Journal of Gorgan University of Medical Sciences
Year:2023 | Volume:25 | Issue:1 (85)|Papers Count:14

Background and Objective: Exercise training and Zataria multiflora have a positive effect on health and can modulate cardiovascular risk factors. Adipose tissue-derived factors such as ANGPTL8 and adhesive molecules play an important role in exerting the pathological effects of obesity. This study aimed to investigate the effect of eight weeks of resistance-endurance exercise training combined with Zataria multiflora ingestion on the levels of ANGPTL8, ICAM-1, and VCAM-1 in sedentary overweight and obese men. Methods: In this clinical trial study, 40 sedentary overweight and obese men (with an average body mass index of 28. 41±, 1. 75 kg/m2) were randomly assigned to four groups with 10 subjects each. The groups included placebo, Zataria multiflora, training, and training + Zataria multiflora. The exercise training was combined training consisting of resistance-endurance exercise, conducted three times per week over eight weeks. Zataria multiflora supplement consumption was set at 500 mg daily. Blood sampling was conducted before and after the eight-week intervention, and the levels of ANGPTL8, ICAM-1, and VCAM-1 were measured using the ELISA method. Results: A significant decrease in serum levels of ANGPTL8 was observed in the training and training + Zataria multiflora groups compared to the placebo and Zataria multiflora groups (P<0. 05). A decrease in serum ICAM-1 levels was significant in the training + Zataria multiflora group compared to the placebo group (P<0. 05). Statistically significant decreases in serum VCAM-1 levels were observed in the training and training + Zataria multiflora groups compared to the placebo and training + Zataria multiflora groups (P<0. 05). Conclusion: Zataria multiflora consumption, along with combined training, can have a synergistic effect in decreasing ANGPTL8, ICAM-1, and VCAM-1 levels.

Background and Objective: Previous studies have advanced our understanding of the impact of executive functions on eating behavior. Given the considerable evidence of executive dysfunction among obese individuals and the bidirectional relationship between cognition and obesity, it is crucial to include educational components in interventions aimed at enhancing executive functions among obese populations. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of cognitive hypnotherapy in improving executive functions among women with obesity. Methods: This clinical trial enrolled 30 obese women who were randomly assigned to either an intervention or control group (n=15). The mean ages of the experimental and control groups, respectively, were 40. 80±, 6. 02 and 38. 47±, 7. 50 years, while their BMIs (kg/m2) were 33. 45±, 3. 50 and 33. 12±, 3. 47, and hypnotizability scores were 39. 67±, 5. 98 and 37. 40±, 7. 09. The intervention group received 12 sessions of 2-hour cognitive hypnotherapy. Data collection instruments included the Stanford Hypnosis Susceptibility Scale (1962), Life Experiences, Interests and Values Checklist (1998), and Cognitive Ability Questionnaire (2013). Results: The results demonstrated that cognitive hypnotherapy significantly improved executive functions (F=7. 02, P≤, 0. 01), including inhibitory control and selective attention (F=2. 83, P≤, 0. 05), decision making (F=4. 13, P≤, 0. 05), planning (F=3. 32, P≤, 0. 05), and sustained attention (F=2. 83, P≤, 0. 05) in the intervention group. Conclusion: Given the relationship between cognitive abilities, eating behaviors, and obesity, and the effectiveness of cognitive hypnotherapy in enhancing executive functions, this approach can be used to enhance cognitive functions among individuals with obesity.

