Journal of Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences
Year:2010 | Volume:12 | Issue:3|Papers Count:17

Background and aims: Cumin (Cuminum Cyminum) has antioxidant property, therefore it may be able to reduce the lipid oxidation levels. Paraoxonase-1 (PON1) is exclusively associated with HDL. PON1 can hydrolyze oxidized phospholipids formed during lipoprotein peroxidation and plays a protective role against the oxidative modification of plasma lipoproteins. The aim of this study was to investigate the Cumin effects on plasma lipoproteins and paraoxonase-1 activity.Methods: In this clinical trial study, 92 adult patients with LDL-C greater than 120mg/dL divided into two groups of Cumin and lovastatin. There was no significant difference in demographic characteristics between two groups. Before and after treatment with Cumin and lovastatin, lipid profile and paraoxonase activity were measured in all subjects and data were analyzed by paired t-test using SPSS software.Results: Cumin reduced levels of glucose and ox-LDL, but it increased aryl esterase activity of PON1.There was no significant relationship between Cumin and other lipid profiles in this study.Conclusion: Cumin increased PON1 activity better than lovastatin, therefore it can be used as a supplement in lovastatin therapy. Cumin and lovastatin probably have better effect to reduce ox-LDL levels if they be used together.

Background and aims: Black seed (Nigella sativa), belongs to Rannunculaceae family. It has various functions, including immuno-modulatory, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-neoplastic effects. Anticancer properties of NS compounds are related to their cytotoxic and apoptotic effects. In this study, cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of ethanol: extract of NS was investigated on human kidney cancer cell line (ACHN) and normal cell line (L929).Methods: NS ethanolic extract at 0, 10, 50, 100, 250, 500, 750, 1000, 1250, 1500, 1750 and 2000µg/ml concentrations were prepared and studied in culture mediums of ACHN and L929 cells. After 24, 48 and 72h, morphologic changes and MTT assay were performed in both cell lines. Indeed, early and late apoptosis were studied by phosphatidyl serine kit employing flow cytometry technique.Results: After 24h, NS extract at 750 mg/ml and higher concentrations caused morphological changes and also reduced percentage of alive cells significantly (P<0.05) in ACHN cells compared with L929 cells that showed similar changes at 1250 mg/ml and higher concentrations. After 48 and 72h, these effects were more prominent. MTT assay results, showed that NS concentration of 750mg/ml and higher doses reduce percentage of alive ACHN cells (P<0.05). L929 cells showed similar changes at 1250mg/ml and higher concentrations (P<0.05). Maximum apoptosis in ACHN cells was happened at 1000 & 1250mg/ml (92%) compared with L929 cells that showed maximum apoptosis at 1500mg/ml (89%). Indeed, both cell lines showed a significant increase in apoptosis compared with their control groups (P<0.001).Conclusion: NS ethanolic extract can may be useful as a cytotoxic and chemotherapeutic agent in kidney cancer treatment.

Background and aims: Rotaviruses are the most common factors causing gastroenteritis in children. Considering the high rate of mortality in developing countries, WHO proposed hospital based surveillance in order to identify the prevalent genotype profile. This study was conducted to determine the prevalent genotypes of Rotavirus by RT-PCR method in hospitalized children in Jahrom city.Methods: In this study, 163 stool samples were collected from children (<5 years old) with sever diarrhea who were hospitalized in two hospitals in Jahrom city during 2005-2006. At first, group A rotavirus were distinguished by Enzyme Immunoassay (EIA) test and then the genotypes of positive samples were determined using 9 specific primers by Nested RT-PCR method.Results: From the total of 163 collected samples, 75 samples were positive by ELISA. The frequency of G1,G2,G3,G4,G9 and the mix genotypes were 17.33%, 13.34%, 2.67%, 30.66%, 2.67% and 2.67%, respectively. The most common prevalence of positive rotavirus was observed in winter with 22.69% compared to the least prevalence in summer with 4.29% (P<0.05).Conclusion: Considering the high prevalence of positive rotavirus in studied population and also prevalence of rare genotypes, we suggest a broader research in other parts of the country.

