Research in Medicine
Year:2022 | Volume:46 | Issue:2|Papers Count:12

Background and Aim: Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) is a developmental disease of the nervous system that affects an average of 1 in 150 children worldwide. Both genetic and environmental factors play a role in the development of this range of disorders. Several studies have shown an association between vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphisms and behavioral disorders associated with nervous system, including autism. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the association between VDR gene polymorphisms rs731236 (Taq1), rs1544410 (BsmI), rs2228570 (FokI) and the risk of autism. However, due to polymorphism diversities in population, we investigated the association between VDR rs731236 (Taq1)), rs1544410 (BsmI) (rs2228570 (FokI)) gene polymorphisms and the risk of autism in the population of East Azerbaijan. Methods: In the present case control study, a total of 50 patients with ASD and 50 healthy control children were studied following the polymerase chain reaction on DNA extracted from peripheral blood and then enzymatic digestion with RFLP technique in terms of genotypic and allelic distribution studies using SPSS 16. Results: The results of statistical analysis of genotypic and allelic distribution for FokI and BMSI types of VDR gene did not show a significant difference between patients with autism and control group (p˃, 0. 05). But Allelic and genotypic distribution of TT (p, 0. 045) and tt (p, 0. 013) genotypes between case and control groups showed a significant difference. Conclusion: The results provide early evidence that genetic alterations in the VDR (TaqI) gene may alter children's susceptibility to ASD.

Background and Aim: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen that causes widespread infections in hospitals. Pseudomonas aeruginosa has become resistant to a variety of antibiotics due to the overuse of antibiotics. One type of resistance acquired by this bacterium is resistance to aminoglycoside drugs. The most important mechanism of this resistance is the enzymatic inactivation of aminoglycosides by their modifying enzymes. The rmtB gene is involved in this resistance and because silver nanoparticles have antibacterial properties, the present study was conducted to evaluate the expression level of rmtB gene in Pseudomonas aeruginosa specimens treated with silver nanoparticles. Methods: In the current study experimental, 53 samples were collected from 11 laboratories in Mashhad during 1398-1399. Samples were identified using standard laboratory methods and specific culture. PCR method was used to evaluate the frequency of rmtB gene. In order to evaluate the antibiotic susceptibility pattern of the strains, the disk diffusion method based on the CLSI protocol (2018) was used. Silver nanoparticles were made from ginger extract and Real time PCR was used to investigate the effect of silver nanoparticles on rmtB gene expression. Results: Out of 53 samples of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, 51 samples were resistant to more than two aminoglucosides. Phenotypic evaluation of the antibiotic resistance pattern of aminoglucoside-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains showed that 61% were resistant to amikacin, 84% to gentamicin and 23% to tobramycin. Also, out of 53 samples, 76% were resistant to all three aminoglycosides. The minimum inhibitory concentration in the agar dilution method for silver nanoparticles was up to 500 μ, g/ml. Molecular analysis showed the presence of rmtB gene in all samples and the result of real time PCR analysis showed that the effect of silver nanoparticles on rmtB gene expression was significant (P <0. 01). Conclusion: There was high resistance to aminoglycoside in samples collected from Mashhad. Silver nanoparticles had a significant effect on reducing the expression of rmtB gene (P <0. 01).

Background and Aim: Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women. One of the causes of cancer mortality is the increased anti-apoptotic activity of cancer cells. Phytosterols are a group of natural compounds that inhibit the growth of various cancer cells through various mechanisms. Stigmasterol, as one of the compounds in the phytosterols group, has anti-cancer effects. In the present study, the anti-tumor and apoptotic effects of stigmasterol on the expression of MCL-1 and BCL-XL genes in animal models of breast cancer were investigated. Methods: In our experimental study, 15 BALB/C mice in 3 groups were transplanted subcutaneously with a breast tumor. The first group received 6 mg/kg stigmasterol, the second group received 20 mg/kg cyclophosphamide, and the third group (control) received ethanol solution diluted with PBS (1: 2) with intraperitoneal injection (IP). Tumor volume was measured for 10 days using digital caliper. Mice were then sacrificed and their tumor tissue was examined for changes in tumor size and the expression of BCL-XL and MCL-1 genes using real-time PCR. Results: Treatment of tumor mice with stigmasterol reduced tumor size (*p<0. 05) and also reduced the expression of antiapoptotic genes (MCL-1, BCL-XL) with a significant difference as compared to the control group (***p <0. 001). Conclusion: Our findings indicate the anti-tumor and apoptotic properties of stigmasterol and introduces new insights into the production of effective natural compounds in the treatment of cancer.

