Journal of Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences
Year:2012 | Volume:14 | Issue:2|Papers Count:16

Background and aims: Cholesterol ester transfer protein (CETP) plays a pivotal role in high density lipoprotein (HDL) metabolism and reverse cholesterol transport (RCT) pathway. CETP gene variants such as I405V that affect HDL cholesterol directly modulate CETP gene transcriptional activity. This study aims to determine influence of I405V polymorphism of CETP in statin effects with regard to plasma HDL cholesterol levels.Methods: In this descriptive analytical study, 196 adult patients with LDL-C more than 120 mg/dL were divided into two groups based on the lovastatin and atorvastatin using. There was no significant difference in demographic characteristics between two groups. Lipid profile was measured in all subjects before and after treatment and I405V polymorphism of CETP promoter was studied using polymerase chain reaction/restriction fragment length polymorphism method (PCR-RFLP). Data were compared using paired t-test and ANOVA.Results: Cholesterol was decreased and HDL was increased in VV genotype more than other genotypes by lovastatin and atorvastatin (P<0.05) but ApoA1 was increased in II genotype. ApoA1 also was increased in IV by atorvastatin despite of lower HDL.Conclusion: Lovastatin and specially atorvastatin increased ApoA1 in HDL particles in II genotype more than other genotypes. Therefore, treatment with lovastatin and atorvastatin is more effective in patients with II genotype for preventing of CAD.

Background and aims: Depression is related to an increase acute phase protein, C-reactive protein (CRP), followed by systemic inflammation. Inflammation is a problem mechanism through which diet can affect the development of chronic diseases. This study was aimed to evaluate the association of diet and anthropometric indices with high-sensitive C - reactive protein (hs-CRP), among depressed and healthy female nurses in Ahvaz city.Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study 98 women (45 depressed and 53 healthy subjects) were randomly chosen from Jondishapoor University of medical sciences, Ahvaz. (I.R. Iran). We assessed dietary intakes, anthropometric measurements and hs-CRP serum levels. Data were analyzed using, ANOVA and linear regression model test.Results: There was not significant difference between the two healty and depressed groups in the mean of hs-CRP. BMI (Body Mass Index), weight, body fat percent and fat/W (fat to weight ratio) had significant positive association with serum hs-CRP level in depressed subjects (P<0.05). The depressed subjects in fourth quartile had higher dietary vitamin E, A and B12 intake than second one (P<0.05). No significant differences were found between the depression score in healthy participants in different quartile.Conclusion: The result of this study showed that the more anthropometric measurements, dietary intake of iron and vitamin E, and the less dietary intake of calcium are associated with an increased acute phase response in depressed and healthy subjects.

Background and aims: Eugenol, the most important substance of clove plant (Eugenia caryophyllata) extract, has been widely used as a local relief for pain and inflammation in dentistry. To our knowledge, the beginning time and duration time of intrathecal injection of eugenol were not determined. Thus the purpose of this study was to investigate the analyesic effects of intrathecal injection of eugenol regarding the beginning and duration time, using thermal pain method (water: 52oC) in male rats.Methods: In this experimental study, 51 male Wistar rats, were divided into three groups of eugenol (5, 10 and 15 ml) and three groups of normal saline (5, 10 and 15 ml). Lumbar intrathecal catheters were implanted under anesthesia. Five days later, different volumes of eugenol and normal saline (5, 10 and 15 ml /rat) were administrated intrathecally and the withdrawal tail responses to high temperature (51oC) water (tail immersion) at different times intervals (pre-catheterization, pre-administration, 10, 30, 180, 360, 720, 1440 minutes after eugenol administrations) were evaluated. Data were analyzed using one and two way ANOVA and LSD post hoc tests.Results: Eugenol induced analgesia dose-dependently. Furthermore, eugenol at higher doses induced longer analgesic effect (P<0.05). Higher doses of eugenol caused long term paralysis and immobility. The beginning time of analgesia was 10 minutes after injection of eugenol and maximum analgesia was seen after 30 minutes (P<0.05).Conclusion: The observed analgesic effect of intrathecal eugenol can be helpful in the clinical use at the future.