Background and Objective: Temporal lobe epilepsy is characterized by the degeneration of hippocampal neurons and the sprouting of mossy fibers in the dentate area. This study aimed to investigate the impact of the hydroalcoholic extract of Rosa damascene on hippocampal tissue changes induced by kainic acid-induced epilepsy in rats. Methods: In this experimental study, 28 male Wistar rats weighing between 185-225 grams were used. The animals were divided into four groups: sham group, sham treated with hydroalcoholic extract, epilepsy (kainic acid), and epilepsy pretreated with hydroalcoholic extract. Kainic acid was used for intra-hippocampal and unilateral injection to induce epilepsy in the animals at 0. 8 micrograms per rat. The rats were given 500 mg/kg of the extract intraperitoneally daily for one week before surgery. Five weeks after surgery, thionin and Tim staining methods were performed on the hippocampal slices. Results: Kainic acid-induced epilepsy resulted in convulsive behavior, and pretreatment with the hydroalcoholic extract significantly reduced the intensity of convulsive attacks (P<0. 05). The density of neurons in the CA3 area of the hippocampus in the kainic acid group showed a significant decrease compared to the sham group (P<0. 05), while pretreatment with the extract caused a significant increase in the number of neurons in this area compared to the kainic acid group. Additionally, a significant increase in the intensity of mossy fiber sprouting was observed in epileptic rats compared to the sham group, and pretreatment with the extract significantly decreased its intensity (P<0. 05). Conclusion: The pre-treatment with the hydroalcoholic extract of Rosa damascena decreased convulsive behavior, protected hippocampal CA3 neurons and reduced the intensity of sprouting in the hippocampal dentate region in the experimental model of temporal lobe epilepsy induced by kainic acid.

Background and Objective: Alkaline phosphatase, BMP, and GATA proteins are important factors in the process of spermatogenesis. This study aims to investigate the effect of alkaline phosphatase, GATA, and BMP expression on spermatogenic stem cells, embryonic cells, and embryonic stem-like cells (ES-like) in C57BL mice. Methods: In this experimental study, spermatogonial stem cells were isolated from three heads of 4-week-old C57BL mice, and embryonic stem cells and ES-like cells were prepared. Alkaline phosphatase staining test was performed on spermatogenic stem cells, embryonic cells, and ES-like cells. The expression of BMP and GATA genes was analyzed using Fluidigm PCR. Protein-protein interaction networks were isolated and drawn using databases. Results: Positive alkaline phosphatase expression in stem cells and negative expression in testicular Sertoli cells indicated the presence of this enzyme in pluripotent cells. The gene expression of BMP and GATA in spermatogonial stem cells (6. 3 and 2. 7, respectively), embryonic cells (3. 2 and 4. 4, respectively), and ES-like cells (8. 5 and 2. 5, respectively) was positive, but not statistically significant. Bioinformatics studies showed the regulatory role of these genes and their direct effect on alkaline phosphatase. Conclusion: BMP and GATA genes, along with alkaline phosphatase enzymes, play a crucial role in controlling embryonic and spermatogonial stem cells, maintaining their pluripotency, and guiding them towards differentiated cells.

Background and Objective: Molybdenum trioxide (MoO3) is a type of nanoparticle used in the industry as an antibacterial agent. The kidney is one of the most important organs in the body, responsible for filtering waste products and regulating blood factors that are affected by various agents. Due to the widespread use of MoO3 in disinfecting operating room equipment and the importance of renal glomeruli in blood plasma purification, this study aimed to determine the effect of molybdenum trioxide nanoparticles on rat kidneys. Methods: In this experimental study, thirty Wistar rats weighing 250-300 g were randomly divided into five groups (n=6), including a control group, a sham group (receiving normal saline), and three experimental groups (receiving MoO3 at doses of 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg/bw IP). Intraperitoneal injections were given for 35 days. After the treatment period, the animals were anesthetized, and blood samples were collected from the heart. The right kidney was then removed, and after tissue preparation, the samples were examined by stereology to determine changes in the volume of cortex, medulla, urinary space, renal body, and glomeruli. Results: Significant increases in urinary space volume were observed in the groups receiving MoO3, and a decrease in medulla volume was observed in the group receiving a dose of 200 mg/kg/bw compared to the control and sham groups (P<0. 05). A significant increase in cortex volume was observed in the group receiving nanoparticles at a dose of 50 mg/kg/bw compared to the control and sham groups. MoO3 caused weight reduction in animals, as well as an increase in urea and a decrease in renal volume (P<0. 05). Conclusion: Molybdenum trioxide nanoparticles can cause changes in the morphology of rats' kidneys.

