Scientific Journal of Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences
Year:2021 | Volume:26 | Issue:1 (111)|Papers Count:12

Background and Aim: One of the complications of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) surgery is the cognitive function decline. Due to the importance and direct effects of cognitive function on the quality of human life, this study was designed to compare executive function of young CPB patients with the age range of 30-55 years one year after undergoing the surgery with healthy subjects. Materials and Methods: This causal-comparative study was conducted from February 2017 to October 2018. The experimental group included 40 male patients with coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) with an age range of 30 to 55 years. They were hospitalized in the ICU of Tehran Heart Center over the past year. For the control group, 64 healthy men with the same age range were randomly selected. Both groups met all the inclusion criteria and were tested using the Wisconsin scale. Results: The results showed that in the levels of perseveration, correct and incorrect responses, the difference between the two groups was statistically significant at 1% error level (p<0/01). There was no significant difference between the two groups in the subscales of the number of attempts to complete the first model and the conceptual level responses (p>0/05). Conclusion: According to the findings of this study, cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) surgery, even in younger people with an age range of 30-55 years after one year, can impair the cognitive function of the frontal lobe of the brain.

Background and Aim: Spasticity following upper motor neuron lesions has adverse effects on patients' quality of life and performance. Shockwave therapy is a non-invasive treatment to reduce muscle tone. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of shockwave intensity on the improvement of upper limb spasticity in patients with stroke. Materials and Methods: In the present study, 20 patients with stroke were randomly divided into two treatment groups. Shockwave was applied for 1 session at the musculotendinous junction of flexor carpi ulnaris and radialis muscles using a low level of energy for group one (0. 03 mj/mm2) and a high level of energy for group two (0. 8 mj/mm2). The patients were evaluated at baseline and one week after the intervention. Upper limb spasticity and active range of motion of wrist extension were evaluated by Modified Ashworth Scale and goniometer, respectively. Results: Upper limb spasticity and range of motion of wrist extension were significantly improved immediately and a week after high-intensity shockwave therapy. A significant decrease in upper limb spasticity and a non-significant increase in the range of motion of wrist extension were observed in the group receiving low-intensity shock waves. Conclusion: High energy shockwave appeared to provide a beneficial effect on upper limb spasticity and range of motion of wrist extension, compared with low energy shockwave. It seems that treating with the appropriate intensity of shockwave may be an alternative method to other spasticity treatments.

Background and Aim: Pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) infection is common in patients infected with the Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). In this study, we evaluated thoracic CT scan findings of HIV/TB co-infection, before and after anti-TB treatment. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective cross-sectional study, pre-and post-treatment thoracic CT scans of patients diagnosed with HIV and definite pulmonary TB infection were evaluated. Results: A total of 101 patients (64 male, 37 female, mean age of 43± 3. 4) were included. The most common findings before treatment of TB were mediastinal or hilar lymphadenopathy with hypodense center (41. 58%) and free pleural effusion (32. 67%). The prevalence of these findings decreased to half after anti-TB treatment (P= 0. 009 and P= 0. 003 respectively). Loculated pleural effusion showed increased prevalence after treatment (P= 0. 031) with no significant change in the prevalence of bronchiectasis, solitary pulmonary nodule, and lymphadenopathy without a hypodense center. Conclusion: The most prevalent thoracic CT scan findings in patients with HIV/TB co-infection before anti-TB treatment were lymphadenopathy with the hypodense center, pleural effusion, and ground glass opacities. After treatment, numerous changes in imaging manifestations might be seen. The remaining residual CT scan findings (including bronchiectasis, lymphadenopathy with a hypodense center, and solitary pulmonary nodule) require more attention for accurate interpretation of thoracic CT scans in HIV patients.

