis and surgery. Therefore, experimental models for micrometastasis are necessary to investigate tumors. We developed a mouse model to evaluate micrometastasis of colon carcinoma cells by systemic injection of tumor cells. Methods: In this study, stably transfected CT26 cells expressing Leishmania major GP63 were intravenously (IV) injected into BALB/c mice for induction of micrometastases. The mice were divided into three groups and the groups were sacrificed on days 3, 7, and 14 of the injection. reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was performed on tissue samples to detect Gp63 gene. Results: Our results showed the successful construction and transfection of pcDNA3 L. major Gp63 into CT26 cells. After IV injection, total cellular RNA was extracted and the Gp63 gene was detected in the liver, lung, and kidney but not in the colon. Conclusion: Due to the significance of micrometastasis and the need to establish simple models for cancer research, an experimental mouse model was developed. CT26 tumor cells stably expressing Gp63 generated a potent system for diagnosis of micrometastatic cells in tissues. Injection into the tail vein is a practical model for cancer research because of the lower fatality rate and no need for anesthesia.

Background and aims: It has recently been documented that obesity is a global problem in all age groups, so that it affects about 250 million people in the world, accounting for 7% of the world’ s population. Adipose tissue has an important role in inducing lung dysfunction through production and secretion of adipokines such as leptin. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a period of aerobic training on lung function indices and serum leptin levels in obese men. Methods: A total of 23 untrained obese men in Arak were recruited voluntarily for the study and randomly assigned to obese aerobic training group (Ob-AT, n = 12) (45. 26 ± 2. 45 years, body mass index (BMI) of 31. 81 ± 0. 77 kg/m2) and obese control group (Ob-Cnt, n = 11) (47. 03 ± 3. 36 years, BMI of 31. 45 ± 0. 96 kg/m2). Another normal control group (No-Cnt, n = 9) was sampled from individuals with normal weight to compare at the base level (45. 1 ± 4. 1 years, BMI of 24. 63 ± 0. 45 kg/m2). The obese exercise group participated in 12 weeks of progressive aerobic training, 3 sessions a week, 1. 5 hours per session. Body composition (CT scan), leptin levels and lung function were measured before and after exercise protocol. Results: The participants with normal weight had significantly lower leptin concentration (P = 0. 01) and a higher lung function (P = 0. 016) compared to the obese participants. Moreover, the results indicated that leptin and obesity had an inverse correlation with lung function indices (forced vital capacity [FVC] and forced expiratory volume in one second [FEV1]) (P ≤ 0. 05). After the aerobic activity, obesity (BMI, WHR, body fat) and lung function indices (FVC and FEV1) significantly decreased in the obese aerobic training group compared to the obese control group (P ≤ 0. 05). In contrast, leptin concentration significantly decreased after the aerobic exercise protocol (P = 0. 018). Conclusion: We found that leptin level decreased after 12 weeks of aerobic exercise in obese men and this decrease was associated with the increased lung function and profound changes in body fat. The obtained data suggest that 12-week aerobic exercise causes alterations in leptin level that plays a key role in improving lung function.

Dehydration and malignancies are known as the most frequent predisposing factors of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis in older adults despite the fact that 30% of them remain idiopathic cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) cases with no clear etiology. Cases of left sigmoid sinus involvement were rarely reported. Herein, an elderly case of sigmoid sinus thrombosis with unilateral hearing loss with chronic varicose vein in the leg was reported. Sigmoid sinus thrombosis that affects hearing is one of the rare complications of otitis media. Whether or not a large chronic varicose vein in the leg can serve as a predisposing factor for CVT requires further studies. Successful management of anticoagulant therapy prevented serious complications in the patient.