Background and Objective: Understanding the cellular signaling mechanisms involved in muscle hypertrophy is considered a scientific challenge. Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is one of the regulatory factors in this process that increases protein synthesis in skeletal muscle through phosphorylation. This study aimed to determine the effect of six weeks of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on phosphorylated mTOR protein in the quadriceps muscles of adult male Wistar rats. Methods: In this experimental study, 16 adult male Wistar rats (six weeks old and weighing an average of 190. 93±, 4. 97g) were used. The animals were randomly divided into two groups of control and training (n=8). The training group underwent six weeks of HIIT on a treadmill, with five sessions per week. The load was increased during the six weeks from repeating the interval of 30 meters per minute for 30 seconds in the first sessions to eleven repetitions of the interval of 35 meters per minute for 30 seconds at the end of the sixth week, with rest intervals between the intervals at a speed of 13 meters per minute for 60 seconds. The control group did not undergo any training. The mice were anesthetized, and the Vastus lateralis of the quadriceps muscle was extracted. The level of phosphorylated mTOR protein in the quadriceps muscle was measured using the immunohistochemical method. Results: HIIT significantly increased the levels of mTOR phosphorylation protein in male Wistar quadriceps femoris muscle compared to the control group (P<0. 05). Conclusion: Interval activity can have a positive effect on muscle hypertrophy through mTOR.

Background and Objective: Long-standing groin pain (LSGP) is a common injury in ball games. This study aimed to compare the electrical activity of selected lumbopelvic-hip muscles during a single leg jump-cut maneuver in football players with LSGP and healthy players. Methods: In this case-control study, 32 football players were divided into two groups: LSGP (n=16) and healthy (n=16). A force plate was used to determine the heel-contact and heel-off moment. The ground reaction forces and the average of three trials of the electrical activity of selected lumbopelvic-hip muscles during a single leg jump-cut maneuver were recorded bilaterally. Results: At the heel-contact moment, the rectus abdominis and adductor longus muscles on the dominant side and the multifidus muscle on the opposite side showed significantly higher activity in the LSGP group compared to the healthy group (P<0. 05). Similarly, at the peak of the vertical reaction force, the rectus abdominis and adductor longus muscles on the dominant side and the multifidus and gluteus medius muscles on the opposite side were significantly more active in the LSGP group (P<0. 05). At the toe-off moment, the internal oblique, adductor longus, and gluteus medius muscles on the dominant side and the internal oblique, multifidus, and gluteus medius muscles on the opposite side were also more active in the LSGP group compared to the control group (P<0. 05). Conclusion: Long-standing groin pain causes changes in the electrical activity of muscle groups during different phases of the single-leg jump-cut maneuver, leading to increased dynamic stability and possibly an increased risk of overuse injuries, chronic injuries, economic consequences, and exclusion from sports activities.

Background and Objective: Echocardiographic measurement of ventricular elastance is essential for evaluating cardiac function. With the technological advancements in echocardiography devices, assessing fetal heart function has become more accurate. Ventricular elastance reflects ventricular function, while arterial elastance measures ventricular afterload. Ventricular-arterial coupling demonstrates the interaction between the ventricle and artery. This study aimed to estimate ventricular end-systolic elastance, arterial elastance, and ventricular-arterial coupling using a non-invasive echocardiographic method. Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 67 fetuses with a gestational age of 19-24 weeks (38 female fetuses and 29 male fetuses) and 43 infants aged 10-60 days (25 female and 18 male) referred to the cardiac echocardiography clinic of the Children's Medical Center over a period of 14 months. Mothers and infants were healthy, and there was no structural heart disease in the fetuses and infants. Those with abnormal rhythm, a vague view, and an unfavorable quality of Doppler signal were excluded. Ventricular end-systolic elastance (Ea), arterial elastance (Ees), and ventricular-arterial coupling (Ea/Ees) were compared in fetuses with the calculated values in newborns. An estimation of the normal value for ventricular and arterial elastances and ventricular-arterial coupling in healthy fetuses and newborns were obtained. Results: The mean arterial elastance of fetuses and newborns was determined as 84. 4±, 20. 04 mmHg/ml and 12. 6±, 2. 88 mmHg/ml, respectively (P<0. 05). The mean ventricular elastance of fetuses and newborns was 88. 5±, 20. 49 mmHg/ml and 15. 07±, 2. 89 mmHg/ml, respectively (P<0. 05). Fetal and newborn ventricular-arterial coupling were calculated as 0. 96±, 0. 14 mmHg/ml and 0. 84±, 0. 13 mmHg/ml, respectively (P<0. 05). Conclusion: The amounts of arterial and ventricular elastance and ventricular-arterial coupling in fetuses were significantly higher than infants and decreased with increasing age.

