Journal of Inflammatory Diseases (The Journal of Qazvin University of Medical Science)
Year:2014 | Volume:17 | Issue:6 (71)|Papers Count:11

Background: Application of biodegradable particle systems is an interesting subject for using polymers in drug delivery purposes. These systems are suitable for delivery of many drugs.Objective: The aim of this study was to produce and optimize protein nanoparticles as drug delivery vehicle.Methods: This experimental study was performed in Babol Noshirvani University during 2011. A simple coacervation technique was applied for production of nanoparticles (NPs). NPs were purified by high speed centrifuge (48,800 g) followed by dialysis, microfiltration and ultrafiltration. Size of the fabricated NPs was measured by laser light scattering and NPs structure was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM).Findings: The most important factors affecting on the size of produced NPs were agitation speed, temperature, protein concentration and ethanol to bovine serum albumin (BSA) ratio. The produced NPs were in the range of 101.4 to 503 nm and were semi-spherical. Temperature was the most important factor. Brownian motion of molecule increased with increasing temperature that was effective for produced NPs size.Conclusion: With regards to the results, Nanoparticles of about 100 nm with high purity can be produced from BSA and can be used for drug delivery purposes.

Background: Given the wide range of microwave applications in human life, their effects on biological tissues are still controversial.Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of 950 MHz cell phone microwave radiation on morphometric changes of testis in rabbit.Methods: In this experimental study, 18 New Zealand male rabbits were randomly divided into control, 3 W and 6 W groups. Unlike the control group, the experimental groups were exposed to simulated 950 MHz and 3 or 6 W microwave radiation 2 hours a day for 2 weeks. After one week rest, the animals were sacrificed using anesthesia and microscopic slides were prepared from their testis. The seminiferous tubular diameter and spermatogonia, spermatocyte, spermatid and sperm counts were determined. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and Kruskal Wallis.Findings: The number of spermatogonia cells in the 6 W group was decreased significantly compared to the control group and the 3 W group. There were no significant differences between the 3 W group and the control group in terms of the spermatogonia cell count. Spermatocyte cell count and spermatid cell count were found to be significantly different between 3 groups. Sperm count was significantly different between the 6 W group and the control group.Conclusion: With regards to the results, it seems that the microwave radiation with 950 MHz frequency can lead to detrimental effects on rabbit spermatogenesis by changing the number of spermatogenetic cell line.

Background: One of the main applications of laboratory animals is in quality control of vaccines. In vitro methods have been suggested as alternatives to in vivo animal testing because of its special problems.Objective: The aim of this study was to compare in vivo and in vitro methods for potency assay of bordetella pertussis vaccines.Methods: This experimental study was performed on a group of mice using different lots of reference or whole cell pertussis (wP) vaccine that were provided by Razi Vaccine & Serum Research Institute at this Institute in 2010. Mice were killed after immunization and their peritoneal cavities were lavaged and were cultured with challenge strain to determine nitrite concentration produced from macrophages and to assess immune response. Data were analyzed by comparison with a standard curve of sodium nitrite (r=0.924).Findings: There were significant differences between results of in vivo and in vitro methods using different lots of wP vaccines. Macrophages from mice immunized with wP vaccine produced higher levels of nitric oxide than macrophages from mice of control groups.Conclusion: With regards to the results, nitric oxide induction assay is more sensitive than Kendrick assay in potency assay of vaccine and provides the possibility of assessing low-titre vaccine. Therefore, it can be used as an alternative to reduce animal testing.

Background: Paralytic ileus after abdominal surgery causes abdominal distention, pain, accumulation of gas, nausea and vomiting. Chewing gum can increase bowel movements and reduce the transient period of paralysis.Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of gum chewing in the reduction of paralytic ileus following cholecystectomy.Methods: This interventional study was conducted on 40 patients undergoing cholecystectomy in Kerman University of Medical Sciences, 2011. After surgery, they were randomly allocated to intervention (gum chewing) and control groups. Patients in the intervention group chewed sugar free gum 3 times a day for an hour each time after full consciousness. The first bowel sounds, flatus passage and defecation were recorded in both groups. Data were analyzed using student T-test. Findings: The first gas passing was reported 21.05±12.8 and 40.8±15.9 hours following operation in intervention and control groups, respectively. The first defection was occurred 38.1±29.8 and 58.25±18.6 hours after operation in intervention and control groups, respectively. The first bowel sounds were heard 4±1.02 and 4.9±1.3 hours post-operatively in intervention and control groups, respectively. In all three cases, the differences between two groups was statistically significant.Conclusion: With regard to the results, gum chewing is an inexpensive and useful approach that reduces paralytic ileus following cholecystectomy.

