Feyz Medical Sciences Journal
Year:2019 | Volume:23 | Issue:2|Papers Count:14

Background: Cost-benefit decision-making is a one of the decision-making models in which the animal achieves a final benefit (reward) by evaluating the cost (effort or delay). The role of different brain regions such as nucleus accumbens in this process has been proven. Orexin is a neuropeptide expressed exclusively by lateral hypothalamus area neurons and orexin-producing neurons project their axons throughout the brain such as nucleus accumbens. The nucleus accumbens is a region of neural system that serves effort-based decision-making and orexin 1 receptor is distributed extensively throughout nucleus accumbens. Different physiological acts for erixin have been shown including cognitive actions and rewards. Since there is limited knowledge about this subject, this study aimed to examine the effect of orexin 1 receptor in the nucleus accumbens shell on effort-based decision-making. Materials and Methods: In this study, T-maze was used to investigate cost-benefit decision-making based on effort, and the effect of SB334867 (30, 100, 300 nM/0. 5μ lDMSO), as selective orexin 1 receptor antagonist, within the nucleus accumbens shell was examined. Results: SB334867 300 nM/0. 5μ l DMSO (injection in the shell of nucleus accumbens) significantly decreased the percentage of high reward choice (P<0. 01) than the control group. Conclusion: SB334867 affects the animal's preference for crossing the barrier and achieving more rewards, and the animal chooses to lower reward, without any effort.

Background: Medicinal herbs are important in the treatment of diabetes. Studies have shown that diabetes causes reproductive changes in the male population. This study aimed to examine the effect of the hydroalcoholic extract of Nectaroscordum tripedale on testicular tissue changes in diabetic male rat. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 40 male rats were randomly divided into five groups (n=8, each group). The first and third groups (normal control and diabetic control) received distilled water. The second group (sham) received 50 mg/kg hydroalcoholic extract and the fourth and fifth groups (diabetic treatment 1 and 2) received 50 and 100 mg / kg of hydroalcoholic extract of Nectaroscordum tripedale, respectively. Streptozotocin was used to induce diabetes. At the end of the period, after the anesthesia of the rat, the testicular tissue was isolated and tissue sections were prepared for examination of the testicular tissue changes in the experimental groups. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA and Tukey's test using the SPSS software. Results: According to the results of this study, the number of spermatozoa tubes and the number of sperm in the diabetic control group showed a significant decrease compared to normal and control groups (P=0. 03). Nectaroscordum tripedale extract increased the number of sperm, and sperm tubes and improved testicular tissues in diabetic rats. Conclusion: It seems that the extract of Nectaroscordum tripedale has effects on reducing testicular tissue degradation and increasing the amount of sperm in diabetic rats.

Background: Glaucium flavum Crantz (Yellow Horned Poppy, YPH) is used to reduce complications of diabetes in Iranian folk medicine. This study was conducted to compare the effect of aqua-ethanolic extract of Yellow Horned Poppy and Glibenclamide on serum levels of AST, ALT, ALP and insulin in diabetic rats induced by alloxan. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 40 adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups of eight: healthy control, healthy treated with 500mg/kg body weight (BW) of the YPH extract (healthy+YPH), diabetic control, diabetic treated with 500mg/kg BW of the extract (diabetic+YPH), diabetic treated with 5μ g/kg BW of Glibenclamide (diabetic+ medicine). Diabetes was induced by injection of alloxan. After a month, blood samples were collected and serum levels of liver enzymes and insulin were also measured. Finally, the data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA and Tukey's post-hoc test. Results: The activity of AST and ALP enzymes in the diabetic+YPH group was significantly higher than that in the diabetic+drug group (P=0. 04). Also, ALT activity and insulin concentration in diabetic+YPH group significantly increased compared to diabetic control group (P<0. 001). Conclusion: The findings of this study reveal that oral administration of the YHP extract in addition to its hepatoprotective activity against diabetes-induced stress, can enhance serum insulin level.

