JOURNAL OF ILAM UNIVERSITY OF MEDICAL SCIENCES
Year:2020 | Volume:28 | Issue:3|Papers Count:10

Introduction: Evidence indicates that morphine impairs memory process. Ghrelin hormone has been linked to learning and memory processes and modulates reward properties of addictive drugs. In this study we examined the role of middle septal ghrelin receptors in the effects of morphine on memory consolidation in passive avoidance learning. Materials & Methods: In this experimental study, 91 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 13 (n=7) groups: saline (1ml/kg), morphine (0. 5-7. 5 mg/kg), ghrelin (0-1 nmol/μ l) plus morphine (7. 5 mg/kg) or saline (1ml/kg). In ghrelin treated groups animals received intra-medial Septum injection of ghrelin immediately after training and 5 min later saline or morphine was injected subcutaneously. Testing phase was done 24 h after training. Data were analyzed using ANOVA analysis followed by Tukey multiple comparison test. Ethics code: IR. ARAKMU. REC. 1397. 215 Findings: Post-training administration of morphine reduced step-through latency and increased Total dark chamber compared with saline group (p< 0. 001). Intra-medial Septum injection of ghrelin inhibited morphine-induced amnesia (p< 0. 001). Administration of ghrelin alone had no significant effect on memory retrieval (P > 0. 05). Disscution & Conclusions: Ghrelin is able to prevent the deleterious effects of morphine on memory and learning in the inhibitory avoidance model and the medial septal region may be involved in this effect.

Introduction: The respiratory system is one of the most important parts of the body that can be affected by the adverse effects of inhaling suspended particles leading to mental and occupational disorders. Due to the positive effects of physical activity on physical and mental health, this study aimed to investigate the relationship of pulmonary indicators with the quality of life and mental health of workers. Moreover, it was attempted to evaluate the effect of physical activity on these indicators. Materials & Methods: This case-control study was conducted on 153 workers who were selected based on the inclusion criteria from those who referred to Teb-e-Kar Laboratory, Mehriz, Iran, using the available sampling method. According to the Beck questionnaire, the participants were divided into two groups of inactive (n=93) and active (n=60). To determine workers' lung capacity, a lung function test was performed using Spirometry along with administering the General Health Questionnaire (1989) and Weir and Sherborne quality of life scale (1992). The data were analyzed in SPSS software (version 23) through Pearson correlation coefficients. A p-value of ≤ 0. 05 was considered statistically significant. Ethics code: IR. PNU. REC. 1398. 116 Findings: There was a direct and significant relationship between lung indicators and workers' quality of life (P=0. 000). Moreover, an inverse relationship was observed between these indicators and mental health (P=0. 000). The results of the inactive group also showed that lung indicators correlated directly with the quality of life (P=0. 007, 0. 000, 0. 000, and 0. 005, respectively); however, it had a significant and inverse relationship with mental health, except for vital capacity VC (P= 0. 019, 0. 037, and 0. 003, respectively). Discussions & Conclusions: It seems that an increase in the volume of the lungs improves the quality of life and mental health. It is worth noting that this relationship is more significant among active workers, compared to the inactive group.

