ARAK MEDICAL UNIVERSITY JOURNAL (AMUJ)
Year:2013 | Volume:16 | Issue:6 (75)|Papers Count:14

Background: The most important pathogen in nosocomial infections are microorganisms of the patient's body. Ninety percent of nosocomial infections caused by bacteria. Medlar is a medicinal plant with therapeutic effects which has been emphasized historically. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antibacterial effects of methanolic and ethanolic leaf extract of medlar against bacteria isolated from hospital environment.Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, the nosocomial bacteria were obtained from shahid Mostafa Khomeini hospital, Ilam, Iran. Soxhlet extraction method was used for medlar leaf extract. Disk diffusion method was used to evaluate the antimicrobial effect and broth microdilution method was used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration.Results: Two strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, three strains of Staphylococcus aureus and five strains of Escherichia coli were isolated from hospital. The results showed that the methanolic extract of Medlar leaf inhibited the growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains and four strains of Staphylococcus aureusand also inhibited the growth of all strains of Escherichia coli strains except E4 strain. The maximum antimicrobial activity was against E2 strain which zone diameter around it was 19.67 millimeters. Quantities of minimum inhibitory concentration for all three strains of P1, P2 and P3 and E2, E3, E5, S1, S2 and S3 strains was equal to 125 mg/ml.Conclusion: Medlar leaf methanolic extract possesses significant antibacterial activity against bacteria causing nosocomial infections and so this extract can be considered in the control of infectious diseases.

Background: Saffron (Crocus Sativus) petals consist of, glycosides, flavonoids, and anthocyanins. Due to the increasing use of medicinal plants in treatment of diseases and identifying their side effects on various organs, this study is to evaluate the effects of Crocus Sativus petals on biochemical blood parameters in male rats.Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 30 male Wistar rats with the mean body weight of 215±15 g were randomly assigned into five groups of 6 animals each. Control group received normal saline (10 ml/kg) and treatment groups received 75, 150, 220 and 450 mg/kg body weight of saffron petals extract, for 14 days. Body weight measured in days 0, 7, and 14. At the end of experiment, serum levels of liver function marker enzymes such as AST and ALT, total proteins, albumin, creatinine, cholesterol and triglyceride were assessed.Results: Compared to control group, ethanol extract of saffron petals significantly increased serum albumin and also significantly decreased levels of serum cholesterol and AST (p<0.05). No significant changes were observed on serum total proteins, creatinine, ALT, triglyceride levels and body weight in control and saffron groups (p>0.05).Conclusion: Increase in levels of albumin and decrease in liver enzymes may indicate the lack of liver damage. Reduction in cholesterol which is probably due to flavonoid extracts of saffron and no effect on body weight can be beneficial in the use of saffron petals.

Background: Moderate keratoconus reduces visual acuity which is not corrected by glasses. In these situations, the administration of rigid gas permeable (RGP) lenses may increase the visual acuity. The aim of this study was to determine the prognosis of visual acuity and contrast sensitivity in keratoconus patients according to the correlation between aberrations changes and visual changes before and after RGP lenses.Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study a total of 40 eyes of twenty patients aged 20-40 years with mild to moderate keratoconus were participated. Ocular examinations included visual acuity with standard Snellen chart, contrast sensitivity with CSV 1000 chart and HOAs with technolas aberrometer objective (Bush & Luamb). All these tests were performed before and after fitting RGP lenses. Data were analyzed with SPSS software.Results: Mean contrast sensitivity at each spatial frequency with RGP lenses was higher than the best correction. Mean high order aberration of the 5 and 6 mm pupil was reduced with RGP lenses compared to condition without lens. Mean high order aberration with pupil 6 mm was more than pupil 5 mm. Also there was no significant correlation between visual change and contrast sensitivity changes with high order aberrations.Conclusion: Visual performances and visual acuity were improved with RGP lens more than best correction by reduction of high-order aberrations. However, there was no correlation between high order aberrations and visual performance.

