SCIENTIFIC JOURNAL OF KURDISTAN UNIVERSITY OF MEDICAL SCIENCES
Year:2021 | Volume:26 | Issue:4 (114)|Papers Count:12

Background and Aim: Increasing evidence has demonstrated that activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα ), which belongs to the nuclear receptor family of ligand-activated transcription factors, after cerebral ischemia exhibit neuroprotective functions including anti-oxidative, anti-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory effects. The aim of this study was to evaluate the pretreatment effects of PPARα agonist, fenofibrate, on brain infarction, tissue swelling and brain edema in an experimental model of ischemic stroke. Materials and Methods: The study included three groups of rats (N=36); sham, control ischemic and treated ischemic groups. Brain ischemia was induced by 90 min middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) followed by 24 hours reperfusion. Rats received fenofibrate (200 mg/kg/day) by oral route for 4 days before induction of MCAO. Neurological deficit score (NDS), infarct volume (TTC staining method), tissue swelling and brain edema were assessed 24 hours after termination of MCAO. Results: MCAO induced neurological dysfunction (2. 83± 0. 16), brain infarction (282± 30 mm3), brain swelling (15. 13± 2. 29 %) and edema (17. 23± 1. 97%) in control ischemic group. Administration of fenofibrate in the treated ischemic rats significantly reduced neurological dysfunction (2. 14± 0. 14), brain infarction (92± 28 mm3), brain swelling (4. 35± 1. 42%) and edema (5. 49± 1. 44) compared to the rats in the control ischemic group. Conclusion: Our findings indicated that activation of PPARα by specific agonist, fenofibrate, effectively decreased the cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injuries as well as brain swelling and edema in an experimental model of ischemic stroke.

Background and Aim: Regular exercise and proper exercise programs contribute to improvement of physiological function and improve aerobic capacity, blood absorption, and adequate oxygen supply for the brain and muscles. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of endurance training and adenosine injection on CCL2 gene expression after induction of cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury in male rats. Materials and Methods: This was an experimental study with a post-test design. The study population included Wistar rats. The sample consisted of 40 male rats which, after induction of ischemia, were randomly divided into the following groups: endurance training + adenosine + ischemia, ischemia + adenosine, endurance training + ischemia, and control + ischemia. After induction of ischemia, the animals performed an endurance training program. In the eighth week the rats received daily injection of 1 mg of adenosine. Then, CCL2 gene expression was measured using laboratory methods. We used mean, standard deviation, Shapiro-Wilks test, Leven test, and one-way analysis of variance (P ≤ 0. 05( for data analysis. Results: The results showed a significant difference between the control + ischemia group and the adenosine + ischemia group in the expression of the CCL2 gene. Also there was a significant difference between the control group + ischemia and the endurance training + ischemia group in the expression of the CCL2 gene. But we found no significant difference between the control group + ischemia and the endurance training group + adenosine + ischemia group in the expression of CCL2 gene. Conclusion: Pretreatment with endurance training and adenosine before an ischemic stroke might have regulated CCL2 gene expression. Exercise and adenosine may be useful prophylactic factors for ischemic stroke.

Background and Aim: Atorvastatin is one of the medicines used for the treatment of high blood cholesterol which recently has been shown to have antioxidant effects in the cell. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of atorvastatin on the growth and quality of immature mouse oocytes in vitro. Materials and Methods: 400 oocytes were prepared from ovaries of 40 NMRI mice and divided into two groups of control (culture medium) and atorvastatin (culture medium + 2 μ M atorvastatin). Then oocyte qualitative parameters including zona pellucida thickness (ZP), Perivitelline space size (PVS) and oocyte diameter (OD) were determined using invert microscope and image-J software. Results: Quantitative parameters of zona pellucida thickness and oocyte diameter were increased in the atorvastatin group compared to those in the control group. In the evaluation of oocytes quality, the number of oocytes exhibiting +1 score in the atorvastatin and control groups were (70%) and (55. 4%) respectively, which showed a significant difference between the two groups (P≤ 0. 05). The numbers of polar bodies exhibiting +1 score in the atorvastatin and control groups were (36. 18%) and (18. 5%) respectively (P≤ 0. 05). Conclusion: Use of atorvastatin had a significant effect on the growth and final quality of the immature oocytes in vitro and it can possibly be used to increase the efficiency of in vitro fertilization in the future.

