JOURNAL OF MAZANDARAN UNIVERSITY OF MEDICAL SCIENCES
Year:2020 | Volume:29 | Issue:182|Papers Count:15

Background and purpose: Microbial resistance against antibiotics is increasingly growing, therefore, it is necessary to develop new remedies. Silver nanoparticles have significant antibacterial properties and synthesis of silver nanoparticles mediated by plant extracts could be considered as an alternative in treatment in various infections. Materials and methods: In this study, silver nanoparticles were synthesized using Allium paradoxum extract. Optimum temperature, concentration, and also optimum pH for production of silver nanoparticles were established. Formation of the particles was investigated by UV-vis spectra, EDS, XRD, and SEM techniques. The MIC and MBC values of the particles against several gram-positive and gramnegative bacteria strains were determined. Results: Optimum condition for synthesis of silver nanoparticles was at 85° C, pH 12, 5 mM concentration, and 30 minutes after adding the extract solution to silver nitrate solution. The particles remained stable until two months after synthesis. The approximate size of silver nanoparticles was 30 to 40 nanometer. Nanoparticles shows strong antibacterial effects against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and moderate antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Conclusion: In this study, A. paradoxum was found as a good reducing and coating agent in green synthesis of silver nanoparticles. These particles showed strong antibacterial activities Therefore, they can have high potential for use in biological fields.

Background and purpose: Nanoparticles (NPs) are used in different industries, including electronics, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, healthcare, and environmental processes. Therefore, it is necessary to evaluate their toxicity in the aquatic environment. Materials and methods: The acute toxicity of six different kinds of nano-sized particulates (SiO2, Fe2O3, Al2O3, TiO2, ZnO, and MgO) to Daphnia Magna were evaluated using the acute toxicity test, according to the U. S EPA method at various exposure times in different concentrations. The LC50 values and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals were calculated using the EPA Probit analysis program. Results: The highest to lowest LC50 of mortality of the NPs studied were as follows: Al2O3>Fe2O3>SIO2>TiO2>MgO>ZnO. At 96 hours of exposure time, NPs caused morphological change in the gut tract of D. Magna. Conclusion: In this study, all physiochemical properties of the NPs were similar to those reported in previous studies. Among these properties, chemical composition and purity of NPs are the major factors that could influence the toxicity of NPs to D. Magna.

Background and purpose: Tubal pregnancy is a life threatening condition that not only causes mortality but also reduces fertility by less than 50%. In many patients, the level of β hCG does not reach detection threshold, and for definite diagnosis, long-term follow-up considering β hCG titration and transvaginal ultrasonography are needed which could lead to delay in diagnosis and treatment. The aim of this study was to determine the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels as a serum biomarker in the diagnosis of tubal pregnancy. Materials and methods: This descriptive study was performed in 103 pregnant women attending Sari Imam Khomeini Hospital, 2018, of whom tubal pregnancy was diagnosed in 50 at 5 to 7. 5 weeks of gestational age and the rest (n=53) had normal intrauterine pregnancy with the same gestational age. An ELISA kit (Bioassay Laboratory-China) was used to measure the levels of serum VEGF. Results: The patients aged 21 to 47 years old (mean age: 31. 2 ± 6. 1 years). The median serum levels of VEGF in the tubal pregnancy group and individuals with normal intrauterine pregnancy were 233. 5 and 157. 9, respectively, indicating significant differences between the two groups (P<0. 0001). When threshold concentrations of a serum VEGF level > 280 pg/ml were used, tubal pregnancy could be distinguished from normal pregnancy with a sensitivity of 86%, specificity of 67. 9%, positive predictive value of 99. 6%, and positive and negative likelihood ratio of 2. 68 and 0. 21, respectively. Conclusion: According to current findings, serum VEGF levels could be of great help in differentiating tubal pregnancy from normal pregnancy with appropriate sensitivity and specificity.

Background and purpose: Despite extensive studies on prevention and management of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), less attention has been paid to chronic venous insufficiency. The persend study aimed to investegite the incidence and clinical signs of post thrombotic syndrome in patients with deep vein thrombosis. Materials and methods: A descriptive retrospective study was done in patients with DVT from 2010 to 2013 in Rasht, Iran. Informed written consent was taken from the patients who were willing to participate in this research and photolithography was performed. Demographic and clinical information, underlying diseases, and photolithography results were recorded. Results: A total of 153 lower limbs was evaluated (mean age of the patients: 14 ± 50 years). In most of the samples, the DVT involvement was iliofemoral (43. 1%) and the mean time from developing DVT was 2. 8 ± 0. 83 years. In these patients, the most common symptoms were edema (66%), telangiectasia (47. 7%), and pain (43. 8%). The majority of the patients had impaired photoplaciographic scores (94. 8%). Post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS) was seen in 37 cases (24. 19%). There was no significant correlation between incidence of PTS and occurrence of DVT and therapeutic methods. Conclusion: Understanding the epidemiology, clinical signs of DVT, and follow-up of its complications can be helpful in making appropriate diagnosis and treatment of these patients. In current study, the abundance of PTS was not great, but, edema, telangiectasia, and pain were obseved in most of the patients.

