Journal of Kerman University of Medical Sciences
Year:2012 | Volume:19 | Issue:1|Papers Count:13

Background & Aims: Many studies have demonstrated that Vitamin D has an important role in cell growth and proliferation and vitamin D receptor polymorphism has significant relationship with colorectal cancer (CRC). The aim of this study was to assess the incidence of VDR rs 2238136 polymorphism in Iranian population and to investigate the relationship between this single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and increased risk of CRC.Method: In this case- control study, genotyping of vitamin D receptor gene polymorphism (VDR rs 2238136) was determined in a series of 112 colorectal cancer patients and 112 controls by using polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism genotyping assays (PCR-RFLP).Statistical analysis was done through SPSS 16.Results: VDR polymorphism (rs 2238136) had no significant relationship with CRC risk. The result of statistical analysis for the genotype AG compared with GG was OR=0.59, CI=0.33-1.03 and for AA versus GG was OR=0.8, CI=0.29-2.17. Incidence of mutant allele in patients and controls did not show significant difference (OR=0.74, CI=0.49-1.13).Conclusion: These findings suggest that VDR (rs 2238136) is not associated with increased risk of CRC. Moreover age, sex and smoking are not predisposing factors for increased risk of CRC.

Background & Aims: In recent years, molecular methods for characterizing genetic heterogeneity have found a major place in modern approaches. In this study, two different molecular techniques including Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) and Multi Locus microsatellite typing (MLMT) were carried out in order to evaluate genetic heterogeneity among isolates of Leishmania major in Iran.Methods: In this experimental study, 24 L.major isolates from different endemic foci of cutaneous leishmaniasis were evaluated. All samples were amplified by specific primers for Internal Transcribed Spacer ribosomal RNA (ITS_rRNA) and miniexon genes (ME). Ten different microsatellite markers were applied to 24 collected isolates as well. Restriction fragment length polymorphism of Polymerase chain reaction of ITS-rRNA and ME regions was identified in polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Size polymorphisms in PCR products of microsatellites markers were measured in the CEQ 8000 automated genetic analysis system. Population structure of the isolates was investigated by Structure Version 2.3.2 software.Results: According to ITS- RFLP and ME-RFLP techniques, three and two different strains of L.major were determined, respectively, while microsattellites markers revealed 21 different genotypes, which were clustered in three genetic groups using structure software.Conclusion: Although genetic heterogeneity among studied L. major isolates was identified by molecular tools as used in this study, it seems that microsatellites markers are more useful in population structure and epidemiological studies. Our findings also showed correlation between different identified strains and their geographical regions.

Background and Aims: Gold nanoparticles have potential applications in the areas of medicine, target drug delivery, cancer diagnosis and therapy, electronic, etc. Recently, biological system is considered as an environmental friendly method for synthesis of stable nanoparticles.Methods: We demonstrated a biological system for formation of stable gold nanoparticle by using Cupriavidus necator without using additives such as stabilizing agents. The sizes and composition of nanoparticles were characterised by UV-Vis spectrophotometer, transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectra, and ImageJ software.Results: Stable bio-gold nanoparticle was formed by using metalophilic bacterium Cupriavidus necator. High uniformity was observed in the presence of 1.55 mg/ml dry biomass, 1 mM Hydrogen tetrachloroaurate and 25 mM formate.Conclusions: Microbial synthesis of nanoparticle, such as gold, is an easy and eco-friendly method to preparation of stable nanoparticles.