Background and aims: The valsalva pushing technique is used routinely in the second stage of labor in many countries, and it is accepted as standard obstetric method in Iran. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of spontaneous pushing, versus, valsalva pushing technique in birth on outcome of delivery in primiparas.Methods: This clinical trial study was conducted on 100 primiparas. Samples were randomized to either a spontaneous pushing group (open glottis pushing while breathing out) or a valsalvatype pushing group (closed glottis pushing while holding their breath). The length of stages of delivery, perineal tears, postpartum hemorrhage and satisfaction were evaluated in mothers and apgar scores at 1 and 5 minutes were evaluated in newborns. Data were analyzed using statistical Mann-Whitney, Chi-square and independent t-test.Results: The duration of expulsion phase of the second stage of labor was significantly longer in valsalva-type pushing (P=0.004). The result indicated that the incidence of episiotomy in spontaneous pashing group (P=0.003) and postpartum hemorrhage in valsalva pushing group (P=0.002) was more. The baby fared better with spontaneous pushing, with higher 1- minute apgar score. After the birth, women expressed greater satisfaction with spontaneous pushing.Conclusion: Educating women for the spontaneous pushing technique in the first stage of labor and providing support for spontaneous pushing in the second stage result in a shorter second stage without interventions and in improved newborn outcomes.

Background and aims: Nicotine is an alkaloid of dried Nicotiana tobacum leaves used by millions of people worldwide through cigarette smoking. Nicotiine affects central nervous centers and causes changes in cardiovascular, nervous, and endocrinal activities. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of nicotine on the serum level of insulin in adult male Wistar rats.Methods: In this empirical research work, 50 adult male Wistar rats were divided to 5 groups of sham, control and 3 experimental groups. The test group was divided into 3 subgroups containing 10 animals per group received intraperitoneally (IP) 0.5, 1.0 or 1.5 mg/kg body weight nicotine in 1 ml saline for 5 days. The control group received only the saline through the same route for the same period of time. Twenty four hours after the last injections, blood was drawn from the rat ventricles and serum level of the insulin was measured using ELISA and related kits. The data were statistically analyzed by ANOVA using SPSS version 18.Results: The results showed that nicotine administration at various doses enhances the serum level of insulin and an increase in the dose further elevates the insulin level significantly (P<0.01).Conclusion: According to the results it can be concluded that nicotine in mice with a shortage of insulin, stimulates insulin secretion. Therefore, further investigations for the drugs that can be used in the treatment of pancreatic gland could be benefitial.

Background and aims: Depression is the most common psychiatric disorder and its relation with some hormone has been the focus of attention in the recent studies. In this study, the serum levels of Triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxin (T4) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) of the patients with major depressive have been compared with the healthy control adults.Methods: In this case –control study, 32 patients who were diagnosed to be depressed through (beck depression test) referred to Hamedan hospital and 32 healthy participants homogenized of gender and age to depression group were chosen. The level of triiodothyronine, thyroxin and thyroid stimulatiy hormone were measured in 2 groups. Data were analyzed using X2, independent t-test, ANOVA and regression logistic tests.Results: The mean serum levels of T4 and TSH were significantly higher in depressed patients than control group (P=0.01), whereas there was no significant difference in the mean serum level of T3 between two groups (P>0.05). Comparing the clinically depressed group (the mark higher than 21 in beck test) to non-clinically depressed group (the mark bellow 21 in Beck test) TSH level significantly increased (P=0.001). According to logistic regression, one unit increase in serum levels of T4 and TSH will increase the probability of the occurrence of depression by 1.3 and 1.7 times, and clinical depression by 1.2 and 2.09 times respectively.Conclusion: The mean levels of serum T4 and TSH in major depression are higher than the control group. The measurement of two hormones might be useful in prediction of the occurrence of depression.

