Feyz Medical Sciences Journal
Year:2014 | Volume:18 | Issue:2|Papers Count:16

Background: Endocannabinoids are one of the endogenous systems that modulate the learning and memory. There is currently debate over the interaction between L-type Ca2+ channels and endocannabinoid system on the learning and memory. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of acute administration of URB597, as endocannabinoid breakdown inhibitor, following chronic administration of verapamil, as Ca2+ channels blocker, on passive avoidance (PA) test.Materials and Methods: This behavioral study was carried out on 70 male Wistar rats.Animals were divided into seven groups (n=10 in each group). Rats were treated with verapamil hydrochloride (10, 25, 50 mg/kg, i.p.) or saline as the solvent of verapamil for 13 days (once daily). Before PA test, a single injection of saline, verapamil or URB597 (0.3 mg/kg, i.p.) was done. Then PA training was started. Retrieval test was done 24 h after training.Results: Results showed that both URB597 and verapamil decreased the acquisition and retrieval of PA task. Moreover, URB597 can augment the inhibitory, effect of verapamil on acquisition and retrieval of PA test.Conclusion: It can be concluded that L-type calcium channels may have a role in learning and memory. Also, there is an interaction between Ca2+channels and endocannabinoid system. This may be due to changes made by endocannabinoids in neural structures involved in learning and memory processing.

Background: Baclofen as a GABA-B receptor agonist and flumazenil as a benzodiazepine receptor antagonist facilitate chloride influx via GABA receptors. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of flumazenil on baclofen-induced amnesia in passive avoidance learning in male rats.Materials and Methods: In this study, 49 male rats (200-250 gr) were randomly divided into 7 groups (n=7): non-shocked, shocked, flumazenil (0.5mg/kg, i.p.), baclofen (10 mg/kg, I.P.), and three groups which received baclofen together with flumazenil at 5, 90 and 360 min post-training. Animals were examined by shuttle box for avoidance learning and retrieval test was done 48 h after learning. The step through latency and passive avoidance response including time in dark chamber and number of entrance were recorded and analyzed.Results: The amnesic effect of baclofen was confirmed by the results of our study.Flumazenil alone had no effect on passive avoidance memory, although 90 min after training it inhibited the baclofen-induced amnesia.Conclusion: It seems that flumazenil is able to antagonize the inhibitory effect of baclofen.It can be concluded that flumazenil in the elevated concentrations can affect GABA-B receptors and have long lasting effect on memory retention.

Background: Epilepsy is one of the most prevalent brain disorders affecting 0.5-1% of people in different societies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of coping skills training on reducing stress in patients with epilepsy.Materials and Methods: In this clinical trial study, 60 patients with epilepsy were selected randomly from a list of the members of Isfahan Epilepsy Association in the second half of 2011. The participants were divided into the experimental and control groups (n=30 in each group). The training and practice of stress management were conducted one two-hour session per week for eight weeks. Before and after the training and practice, Lazarus- Folkman coping questionnaire and Depression, Anxiety, Stress scale (DASS) were completed for both groups.Results: The results showed that 60% and 53% of the cases were women in the experimental and control groups, respectively. The age of most respondents in the experimental (36.7%) and control (30%) groups was in the range of 18-24 years. Results revealed that coping skills training can reduce tension in patients with epilepsy (P<0.01). Moreover, coping skills training significantly affected all subscales of coping strategies scores except for avoidance, self-control and responsibility.Conclusion: Findings showed that coping skills training can be recommended as an add-on treatment plan in patients suffering from epilepsy.

Background: The Y-chromosome azoospermic factor (AZF) regions consist of genes whose specific roles and functions in spermatogenesis have not been completely clarified. Hence, recognition of the association between AZF microdeletions and male infertility has suggestions for the diagnosis, treatment, and genetic counseling among infertile patients.Materials and Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was performed on 47 infertile men with non-obstructive azoospermic and normal karyotypes referred to infertility center of Alzahra hospital in Tabriz. Molecular AZF screening technique was performed on the genomic DNA from peripheral blood samples. Multiplex PCR and two different sets of sequence-tagged sites (STS) were used to detect the microdeletions in Y-chromosomal AZF regions and the Y specific sequences.Results: Seventeen (36.17%) out of 47 infertile men had deletions in the AZFc and AZFd regions (P<0.05). Among the 17 azoospermic subjects harbouring Y chromosome microdeletions, fourteen were detected in AZFc, two in AZFc+d and one in AZFd regions. Therefore, microdelitions in the AZF regions have a significant effect on azospermia occurrence in the infertile men.Conclusion: Y-chromosome microdeletion analysis can be recommended as an important molecular test among infertile males to obtain reliable genetic information before the administration of assisted-reproductive techniques. It will help to decrease the cost and technical difficulty of the procedure.

