Journal of Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences
Year:2013 | Volume:15 | Issue:2|Papers Count:16

Background and aims: Thermal aggregation study of proteins is a useful and simple method to evaluate protein resistance to thermal denaturation and presents valuable information about protein conformation. There is no reported information about botulinum neurotoxin type E (rBoNT/E-HCC) structure. The aim of this study was to examine the structure of rBoNT/EHCC, to find the best pH for it, and to study thermal aggregation of protein.Methods: In this descriptive laboratory study, thermal aggregation was studied using UVvisible spectrometry in different pH (2, 5, 7.4, and 9). Finally, fluorescence spectrometry was also carried out to evaluate the thermal aggregation results.Results: The results showed that rBoNT/E-HCC is more compact in acidic pH and more open in alkaline pH.Conclusion: According to the results, although rBoNT/E-HCC is more compact in acidic pH, it is notable that being more compact is not necessarily equal to being more stable. The mechanisms involving in compactness and stability may be completely different.

Background and aims: Urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the most common nosocomial infections. Antibiotic resistance patterns vary in different regions. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of bacterial agents causing UTI and antibiotic resistance pattern of E.coliin outpatients referred to the Imam Ali Hospital of Farokhshahr.Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study, 848 urine samples were examined during a five month period. After the separation of infection agents, the test of sensitivity to antibiotic was performed according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) method.Results: The urine test result was positive in 74 (8.72%) patients of 848 eligible ones. The most common isolated bacteria wereE.coli and Staphylococcus; 52 (70.27%) and 15 (20.27%), respectively.34 (65.38%) were female and 18 (34.62%) were male from 52 patients infected with E.coli. Based on the results of antimicrobial resistance test, the highest resistance was with ampicilin (85.71%), nalidixic acid (78.78%), and ciprofloxacin (46.51%). Furthermore, the highest sensitivities belonged to nitrofurantoin (92.30%), amikacin (66.67%) and gentamicin (62.50%), respectively. Most cases of infection were in over 47 years.Conclusion: The highest sensitivity was to nitrofurantoin and the highest resistance was to ampicilin. According to the UTI, data obtained from experimental treatment with antibiotics, ampicilin is not appropriate in most patients with UTI.

Background and aims: Readiness for treatment is affected by some factors that their identification helps greatly to detect the rate of treatment readiness among substance abusers and to plan interventions for effective treatment readiness. The aim of this study was to assess the predictive factors of treatment readiness in stimulant substance abusers.Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 123 stimulant substance abusers in outpatients and self referred to clinics of substance abuse in Tehran were selected by convenience sampling.Assessment was performed by the Pre-treatment Readiness Scale (PRS), Barriers Questionnaire and Demographical Characteristic Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using stepwise multiple regressions by PASW software.Results: There was a significantly positive relationship between problem recognition and desire for change with treatment readiness. There was a significantly negative relationship between severity of substance abuse’s effects and perceived barriers for treatment with treatment readiness as well (P<0.001). Using problem recognition, desire for change, severity of substance abuse’s effects, and perceived barriers for treatment significantly predicted the treatment readiness (P<0.001). All of them explained 86% of the treatment readiness variance (R2=0.866).Conclusion: Problem recognition, desire for change, severity of substance abuse’s effects, and perceived barriers for treatment are important for the treatment readiness of stimulant substances abusers. Assessment and appropriate intervention in readiness for the treatment of stimulant substance abusers are important and necessary before their complete admission for treatment.

