Crescent Journal of Medical and Biological Sciences
Year:2021 | Volume:8 | Issue:3|Papers Count:14

In pregnancy, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection represents an increased risk for severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) when compared to nonpregnant reproductive age women. Especially in the third trimester, it may also be associated with some adverse pregnancy outcomes, like preterm birth (1, 2). Therefore, it seems to be beneficial for both mother and fetus to avoid from this disease during pregnancy. Although various safe and effective vaccines have been developed and distributed across the world to bring the COVID-19 pandemic to an end, enough data to guide vaccine decision making in pregnancy are lacking. Therefore, the clinicians and pregnant women are uncertain about the safety of their administration during pregnancy (3)....

Objectives: Arsenic (As) and lead (Pb) are widespread in the environment and human exposure to these elements has a broad range of toxic effects. However, the knowledge of possible mechanisms of As and Pb in male reproductive toxicity is generally negligible. Materials and Methods: The aim of this study was to investigate the possibility of the presence of Pb or As in the serum of infertile men and the relation between them and DNA damage in the sperm by using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, atomic adsorption, and chromatin attaining. Results: These results showed that there is a significant correlation between high levels of Pb and As in the serum and semen quality in infertile men. Finally, the results of chromatin condensation (CMA3) staining demonstrated a high level of damage in the sperms of infertile men. Conclusions: It was hypothesized that Pb and As have interaction effects on histone to protamine replacement and prevent the chromatin condensation, resulting in a reduction in male fertility.

Objectives: Autonomic nervous system is one of the most important regulators of insulin secretion in type 2 diabetic patients. Considering the neuronal connections between the vestibular nuclei and this system, this study used galvanic vestibular stimulation (GVS) for evaluating the efficacy of this stimulus in controlling the blood glucose level in such patients. Materials and Methods: In this randomized clinical trial study, 48 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus participated in the GVS, sham GVS, and the no-treatment group as the control group (mean age of 50. 79 ± 6. 65 years). In the GVS group, each subject received electrical stimulation three times a week via two electrodes on mastoid processes throughout the 12-week study period. The current for sham stimuli was reduced to zero after about 10 seconds. The blood samples were used to monitor the blood sugar level and HbA1C changes. Body mass index (BMI) changes were assessed as well. The one-way ANOVA technique and Tukey’ s test were applied to compare the values between the groups. A paired-samples t-test was applied to individually compare the baseline and 12-weeks values of BMI, fasting blood sugar, and hemoglobin A1C in the groups. Results: The comparison of the results in the three groups showed a statistically significant reduction in the blood sugar level and BMI in the GVS group (P < 0. 05). Conclusions: The findings of the current study demonstrated that in patients with diabetes, GVS, along with receiving medical treatment, led to a further reduction in the blood sugar level and BMI, and thus this method can be used to treat patients with treatment-resistant diabetes and lower pharmacotherapy.

Objectives: Both Functional constipation and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have a high prevalence among children. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between functional constipation and ADHD. Materials and Methods: In this case-control study, 4-12-year-old children who were diagnosed with functional constipation were included in the case group and children with no functional constipation were included in the control group. Diagnosis of functional constipation was performed according to ROME III criteria. All participants were interviewed for ADHD using the Persian version of Conners’ Parent Rating Scale (short form). Statistical analysis was performed by Chi-square test for investigating the relationship between functional constipation and ADHD. Results: A total of 100 children with functional constipation and 147 children without constipation were selected. Among the functional constipation group, 27 (27%) had a high score for ADHD and among the group without functional constipation, 16 (10. 0%) had a high score for ADHD. The odds ratio was 3. 028 (95% confidence interval = 1. 532-5. 986; P value = 0. 001). There was no statistically significant relationship between constipation and ADHD considering the age and gender. Conclusions: Functional constipation has a relationship with ADHD. The chance of having ADHD is 3 times higher in children with functional constipation. Further studies, particularly cohort studies, are recommended to assess the incidence of ADHD symptoms in infants with functional constipation in the future. Further studies on the possible pathophysiology of the digestive system and bacterial intestinal flora, especially in early childhood and infancy, are suggested for investigating the development of behavioral disorders and ADHD.