Introduction: Microsporidiosis is an increasing opportunistic infection in patients with HIV/AIDS. There are five species of Microsporidia, including Enterocytozoon bieneusi, Encephalitozoon hellem, Encephalitozoon cuniculi, Septata intestinalis, and Pleistophora species that have been reported in HIV-infected individuals each causes a wide range of symptoms. This meta-analysis and systematic review aimed at determining the prevalence of Microsporidia in HIV-infected patients in Iran. Materials & Methods: Databases of Magiran, Scopus, Web of Sciences, Iran Medex, SID, Pubmed, Google scholar, and Irandoc were searched to investigate the studies on "Prevalence of Microsporidia in patients with HIV/AIDS in Iran". Moreover, the meta-analysis was performed using a random-effect model, and the heterogeneity among the studies was determined using the I2 test. Findings: Based on the data obtained from the studies, out of 8 studies, 1794 patients with HIV/AIDS were investigated in Iran between 2012 and 2016. According to the results, the prevalence of Microsporidia in patients with HIV/AIDS was evaluated using the PCR technique (0. 8-0. 18: %95 CI, 13%). The amount of heterogeneity among the studies (P<0. 001) was obtained at I2=93. 3. The most common Microsporidia were Enterocytozoon bieneusi, D, M, and WL-11 genotypes. However, Encephalitozoon intestinalis, Encephalitozoon cuniculi (genotypes 1 and 2), and Encephalitozoon hellem (genotype 1A) were also isolated. Discussion & Conclusions: The present study showed that the mean prevalence of Microsporidia in patients with HIV/AIDS in Iran (13%) is close to its global mean (15%). The most common Microsporidia in HIV-infected patients is Enterocytozoon bieneusi (genotype D) which is a common genotype between humans and animals; therefore, the patients should avoid contact with animals.

Introduction: The synthetic dyes pollution has turned out to be one of the most important environmental problems. Approximately 10000 different dyes and pigments are used industrially and over 0. 7 million tons of synthetic dyes are produced annually, worldwide. Synthetic dyes are extensively in the textile dyeing, leather tanning, paper, food and medicine industries. The majority of these dyes are either toxic to flora and fauna or mutagenic and carcinogenic. The disposal of these wastes into receiving waters cause damage to the environment. Therefore, removing them from environment is imperative various methods for physical and chemical decolorization of dyes in wastewater but these methods are rather costly and sometimes product hazardous by-products. In recent years, biodegradation approach of its cost-effectiveness and safe method. In this method, microorganisms, particularly bacteria are used for removing dyes. The goal of microbial treatment is to decolorize and detoxify the dye-contaminated effluents. Materials and Methods: In this study, bacillus albus bacteria were isolated Mazandaran industrial wastewater used as an example of gram-positive bacteria. Decolorization by these bacteria was investigated by a system which contained both medium and dye. The effects of operational parameters of indigo carmine including time, initial dye concentration, temperature, pH, shaking/non shaking, aerobic/anaerobic were tested. Ethics code: IR. UMZ. REC. 1397. 106 Findings: The results demonstrated that over a period of 54 h, at 50° C, 100 mg/l of concentration and pH=10, maximum decolorization of 95 percent was performed. Discussion and conclusions: The present study confirms high effectiveness of bacillus strains in dye removal. The main experiment was focused on decolorization of indigo carmine in aeration conditions.

Introduction: Bone formation is disturbed in type 1 diabetes followed by changes in the bone microstructure. The most important metabolic disorder in diabetes is osteoporosis, which is characterized by bone loss and bone structure degradation. This study aimed to determine the effect of low-power laser on bone defect repair in the experimental model of diabetes and osteoporosis. Materials & Methods: A total of 30 four-month-old female Wistar rats weighing 190-220 g were selected and randomly divided into six groups, including 1: non-diabetic control (Co. ), 2: non-diabetic laser (L. ), 3: diabetic control (Co. D. ), 4: diabetic laser (L. D. ), 5: diabetic alendronate (A. D. ), and 6: diabetic laser + alendronate (L. A. D. ). Diabetes was induced in groups 3, 4, 5, and 6. All groups underwent ovariectomy and partial bone defect. In the laser group, a low-level laser (890nm, 80 Hz, 1/5J / cm 2) was radiated to 3 points at the defect location. Tibia bones were collected, and Real-time PCR was performed after a month. The data were analyzed using ANOVA. A p-value less than P<0. 05 was considered statistically significant. Ethics code: 13237-91-1-1393-10397 Findings: The t-test showed a significant decrease in tibia bone density in diabetic and osteoporotic rats, compared to the non-diabetic control group. Moreover, analysis of gene expression data (ANOVA, P<0. 05) revealed a significant difference between the group of diabetic laser + alendronate and other groups in terms of Runx2 gene expression and Osteocalcin. Discussions & Conclusions: According to the findings, laser therapy combined with alendronate can accelerate the repair of partial bone defect in the experimental model of diabetes and osteoporosis.