Background: Exercise is a stimulus for the emergence of HSP and liver enzymes in the blood The purpose of the present study was to investigate the probable changes of HSP70, liver enzymes & Cpk in professional athletes after a training season and participating in skating open world championship.Materials and Methods: 10 elite female skaters were chosen. Eccentric exercise test were performed in three sections (24 hours before the beginning of the training, after six months of training (before participating in Skating World Championship) and 24 hours after the end of world championship). The training program consisted of 26 weeks of training, performed 5 times a week encompassing specialized skate trainings. Blood samples were taken before and after each eccentric exercise test.Results: there was no significant change, in HSP70 concentration in response to eccentric exercise test, in pre exercise period (p=0.8). But, it illustrated a significant increase in after eccentric exercise test, in post exercise period (p=0.03). Moreover, in measuring down, it showed a significant increased in the amount of liver enzymes and Cpk after eccentric exercise test in second and third step compared to first step (p<0.05).Conclusion: the results of the study illustrated that improving an athlete's physical fitness level during training season and matches leads to a significant increase in the protective level of the body (via the production of HSP70), depending also on the ability of the body of the individual in producing that protein. It can also be stated probably individual body fitness level, is an important factor in determining ALT, AST, ALP levels after performing eccentric exercise.

Background: Focal dystonia is a chronic disease with unwanted side effects. In addition to physical symptoms, some psychological problems, particularly depression, anxiety and stress are common in patients with focal dystonia. The aim of this study was investigating the effectiveness of medication in comparison to medication plus EMG biofeedback on depression, anxiety and stress in females with chronic focal dystonia.Materials and Methods: This was an experimental/interventional study with pre, post, and follow-up phases. The sample was consisted of 20 female patients with spasmodic torticollis and 10 patients with blepharospasm. All of the patients have been already diagnosed by neurologist; they were randomly selected and assigned into medication and medication plus EMG biofeedback groups. Both of the groups were treated with botulinum toxin type A and the second group in addition to receiving the drug for 10 weeks also participated in 20 sessions of EMG biofeedback treatment. Data were collected through the DASS-42 questionnaire which was completed in the pre-test, post-test, and follow-up phases.Results: The mean of DASS-42 score in the Medication plus EMG biofeedback group showed a significantly higher decrease compared to the medication group (p<0.05).Conclusion: The results suggested that medication plus EMG was more effective than medication alone in decreasing depression, anxiety and stress in females with chronic focal dystonia.

Background: Due to the lack of efficient anti-HIV vaccine, anti-HIV pharmaceuticals play an important role in controlling HIV infection. Also significant rise in drug resistance and drug toxicity has caused increased interest in finding new anti-HIV agents. In this study, a nano-sized version of lamivudine based on PEGylated chitosan was synthesized.Materials and Methods: In this research, nanoparticles of chitosan were efficiently PEGylated for increasing their stability in water and then the anti-HIV drug, lamivudine, was loaded on these PEGylated nanoparticles. After purification and lyophilization of new synthesized nanoparticle, the raw materials and final product were sampled and FTIR, HNMR and CHN analyses were done.Results: Results of HNMR spectroscopy showed that chitosan nanoparticle was successfully PEGylated. HNMR data confirmed FTIR results and indicated that lamivudine was conjugated on chitosan nanoparticle. In addition, CHN analysis data also confirmed both HNMR and FTIR data, and demonstrated that a high yield of chitosan nanoparticle PEGylation (approximately 97%) was done and illustrated a high capacity of lamivudine conjugation on nano-sized PEGylated chitosan (30%W/W chitosan).Conclusion: In this study, lamivudine drug was successfully synthesized, based on PEGylated chitosan nanoparticle.

Background: There are evidences indicating that inflammatory mechanisms within the central nervous system contribute to cognitive impairment via cytokine-mediated interactions between neurons and glial cells. BAT1, a member of the DEAD-box family of RNA helicases, appears to regulate the production of inflammatory cytokines associated with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathology. In the current study BAT1-22 promoter polymorphism was analyzed in AD and control subjects.Materials and Methods: In this case-control study, genomic DNA from peripheral blood samples of 153 Alzheimer’s patients and 153 healthy controls was extracted using salting-out method. DNA analysis was performed by PCR-RFLP method and p<0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results: After genotyping and statistical analysis the results failed to show any association between BAT1-22 promoter polymorphism and sporadic Alzheimer’s disease.Conclusion: BAT1-22 is not associated with Alzheimer’s disease in Iranian population and so has no effect on predisposition to sporadic Alzheimer’s disease.