Background and aims: In diagnosing inflammatory bowel disease, one of diagnostic way is upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, which helps in differential diagnosis of unspecified colitis as well. The aim of this study was to investigate the necessity of upper gastrointestinal endoscopy in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 30 children with definite diagnosis of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis underwent upper endoscopy in Medical Center Hospital from October 2009 to March 2011 and the data were analyzed using SPSS software and T-test.Results: Of 30 children with inflammatory bowel disease, 15 patients were diagnosed with Crohn's disease and fifteen patients with ulcerative colitis. The present results demonstrated that esophageal, stomach, and duodenum involvements in patients were 93%, 87%, and 26%, respectively. Esophageal, stomach, and duodenum involvements with ulcerative colitis were observed in 80%, 66%, and 20% of patients, respectively. Patients’ involvements with Crohn's disease were in esophageal (94%), stomach (80%), and duodenum (47%).Conclusion: Regarding the high percentage of upper gastrointestinal involvement in patients with inflammatory bowel disease, endoscopy and histopathological examinations seem necessary for all patients irrespective of the type and locality of involvement.

Background and aims: Personality characteristics and conformity are the most important factors in the psychological predispositions to high-risk behaviors like addiction. This study was performed to study the relationship between addiction potentiality and personality, conformity, and gender among pre-university students in Kerman, Iran.Methods: In this descriptive-analytic study, 118 students were selected by cluster sampling in region 2, Kerman. Data were collected by the five big personality factors, Conformity 72-L, and addiction potentiality tests. Data were analyzed using the mean, standard deviation, Pearson correlation co-efficienct, multi regression, and t-test.Results: The findings showed a significant positive relationship between conformity and addiction potentiality (P<0.01). In addition, addiction potentiality had a significant positive correlation with neuroticism personality traits and a significant negative correlation with conscientiousness and agreeableness as personality characteristics (P<0.01). T-test analysis showed that there was no difference in terms of conformity among girls and boys (P<0.05), but boys were more prone to addiction potentiality than girls in a significant difference (P<0.05).Conclusion: Those who have high conformity and vulnerability in terms of their personality are prone to addiction. Therefore, it is necessary in educational, preventive and treatment programs of addiction to emphasize on these psychological characteristics.

Background and aims: Pediculosis capitis is one of the prevalent infections in all ages and has a worldwide distribution.Pediculosis capitis is common in collective centers such as schools, garrisons, and campuses; and in schools, especially in female elementary ones, it is dramatically high. The current study was conducted to determine the prevalence of Pediculosis capitis and its associated risk factors in feminine primary schools of rural districts of Qom province in 2011.Methods: This descriptive-analytic study was performed on 900 female elementary students from 45 schools in rural districts of Qom province by a multi-stage random sampling. Data collection was done by questionnaires and physical examination of the hairs. Analysis was done by Chi-square and Multiple logistic regressions model tests, using SPSS software.Results: 120 of 900 students (%13.3) were infected by pediculosis. A statistical significant correlation was observed between Pediculosis capitis and residence, fathers’ occupation and his education level, mothers’ education level, and the number of family individuals. In addition, this significant relationship was observed betweenPediculosis capitis and each of these factors: bath at home, bath times, daily comb, history of Pediculosis capitis, presence or absence of health educators in school, access or no access to primary health services (P<0.05).Conclusion: The high prevalence of pediculosis capitis among students in the majority of schools in Qom province is attributable to inadequate access to health educators, sanitation facilities, inattention to personal health, and other related factors. Thus, personal health, education about morbidity and control of the disease, and sanitation facilities can have an important role to reduce pediculosis capitis and its complications.

Background and aims: Low bone mass density leads to osteoporosis and the incidence of complications. The aim of this study was to assess the bone mineral density in postmenopausal women with different ages suffering from rheumatoid arthritis.Methods: This descriptive- analytical study was carried out on 98 postmenopausal women with rheumatoid arthritis who were referred to 5 Azar medical and educational centers affiliated to Gorgan University of Medical Sciences, 2009. Their medical records were studied to assess their bone mineral density. Data were collected from patients’ medical records. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistical tests (frequency, mean and standard deviation) and analytic tests (Regression, K2, Spearman correlation, ANOVA).Results: 98 postmenopausal women suffering from rheumatoid arthritis were studied in whom their mean age was 57.88±9.39 years. The overall prevalence of osteoporosis in this group was 13.3 percent. There was a significant positive correlation between osteoporosis and increasing age (P<0.001). T-Score mean in the femoral neck and lumbar spine was -1.45±1.26 and - 2.45±1.44, respectively. A significant negative relationship was observed between T-Score of lumbar spine (P<0.001, r=-0.51), and femoral neck (P<0.001, r=-0.39). A significant correlation was found between duration of disease or menopause with bone mineral density (P<0.05).Conclusion: Results show the high prevalence of osteoporosis in lumbar spine and a negative effect of age on bone mineral density. Therefore, it is recommended to imply prevention programs for women at high risk.

