Studies in Medical Sciences
Year:2020 | Volume:31 | Issue:9|Papers Count:8

Distemper virus is a Morbillivirus (in the family Paramyxoviridae) that can cause contagious disease in dogs. The virus affects the respiratory, digestive, and nervous systems after transmission. In this study, we reported a case of human infection and involvement with the Distemper virus. A 31-year-old man was diagnosed with clinical signs of Distemper in dogs. After serologic tests on saliva, blood samples were taken and RNA was extracted and cDNA synthesis was performed by PCR, and Sequencing was performed on the sample. The results of serological tests on individual saliva and PCR on cDNA from the whole blood sample of the patient and genetic sequencing revealed the results of rejection of viral interference in the tests and accuracy of Distemper virus detection. As the first cause of the disease was in humans. The results of this study revealed human infection and involvement with Distemper virus and the necessity of preventive measures such as specific vaccination against the Distemper virus in the wild and domestic animal community.

Background & Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective effects of raspberry fruit extract (Rubus fruticosus L. ) on LH, FSH, testosterone serum levels, and number and percentage of sperm motility in male diabetic rats induced with streptozotocin. Materials & Methods: In this experimental study, 50 Wistar male rats were used and divided into five groups: (control), diabetic (STZ, 55mg/kg, i. p), and treatment groups (DM + raspberry fruit extract: 50, 100, 200 mg/kg/day, 4 weeks). At the end of experiments, the LH, FSH and testosterone serum levels and the number and percentage of sperm motility were examined. The data were statistically analyzed by ANOVA test. Results: The LH and FSH serum levels increased significantly in DM group compared with other groups (p<0. 05). After treatment with raspberry fruit extract, the LH and FSH serum levels decreased significantly compared with DM group (p<0. 05). The testosterone serum level and the number and percentage of sperm motility decreased significantly in the DM group (p<0. 05). The use of raspberry fruit extract significantly increased testosterone serum level and the number and percentage of sperm motility in treatment groups (p<0. 05). Conclusion: Our results showed that raspberry fruit extract increased testosterone hormone in DM rats, and also improved spermatogenesis and ameliorating pituitary-gonadal axis function.

Background & Aims: A successful treatment in the field of medical sciences depends on an accurate diagnosis. In orthodontic diagnosis and treatment planning also analyzing the sagittal jaw base relationship is important. Various methods have been suggested for this. This study aimed to investigate the accuracy of beta angle in sagittal jaw base relationship diagnosis. Materials & Methods: In this cross-sectional analytical study, by clinical examination and consideration of facial profile, dental occlusion and evaluation of the pre-treatment special lateral cephalometric indices, a total of 112 patients (36 male and 76 female) with mean age of 14. 8 ± 3 years were selected by simple non-random sampling (35 patients in class I, 41 in class II and 36 in class III group). Then, the beta angle was hand traced by the Baik's method. Also, mean and standard deviation of the beta angle in three malocclusion groups were calculated and their sensitivity and specificity were measured by the ANOVA, Wilks' lambda, and Discriminant analysis tests. Results: According to data analysis, the mean of beta angle in the three groups mentioned above (class I, II, III) is 32. 5 ± 2. 8, 25. 9 ± 4 and 40. 3 ± 3. 8, respectively and there are significant differences (p=0) in three groups. The cutoff point in differentiating class I from II is 29 degrees and for the class I from III is 36. In other words, the values less than 29 showed skeletal class II pattern and the values higher than 36 indicated class III pattern. According to these results, the sensitivity and specificity in differentiating class I from class II are 74% and 88. 5% while the sensitivity and specificity in differentiating class I from class III are 88% and 91%, respectively. Conclusion: Beta angle by itself shows each patient's belonging to skeletal class I, II or III groups to amount of 78. 6%.