Background: Controversial results were reported on the effect of exercise on the histology of hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG) in pentyleneterazole- (PTZ) kindled animals. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of physical exercise on the histology of hippocampal DG in kindled rats.Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 40 adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four equal groups: control without exercise, PTZ without exercise, control+exercise and PTZ+exercise groups. After a 6 week-period training, the rats were deeply anesthetized and sacrificed and then their brains dissected out and fixed in formalin (10%). After tissue processing and sectioning, the samples were stained. An immunohistochemical method was used to determine the rate of cell death in hippocampal neurons.Results: Results showed that a 6 week-period training significantly increased the mean number of normal cells in DG in the PTZ+exercise group compared to the PTZ without exercise group. Moreover, the mean number of normal cells in DG in the control+exercise group was significantly increased compared to the control without exercise group. The rate of cell death of DG neurons in PTZ groups was increased significantly compared to the other groups.Conclusion: Experimental seizure using PTZ-kindling method can decrease the number of normal cells in DG neurons of hippocampus, while exercise delays the morphological changes of DG cells.

Background: Cancer as a global problem can affect different aspects of a patient’s life. The number of people of all ages suffering from cancer is increasing. Psychological problems and reduction in quality of life are the most important issues among cancer patients.Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the effect of life review with spiritual approach on the life quality in cancer patients.Materials and Methods: This clinical trial study was performed on 80 cancer patients in Kashan. Patients were randomly assigned to the two equal groups: the experimental and control groups. The quality of life questionnaire, EORTC QLQ-C30, was completed for both groups before the intervention. Then, six sessions of individual counseling on life review therapy with spiritual approach were held for the experimental group. One week after the last session, the quality of life questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30) was completed for both groups again.Results: The mean quality of life scores changed from 27.5 in pretest to 75 in posttest for the experimental group, and from 33.75 in pretest to 21.87 in post-test for the control group.According to the results, the quality of life in the experimental group has significantly increased after the implementation of life review.Conclusion: Life review therapy with spiritual approach can improve quality of life in cancer patients. Therefore, this treatment can be used as an effective way to improve the life quality of these patients.

Background: Sleep disorders are one of the most common problems in patients undergoing hemodialysis. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of aromatherapy on sleep quality in hemodialysis patients.Materials and Methods: This clinical trial was performed on 60 hemodialysis patients selected from the dialysis centers of Akhavan hospital in Kashan and Shohadaye Lenjan hospital in Zarrinshahr. Eligible patients were randomly assigned into two equal groups, the experimental and control groups. The experimental group smelled lavender essential oil during the study, while the control group received no intervention. The Persian version of Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index was completed by the participants at the baseline and the end of study.Results: Results showed no significant difference in the mean sleep quality score between the experimental (12.67±3.407) and control groups (13.83±3.940) at baseline, but a significant difference was seen in mean sleep quality score between the experimental (7.93±3.483) and control groups (13.50±4.249) after the end of the study (P<0.0001).Conclusion: Aromatherapy with lavender essential oil has positive effect on improving sleep quality in hemodialysis patients and may be used as a noninvasive, easy and low-cost method for sleep disorders in these patients.

Background: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the prevalent disorders in child psychiatry with the potential of damage to mental talent evolution process and socio-emotional skills. This study aimed to examine the effect of an aerobic running program on ADHD among the primary school girls.Materials and Methods: In this clinical trial study, 120 female students with ADHD were purposefully selected from the primary schools in Kashan during 2011-12. The child symptom inventory-DSM-IV version (CSI-4) was completed by the students' teachers and parents and then 30 students with the severe ADHD were divided into the control and experimental groups using the randomized block method. The experimental group performed a 12-week interval running program, 3 times per week, with a maximum heart rate of 60- 85%. Data were analyzed using covariance analysis.Results: Results showed that a 12-week interval running program had beneficial effects on ADHD in the experimental compared to the control group (P<0.001).Conclusion: It seems that an aerobic training as a non-invasive and non-drug alternative has a positive effect on the alleviation of ADHD.

