Qom University of Medical Sciences Journal
Year:2022 | Volume:16 | Issue:8|Papers Count:7

Background and Objectives Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a common parasitic disease in tropical and subtropical areas. This disease has become endemic in some parts of Qom province in central Iran. This study aims to determine the epidemiological characteristics and endemicity of zoonotic CL in Qom, Iran. Methods In this cross-sectional study, out of 45 villages located in CL endemic areas in central and Kahak districts of Qom province, 8 villages were randomly selected. At the end of each season, the households were visited and their demographic information and history of infection with CL were recorded using standard forms. Results Out of 4228 people living in 8 disease endemic villages, 1920(45. 41%) had skin lesions and a history of infection with CL. We also found 165 new cases with active lesions. The prevalence of zoonotic CL was 71. 49 per 1000 persons. Among patients, 13. 33% were under 7 years of age and 67. 87% aged >15 years old. Therefore, zoonotic CL in the study area had a hypoendemic focus. Conclusion The focus of zoonotic CL in Qom province is hypoendemic. Therefore, personal protection methods against sandfly bites such as the use of mosquito nets (especially insecticide-treated mosquito nets), the nets for doors and windows in residential areas, and the insect repellent compounds are recommended to control the disease in Qom.

Background and Objectives Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a common zoonotic disease that is transmitted by sandflies. This disease has become endemic in different regions of Iran. This study aims to determine the epidemiological aspects of CL in Qom, Iran from 2016 to 2022. Methods In this cross-sectional study, the data of all patients with CL referred to clinics in Qom city from March 2016 to February 2022 were evaluated. Independent t-test, Chi-square test, and Fisher’, s exact test were used for data analysis. Results Of 1084 participants, 719 had infection with CL, of whom 539 were male (75%) and 180 were female (25%). Most of patients had 20-30 years of age and 87. 3% had a history of traveling to disease endemic areas. The prevalence of CL was higher in autumn. Moreover, 32. 2% of the patients had three or more skin lesions, and in 49. 3% of cases, the lesions were in the hand. Conclusion Considering the prevalence of CL in Qom, it is necessary to take effective health measures to control and prevent CL in this re

Background and Objectives Irrational use of antibiotics is one of the concerns in dentistry due to causing antimicrobial resistance and imposing cost burden on the patients. This study aims to evaluate the effect of educational intervention on prescription of antibiotics by general dentists in Qom, Iran. Methods This study was conducted for three months on 134 general dentists in Qom province in two groups of intervention (n=67) and control (n=67). The intervention group participated in a seminar as a retraining course. Descriptive statistics including mean, standard deviation, percentage, and frequency were used to describe the data, and chi-square test was used to compare the two groups. Results The data of 22418 prescriptions containing antibiotics were evaluated. The mean number of prescriptions in the intervention group before and after retraining was 62. 73 and 72. 92, respectively (P= 0. 043), indicating a significant increase after retraining. The mean number of prescriptions in the control group before and after retraining was 96. 88 and 100. 06, respectively but there was no significant difference (P= 0. 57). There was no significant difference in the number of prescriptions between the two groups after retraining (P=0. 09). Conclusion The educational intervention is relatively unsuccessful may be due to lack of motivation, lack of useful and effective teaching methods, and lack of participation in group discussions.

Background and Objectives Aluminum is an environmental and neurotoxic pollutant. Berberine is an alkaloid that is found in medicinal plants such as berberis lycium with beneficial therapeutic properties in various diseases. The present study aims to investigate the effect of berberine on memory impairment induced by aluminum exposure. Methods In this experimental study, 32 male rats were randomly divided into four groups: Sham, berberine-treated sham, lesion, and berberine-treated lesion. To induce neurotoxicity, 5 μ, L of aluminum chloride (AlCl3) solution dissolved in normal saline was injected at a dose of 0. 37 mg/kg into the left side of dorsal hippocampus. The berberine-treated groups received 100 mg/kg of berberine daily from one hour before surgery up to one week after surgery in oral form. In the fourth week, all groups were tested for learning and memory using the shuttle box. At the end, malondialdehyde (MDA), reactive oxygen species (ROS), and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity were measured. The data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey’, s test. Results In the berberine-treated lesion group, no significant difference in the initial latency was reported compared to the lesion group, but the step-through latency was significantly increased. In addition, MDA and ROS levels and AChE activity showed a significant decrease. Conclusion Administration berberine can improve memory and reduce oxidative stress and AchE activity in rates with AlCl3 exposure.