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of training the first, second and third waves of psychotherapy techniques on self-control of students. Materials and Methods: From all primary school students in Hamedan, four groups of 15 people were selected using the convenience sampling method. For three groups, it is instructed one of the first, second or third waves of psychotherapy techniques. After 3 training sessions, participants were examined "Marshmallow" famous situation individually. During the experiment, the child's behavior was recorded and then analyzed. The first data included the amount of time that the subject could delay the delight. Also, the success or failure in this experiment for each group was another result of this study. The data were analyzed using the ANOVA and Chi-square test by SPSS software. Results: The findings of this study showed that there was a significant difference among the first, second and third waves of psychotherapy in the level of self-control of the participants and these three waves had a significant difference with the control group (P<0. 05). Also, the success or failure of the participants in the three groups was significantly different from the control group. Conclusion: According to the findings of this study, training the first, second and third waves of psychotherapy techniques can be effective on self-control of students and improve it.

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease, which primarily affects the joints. During RA development, T cells and other immune cells are recruited to the synovial tissue and promote RA. Autophagy is a process in which intracellular organelles and compounds are degraded. Autophagy as a regulator of cell homeostasis can affect immune cells activation and contribute in RA pathogenesis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the autophagy-related genes (Atgs) expression in two groups of RA patients and healthy subjects. Materials and Methods: Peripheral blood was obtained from three groups of donors including 20 patients with early RA, 20 undertreatment RA patients (with methotrexate, hydroxychloroquine and prednisolone therapy) and 20 age-and sex-matched healthy subjects. The expression of two autophagy-related genes was investigated by the real-time PCR technique. Results: The Beclin-1 expression showed a 3. 41-fold increase in the patients with early RA compared to healthy subjects but in the under treatment patients it was 1. 5 times higher than healthy persons (P<0. 05). The Atg5 gene expression in the early RA patients increased by 2. 4 times more than healthy subjects (P<0. 05). Conclusion: The findings of this study show that in early RA patients, the increased expression of Atgs can promote RA pathogenesis. Also, findings suggest that the decreased autophagy can reduce RA severity.

Background: Apoptosis is an essential physiological process to maintain immune homeostasis. T-cell incorrect apoptosis appears to be involved in chronic inflammatory diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The aim of this study was to evaluate the Bcl2/BAX genes expression ratio in patients with IBD (Crohn’ s disease and ulcerative colitis) compared to healthy persons. Materials and Methods: This case-control study was conducted on 49 patients with IBD and 20 healthy subjects. Blood samples were collected from the patients and healthy subjects after receiving complete information and obtaining consent. Then, white blood cells were isolated by the Salting Out technique. After RNA extraction and cDNA synthesis, the Bcl2/BAX expression level was quantitatively measured by the real-time PCR method in the patients and healthy subjects. Results: The results showed that the Bcl2/BAX genes expression ratio in peripheral blood Tcells was not significantly different in patients with IBD compared to the healthy subjects (P=0. 06). Conclusion: It seems that change is not evident in Bcl2/BAX genes expression ratio in peripheral blood T-cells in the patients with IBD.

Background: Changing the climatic pattern can lead to major changes in the geographical distribution of infectious diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of climate change on the favorable bio-climatological zone for leishmaniasis sand-fly living which is a vector of Leishmania in Iran. Materials and Methods: Data of the climatic factors affecting the biology of sandflies during 1986-2016 were obtained. The climate thresholds for the sand-fly living were prepared on the basis of laboratory studies. Using Boolean algebra in GIS, the favorable bioclimatological sites of sand-fly in Iran were prepared in the basic period of climate (2016-1986). The climatic conditions of 2050 were simulated using the output of the general circulation model HADGEM2-AO under four scenarios RCP2. 6, RCP4. 5, RCP6, RCP8. 5 and the bio-climatological zones of the sand flies were re-created using the Boolean algebra function in GIS, based on simulated climatic factors. Results: The results showed that in the climatic conditions of the base period, about 0. 64 of the Iran's area includes the central and southern and southwestern parts of Iran, has the climatic conditions of sandflies. While in the simulated climate of 2050 under RCP2. 6, RCP4. 5, RCP6, and RCP8. 5 scenarios, it will be favorable for living of this vector about 0. 63, 0. 68, 0. 61 and 0. 67 of Iran’ s area, respectively. Conclusion: Spatial variations of bio-climatological zones of Phlebotomus sandflies in RCP6 scenario had the highest reduction compared to the current climate and the highest increase was observed in RCP4. 5.