Background and aims: Concept mapping is an instructional strategy that requires learners to identify, graphically display, and link key concepts by organizing and analyzing information. The purpose of this study was to implement concept mapping as a learning strategy in a pediatric nursing process and to evaluate students learning progress through the construction of concept maps.Methods: In this pre-post, semi -experimental stady 30, students, who had enrolled in pediatric nursing clinical course, participated in this study. Participants were divided into three groups, each included 10 students. On the first day, students were asked to write a nursing process for their patients. The students prepared 8 nursing proceses through concept mapping during their clinical course, the 3 prepared conceptual maps (the map of the first day as the pre-test and the map of the day 5 and 9 as the post day) were evaluated qualitatinly and quanititatily.Results: Through the quanlfity scoring system, the mean scores of the concepted map of students were: 5.1±1.11, 11±1.31 and 19±0.69, before intervention, on the day 5 and the day 9, respectively. The results of Freidman test and Dant test showed a significant differences in the concepted map of corses of the day 5 and 1 and the day 9 and 1 (P<0.001). The concept mapping qualifing evaluation showed a significant improvement in the concept of nursing process, which improved from the weak level in the first day to excellent level.Conclusion: The results of this study support the use of concept maps as an effective teachinglearning activity to integrate student’s knowledge, apply and promote their critical thinking in patient care.

Background and aims: Shigella dysenteriae is one of the most important pathogens which in spite of many attempts vaccine preparation, extended researches are still in the way, Transport and surface expression of the invasion plasmid antigens (IpaD proteins) have essential role in the pathogenicity of Shigella spp. IpaD has been one of the most important proteins for Shigella vaccine candidate. Studies have shown that N – terminal region of this protein has a key role in the pathogen city and invasion. This study was done to evaluate the optimization of N-terminal region of Ipad in order to increase the production of recombinant protein.Methods: In this experimental labortary study, desired region of IpaD cloned in vector pET-28a (+). For confirming cloning procedure, standard tests were performed. The effect of IPTG concentration, temperature& induction times on the level of protein expression were evaluated by SDS-PAGE, qualitatively. The gels were evaluated with 2-D gel analysis software (Melanie 7). The recombinant protein was extracted by Urea & eventually purificated with affinity chromatography column.Results: SDS-PAGE analysis showed that approximately the same amount of recombinant protein is expressed at different times, but software analysis proved that the optimized condition for the expression of recombinant protein was in the final concentration of 0.7 mM of IPTG, 37oC and 3 hours induction.Conclusion: According to the results every protein has its own expression after the homogenization process, and the temperature and the cells induction time length are more effective in the amount of protein production.

Background and aims: Uterine leiomyoma is a benign solid tumor of smooth muscle and the most common type of gynecological tumor. It occurs in approximately 25-30% of women over 30 years old. Studies have shown that the growth of uterine leiomyma was related to estrogen, cousidering the effect of CYP1A1 gene in estrogen metabolism, this study was done to evaluate the association of CYP1A1 (Ile462Val) polymorphisms with uterine leiomyoma in Charmahal va Bakhtiari women.Methods: In this case – control study, 156 non menopause women with the age ranges of 17-57, with clinically diagnosed uterine leiomyoma and 151 healthy normal subjects were investigated. The Ile462Val (A<G) polymorphism was analyzed by PCR-RFLP. The data were analyzed by SPSS17 software and using X2 test.Results: AG genotype was 12/2 % P-450 clase A in women with uterine leiomyma, (n=19) and it was 8.6%, in control group (n=13). No Significant different was found in the frequency of Iie462Val (A>G) Polymorphism between the two groups (P=0.306).Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrated that the CYP1A1Ile462Val polymorphism was not correlated with an increased risk of uterine leiomyoma in the study population.

