Journal of Birjand University of Medical Sciences
Year:2012 | Volume:19 | Issue:3 (52)|Papers Count:15

Background and Aim: Nearly 50% of the elderly have insomnia, with difficulty in going to sleep, oversleeping, or feeling unrefreshed on waking up. With aging, several changes can occur that place one at risk of insomnia. The objective of the present study was to determine the efficacy of magnesium supplementation-the natural NMDA antagonist and GABA agonist- to improve insomnia in the elderly.Materials and Methods: A double blind randomized clinical trial was conducted on 46 elderly subjects, randomly allocated into the magnesium and the placebo group and received 500 mg magnesium and placebos daily for 8 weeks, respectively. Questionnaires of insomnia severity index, physical activity, and sleep-log were completed at baseline and after the intervention period. Anthropometric and dietary confounding factors were obtained using 24 h recall for 3 days. Blood samples were taken at baseline and after the intervention period for analysis of serum magnesium, renin, melatonin, and cortisol. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS (V.19) and N4 software; P-value<0.05 was considered as statistically significant.Results: No significant differences were observed in assessed variables between the two groups at the baseline. According to the present research magnesium supplementation significantly increased sleep time (P=0.002), sleep efficiency (P=0.03), concentration of serum renin (P<0.001) and melatonin (P=0.007); besides, it significantly decreased ISI score (P=0.006), sleep onset latency (P=0.02), and serum cortisol concentration increase (P=0.008) in the magnesium group. Although total sleep time (P=0.37), waking up length of time (P=0.08), and serum magnesium concentration (P=0.06) did not reveal any significant difference.Conclusion: Supplementation of magnesium appears to improve different measures effective in insomnia in the elderly.

Background and Aim: It has been shown that Capparis spinosa fruit has hypoglycemic, antioxidant, antiinflammatory, and analgesic properties. The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of Capparis spinosa fruit on histomorphological changes in pancreas after triggering diabetes mellitus in male rats.Materials and Methods: Forty Wistar rats (150-200 g, 6 weeks of age) were randomly divided into five equal groups of 8 animals. Groups III, IV and V received intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. Blood glucose of the groups was measured, using a glucometer, after 72 hours. After 10 days, Group II, IV and V daily received 30, 20 and 30 mg/kg extract of Capparis spinosa respectively, for three weeks. Blood glucose was measured in the beginning of the study and at the end of every week. Besides, insulin of the blood was measured at the end of the study. The number of b cells and diameter of islets of Langerhans were determined using hematoxylin-phloxine staining. The collected data was analyzed by means of one-way ANOVA, using SPSS software (V: 13).Results: Mean number of b cells and diameter of the islets significantly decreased in the diabetic control group compared to the nondiabetic controls. Histological assessments showed a significant increase in the number of b cells, diameter of islets, and amount of insulin in groups treated with hydroalcoholic extract of Caparis Spinosa compared to the diabetic control group.Conclusion: Administration of Capparis spinosa extract could increase the number of b cells and improve the function of damaged pancreas in diabetic rats.

Background and Aim: Wound healing is a complex process which is divided into four overlapping phases: heamostasis, inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling. In diabetic patients, progression of healing takes longer and thus using new medication to accelerate it is required. It is expected thatProsopis farcta which has antibacterial, antidiabetic and antiinflammation effects will facilitate diabetic wound healing. Thus, the present study aimed at investigation the effect of aqueous extract ofProsopis farcta root on wound healing in diabetic rats.Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 18 wistar male rats were randomly divided into 3 equal groups: normal control, Diabetic- control, and experimental group (diabetes treatment with root extract). Diabetes was induced through intraperitoneally injection of Streptozocin (STZ). Then, in all groups, in two lateral posterial parts 3 holes (4 mm in diameter) were punched. For 2 days, 3 times on each, the experimental group was locally treated with root aqueous extract of Prosopis farcta. In the control groups normal saline was used in the same way. On the 4th, 8th and 10th day after punching samples were collected from the healing hole (which were now 6 mm in diameter). Histological observations revealed inflammatory cells, reepithelization, and neovascularization in the areas.Results: Significant changes in proliferation of inflammatory cells (on the 10th day), epithelium thickness (on the 4th and 8th day), more angiogenesis (on the 4th- 10th day) in the experimental wounds were compared with those in the diabetic control group (Respectively P<0.001, P<0.01).Conclusion: Considering the above findings, the extract of Prosopis farcta root, has effective roles on wound healing in diabetic rats, probably due to its anti- inflammatory, reepithelization, and neovascularization properties. However, more studies are needed in this respect.