Background and Aim: In males, spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) are the cause of germ cell production and therefore fertility. Reducing and damaging SSCs is one of the causes of infertility. Culture, proliferation, and differentiation of SSCs in vitro can be a solution to treat some cases of infertility. In the present study, performed in 2019 at the Iranian Biological Resource Center, we examined the growth and differentiation of SSCs on decellularized testicular matrix (DTM) in rats. Methods: In the current experimental study, after extraction of SSCs by enzymatic method from testicular tissue of newborn mice, these cells were propagated in a specific culture medium for three weeks. After confirming the identity of the colonies resulting from the growth of these cells, they were cultured in two groups, one on a layer of DTM and the other in two-dimensional conditions of conventional culture dishes with differential culture medium. In the fourth week, since the initiation of the differentiation culture, the expression of pre meiotic (OCT4 & PLZF) and meiotic (SCP3 & Protamine-2) genes were measured in both groups. To ensure the results, all steps were performed with three biological replications and the results were evaluated using one way ANOVA. Results: : Examination of pre-meiotic and meiotic gene expression after 4 weeks of differential culture of SSCs on twodimensional substrate and DTM using real-time PCR showed that the expression of meiotic genes was significantly higher on DTM substrate (P ≤,0. 01). ). Conclusion: In DTM three-dimensional culture, due to the better communication of cells with each other and the presence of a natural extracellular matrix, more ideal conditions are created for the preservation, proliferation and differentiation of SSCs than in two-dimensional culture.

Background and Aim: Neisseria meningitidis is a leading cause of death in children in developed countries. Meningococcus has 13 sero-groups based on the capsule antigens. Rapid diagnosis of the bacteria results in timely selection of the right anti-microbial treatment. The present study, conducted in 2019, aimed to produce a highly pure antiserum for diagnostic assays for the detection of meningococcus sero-groups. Methods: The type of research study was research and development. Inactivated bacterial suspension was intravenously injected into white New Zealand Rabbits. Serum was collected after the last injection. Purification process was performed using precipitation, chromatography, and tangential flow filtration. The produced antiserum was used in Agglutination and ELISA assays. The purified antiserum had a purity of more than 98% at a suitable quantity. Agglutination test with the primary antigen showed 4+ result. To develop the ELISA assay, the optimized concentration of primary and biotinylated antibodies was 1 and 80 micrograms, respectively. The results of positive predictive value were 100% and negative predictive value was 96%, for the designed assay. Results: The purified antiserum had a purity of more than 98% at a suitable quantity. Agglutination test with the primary antigen showed 4+ result. To developed the ELISA assay, the optimized concentration of primary and biotinylated antibodies was 1 and 80 micrograms, respectively. The results of positive predictive value were 100% and Negative predictive value was 96%, for the designed assay. Conclusion: Serum-based assays are recommended for the timely diagnosis of the disease since these assays are specific, sensitive, inexpensive, and rapid. The antiserum produced in the present research is highly pure. Therefore, we recommend the antiserum for the development of agglutination and ELISA assays for the detection of N. meningitides.

