Journal of Gorgan University of Medical Sciences
Year:2023 | Volume:25 | Issue:3|Papers Count:12

One of the main spermatogenesis events is the replacement of histones with small proteins called protamines, which leads to chromatin's condensation in the sperm nucleus and protects it against possible damage. Today, tests such as aniline blue (AB), toluidine blue (TB), and chromomycin A3 (CMA3) staining are used based on different characteristics to evaluate sperm chromatin compaction. For the assessment of DNA fragmentation in sperm, several tests such as 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), TUNEL, Comet, sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA), sperm chromatic dispersion (SCD), and acridine orange have been introduced that directly and indirectly assay DNA damage. The articles in PubMed and Google Scholar, as well as related books, from 2007 to 2022, were collected and reviewed based on keywords 8-OHdG, TUNEL, Comet, SCD, and acridine orange. So far, many studies have been conducted at the treatment level and on sperm chromatin tests, but the number of cases published so far is limited. Various sperm samples have been used in different studies, with different threshold limits in the tests. The sixth edition of the World Health Organization (WHO) book notes that each laboratory has its threshold limit. Therefore, in this review study, common methods of evaluating chromatin packaging and DNA damage are introduced, and the advantages and disadvantages of each test are discussed based on the latest achievements related to infertility.

Background and Objective: Paraquat toxicity can damage organisms through mechanisms that are not yet fully understood. Evidence shows that regular exercise and appropriate antioxidant supplements can help reduce the complications caused by paraquat toxicity. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of aerobic exercise training, along with piperine supplement, on the liver levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) in Wistar rats induced with paraquat. Methods: In this experimental study, 40 adult Wistar rats were randomly placed into 5 groups of 8, including 1) sham, 2) negative control-paraquat, 3) paraquat + training, 4) paraquat + training + piperine, and 5) paraquat + piperine. Aerobic training included 7 weeks of walking on a treadmill (5 sessions per week for 30-40 min per session, at a speed of 10-18 m/min). Paraquat was administered to the rats by intraperitoneal injection at a dose of 5 mg/kg of body weight. The piperine supplement was daily gavaged at a dose of 10 mg/kg of body weight. The concentration of TNF-a and IL-10 was measured in the liver tissue. Results: A significant increase in IL-10 and a decrease in TNF-a concentrations were observed between the paraquat-negative control groups compared to the sham, paraquat + exercise, paraquat + piperine, and paraquat + exercise + piperine groups (P<0. 05). There was a significant difference between the mean concentrations of TNF-a in the liver tissue between the two negative control groups-paraquat with paraquat + piperine supplement (P<0. 05), paraquat + exercise + piperine (P<0. 05), paraquat + exercise (P<0. 05), and sham (P<0. 05). There was a significant difference in concentrations of IL-10 in the liver tissue between the two negative control groups-paraquat with paraquat + piperine supplement, paraquat + exercise + piperine, paraquat + exercise), and sham (P<0. 05). Conclusion: The concentration of TNF-a and IL-10 in male rats induced with paraquat were significantly decreased and increased, respectively, compared to paraquat + piperine supplement, paraquat + exercise + piperine, paraquat + exercise, and sham groups. Therefore, it seems that performing aerobic exercise, along with piperine supplementation, can be a proper way to reduce the inflammation caused by paraquat.

