Feyz Medical Sciences Journal
Year:2013 | Volume:17 | Issue:1|Papers Count:16

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory demyelinating disease of the CNS. Recent studies have described the anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties of cannabinoids. One of the synthetic components that activate cannabinoid receptors is HU-210. This study aimed to examine the effect of HU-210 on cytokines profile and the clinical signs of the disease in the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE).Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 48 male C57BL/6 mice were immunized with 250 mg of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein peptide (MOG35–55). Different doses of HU-210 (3, 10, 30 mg/kg, i.p.) were administered for 17 days (every other day) in the 3 groups of mice, respectively. The clinical status of mice during the study was evaluated using the clinical score tests. The animals were sacrificed at the 17th day of treatment and then the serum TNFa, IL-12 and IL-4 levels were measured using the ELISA method.Results: Results showed that the HU-210-treated mice, especially with a dose of 30 mg/kg, had significantly less clinical score of EAE than the non-treated EAE-induced mice. The administration of HU-210 (30 mg/kg) in the EAE-induced mice significantly decreased the serum TNFa and IL-12 levels. Moreover, the serum IL-4 level was increased significantly in the mice treated with three doses of HU-210 (3, 10, 30 mg/kg) compared to those treated with phosphate.Conclusion: HU-210, which triggers the stages of an immunological cascade, has a beneficial effect in the EAE. This drug can be used for the acute phase of MS.

Background: Toxoplasmosis, as a widespread and important disease, can cause severe complications in the congenital and HIV cases. Vaccination is one of the preventive approaches in humans and domestic animals. The GRA7, an excretory 29 kDa Toxoplasma gondii dense granule antigen released by the infected host cells, has been considered as a candidate to produce a vaccine.Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, the inserted plasmid containing GRA7 gene was extracted from TOP10 bacteria and digested with the BamH1 and EcoR1 enzymes. The isolated gene was inserted into the pcDNA3 plasmid. The cloning was confirmed by the PCR and sequencing. The protein expression was confirmed by the SDS-PAGE and Western blotting.Results: The results showed that the GRA7 gene was cloned into the pcDNA3 plasmid. The isolated gene cloned in pcDNA3 was confirmed by PCR and showed the 733bp band. The pcGRA7 plasmid expressed in the CHO cells showed the 29 kDa band using the SDS-PAGE and Western blotting.Conclusion: Considering that cloning of GRA7 gene has been done in the pcDNA3 plasmid and transformed in the eukaryotic cells, it can be used for the DNA vaccine researches.

Background: Lifestyle modifications are required to promote the quality of physical and mental health performance in the middle-aged women. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the effect of performing a supportive health promotion program on lifestyle of the premenopause teachers.Materials and Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, two case (50) and control (41) groups were selected by the convenience sampling. The supportive program for health promotion was performed at the three stages: assessment, supportive planning and evaluation. Data were collected using the demographic data and health promotion lifestyle profile II (HPLP II) questionnaires before and 45 days after the intervention in both groups.Results: Findings showed that no significant difference was seen between the two groups in the mean numbers of the health-promoting behaviors before the intervention (P=0.467), while a significant difference was seen after the intervention (P=0.001). Moreover, a significant difference was seen between the mean numbers of the health-promoting behaviors in the case group before and after the intervention (P=0.001).Conclusion: According to the results of the study, implementing a supportive health promotion program has a positive effect on lifestyle of the teachers. Therefore, such programs should be applied as an effective method to promote lifestyle in the middle-aged women.

