Research in Medicine
Year:2018 | Volume:42 | Issue:3|Papers Count:10

Backgrond: Intestinal colonization of the newborn is essential for establishment, maturation, and maintenance of the gut mucosal barrier. The greatest difference between the microbiota of breast milk and Infant formula feeding is the numbers and species composition of Bifidobacteria. In the present study, we tried to identify the native Bifidobacterium isolates obtained from the human’ s breast milk and the feces of their paired infants in rural areas of Markazi Province in 2015. Materials and Methods: In the present descriptive study, 28 samples from mothers’ milk and 28 samples from paired infants feces were collected and cultured. Suspicious colonies were picked up and confirmed by phenotypic identification and finally specific primers were designed for genotypic detection using PCR assay. Finally, the results were analyzed using SPSS, v. 18. Findings: Out of 56 samples, 31 (55%) different Bifidobacterium species including 15 (36%) B. bifidum, 14 (34%) B. longum, and, 12 (29%) B. 1 were isolated, out of which, 12 (29%) isolates, including B. longum (6), B. breve (4), and B. bifidum (2), were shared between six mother-infant pairs. The correlation coefficient between bifidobacteria isolated from breast milk and infant feces was +0. 821 (p-value <0. 05). Conclusion: Considering the 29 percent commonlity and the positive correlation coefficient between breast milk and fecal bifidobacterium in our study, it is possible that the main source of intestinal bifidobacterium in the early stages of birth is breast milk.

Background: In the evolution of brain in different species, the process of neurons formation has been confirmed in some brain areas. This process is known as Neurogenesis. Neurogenesis occurs in two areas of the adult mammals' anterior brain, including regional sub-ventriculus and dentate gyrus in various species, including rodents, primates and humans. Millet belongs to the family of Poaceae. The seed of this plant has various vitamins and other valuable compounds, such as polyphenols, carbohydrates, and fatty acids. The aim of the present investigation was to examine the effect of alcoholic extracts of grain Millet on neuronal density of Dentate gyrus of the hippocampus in male rats. Materials and Methods: The current experimental study was conducted on 24 adult male rats. First, the soxhelet of alcoholic extract form the seed of the Panicum miliaceum plant with herbarium code 9738 was prepared. Mice were randomly divided into four groups of control, and treatment with extract doses of 50, 25, and 75 mg/kg. In the treatment groups, the extract, was injected intraperitoneally (IP) continuously for 21 day with an invertal of 24 hours and the control group received normal saline injection. One month after the first injection, the animals were anesthetized and the brains were gently removed from the skall. After processing, seven-micron serial sections were stained with blue toluidine and erythrosine. Then, dentate gyrus were photographed and neuronal density of dentate gyrus in different groups were evaluated using stereological methods and were compared with control groups using the statistical program. Results: In the treatment group with a dose of 25 mg/kg, the neuronal density of the DG region was significantly increased as compared with that of the control group (P = 0. 001). Also, in the treatment groups with a dose of 50 mg/kg and 75 mg/kg, there was a significant increase in neuronal density of DG region, as compared with that of the control group (P = 0). Conclusion: The present study showed that the alcoholic extract of the seed of Panicum miliaceum plant can probably increase neurons of the dentate gyrus of the lab mice. It is likely that alcoholic extracts of Millet grain increased neurogenesis leading to the increase in the neuronal density.

Background: One of the characteristics of human is their ability to change behavior based on previous experiences. Learning is the acquisition of information that makes this possible, and memory is meant to store this information. Millet contains proteins, minerals, vitamins and antioxidants needed to preserve the life and health of mammalian cells. This study was conducted to determine the effect of aqueous extract of seed of millet (Panicum miliaceum L. ) on spatial memory. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 24 male rats were divided into 4 groups. Hydrochloric extract of Prossu millet was prepared by Soxhlet method and injected into three treatment groups with doses of 50, 25 and 75 mg/kg by intraperitoneal injection for 21 days. The control group received normal saline. After one month from the first injection, learning behaviors and memory tests were performed on samples. In this study, a Mauritius Water Maze was used to study the space memory and a shuttle box was used to learn passive avoidance of spatial memory. One-way variance (ANOVA) was used to analyze the data of variance analysis with repeated measurements and to analyze memory data. Results: In the injection of aqueous extracts with doses of (50, 25 and 75 mg/kg), time for finding the platform between the control group and the aqueous treatments in doses of (50 and 75 mg / kg) was significantly different. (p <0. 05). Also, time of training and test time in control and treatment groups receiving aqueous extract showed a significant difference, indicating that this extract had a significant effect. Conclusion: hydrous extracts of millet grain of Prossu could improve the learning and spatial memory of male mice, which may be due to the antioxidant properties of millet.