Background and Objective: Obesity is a well-known public health problem that affects people of all ages. It has myriad effects on several body tissues, including the thyroid, in both human and animal models. Some treatments, such as dietary modification and physical activity, may be effective or ineffective in reducing obesity. Accordingly, the present research investigated the effects of obesity on thyroid tissue and the impact of diet modification and aerobic exercises on histopathological and hormonal changes in the thyroid tissue of obese male rats. Methods: In this experimental study, for obesity induction, 50 three-week-old male Wistar rats were exposed to a high-fat diet (including 40% fat, 40% protein, and 20% carbohydrate) for 12 weeks. Then, 25 rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: healthy control, obese + high-fat diet, obese + normal diet, obese + high-fat diet + aerobic, obese + normal diet + aerobic. After the induction of obesity, 2 groups were given a standard diet (including 20% fat, 10% protein, and 70% carbohydrates). Aerobic exercises for 8 weeks included 30 minutes per day, 8 m/min, and 5 days per week. After anesthesia, an autopsy was performed, and the thyroid tissue was sent to the laboratory for histopathological studies. Also, 5 cc of blood was taken to study TSH, T3, and T4 using a radioimmunoassay kit. Results: The serum levels of TSH hormone increased slightly in the high-fat diet groups compared to the control group and the normal diet with/without aerobic activity group. Also, the amount of T3 hormone in the group receiving a normal diet along with aerobic activity was significantly lower than in the control, high-fat diet, and high-fat diet along with aerobic activity groups (P<0. 05). The T4 hormone increased significantly in all obesity groups compared to the control group (P<0. 05), and these values were at the level of the control group (P<0. 05) only in the group receiving the normal diet along with aerobic activity. Regarding the histopathological results, many changes were found in the follicular, parafollicular, and follicle cells of the thyroid tissue in the obesity group continuing the high-fat diet,these changes were significantly reduced in the groups for which the diet was changed to the normal diet alone and with aerobic activity. Conclusion: Induction of obesity causes significant structural and biochemical changes in the thyroid, and the combination of diet modification and aerobic activity is more effective in alleviating these changes.

Background and Objective: Using lumbar orthoses changes the running mechanics. An essential biomechanical factor in rehabilitation and injury prevention is the co-contraction of the knee and ankle joints. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of 2 types of thoracolumbosacral braces on ankle and knee joint co-contraction in people with kyphosis during running. Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted on 15 men aged 18-25 years suffering from kyphosis greater than 40 degrees in the Biomechanics Laboratory of the University of Mohaghegh Ardabili Health Center during the summer of 2020. Each participant randomly performed 3 running tests in each condition: without a brace, with a sensor brace, and with a simple brace. The test consisted of electromyographic data of the selected lower limb muscles, which also recorded the contraction of the knee and ankle muscles in the right leg when running at a constant speed. Results: The results showed a reduction of the general knee co-contraction while using a sensory brace compared to without the brace by 6% during the loading phase (P<0. 05). Additionally, using a simple brace compared to the condition without a brace, the ankle-directed contraction during the push-off phase decreased by 38% (P<0. 05). Directed vastus medialis and lateralis co-contraction while using a sensory brace increased by about 49% compared to without the brace at the loading phase and increased by about 47% at the mid-stance phase without a brace condition compared to the simple brace condition (P<0. 05). Conclusion: General knee co-contraction after using a sensory brace was lower than when a simple brace was used.

Background and Objective: Micro-ribonucleic acids (microRNAs) have introduced a new field in the molecular diagnosis of cancer. However, the role of circulating microRNAs in the plasma/serum of colorectal cancer patients is still unclear. This study was conducted to determine the expression of let-7d microRNA in patients with colorectal cancer. Methods: This case-control study was conducted on 40 patients with colorectal cancer and 40 healthy people. In this study, 7 mL blood samples were collected from patients with colorectal cancer (both before and after tumor resection) and healthy individuals (only once). The serum samples were isolated and stored at - 80°C until molecular analysis. MicroRNAs were extracted from serum samples, and cDNA was synthesized. Let-7d expression was examined using the RT-qPCR method. Data were analyzed using GraphPad Prism v. 9 software. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, sensitivity, and specificity were also calculated for the let-7d microRNA data to introduce a diagnostic biomarker between the preoperative patient group and the control group. Results: In the preoperative samples of the patients, the expression of let-7d microRNA was significantly lower than that of the control group (P˂0. 05). The expression of let-7d microRNA significantly increased after tumor resection compared to before. The ROC analysis for let-7d microRNA in the preoperative patient group with the control group showed that the sensitivity was 33. 3%, specificity was 92. 3%, and the area under the curve (AUC) was 0. 622. Conclusion: Let-7d microRNA could potentially serve as a new noninvasive diagnostic biomarker for the early detection of colorectal cancer. However, further studies are required on this subject.