Background: Assessing bone quantity to restore missing teeth is necessary before implant placement.Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the accuracy of linear tomography and computed tomography (CT) in measuring linear distances on specified sites of dry mandible.Methods: This analytical study was performed on 2 completely edentulous dry mandibles in 2011. 27 potential implant sites were marked using Gutta-Percha (No.60). Tomography images were obtained using a Planmeca® unit. 3 slices with image layer thickness of 3mm were obtained at each site. Computed tomography images were obtained using a Spiral CT (General Electronics®) unit and the axial slices with image layer thickness of 0.7 mm were provided. The overall height of the mandible, the distance between alveolar crest and superior border of the mandibular canal, and the mandibular width at half of the overall height, perpendicular to long axis of tomographic slices were measured by 2 oral and maxillofacial radiologists using a caliper. The mean value of 3 slices was recorded for every site. Similar measurements were performed for CT images. Then, the mandibles were cut at the marked sites and direct measurements were performed at each slice using a caliper. Data were analyzed using Wilcoxon-signed Rank test and Pearson’s correlation coefficient.Findings: The correlation coefficients were found to be more than 0.9 between measurements of the two observers for most variables in both methods, except for overall height measurement by CT, which was about 0.6. The differences for the crest-to-canal distance and the mandibular width between CT measurements and direct measurements were statistically significant. The differences for the mandibular width were statistically significant comparing tomographic technique and direct measurements. Comparing two radiographic techniques, there was statistically significant difference in overall height measurement, while there were no significant differences in the mandibular width and crest-to-canal distance.Conclusion: Linear tomography has an appropriate and comparable accuracy compared to CT images in measuring vertical distances on implant sites of mandible and therefore can be an alternative for CT images when the edentulous area is restricted to one site, in order to reduce the received radiation.

Background: Recent studies have shown that the prevalence of overweight and obesity is rising at an alarming rate but there is little agreement among researchers about obesity management and treatment.Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of nutrition training and exercise training alone and together on body weight of overweight women referred to the health centers in Qazvin.Methods: This interventional study was carried out on 192 overweight women (Body Mass Index: 25-30) referred to the health centers in Qazvin during 2010. Participants were randomly allocated to four groups (control, nutrition training, exercise training and nutrition and exercise training). Data were collected using interview, observation, and questionnaires in three stages (before the intervention, immediately after the intervention and two months after the intervention). The intervention consisted of training for changing dietary habits, the food guide pyramid and physical activity. Data were analyzed by Chi-square test, Fisher exact test and ANOVA with repeated measurements.Findings: Two months after intervention, body mass index was significantly decreased in exercise training group and nutrition and exercise training group. The mean knowledge score was increased in all groups but the differences were statistically significant in the intervention groups compared to the control group.Conclusion: With regards to the results, exercise training is better than nutrition training alone to control the body weight.

Background: Behavioral adaptation is one of the most important indicators of treatment in children with attention deficit- hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in long-term. Absence of therapeutic intervention including drug and non-drug therapy leads to negative consequences in adolescence and adulthood.Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of Barkley’s behavioral parent training in reducing symptoms of children with ADHD.Methods: This interventional study was conducted on 60 parents of 4-12 years old children with ADHD who were under drug therapy during 2011. The Measurement tools were the Conners parent questionnaire and the demographic questionnaire. Data were analyzed using factor analysis of variance with repeated measures in both intervention and control groups.Findings: Barkley’s behavioral parent training had significant effects on reducing symptoms in children and symptoms were significantly reduced in the intervention group compared to the control group. Repeated measures confirmed the sustainability of parental training effect on reducing symptoms.Conclusion: Behavioral parent training can be effective as an adjunctive method along with drug therapy in reducing symptoms of children with ADHD.

Background: Publishing and indexing articles are indicators of research and development and also research status assessment for research policy makers in each country.Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the trend of scientific production of Qazvin University of Medical Sciences based on WOS, Scopus, Pub Med, between 2007-2012.Methods: This study was conducted using bibliographical data from Web of Science (WOS), Pub Med, Scopus, and major Iranians databases in 2012. After providing descriptive information, retrieved documents were assessed for following indices: participation in scientific production according to personal, academic and geographic scales, citation rate of articles, authors’ H-index, scientific production rate based on first author and corresponding author, scientific production rate based on subject category and interdisciplinary relations.Findings: Total growth rate of articles was 254% from 2007 to 2012. Article to faculty ratio was 1.01 in 2012. Among 203 articles indexed in WOS, 137 (67.4%) were prepared in collaboration with other Iranian universities and 35 (17.24%) were prepared in collaboration with foreign universities. According to WOS, citation rate of the articles has grown since 2007. The highest citation rate was in 2012.Conclusion: The results of this study indicated a 3.5 times increase in the number of articles in 2012 compared to 2007, improved quality of the articles according to higher citation rates, and favorable attitudes of researchers toward scientific collaboration and co-authorship.

Diagnosis of acute toxoplasmosis during pregnancy is important because of the risk of congenital toxoplasmosis and teratogenicity of pyrimethamine particularly in the early months of pregnancy. Incorrect results of diagnostic tests can complicate the diagnosis and treatment of toxoplasmosis during this period. In this paper, a pregnant woman is presented with ocular toxoplasmosis that her diagnosis and treatment was difficult because of the mixed results of the tests.

This descriptive correlative study was performed to examine the relationship of job satisfaction with demographic and job related factors in 210 nurses of Saveh hospitals, 2010. Data were analyzed using Pearson’s correlation coefficients and t-test. The findings indicated that most of the nurses (79.6%) were dissatisfied with their job. Sex was negatively correlated with job satisfaction, but age and work experience were positively correlated with job satisfaction. The most important factors that negatively affect on job satisfaction were inadequate understanding of the nursing profession (mean: 1.92), the amount of salary (mean: 1.81) and disproportion between salary and nursing duties (mean: 1.79).