Razi Journal of Medical Sciences
Year:2020 | Volume:26 | Issue:11|Papers Count:13

Background: Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) is a fatal brain disease caused by prions. Epidemiological evidence suggests the risk of transmission of CJD by blood products. The aim of this study was to identify common preventive strategies in blood services to avoid epidemic CJD between blood product recipients. Methods: Published strategies on the official websites of blood collection centers of various countries with special attention to the prevention of CJD transmission during blood donor selection were reviewed. Results: In developed countries, donors with a positive history of CJD or vCJD for themselves or their first-degree relatives, individuals who have received a humanderived therapeutic products (including blood products) since 1980 in endemic countries for vCJD, or those with a history of residence in endemic parts of the world, for distinct cumulative exposure periods are excluded. Conclusion: Iran has one of the healthiest blood donors in the world, and Iranian Blood Transfusion Organization policies are focused on supplying blood products from Iranian plasma donates, appropriate screening for CJD is recommended at every visit.

Background: One of the most dangerous endemic scorpions of Iran is Hemiscorpius lepturus that its venom is very toxic and known as responsible for most of scorpion sting dependent deaths in Iran. There are four Metalloproteinase inhibitors in the venom gland transcriptome of this scorpion (HLMetInhibit1-4). Metalloproteinase inhibitors are involved in some of the critical cells activity including the stability and surviving of ECM. This study aimed to investigate the structure and functions of a pair of these molecules and subsequently their cloning and expression for the first time. Methods: Bioinformatics analysis and molecular docking on sequences of HLMetInhibit1 and HLMetInhibit2 performed (with the MG764541 and MG764542 NCBI accession numbers). The recombinant plasmids (pET-22b-HLMetInhibit 1, 2) designed and synthesized, then transformed into the E. coli BL21 bacterial host. The colony-PCR and electrophoresis on one percent agarose gel performed and protein expression induced by different concentrations of IPTG at different times. Then SDSPAGE and staining by coomassie brilliant blue and western blotting performed. Results: The highest binding affinity predicted for HLMetInhibit1 by molecular docking results. Gene cloning performed. Highest protein expression detected after 5 hours and with 1 mM concentration of IPTG. SDS-PAGE and western blotting confirmed the protein expression correctness for HLMetInhibit1 and HLMetInhibit2 with 26 and 17 KD of molecular weights. Conclusion: Gene cloning and protein expression of Hemiscorpius lepturus metalloproteinase inhibitors 1 and 2 as the novel proteins that have not been studied so far, is approachable and it is hoped that after further in vitro and in vivo investigations, they will be the suitable candidates for research in the Various therapeutic fields.

Background: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the factor structure, convergent and criterion validity gender invariance of Kessler Psychological distress Scale (K6). Methods: In a descriptive-correlation and validation study, 398 people (208 female, 190 male) from Bojnourd residents aged between 18 and 30 were selected by multistage random sampling method and completed Kessler Psychological Distress scale (K6) and Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21). Exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory and intergroup factor analysis, Pearson`s correlation coefficient, Independent T-Test, discrimination and threshold parameters and item and test information curves were analyzed using SPSS. 16, Amos. 20 and IRTPRO 2. 1. 2 software. Results: The results showed that the structure of an agent that explains 58. 18% of the variance. Confirmatory factor analysis also confirmed this structure. The factor structure of the scale was invariant by gender. The internal consistency of the scale was confirmed by Cronbach's alpha of 0. 86 and split-half, 0. 83. Convergent validity in relation to depression, anxiety and stress and criterion validity based on gender and age was at a desirable level. The Item-Response parameters were also at the optimum level. Conclusion: Kessler's psychological stress (K6) seems to have a good validity and reliability in the sample of women and men 18 to 30 years old and can be used as a precise instrument in this regard.

Background: Cancer is one of the most important health-related issue in Iran and worldwide; and fatigue is one of the most common problems related to it. Cancerrelated fatigue significantly affects the physical, psychological, social and spiritual health of the patient and is associated with reduced survival and increased mortality rates in patients. Considering the significant effect of fatigue on the quality of life of patients with cancer as well as the lack of knowledge on this topic, the present study aimed to examine the frequency and severity of fatigue and its correlation with demographic and clinical characteristics in patients with cancer. Methods: In this cross-sectional descriptive study, 290 patients with cancer were included through convenience sampling. Data was collected by a self-report questionnaire and demographic and clinical characteristics questionnaire. The results were analyzed by Pearson and Spearman correlation, ANOVA and T-test (P<0. 05). Results: Mean score of fatigue of patients were calculated 12. 6± 5. 896, 7. 4± 3. 186, and 5. 2 ± 3. 658 for the sub-scales of physical, emotional, and cognitive fatigue and 25. 1± 9. 285 for the total scale. Results revealed that fatigue severity has a significant negative correlation with the level of education and family income. Moreover, a direct and significant correlation was found between metastasis and fatigue severity (P<0. 05). Conclusion: Fatigue is experienced by patients with cancer and is correlated with demographic and clinical factors. Therefore nurses, as key members of the healthcare team, must pay attention to fatigue and the role of demographic and clinical factors in order to provide effective holistic care.