Background and Objectives Psychological problems caused by drug addiction or cessation of drug use can increase the risk of relapse in patients under methadone maintenance treatment. This study aims to compare the effects of the administration of methadone with sertraline or venlafaxine on depression, anxiety, and stress of patients with substance abuse. Methods This is a clinical trial with a pre-test/post-test design. Participants were 40 patients under methadone therapy who were selected by voluntary sampling method and randomly divided into two groups. The first group received methadone plus venlafaxine and the second group received methadone plus sertraline. Patients were evaluated using the depression, anxiety, stress scale. Data were analyzed using paired t-test and analysis of covariance. The significance level was set at 0. 05. Results Both sertraline and venlafaxine significantly affected depression, anxiety, and stress levels of patients (P<0. 001). No significant difference was observed between the effects of sertraline and venlafaxine (P>0. 05). Conclusion Venlafaxine and sertraline can be used to improve the mental health of patients under methadone therapy. Their selection can be based on the psychiatrist’, s opinion and the amount of drug side effects.

Background and Objectives The liver is exposed to poisoning caused by various chemical compounds. Considering the antioxidant effects found in melon seeds and the role of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κ, B) and Myeloperoxidase (MPO) in inflammation caused by oxidative stress, the present study aims to assess the effect of hydroethanolic extract of melon seeds on the transcriptional of NF-κ, B encoding genes and the MPO gene expression in rats with ethylene glycol-induced toxicity. Methods Thirty male rats were randomly divided into five groups of healthy control, poisoned control (0. 75% ethylene glycol), and three melon extract-treated poisoned groups (0. 75% ethylene glycol and 150, 300, or 600 mg/kg body weight of melon extract) and were treated for 38 days. Then, the liver tissue of the rats was removed to evaluate the transcription of NF-κ, B encoding genes and the MPO level by real-time PCR method. Results The transcription level of NF-κ, B encoding genes and the MPO level in the poisoned control group rats significantly increased compared to the healthy group. Treatment with hydroethanolic extract of melon seeds at concentrations of 300 and 600 mg/kg body weight caused a significant decrease in the transcription of NF-κ, B encoding genes. Treatment with hydroethanolic extracts at concentrations of 150, 300, and 600 mg/kg body weight caused a significant decrease in the MPO level compared to the poisoned control group. Conclusion The decrease in MPO and NF-κ, B encoding genes after administration of hydroethanolic extract of melon seeds indicates the therapeutic effect of this extract on liver damage.

Background and Objectives Work-life conflict refers to incompatibility between work and family roles. Establishing a balance between these roles is a big challenge for nurses, especially novice nurses. This study aims to investigate the novice nurses’,experiences of work-life conflicts in Birjand, Iran. Methods This is a qualitative study. Participants were 13 novice nurses from teaching hospitals in Birjand city with 6 months to 1 year of work experience who were selected using a purposive sampling method. The data collection method was open-ended and unstructured interview. The recorded interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using content analysis method. Results After analysis, four main categories (anxiety due to family problems, lack of attention to personal interests due to shift work, tension in family, and lack of attention to family due to work schedule) and 9 subcategories (concern about childcare while working, concern about the negative impact of shift work, concern about the illness of family members while working, paying no attention to personal interests due to shift work, ignoring personal interests due to rotating shift work, etc. ) were extracted. Conclusion Since work-life conflicts have unpleasant consequences and due to the shortage of nurses, the managers and planners in Birjand should take appropriate supportive measures and focus more on the problems of novice nurses to avoid their work-life conflicts.