Introduction: Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women. Doxorubicin is one of the most important chemotherapy drugs in the treatment of tumors with many side effects. Today, herbal compounds make up about one-third of the total available drugs. Heracleum persicum has anti-cancer effects. Moreover, in recent years, there has been an interest in the study of new drug targets, such as the use of parasitic compounds in cancer treatment. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the anticancer effects of Heracleum persicum alcoholic extract and Leishmania major promastigute in comparison with doxorubicin in MCF7 breast cancer cell line and HU02 fibroblast. Materials & Methods: Breast and fibroblast cell lines were exposed to logarithmic concentrations of doxorubicin, Heracleum persicum extract, and Leishmania promastigute separately and in combination. The MTT was used to determine the inhibitory concentration of this herb extract, medicine, and the parasite. The data were analyzed in SPSS software. Ethics code: IR. SKUMS. 0063-99 Findings: The results showed that an increase in the concentration of doxorubicin, Heracleum persicum extract, and Leishmania promastigute individually and in combination led to a decrease in the percentage of live fibroblast cells and MCF7. The highest percentage of the decreased live cells is observed in the combined application of Heracleum persicum extract, Leishmania promastigute, and doxorubicin. Discussion & Conclusions: Heracleum persicum extract and Leishmania promastigute can have significant inhibitory effects on the percentage of live fibroblast cells and MCF7, which is more pronounced in living cells of MCF7.

Introduction: The adverse effects of hyperuricemia on renal function are of interest. Patients with a history of kidney transplantation are at the risk of hyperuricemia and its associated complications. Therefore, the identification and management of the factors that cause hyperuricemia in these patients can be helpful and may eliminate the need for taking uric acid-lowering drugs. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of hyperuricemia and its related factors in patients who underwent renal transplantation. Materials & Methods: This analytical cross-sectional study was conducted on patients over 18 years of age who underwent kidney transplantation and referred to Mahdieh Clinic in Kermanshah, Iran, during 2019. The sampling was performed using the available and purposeful method. Ethics code: KUMS. REC. 1396. 574 Findings: This study was performed on 165 patients with renal transplantation. The prevalence of hyperuricemia in this study was obtained at 58. 8%. The hyperuricemic patients had a lower glomerular filtration rate and higher proteinuria (P<0. 05). High levels of uric acid were significantly associated with male gender, and the consumption of diuretic medications as well as immunosuppressive drugs, especially cyclosporine (P<0. 05). Discussion & Conclusions: In this study, hyperuricemia was highly prevalent in patients with kidney transplantation and was associated with poorer kidney function. It seems that early diagnosis of hyperuricemia and the implementation of some actions, such as less diuretic usage and selection of immunosuppressive drugs with less hyperuricemic effects, can improve the function and survival of the transplanted kidney with fewer needs for the use of uric acid-lowering drugs.

Introduction: Disease severity of Rheumatoid Arthritis is a latent concept which should be observed using a measurement tool. This variable plays a significant role in assessing disease status both cross-sectionally and longitudinally. The DAS28 scale is a valid instrument for assessing rheumatoid arthritis severity. This scale consists of two components, namely, the general system (blood sedimentation rate) and joint system (sensitive joints) as two correlated ordinal responses. The purpose of this study was to determine the process and affecting factors of the disease. This study aimed to present a marginalized random-effect model accompanied by the factors influencing these components. This method is used to assess the variables with associations simultaneously. Materials & Methods: This study utilized the information of 107 patients with rheumatoid arthritis who referred to Shariati Hospital, Tehran, Iran, during 2016-18. The response variables were the general system and joint system of patients that were classified by rank. A marginalized random-effects model and a joint marginalized random-effects model were used and the best model was selected based on the minimum amount of AIC. Data were analyzed using SAS software (version 9. 4). A p-value less than 0. 05 was considered statistically significant. Ethics code: IR. USWR. REC. 1397. 045 Findings: In the joint marginalized random-effects model, the effect of time was significant on the rate of blood sedimentation (OR=1. 56, 95% CI: 1. 27-1. 93). Moreover, time (OR=1. 85, 95% CI: 1. 55-2. 21), smoking (OR=0. 31, 95% CI: 0. 12-0. 82), and level of vitamin D (OR=1. 0, 95% CI: 1. 00-1. 02) had a significant effect on sensitive joints. Confidence intervals, standard error, and amount of the AIC in the joint marginalized random-effects model were less than the univariable model. Discussions & Conclusions: The results showed that the joint marginalized random-effect model could implement the mean of the marginal in the population as well as the correlation between the observations. Moreover, it was shown that the factors influencing the severity of the disease among the patients under study using the joint marginalized random-effects model included time, smoking, and vitamin D levels.

