Iranian South Medical Journal
Year:2020 | Volume:23 | Issue:1|Papers Count:7

Background: Heavy metals enter the environment through industrial activities and contaminate natural ecosystems. Identification of heavy metal-resistant bacteria plays an important role in environmental pollution and ultimately cleansing it. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to isolate the resistant genes of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and the effects of nanoparticles on gene expression using real-time PCR. Materials and Methods In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 60 isolates of P. aeruginosa were studied. Frequency of czr gene was determined by PCR. Also, the effects of iron nanoparticles on czr gene expression were evaluated by real-time PCR after RNA extraction. Results: In this study, 25 isolates were carriers of czr gene. Also, iron nanoparticles could reduce the expression of the heavy metal resistance gene in P. aeruginosa in vitro. Conclusion: This study showed that the resistance of different species of P. aeruginosa to the heavy metal cadmium is different.

Background: Rapid development of the nanotechnology industry requires that we understand the toxicity of nanoparticles and factors associated with their risks to living organisms. The aim of this study was to investigate the toxicity of nickel nanoparticles (Ni NPs) and nickel chloride on the activity of antioxidant enzymes in serum and liver of rats. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 48 Wistar rats were randomly divided into 8 groups (n=6). The control group did not receive any treatment, a sham group (normal saline), and experimental groups received Ni NPs and nickel chloride at concentrations of 5, 15 and 25 mg/kg by intraperitoneal injection. After blood collection, liver tissue was isolated and homogenized to measure the activity of antioxidant enzymes: glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA). Results: Total antioxidant capacity of serum significantly decreased in NiONPs groups at doses of 5, 15, and 25 mg/kg (p=0. 003, p=0. 034, p=0. 006) compared with the control, respectively. Furthermore, total antioxidant capacity in liver significantly decreased in NiONPs groups at doses of 5, 15, and 25 mg/kg (p=0. 012, p=0. 029, p=0. 005), respectively. The mean serum and liver MDA levels of Ni NPs and NiCl2 groups significantly increased only at the dose of 25 mg/kg (p=0. 03) and (p=0. 014) compared to the control. The mean serum GST activity of Ni NPs groups significantly decreased at doses of 15 and 25 mg/kg (p=0. 014) and (p=0. 04) compared to the control, respectively. Conclusion: Nickel nanoparticles probably induce the production of free radicals and oxidative stress. Decreased total antioxidant levels and increased MDA indicates oxidative stress of liver tissue.

Background: Cardiac catheterization and angiography are diagnostic and therapeutic imaging modalities that produce the highest X-ray radiation, which might impose lifelong risks to patients. This study aimed to evaluate radiation burden among children and adolescents with congenital heart diseases, who underwent cardiac catheterization and angiography. Then the results were compared with other imaging modalities. Materials and Methods: In this prospective study, children and adolescents with congenital heart diseases were consecutively evaluated from April 2017 till November 2017. This research was designed in Namazi and Faghihi teaching hospitals affiliated to Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. In addition to the basic data and total radiation time, effective dose and dose area product were assessed for each patient. Results: We enrolled 148 consecutive patients under 18 years old, who underwent 36 diagnostic and 112 interventional cardiac catheterizations. Effective dose was 50. 23 mGy in the diagnostic catheterizations, and 48. 39 mGy in the interventional angiographies. Also the dose area product was 427/28 mGy. cm2 in the diagnostic catheterizations, and 476. 62 mGy. cm2 in the interventional angiography. The most time-consuming cine fluoroscopy pertained to ventricular septal defect closure and (11. 67 seconds) and the most effective dose and dose area product pertained to the same procedure, as well (68, 514 mGy and 623, 843 mGy. cm2 respectively). Conclusion: Effective dose and dose area product in cardiac catheterization were desirable, and some previous studies revealed that carcinogenic effect of X-ray radiation is more prominent when effective dose is more than 70-100 mGy. Thus the effective dose might not cause hazardous outcomes if other x ray modalities are not frequently requested for them in future.