Background: Children with Hyperactivity/Attention Deficit Disorder have higher anxiety and depression than their normal peers. The aim of present study was to investigate the effects of musical rhythmic exercise on anxiety, depression and Hyperactivity / Attention Deficit Disorder of primary school children with Hyperactivity / Attention Deficit Disorder. Methods: In this study, 40 male students (M=8. 6, SD=. 50) using questionnaires and clinical interviews were identified as hyperactive. Randomly divided into two groups: control (n=20) and experimental (n=20) groups. The Conner’ s Form Parenting Questionnaire was used to measure attention deficit hyperactivity / attention deficit disorder, and the Multi-dimensional March Children Anxiety Questionnaire and the Kovacs Children's Depression Inventory were used respectively to assess anxiety and depression, respectively. The experimental group participated in an eight-week course (5 sessions per week) of rhythmic exercises with music. The control group performed only routine school activities (one training session per week). Covariance analysis was used for data analysis. Results: Levine test results showed that the condition of homogeneity of variance for anxiety, depression and hyperactivity disorder activists / attention deficit is established. Also Results showed that musical rhythmic exercise has a significant effect on anxiety (F=39. 25, P=0. 000) and depression (F=39. 25, P=0. 000) and Hyperactivity / Attention Deficit Disorder (F=156. 80, P=0. 000). The highest rate established for the variables hyperactivity and attention deficit with an effect size of 0. 80. Conclusion: The results suggest that the combination of exercise and music as an effective intervention can be used to reduce anxiety, depression, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in preschool children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Background: Due to consumer concern about the negative side effects of chemical preservatives in food, recently increasing researches have been done to find effective natural antimicrobials. The aim of this study was to investigate the antibacterial activity of eugenol in combination with acetic and lactic acids against E. coli O157: H7. Methods: The antibacterial effects of eugenol, acetic and lactic acids were determined using minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) methods. Fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) and Time-Kill assays were also used to evaluate the combined antibacterial activity. Results: Based on our results, eugenol, acetic and lactic acids inhibited the growth of E. coli O157: H7, and eugenol had the strongest effect against the bacterium. MIC values for eugenol, acetic acid and lactic acid were 0. 75, 2. 5 and 5 μ l/ml respectively. FIC method showed that eugenol combina-tion with the organic acids had no interaction effects (1. 0 > FIC >4. 0). Time kill cureve showed that eugenol combined with lactic acid caused the death of E. coli O157: H7 in 4 h. Conclusion: Eugenol, acetic and lactic acids are effective in inhibiting the growth of E. coli O157: H7 Mean while, organic acids can reduce the required amount of eugenol. Then, combination of eugenol and organic acids could provide an alternative to chemical preservatives in foods.

Background: Drug reactions are common and can be dangerous. Regarding the points that there wasn’ t any study in this field in the Yazd University of Medical Sciences, this study was planned. Methods: In a retrospective descriptive study, records of patients who were admitted in Shahid Sadoughi hospital (an educational general hospital) due to drug reaction from 2011 to 2015 were evaluated. Patient’ s information such as gender, age, occurred drug reaction, duration of hospital stay and the time of drug reaction after drug usage completed in the data form collection. Diagnosis was confirmed by an allergist based on the history, physical examination and laboratory tests in patient’ s hospital documents. Results: From 154 cases which admitted with adverse drug reaction, 77 cases (50%) were related to drug allergies and 13 (4. 8%) were drug complications and 64 cases (41. 6%) were drug toxicity. 78 patients were male (50. 6 percent) and 76 (49. 4%) patients were female. 64 patients (41. 6%) were less than 6 years and 28 patients (18. 2%) were 6 to 14 years and 62 patients (40. 3%) were more than 14 years. Drug allergies were categorized to Gell and Combs classification in type Ι , 12 patients (16. 7%), type II no case, type III, 9 patients (12. 5%) and type Ⅳ , 56 patients (78%). Antiepileptic drugs were the most common causes of drug reactions (31. 2%) of which, lamotrigine had the highest percentage (15. 6%). Finally, five deaths were reported due to the drug reaction. Conclusion: Adverse drug reactions were common and remarkable in Shahid Sadoughi hospitals and from 2011 to 2014 its prevalence had increased. Patients and physicians must be aware of adverse drugs reactions. Warning signs of adverse drugs reactions should be noted to the patients and their families. Reduction in the consumption of medication without prescription may also be useful in preventing drug reactions.