Background and purpose: Radiation therapy make an important contribution in the control and treatment of cancers. Lungs are the main organs at risk in esophageal cancer radiotherapy. Difference between the dose distribution due to the treatment planning system (TPS) and the patient's body dose is dependent on the calculation of the treatment planning system algorithm, which is more pronounced in heterogeneities such as the lung. In this study, the dose distribution of treatment planning system was compared with Monte Carlo calculations in both homogeneous and heterogeneous tissues. Materials and methods: Three dimensional planning composed of four fields were done on the CT images using the CorPLAN TPS of a SIEMENS PRIMUS linac. EGSnrc Monte Carlo simulation code was used for the same conditions. The dose distributions obtained from Monte Carlo simulation and the TPS were compared using PDD curve and Dose Difference Percentage index obtained from the two modes. Results: According to the findings, the error rate from the TPS was less than 3% in the homogeneous tissue, whereas the error in the heterogeneous tissue was higher than the standard value (more than 5%). Conclusion: The accuracy of CorPLAN TPS at homogeneous tissue is more than that in the heterogeneous tissue and this should be considered in the clinic. This study suggests that the Monte Carlo code can be used to simulate and estimate the dose distribution in radiotherapy, and in cases where the practical measurement of some dosimetric parameters is impossible or difficult, this code can be used for prediction and optimization of treatment plans.

Background and purpose: Diazinon is one of the most widely used pesticides in agricultural pest control that pollutes water resources. The aim of this study was to evaluate the adsorption of diazinon from water by zeolite modified with cationic surfactant hexadecyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (HDTMA). Materials and methods: The amount of HDTMA surfactant used to modify the zeolite was one-fold External Cation Exchange Capacity (ECEC) of zeolite (0. 53 mmol/g). Modification was performed by contacting zeolite and surfactant for 24h on the shaker. Unmodified and modified zeolite were tested as adsorbent. Experiments were conducted in batch mode in acidic (pH=3), natural (pH=7), and alkaline conditions (pH=11). Results: The optimal contact times for adsorption of diazinon were 10 and 5 minutes on unmodified zeolite and HDTMA-modified zeolite (HMZ), respectively. According to the Freundlich model, the amount of diazinon absorbed by the HMZ was about 8 times more than that of the unmodified zeolite. By using 1gl-1 of HMZ at pH= 3, the maximum adsorption was 97. 6%. Pseudo second order kinetics and Freundlich isotherm model well describes the absorption of diazinon on HMZ. Conclusion: Modified zeolite has high capacity, so, the method used here, can be used to increase the efficiency of diazinon adsorption in wastewater treatment plants.

Background and purpose: The aims of this study were to investigate the geographical distribution of mortality rates caused by cardiovascular diseases in Kurdistan province and to identify the high risk areas. Materials and methods: This ecological study was done using the data on mortality due to due to cardiovascular disease in Kurdistan province, Iran 2013-2015. To determine the standardized mortality rates and effective factors, Poisson model and negative binomial model were fitted to the data and the Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) was used to identify the most efficient model. Data analysis was done in R software and the maps were drawn using Arc GIS10 software. Results: A total of 8596 (41. 54% from total deaths in the province) death due to cardiovascular diseases was reported in 55. 6% males (mean age: 69. 1± 20. 8 years) and 44. 2% females (mean age: 71. 86± 19. 7 years). The overall mortality rate was 178 per hundred thousand. The death rate caused by cardiovascular diseases was not symmetric throughout Kurdistan province. However, the rate was higher in Southern areas. The negative binomial model showed mean age (RR=0. 29, P<0. 001), sex ratio (RR=25. 02, P=0. 02), number of emergency departments (RR<0. 001, P<0. 001), and literacy ratio (RR=0. 9, P<0. 001) to be significantly associated with mortality rates of cardiovascular disease. Conclusion: According to current study, enhancing the awareness of people and suitable facilities in emergency services could considerably reduce mortality rates due to cardiovascular disease.

