JOURNAL OF TORBAT HEYDARIYEH UNIVERSITY OF MEDICAL SCIENCES
Year:2018 | Volume:6 | Issue:2 |Papers Count:8

Background & Aim: Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMCs) are the main components of the immune system, including lymphocytes and monocytes. These cells are being used in most immunological studies and therefore, isolation, culture and transfection of these cells are of great importance. The transfection of these cells is currently a key concern; this is because most common methods of transfection into the PBMCs are not well suited. The purpose of this study was to compare and optimize the effects of three commercial methods (PolyFect, Lipofectamine 2000 and Lipofectamine 3000) on PBMC transfection using PMAX-GFP vector. Methods: PBMC cells were isolated from the peripheral blood by Ficole. Following the cell culture, the PMAX-GFP vector was transfected into the cells using the Polyfect, Lipopactamine 2000 and Lipopactamine 3000. After 24, 72 and 120 hours, the transfection rate for each method was evaluated by fluorescence microscope. Results: Based on the obtained results, the level of transfection for PBMCs by Lipopactamine 2000 and Lipopactamine 3000 at all times was about 2-3%. The amount of transfection of these cells by the Polyfect after 120 hours was about 70%. Conclusion: Generally, the efficiency of transfection of PBMCs s by Polyfect was probably the best in terms of increasing time, which introduces a new method for gene transfer into these cells. However, further studies are required to achieve the highest conversion efficiency of PBMC cells.

Background & Aim: A main problem in diabetes is its timely and accurate diagnosis. This study aimed at diagnosing diabetes using data mining methods. Methods: The present study is an analytical investigation including 768 individuals with 8 attributes. Artificial neural networks and fuzzy neural networks were used to diagnose the diabetes. To achieve a real accuracy, the Kfold method was used to divide samples into training and test groups. Results: The mean square errors in multilayer perceptron network (MLP), learning vector quantization and Nero fuzzy networks were 98. 6%, 98. 2% and 99. 6%, respectively. Conclusion: According to the results of this study, , data mining method can be effective in diagnosing diabetes. In this regard, both used methods are useful; however, higher precision was obtained following the use of Neuro-Fuzzy approach.

Background & Aim: Gastric cancer is the most common gastrointestinal cancer in Iran, especially in the northwestern part of the country. The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors affecting gastric cancer in the village of Aghbolagh MeshginShahr, Ardebil. Methods: This study was carried out in the village of Agbolagh located in Meshginshahr, Ardebil province in which gastric cancer was considered as a highly prioritized concern. Hence, a casecontrol study was designed on 21 patients with gastric cancer diagnosed during 2013-2015. This study included 63 control subjects who were randomly and purposefully selected from the adjacent villages and matched for age and sex. Odds ratio and logistic regression were calculated for probable risk factors. Results: The mean age in the case group was 64. 7 years and in control group was 61. 1 years. In multivariate analysis, using logistic regression, educational level variables (OR = 0. 38, CI = 0. 15-0. 88), family history (OR = 12. 9, CI =2. 5-72. 5) and low fruit consumption (OR =3. 06, = 0. 49-9. 89) were significantly different compared to control cases. Also, single-variable analysis revealed a significant difference for the. intervals between meals (OR =3. 5, CI =1. 2-9. 9). Conclusion: Given the high odds ratio for family history variables, genetic studies are recommended to identify the involved genes and their interactions with the environmental factors in this region.

Background & Aim: Fluoride concentration in drinking water within the optimal range reduces dental caries and prevents dental fluorosis. This study was conducted to determine the level of fluoride in drinking water resources in Torbat Heydariyeh City in 2016-17. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 22 wells used to supply drinking water of Torbat Heydariyeh City. A seasonal sample of one litre was withdrawn from each well and the fluoride concentration was measured using the SPADNS standard method with a DR 5000 spectrophotometer. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 11 software. Results: The concentration of fluoride in the study area was measured in the range of 0 to 0. 35 mg/L with an average of 0. 23 mg/L. No significant seasonal changes were observed in the fluoride concentration. In addition, there was no significant relationship between fluoride concentration and well depth. Conclusion: Considering the fact that observed fluoride concentrations were below the standard level, it is recommended to take measures to prevent dental caries due to fluoride deficiency such as distribution of mouthwash containing fluoride in schools and fluorination of drinking water.