Background and aims. Intradialytic hypotension and muscle cramps are most frequent complications in patients receiving haemodialysis (HD). So, preventing of these complications is one of the main challenges of the treatment team, especially for nurses. One of the preventive methods that have been recently introduced is the use of sodium profile and ultra filtration (UF) profile. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of two types of sodium and UF profiles on Intradialytic hypotension and muscle cramps.Methods: In this clinical trial study, twenty six stable HD patients from two dialysis centers (Ali Asghar and Al-Zahra Hospitals) of Isfahan University underwent three different treatments: (1) control, constant dialysate sodium concentration of 138 mmol/l with constant UF, (2) linear sodium profile + UF profile (type1), a linearly decreasing dialysate sodium concentration (146–138mmol/l) combination with a linearly decreasing UF rate. (3) a stepwise sodium profile + UF profile (type2), a stepwise decreasing dialysate sodium concentration (146–138 mmol/l) combination with a stepwise decreasing UF rate. Each treatment was applied in 3 dialysis sessions. Data were analyzed using c2 test using SPSS software.Results: A total of 26 patients (14 men, 12 female) were participated in this study. The mean age of patients was 46.819 years. In each group, 78 dialysis sessions and a total of 234 dialysis sessions were analyzed. The incidence of intradialytic hypotension and cramps was significantly reduced during two type of profiles compared with control group (P<0.05, respectively). However, there was no significant differences between profiles (P>0.05).Conclusions: Sodium profile and UF profile are simple and cost effective method that modulate the dialysate sodium and ultrafiltration rate and preserve the homodynamic status of patients during dialysis. So, using of sodium profile and UF profile groups (linear and stepwise) is recommended for prevention of hypotension and cramps during dialysis process.

Background and aims: Now a days, fever and seizure are the most reasons for admitting children in hospitals. Due to influence of genetic factors, some children undergo to the fever less than others. In addition, recent studeis have shown a positive correlation between family history for febrile convulsion (type and age of onset in child) and predisposition to this disease. Therefore, this study was performed to study the assosiation between IL1RA gene polymorphism and predisposition to the disease.Methods: In this case–control study, 100 patients affected by febrile convulsion who were referred to pediateric and emergency department of Hajar hospital were selected as case group and the control group was consisted of 130 healthy children. Peripheral blood sample (1.5 ml) was collected from the patients and DNA was extracted by standard phenol-chloroform method. Classic PCR was performed using one set primers designed for Inter Luekine 1 receptor antagonist and in the next step PCR products were analysed by PAGE (Poly Acryle Amid Gele Electrophoresis) and finally results were analysed by comparision of segments size.Results: The average age of the patient group was 3.4±1.4 years and the average age of the control group was 3.4±1.2 years old. A positive history for febrile convulsion was detected for 44 cases of the patient group. The genotypic frequencies of the IL1RA gene allele1 and 2 in the patient group were 56% and 10%, respectively and for the control group were 55.4% and 6.9% respectively. Considering P=0.93 for allele 1 and P=0.401 for allele 2, no significance difference was found between two groups.Conclusion: Based on the Chi square test, there was no correlation between IL1RA polymorphism and predisposition to disease.

Background and aims: Inherited bleeding disorder is a disease due to deficiency in clotting factors or platelets. Replacement therapy of unscreened blood and blood products or unviricidal concentrated clotting factors would expose these patients to risk of acquired hepatitis C. The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of hepatitis C virus and related risk factors among bleeding disorder patients in Yazd province.Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed in Yazd province in summer 2006 using census method. Following data collection through questionnaires, blood samples were taken from 77 (82.8%) patients. Plasma samples were tested for the presence of anti-HCV antibody via a third-generation ELISA kit. To exclude false positive cases, ELISA positive samples were re-tested by the confirmatory third generation RIBA test. The assessment of risk factors was done from the information analysis of both the questionnaires and test results by Chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression analysis, using SPSS 11.5 statistic software.Results: The frequency of anti-HCV antibody was found in 38 (49.4%) patients. Chi-square test showed a statistically significant relationship between the severe form of the disease (in terms of blood products needed) (P<0.001), treatment duration of more than 121 months (P<0.001) and family history to HCV (P<0.05) antibody positivity.Conclusion: Successful execution of the screening of the blood and blood products as well as more scrutiny in preparing concentrated factors have been led to a remarkable decrease in the new infections among the recipients of these products in Yazd province.