Background and Objective: COVID-19 is a rapidly spreading acute respiratory syndrome worldwide. COVID-19 vaccination has been widely used as a means to control the disease. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between demographic characteristics and COVID-19 vaccination in patients with COVID-19. Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 1124 patients with a definitive diagnosis of COVID-19 in Minoodasht, Iran, in August 2021. The instruments used in this study included a demographic data questionnaire and a checklist assessing patient characteristics. Results: The majority of COVID-19 patients were men (51. 8%), aged between 35 to 45 years (26%), and married (76. 5%). COVID-19 vaccination was administered to 26. 6% of the patients. Patients who received vaccination (27. 1%) used masks less than unvaccinated patients (72. 9%) (P<0. 05). In the patients with COVID-19, 8. 2% were hospitalized. The mean duration of hospitalization for vaccinated patients (7. 8±, 6. 4 days) was lower than that for unvaccinated patients (8. 3±, 5. 9 days),however, this difference was not significant. Age, education, underlying disease, and mask usage were associated with COVID-19 vaccination (P<0. 05). With an increase in underlying disease and age, vaccination rates increased, while vaccination rates decreased with the use of masks and lower education. Conclusion: Attention to demographic factors and certain characteristics of individuals is necessary to improve COVID-19 vaccination rates. Previous COVID-19 vaccination does not decrease the number of hospitalization days in patients with COVID-19.

Background and Objective: With the increase in the spread of COVID-19, mental health consequences such as fear, anxiety, and depression have become prevalent. This study aimed to investigate the predictive role of fear of COVID-19 and quarantine fatigue on depression in congenital heart disease patients during the pandemic. Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 105 patients with congenital heart disease (6 men and 99 women) who were referred to Shahid Rajaee Hospitals and Tehran Heart Center during 2021-22. Data were collected using a depression scale, a fear scale for COVID-19, and a quarantine fatigue questionnaire. Results: The results showed that 28. 6% of patients with congenital heart disease experienced mild depression, while 7. 6% had severe depression. Quarantine fatigue was found to be mild in 43. 8% of patients. Additionally, fear of COVID-19 (r=0. 195, P=0. 001) and quarantine fatigue (r=0. 617, P=0. 001) were significantly correlated with depression in congenital heart patients. Conclusion: Fear of COVID-19 is related to depression caused by coronavirus and quarantine fatigue in patients with congenital heart disease.

Background and Objective: Vaginal delivery is a natural physiological process that can be a critical experience for women. One of the factors involved in avoiding vaginal delivery is childbirth self-efficacy. Self-efficacy affects all aspects of behavior and emotional activities, including attachment. This study aimed to determine the relationship between childbirth self-efficacy and maternal attachment to the fetus in nulliparous pregnant women. Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 323 nulliparous pregnant women who attended health centers in Zahedan city from 2020-2021. Data were collected using participants’,demographic questionnaire, Lowe’, s childbirth self-efficacy questionnaire, and Cranely’, s maternal attachment to the fetus questionnaire. Results: Maternal attachment style to the fetus showed a significant direct correlation with childbirth self-efficacy. Maternal attachment style to the fetus predicted childbirth self-efficacy (P=0. 003, r=0. 16), explaining 2. 7% of the variance of childbirth self-efficacy. Conclusion: The results suggest that helping mothers accept their motherly role and improving maternal attachment to the fetus can increase childbirth self-efficacy. Educational programs during pregnancy should include training related to strengthening maternal attachment to the fetus. As women with high childbirth self-efficacy have a greater ability to perform vaginal delivery, it may increase their desire for vaginal delivery.