Background & Aim: Electronic learning as one of the new educational methods has the potential to enter the field of medical education and continuing education. Therefore, it is necessary to evaluate the level of knowledge and attitude of individuals towards this educational method in order to improve the quality and quantity level of universities. The purpose of this study was to determine the knowledge and attitude of students of Torbat Heydariyeh University of Medical Sciences towards e-learning in 2016. Methods: In this descriptive-analytic study, 190 students of Torbat Heydariyeh University of Medical Sciences were assessed in 2016. The data collection tools included demographic, access and use of information technology, knowledge assessment and Mishra’ s E-Learning Attitude Scale questionnaires. Data analysis was performed by means of SPSS software Version 16 using descriptive statistics and Mann-Whitney, Kruskal-Wallis and Spearman correlation tests. Results: The mean score of knowledge and attitude of the subjects towards e-learning were 8. 77 ± 4. 35 (0 to 30) and 38. 77 ± 6. 87, respectively. There was also a significant relationship between gender, educational semester and the experience of passing courses in electronic format with the student's knowledge score. Conclusion: Students of Torbat Heydariyeh University of Medical Sciences had a poor level of knowledge buta positive attitude toward elearning. Therefore, it is recommended that, after providing e-learning platforms such as improving people's knowledge, this method be used alongside traditional learning methods.

Background & Aim: One of the main components of social cognition is the theory of mind (TOM), which refers extensively to the ability to understand emotions, motivations, thoughts and subsequent perceptions of others' behaviors. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the relationship between signs of paranoid, schizoid and schizotypal personality disorders, with defect of the theory of mind. Methods: In this descriptive-correlational study, 210 students of Tabriz University were selected by cluster random sampling. Then, students completed the Millon III Multidimensional Clinical Questionnaire and the Mind Reading Test through the Baron-Cohen Eye. Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM) by means of Lisrel-8. 85 software. Results: The findings of the study showed that the signs of paranoid and schizotypal personality, with respective coefficient of explanation (0. 47 and 0. 51) and t (5. 82 and 5. 97), were able to positively explain 47% and 51% of changes in the theory of mind defects, respectively, (P<0. 05). While the symptoms of schizoid personality with a coefficient of explanation (0. 11) and t (1. 20) had no significant role in explaining the changes in the theory of mind defect. Thus, there was no significant relationship between the symptoms of schizoid personality and the defect of the theory of mind. Conclusion: The findings suggest that signs of paranoid and schizotypal personality disorders can be predictors of the theory of mind defect. On the other hand, symptoms of schizoid personality disorder were not capable of predicting the theory of mind defect.

Background & Aim: School is one of the most important places for people’ s mental development the effects of which can be observed through everyone’ s educational and professional life. This study investigated the health and safety status in elementary schools of Torbat Heydariyeh City. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in 2016-17 on 68 elementary schools in Torbat Heydariyeh City, which were categorized based on gender and being governmental or non-governmental. Information was collected through field surveys and interviews with school officials and using a standard checklist provided by Ministry of Health. Descriptive data were analyzed using MS Office’ s Excel version 2010 and statistical analysis was performed by SPSS version 22. Chi-square and Fisher's exact test were used to analyze the variable. Results: Our results showed that based on the defined triple levels for schools, i. e. poor, moderate and desirable, the analyzed schools were categorized as moderate or desirable.-. Accordingly, 47. 4% and 36. 4%, of public and non-governmental schools were found to be in moderate level; and 52. 6% and 63. 6% of them were in desirable level, respectively. In general, we found no significant difference in the health status of the schools when analyzed based on the administration type (governmental and none) or gender (male vs. female). Conclusion: Considering the presented results and the importance of elementary schools as the first post-family community for the students, the efforts of the institutions involved in education with the aim of establishing maximum health requirements are essential.

Background & Aim: Epilepsy is one of the most common brain disorders following stroke, which affects about one percent of the world's population. Regarding the complications of chemical drugs and the resistance of some patients with epilepsy to these drugs, one of the most important approaches in treatment and prevention of epilepsy is the use of herbal extracts. Methods: In this review study, Elsevier, Scopus, Science Direct and PubMed databases were searched for epilepsy, seizures, plant extracts and brain keywords from 1980 to 2018. Finally, 50 related articles were included. Results: Animal studies have shown that many of these plants inhibit seizure activity in epilepsy through affecting GABA, glutamate or calcium channel receptors, sodium channels, chlorine channels and also by reducing the level of oxidative stress. Conclusion: Regarding the economic issues and the adverse effects of chemical drugs, the use of herbal extracts with fewer complications, can be a good alternative for the treatment and prevention of epilepsy.