Background and purpose: Prosocial behavior can offer clinical, psychological, and biological applications to improve the health of patients. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of religious attitude on prosocial behavior considering the mediating roles of empathy and altruism in nursing and medical students. Materials and methods: A descriptive-correlational study was performed in 2018-2019 academic year. The research population included all nursing and medical students in Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences. Participants were 361 students selected via convenient sampling. The Prosocial Tendencies Measure, Allport religious orientation, Self-Report Altruism Scale (SRA), and Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI) were administered. Data analysis was done using Pearson Correlation Coefficient and structural equation modeling in AMOS. Results: According to the findings, religious orientation, altruism and empathy were significantly correlated with prosocial behavior (P<0. 01). Also, the final model has a good fitness. Religious orientation was found to have direct positive effect on prosocial behavior, altruism and empathy. Empathy and altruism had a mediating role between religious orientation and prosocial behavior. Conclusion: Based on the role of religious orientation, altruism and empathy in predicting prosocial behavior, this model can be used in interventions to promote prosocial behavior in nurses and doctors.

Background and purpose: In medicinal chemistry, molecules containing rhodanine (2-thiazolidine-4-one) ring as a magic multifunctional privileged structural and functional scaffold show a broad range of potent pharmacological properties containing anti-microbial, antiviral, anti-diabetic, and anti-convulsant effects. Evidence suggests that the activity of the rhodanine derivative correlates with the size and the nature of the substituents at C-5 and N-3 positions. In this study, we synthesized new Nsubstituted rhodanine derivatives with arylidene substituent at the C-5 position via solvent-free Knoevenagel condensation reaction. We also investigated the antifungal activity of the compounds. Materials and methods: A mixture of aromatic aldehyde (1 mmol) and rhodanin derivatives (1 mmol) was stirred in choline chloride (ChCl)/urea deep eutectic solvent (1 mL) at 100C in an oil bath for 1 hour. The progress of the reaction was monitored by TLC (2: 1 n-hexane/ethyl acetate). Then, the crude compound was collected by vacuum filtration and washed using ice-cold solvent. Results: Novel products were elucidated on the basis of elemental analyses as well as FTIR, Mass and 1H NMR, 13CNMR spectroscopy. Conclusion: A green, comfortable and rapid procedure has been developed for the synthesis of N-substituted rhodanine derivatives using ChCl/Urea Deep Eutectic Ionic Liquid (DEILs) under solventfree conditions.

Background and purpose: Stressful events in early-life induce metabolic disorders in adolescence. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of early-life stress on number or area of Langerhans islets in exposure to foot-shock and psychological stress in male rats. Materials and methods: The rats were divided into six groups: control (without stress), earlystress (stress at 2 weeks of age), pubertal-foot shock (at 8-10 weeks of age), pubertal-psychological stress (psychological stress at 8-10 weeks of age), early-stress + pubertal-foot shock (stress at 2 weeks and footshock at 8-10 weeks of age), early-stress + pubertal-psychological stress (early-stress at 2 weeks and psychological stress at 8-10 weeks of age). Stress was induced for five consecutive days (twice daily). At the end of the experiment, following anesthesia with pentobarbital, the rats were decapitated and dissected to remove pancreas tissue to measure the number and area of islets. Results: Early-life and pubertal stresses alone did not change the number or area of islets. Compared to other interventions, early-life psychological-stress could considerably change the number or area of pancreatic islets. Conclusion: Early life stress predisposes the organism to morphological changes in endocrine pancreas as an increase in Langerhans islets number or area in exposure to stress later in life.

Background and purpose: Valproic acid derivatives are histone deacetylases (HDACs) inhibitors. HDACs are important in epigenetic processes. Some epigenetic modifications are inherited. This study aimed at investigating the intergenerational effects of pre-pregnancy chronic valproate consumption on offspring. Materials and methods: In this experimental study, twelve female Wistar rats were randomly divided into two groups of control and valproate. For 30 days, the control group received saline and the valproate group received sodium valproate (300 mg/kg) intraperitoneally (i. p. ). After mating, pregnancy, and nursing, two males and two females pup were randomly selected from the mothers and placed in the following groups: 1) male offspring of the control group, 2) female offspring of the control group, 3) male offspring of the valproate group, and 4) female offspring of the valproate group. Future experiments were followed using these groups. Avoidance memory was assessed using the shuttle box. Offspring's hippocampus were extracted and used for MECP2, HDAC2, BDNF genes expression study by qRT-PCR. Results: No significant differences were detected in avoidance memory between male and female offspring of the mothers in valproate group and that of the controls (P>0. 05). There were no significant differences in MECP2, HDAC2, and BDNF genes expression between male offspring of the mothers in control and valproate groups (P>0. 05). But, expression levels of these genes significantly decreased in female offspring of valproate mothers compared with those of the female offspring of the controls (P<0. 05). Conclusion: Pre-pregnancy chronic valproate consumption did not affect avoidance memory in offspring. But, it seems to affect hippocampus gene expression sex-dependently.