Background: Marital adjustment has a significant effect on the physical health and psychological well-being of married people. The present research was conducted to compare the effect of group therapy based on family systems theory and short-term object relations couple therapy on the women’ s marital adjustment. Methods: The research method was quasi-experimental and the design was pretest, post-test and follow up with control group. The statistical population was included female clients of 25-55 years old with marital conflict referring to two Tehran psychological counseling centers in 2017. Sampling was done by selecting 36 volunteer women using available sampling method that answered to RDAS and randomly assigned to two experimental and one control groups. One of experimental groups attended 16 sessions group counseling based on family system theory and the other one, group counseling based on short-term object relations couple theory that lasted nearly 90-120 minutes, hold once a week, but control group didn’ t receive any intervention. Collected data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and one way analysis of variance through SPSS v. 25. Results: Research findings indicated that group therapy based on family systems theory and short-term object relations couple therapy leads to improvement of women’ s marital adjustment in the both of experimental groups and these results have been also consistent enough in the follow-up period (p<0. 01) and there was no significant difference between two experimental groups (p>0. 01). Conclusion: According to the Research findings, group therapy based on family systems theory and short-term object relations couple therapy can be used as a treatment for improvement of women’ s marital adjustment.

Background: Edible red algae Eucheuma Cottoni is grown economically to produce carrageenan and agar on tropical beaches in some parts of East Asia. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Eucheuma Cottoni on breast cancer in a mouse model. Methods: Breast tumor has been induced by subcutaneous injection of MC4L2 cells in female rat breast tissue. 4 weeks after tumor growth, mice were treated orally with algae extract and tamoxifen. In this study, the effects of algae extract and tamoxifen were evaluated on expression of COX2 and SOD genes in 40 mice exposed to MC4L2 cancer cells. The mice were divided into 4 groups: 1) Algae treated group 2) Tamoxifen treated group 3) Cancer group with MC4L2 cells or positive control 4) Normal or negative control group. The expression of the COX2 and SOD markers in gene level was analyzed by RT-qPCR. Results: Extract and tamoxifen treatment resulted in decreased expression of the two genes studied. In general, the Real Time-PCR method verified the positive effects of the treatments on breast cancer cells. Conclusion: The information suggests that these prognostic markers are important for treatment as the main goals and that the algae extract can be used as an alternative to tamoxifen and many other anticancer drugs, due to its antioxidant effects without toxicity on the human body.

Background: Physical activity is decreased during pregnancy due to insufficient knowledge of advantages and lack of self-efficacy for physical activity. This study aimed to determine the effect of educational intervention to improve self-efficacy, knowledge of advantages and safety tips for physical activity among pregnant in 2018. Methods: This study as an experimental interventional one with two intervention and control groups conducted among 144 pregnant women referred to health centers in south of Tehran. Participants were randomly assigned to control and intervention groups (n= 72). Background information, physical activity self-efficacy questionnaire, physical activity benefits, physical activity safety tips during pregnancy, and a short version of the International Physical Activity Inventory (IPAQ) were used to collect data. Intervention was set to the intervention group in four sessions during one month. Participants in both groups filled the questionnaires to assess the effect of intervention three months after intervention. Results: The background variables excepting marriage age (p=0. 004) and the spouse's education (p=0. 032) was not significant between the two groups. Mean score of physical activity self-efficacy before the intervention was not significant between the two groups but, after the intervention, it was significant in both groups (p=0. 014). Moreover, in intervention group, there was a significant relation in the intervention group before and after intervention, (p<0. 001). Between two groups, there was no significant differences about the knowledge of benefits (p=0. 552), and physical activity safety points (p=0. 95) before intervention, but these two outcomes had significantly difference after intervention (p=0. 002 and p<0. 001, respectively). There was a significant difference in physical activity in intervention group before and after intervention (p=0. 002). Conclusion: The study results revealed that conducting educational intervention can be effective to improve pregnant women awareness about the advantages and benefits of physical activity and to improve their self-efficacy during pregnancy.