Background and Objective: Prostate cancer is a malignancy affecting men. Identifying risk factors for prostate cancer is crucial for the potential development of interventions and expanding our biological understanding of this disease. The present study investigated the association of rs1800896 and rs1800896 with prostate adenocarcinoma. Methods: This case-control study was conducted on 176 men, including 78 patients with prostate adenocarcinoma (case group) and 98 men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (control group), who visited the Labafinejad Educational and Treatment Center in Tehran, Iran. Genotyping was performed using the Tetra ARMS-PCR (amplification refractory mutation system-polymerase chain reaction) method. Results: There was no statistically significant difference between the case and control groups in the genotype frequency of rs1800896 and rs1465618. However, the rs1800896 polymorphism was associated with PSA levels less than or equal to 4 ng/mL (P<0. 05). Significant associations were found between rs1800896 and rs1465618 polymorphisms and clinical features, such as perineural invasion (P<0. 05). Conclusion: The rs1800896 and rs1465618 polymorphisms were not associated with the risk of prostate adenocarcinoma.

Background and Objective: Loneliness is one of the problems experienced by the aging population, and the lack of social communication plays a major role in the emergence of loneliness. This study was conducted to determine the effects of telenursing on the loneliness of the elderly. Methods: This field trial was conducted on 100 elderly people over 60 years of age who were selected by convenience sampling from the clients of Gonabad (Iran) community health centers during 2017. The elderly participants were randomly assigned to 2 groups of 50 people, intervention and control. Then, the demographic information questionnaire, the Informant Questionnaire for Cognitive Decline in the Elderly, and Dehshiri et al. 's Loneliness Scale were completed. The intervention group received face-to-face training by the researcher for 2 hours. There was no intervention for the control group, and the elderly received routine care from the family health unit. After the face-to-face meeting, phone calls were made by the researcher to the intervention group for 12 weeks. One month after the end of the intervention, the questionnaires were completed again by the two groups and evaluated and compared. Results: The mean (standard deviation) score of loneliness was 60. 82±21. 07 and 57. 48±18. 76 before the intervention in the intervention and control groups, respectively, and this value after the intervention was 35. 06±14. 20 and 61. 40±18. 72, respectively, in the intervention and control groups. After the intervention, a statistically significant difference was found in terms of a reduction in the loneliness score of the elderly in the intervention group compared to the control group (P<0. 05). Conclusion: This study showed that telenursing was effective in reducing the loneliness of the elderly.

Background and Objective: Because of tissue variety, signs, symptoms, and higher mortality and morbidity, central nervous system (CNS) tumors are of special importance in diagnosis and treatment. Knowledge of the epidemiology of these tumors helps with health system planning. This study aimed to obtain more data on the epidemiologic specifications of these neoplasms. Methods: This descriptive-analytical study focuses on 141 patients (58 Male and 83 female) with CNS tumors who visited the 5th Azar Hospital, Gorgan, Iran, during 2013-17. All the data were obtained from hospital medical records in the Neurosurgery and Oncology Department. All demographic data were recorded, such as age, sex, tumor type, signs, symptoms, and risk factors. In cases with incomplete data, the files were completed with interviews and phone calls. Results: The tumors in 94 (66. 6%) patients were benign, and 47 (33. 3%) patients had malignant and metastatic tumors. The most common signs were headache (n=43, 30. 5%) and convulsion (n=24, 17%). No relationship was found between CNS tumors, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia. Conclusion: Regarding the high mortality of CNS tumors, early adequate attention to signs and symptoms helps earlier diagnosis. However, more studies on larger samples are needed to find more risk factors.