Background and aims: The combination or genetic connection of the antigens with cholera toxin B (ctB) subunit creates a strong mucosal antibody response. The aim of this study was to connect ctB to protein in domain 4 encoding gene of Protein arginine Domainases (PaD4) to express chimeric protein as a candidate vaccine against anthrax.Methods: In this experimental study, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using specific primers for genes ctB and PaD4 was performed and amplified genes were cloned separately in PGEM-T easy vector. Then, PaD4 gene was connected to the 3’ end of ctB by the enzymatic digestion method and then, ctB-PaD4 fusion genes were sub-cloned into the pET28a. The strain BL21 of E. coli bacteria was transformed by the recombinant vector. The expressed chimeric protein was induced by Isopropyl b-D-1-thiogalactopyranoside and evaluated by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and Western blot techniques.Results: CtB-PaD4 fusion gene was constructed, confirmed by PCR techniques, and sequencing.This gene was expressed in theE. coli bacteria of strain BL21 at optimum temperature of 37oC, and the chimeric protein was produced successfully. The bond in this protein was confirmed by Western blot technique and SDS.PAGE.Conclusion: After immunogenicity assay, this recombinant protein can be used as a new and effective chimeric subunit vaccine against Bacillus anthraces for oral or nasal consumption in future studies.

Background and aims: Pain is the most common clinical complaints of the patients. Due to multiple and complex mechanisms of causing pain, finding new ways to overcome the pain is one of the biggest concerns of scientists. Because of applications of Anethum graveolens in traditional medicine, the effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Anethum graveolens on response time to pain stimuli in mice was studied.Methods: In this experimental study, 84 mice were divided into 3 categories. Each category contained a negative control (saline), a positive control (morphine), and two case groups of 200 ml/kg and 500 ml/kg extract of Anethum graveolens. Delay reaction was evaluated in groups 1, 2, and 3 in 15, 30 and 60 minutes after injection, respectively. The data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey tests.Results: This study showed that 15 minutes after injection, between saline group and the group that received the extract, significant difference was observed in duration of analgesia (P<0.05).30 minutes after injection, just the group that received 500ml/kg extract, showed a significant difference in duration of analgesia compared with saline group (P<0.05).60 minutes after injection, between saline group and the group that received the extract, no significant difference was observed in duration of analgesia (P>0.05).Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, it can be concluded that extract of Anethum graveolenshas a short analgesic effect. So, more research in this regard is recommended.

Background and aims: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) disease is the most common neurological demyelization disorder in young adults that makes them disable. Fatigue is one of the most common symptoms of MS. It not only reduces activity level and the patient's ability, but also it decreases the quality of life. Correct nutrition is one of methods that can be used for reducing fatigue. The aim of this research was to determinate the effect of designed feeding patterns on fatigue in MS patients referred to Iranian MS society in 2010.Method: In this quasi-experimental study (before and after investigation), 40 MS patients were selected based on purposive and convenience sampling. The data were collected via validated questionnaires by researcher. The intervention had been contained correct nutrition algorithm education in 12 weeks. Questionnaires were filled out before and after the intervention by subjects. Data analysis was performed including descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation), and inferential statistics, paired t-test.Results: The age mean of samples was 35.8 ± 1.5.The mean fatigue scores were 14.9±0.77 before the intervention and 25.6 ± 0.44 after the intervention. The results showed the mean fatigue scores in MS patients decreased significantly after intervention (P<0.001).Conclusion: According to Results, this presented feeding pattern is recommended as simple, inexpensive, without side effects and noninvasive procedure for reduction of fatigue in MS patients.