Background and Aim: Serum ferritin in patients with thalassemia major is an indicator of iron overload, which is the main cause of damage to various organs of the body in patients with thalassemia major. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between serum ferritin level and renal function in thalassemia major patients. Materials and Methods: This descriptive and cross-sectional study was performed on patients with thalassemia major in Kurdistan province (west region of Iran) in 2019. All patients with thalassemia major were evaluated in terms of having regular blood transfusions for at least 1 year. The obtained data were entered into SPSS 22 software and statistically analyzed after measuring serum ferritin, creatinine and calculating glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Results: In this study, 122 patients were evaluated according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. 54. 1% were male and 45. 9% were female. The mean age of patients was 20. 28 ± 8. 14 years, the mean hemoglobin was 8. 95 ± 1. 17gr/dl, the mean ferritin was 2812 ± 2134 ng/ml, the mean creatinine was 0. 65 ± 0. 17 mg/dl and the mean GFR (ml/min) was 122. 19 ± 24. 13. No significant correlation was found between GFR and serum ferritin (P> 0. 05). Conclusion: Due to the lack of correlation between serum ferritin and GFR, it can be concluded that iron overload has no role in possible glomerular damage in thalassemia major patients.

Background and Aim: Prevalence of drug resistance in Candida Albicans hinders common treatments with conventional antifungal drugs. A stockpile of research is being done to discover novel antifungal drugs. Chitosan has emerged as a promising antimicrobial and biodegradable polymer with various medical applications. The significant antimicrobial potential of some of the secondary metabolites from plants has been confirmed in several studies. Thymol, Carvacrol and Isothiocyanate are three plant secondary metabolites with strong antifungal properties. In this study, the synergistic effect of Thymol, Carvacrol and Isothiocyanate with chitosan against C. Albicans was tested. Materials and Methods: The minimum inhibitory concentration and synergistic effects of chitosan with Thymol, Carvacrol and Isothiocyanate were assessed in checkerboard assay. The minimum fungicidal concentrations against C. Albicans, time kill assay and growth curve were tested subsequently. Results: The results of the checkerboard test confirmed the synergistic effects of chitosan with all three investigated plant metabolites. The Chitosan-Thymol combination represented the most effective antifungal activities against C. Albicans based on the time kill and growth curve assay results. Conclusion: Chitosan-Thymol combination can be a promising compound for control of C. albicans. Chitosan-Thymol combination sharply declined the number of viable cells during the first two hours. This ability can be tested in further studies as a biopolymer or nanocapsulated drug.

Background and Aim: Beta-adrenergic receptors in the basolateral nucleus of the amygdala (BLA) have been associated with stress, learning, and memory. In this study, we tested the effects of intra-BLA microinfusions of the β 2-adrenergic receptor agonist, salbutamol, on spatial, passive avoidance memory and long-term potentiation (LTP) in the CA1 region of the hippocampus in response to stress. Materials and Methods: Forty male rats were randomly divided into five groups (n=8/per group): control, sham, stress, salbutamol+control, and salbutamol+stress. Bilateral cannulation was performed in the BLA, by using stereotaxic apparatus. Then, the rats were transferred to the communication box and foot-shock stress induction continued for four consecutive days. Five minutes before stress, salbutamol (4 μ l/side) was injected bilaterally into the BLA. Barnes maze and shuttle box were examined for spatial and passive avoidance memory, respectively. The field potential recording was also used to investigate LTP in the CA1 neurons of the hippocampus. Results: The results of the passive avoidance test showed that bilateral injection of salbutamol in the BLA five minutes before stress increased step-through latency time significantly compared to the stress group. Barnes maze results showed that intra-BLA microinfusions of salbutamol before stress, reduced the latency time, the number of errors, and the distance traveling to achieve the target hole compared to the stress group. Field potential recording revealed that salbutamol injection before stress decreased the population spike amplitude significantly and caused fEPSP slope 60 minutes after high-frequency stimulation compared to the stress groups. Conclusion: It seems that the salbutamol in the BLA can improve memory deficits induced by stress.