Background and Objective: Lidocaine is the most effective anesthetic and a valuable drug for nerve pain control and management. Dexamethasone is commonly used to prevent postoperative nausea and vomiting. Dexamethasone, together with a local anesthetic, enhances the peripheral nerve block. Therefore, this study was conducted to compare the duration of anesthesia and analgesia effects after surgery in 2 anesthesia methods. Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 50 patients aged 18 to 70 years who were candidates for orthopedic surgery and visited the 5th Azar Medical Training Center, Gorgan, Iran during 2021. The sample was selected via convenience sampling and by checking the inclusion criteria. In group 1, 10 ml of Lidocaine 1%, and in group 2, 8 ml of 1% Lidocaine and 2 ml of dexamethasone were used as infiltration in the operation site. The average onset of analgesia and the duration of analgesia as well as postoperative pain between both anesthesia methods were determined and compared with the visual analog scale. Results: The average duration of anesthetic effect was significantly higher in group 2 (P<0. 05). In addition, the average pain duration of the patients of group 2 had a downward trend from the time of entry to when they exited the recovery room (P<0. 05). Conclusion: The combination of dexamethasone and Lidocaine increased the duration of finger nerve block effect and analgesia after surgery.

Background and Objective: A basic factor in the reduction of fertility levels is delayed fertility. This research was carried out in Khorramabad, Lorestan Province, Iran. Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 535 married women aged 15-49 years in Khorramabad. The data were collected face-to-face through a cross-sectional survey in 2020 using a researcher-made questionnaire between September and December 2019. This study used the Kaplan-Meier test to determine the childlessness survival time. A logistic parametric model with the gamma shared frailty distributions was employed to analyze its determinants. Results: The mean of childlessness survival time was 31. 76 months, with a median of 24 months. Women in the age group of 15 to 30 years, women with university education, women who married at the age of less than 25 years, and women with a higher sense of socioeconomic insecurity had a longer childlessness survival time (P<0. 05). Conclusion: Childlessness was evaluated as low in Khorramabad. Only 2% of the women remained childless after 10 years of marriage.

Background and Objective: Gerotranscendence, as a component of spiritual health, influences their quality of life and adaptation to chronic diseases by creating meaning in life. It is an important approach to enhancing the dimensions of aging health. This study was conducted to determine the relationship between gerotranscendence and quality of life in the elderly with cancer. Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was performed on 200 older adults with cancer who were selected from Firouzgar and Rasool Akram medical centers in Tehran, Iran, during 2021. The checklist of demographic characteristics, the Gerotranscendence Scale (GTS), and the quality of life questionnaire (LEIPAD) were used. Results: Gerotranscendence had a statistically significant relationship with marital status, level of education, employment status, housing status, type of cancer, and type of treatment (P<0. 05). Age had a statistically significant negative correlation with the quality of life (r=-0. 206). Gerotranscendence also had a statistically significant positive correlation with the dimensions of quality of life (r=0. 221, P=0. 002), including depression and anxiety (r=0. 146, P=0. 04), mental performance (r=0. 167, P=0. 018), social performance (r=0. 266, P<0. 001), and satisfaction with life (r=0. 256, P<0. 001). Conclusion: Increasing gerotranscendence increases the quality of life of the elderly.

Background and Objective: Physical disability caused by multiple sclerosis (MS) increases MS patients' need for support from others. Medication adherence is one of the main success factors in the treatment of chronic diseases, which is influenced by various factors. This study aimed to determine the relationship between perceived social support and medication adherence in patients with MS. Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 110 patients (70 women and 40 men) aged 39±9 years with MS who visited the 2 medical training centers of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences (Kashani and Al-Zahra), Isfahan, Iran during 2021. After sampling by the systematic random method, the data were collected by interviews and using Zimmet's Perceived Social Support Scale (MSPSS) and the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8). Results: The mean and standard deviation of the scores of medication adherence and perceived social support were 6. 10±1. 72 and 62. 83±14. 97, respectively. According to the Pearson correlation coefficient, perceived social support did not show any significant relationship with medication adherence (r=0. 185, P=0. 053). Perceived social support showed a statistically significant relationship with income satisfaction (F=4. 54, P=0. 01), the pattern of clinical course (F=2. 95, P=0. 03), difficulty in accessing medical care (t=-2. 29, P=0. 02), and clinical symptoms, including motor (t=-3. 72, P=0. 001), balance (t=-3. 23, P=0. 002), and urinary disorders (t=-2. 53, P=0. 01). Conclusion: Perceived social support in patients with MS did not cause medication adherence.