Background & Aims: Substance abuse by adolescents is one of the most important health challenges throughout the world. This study was performed to estimate the prevalence of cigarette smoking, alcohol drinking and illegal drugs use among Iranian adolescents.Method: A total of 2538 secondary and high school students were selected through cluster sampling from 10 provinces in Iran and were surveyed in regard to using alcohol, tobacco and other drugs through two questionnaires of the statue of drug use and risk and protective factors of drug use. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple logistic regression.Results: Of all students aged 13–18 years, 18.8% (7.5% of females and 29.8% of males) reported using at least one drug in their lifetime. Tobacco (14.7%) and Alcohol (9.8%) were the most prevalent used drugs. Prevalence rate of using other illicit drugs was 2.5%. There were clear gender and age differences in the prevalence of illicit drug use, in a way that more males than females reported illicit drug use (OR=4.5) and the lifetime prevalence of illicit drug use increased with age (OR=5.4). Finally, poor academic achievement (OR=3.3) and family history of drug abuse (OR=1.3) showed significant relationships with use of other illicit drugs by adolescents.Conclusion: According to this study, soft drugs (Alcohol, cigarette) are more prevalent than other drugs among Iranian students. Since cigarette smoking and alcohol drinking are gateways for using other drugs, preventive programs should be aimed at reducing use of them in lower ages.

Background & Aims: Health related quality of life is one of the important concepts that nowadays is considered along with other quantitative criteria like life expectancy and survival in health service systems, but its significance is more obvious in degenerative diseases and long term treatments such as cancers. In this study we compared health related quality of life in breast cancer patients undergoing either Docetaxel –Adriamicine - Cyclophosphamide (TAC) or 5-FU- Adriamicine– Cyclophosphamide (FAC) regimens.Method: This study was conducted in a double blind cohort design on 100 patients with positive - node breast cancer treated by TAC or FAC regimens. The international standard questionnaire (EORTC QLQC30) was used to evaluate health related quality of life at the start and end points of chemotherapy period. Data were analyzed by independent t-test at the significant level of 0.05.Results: Results showed the same scores of quality of life at the first session of chemotherapy in both groups and in 4- month follow up, at the end of chemotherapy, mean score of quality of life in both groups decreased but it reduced more in TAC group.Conclusion: Chemotherapy regimens can decrease patients’ quality of life greatly. So reinforcing the relationship between patients and their families, society and treatment team in addition with using supportive methods and counseling groups can maintain the level of patients’ quality of life greatly.

Background & Aims: Losartan is a non-peptide potent antihypertensive agent that acts through blocking angiotensin II receptors. Hyzaar Ò is a combination product that contains two drugs, losartan and hydrochlorothiazide, used to lower high blood pressure. There are some reports regarding simultaneous measurement of the drugs in pharmaceutical and biological samples which includes HPLC, CE, CEC, and multisyringe chromatography.Methods: UV-V is spectra of standard solutions of losaratan and hydrochlorothiazide were prepared separately and together in combination with various concentrations of the drugs. To determine these two drugs simultaneously without any preliminary treatment, losartan was determined by ratio derivative spectrophotometry at third derivation with l=10 nm at 246.3 nm, and hydrochlorothiazide was determined at first derivation with Dl=5nm at 334.4 nm. This method was used to determine the two drugs in real samples of tablets.Results: The method had a good linearity in the concentration range studied (r>0.999). Precision of the method revealed that RSD% was lower than 2.10 and 1.79 for losartan and hydrochlorothiazide, respectively. Accuracy of the method on the basis of error% was lower than 3.3% for losartan and 2.3% for hydrochlorothiazide. Based on the validation results, it could be concluded that the method was reliable and valid for determination of the drugs in their preparations. Real sample analysis showed that tablets had 84.9% hydrochlorothiazide and 92.6% losartan compared to label amount of the drugs.Conclusions: Results depicted a simple, valid, inexpensive and reliable method for simultaneous determination of the two drugs in pharmaceutical preparations applicable to the quality control laboratory of pharmaceutical industries.

