Journal of Birjand University of Medical Sciences
Year:2020 | Volume:27 | Issue:4|Papers Count:11

Background and Aims: Diabetes is a metabolic disorder in the body. Sclerorhachis leptoclada belongs to the chicory family and is used for the treatment of AIDS and cancer due to the antioxidant compounds in the root. Therefore, this study investigated the effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Sclerorhachis leptoclada on glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride, high density lipoprotein (HDL), and low density lipoprotein (LDL) levels in diabetic rats. Materials and Methods: This experimental study included 60 male Wistar rats that were randomly divided into 10 groups of six animals per group, including control group, treatment groups 1, 2, and 3 (healthy, treated with 150 mg/kg and 300, and 600 extracts), diabetic control group, experimental groups 1, 2, and 3 (diabetic, treated with 150 mg/kg and 300 and 600 doses of extracts), positive control group (diabetic+glibenclamide), and healthy group (healthy+glibenclamide). Blood samples were taken from the rats after one month of gavage, and the measurement of glucose, urea, creatinine, and albumin levels were conducted in this study. Furthermore, a comparison was made between the effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Sclerorhachis leptoclada and the glibenclamide (a common medicin). Eventually, the results obtained from the groups were compared using t-test and ANOVA. Results: The results showed that the administration of hydroalcoholic extract of Sclerorhachis leptoclada could significantly reduce glucose levels in the experimental groups (diabetic+extract at doses of 150, 300, 600), compared to the diabetic group (P<0. 001). In addition, the consumption of hydroalcoholic extract of Sclerorhachis leptoclada in diabetic patients had hypoglycemic effects and led to a significant reduction in triglyceride, HDL, and LDL levels in diabetic rats. Conclusion: According to the results, the consumption of hydroalcoholic extract of Sclerorhachis leptoclada had hypoglycemic effects and reduced significantly the serum levels of glucose, triglyceride, and creatinine in diabetic rats.

Background and Aims: Knee arthroscopy is used to diagnose and treat intra-articular lesions. The control of acute pain after arthroscopy requires the use of a method with the least side effects and most efficacies. This study aimed to compare the sedative effect of bupivacaine in combination with morphine, methylprednisolone, or alone in knee arthroscopy after intra-articular injection. Materials and Methods: This clinical-randomized three-blind trial included 99 volunteer patients with knee arthroscopy. The patients were randomly divided into three groups of bupivacaine (0. 5%), morphine (5 mg)+bupivacaine (0. 5%), and methylprednisolone (40 mg)+bupivacaine (0. 5%). At the end of the surgical operation, the intra-articular injection of the medications were performed, and the amount of postoperative pain was evaluated and recorded based on visual analog scale 6, 12, 18, and 24 h after injection. In addition, the reception of the injected analgesic within 24 h was recorded in this study. Data were analyzed using SPSS software (version 19) through ANOVA. Results: In all three groups, the pain intensity decreased significantly over time. The pain intensity of the methylprednisolone+bupivacaine and morphine+bupivacaine groups was similar at different postoperative periods; however, the pain intensity of these groups was significantly lower than that in the control group. In addition, consumption of the analgesics was significantly reduced in the methylprednisolone+bupivacaine group, compared to the other two groups. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the intra-articular injection of methylprednisolone+bupivacaine and morphine+bupivacaine was more effective than bupivacaine alone in reduction of pain and the need for injectable analgesia.

Background and Aims: The use of doxorubicin (Dox) in chemotherapy has irreversible effects on liver tissue. The role of physical activities and antioxidants consumption has not yet been fully understood in the mechanism of apoptosis induced by Dox. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the effect of High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) and crocin consumption on liver tissue apoptosis in male rats under chronic Dox induction. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 40 male Wistar rats with mean weight of 200± 20 g and mean age of 8 weeks were divided into five groups, including healthy control, Dox (2 mg/kg in 7 doses), Dox+crocin (10 mg/kg), Dox+HIIT, and Dox+HIIT+crocin. The training program included running on the treadmill for 8 weeks, 5 days a week, at 2-minute intervals with an intensity of 80-90% of the maximum speed. Liver biopsy was performed to assess the fibrosis and expression of Bax and Bcl-2 genes using RT-PCR method 48 h after the last training session. The statistical analysis was conducted through one-way ANOVA, and a p-value of ≤ 0. 05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Treatment with Dox significantly increased Bax expression, compared to Bax/Bcl-2. Moreover, it decreased Bcl-2 expression in the liver tissue of the patient groups (P=0. 001). In contrast, crocin and the combination of exercise and crocin decreased Bax expression, compared to Bax/Bcl-2 and increased Bcl-2 expression in experimental groups, compared to Dox group (P=0. 001). Conclusion: The results indicated that the HIIT combined with the consumption of crocin had a significant effect on the decrease of apoptosis in the liver tissue of male rats subjected to chronic doxorubicin injection.