Background and Aim: Insulin resistance is a pathological condition in which cells fail to respond normally to the insulin. The most important cause of insulin resistance is abdominal obesity. Increased abdominal fat increases the amount of free fatty acids and decreases adiponectin, which directly affects insulin signaling. Due to the role of Quercus infectoria in lowering blood sugar, we investigated the mechanism of action, and the effect of its aqueous extract on insulin resistance in insulin-resistant Rats. Materials and Methods: The animals were fed fructose-rich or normal food for six weeks. At the end of six weeks, the animals were divided into 4 groups including: receiving plant extracts, pioglitazone, control, and normal food, and then treated for 2 weeks. At the end of the treatment period serum Glucose, triglyceride, and cholesterol levels were measured by autoanalyzer; Insulin, and adiponectin levels were measured by ELISA; plasma free fatty acids were measured by gas chromatography, and HOMA-IR (Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance) index was calculated by the formula. A one-way ANOVA test was used for statistical analysis. Results: In the Quercus infectoria group, the concentrations of glucose (129. 3± 6. 8 mg/dl), triglyceride (79. 8± 5. 1mg/dl), insulin (31. 2± 6. 32pmol/L) and HOMA-IR (1. 6± 0. 32) significantly decreased compared to the control group with glucose (187. 5± 15. 9 mg/dl), Triglyceride (217. 6± 18. 5 mg/dl), Insulin (137. 6± 34. 2 pmol/L) and HOMA-IR (9. 7± 2. 13) decreased. The concentration of total free fatty acids and adiponectin did not change. Conclusion: This study showed the beneficial effects of aqueous extracts of Quercus infectoria on reducing insulin resistance in insulin-resistant rats.

Background and Aim: In recent years, special attention has been paid to the use of complementary drugs in the treatment of breast cancer. Previous studies have shown that lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) has antiproliferative properties. In the present study, the possible antiproliferative effects of methanolic extract of lavender in MCF-7 breast cancer cell line were investigated. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, MCF-7 breast cancer cell line was treated with different concentrations of methanol extract of lavender. Cell survival was assessed using MTT assay. The cell cycle was analyzed using flow cytometry. The ability of breast cancer cells to form a colony after treatment with plant extract was also investigated. The main components of the methanol extract were identified by GC/MS method. The T-test, ANOVA and Tukey statistical methods were used for data analysis. Results: The results showed that the methanolic extract has significant cytotoxicity on MCF-7 cells, the G0/G1 phase arrest after treatment with methanolic extract in the breast cancer cell line increased significantly. The main contents of the MetOH extract were determined as Coumarin (59. 44%), Tricosane (15. 22%), 7-methoxy Coumarin (12. 69%), and 2-Furancarboxaldehyde (6. 7%). Conclusion: In conclusion, according to the results of this study, the lavender methanolic extract has a cytotoxic effect on MCF-7 cells; therefore, lavender can be considered as a potential therapeutic supplement in future studies of breast cancer.

Background and Aim: Styrene monomer is a volatile organic compound that is used extensively in the manufacture of plastics, rubber, and resins. Many health effects caused by continuous exposure to styrene have been reported by different organizations of health and safety. This study was carried out to determine the efficiency of photocatalytic removal of styrene by using zinc oxide nanoparticles immobilized on diatomite. Materials and Methods: This study was done on a laboratory scale, in which zinc oxide nanoparticles with the size of 20 to 40 nm and 5% concentration were stabilized on the natural diatomite and then irradiated with UV light as a photocatalytic agent in order to degrade styrene vapors. Results: In this study, the concentrations of 20, 100, and 300 ppm styrene were passed through a reactor containing diatomite substrate covered with nano-ZnO (MDi/ZnO 5%). The results showed that thr bed of MDi/ZnO 5% could remove 35 percent of styrene vapors at concentrations of 20 ppm and a flow rate of 1 lit /min. Conclusion: Due to the removal efficiency of 35% styrene vapors by MDi/ZnO 5% substrate and properties such as low cost and availability of diatomite and zinc oxide, it can be used from the bed to remove volatile organic compounds, but in comparison to similar studies with other beds such as natural and synthetic zeolites and activated carbon, it could not achieve the desired results in a photocatalytic activity for its application in industry. However, because of its abundance in the world and Iran, low cost of preparation, and also its unique characteristics, further studies are recommended about its modification and application in photocatalytic processes.