Background and Aim: Angiogenesis is one of important biological processes any disruption in which leads to disease. The main signaling factor in this process is VEGF which acts through its receptors. The present study was done in order to inhibit the expression of receptor type1of this factor (VEGFR-1) using specific siRNA in the culture medium to use its inhibitory effect on neovascularization in the eye.Materials and Methods: In this experimental study; first, using target gene sequences, sequences of the specific siRNA were designed against them; blasted and manufactured. On the other hand, cDNA of HUVEC cell was synthesized and PCR, with specific primers for target gene, was reproduced as necessary. Then, PEFGP-N1 expression vectors were cloned and confirmed. Then, the obtained plasmid vector was transferred to Hela cells lacking target expressive genes through lipofectamin. GFR expression rate in the initial vector and in the cloned one, both in presence and in absence of specific VEGFR1 siRNA, was assessed. Evaluation of gene inhibition was carried out through decreasing of green fluorescence from GFR, Western blot and RT-PCR. Results were analyzed using T-test and P<0.05 was taken as the significant level.Results: The fluorescence emission from defined siRNA decreased compared to control group. SDS pages and blots from vector cloned cells exposed to both siRNA showed reduced protein expression The outcome of applying two siRNA indicates gene expression in the form of transcription and translation, compared to the control group (P<0.05).Conclusion: Specifically designed siRNA against VEGFR1, through lipofectamin, was appropriately transferred into cell and significantly prevented from the receptor expression. In fact, by blocking angiogenesis signaling route, it was able to prevent neovascurization. Thus, this can be made use of as an appropriate factor in preventing or decreasing neovascularization in the eye.

Background and Aim: Reactive dyes have extensively been used in textile industries during last year’s due to their superior performance, but the effluence of the waste containing such dyes into water resources can pose hazardous effects on the environment and to the human health because of their carcinogenic, mutagenic, allergenic and toxic nature. The present research was performed to study the efficiency of pistachio-nut shell ash in removing Reactive Red 198 dye from aqueous solutions.Materials and Methods: In the present experimental study, effects of various operating parameters such as initial concentration of dye (20-200 mg/L), contact time (5-270 mines), adsorbent dosage (0.1-5 g/L) and pH (2-12) were investigated.Results: Maximum adsorption capacity of the pistachio-nut shell ash was 238.1 mg/g at pH 2, contact time 60 minutes and adsorbent dosage 0.3 g/L. Besides, the equilibrium data were also fitted into the Langmuir and Freundlich equilibrium isotherm models. It was found that the data fitted into Freundlich (R2=0.9352) model in a better extent than into Langmuir’s (R2=0.8868).Conclusion: According to results of the present study, it was found that pistachio nut-shell has a high capacity to remove Reactive Red 198 dye from aqueous solutions and textile industry wastewater.

Background and Aim: Common sources of chromium in wastewater are electroplating and leather industries. Thus, the present study aimed at investigating and comparing between chemical (H2O2) method and nano-photocatalytical (UV/ZnO) method in removing of Cr (VI) from polluted water.Materials and Methods: In this experimental-analytical study, effective factors on reduction process such as ZnO (0.05–0.15 g/L), H2O2 (0.5-1.5 mol/L) for UV/H2O2 process and pH (5-9) were investigated. The initial concentration of the substrate was taken 0.1-15 mg/L. Stock chromate (V: 6) solution was prepared through dissolving Potassium dichromate (K2Cr2O7) in originally distilled water. Residual concentrations of Cr (VI) were measured spectrophotometrically at 540nm.Results: The results indicated that with increasing reduction agent concentration and decreasing pH, the removing efficiency increased. For low initial concentrations of Cr (VI) photocatalytic process was more effective than the chemical one, but for high initial concentration the result was the opposite.Conclusion: The results of this study indicated that H2O2 as a cheap and available agent and also UV/ZnO, as a friendly and without residual environmental treatment process, can be used for effective reduction of Cr (VI) to yield Cr (III).

