IRANIAN SOUTH MEDICAL JOURNAL (ISMJ)
Year:2019 | Volume:22 | Issue:3|Papers Count:5

Background: Thyroid dysfunction is one of the controversial complications of diabetes. Given the hypoglycemic properties of Yellow Horne Poppy (YHP), this study was conducted to evaluate the effect of oral administration of aqua-ethanolic extract of YHP and glibenclamide on serum level of T3 and T4 hormones in alloxan diabetic rats compared to healthy rats. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 56 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into seven groups of 8, including healthy control, healthy treated with 250 and 500 mg/kg of YHP extract, diabetic control, diabetic treated with 250 and 500mg/kg of YPH extract and diabetic treated with 5μ g/kg of glibenclamide. Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal injection of a single dose of alloxan. After 30 days of treatment, blood samples were collected and the concentration of thyroid hormones T3 and T4 were measured. Finally, the data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA. Results: The serum concentrations of thyroid hormones were significantly lower in the diabetic control group than those in the control group (P<0. 001). The mean concentration of T3 was significantly higher in the diabetic+250 extract than that in the diabetic control group (P<0. 001). Also, the mean concentration of T4 was significantly higher in the diabetic+250 extract than that in the diabetic+drug group (P=0. 04). Conclusion: YPH extract can effectively improve T3 and T4 serum levels in diabetic rats. Further studies are required to determine the active ingredient responsible for this therapeutic effect, such as Glaucin

Background: Acinetobacter baumannii is an opportunistic pathogen and a nosocomial infection agent. Antibiotic resistance in this organism results in serious health problem such as treatment failure and increased mortality. Mangrove plants, especially Avicennia marina, are a potential bioresource for new drugs as they have been used in traditional medicine. This study aimed to investigate antibacterial effects of A. marina leaf extract on standard and clinical stains of A. baumannii in vitro. Materials and Methods: A. marina leaves were dried in outdoor shade and ground. Then glycerin extract was provided at a concentration of 200 μ g/ml and its antibacterial properties were assessed on standard strain and carbapenem-resistant clinical isolates of A. baumannii using agar well diffusion method. Minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) were determined. Results: A. marina leaf extract had a significant antibacterial effect on all 6 strains at a concentration of 100 μ L in agar well diffusion method. MICs were 25μ g/ml in all strains. MBCs were 12. 5μ g/ml in standard strains. The most resistant strain against the extract was cefepime-resistant clinical strain. Conclusion: A. marina leaf crude extract had significant antibacterial effects on standard and carbapenem-resistant clinical isolates of A. baumannii.

Background: Many diseases, including cancer, ischemia and tumors show degrees of tissue hypoxia. Therefore, it is useful to detect tissue hypoxia with compounds that can penetrate and remain in hypoxic cells in order to diagnose cancer at early stages. Peptides with low molecular weight, susceptible to redox environment, with easier penetration into tissues and low antigenic characteristics are good candidates, as compared to antibodies and proteins. Therefore, radiolabeling small lipophilic peptides containing a nitro group with 99mTc to enter and remain in the hypoxic cell for imaging hypoxic tissue is a good strategy for earlier detection of tumors, which leads to more effective and satisfactory treatment. Materials and Methods: In this study, some tripeptides were synthesized with added para nitro benzoic acid (PNBA) group at their N-terminal using solid phase peptide synthesis (SPPS) method with Fmoc strategy using Wang resin. The peptides were labeled with 99mTc and their characterizations were determined using chromatographic techniques and partition coefficient experiments. A hypoxia Jar system was used to examine cellular uptake of the labeled peptides exposed to MCF-7 cells in normal and hypoxic conditions for 30 to 120 min. Results: Synthesis of the peptides resulted in good yields (70% to 78%). The synthesized peptides and radiopeptides were stable in normal saline and human plasma for at least 4 h and 6 h, respectively. Radiochemical purity (RCP) of the synthesized labeled peptides was ≈ 94% with lipophilicity (Log P) ≈-0. 006. Furthermore, labeled peptides exposed to MCF-7 cells could remain in hypoxic cells longer than those in normal cells. Conclusion: Considering the results obtained in this study, the peptide derivatives labeled with 99mTc, appear to be appropriate agents for the detection and imaging of hypoxic tissues.

Background: Organ transplant is considered the treatment of choice for patients with end-stage organ disorders. This process improves recipient’ s longevity and quality of life. However, organ shortage for transplantation has remained an unresolved global issue. One of the primary sources of organ donation is braindead bodies. The most important factor that impedes the success of donation is lack of family's consent. Exploring effective factors on decision making of the families of brain-dead patients for organ donation helps policy makers plan how to facilitate organ donation. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 223 employees and 222 clients of Shohadaye-Khalij-e-Fars Hospital in Bushehr province in 2016. Samples were selected through a proportionate stratified random sampling from each hospital. Knowledge and Attitude towards Organ Donation and Brain Death Questionnaire, developed by Iranian Society of Organ Donation, was used for data collection. Data were analyzed in SPSS 16. Results: Mean scores of employees' knowledge and attitude towards donation were higher than those of hospital clients. However, clients' mean score of religious belief was higher than employees'. There was a significant positive relationship between employees' attitude and religious belief. A significant relationship was also observed between employees' knowledge and probable causes of disagreement with organ donation. Furthermore, the relationship of hospital clients' attitude towards donation with their religious belief, knowledge and probable causes of disagreement with organ donation was significant. The relationship of their knowledge with their religious belief and probable causes of disagreement with organ donation was also significant. Conclusion: Considering that organ donation can save people's lives, the need to train and improve the factors observed in this research is felt to encourage people to donate organs.

Short stature is an important clinical feature of Turner syndrome (TS). In this report, a girl with short stature suspected to have Turner syndrome underwent cytogenetic analysis, which confirmd Turner syndrome by observing sex chromosomal monosomy using the karyotype test. In addition to Turner syndrome, Robertsonian (ROB) translocation t(13; 14) was detected. As recommended by a genetic counselor, all family members underwent karyotype analysis, which detected ROB translocation t(13; 14) in father of the family. The simultaneous occurrence of ROB translocation and Turner syndrome is a rare phenomenon and affects the individual’ s life, for instance, reduced fertility. Therefore, cytogenetic study is recommended in cases with abnormally short stature in order to manage their health before any treatment procedure.