Objectives: The 24-hour urine sodium (Na) test is the gold standard method for measuring salt intake in community studies. This study aimed to compare the results of a 24-hour urine Na test with those obtained from the salt taste sensitivity test (STST) in order to validate the STST as a possible substitute for the 24-hour urine Na test. Materials and Methods: Both tests were simultaneously performed on 30 individuals. The results were compared using correlation models. Results: STST results in the tolerance threshold had a strong and positive correlation with the results of the 24-hour urine Na (r=0. 93, P < 0. 001). In addition, the distance between the tolerance threshold and the recognition threshold scores was strongly correlated with the results of 24-hour urine Na (r=0. 830, P < 0. 001). Finally, there was no significant correlation between recognition threshold scores and 24-hour urine Na (r=0. 087, P = 0. 64). Conclusions: In general, the STST showed a promising potential to be replaced with the 24-hour urine Na test in community studies.

Objectives: Prostate cancer (PC) is a complex and heterogeneous disease that arises from both genetic and epigenetic alterations. Survivin acts as a bifunctional controller of apoptosis restraint and is up-regulated in numerous human cancers involving PC. CRISPR/Cas9 was illustrated as a profoundly specifi c and effective method for altering genes involving oncogenes. Materials and Methods: Colony polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed to identify the transformed colonies. Plasmid purification was performed from desired colonies due to the manufacture plasmid extraction kit protocol. A plasmid involving Cas9 and sgRNAs was co-transfected into PC3 cells using lipofectamine 3000. A vector with no cloned gRNA was utilized for scrambling. The effi cacy of transfection and the expression levels of ribonucleotide reductase (RNR) small subunit M2 (RRM2) and FBXO5 were identified by quantitative reverse transcription-PCR. Cell proliferation and apoptosis were assayed by XTT assay and Annexin V-PE/7AAD, respectively. Data were assayed by utilizing one-way ANOVA and Tukey’ s test using SPSS (version 20, USA), and P < 0. 05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The results revealed that lipofectamine 3000 is an efficient approach for delivering on the CRISPR/Cas9 system in PC3 cells. The knocked out of survivin by the CRISPR/Cas9 significantly decreased the proliferation and induced apoptosis of transfected PC3 cells compared to the scrambling vector. Finally, CRISPR/Cas9 systems significantly down-regulated the expression levels of RRM2 and FBXO5 at mRNA levels (fold change 0. 406, P = 0. 0002). Conclusions: In general, targeting survivin by CRISPR/Cas9 led to the down-regulation of RRM2 and FBXO5, as well as the induction of apoptosis in PC3 cells. Thus, more research using further PC cell lines and primary cells is necessary.

Objectives: Wounds repair has always been regarded as a challenge in health world due to its high prevalence characteristics. Therefore, there are many proposed therapeutic strategies for repairing wounds in which the use of herbal medicines is highlighted because of the low costs and complications. In traditional medicine, ‘ Mummy’ is regarded as almost a first choice for some treatments such as bone fractures, bleeding control, poisoning treatment, headache relief and wound repair. This study seeks to provide a scientific venture for the effect of mummy on wound healing. Materials and Methods: Human fetal foreskin fibroblast cells (HFFF-2) were purchased from Pasteur Institute (Tehran, Iran). The fibroblast cell lines and stem cells derived from adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) were isolated by means of explant culture. Synthesis of components of extracellular matrix (ECM) such as collagen type I, type III and fibronectin 1 (FN1) were determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and cells attachments were examined by scaffold and cell proliferation determined by MTT assay. ASCs and HFFF-2, were investigated under mono-culture experimental conditions, then the other two-cell co-culture cells were also investigated under laboratory condition with 50-50 and 30-70 ratio respectively. They were all in an experimental group including culture medium and mummy; on the other side, in the control group there were just culture medium. Results: The results suggested that in fibroblasts, the level of mRNA expression of fibronectin was up-regulated in the treatment group (P < 0. 0001), it was up-regulated Col type I (P < 0. 0001) and Col type III (P<0. 01) in ASCs. In co-culture, mRNA expression of Col type I, III, and fibronectin increased (P < 0. 0001). The cells were successfully penetrated and adhered, and spread on PCL (polycaprolactone) scaffolds in all groups. Higher proliferation rate of fibroblasts was observed in Mummy-treated cells compared to the control group after 24 hours (P < 0. 0001). Increased proliferation rate in ASCs was seeded on scaffolds and treated with mummy compared to control groups for 24 hours (P < 0. 01) and 96 hours (P < 0. 0001). Proliferation rate in co-cultured ASCs and fibroblasts (proportion of 50-50 and treated with mummy) was higher after 24 hours compared to the control cells (P < 0. 0001); but in co-cultured ASCs and fibroblasts, proportion of 70-30 was significantly lower in Mummy– treated group compared to the control group (P < 0. 0001) at both lengths of time. Conclusions: mummy may improve wound healing through synthesizing ECM attachment and proliferating cells on PCL scaffold.