Background: Cardiac diseases are considered as major cause of maternal mortality during pregnancy and account for about 10% of all maternal mortalities. Cardiac diseases cause complications for both mother and fetus. In this study, we evaluated the effects of cardiac diseases on pregnancy and vice versa. Three groups of complications were examined: complication of maternal heart (serious and life-threatening or not life-threatening), complications during laber and complications of infant/fetus. Materials and Methods: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study on pregnant women with heart diseases. Maternal age at pregnancy, type of heart disease, maternal paraclinical information, pregnancy termination, maternal adverse outcomes, infants’ first-and fifth-minute apgar score, and neonatal outcomes and abortions were recorded. After collecting these data, statistical analysis was performed using SPSS20 software. Results: Mothers with tetralogy of fallot (P=0. 000), coronary artery disease (P=0. 045), aortic coarctation (P=0. 000), and eclampsia or pre-eclampsia (P=0. 000) experienced a significantly worse condition. However, infants of mothers with chronic hypertension needed NICU significantly less as compared with those with other heart diseases (P<0. 001). Maternal death was not reported in our study, and there was a significant deterioration in mothers with valvular diseases (P=0. 005) and coronary artery disease (P=0. 022). The need for admission to the ICU was significantly lower in mothers with chronic hypertension as compared to those with other illnesses (P=<0. 001). Conclusion: In our study, mothers with cardiovascular diseases, tetralogy of fallot, coronary artery disease, history of pre-eclampsia, history of aortic coarctation, valvular diseases, and dilated cardiomyopathy had more complications in neonates. Among the valvular diseases, mitral valve disease was also associated with a worse condition in neonates.

Background: Radon is one of the most common radioactive substances in underground mines which can enter the lungs and cause diseases. The purpose of this research is to measure the concentration of radon and the annual dose absorbed by miners at Sabz, Moslem, and Kamari caves in Neyshabur turquoise mine. The results are compared with standard permissible limits and can play a significant role in preventing risk of diseases in mone workers. Materials and Methods: The concentration of radon in the Neyshabur turquoise mine was measured at the depth of 250 m from the earth surface using the RTM1688 device. The obtained values were used to caculate the annual effective dose of radon absorbed by miners. Results: The results show that the concentration of radon was 5039. 33, 678. 46, and 3277 Bq. m-3 respectively at three locations of Sabz, Moslem, and Kamari caves with mean annual effective doses in miners as 41. 07, 38. 78 and 26. 70 mSv per year, respectively. Conclusion: The measured concentration values are higher than the maximum permissible limit in three locations of the Neyshabur turquoise mine, and the mean annual effective dose was higher than the permissible limit in Sabz and Moslem caves. In order to prevent morbidity, it is suggested that working time be reduced, miners’ unnecessary traffic be avoided in high-dose locations, and high-efficiency ventilation be used.

Background: The birth of a child with authistic spectrum disorder is a challenge to the family, especially to mothers. The purpose of this research was to compare the effectiveness of acceptance commitment therapy and coping strategies in decreasing anxiety and despair in mothers of children with autism. Materials and Methods: This qausi-experimental multigroup pre-test, post-test design with a control group enrolled 30 mothers of children with autism who were being treated in teaching-treatment centers of Booshehr city using convenience sampling. They were randomly classified into three groups. The experimental groups participated in eight sessions of 90 minutes in 8 weeks, while the control group did not receive any interventions. Beck Anxiety Inventory and Beck Hopelessness Scale were used to collect research data. The collected data were analyzed by multivariate analysis of covariance and Tukey post hoc test. Results: Results showed that acceptance commitment therapy and training coping strategies significantly decreased anxiety and despair in mothers in the experimental groups compared to those in the control group (p<0. 01), but the decrease was not significant in the follow-up stage. Tukey's test showed acceptance commitment therapy was significantly more effective for anxiety than training coping strategies in the post-test (p<0. 01). Conclusion: Our findings showed that both treatments were effective in decreasing anxiety and despair. Hence, therapists can use these two therapeutic and training approaches, especially acceptance commitment therapy, which is a new wave of cognitive – behavioral therapy.

Background: Very recently, Eric Topol, a physician-scientist, introduced his “ deep medicine” theory in 2019. This theory has been originated from the last two decades advancements of systems medicine and digital medicine, science and technology convergence in biological fields and formation of the precision medicine. The transcendent medicine theory that has been derived from Sadr ad-Din Shirazi’ s transcendent theosophy looks to medicine with a holistic view. Materials and Methods: In extension of the theory of Transcendent medicine, we discussed paradigm shift in medicine with deep medicine theory and its three components were challenged via the viewpoints of transcendent medicine. Results: The body theosophy which has been derived from the transcendent medicine theory is the counterpart of “ deep phenotyping” component of deep medicine. The speculative reason of Ibn-Sins’ s science of soul which has been projected in transcendent medicine theory could be compare with “ deep learning” component of deep medicine theory. With extraction of Ibn-Arabi’ s concept of perfect man and its integration with transcendent medicine, the advanced model this theory could present “ deep empathy” , the third component of deep medicine. Conclusion: The transcendent medicine theory expresses all three components of deep medicine in a unique form. Hence, this theory could be used as a tool in the paradigm shift of modern medicine.