Background and aim: Cryopreservation is one of the common techniques in the management of infertility, which can damage the sperm cell and its function by producing reactive oxygen species. To determine health and fertility of cryopreserved sperm, we evaluated different markers in infertile men. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of biotin and folic acid on motility, viablity, shape, chromatin density and membrane integrity of cryopreserved and thawed sperm in normozoospermic men. Material and Method: In this experimental study, 30 samples were collected from normozoospermic men. Every sample included fresh pre-cryopreservation group, cryopreserved control groups, biotin (10 mM), folic acid (50 nM), and combination of biotin (10 mM) and folic acid (50 nM) groups. Sperms were frozen for two weeks using the usual freezing technique at-196 ° C and then thawed. Samples were evaluated for motility before and after freezing using computer-aided sperm analysis software. We assessed sperm viability by eosin-negrosin staining, chromatin density by toluidine blue staining and membrane integrity by hypo osmotic swelling test. Results: Before cryopreservation, motility, viability, chromatin density, sperm membrane integrity were higher and the number of immotile sperms were lower in all groups (p <0. 001). Quality of chromatin was higher in the groups of folic acid, biotin + folic acid and biotin than in the control group. Mean sperm viability was higher in the three above mentioned groups than in the control group. We found higher sperm membrane integrity in the folic acid, biotin and combination groups than in control group (p <0. 001). After cryopreservation, a positive correlation was found between sperm chromatin quality and membrane integrity. Conclusion: Biotin and folic acid showed a protective effects on chromatin quality, membrane integrity, viability of the sperms and played an important role in maintaining sperm parameters after cryopreservation.

Background and Aim: Anal surgery is relatively common, and rarely is performed as an outpatient opration procedure due to concerns about postoperative pain. The present study aimed to compare the effects of rectal acetaminophen and diclofenac suppositories on pain control after anal surgery (hemorrhoidectomy) in adult patients. Materials and Methods: This clinical trial study was conducted in Zahedan in 2013 and included 70 patients who underwent hemorrhoidectomy. The patients were divided into two groups, one group received rectal acetaminophen and the other one used diclofenac suppositories. Pain intensity was measured by visual analogve score system at different time intervals (0, 2, 4, 12, and 24 hours). Data were analyzed by relevant statistical test. Results: Pain intensity at different times in the study was significantly lower in the diclofenac suppository group compared to that in the acetaminophen suppository group. The mean time intervals needed for drug administration in the diclofenac group was 183. 14 ± 26. 98 minutes and 166. 85 ± 27. 30 minutes in the acetaminophen group; therefore, a statistically significant difference was observed between the two groups. Conclusion: Diclofenac suppository showed a better analgesic effect than acetaminophen suppository in post-hemorrhoidectomy pain management. Use of diclofenac suppositories can have more satisfactory results in reducing postoperative pain.