Background and Aim: Atopic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease whose prevalence has increased in the last few decades. It is a multifactorial disease and, in addition to genetic factors, various environmental factors are important in the picture the present study was designed to investigate prevalence of atopic dermatitis and its risk factors in 2-5 year old children at the kindergartens of Birjand city.Materials and Methods: In this case–control study, all 2-5 year olds (810 cases) at the kindergartens of Birjand city were assessed using Hanifin & Rajka criteria. After diagnosing afflicted children, in order to identify risk factors of the disease, 100 of them from the same kindergarten-without atopic dermatitis-were randomly selected as the control group. Both groups were matched with respect to age and sex. A selfdesigned questionnaire, consisting of 25 questions about risk factors of the disease, was used to collect information. The obtained data was analyzed by SPSS software (V; 15) using T-test, Chi- square and logistic regression.Results: Prevalence of atopic dermatitis in children was 14.3%.of which 15.8% were females and 15.6% were over 4 years old. Mean age of feeding on cow milk and eggs was lower in the case group. (P=0.04, P=0.03, respectively).There was a significant association between keeping domestic animals and cigarette smoking in the habitation and atopic dermatitis (OR=3.35, CI=1.17– 9.62, 0.95; OR=3.58 CI=1.13– 11.41, 0.95 respectively).Conclusion: In prevalence of atopic dermatitis, the role of some risk factors including early supplemental nutrition, particularly feeding on cow milk and eggs, cigarette smoking and keeping domestic animals in the habitation are determinative.

Background and Aim: Spontaneous abortion is the most common pregnancy complication with no reasonable causes in most cases. Some research imply the role of antithyroid antibodies (e.g.AntiTPO-Ab and AntiTG-Ab) that can cause spontaneous abortion. In the present study, the association between abortion and presence of antthyroid antibodies in mother’s serum was assessed.Materials and Methods: In this case control study, 102 women aged 15-45 years, who referred to Hajar hospital of Shahrekord or the clinic affiliated to Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences were selected. Out of 102 women, 51 who had had abortion selected as the cases and 51 pregnant women with gestational age less than 20 weeks were include as the controls. In order to assess antithyroid antibodies level, blood samples were taken from every participant with normal TSH level.. Anti-thyroid peroxidase antibody (Anti- TPO-Ab)>50 IU/ml and anti-thyroglobulin antibody (Anti-TG-Abs)>75 IU/ml were defined as Positive. The obtained results were analyzed by means of t-test and 2, using statistical SPSS software.Results: Out of 51 subjects, 18 had positive Anti-TPO-Ab, of which -10 were among the cases and 8 belonged to the controls. Out of 18 women with positive AntiTG-Ab, 11 cases were in the control group and 7 were in the cases. The differences between the control group and the amounts of Anti-TPO-Abs (P=0.468) and Anti-TG-Abs (P=0.675) were not swignificant.Conclusion: The results revealed that there is no association between abortion and presence of antithyroid antibodies in mother’s serum. Other abortion causes such as various kinds of infections and smoking might be involved which requires more research.

Background and Aim: Diabetes mellitus is a prevalent chronic disease in the world, which threatens mental health. Various factors, including improvement of religious faith and increasing self-care efficacy, are effective in the treatment and control of the complications of the disease. The present study aimed at studying of the role of trust in God and self-efficacy in the mental health of type P diabetics.Materials and Methods: The present descriptive-analytical and correlational study was done on 204 type P diabetics selected through systematic randomized method. The patients’ trust in God, self-efficacy, and mental health were assessed by means of “trust in God” questionnaires DMSES and GHQ-28. The obtained data was analysed by means of SPSS software (version 13), Pearson’s correlation coefficient, t-test, and multiple regression analysis at the significant level a=0.05.Results: It was found that there was no significant difference between the two genders regarding trust in God, self-efficacy, and mental health at the level P<0.05. Besides, according to Pearson’s coefficient correlation the relationship between trust in God and self-efficacy (P<0.001, r=0.45), between mental health and self-efficacy (P<0.001, r=0.44) was significant. Regression analysis revealed that trust in God and self-Efficacy justifies 35% of mental health variance in diabetics and are powerful prognosticators of the illness.Conclusion: Regarding the increase in the prevalence of diabetes mellitus, the disease is one of the notorious health problems in the world. Thus, intervention aimed at increasing religious faith and self-efficacy in order to do self-care activities will be useful in decreasing diabetic complications.