Background and Aim: Immobility and movement restrictions are the cause of many diseases, including cardiovascular disease. Cardiovascular diseases are among the diseases related to inactivity and the main cause of death in the world. One of the main factors in the prevention and treatment of these diseases is to do sports activities. Since choosing the right exercise program for these patients is of great importance and limited researches have been done in this field,Therefore, the aim of this research was to investigate the effect of a period combined and intermittent exercises on the levels of C-reactive protein and galectin in cardiac patients. Methods: During this clinical trial, 36 cardiovascular patients (with an average age of 55. 14±, 1. 4, weight 78. 6±, 5. 1 and body mass index 27. 81±, 33) were voluntarily selected and after matching, the sample were placed in 3 groups: combined training group (n=13), interval training group (n=12) and control group (n=11). Inclusion criteria included lack of functional capacity less than 5 met, not having tachycardia and bradycardia and injection fraction was higher than 30. Exit criteria also included doctor's diagnosis and unwillingness to continue the activity. The protocol of the combined training group included performing aerobic continuous training 2-3 times a week without performing interval training during the first 4 weeks, then performing aerobic continuous training 2 times a week and performing intermittent training once a week during the second 4 weeks. The protocol of the interval training group included performing interval training 2-3 times a week during the first 4 weeks and performing interval training 3 times a week during the second 4 weeks. Blood samples were taken 24 hours before the first training session and 48 hours after the last training session (in the same conditions for all three groups). Data analysis was done using dependent t statistical program, covariance (ANCOVA) and Post Hoc (Sheffe test) at a significance level of P<0. 05. Results: Findings: The implementation of combined exercises and interval training has a significant effect on the reduction of C-reactive protein serum levels in combined exercise by 1. 59 ±,0. 11, P˂, 0. 05, in interval training by 1. 03 ±,0. 08, P˂, 0. 001 showed. Also, the number of changes in galectin-3 in combined training was 4. 51 ±,0. 28, P˂, 0. 005, in intermittent training it was 2. 32 ±,0. 14, P˂, 0. 004 compared to the control group with values of 0/034 ±,0/002, P˂, 0/316 was observed. In intergroup comparison with analysis of covariance, the inter-group changes for C-reactive protein were 1. 38 ±,0. 15, P˂, 0. 001 and for galectin-3 it was 1. 05 ±,0. 11, P˂, 0. 001. Conclusion: It is likely that combined exercises and intermittent exercise are effective in reducing the serum levels of Creactive protein and galectin-3 in cardiovascular patients, and causes a further decrease in the levels of these two inflammatory indicators (high levels of which are a sign of cardiovascular diseases). As a result, according to the specific results, it is likely that combined training is more effective in reducing the risk factors of heart disease than intermittent training. And it can be prescribed to improve the health of heart patients.

Background and Aim: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is a condition in which triglycerides accumulate in liver cells of individuals who do not have a history of alcohol use or use alcohol at a low rate. The aim of the current study was to investigate the effect of alcoholic extracts of St. John's wort and borage plants individually and in combination on nonalcoholic fatty liver in Wistar rats. These two plants were selected due to their innovation and high antioxidant characteristics. Methods: In the present experimental laboratory intervention study, 70 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 7 groups of 10, and 10 mice were randomly assigned as the negative control group and the rest were treated with a high-fat diet. Next, 21 days after the onset of a high fat diet and fatty liver, they began to be treated with an alcoholic extract of Silybum marianum and Eryngium and kept for 2 months individually and combined in two doses of at least 200 and a maximum of 400 mg in kg. At the end of the treatment period in 1398 and to evaluate the level of concentrations of unsaturated fatty acids (NEFA), non-esterified fatty acids (BHB: hydroxybutyrate-Beta), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate amino trans (AST) Aspartate aminotransferase, and gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) blood samples were taken and the data were analyzed. The findings were analyzed using SPSS, version 24. The results were compared using one-way analysis of variance statistical test at 95% probability level and the significance level of 0. 05. Results: The results showed that NEFA, BHBA, ALT, AST, and GGT levels in the treated groups of alcoholic extract of Silybum marianum and Eryngium combination and single effect on fatty liver were more than those in the control group and positive control group (P <0. 05). The amounts of AST in the control and positive, the negative, and combined control groups were 145. 4 ±,9. 1, 114 ±,11. 4, and 136. 1 ±,2. 9, respectively. Conclusion: It seems that thistle and buckthorn can be used to treat non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, which of course requires clinical trials in livestock, which improves the amount of liver enzymes due to the effect of these plants on liver tissue and improving the amount of related enzymes. Therefore, these plants can be used in future research on livestock and their effects on improving liver enzymes and protecting liver tissue.

Background and Aim: Most radioactive materials used in nuclear medicine are gamma emitters. Gamma range is relatively large, so the nuclear medicine staff is exposed to external exposure by gamma. The aim of the present study was to estimate the dose which is received by staff during different diagnostic methods in a nuclear medicine center. Methods: This study is a descriptive, cross-sectional study. The studied components include the amount of radiation of the staff in the imaging stage of patients and the injection of radiopharmaceuticals to patients at different intervals. A total of 60 patients and 8 staff were included in the study. Data was collected in terms of compliance with the dose limits set by the Atomic Energy Organization (20 mSv/year) based on descriptive statistics, such as minimum dose, maximum dose, the mean and standard deviation of analysis, and comparisons through student t-test in SPSS. Results: The average amount of irradiation recorded for staff due to imaging process ranged from 0. 03±, 0. 01 to 0. 32±, 0. 08 μ, Sv/h and 0. 05 ±,0. 03 to 0. 43 ±,0. 04 μ, Sv/h, when radiopharmaceuticals were injected into the patient. Conclusion: The amounts of the doses received were in good agreement with other studies, and did not exceed the dose set for occupational exposure (20 milli Sieverts per year). The dose received by staff decreases as the distance from the patient increases and the duration of communication with the patient decreases.