Background and Aims: Headache is the most common reason for referring to a physician. Therapeutic approaches of this condition include the treatment of the acute attacks and prevention of future attacks. In this regard, this study aimed to investigate the effect of three medications, namely levetiracetam, sodium valproate, and nortriptyline on the control of migraine headaches in patients with migraine referred to Birjand Neurology Clinic, Birjand, Iran. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted based on a quasi-experimental research method. According to the physician, 120 migraine patients were divided into three groups of levetiracetam (a daily dose of 250 mg), sodium valproate (500 mg), and nortriptyline (25 mg) for four weeks. A questionnaire was used to collect the demographic characteristics of the patient. The data were analyzed using SPSS software (version 16) through the chi-square tets, paired t-test, and ANOVA. Results: The patients (n=120) were divided into three groups of 40 cases per group. The mean age of the patients was 33± 11 years, and the majority of the cases (53. 3%) were female. In total, 46. 7% of the cases had severe headache before taking these medications; however, none of them experienced severe headache after taking the medicine. It should be noted that 77. 5% of the patients experienced mild headache. The group taking levetiracetam showed the greatest decrease in headache intensity (P=0. 01). Conclusion: According the results, levetiracetam appears to be more effective than the other two medications, especially sodium valproate, in terms of the mitigation of different degrees of headache.

Background and Aim: Colorectal cancer is a chronic disease that reduces the patients’ quality of life. Therefore, it is essential to have self-care ability. This study aimed to investigate the effect of the family-centered empowerment model on the self-care ability of patients with colorectal cancer. Materials and Methods: This randomized controlled study consisted of all patients who referred to the surgery ward of the colorectal clinic affiliated to Shahid Faghihi Hospital, Shiraz, Iran, during 2018. A total of 72 patients were selected by convenience sampling method and randomly allocated into control and experimental groups. A researcher-made questionnaire was used to collect data. It is worth mentioning that this study lasted nine months. Results: The results showed a significant increase in the mean score of total self-care ability and its components in the experimental group, compared to the baseline after the intervention (P<0. 001). In addition, the mean score of total self-care ability and its components was significantly higher in the control group after the intervention, compared to the pretreatment (P<0. 05). Moreover, the experimental group obtained a significant increase in the score of total self-care ability and its components, compared to the control group (P<0. 001). Eventually, the mean score of total self-care ability and its components, except for the visit component was significantly higher in the experimental group, compared to the control group after intervention (P<0. 05). Conclusion: The family-centered empowerment model can affect the self-care ability of patients with colorectal cancer. It is suggested that non-pharmacological interventions be combined with medical interventions in treatment plans.

Background and Aims: Breast cancer is a very common disease, and patients with breast cancer develop sexual dysfunction following chemotherapy. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of chemotherapy on sexual function in patients with breast cancer. Materials and Methods: This descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study was performed on patients with breast cancer who referred to Iran Mehr Medical Center, Birjand, Iran, and underwent chemotherapy during 2018. A total of 119 patients were included in this study, and the Rosen’ s Sexual Function Questionnaire was used to collect data. The data were then analyzed using SPSS software (version 16) through the Smirnov-Kolmogorov, Kruskal-Wallis, and Mann-Whitney U tests. A p-value less than 0. 05 was considered statistically significant. Results: According to the results, the lowest and highest scores of sexual function were determined at 2. 40 and 14. 90, respectively. Regarding the sexual function components, the patients were in the worst condition in terms of pain (0. 84± 0. 75) and humidity (0. 85± 0. 73). Moreover, the mean scores of other components, including orgasm, irritability, satisfaction, and sexual desire were estimated at 1. 13± 0. 64, 1. 05± 0. 84, 1. 23± 0. 30, and 1. 66± 0. 66, respectively. It was also revealed that factors, such as location, age of marriage, and age of patients affected sexual function in cancer patients. Conclusion: The results showed that the sexual function score was less than minimum, and the majority of disorders were recorded for pain and humidity. In addition, factors that affected sexual function included location, years of menopause, type of treatment, age of patients, and years of marriage. It is recommended that the sexual status of breast cancer patients be evaluated before and during the treatment. Furthermore, the necessary education along with treatments should be provided to inform patients about this disorder that leads to the improvement of sexual function.