Background and Objective: Toll-like receptors (TLRs) located in the fallopian tube epithelial cells play a crucial role in the immunological response to sperm and pathogens. The present study aimed to compare the function and response of TLR3, TLR4, and TLR5 receptors in the presence of sperm under both physiological and pathological conditions in vitro. Methods: In this descriptive laboratory study, OE-E6/E7 cells were cultured with fresh sperm samples obtained from normozoospermic individuals (n=10) and specific ligands for TLR3, TLR4, and TLR5 receptors in three groups consisting of sperm, specific ligands, and sperm + specific ligands. A control group was also included without adding sperm or ligand. The concentrations of IL-6 and IL-8 secreted from OE-E6/E7 cells in all four groups were determined using the ELISA method. Results: Exposure of sperm and specific ligands to TLR3, TLR4, and TLR5 receptors in fallopian tube epithelial cells led to a significant increase in the concentration of IL-6 and IL-8 cytokines. There was no significant difference in the secretion of these cytokines from OE-E6/E7 cells between the two groups of ligand and ligand + sperm. Conclusion: The response of fallopian tube epithelial cells to sperm exposure through TLRs leads to an increase in cytokine secretion. However, simultaneous exposure of sperm and TLR-specific ligands does not result in a cumulative increase in cytokine secretion. Therefore, it is plausible that the TLR signaling pathway may be regulated negatively by some other factors. Further studies are required to investigate this issue.

Understanding maxillary sinus hypoplasia (MSH) and associated sinonasal variants is crucial for the success of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in maxillary sinus and maxillary dental implant surgery. The aim of this study was to investigate a rare case of unilateral maxillary sinus hypoplasia associated with lower orbital floor displacement, without involving the Uncinate process. A 31-year-old woman presented to the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Babol Dental School for rhinoplasty without any complaints of headache or nasal congestion. She had no history of trauma, congenital or bone diseases/abnormalities. Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) images revealed left maxillary sinus hypoplasia, lower orbital floor, and increased thickening of the sinus mucosa. The patient's photograph also showed lower displacement of the orbital floor. The diagnosis of unilateral maxillary sinus hypoplasia in this study was based on clinical manifestations and coronal views of CBCT and CT scans. Symptoms of hypoplastic sinus include chronic headache, facial pain, voice problems, or may sometimes be asymptomatic. If the surgeon is not aware of the hypoplasticity of the sinus, complications during surgery may increase, including post-surgery complications such as visibility of the low orbital floor and resulting patient confusion. This study highlights the importance of using CBCT as a valuable diagnostic tool to identify anatomical variations and details of the hypoplastic sinus. This approach helps the surgeon to inform the patient and provide an appropriate treatment plan, especially in cases involving dental implants or sinus surgery.

Hermaphrodite patients are individuals who, due to various issues such as chromosomal, gonadal or hormonal disorders that occurred during pregnancy, experience physiological abnormalities in their genital area after birth. As a result, they may have both male and female genitalia or be born ambiguously as a baby boy with female sexual organs, or vice versa. In order to study the challenges presented by this condition in the Islamic Penal Code, sources were collected from Irandak, Normagz, and SID Civilica Jihad academic databases using keywords such as hermaphrodite, neutrality, criminal policy, gender identity disorder, gender ambiguity, recidivism, multicrime, neutral jurisprudential rule, and factors that reduce responsibility due to thematic and conceptual relevance. The time frame considered for the study was from 1980 to 2022, and 57 sources were included. The criteria for inclusion in the study were criminal, jurisprudential, and medical articles related to hermaphroditic and criminal topics relevant to the questions posed in the article. The purpose of this study is to provide a correct explanation of the challenges in the Islamic Penal Code and to answer them. Given the nature of these disorders and the lack of knowledge among affected individuals, families, and society, as well as the exclusion of the conditions of these patients in different laws, this article attempts to explain the place of hermaphrodites in medical science, how this disorder occurs in these individuals, and the introduction of hermaphrodite patients in Islamic jurisprudence. It also discusses where these individuals are placed as human beings in Imamiah jurisprudence. The most important part of this article is devoted to the articles of the Islamic Penal Code regarding the commission of crimes such as hudud, retribution, blood money, and punishment. The most significant challenge in implementing penal law for these patients is the lack of differential criminalization. Specifically, there is a need to develop criminal laws for crimes that these individuals are more likely to commit and determine appropriate punishments, such as obtaining a guarantee of non-custodial executions. In addition, during the investigation phase, there is a lack of an appropriate differential procedure for this category of patients. This requires training for judges and officers, such as police and officers dealing with these patients, as well as adaptation of detention spaces (detention centers and prisons) to prevent victimization or re-offending due to the special mental and physical conditions of these patients. In conclusion, research on hermaphrodite patients is necessary to change attitudes towards them and take practical measures at the social level in legislative, judicial and executive criminal policy. This article uses a descriptive method and library sources to explain and analyze this purpose.