Background & Aims: Common nutritional mistakes cause inflammation and homeostasis disruption in heart cells. Inflammasome complex is one of the pathways that induces inflammation and degradation of cardiac protein regeneration. The aim of the present study was to investigate changes in NLRP1inflammasome, PI3k, apoptosis, and histopathology of heart tissue following aerobic physical activity and octopamine supplementation in male rats poisoned with deep-fried oil (DFO). Materials & Methods: 30 Wistar male rats (300 to 350 g) were randomly divided into 5 groups (n = 6): control, deep-fried oil, deep-fried oil + aerobic exercise, deep-fried oil + octopamine supplement (Sup), and deep-fried oil + aerobic exercise + octopamine. During the study, DFO was orally administered to the rats (gavage 10 ml/kg) for 4 weeks (morning). The dose of octopamine was 81 mol/kg (Intraperitoneal injection) and dissolved in 9% normal saline. It was injected into supplement groups 2 hours after the exercise program. The rats in the training group also exercised at a moderate intensity at 50% vo2max in the first week and 65% vo2max in the last week. Changes in NLRP1 gene expression and PI3k protein expression were performed by RT Pcr and IHC. The tunnel assay was also used to evaluate apoptotic cells. Results: Consumption of DFO caused a significant increase in tissue damage (p = 0. 001) and collagen deposition (p = 0. 001) to heart tissue. Also, DFO gavage for 4 weeks in rat model increased tissue damage, mRNA NLRP1 inflammasome, and apoptotic cells (p = 0. 001) and also significantly decreased protein expression of PI3K (p = 0. 001). Examination of tissue changes also revealed that deep-fried oil + octopamine and deep-fried oil + aerobic exercise + octopamine groups showed a significant decrease in collagen deposition (p<0. 05). Therapeutic interventions also reduced the levels of mRNA NLRP1 and Apoptosis cell and increased protein expression of PI3K. Most of these changes were related to the deep-fried oil + aerobic exercise + octopamine group (p<0. 05). Conclusion: The results of the present study showed that taking octopamine with aerobic exercise for 4 weeks can control the inflammasome complex (reduction of NLRP1 mRNA) followed by reduction of apoptosis and improvement of cardiac cell regeneration capacity (PI3K protein expression) in the model of nutritional disorders induced by DFO. Therefore, it can be concluded that octopamine supplementation with exercise can have a cardiac protection effect in non-smart nutritional conditions.

Background & Aim: PET is a very useful and suitable imaging method in nuclear medicine. This method uses positrons with a special energy for imaging. The elements of the lanthanide are suitable for the decay of positrons with a specific energy for use in PET. Praseodymium-139 with a half-life of 4. 5 hours is one of the useful elements in the group of lanthanides that can be used in PET. In this study, the 140 Pr reaction to produce the useful radiopharmaceutical Praseodymium-139 was simulated by the TALYS code with four different models and also by the GEANT4 Monte Carlo code. The purpose of this simulation is to calculate the cross-sectional area of the reaction and the production efficiency of praseodymium-139 in the proton irradiated cerium-140 target. Materials & Methods: The values of cross-section and production yield of Praseodymium-139 have been obtained through 139 Ce (p, 2n) Pr reaction using TALYS and GEANT4 codes and the proton projectile range changes in the cerium-140 target were simulated using SRIM and GEANT4 codes. Results: Proton range changes are shown using the SRIM and GEANT4 codes in the Cerium-140 target for different energies of the entrance protons. The range of protons in cerium-140 at 22 MeV energy was calculated to be 1610 and 1637. 5 micrometers, respectively. Then the cross-sectional values simulated using TALYS and GEANT4 codes for different energies of the entrance protons were compared with the experimental data. At the energy of 5. 22 MeV, the cross section of Praseodymium139 has the maximum amount in the reaction 140 139 Ce(p, 2n) Pr. The thickness of the production thickness was calculated from the target of cerium-140 for different proton energies. The cross-sectional values obtained in this energy using these two codes are 1150. 7 and 1350. 4 bar, respectively. Also, the amount of product yield in the energy of 22 MeV was calculated using these codes, 1832. 1 and 1782. 83 MBqµ A 140 139 Ce(p, 2n) 1-1, respectively. Discussion and conclusion: Comparison of the simulation results for the product of praseodymium-139 radiopharmaceuticals through the h Pr reaction using the TALYS code and the GEANT4 and SRIM Monte Carlo methods show that they are in good agreement with the experimental data. It is also possible to simulate the desired reaction using these codes without spending a lot of time and money and laboratory materials and before the production of radiopharmaceuticals, and to predict the values of production efficiency and the appropriate range of energy for the production of radiopharmaceuticals.