Background and Aim: Due to the increase in the number of the elderly and the increasing incidence of dementia, early diagnosis of this cognitive disorder has become particularly important, because with timely diagnosis and treatment, the course of the disease can be slowed down and the quality of life of the patient and those around them can be improved. The aim of the present study was to compare the consistency and diagnostic ability of CDR (Clinical Dementia Rating) and FAB (Frontal Assessment Battery) tests with clinical symptoms contained in the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI). Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed in a hospital clinic in Tehran. Using available sampling, 60 individuals over 65 years of age were selected. First, CDR test was performed on the participants and based on the severity of dementia (mild, moderate, and severe), they were scored one to three, respectively. In this population, the test was performed based on the FAB questionnaire and, as for the score, the lower the score, the more severe the cognitive impairment. Then, 12 components of NPI were evaluated based on a questionnaire. The CDR and FAB scores were compared and the scores of each were compared with the NPI scores to determine which of the two cognitive tests was more consistent with clinical signs. The calculated reliability scales were 81% for CDR, 88% for FAB, and 86% for NPI. Data were analyzed using SPSS, version 22, and using statistical methods running chi-square test and spearman correlation coefficient. Results: This study included 60 patients with dementia with the mean age and standard deviation of 75. 39 ±,7. 25 years. Totally, 36 patients (0. 60%) were female, 39 (0. 65%) were literate, and 46 (76. 7%) had underlying diseases. The agreement between NPI and FAB was-0. 64 and the agreement between NPI and CDR was 0. 68 (P <0. 001), which indicates a relatively strong relationship between NPI with both tests and whatever score as the NPI increases, so does the severity of the cognitive impairment. This indicates clinical association and no significant difference between the two tests. There was a significant relationship between CDR score and education level (P = 0. 004), but there was no significant relationship between CDR and FAB with gender (P = 0. 284). Conclusion: Both CDR and FAB tests have the same utility.

Background and Aim: Oral cavity is the entrance gate of respiratory and gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, oral health could be as mirror of global health. Timely diagnosis & early treatment of oral lesions, especially in susceptible admitted patients in infectious disease department have a vital role in health policy. Therefore, this study was designed to assess the frequency of oral soft tissue lesions in patients admitted to the Infectious department of Yazd Shahid Sadoughi of Medical Sciences. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried from January 2018 to March 2018. Eighty-nine who were admitted to the department of infectious diseases were eligible to participate. Clinical data regarding age, sex, type & site of lesions, oral hygiene status, smoking, and dental prostheses were documented. Data were analyzed by SPSS 19 using Chi-square and Fisher exact tests. The significance level was set at 0. 05 with a 95% confidence interval. Results: 49 men and 40 women with the age of 53. 4±,14. 3 years were examined. The frequency of oral lesions in hospitalized patients in the department of infectious diseases reported 30%. Red-white lesions (57. 78%) and vesiculobullose lesions (40%) were the most frequent lesions, respectively. Among studied variables, frequency of oral soft tissue lesions based on age (P=0. 001), smoking (P=0. 034) and oral health status ((P=0. 042) had a meaningful difference. Conclusion: This rate of frequency due to known side effects is a matter of concern and it is considered by experts.

Many neurological and psychiatric disorders are not due to mutations in a specific gene,rather, they are attributed to dysregulation of genes’,functions and signals that control their expression. Complex 'epigenetic' mechanisms regulate various gene activities with long-lasting effects within mature neurons and other cells of brain tissue. The present study reviewed related investigations up to 2021 by searching keywords including epigenetics, DNA methylation, microRNA, RNA editing as well as psychiatric disorders, schizophrenia, autism and bipolar disorder in PubMed database. Among collected articles, the most relevant research articles related to the topic of this article were selected and reviewed. Currently, at least four epigenetic mechanisms are known, that through altering DNA, RNA or histone codes, regulate genes’,expression levels. Meanwhile, these epigenetic mechanisms themselves are under the influence of internal and environmental factors and may be dysfunctional secondary to malnutrition, contaminants, toxins, drugs, substances, infections, etc. Many studies have shown that various epigenetic aberrations are involved in the expression of genes involved in psychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia, autism, and bipolar disorder. A comprehensive investigation on epigenetic alterations and the environmental factors that mediate these alterations can help to improve preventive and therapeutic strategies in neuropsychiatric diseases.