Background: Statins may be effective in reducing the risk of cerebral ischemia. This study aimed to examine the effect of Statins on the short-term prognosis of cerebral ischemia.Materials and Methods: This cohort study was performed on 230 patients, whose cerebral ischemia had been confirmed by the neurologist. Eighty patients were treated with Statins at least three months before the onset of disease, and 150 patients had no history of Statin treatment. Demographic and background data and motor ability of the patients were evaluated based on the modified ranking scale (MRS). The patient's motor status on admission was compared to that of the discharge time. A case was considered as poor prognosis if the motor condition would not change or become worse and as better, if it would become better on discharge.Results: Among 230 patients (mean age, 71.59 years), 103 cases were women (44.8%) and 127 men (55.2%). On admission, fifty-five (68.8%) patients in the Statin group and 26 (17.3%) in non-Statin group and on discharge, 70 patients (87.5%) in the Statin group and 43 (28.7%) in non-Statin group had better motor status (MRS<4, P<0.0001). Moreover, 67 patients (83.8%) in the Statin group and 43 (28.7%) in non-Statin group had a good prognosis (P<0.0001).Conclusion: Short-term prognosis in the Statin group before the onset of disease is better than that in the non-Statin group.

Background: The discharge of textile industrial wastewater, a complex effluent containing different chemicals, to the environment causes serious bioenvironmental pollution problems. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the use of advanced oxidation methods and find the most efficient method to remove dye from textile effluents.Materials and Methods: This experimental study was conducted on Kashan textile industrial effluent on a laboratory scale and in a closed system. Taking into consideration the fixed amount of O3 dose and H2O2 concentration for the four advanced oxidation methods (UV/O3, UV/H2O2, H2O2/O3, O3/UV/H2O2), in three reaction time (10, 20, 30 minutes) and different pH (4, 6, 8, 10), the effect of the methods on dye removal was evaluated and the results were compared using the complex repetitive measurements.Results: Results showed that, in terms of method used and the contact time, the O3/UV/H2O2 method in 30 minutes had the most efficient result (89.2%) and the UV/H2O2 method in 10 minutes time the least one (40.7%). Moreover, in terms of the method used and pH, the O3/UV/H2O2 method in pH=6 had the most efficient result (84.7) and the UV/H2O2 method in pH=4 the least one (59.4). The results showed that time had a positive effect on dye removal efficiency (P<0.001).Conclusion: The O3/UV/H2O2 method is the most efficient method in removing dye from textile wastewater due to the synchronous presence of multi-pollutants and its synergic effect through producing the highly reactive hydroxyl radicals (OH0).

Background: Organic brain damage can predispose individuals to mental disorders. This study aimed to design a predictive model to determine the risk factors of mental disorders following traumatic brain injury (TBI).Materials and Methods: In this descriptive-longitudinal study, 238 patients (43 women and 195 men) with TBI referred to Poursina hospital (Rasht, Iran) were selected by the nonprobability and consecutive sampling from March to February 2010. Neurosurgical and psychological examinations were performed on all patients. After 4-month follow-up, 65.1% (155 cases) of the patients referred to a psychiatrist to determine the nature of mental disorder due to TBI using a structured clinical interview based on the DSM-IV diagnostic criteria. Data were analyzed using logistic regression.Results: Findings showed that 117 post-injury cases (75.48%) of mental disorders were secondary to TBI. Logistic regression results indicated the severity of TBI (OR=3.497, 95% CI 1.259-9.712), presence of subcranial injury (OR=2.834, 95% CI 1.022-7.857) and falling levels of general compatibility after trauma, as it was measured by the modified version for GHQ-28 (OR=1.072, 95% CI 1.035-1.111), are associated with increased risk of mental disorders.Conclusion: There is a close relationship between the development of post-TBI mental disorders and organic brain pathology (TBI severity and subcranial injury), but the role of the effective psychological factors such as the level of general compatibility post-trauma should not be neglected. Moreover, to predict those who have been considered to be at high risk of the mental disorders after TBI, the model presented in this study can be effective.