Background & Aims: Immune system abnormalities such as inflammation, increased autoimmunity and the skewed expression of soluble mediators, including cytokines have been observed in autistic patients. The present study aimed to compare the effects of vitamin D supplementation and/or aquatic exercise training on the serum level of inflammatory cytokines, including IL-1β and IL1RA, and stereotypic behaviors (S. B) of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Materials & Methods: We recruited 40 children with ASD (aged 6-14) and divided them into the aquatic exercise (n = 10), vitamin D supplementary (n=10), aquatic +supplementation (n=10), and control (n=10) groups. Participants in the aquatic exercise group performed water-based activities for 10 weeks/2 sessions per week/60 min, while the participants of the supplementary group orally received 50, 000 IU vitamin D3/ day, and the combined group received both exercise and supplementation, control group did not get any intervention. We evaluated the participants’ serum levels of IL-1β , IL-1RA and S. B scores at baseline and the end of the treatment. Results: Results revealed that all three interventional approaches improved behavioral symptoms and IL-1β serum level; interestingly, only the combined intervention could significantly affect IL-1RA. Conclusions: We concluded that both aqua-based exercise and vitamin D supplements could lead to significant improvement in serum cytokine levels and behavioral problems in children with ASD.

Background & Aims: Health care-associated infections (HCAIs) are a major patient safety concern, and consequently prevention should be a top priority for institutions. Hand hygiene is the most effective way to reduce nosocomial infections. Materials & Methods: 296 medical students in different wards of university hospitals in Urmia participated in this descriptive study. They completed a hand wash checklist and a hand hygiene questionnaire. Finally, the obtained data were analyzed using SPSS25 software. Results: The results showed that 48% were male and 52% were female with an average age of 24. 5 ± 2. 9 years. Most of the participants were recruited from Imam Khomeini Hospital (%35) while only%5/8 of the participants were recruited from Razi Hospital. 34. 7% of the participants were extern, 44. 6% were intern and 20. 6% were resident. The average level of awareness of hand hygiene was 47%, the minimum level of awareness was 31% and the maximum level of awareness was 69%. The average attitude toward hand hygiene principles among medical students was 31% (weak), the lowest attitude was 22% (weak) and the highest attitude was 58% (good). The average performance of hand hygiene practice principles was 39% (weak), the lowest was 22% (weak) and the highest was 51% (good). The average level of awareness of hand hygiene principles among female and male medical students were 50% and 44%, respectively. The average attitude among female medical students was 40% and average attitude among male medical students was 26%. The average performance of the principles of manual health practice among female and male medical students were 26% and 23% (acceptable), respectively. The average level of awareness, attitude, and performance of hand hygiene principles among students of external course, internship, and residency were 51%, 40% and 35%; 45%, 28% and 17%,; and 47%, 38% and 25%, respectively. In general, the average performance of hand hygiene principles among students in the ICU, surgical department and internal medicine department were 48%, 40%, and 27%, respectively. Conclusion: Due to low-level attitude and knowledge of medical students regarding hand hygiene and the necessity of hand hygiene in preventing infection, as well as the importance of patient health during the hospitalization period, it is essential to hold in-service training classes in the field of hand hygiene to improve and promote hand hygiene.

Background & Aims: The clinical value of T wave inversion (TWI) in the lead aVL in diagnosing coronary artery disease (CAD) remains unclear. Hence, we aim to evaluate the association between TWI in the aVL lead and the severity and location of coronary artery stenosis in elective coronary angiography. Material and Method: Electrocardiograms (ECGs) of 167 consecutive patients undergoing elective coronary angiography were analyzed. All patients had chronic stable angina. Patients with secondary T wave inversion had been excluded (67 patients). Detailed ECG and coronary angiographic findings were interpreted by experienced cardiologists. A total of 50 patients with isolated T wave inversion in the aVL lead (without other ECG abnormalities) and 50 control subjects with normal electrocardiogram were studied. Results: Of the 100 enrolled subjects, 54 were males and 47 were females and the mean age in this study was 63. 77± 9. 2 years old (range 44-81). There was a significant relationship between the severity of stenosis in the LAD artery and TWI in the aVL lead (P<0. 0001). The sensitivity and specificity of TWI in the aVL lead for LAD artery stenosis were 74% and 65%, respectively. Conclusion: According to our study, TWI in the aVL lead exhibits a meaningful correlation with LAD artery stenosis, which is mostly associated with the stenosis of the middle portion of the artery, with relatively high sensitivity and specificity.