Background: Infectious diseases are one of the most common diseases in the world, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In burn wounds, Pseudomonas aeruginosa is used to treat burns, but a number of resistances have been created, which has led to the use of plants to treat diseases. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of antimicrobial and healing marigold extract, eucalyptus, walnut, jujube, turpentine oil with silver sulfadiazine to create an effective agent in the treatment of burns is due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Methods: Alcoholic and ethanolic extracts of walnut and jujube leaves were prepared in the laboratory and Eucalyptus oil, turpentine oil and marigold extracts were prepared for ready and we also used silver sulfadiazine ointment. In the next step, the MIC and MBC extracts were determined. In the animal model, the burn was initially burned and then infected by the bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Then the silver sulfadiazine ointment was used alone and in combination with each of the extracts separately and one gram and for three consecutive days, was injected into the wound of mice and The number of bacterial colonies was counted after the culture on the Muller Hinton Agar and culture Nutriant Agar. Results: MIC and MBC of Extracts of Marigold 5. 25 and 10. 50 mg/ml, Eucalyptus 1. 75 and 3. 50 mg/ml, Alcoholic Extract of Walnut 59. 0875 and 118. 175 mg/ml, Estonian Extract of Walnut 8. 375 and 16. 75 mg/ml, Alcoholic extracts of jujube 39. 875 and 79. 75 mg/ml, Estonia extracts of jujube 8. 625 and 17. 25 mg/ml and Turpentine 8. 375 and 16. 75 mg/ml. The study of mouse model confirmed the effect of extracts with silver sulfadiazine against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The acetone extract of walnut leaf, the acetone and alcoholic extract of jujube, as well as the eucalyptus extract, reduced the number of Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria and had better antimicrobial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa than other groups. Conclusion: Alcoholic juices and Estonian jujube have a better effect than other groups.

Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women, especially in Asian women. miRNAs are a class of non-coding RNAs that play an important role in controlling gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. miR-182 is a tumor inducer in breast cancer and its expression in cancer tissue is increased. This study was performed to investigate the changes in miR-182-3p expression in blood plasma of breast cancer patients and its association with clinical features and its diagnostic value as a biomarker in breast cancer. Methods: This study is a case-control study. Blood samples were collected from the 30 Patient with breast cancer and the 30 healthy persons (25 to 65 years) as controls. After plasma isolation, RNA was extracted and cDNA was synthesized. Blood plasma samples of the healthy individuals and the patients with breast cancer were measured by the Real Time PCR technique. The expression changes of miR-182-3p between plasma samples and its association with stage 1 and stage 2 tumors and clinical characteristics were and analyzed with t-test and one-way ANOVA, respectively. Results: The expression level of miR-182-3p in the blood plasma of patients with breast cancer was significantly higher than that of healthy individuals (fold change= 606/8, p<0. 001). Also, there was a significant relationship between miR-182-3p expression and early stage disease and stage I, II (p<0. 05). Conclusion: The results of this study showed that miR-182-3p has a significant increase in the blood plasma of people with breast cancer like cancer tissue. Therefore, it is likely to be used as a biomarker and with more studies and more examples. It can be used as a diagnostic marker in the early and safe diagnosis of breast cancer in the future.

Background: Studies showed that physical activity and saffron plant usage can positively affect the persons with testicle problems and subject to apoptosis. Crocins are rich in antioxidant compounds and increase sperm count and strength, motility and morphological ability of sperm. In this study, effect of eight-week exercise and crocin on the apoptotic indices of male rats’ testicles subjected to the apoptosis has been investigated by Doxorubicin. Methods: In this experimental study, 40 male rats were divided into control, scheme (doxorubicin), continuous exercise + doxorubicin, continuous exercise + doxorubicin + crocin, doxorubicin + crocin which were administered 50 mg/kg crocin for 8 weeks by gavage. All groups except the control group received doxorubicin (2. 5 mg/kg of body weight), six times at the end of each week. From the end of the second week until the end of the seventh week, the control group received only normal saline the same amount of doxorubicin. Continuous exercise groups for 8 weeks, 5 sessions per week, respectively, 16, 24, 32, 40 minutes on treadmill running, Blood and tissue samples were collected 48 hours after the last exercise session and after 10-12 hours of nocturnal fasting, after anesthesia, and Bcl-2 and Bax levels were measured using Real-Time PCR testicular tissue. The results of statistical analysis were analyzed by one-way (ANOVA), at P ≤ 0. 05. Results: Continuous exercise + crocin + doxorubicin had a significant effect on decreasing Bax and Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and increasing Bcl-2, The experimental group with doxorubicin + exercise + crocin had the lowest mean difference (0. 0008) and mean difference with the sham group with the highest mean difference (0. 0061) (P≤ 0. 05). Conclusions The results of this study showed that continuous training and crocindependent injections reduce the free radicals and induce beneficial adaptation in the testicular tissue antioxidant system by reducing the toxicity induced by doxorubicin.