Background: Klebsiella pneumoniae is an opportunistic microorganism causing nosocomial infection all over the world. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of biofilm formation in K. pneumoniae isolated from patients and its correlation with the virulence factors. Materials and Methods: Biochemical tests were used for the identification of K. pneumonia isolated from patients referred to Motahari and Milad hospitals in Tehran, Iran, from October 2015 to June 2016. Kirby-bauer test was performed and biofilm formation was assessed phenotypically. Finally, virulence genes were detected by the PCR method. Results: The highest resistance rate was against ceftazidime and cefotaxime (67%) and the least resistance rate was against imipenem and meropenem (39%). In addition, 81% of the isolates were biofilm producers according to the results of biofilm formation assay. Also, the results of PCR showed that all 57 biofilm producer isolates harbored fimA, mrkA, ecpA, and fimD virulence genes and 92% of these isolates harbored fimH virulence gene. Among nonbiofilm producer isolates, 36% had fimA gene, 29% had ecpA gene, and none of these isolates carried mrkA and fimH genes. Conclusion: It seems that antibacterial resistance has a significant association with biofilm formation in K. pneumoniae isolates. Therefore, understanding resistance pattern and mechanisms leading to biofilm formation can facilitate efficient treatment of infections caused by this bacterium.

Background: Different psychological variables are effective in the continuation of substance abuse. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between metacognition and perfectionism with duration of methadone maintenance treatment in addicts referred to addiction treatment centers in Tabriz. Materials and Methods: This descriptive-correlational study was performed on 196 people referred to Shams, Sadra and Ehya clinics in Tabriz in 2017. The research instrument was a questionnaire of metacognitive with positive and negative perfectionism scales. Data were analyzed using multiple regression and Pearson correlation by SPSS ver. 25 software. Results: The findings showed that there was a significant relationship between metacognition and duration of treatment (P<0. 01, r=0. 18). In addition, there was a significant relationship between perfectionism and duration of treatment (P<0. 01, r=0. 25). Conclusion: It can be concluded that there is a significant relationship between metacognition and perfectionism with maintenance of methadone maintenance therapy, and metacognition has the highest predictive power of maintenance of preservation therapy.

Background: Study of personality can help to explanation of pathology in mental disorders. The aim of this study was to examine major depressive disorder (MDD) based on revisedreinforcement sensitivity theory (r-RST). Materials and Methods: Forty-five patients with MDD along with 45 healthy individuals as a control group participated in the present study. Following the informed consent form, Structured Clinical Interview (SCID-I), General Intelligence Test (SGIT), Jackson's 5-factor questionnaire for assessing personality, and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II) were administered to the two groups. Data were analyzed using Chi-square, independent t-test, analyses of variance (ANOVA), and multiple analyses of variance (MANOVA). Results: MANOVA results showed a significant difference between MDD and control groups in the items of Jackson's 5-items questionnaire. The MDD group score in r-BAS (P<0. 001, η 2=0. 242) was lower than that of the control group but was higher in r-BIS (P<0. 001, η 2=0. 367), Fight (P<0. 001, η 2=0. 245), Flight (P<0. 001, η 2=0. 068) and Freeze (P<0. 001, η 2=0. 081). Conclusion: Depression is significantly related to behavioral inhibition system but not related to behavior activation system. A more knowledge of r-RST can help in the diagnosis, aberration and continuation of common mental disorders. The results of this study can help in understanding the pathology associated with the personality of patients with MDD.