Backgroundm: Today, correct distribution of healthcare resources is a top priority in all societies. Countries reform their healthcare systems to improve quality and to promote access to healthcare services. In this regard, controlling the amount of medical tests and procedures and reducing unnecessary procedures is an objective for healthcare systems. Cath labs are rooms that provide various and expensive medical procedures in hospitals. The present investigation was carried out to determine the amount of medical tests and procedures and its relation to healthcare reform in Iran. Methodology: To study the relationship between the amount of provided Cath lab`s tests and procedures and implementation of healthcare reform in three hospitals of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, in the current quantitative and before-after study, statistical data was gathered from 2012 to 2016, to run paired t-tests to compare the quantitative variables before and after health transformation plan. To collect and analyze information Excel, 2013, and SPSS, v. 22, were used. Findings: The results showed significant increase in the amount of cardiology clinic admissions and hospitalization (p=0. 0001). Also, the amount of coronary angiography, angioplasty, CT-angiography, EPS-Ablation, and pacemaker placement increased right after health transformation plan (p=0. 0001) while they decreased slightly in the second year. It was also found that the amount of CABG surgeries did not change after the plan (p=0. 238). Conclusion: It seems that health transformation plan has altered various factors that have affected the amount of provided Cath lab procedures, which can probably tend to unnecessary use of these services, as well. Therefore, monitoring and controling these factors are important to achieve quality improvement, to plan healthcare, and to avoid unnecessary medical tests and procedures.

Background: One of the most important questions at the first steps of designing a laboratory animal research is “ How many animals do we need? ” . In fact, the number of animals used, acts like a “ double-edged sword” , directly affecting the scientific power and ethicalness of a research. Therefore, proper sample size calculation (SSC) is of outmost importance. Methods: The aim of the present article is to teach methods of SSC. At first, a thorough understanding of basic parameters used for SSC will be developed for readers. Then, the philosophy of SSC will be discussed. Next, we will review the methods of calculating the number of Experimental Units for each type of studies and we will explore a range of available tools to perform the calculations. Methods of spreading the proper number of experimental units across the groups will be discussed and we will finally calculate the required number of animals based on the number of experimental units, group compositions, and the likelihood of animals exiting the study. Results: Two main methods of SSC for animal research, i. e. Power Analysis and Resource Equation, are presented with the emphasis on the ethical principles of sample size reduction. Pros and cons of each method are discussed and a spreadsheet is provided for readers to perform routine calculations. Conclusion: The number of animals used can considerably affect various aspects of a study, though, proper determination of it does not follow a strict rule. For an optimum determination, researchers should have a good understanding in statistics and laboratory animal science and be familiar with ethical principles and sound scientific judgement.

Background: Considering the high prevalence of sprain and ankle instability and the disturbing side effects, like decreased stability and increased posture vacillation, it is necessary to perform preventive exercises to avoid such injuries. Thus, the goal of the present research was analyzing the effect of eightweeks of combined exercises on the time of accessing to stability and replacement of press center of active men with chronic ankle instability Materials and methods: An experimental study was performed on 24 active men with functional ankle instability. Initial screening and identifying qualified athletes were done using Ankle Disability Questionnaire and Foot and Ankle Disability Index. Athletes were divided into two groups of Experimental (n= 12) and control (n= 12). Kinetic variables were evaluated using force platform. Experimental group performed the resistance exercises for eight weeks. Results: For data analysis and statistical analysis, after using Shapirovailk test to normalize the data, dependent t-test was run to check inter group performance and independent t-tests were run to evaluate between group performance at a significance level of 0. 05%. The results of statistical tests showed that the combined exercises had a significant effect on the time to reach stability and the rate of displacement of the active men’ s pressure center with functional ankle instability (P≤ 0/05). Conclusion: According to the findings, it is suggested that comprehensive combined training programs be used in the rehabilitation programs of male individuals suffering from functional ankle instability to ease restrictions caused by FAI, like balance and stability defects.

Background: Macrophages are one of the most important immune cells. They can be divided into two main subgroups of classical or inflammatory macrophages (M1) and alternative or non-inflammatory macrophages (M2), due to different stimuli. One of the factors that make the macrophage to orient towards M2 is the phagocytosis of apoptosis cells (efferocytosis). The phagocytosis of mesenchymal stem cells can be very important in cell therapy due to their immunomedulatory properties and the ability to modulate macrophage function. Materials and Methods: Mesenchymal stem cells were isolated from Wharton’ s jelly and characterized using flow cytometry as well as differentiation to Osteoblasts and adipocytes. MSCs in passage two were exposed to UV light for induction of apoptosis for 30 minutes followed by incubation for two hours. The cells were then isolated and added to macrophages in a ratio of 4 to 1. Next, cells were incubated for 48 hours, and then the productions of TNFα and IL10 cytokines were measured using ELISA and nitric oxide production was measured using Griess method. Phagocytosis ability of the macrophages was also measured using yeast and apoptotic thymocytes phagocytosis in different groups. Results: The phagocytosis of Wharton’ s jelly-Mesenchymal stem cells (WJ– MSCs) by macrophages reduces the production of inflammatory cytokine TNFα and increases the production of inhibitory cytokine IL-10. Nitric oxide production decreased in these macrophages. In addition, after phagocytosis of apoptotic WJ-MSCs, the ability of yeast phagocytosis in these macrophages was reduced and phagocytosis of apoptotic thymocyte was increased. Conclusion: The phagocytosis of apoptotic WJ-MSCs induces non-inflammatory phenotype in macrophages. Therefore, injected WJ-MSCs maintain their immunomodulatory properties even if they get apoptosed in the body.