Background and Aim: Menopause is a physiological event occurring in women at about the age of 50. It signals the end of the reproductive years and is associated with signs of estrogen deficiency having a considerable impact on women’s health-related quality of life. The aim of the present study was to investigate factors associated with quality of life in Postmenopausal women based on Behavioral Analysis phase of PRECEDE Model.Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted through stratified sampling on200 healthy postmenopausal women in Birjand in 2011. Necessary data was collected by means of two validated and reliable questionnaires, i.e. quality of life questionnaire (MENQOL) and a questionnaire for assessing factors based on Behavioral Analysis phase of PRECEDE Model Inferential and descriptive statistics via SPSS software (Version: 18) was used for data analysis.Results: Mean age of respondents was 54.26±5.26 years and mean age at menopause was 48.89±2.86. More than one third (38.5%) of menopausal women were illiterate and 7% had University education. Pearson’s correlation coefficient indicated a positive relationship between quality of life and attitude toward menopause, enabling, and reinforcing factors; but there was a negative relationship between quality of life and knowledge about menopause and women’s perceived self-efficacy (P<0.01). The final point to mention is that quality of life was significantly associated with education level, health condition, and economical status.Conclusion: Providing more access to enabling factors, which creates a positive attitude and helping to establish supporting groups is necessary to promote women’s health during menopause.

Background and Aim: Science production is the main basis of all programs to achieve sustainable development. Currently, the most important indicators of science production are the number of articles indexed in databases. In the present research, the scientific output of the work of researchers at Birjand University of medical sciences, manifested in the “Web of Science” database were taken into consideration by means of scientometrics indicators.Materials and Methods: This work is a descriptive-applied study. The population was the scientific output of BUMS’ researchers which was indexed in Web of Science during 2000-2011. For data analysis descriptive statistics and scientometrics methods were used.Results: The study population included 81 articles that had been cited 163 times in total. Maximum number of records (57) covered original articles and the topic of most papers (11%) was toxicology. Maximum number of scientific papers (22.2 percent) were indexed at this database in 2009 and the highest number of citations to all papers (46.6) referred to the year 2011.Most international collaboration of the researchers was with authors from The United States (8.4 percent), and in the national level, it was with Mashhad University of Medical Sciences (27%). BUMS Hirsch index was 6.Conclusion: Growth of scientific production and citations is increasing, but it is less than expected.

Pilomatrix carcinoma is a very rare adenexal tumor which originates in the hair matrix cells and is marked by exophytic growing and common local recurrence, but the metastatic potential is limited. It was first described in 1980 by Lopansri and Mihm, and since then about 90 cases have been reported in the literature.There is no established treatment for the wide local invasion and metastasis of the pilomatrix except wide surgical resection.The case reported here was a 9-year-old boy with Pilomatrix carcinoma presented with a hard mass on the forehead but with normal overlying skin.

Acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding is a common medical emergency that often leads to hospitalization. In the present cross-sectional study conducted during 2011, all patients with acute upper gastrointestinal bIeeding living in Khorramabad city referring to the specialized Shohada Ashayer hospital, after being matched with a control group for age and sex, were assessed. Endoscopic findings, demographic data, and clinical characteristics were collected using a questionnaire. Out of 62 patients, 67.7% were males. Mean age of the patients was 54.5±12.1 yrs. The most frequent gastrointestinal bleeding was found in 60-79 year olds (35.5%). The ratio of gastrointestinal bleeding in regular NSAID consumption was 3.8 (CI=1.3-4.8). Hematemesis (62.9%) was the most common primary presentation. The most common prevalent underlying disease predisposing bleeding in these patients was cirrhosis (61.5%) and the main causes of bleeding were digestive ulcers (42.7%).