Background & Aims: Forward head posture deformity is a disorder in head weight balance condition leading to some alterations in cervical muscles, strength. This research aimed to determine the strength of deep and superficial cervical flexor muscles in female students with forward head posture compared to the normal group.Methods: From the total of 724 female students in Shahid Bahonar University taking physical education I course, 60 students were enrolled into the two equal groups of with and without forward head posture. For selecting subjects, Posture screen test, New York test and lateral photography in stand position were used.Pressure Biofeedback device was applied to investigate the strength of cervical muscles during two craniocervical flexion test (CCFT) and combination test. To ensure proper performance of tests, Surface Electromyography was used.Results: The two groups showed significant difference in deep cervical muscles strengths (P=0.002), while there was no significant difference between the two groups in superficial flexor muscles strength (P=0.803).Conclusion: Since activation of superficial cervical flexor muscles leads to deep cervical flexor muscles inactivity, designing training programs involving just deep flexor muscles seems to be essential in individuals with forward head posture deformity.

Background & Aims: The Quality of School Life (QSL) is an issue that in the recent decade has got special attention for its influential role in student's life and it is defined as the level of quality of different aspects related to the student's life in school. Since students are future managers of the society, and spend most of their life time at school, identifying the factors that can threaten their life quality is very important and this requires an efficient instrument for precise evaluation. The aim of this study was to investigate psychometric characteristics of the Quality of School Life Questionnaire (Anderson & Brouck, 2000) in Iranian population.Method: In this study, 331 students aged 11-16 years (115 girls/ 216 boys) were selected through multistage cluster sampling and Morgan table for sampling. Anderson & Brouck Quality of School life questionnaire was evaluated in regard to its construct validity (explanatory factor analysis and internal consistency), convergent validity, reliability (internal consistency) and Pearson correlation index in the studied group. Data were analyzed through SPSS.18 software.Results: In explanatory factor analysis, 5 factors (Opportunity, Adventure and Achievement, General Satisfaction, Negative Affect, Social integration and Quality of school life were extracted. The reliability of the mentioned factors was respectively 0.70, 0.76, 0.70, 0.71, 0.72 and 0.85 by calculating Cronbach's alpha.Conclusion: Considering the results of this study, the Quality of School Life Questionnaire has good validity and reliability, and can be used for evaluating Quality of School Life in Iranian Secondary school students.

Background & Aims: Psychological treatment and the efficacy of drug therapy are considered to be useful in quality of life and symptoms of patients with irritable bowel syndrome. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of cognitive-behavior therapy associated with drug therapy in comparison to drug therapy alone on the quality of life and symptoms of IBS patients with diarrhea predominance.Method: This study was a randomized clinical trial on 64 IBS patients. The patients were selected according to Rome-III criteria, and were divided into the two groups. Bowel Symptoms Severity and Frequency Scale (BSS-FS) and Quality Of Life (QOL-IBS) were used for evaluation of patients’ symptoms. The first group underwent cognitive-behavior therapy with medication therapy, and the second group only received medication. Data were analyzed using analysis of multiple covariances (MANCOVA).Results: The two groups showed significant difference in the QOL-IBS in post treatment and follow-up stages (P<0.05). There were significant differences in the severity and frequency of IBS symptoms between the two groups after the study period (P<0.05). However, no significant difference was observed at followup stage between the two groups (P>0.05).Conclusion: Cognitive- behavior therapy associated with drug therapy can be useful in IBS patients with diarrhea predominance. However, stopping this treatment may lead to recurrence of the symptoms.

In Iran 8% of HIV- infected cases are women. Since most of them are young and in childbearing ages, in case of becoming pregnant and not receiving preventive measures, they can infect their child. Without Preventive measures transmission rate is 15 to 45 percent. Several factors such as sever stage of HIV and AIDS, CD4 low count, high viral loud, acute retroviral phase, STDs, vaginal delivery, maternal age, maternal substance and alcohol abuse, chorioamnionitis, neonate low birth weight or prematurity, PROM and breast feeding increase the rate of mother to child transmission. This paper aims to present national strategies for Prevention of Mother to child Transmission (PMTCT) including consultation before pregnancy, counseling and testing during pregnancy, Anti Retro Viral (ARV) prophylaxis for HIV positive pregnant women, safe delivery, post partum evaluation and intervention, infant evaluation and monitoring and infant feeding by formula.