Background: The prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus, as one of the most common nosocomial pathogens, is increasing annually and is becoming a major public health concern. One of the serious threats associated with clinical isolates of MRSA is lack of data regarding the molecular characterization of these isolates. The aim of the present study was to identify resistance encoding genes and molecular characteristics of methicillin-resistant S. aureus strains isolated from hospitalized patients in 2017. Materials and Methods: During a 10-month period, 112 MRSA strains isolated from hospitalized patients were investigated. In vitro antimicrobial susceptibility of the isolates was assessed using the disk diffusion and micro-broth dilution methods. Conventional PCR was performed to detect resistance encoding genes. Different types of SCCmec were analyzed using multiplex PCR. Results: The results of antibiotic susceptibility testing showed that 91. 1% of isolates were resistant to penicillin, 65. 2% to ceftriaxon, 63. 4% to erythromycin, 56. 3% to kanamycin, 52. 7% to Clindamycin, 50% to amikacin, 45. 5% to gentamicin, 26. 8% to tobramycin, 18. 8% to quinupristin/dalfopristin, and 11. 6% were resistant to trimetoprim-sulfamethoxazole. The most prevalent resistance gene belonged to ant(4΄ )Ia (73. 2%) followed by aac(6΄ )-Ie/aph(2˝ ) (59. 8%), tet(M) (57. 1%), msr(A) (36. 7%), aph(3΄ )-IIIa (35. 7%), erm(A) (33. 9%), msr(B) (24. 1%), erm(B) (17%), erm(C) (15. 2%), and mupA (10. 7%). Our findings revealed that the most common SCCmec type was III (53. 6%) followed by types I (23. 3%), IV (14. 3%), and II (8. 9%). High-level mupirocin-resistant strains belonged to SCCmec types III (5. 4%), IV (4. 4%), and I (0. 9%), while all the low-level mupirocin resistant strains belonged to SCCmec type III (15. 2%). Conclusions: It seems that there is a genetic diversity among MRSA circulating in studied hospitals that highlights the need to implement appropriate infection control policies in order to decrease dissemination of multi-drug resistance MRSA types in our hospitals.

Background: Embryonic period is the most sensitive stage of the human life in confronting with taken material by mother. The goal of the present study was to evaluate the effect of folic acid overdose on days 8, 9, and 10 of gestation on the pancreatic tissue. Materials and Methods: A total of 20 pregnant mice were equally divided into four groups. The control group received no injection. The sham group received distilled water injection and experimental groups received folic acid in doses of 0. 45 µ g (1 experimental group = E1) and 0. 6 µ g (2 experimental group = E2) intraperitoneally on days 8, 9, and 10 of gestation. Data were analyzed using SPSS (version 22) and ANOVA test with Tukey at the significance level of p≤ 0. 05. Results: After treatment with folic acid, uterine bleeding was not observed in the mice and no morphological abnormalities were found in control, sham, and experimental groups. Moreover, in implanted places, no percentage of the embryos died, were absorbed or aborted. In the study of pancreatic tissue, area of largest acini (P=0. 096) (979. 7 ± 67) and the nuclear number in the largest acini (P=0. 087) (15 ± 2) in E2 group had no significant increase as compared with that of the control group. Conclusion: It seems that administration of the extract of folic acid to pregnant mice leads to changes in the development of pancreatic tissue. Therefore, it is recommended that this vitamin be consumed during pregnancy under physician's supervision.

Background: Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 (HIV-1) is one of the most important blood-borne infectious viruses that are considered a global problem, thus it is important to diagnose it with high accuracy and sensitivity. Serologic methods do not adequately detect this infection. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to design a sensitive method based on TaqMan Real-time PCR method for diagnosis of HIV-1. Materials and Methods: Primers and probes were designed using bioinformatics softwares for a region of 200 pairs of HIV-1 INT gene. The sequence was cloned into T/A cloning vector and in-vitro RNA transcription was performed to prepare standards for analytical sensitivity assay. To determine the analytical specificity, NCBI BLAST and different viral and bacterial samples were used. Clinical specificity was determined using negative plasma samples. Results: The method introduced was able to detect as low as 10 copies of HIV-1 RNA/ml. Furthermore, it was linear in the range of 10-10 9 copies/ml. By examining the negative samples, the specificity of this method was determined to be 100%. Intra-and Inter-assay results ranged from 0. 3% to 2. 5% and 0. 7% to 4. 5%, respectively, that showed high reproducibility of the assay. Conclusion: Due to proper sensitivity and specificity, rapid analysis, being user-friendly, and relatively low cost, as compared with commercial kits, the method introduced in the present study can be suitable to accurately diagnose HIV-1 virus. Applying this in-house Real-time PCR assay, viral infection can also be detected before seroconversion and appearance of bloodstream antibodies, which can reduce window period of this infection.