Background and Aim: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is now a major global health problem. The aim of this study was to determine factors affecting the change in TCD4+ lymphocyte count and survival of HIV patients simultaneously in Kermanshah Province, using a joint model for longitudinal and survival time measurements. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective cohort study we extracted data of 614 HIV+ patients receiving antiretroviral therapy from the Registry of Behavioral Disease Counseling Center of Kermanshah Province from 2001 to 2018. Data included variables of longitudinal TCD4+ and survival of patients (time interval from HIV diagnosis to death) as response. Then, using a joint model, the relationship between TCD4+ and the survival of patients was determined. Data analysis was performed using R (3. 4. 3) software package JM. P< 0. 05 was considered significant. Results: In the joint model, sex, age at the time of diagnosis, marital status, history of addiction, education level, time, and presence of tuberculosis had a significant relationship with TCD4+ lymphocyte count (p<0. 05). Tuberculosis (HR=2. 624) was an effective risk factor for death of HIV patients (p<0. 001). There was a significant relationship between the two responses (p<0. 001) so that 1-unit decrease in the number of TCD4+ lymphocytes led to a 36. 5% increase in the risk of death over time. Conclusion: Since HIV+ patients are exposed to the risk of development of tuberculosis, a decrease in the number of TCD4 + lymphocytes may be a good prognostic indicator for death in HIV patients.

Aim and Background: Anti-inflammatory compounds are effective in improving the symptoms of inflammatory bowel diseases such as ulcerative colitis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of aloe vera extract against the inflammatory factors affecting acetic acid-induced ulcerative colitis. Materials and Methods: 32 male Wistar rats are divided into 4 groups of 8 including: control group, untreated colitis group, colitis group treated with aloe vera (200 mg / kg/ day) and sulfasalazine group as a standard treatment (500 mg /kg/ day) from two days before induction of colitis to 5 days after induction of colitis. Experimental colitis was induced by intrarectal injection of 2 ml of 3% acetic acid. Rats were sacrificed on the eighth day of induction of colitis and some factors involved in inflammation, such as tumor necrosis factoralpha, interleukin-10, cyclooxygenase 2 (COX II) and PGE2 levels in colon tissue were measured. Results: Inflammation induced in colon by acetic acid injection. Sulfasalazine and aloe vera reduced the inflammatory factor (tumor necrosis factor alpha) and increased antiinflammatory factor (interleukin-10) in colon tissue. But they had no effect on the COX II and PGE2 levels in colon tissue. Conclusion: The results suggested that aloe vera could possibly improve colitis by suppressing inflammatory promoting factors and increasing anti-inflammatory factors.

Background and Aim: Beam shaper applicator is one of the dedicated applicators for intraoperative electron radiotherapy which is usually employed for large tumors irradiation. Due to the high weight and lack of possibility of direct placement on the patient’ s body, a considerable air gap exists between the applicator and patient. Therefore, determination of the effective position of electron source (SSDeff) is absolutely necessary to correct the applicator output for air gap effect and accurate delivery of the prescribed dose to the patient. The aim of this study was to determine the SSDeff for all square fields of beam shaper applicator at different electron energies using Monte Carlo (MC) simulation. Materials and Methods: At first, the head of LIAC accelerator and beam shaper applicator were simulated by MCNPX MC code and then, the validity of the simulated model was evaluated through comparing the calculated percentage depth dose (PDD) curves at different field sizes and energies with the corresponding practiacal values. After verifying the simulated model, the SSDeff was determined for different field sizes and electron energies using inverse square law (ISL) method. Results: The results showed that the SSDeff is a function of electron energy and radiation field size. Dependency of SSDeff on field size variations was much more than that on the alterations in the electron energy. Generally, increase in the field size or electron energy led to increase in SSDeff. Conclusion: The determined SSDeff values for the electron beam of the beam shaper applicator in our study, can be used to correct the electron beam output for clinical purposes.