Background and Aim: Aging is a biological reality that has its own dynamism. It goes beyond human control and will reduce performance over time due to the accumulation of cellular and molecular damage. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of working memory rehabilitation on dorsolateral frontal lobe functions in the elderly. Materials and Methods: This was a quasi-experimental study with a pretest-posttest design and a control group. The study population included all elderly people who lived in Bukan Nursing Home from April to July 2019 (N=120). Among these individuals, 30 elderly people were selected by convenience sampling method and then randomly assigned to two experimental and control groups (two groups of 15 people). Stroop Test and CPT Test were taken from the groups in the pretest. Then, working memory rehabilitation based on the Dehn’ s Model was performed in 18 sessions (60 minutes each session) and after which the posttest was performed again. The data were analyzed by multivariate covariance test according to its assumptions. Results: The findings showed that after performing working memory rehabilitation, in the experimental group, the mean components of incongruent card, congruent card, omission error, commission error, and reaction time decreased, and the mean of interference components and correct detection increased (P<0. 001). However, there was no statistically significant difference in the control group. Conclusion: The results showed that working memory rehabilitation can improve information processing speed and sustained attention, and it is recommended that this rehabilitation method can be used to improve the cognitive functions of the elderly.

Background and Aim: Preeclampsia is the third leading cause of maternal mortality in the world and the second most common cause of death in pregnant mothers in Iran. Psychosocial aspects have been recently considered as a risk factor for developing preeclampsia. The purpose of this study was to determine the association between psychological factors and the chance of developing preeclampsia. Materials and Methods: This systematic review and meta-analysis was performed based on the studies conducted in the world. We searched seven databases )Irandoc, SID, Magiran, Iranmedex, PubMed, Scopus, Web of science, Cochrane, ISI, and Embace databases), by using keywords of psychological factors, stress, anxiety, depression, and preeclampsia to find relevant articles published between 2008-2018. Data from relevant studies were extracted by two persons separately and evaluated by using the Stroop checklist. After extracting the required data, they were combined using a random model and the heterogeneity of the studies was evaluated by the I2 indices. STATA-11 software was used for data analysis. Results: In the present study 11 articles were analyzed. The total number of samples in the study was 658678. The chances of preeclampsia in individuals with stress, anxiety, depression, and those exposed to violence were estimated to be 1. 21, 3. 07, 3. 04, and 2. 37, respectively. Conclusion: Considering the importance of preeclampsia in pregnancy and its impact on maternal and fetal health, basic measures should be taken to prevent it by identifying people at risk and the contributing factors, such as routine screening of psychological factors before and through the pregnancy semesters.

Background and Aim: Crohn's disease is a chronic idiopathic disease in the category of gastrointestinal tract inflammation without any obvious reason. Clinical signs include abdominal pain, and diarrhea, which may be accompanied by a fistula or intestinal obstruction. Differential diagnosis of Crohn’ s disease and intestinal tuberculosis is a complex and difficult challenge. Case presentation: The patient was a 70-year-old woman who had been hospitalized due to fistulas with 4 years of discharge in the left inguinal and gluteal area. The patient's vital signs were stable, and she did not report any fever, chills, or gastrointestinal symptoms. Diagnostic tuberculosis procedures were performed for this patient and despite the lack of evidence in favor of intestinal tuberculosis, experimental tuberculosis treatment was started for him. Despite 10 months of anti-tuberculosis treatment, the symptoms and fistulas of the patient did not recover in 2016. On spiral computed tomography scan of the lung and mediastinum without injection, the presence of cardiomegaly, evidence of ground-glass was seen along with an increased thickness of the interlobular septa in the middle lobe of the right lung and ground glass opacities at the base of both lungs. Since the patient had typical intestinal tuberculosis symptoms, discharge cultivation and smear were performed and it did not grow on Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacillus acid staining. The patient underwent biopsy with MR Enterography, and Crohn’ s diagnosis was confirmed. The patient was treated with Metronidazole, Ciprofloxacin, and a combination of Azathioprine and Infliximab. Conclusion: According to the rare case reported, advanced diagnostic measures should be taken in dealing with patients with intestinal tuberculosis or Crohn’ s disease.