Background and aims: Various physical modalities and exercises have been recommended for treatment of myofacial trigger points, but there are not randomized controlled trails to compare these methods. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of vibration and ultrasound therapy accompanied with stretching exercises on myofascial trigger points of posterior neck muscles in athletes.Methods: In this double-blind randomized controlled trial study. Thirty athletes with myofascial trigger points in their posterior neck muscles were recruited through simple non-probability sampling. They were randomly assigned to either a vibration (n=15) or an ultrasound therapy accompanied with stretching exercises group (n=15). Before and after intervention, neck disability (ordinal) was assessed with Neck Disability Index (NDI), neck pain with visual analog scale (ordinal) and Northwick Park Neck Pain Questionnaire (NPNPQ), and shoulder pain and disability with Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI). A 10 session program which lasted 4 weeks, 3 sessions per week, and 30 minutes per session was performed for both groups. Independent t-test or Mann-Whitney U, paired t-test or Wilcoxon and One Way ANOVA were used for analysis of data.Results: The neck disability index was decreased from 25.33±5.35 to 13.93±4.1 in the vibration group and from 25.20±4.63 to 13.80±4.36 in the ultrasound therapy group (P<0.001). The neck pain index was decreased from 15±3.91 to 6.47±3.7 in the vibration group and from 13.47±4.56 to 5.53±4.19 in the ultrasound therapy group (P<0.001). The shoulder pain and disability index was decreased from 69.08±30.53 to 24.83±22.36 in the vibration group and from 64.69±23.61 to 17.27±11.42 in the ultrasound therapy group (P<0.001). However, no significant difference was observed between two groups regarding improving function and reducing pain and disability of neck and shoulder (P>0.05).Conclusion: In athletes with myofascial trigger points in posterior neck muscles, both vibration and ultrasound therapy accompanied with stretching exercises causes decreasing in shoulder and neck pain and disability.

Background and aims: Leeches are subcategory of hirudinea family with 650 species. Studies have shown that 50 species of them feed from mammalian blood. Leech infestation can lead to some side effects including: anemia, bleeding, subsequent biting infections, ache, itching, inflammation, high sensitivity and anaphylactic reactions. As no effective drug, without any side effect, has been offered for leeches, we decided to study the anti- leech effects of some herbal and chemical compounds. Methods: In this study, 100 Limnatis nilotica leeches were selected from spring waters from south region in Ilam province and the anti-leech effects of tobacco methanolic extract and also some other drugs such as mebendazole, succinyle-choline, metronidazole, triclabendazole, levamisol, niclosamide were investigated and compared with distilled water. First, leeches were put individually in a glass container with 600ml spring water. Then extract and drugs were added and their effects were screened for 720 min and time to paralyze kill and death of each leech was recorded.Results: The results of this study showed that tobacco methanolic extract (600mg/ml) could kill the leaches in the average time of 17 minutes. Average death times for other drugs (triclabendazole, levamisole, niclosomide and metronidazole) were found 118.66, 7, 18.66 and 541.11 min, respectively.Conclusion: The low average paralysing and killing time of tabacco methanol extract, levamisol, niclosomide, triclabendazole reflect anti leech properties of these compounds and therefore they may be used in the treatment of infestation with limnatis nilotica in the future.

Background and aims: Hearing loss is the most common inherited sensory disorder. At least 50% of hearing loss is inherited and about half of the genetic hearing loss is autosomal recessive non-syndromic. Mutations in GJB2 gene is the most frequent cause of autosomal recessive non-syndromic hearing loss. A single 35delG mutation is the most common allelic variant of GJB2 in most parts of the world. The aim of this study was to determine the rate of 35delG mutation in non-syndromic prelingual hearing loss in 3 provinces of Iran.Methods: In this descriptive experimental study, 240 cases with autosomal recessive non-syndromic hearing loss in 3 provinces of Iran, including Azarbaijan Sharghi (97 cases), Chaharmahal va Bakhtiari (98 cases) and Gilan (45 cases) were screened for 35delG mutation in the GJB2 gene. Blood samples (5 ml) were taken for genomic DNA extraction. The mutation was screened using Nested-PCR method and the positive results were confirmed by subsequent direct sequencing.Results: Results of this study showed that from 240 studied patients (480 chromosomes), 35delG mutation was found in 58 chromosomes (24 patients were homozygote and 10 patients were heterozygote). The frequency of 35delG mutation was 12.08%, including 18.04% in Azarbaijan Sharghi, 3.06% in Chaharmahal va Bakhtiari and 18.88% in Gilan province.Conclusion: Prevalence of 35delG mutation in Chaharmahal va Bakhtiari population was lower than other provinces studied.  These results indicate that the other genes or mutations could result in autosomal recessive non-syndromic hearing loss in Chaharmahal va Bakhtiari population. However, as we found a low rate of 35delG in the populations studied, the cause of deafness remains to be detected in other loci or genes.