Background and Aim: Previous studies in Iran have shown that the quality of documentation of medical records by physicians and medical staff is not very satisfactory. The purpose of this study was to investigate the quality of medical records documentation in Tohid teaching hospital, , in Sanandaj, Iran. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study, medical records of 430 patients admitted to various services of Tohid Hospital in Sanandaj during the first six months of 2017 were examined. Variables were collected using a checklist based on the national regulations for the documentation of medical records. Data were analyzed using SPSS V. 20 software and Chi-square test. Results: In the present study we observed registration of the correct diagnosis, in accordance with the principles of diagnosis, in 261 (60. 7%) of admission forms and the time of first visit of the physician had been recorded in 282 (66. 0%) cases. More than half of the history sheets and most of the initial, daily, and final reports were incomplete. The professors had evaluated 133 (40. 7%), 76 (22. 0%) and 5 (7. 2%) history sheets completed by the residents, interns and externs respectively. About 563 (66. 2%) cases of the doctor's prescriptions had been properly recorded in the files. We found correct registration of medical orders by interns and residents and professors in 101 (69. 2%) and 186 (87. 7%) and 240 (53. 7%) cases respectively. Conclusion: Based on the findings of this study, it is necessary to hold training courses on proper documentation of medical records for physicians and medical students and more precise supervision of professors and physicians on performance of the medical students in all educational hospitals of Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences.

Background and Aim: An accurate cell injection in therapeutic methods is one of the most important and challenging stages in animal and human cell therapy. The aim of this study was to design and fabricate a device for injecting stem cells into the subretinal space and the vitreous body in degenerative eye diseases. Materials and Methods: In this study, the primary map of the device, metal molds and the appropriate tools for the machine were prepared. The pieces of the device were manufactured by a CNC machine and assembled together. In order to verify the device function we used immunohistochemistry (IHC) method and fluorescein was injected into the subretinal space of the rats. Tissue samples were examined by fluorescent microscope six and 24 hours after injection Results: The results of IHC showed that six and 24 hours after the injection, fluorescein dye was observed in the sub-retinal space, between retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and neurosensory retina. Histologic samples showed minimal damage due to the insertion of needle and there was no disorganization in the retina. Conclusion: This study revealed that fluorescein can be injected by the micro-injector into the subretinal space accurately. It seems that this device has the capability to inject stem cells into the retina properly and can be used in animal models.

Background and Aim: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic progressive inflammatory disease of the central nervous system that patients suffer from its complications and experience physical and emotional side effects in their lifetime. The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) on fatigue in MS patients. Materials and Methods: This was a clinical trial with pre and post-test design. Among the patients with MS referring to the neurology department of Baqiyatallah Hospital, 30 patients were selected by convenient sampling method and randomly divided into two experimental and one control groups. Fatigue severity scale (FSS) was used to assess fatigue in the MS patients in the pre-treatment (pre-test) and post-treatment (post-test) stages. Results: The results showed that ACT and CBT only with a little difference had similar effects on the improvement and decrease of severity of fatigue so that, we found a significant decrease in the scores of severity of fatigue in the post-test compared to the scores in the pretest. Conclusion: The results indicated that ACT and CBT had the same effect on reducing the severity of fatigue in the MS patients.

Background and Aim: Food is the fundamental need of human life and has nutrients that support growth and health. Gastrointestinal tract microbiota includes beneficial microorganisms which have therapeutic effects and are known as probiotics. The studies on appropriate probiotic strains have led to the separation and identification of specific metabolic byproducts of probiotics known as postbiotics. Materials and Methods In this review study, relevant data were collected by searching for the keywords of "probiotics, postbiotics, immune system, bioactivity, disease, health improvement, food and pharmaceutical industries" in the Web of Science, PubMed, Medline and Scopus databases. All articles related to experimental studies were included in the study and articles without full text were excluded. Results: The probiotics must maintain their survival against inappropriate growth conditions of the processing, storage, distribution, preparation, and digestive system so that they can exert their beneficial effects on health. Conversely, probiotic metabolites can successfully overcome these unfavorable conditions and maybe a good alternative to probiotics. Considering their specific chemical structure, safety, long shelf-life, and the fact that they contain various signaling molecules, postbiotics may have anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antihypertensive, inhibitory effect on abnormal cell proliferation, and antioxidant activities. Conclusions: Postbiotics can mimic the fundamental and clinical role of probiotics, and due to their unique characteristics, they can be used in a delivery system (pharmaceutical/functional foods) to achieve health-promotion objectives and also prevention, and treatment of diseases.