Introduction: It is essential to identify the key success factors for assessing and understanding the current situation and establish knowledge management and achieve organizational goals. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the key success factors of Knowledge Management Maturity in Health and Medical Organizations. Materials & Methods: This applied study was conducted based on a mixed qualitative-quantitative method. Snowball sampling was used at the qualitative phase. Moreover, the data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire and interview with 12 knowledge management experts in health organizations in Tehran, Iran. The interview contents were analyzed by qualitative content analysis method. Furthermore, the reliability of the interviews was evaluated using reviewing articles after implementation by experts and the agreement method between the two coders (intra-subject agreement). To analyze the data, close questionnaire was prepared and distributed among 34 experts who were selected by purposive sampling method. They were then requested to prioritize the choices according to the Likert scale. Exploratory factor analysis was used to analyze the data. Findings: The result demonstrated that 15 variables were the effective factors of Knowledge Management Maturity in Health and Medical Organizations. Based on the factor analysis results, the factors influencing the Knowledge Management Maturity included leadership, people, culture, organization, and evaluation. The leadership obtained the maximum rate of load factors among others (0. 889). Discussions & Conclusions: Regarding the Knowledge Management Maturity, social dimension, or soft factors in health organizations were more important, compared to technical dimension or hard factors. The role of leadership and human resources was more significant since they deal with the health of the community. Furthermore, their replacement is impossible in the short term. Therefore, it is necessary to adopt a proper procedure for transferring and utilizing the knowledge of individuals in health care organizations.

Introduction: Studies investigating effects of spiritual interventions on the quality of life, anxiety and depression in patients with breast cancer are insufficient and contradictory. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the impact of spiritual intervention based on Islam with group cognitive therapy in palliative care on the quality of life, anxiety and depression in women with breast cancer. Materials & Methods: A total of 26 Muslim women with breast cancer aged 36-58 years participated in this study with a pre (Mid) and posttest design, as well as a follow up and a control group. They were selected from the patients referred to Ala cancer prevention and control center in Isfahan, Iran, and the oncology ward of Mustafa Khomeini Medical University Hospital in Ilam, Iran, during 2018. Subsequently, they were randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. The experimental group received eight weekly sessions of Islamic-based intervention. On the other hand, the control group received group cognitive therapy based on the Free model as standard therapy in the same sessions and at the same time. Quality of Life Inventory and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale were utilized to collect data. The data were then analyzed using repeated measures ANCOVA. Ethics code: IR. IUMS. REC. 1396. 1031 Findings: According to the results of repeated measures ANCOVA, Islamic-based intervention showed no statistically significant differences in terms of quality of life, anxiety, and depression scores. However, regarding the clinical significance perspective, an improvement was observed in anxiety scores in both groups. In other words, 61. 53% of participants in both groups obtained a significant reduction in anxiety level. Considering the improvement of depression levels, cognitive group therapy was more effective than Islamic-based intervention in the reduction of depression levels (76. 42% vs 53. 48%). Discussions & Conclusions: According to the findings, regarding the clinical significance perspective, Islamic-based intervention decreased anxiety and depression levels significantly; however, the data showed no improvements in the quality of the life of the patients.