Background: Increased insulin resistance, inflammatory factors and oxidative stress parameters are associated with the development of diabetes complications. This study was designed to determine the beneficial effects of synbiotic Gaz on insulin resistance, inflammatory factors and oxidative stress in patients with type 2 diabetes.Materials and Methods: This randomized crossover double-blind controlled clinical trial was performed on 62 diabetic patients aged 35-70 years. Subjects were randomly assigned to consume of either the synbiotic (n=62) or control Gaz (n=62) for 6 weeks. A 3-week washout period considered. The synbiotic Gaz was consisted of Lactobacillus sporogenes (1×107 CFU), 0.04 g inulin, and 0.05 g stevia as sweetener per 1 g. Control Gaz was the same substance without probiotic bacteria and prebiotic inulin. Patients received synbiotic and control Gaz in a 7 g package thrice a day. Fasting blood samples were taken at baseline and 6 weeks after intervention to measure insulin resistance, hs- CRP and biomarkers of oxidative stress.Results: Consumption of synbiotic Gaz, compared with control, resulted in a significant decrease in serum insulin (p=0.02) and hs-CRP levels (p=0.008). Supplementation with synbiotic Gaz led also to a significant increase in plasma total glutathione (p<0.001) compared to control group.Conclusions: In conclusion, consumption of synbiotic Gaz for 6 weeks resulted in decreased levels of serum insulin, hs-CRP and increased levels of plasma total glutathione.

Background: Traditionally levels of cholesterol and triglyceride are used to identify individuals at risk of coronary artery disease (CAD). The aim of this study is examining the association of Apo A1 and ApoB with severity of coronary artery disease and whether these parameters are better predictor of CAD.Material and method: This is a cross- sectional study. All patients that referred to ARAK amirallmomenin hospital and enrolled for coronary angiography was entered to study. Before angiography and after gathering informed consent, levels of apo A1 apoB, cholesterol, TG, LDL, VLDL, HDL and FBS were measured. The results of coronary angiography were reviewed by two experienced cardiologist separately. Severity of coronary artery disease involvement was determined by Gensini score (GS), the data were analyzed with statistical methods by SPSS software.Result: There is a statistically significant correlation Between apoB and GS (r=0.127, p=0.047). Logistic regression model showed that among predictors for CAD entered model eg gender, age, cholesterol, TG, HDL, LDL, VLDL, apo A1, ApoB and ApoB/Apo- A1 ratio, only ApoB and gender were proper predictors of coronary artery Disease (CAD) (p=0.002, p=0.001). In comparison with angiography for diagnosis of CAD, ROC analysis represent that using ApoB can be useful test (p=0.047).Conclusion: According to result of this study, using ApoB in addition to conventional parameters for assessing the patient at risk to having CAD would be reasonable and could be an independent risk factor for CAD.

Background: Load lifting is the most stressful activity of the Manual Material Handling and can trigger of work-related musculoskeletal disorders of workers. Purposes of this study are determining the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders, assessment lifting tasks by NIOSH lifting equation method, ergonomic design and assessment of its effectiveness.Materials and Methods: This interventional study was performed on 30 workers in a Porcelain Health Manufacturing industry in Hamadan. Assessment of lifting tasks by NIOSH lifting equation and determining the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders by Nordic questionnaire was conducted. Then, construction steps and determination of the effectiveness of ergonomic design was conducted.Results: The results showed that the most frequent musculoskeletal disorders related to back. Results of the lifting index (LI) showed that the risk of lifting load in before intervention is high (greater than 3). This value after the conducting of ergonomic intervention (load-carrying cart) decreased to moderate level (between 1 to 3). The relationship of risk average amount before and after interventions were significant (p<0.001).Conclusion: Load-carrying cart designed with shelves capable of moving vertically up and down has considerable role in safe making of lifting tasks and probability of reduce the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders and lumbar injuries will bring in the near future.