Objectives: Day of surgery (DOS) cancellation is an unfortunate situation that affects both patients and hospitals. Cancellation of elective surgeries as a strong indicator for evaluating the management efficacy and quality of care offered by hospital services is associated with several unfavorable consequences. The present study aimed at investigating the rate and causes of elective surgery cancellation in an academic referral hospital. Materials and Methods: This descriptive study was performed at Al-Zahra hospital, an academic center in the North of Iran, during 2018-2019. All scheduled cases for elective surgeries were prospectively enrolled in this study. Then, complete data were collected and recorded from DOS canceled cases, including the type of surgery, age, ASA class, and the reason for cancellation. Results: In general, 82 elective surgeries were canceled (3. 3%) during the mentioned period. Among them, hysterectomy was the most canceled one (51. 2%) and the lack of intensive care unit (ICU) beds (22%) and the patient’ s clinical status changes (20. 7%) significantly above 60 (P=0. 011) and ASA class III (P=0. 001) were the main causes in this regard. Conclusions: To improve operating room (OR) efficiency, great attempts should be made to eliminate the number of DOS cancellations through short intervals between preoperative visits and DOS, and to expand the ICU ward.

Objectives: The present study aimed to investigate the effects of foot reflexology on the severity of pain and opioid dosage administered to patients undergoing a discectomy. Materials and Methods: The present randomized clinical trial (concurrent parallel) was conducted including two experimental groups. In general, 60 patients were selected from Imam Reza and Shohada hospitals of Tabriz based on convenience sampling and then randomly assigned to the intervention (n=30) and control (n=30) groups based on randomly permuted blocks. Four hours after the surgery and the last dosage of pethidine, patients in the intervention group received massaging of both feet 20 minutes per day for 2 days while those in the control group received no intervention. The data were collected using a demographics and visual analogue scale (VAS) checklist and then were statistically analyzed using chi-square, Fisher exact test, and the independent t-test in SPSS-21 at the 0. 05 level of significance. Results: After the intervention, the severity of pain significantly reduced in the intervention group (P < 0. 001) but it did not change in the control group (P > 0. 410). The results indicated no significant difference between the two groups in pre-intervention pethidine dosage (P > 0. 490). After the intervention, pethidine dosage significantly decreased in the intervention group on all days (P < 0. 001), but no significant change was observed in the control group (P > 0. 499). Conclusions: Considering the positive effects of foot reflexology on the severity of pain and reduced dosage of the required opioids for pain control, this technique is recommended to be used as a perfect complementary therapy, along with other treatments to reduce postoperative pain in patients undergoing a discectomy.

Objectives: In this study, the inhibitory effects of polyethylene imine glycol (PEI-PEG)/ CD44 siRNA nanostructures on the proliferation, invasion, and apoptosis of U87MG GBM cancer cell line, as well as the expression levels of ALDH1, RANKL, and NOTCH1 were evaluated. Methods: In this experimental study, PEI-PEG/ CD44 siRNA nanoparticles were synthesized and characterized by atomic force microscopy (AFM), evaluation of size and zeta potential, and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The MTT assay was adopted to evaluate the cytotoxicity of the nanoparticles. The expression levels of target genes were assessed by qRT-PCR. Flow cytometry was used for apoptosis evaluation and Trans well matrigel assay and scratch-migration were employed for investigating the invasion and migration of glioma cells. Results: The size and zeta potential of PEI-PEG were influenced after CD44 siRNA loading. PEI-PEG loaded with CD44 siRNAs resulted in significant inhibition of glioblastoma cell line in the concentration of 60 pmol (P<0. 05). In addition, transfection of glioma cells with CD44 siRNA led to significant downregulation of ALDH1, NOTCH1, and RANKL1 (P<0. 05). Transfection of this siRNA also resulted in significant suppression of invasion and migration (P<0. 05). Conclusions: PEI-PEG could effectively form the polyplex in combination with siRNA, be transfected into the U87MG glioma cancer cell line, and inhibit the proliferation, invasion and migration of glioma cells via suppression of ALDH1 and NOTCH1, as well as RANKL1 expression levels.