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common degenerative disease of joints and the main cause of elder patients' disability. Cartilage damage is a major problem in OA. To investigate the pathogenesis of OA, this study aimed to analyze the differential proteomics of chondrocytes in OA patients compared to normal chondrocytes.Materials and Methods: Protein extracts of cartilages prepared from 7 patients with endstage OA, who were candidates for arthroplasty, were compared to 7 samples from normal cartilages. Proteins were analyzed by fluorescent gel electrophoresis (2D-DIGE) method and the differentially expressed proteins were identified by mass spectrometry (MS). Two samples were lost because of tissue insufficiency and the other because of mistransportation.Results: Among the 25 analyzed proteins, difference was seen for the 8 following proteins: osteonectine, cathepsin, chondroadherin, HSP, clustrine and collagen II, Activin A and carbonic Anhydrase. The levels of osteonectine, cathepsin, clustrine and collagen II were decreased in the OA samples compared to normal chondrocytes. Moreover, the levels of chondroadherin and Activin A were increased in the OA samples compared to normal chondrocytes.Conclusion: The findings demonstrate the ability of the 2D-DIGE/MS platform to identify proteins with altered expression in chondrocytes of patients with OA. The identification of these proteins may open new lines of research for the pathogenesis of OA.

Background: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a gram-negative, non-fermentative bacillus and one of the most common opportunistic human pathogen causing 10-15% of nosocomial and burn wound infections worldwide. These bacteria are resistant to most of the antibiotics.This study aimed to investigate the frequency of extended spectrum b-lactamase (ESBL) and metallo- b-lactamase (MBL) enzymes in P.aeruginosa strains isolated from burn wounds.Materials and Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 180 wound specimens were collected from patients hospitalized in burn hospital and then cultured. The suspected colonies were identified using the conventional biochemical methods. Susceptibility testing was performed using the Kirby-Bauer method. Moreover, the Combination Disk and E.test methods were used for the determination of ESBLs and MBL, respectively.Results: Fifty-four (30%) out of 180 cultured samples were identified as p.aeruginosa; 12 (22%) and 16 (29.5%) isolates were ESBLs and MBL producer, respectively. Overall, 42 (79%), 40 (74%), 40 (74%), 38 (70%), 35 (66%) and 34 (62%) isolates were resistant to ceftizoxime, imipenem, gentamycin, piperacillin, cefepime, meropenem and ertapenem, respectively.Conclusion: Results reveal that the antimicrobial resistance and prevalence of ESBLs and MBL producing P.aeruginosa strains is increasing in our hospital and it is necessary to perform susceptibility testing, control risk factors and reasonably prescribe the appropriate antibiotics. Considering the diversity of ESBL and MBL classes and their prevalence in different areas, performing molecular research is needed.

Background: There are several methods to manage intertrochanteric fractures. The external fixation device could produce favorable clinical outcomes. Furthermore, it has a lower rate of morbidity. Therefore, this study aimed to compare two different methods for the reduction of the intertrochanteric fracture in elderly high-risk patients: external fixator vs. skeletal traction.Materials and Methods: In this randomized clinical trial, 60 elderly patients (mean age, 78 years) with a pertrochanteric fracture were randomly assigned to the two groups and treated with either skeletal traction (group A) or external fixation (group B).Results: Significant improvements were observed in all fractures; acceptable reduction was achieved in 8 patients in group A and 26 patients in group B. The mean length of hospitalization was 14.3 days for group A and 2.2 for the group B. There was a significant difference between the two groups regarding the acceptable reduction of fracture and duration of hospitalization (P<0.05). At 12 months after surgery, the mean Harris hip scores were 57 and 66 in the group A and B, respectively.Conclusion: Management with external fixator is an effective method for intertrochanteric fractures in elderly high-risk patients. Its advantages include quick and simple application, minimal blood loss, less radiation exposure, early discharge from hospital, low costs and favorable functional outcomes.

Background: Kikuchi, histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis, is a rare inflammatory disease that typically affects the cervical lymph nodes. Kikuchi is a benign disorder which most commonly resolved spontaneously over several weeks to months. This disease may mimic lymphoma and is definitely diagnosed by lymph node pathology.Case Report: The case was a 26-year-old woman with fever, chill, right-sided neck swelling accompanied by lower extremity pain, nausea, loss of appetite, and headache since 10 days ago. On examination, the spleen was palpable about 5 cm below the costal margin. Despite the continuation of antibiotic therapy and persistent fever, cervical lymphadenopathy, splenomegaly, leukopenia and elevated ESR, biopsy of lymph nodes was performed to rule out lymphoma and to establish Kikuchi disease. After 20 days the patient was discharged from the hospital.Conclusion: In every patient, especially young woman, with prolonged fever and enlarged lymph node, Kikuchi’s disease should be considered in the differential diagnosis and consequently the lymph node biopsy is recommended.