Background: Marital satisfaction is one of the determining factors of life satisfaction in the elderly people, which is itself influenced by many factors. This study aimed to assess the marital satisfaction and its relative factors in the elderly people in Kashan city. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 400 elderly people whom were covered by health centers in Kashan city. Sampling method was a multi-stage sampling. Demographic and Persian Enrich questionnaire were used to collect the data. Data were analyzed using Chi-square, Fisher's test, Pearson correlation and model of logistic regression. Results: The mean score of marital satisfaction in elderly people was 107. 89± 12. 3. The mean scores in subscales of sexual satisfaction, communication, conflict resolution, and idealistic distortion were 31. 82± 5. 48, 30. 3± 4. 32, 29. 29± 4. 9, and 16. 39± 1. 3, respectively. In univariate analysis, the level of education, income, home ownership, re-marriage, physical problem, and marriage duration had a significant relationship with marital satisfaction (P<0. 05) but variables of age, gender, occupation, smoking, number of children and polypharmacy had no significant relationship with marital satisfaction (P>0. 05). Multivariate analysis showed that income home ownership, re-marriage and physical problem were predictors of marital satisfaction (P<0. 05). These factors explained 18% of variance. Conclusion: According to the results of this study, marital satisfaction was moderate in the elderly people. Therefore, to improve marital satisfaction of elderly people attention should be paid to predictive factors such as income, home ownership, re-marriage and physical problem.

Background: Adherence to the medication regimen in patients with heart disease is very important and adherence to treatment is considered as an important factor in better control of disease. The aim of this study was to determine the rate of medication adherence and its related factors in patients with cardiovascular diseases after discharge from Shahid Beheshti Hospital in Kashan. Materials and Methods: This study was a cross-sectional study. The statistical population consisted of patients with angina pectoris and myocardial infarction admitted to Shahid Beheshti Hospital in Kashan during 2017-2018. Using sequential sampling method and considering inclusion and exclusion criteria, 250 patients were selected. Data were collected using a researcher-made questionnaire including demographic information and some related factors related to drug compliance and the Morisky (2008) questionnaire. Finally, the data were analyzed using Chi-square test by the SPSS software. Results: The results showed that 58% of the patients had moderate and 36. 4% had poor adherence and only 5. 6% of the patients had high adherence to their drug regimen. There was a significant relationship between drug adherence rate and education level (P=0. 007), diagnosis of disease (P=0. 008), dependence on others (P=0. 001), sensory problems (hearingvision) (P=0. 002), cognitive problems (memory) (P=0. 016), and concerns about drug complications (P=0. 0016). Conclusion: According to the results of this study, the medication adherence rate in the studied patients was mostly poor to moderate, and the adherence rate with the medication regimen was related with some factors.

Background: The present study conducted to evaluate the frequency of cardiovascular risk factors in patients with osteoarthritis compared to those without osteoarthritis. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a university-affiliated hospital in 2017. Using the convenience sampling method, 100 patients based on their symptoms, physical examination and radiographic findings were selected for the osteoarthritis group, and 100 persons with muscular disease or fracture for the control group. Frequency rates of gender, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, body mass index, metabolic syndrome and waist circumference were evaluated. Results: Frequency rates of female gender, hyperlipidemia, metabolic syndrome were significantly higher in the osteoarthritis group compared to the group without osteoarthritis (P<0. 05). The mean of waist circumference in the osteoarthritis group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0. 05). There was a significant relationship between osteoarthritis and female gender (OR=2. 45, P=0. 006), metabolic syndrome (OR=1. 85, P=0. 03), hypercholesterolemia (OR=1. 77, P=0. 04), waist circumference (OR=1. 3, P=0. 025) and smoking (OR=0. 35, P=0. 014). The associations of metabolic syndrome, hypercholesterolemia and waist circumference with osteoarthritis remained significant after adjusting with sex. Conclusion: Finding of the present study may indicate the relationship between osteoarthritis and metabolic syndrome, hypercholesterolemia and central obesity.