Background and Aims: Bioaerosols are airborne particles that contain bacteria, viruse, and fungi. Human show different reactions to bioaerosols. This study aimed to determine the density of bacterial particles cultivable in the inside and outside air of kindergardens in Birjand, Iran. Materials and Methods: This study was performed based on a descriptive-analytical and cross-sectional research approach. Birjand was divided into five regions based on their geographical location, and six kindergardens were randomly selected. The sampling was performed in the morning shift from all six selected kindergartens. Additionally, triptic soy agar was used as the culture medium, and the sampling was performed at a flow rate of 28. 3 L/Min for 35 min at a distance of 0. 8 to 1 M above the ground in the center of each class. The data were analyzed in SPSS software (version 16) through the Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis statistical tests. A p-value less than 0. 05 was considered statistically significant. Results: According to the results, the highest mean bacterial and microbial load and suspended particles were obtained at 3. 83± 8. 04 CFU/m3 and 196. 13± 382. 54 CFU/m3 in February and March, respectively. There was no significant relationship among bacterial density, suspended particles, and temperature (P>0. 05). However, a significant relationship was observed between the bacterial density and total suspended particles (P<0. 05). There was also a significant relationship between the amount of suspended particles (PM1, PM2. 5, PM10) and the environment inside and outside the kindergardens (P<0. 05). Conclusion: It is possible to determine the concentration of bacterial contamination in terms of quantity, type of identified species, and the amount of airborne particles to prevent the adverse health effects.

In-stent restenosis (ISR) is regarded as the main problem in the utilization of stents in the treatment of coronary artery atherosclerotic stenosis in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). This study investigated the possible role of the G22A variant of the Adenosine Deaminase gene (ADA) in the development of ISR. In this study, 91 patients who underwent PCI were divided into two groups of case with ISR (n=40) and control without ISR after six months from stenting (n=51). The case and control groups were matched in terms of age and gender. The genotypes of the G22A variant in the samples were examined by the molecular method of PCR-RFLP and electrophoresis. The results were statistically analyzed using t-test, and the results showed that the frequency of allele A of variant G22A in the (+ISR) group was higher than that in the (-ISR) group. However, there was no significant relationship between the distribution of allele and genotype frequency of this variant with the incidence of ISR (P>0. 05).

Celiac disease is one of the most common autoimmune diseases with a prevalence rate of 0. 5-1% in the total population. Diagnosis has increased in recent years; however, many cases of the disease still seem to be diagnosed late. Although the rheumatic manifestations of celiac disease are not uncommon, they are often overlooked. A 30-year-old female patient referred to the rheumatology clinic of Valiasr Hospital, Birjand, Iran, with swelling of the fingers and knees joints. Despite treatment with corticosteroids and anti-rheumatic medications for the past two years that modulated the immune system, migratory inflammatory arthritis was still present. Serologic tests were performed on the patient, and she underwent endoscopy and duodenal biopsy. The celiac disease diagnosis was confirmed for the patient, and the joint symptoms improved significantly following a gluten-free diet. Rheumatologic manifestations of celiac disease can be the primary symptoms of the disease, and a gluten-free diet prescribed for these patients can relieve the symptoms to a large extent.

Obesity is a complex multifactorial disease. The worldwide prevalence of obesity has doubled since 1980 to an extent that nearly a third of the world’ s population is now classified as overweight or obese. On the other hand, sports scientists have suggested exercise for the prevention of further spread of this disease. In addition to exercise, the use of natural fat-burning supplements, such as green tea, has attracted a lot of attention during the recent years. However, the results of some domestic and foreign research have shown that fatburning potential of white tea is the same or superior to that of green tea. Therefore, it is suggested that researchers compare green and white tea in terms of their effects on obesity-related indicators.