Background and aims: Statins promote the proliferation, migration and survival of endothelial cells and bone marrow -derived endothelial progenitor cells (Angioblasts). Angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels, is a dynamic and complex activity which is needed for embryogenesis and other physiological processes. However, in many pathological conditions such as solid tumor progression, the disease appears to be associated with persistent upregulated angiogenesis. In this research we used atorvastatin (0.1 mm) and (10 mm) on angiogenesis of chick embryo.Methods: In this experimental study 42 Ross fertilized eggs were randomly divided into 3groups as follows: 1) control group, 2) group treated with atorvastatin (0.1 mm), 3) group treated with atorvastatin (10 mm). In day 2 a window was opened on eggs in sterile condition and In day 8 gelatin sponge was placed on chorioallantic membrane (CAM) and was soaked with 10 microliters atorvastatin (0.1 mm) and (10 mm) in group 2 and group 3. In day12 CAMs were examined and photographed by research photo-stereomicroscope in all cases. Data were analyzed statistically by ANOVA and Tukey tests.Results: The average number and length of vessels in control and the group treated with atorvastatin (0.1 mm) showed a significant increase (P<0.05) and the average number and lenghth of vessels in the group treated with atorvastatin (10 mm) showed a significant decrease compare to control group (P<0.05).Conclusion: The results of this study showed that atorvastatin has a stimulatory effect on angiogenesis in CAM and atorvastatin (10 mm) has an inhibitory effect on angiogenesis in CAM. It is suggested that astatine can be used as a new medicine for angiogenesis balancing in treat ment of diseases related to angiogenesis.

Background and aims: The lower extremity deformities have been co nsidered to change the relations between body segments. Postural stability could be affected by these changes in the alignment and positioning of the body segments. The purpose of this study was to examine postural response and surface electromyographic activity of selected lower limb muscles to recover upright posture following a sudden external perturbation among individuals with genu valgum in comparison with age matched healthy controls.Methods: In this case-control study, sixteen subjects with genu valgum and sixteen agematched healthy controls were participated. With unexpected perturbation, the displacement of the center of pressure (COP) and surface electromyographic activity of selected lower limb muscles were collected. Data were analyzed using independent t-test (P<0.05).Results: The genu valgum group had a greater COP displacement after perturbation in comparison with the control group (P<0.05). Activities of some of the lower limbs muscles were significantly higher in genu valgum group in comparison with controls group after perturbation in different directions.Conclusion: These findings illustrate that abnormal lower limb alignment as risk factor can decrease postural reaction strategy in response to a sudden balance perturbation. Designing a strength training program for vastus medialis muscle may have beneficial effects in the prevention of knee injuries in individuals with knee valgus deformity.

Background and aims: Methyl mercury is a well- known environmental pollutant and toxicant to the nervous tissue, particularly during development of prodecure of brain. Low concentration of methyl mercury chloride (MMC) can be transferred to the fetus through the placenta and to newborn offspring through dam. This study aimed at investigating the toxicity significant difference effect of methyl mercury chlyoride on nearborn rat.Methods: In this experimental study 21 adult female Wistar rats were devided in 3 groups, 2 experimental and 1 control group, the experimental groups were inoculated with MMC 0.5 and 4.5 mg/kg on the 15th, 16th and 17th gestation days. On day 25 after birth, 6 newborn rats from each experimental group were anesthetized. Blood samples were collected, alanine amino transferase (ALT), gamma glutamyle transferase (GGT), aspartate amino transferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), tri iodo thyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4) and growth hormone (GH) were determined according to routine laboratory methods and the amount of mercury accumulation in some tissues were measured using atomic absorbtion. Histological examination of the brain, liver and kidney were also performed. The data were analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis and Mann Whitny tests.Results: Serum analysis showed no significant difference in the experimental groups in GGT, AST, ALT, T4 compared to control group (P>0.05). Also ALP, T3 and GH significantly increased compared to the control group (P<0.05). The mercury accumulation significantly increased retrospectively in brain, thyroid, kidney and liver with the increase in the injection dose (P<0.005). In the histopathologic study of the brain, degeneration and apoptosis were observed.Conclusion: This study showes that exposure to the low doses of induced MMC, reduces T3, growth hormone and it decreases ALP level in experimental groups compared to the control group. It may impair memory, learning and growth.