Background and aims: Sepsis is one of the most common reasons of mortality among patients in intensive care unit, worldwide. Despite new supportive treatments and administration of high potent antibiotics, sepsis is overwhelmingly one of the risky factors in patient’s life. This study was carried out to compare values of some of the blood tests in sepsis diagnosis and to examine their interrelations in order to select a more practicable diagnosis method.Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study, 30 patients with sepsis, hospitalized at ICU were selected. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), Platelet (PLT), and White blood cells (WBC) were measured in three stages: pre-sepsis, peri-sepsis, and post sepsis.Data analysis was conducted by SPSS using repeated measures ANOVA and paired t-test.Results: ESR, CRP, PLT, and WBC in peri sepsis were significantly higher than those in pre sepsis and post-sepsis (P<0.05). Comparing PCT mean level in post-sepsis was significantly lower than those in pre sepsis and post sepsis (P<0.05).Conclusion: Regarding the significant difference in ESR, CRP, and WBC in peri sepsis compared to pre - and post-sepsis in this study, these tests might be used as simple and inexpensive ones instead of PCT and C3 tests for the diagnosis of sepsis in ICU.

Background and aims: Cardiovascular disease is one of the 10 leading causes of death in most regions of world. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the complications resulting from stent opration. No similar study has been conducted so far on high sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hs-CRP) association with short-term complications of Precutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCR).Methods: This analytical-descriptive study was performed in Shahid Chamran Hospital of Isfahan, Iran.87 patients with PCI underwent stent operation were selected according to simple sampling and short-term complications of PCI, were collected from hospitalized patients in need. Prior to short- term complications of PCI, hs-CRP test was conducted through taking patients, serum samples and hs-CRP levels were evaluated. Short-term complications of the disease were examined immediatelty after stent operation continuing for 24 hours post operatively and recorded in acheclist, and the data were analyzed by SPSS.Results: In this study, 62 males and 25 females were selected. The mean age of patients was 56.5 ±3.1 years.2 patients of patients under study had myocardial infarction, 3 patients coronary dissection, and one patient coronary perforation. The rate of complications in serum level of high hs-CRP>3mg/l increased more than the other group (P<0.05).Conclusions: In the patients who are candidate for short-term complications of PCI, if the level of hs-CRP>10mg/l, more care is needed while conducting short-term complications of PCI in terms of pre-operative incidents after setting aside the possibility of inflammatory and infectious diseases.

Background and aims: A wide range of coagulants, oxidants, and disinfectants are used for water and wastewater treatment. Ferrate ion as a strong oxidant has the highest oxidation potential among all oxidants and disinfectants in water and wastewater treatment. Ferrate (VI) ions are reduced to Fe (III) ions or hydroxide ferric in water, which can simultaneously serve as a coagulant and oxidant or a disinfectant in a versatile process. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of potassium ferrate use for advanced treatment of sewage.Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted in laboratory scale. An advanced wastewater treatment was studied by potassium ferrate on the effluent wastewater through determining the effect of pH and concentration on the removal of turbidity, the chemical oxygen demand (COD) and phosphorus. In order to determine the efficiency of disinfection of the ferrate, the effect of three varables, contact times, ferrate concentrations, and pH on disinfection processes was determined by the most probably number index (MPN).Results: The results showed that the best condition for COD removal efficiency and the removal of turbidity was %65 and %90 using potassium ferrate with pH=5 and optimum concentration of 10 mg/l. pH and concentration of potassium ferrate for optimum performance of phosphorus removal was 5 and 12 mg/L, which caused phosphorus removal %72. The optimum condition for potassium ferrate applied as disinfectant was in 4/mg/l concentration, contact time of 25 minute, and pH=6.Conclusion: Potassium ferrate can be used as an effective oxidant, disinfectant and coagulant chemical for treating a variety of municipal and industrial wastewaters. It will allow access to multiple targets in a process.