Background and purpose: Acne is a chronic inflammatory disease of the pilosebaceous glands caused by opportunistic microorganisms. The Rhamnus cathartica is known to have biological and antioxidant properties. This research aimed at investigating the in vitro effect of gel containing 5% R. cathartica extract on acne vulgaris. Materials and methods: The gel formulation contained 25g of dried R. cathartica bark extract, 0. 5 liters distilled water, glycerin 50g, carbopol 940 5g, methyl paraben 0. 75g, and propyl paraben 0. 5g. After 24 hours, the formulation was put outside the refrigerator. Then, triethanolamine was added to the formulation under stirring with 500 rpm to solidify the gel. The effect of the product was measured against Cutibacterium acnes, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Staphylococcus aureus and MIC and MBC values were also determined. Results: Total phenolic content of R. cathartica was 351. 6± 4. 5 mgGA/g/DW, total flavonoid content was 23. 15± 1. 355 mgCE/g/DW, and total anthraquinone content was 1. 85 ± 0. 05 mgAE/g/DW. The pH of the product was 5. 5-6. The MIC values of R. cathartica 5% gel were 195. 3 μ g/ml, 24. 41 μ g/ml, and 97. 65 μ g/ml against C. acnes, S. epidermidis and S. aureus, respectively. The MBC testing showed 25000 μ g/ml, 25000 μ g/ml, and 12500 μ g/ml against C. acne, S. epidermidis and S. aureus. Conclusion: R. cathartica is believed to contain active ingredients and can act as an antibiotic against acne causing microorganisms.

Background and purpose: There are controversies on the relationship between metabolic syndrome and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The present study was done to determine the frequency of metabolic syndrome in male patients with COPD as well as the associated illnesses and the symptoms of the disease. Materials and methods: In a cross-sectional survey in Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, 2014, a total of 80 COPD men (33-87-year-old) were enrolled. For all patients, demographic characteristics were recorded, a spirometric examination was done, and metabolic syndrome indicators, systemic inflammation (CRP) levels, and CHARLSON index were measured. We used regression analysis, independent t-test, and ANOVA to analyze the data. Results: The rate of metabolic syndrome was 37. 5% in COPD patients. Patients with metabolic syndrome had more severe COPD, higher use of inhaled steroids, and fewer Forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) than those who did not have metabolic syndrome (P<0. 05). Diabetes (P= 0. 009) and cardiac disorders (P= 0. 023) showed a significant association with metabolic syndrome. Among the components of the metabolic syndrome, waist circumference, hypertension, and CRP had a significant association with airway obstruction (P<0. 05). Conclusion: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was high in COPD patients. We also found an association between the airflow obstruction in more severe COPD stages and metabolic syndrome, hypertension, and waist circumference.

Background and purpose: In this study we aimed to identify the association between birth weight and first primary tooth eruption. Materials and methods: This retrospective cohort study was done in infants attending for 12 and 18 months vaccination in Qaemshahr health centers. Multi-stage cluster sampling was performed. Information, including birth weight, height, and head circumference were extracted from vaccination cards. Other information including feeding type, gestational age, type of delivery, and the time of first primary tooth eruption was also obtained. Pearson statistical test and linear regression model were applied to identify the relationship between first tooth eruption and other variables. Results: Data of 704 children were analyzed. The mean values for body weight, height and head circumference at birth were 3222 ± 554 g, 50. 01± 2. 75 cm, and 35. 20 ± 2. 23 cm, respectively. Pearson test showed a significant reverse relationship between the time of first teeth eruption and birth weight (r=-0. 091, P= 0. 01), height (r=-0. 122, P= 0. 006), and head circumference (r =-0. 147, P= 0. 002). Linear regression analysis showed a significant revers relationship between head circumference and time of first teeth eruption (B=-0. 11, P= 0. 02). Conclusion: In current study, after adjustment of confounding variables, head circumference remaind reveresly associated with time of first teeth eruption. It seems that some variables such as gentic factors along with environmental factors affect ttime of first teeth eruption.

Fibrosarcoma is a rare neoplasm associated with locally-recurring and highly metastatic malignant mesenchymal fibroblast. This type of neoplasm is more prevalent among young adults and children. Fibrosarcoma can be treated by surgery for excision of the healthy marginal tissues alone or in combination with radiotherapy. This study presents the case of a 22-year-old female patient in Arak Valie-Asr Hospital, Iran 2018, complaining of hemorrhage and thoracic pain between her two scapula bones. On examination, a hemorrhagic tumor necrosis was observed. Cranial nerve examination showed normal results, no tenderness was detected in cervical and lumbar vertebrae, while thoracic vertebrae were tender. The limb force was 5/5. CT scan and MRI imaging showed a well-defined soft tissue tumor measuring 140 *126*140 mm3. It did not involve the vertebrae and spinal canals. The patient underwent surgery three days post-admission and a 2600-gram mass was excised. Pathological results indicated a fibrosarcoma (grade of 2-3) with mitosis but no necrosis.