Background: Neonatal jaundice is a very common condition in neonates. Serum bilirubin measurement in neonates is invasive and increases the risk of infection. Therefore, recognizing the highly accurate noninvasive methods has been considered by the researchers. This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between the transcutaneous and serum bilirubin before and during phototherapy in icteric neonates.Materials and Methods: This descriptive correlational study was conducted on 200 icteric term neonates (age 1-7 days) referred to Kashan Shahid-Beheshti hospital from July 2010 to January 2011. Blood and transcutaneous bilirubin samples were taken from the forehead and sternum of the neonates on admission and 8 hours after phototherapy. Data were analyzed using the Pearson correlation coefficient.Results: Among 200 neonates, 102 were female and 98 male (mean age, 4.5±1.7 days). There was a significant correlation between the serum bilirubin before phototherapy and forehead transcutaneous bilirubin (r=0.83) and with sternum transcutaneous bilirubin (r=0.71, P<0.001). Moreover, there was a significant correlation between the serum bilirubin after phototherapy and forehead transcutaneous bilirubin (r=0.76) and sternum transcutaneous bilirubin (r=0.49, P<0.001).Conclusion: Transcutaneous bilirubinometery is a suitable alternative in measuring serum bilirubin in term icteric neonates who need treatment. Transcutaneous bilirubinometery especially through forehead can be used for screening of icteric neonates and their follow-up during phototherapy.

Background: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are the most common problems in the work settings. This study aimed to assess the potential causes of the musculoskeletal disorders in the upper extremity among the workers of an electronic company to determine the risk level.Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 50 workers were randomly selected from assembly line workers. Data were collected using the RULA and Strain index (SI) methods and Nordic questionnaire. The safe and unsafe jobs were determined and the risk factors for MSDs were evaluated.Results: According to the RULA method, 52% of the cases for the right hand and 54% for the left hand were at grade 3, 2% for both hands were at grade 4 and in the automatic PC board tester job, 25% of the cases in both hands were at grade 4. According to the SI scoring, 64% of the cases in the right hand and 42% of them in the left hand were unsafe. Moreover, the most prevalent disorders were seen in waist and shoulder (48%), wrist (32%), neck (28%) and back (24%). There was a correlation between work experience and shoulder pain (P=0.016) and leg pain (P=0.032) and between the results of the SI method in the left hand and shoulder pain (P=0.002). Kappa coefficient showed the agreement between the results of both RULA and SI methods.Conclusion: The frequency of the MSDs, especially in waist, shoulder, neck and back, the unsafe cases in the SI method and also the high risk levels in RULA method are considerable.

Background: Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), containing 30% sugar by molecular weight, is an important glycoprotein in pregnancy to keep the fetus. Nowadays, hCG has been used as the basis for the contraceptive vaccines. This study aimed to increase the hormone purity and shorten its purification time.Materials and Methods: For hCG purification, urine samples of 2-3 month pregnant women were collected and precipitated using sodium benzoat, acetic acid and acetone. The concentrated hCG was run on Concanavalin A column (Con-A) and eluted using D-Glucose and D-Mannose. To isolate the purifiedα and b subunits of hCG, the Con-A column was run on DEAE-Sepharose 4B column. The purity of hCG and its subunits was confirmed by SDSPAGE and validated by ELISA and Immunoblotting.Results: The concentrated urine sample and purified hCG sample were compared with the standard hCG control sample from Organon company, in terms of molecular weight and purity, using SDS-PAGE method and silver nitrate staining. Concentrated sample was identical to standard sample in number of additional bands, in which additional bands were removed after hCG purification. hCG hormone and its subunits were approved using the monoclonal antibodies against theα and b chains using ELISA and Western blot.Conclusion: According to the results of this study, hCG can be isolated from other parts of hCG and other glycoproteins using D-Glucose before D-Mannose.