Objectives: Breast cancer (BC) is identified as the most common type of cancer among women in the world. The illness perception is considered as an important and influential issue in cancer control. The present study aimed to determine the predictors of illness perception among women with BC undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 166 women with BC referring to private and public oncology centers in Tabriz using the convenience sampling method. Patients were assessed by demographic and disease characteristics questionnaire, brief illness perception questionnaire, social support questionnaire, cancer worry scale, international physical activity questionnaire-short form, and the EORTC-in-patsat32. The data were analyzed using SPSS 25, and ANOVA, independent t test, Pearson and Spearman correlation coefficient, and multivariate linear regression were applied for data analysis. Results: In the present study, the mean score (SD) of the illness perception was 48. 86 (17. 61) out of the achievable range of 0-80. The results indicated that concerns about the recurrence, cancer stage, and place of treatment were the most important predictors of illness perception. Conclusions: It seems that the early detection of BC through screening can be effective in the perceptions of BC. It is recommended that similar studies be conducted in other countries and cultures and after completing chemotherapy and radiotherapy courses.

Objectives: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is the cause of severe and treatment-resistant, hospital-and community-acquired infections across the world. This study aimed to identify and compare the nasal carriage of S. aureus and methicillin-resistant in clinical and preclinical dental students in 2019. Materials and Methods: This study is a cross-sectional study (descriptive-analytic) which was conducted during a period of time from 2019 to 2020 at the School of Dentistry, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences. Two groups of dental students (i. e., clinical and preclinical programs) were selected. Nasal samples were taken and S. aureus was detected using the standard microbiology tests. Disc diffusion on Mueller-Hinton Agar was used to identify MRSA. P values of ≤ 0. 05 were regarded as statistically significant. Results: A total of 92 dental students were examined and S. aureus was identified in 44 (47. 8%) students, but no cases of MRSA were detected among the participants. Conclusions: The difference between clinical and preclinical groups was not significant.

Objectives: Evaluating the influence of gender and age on cerebellum is significant for pathophysiological studies of degenerative brain disorders. This study aimed to evaluate the growth rate of the cerebellum in the normal brain in Sudanese population. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was performed at Modern Medical Center, Alia Specialist Hospital and Wad Medani Modern Medical Center, Sudan from 2017 to 2019. The data of 100 normal individuals with an age range of 3 months to 80 years old (males: 42%) were evaluated. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed for all participants after applying the standard cerebellum protocol. Individuals with anomalies or abnormalities that may affect the posterior fossa were excluded. Measurement of all regions was performed in the screen monitor of MRI machine and statistically analyzed using SPSS Software version 16. Results: The mean of the right hemisphere width, right hemisphere length, left hemisphere width, left hemisphere length, maximum hemisphere width, maximum hemisphere length, anteroposterior width, and anteroposterior length was 4. 38, 4. 88, 4. 46, 4. 42, 9. 73, 6. 42, 4. 88, and 3. 54, respectively, implying that the measurement variability was important. Conclusions: There was s statistically significant correlation between cerebellum measurement with gender in left hemisphere width and maximum hemisphere width (P = 0. 05 and P = 0. 07, respectively). Also, there was a significant age-related reduction in left hemisphere width and length (P = 0. 001 and P = 0. 05, respectively).

Objectives: Breastfeeding is the major factor for children’ s survival and is associated with a decrease in neonatal morbidity and mortality. In this way, starting breastfeeding in the first hour after birth is highly important. This study evaluated the breastfeeding condition in the first hour after birth and its related factors in Sari 2018. Materials and Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was performed on 520 mothers (vaginal delivery and a cesarean section with spinal anesthesia) in five baby-friendly hospitals in Sari. The content validity of the applied form for data collection was confirmed by relevant studies and its reliability was determined based on the data of 20 individuals and the determination of Spearman’ s correlation coefficient. Finally, SPSS 24 was used for statistical analysis. Results: The early breastfeeding in the first hour after birth was performed in 369 cases (71%), and the contributing factors were the literacy level over diploma (P = 0. 0001), normal vaginal delivery (P = 0. 0001), term status (P = 0. 0001), maternal age over 20 years (P = 0. 0001), higher birth order (P = 0. 009), normal birth weight (P = 0. 0001), singleton birth (P = 0. 0001), non-federal hospital (P = 0. 0001), healthy neonates (P = 0. 0001), and healthy mothers (P = 0. 0001). The chance of breastfeeding during the first hour after birth was 73% less in cases with a cesarean section, and in neonates born in private hospitals, this chance was 5. 89 times the infants born in educational government hospitals. Conclusions: About two-thirds of mothers fed their babies in the first hour after birth in the baby-friendly hospitals of Sari. It is important to evaluate the causes of delayed breastfeeding after birth in future studies, careful planning, and continuous monitoring of this important issue.