Background and aims: Many theorists have attempted to illustrate family functions. Bowen developed the theory of the family system. This theory is fundamentally based on the concept of differentiation of self. This study was intended to examine the relationship between self-differentiation and subjective well-being, mental health and marital quality in the framework of Bowen’s theory.Methods: In this descriptive-correlation study, 560 subjects were chosen randomly from the clients of counseling centers and house of cultures (Farhang Sara) in Isfahan city. Our research tools were consisted of Differentiation of Self Inventory-2 (DSI-2), General Health Questionnaire (GHQ), Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), Positive and Negative Affect Scales (PANAS) and Revised Dyadic Adjustment Scale (RDAS). First, construct validity of questionnaires were examined by confirmatory factor Analysis (CFA). Then, structural model for conceptualization of the relationship between differentiation of self and other factors is presented and fitted by reviewing of preceding studies within framework of Bowen's theory.Results: Result revealed that proportion and sufficiency of model fitting indices is indicator of suitable internal validity.Conclusion: The results of study confirmed construct validity of questionnaires and relationships between self-differentiation and subjective well being, mental health and marital quality” Fitting Bowen's theory”.

Background and aims: Usage of municipal waste water treatment plant (WWTP), especially in agricultural applications, requires disinfection to standards level. Application of UV radiation due to fewer disadvantages in comparison with other disinfectants is being increased around the world. The aim of this study was to evaluate treatment and disinfection of Isfahan North Wastewater Treatment Plant effluent by clarification and UV radiation.Methods: The combined system was used in series in pilot scale including: Clarifier + Low Pressure (LP) + Medium Pressure (MP) UV Lamps. Total coliform (TC), fecal coliform (FC) and fecal streptococcus (FS) were analyzed as microbiological parameters in all effluent samples. TSS, iron, total hardness, absorbtivity and transmittance (%UVT) were tested as physicochemical parameters before and after of units.Results: Results of this study showed that the mean value of UVT in 254 nm and absorbance in clarified effluent were 34 percent and 0.47 au/cm, respectively. In disinfection of clarified effluent with LP, MP, and combination of LP and MP lamps, doses of 400, 576 and 407 mws/cm2, the number of TC, FC, and FS was declined to standards of 1000 TC, and 400FC/100ml for effluent discharge. In addition, in doses of 400, 422 and 407, number of FS was reduced to 5 Log. Maximum regrowth of coliforms was seen after LP lamp and it was 7 percent. Maximum fouling on quartz sleeve was formed in TSS of 48mg/l, while concentration of iron and hardness was 0.48, 249 mg/l, respectively.Conclusion: Improving UV light penetration due to removal of coarse particles and flocks in clarifier, disinfection of clarified effluent with high irradiation time was possible in conventional doses. However, for upgrading the effluent quality and disinfection of high flow rate, using advanced treatment systems such as filtration is recommended.

Background and aims: Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disease which causes increased blood sugar, protein and lipid metabolism. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of one term strengthening and endurance training on metabolic factors, quality of life and mental health in women with type 2 diabetes.Methods: In this semi-experimental investigation, 19 women with type P diabetes mellitus from Araks Petroleum Company Clinic patients were selected and divided into two groups: strengthening (9 persons) and endurance (10 persons). Patients were asked to perform selected exercises for 8 weeks (3 sessions/week, 30-50min/session). Metabolic factors, such as total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, VLDL, LDL, FBS, HbA1c and insulin in serum were measured before and after intervention. SF-36 and GHQ questionnaires were also filled out for each patient. Data analyzing was performed by Paired T-test, using SPSS software ver.12.Results: Results of this study showed that FBS, HbA1C, Insulin serum levels have been decreased and quality of life (QOL) and mental health (MH) have been increased in strengthening and endurance groups (P<0.05). No significant changes were found for other metabolic factors (P>0.05).Conclusion: Strengthening and endurance exercises are effective on some metabolic factors, quality of life and mental health in type 2 diabetic patients and can help to improve the disease.

Background and aims: Neurogenic pulmonary edema (NPE) is a relatively rare life-threatening complication in patients with head injury. It is mostly observed in young people and is associated with brain or spinal cord hemorrhage, trauma, tumors, epilepsy or infections. The common characteristic of all different NPE etiologies is increased intracranial pressure (ICP).Case report: In this case report study, reports a NPE case that is associated with head injury due to falling down in a 20 year – old man and described presentation, pathophysiology and management. Conclusion: Neurogenic pulmonary edema is an un-common complication at cerebral trauma, but if this disease is diagnosed with head injury, patients may suddenly become dyspenic or ratio of Pa02/Fio2 may be decreased. The mortality is high, but recovery is usually rapid with appropriate management.