Background: Depression, as a mood disorder, is one of the most common mental illnesses. Recent studies have been shown that in addition to the different neurotransmitters and life events, intrinsic factors such as the serum albumin, ferritin, cholesterol and blood sugar levels as well as some coagulation factors can also cause depression. The aim of this study was to determine the serum albumin, ferritin and cholesterol levels in hemodialysis patients with and without the major depressive disorders (MDD).Materials and Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out on 100 hemodialysis patients referred to dialysis centers in Akhavan hospital (Kashan) during 2009-2010. The patients were evaluated for depression using the Beck questionnaire and clinical interview.Results: Fifty percent of the patients (39% male and 56.9% female) had MDD. The mean values for the serum albumin, ferritin and cholesterol levels in hemodialysis patients with MDD were 3.88mg/l, 601.74 mmol/l and 161.56mg/dl and in hemodialysis patients without MDD 3.99mg/l, 579.68 mmol/l and 152.14 mg/dl, respectively. There was no significant difference between the two groups. There was a significant correlation between the associated diseases and place of residence with MDD (P=0.003 and P=0.032, respectively).Conclusion: There is no association between the serum albumin, ferritin and cholesterol levels and MDD. Moreover, factors such as gender, the associated diseases especially hypertension and place of residence may be the more effective reasons for MDD in hemodialysis patients.

Background: Sleep disorders, especially restless legs syndrome (RLS), are one of the most common complications of hemodialysis. The present study was carried out to investigate the relationship between RLS and the quality of sleep among the hemodialysis patients.Materials and Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study, 171 hemodialysis patients admitted to dialysis centers in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province were selected by census sampling. The subjects were divided into the two groups, with and without RLS. Data were collected using the sleep quality and RLS questionnaires.Results: Among 171 hemodialysis patients, 95 (55.6%) cases were men and 76 (44.4%) women; 98 (57.3%) patients with RLS and 73 (42.7%) without RLS. The mean scores of the sleep quality in the severe syndrome, mild syndrome and no syndrome groups were 53.64±15.10, 46.05±9.79 and 31.50±12.82, respectively. There was a statistically significant difference in the sleep quality scores between the three groups (P<0.001).Conclusion: Considering the high prevalence of RLS in the hemodialysis patients, the preventive measures should be considered to avoid the syndrome.

Background: Motor impairment is considered as one of the main features of autism and Asperger syndrome. The aim of this study was to investigate the explicit motor-sequence learning in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and its consolidation after 24 hours.Materials and Methods: In this clinical trial study, 15 boys with ASD and 16 matched healthy controls were selected using the autism spectrum screening questionnaire among the elementary schools in Najafabad (Isfahan, Iran). Participants in both groups performed the serial reaction time task in 10 blocks at the first day and 2 blocks after 24 hours.Results: The mean and standard deviation of explicit learning speed through 8 regular blocks in the first day was 1.5±0.405 in the ASD group and 1.14±0.29 in healthy controls. There was a significant difference in the explicit learning speed between the two groups which indicated an explicit learning deficit in the ASD group (P=0.009). Moreover, there was a significant difference between the two groups for explicit learning speed mean in the first and second days of the experiment (ASD: 1.295±0.31; healthy controls: 1.06±0.21, P=0.046) suggesting a defect in consolidation of the explicit motor-sequence learning in the ASD group.Conclusion: Defect in the explicit motor-sequence learning and its consolidation in the ASD group may be due to the left hemisphere dysfunction, which is specialized for explicit motor learning, and confirms the motor impairments in individuals with ASD.

Background: Cancer as the uncontrolled proliferation and spread of transformed cells is one of the leading causes of mortality in the world. Dendritic cells (DCs) can be used in cancer immunotherapy. Tumor antigen-loaded DCs are able to enhance the cytotoxic T cells (CTLs) antitumor activity.Materials and Methods: Related articles were searched by search engines in NCBI database. Then the original and review articles were retrieved from the Science Direct, Nature, Wiley-Blackwell, Springer and ProQuest databases.Results: The DC subsets with various functions have been identified in different tissues of both the animal model (mouse) and human. Human myeloid DC subsets could be derived from blood monocytes using the cytokine enriched media. Mouse conventional CD8+DCs can be isolated from the spleen or derived from the bone marrow stem cells using the cytokine-enriched media.Conclusion: Some of the human and mouse DC subsets, including human myeloid DCs and mouse conventional CD8+DCs play a pivotal role in an induction of TH1 cells and CTLs. Therefore, these subsets can be utilized as cellular immunity stimulants in human and mouse model for cancer immunotherapy.