Journal of Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences
Year:2012 | Volume:13 | Issue:5|Papers Count:11

Background and aim: Diabetes mellitus is considered as an important risk factor for clinical disorders such as nephropathy, neuropathy, retinopathy and cardiovascular diseases. Medicinal plants, due to low side effects, are considered as suitable alternativer chemical drugs. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the effect of artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.) aqueous extract on biochemical factors in Sterptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.Methods: In this experimental study, 24 male rats were divided into 4 groups. One group (control) received standard diet and the other three groups were injected by sterptozotocin to induce diabetes. Then one, among the three groups, received standard diet (diabetic control group) and the other two groups received 200 and 400 mg/kg artichoke aqueous extract for 21 days by stomach tube, respectively. At the end of the experiment, the blood samples were collected through cardiac puncture and serum triglyceride, total cholesterol (TC), glucose, HDL-C, LDL-C, VLDL-C, HbA1c, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity of red blood cells (RBC), plasma malondialdehyde and antioxidant capacity were measured and compared by ANOVA and Tukey tests.Results: Artichoke extract significantly reduced serum TC, TG, VLDL-C, glucose, plasma malondialdehyde and HbA1c in treated diabetic rats as compared to diabetic control group (P<0.05). Additionally, artichoke extract significantly increased the plasma antioxidant capacity, HDL-C, and superoxide dismutase activity of RBC in treated diabetic rats, compared to the diabetic group.Conclusion: The findings of this study showed positive effects of artichoke extract on lipoprotein profile, antioxidant status, and glucose tolerance in diabetic rats. Therefore, artichoke extract may be beneficial in control of diabetes, abnormalities in lipid profiles and reduction of oxidative stress by activation of SOD activity.

Background and aims: Anterior knee pain is a common problem among adults and young people. This study aimed to investigate the effects of low-level LASER on improvement of knee pain and function in patients with anterior knee pain.Methods: This double-blind, randomized clinical trial was carried out in Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, in 2008. In this study, thirty patients were randomly divided into experimental (N=15) and control groups (N=15). In the experimental group, beside the exercise, a low-level Ga-As LASER was applied with a 100 mW average power, wavelength 905 nm and 8 J/cm2 dosages for 3 minutes duration. In the control group, sham LASER was used. A 16 session treatment program (during 4 weeks, 4 sessions per weeks) was performed for both groups. Before and after the intervention, we measured the pain level through visual analog scale (VAS) and the function by Knee and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) and range of knee flexion by goniometry. Paired and Independent t-tests were used for data analysis.Results: The knee pain decreased from 6.06±2.6 to 2.7±2.6 in the experimental group (P<0.001) and from 6.4±1.9 to 3.4±1.4 in the control group (P=0.003). KOOS score was decreased from 87.2±29.8 to 48.4±24.1 in the experimental group and from 94.8±20.9 to 61.7±15.3 in the control group (P<0.001). Level of pain was significantly decreased in the experimental group compared to the control group (P=0.012).Conclusion: The results showed that exercise therapy with or without LASER can reduce pain and cause better knee function and expansion of the ranges of knee flexion. However; LASER is more effective in decreasing anterior knee pain.

Background and aims: Stuttering is a motor disorder that disrupts the fluent and connected speech flow and appears with different severities. Based on clinic experiences, same treatment approach may yield different levels of fluency for people with mild, moderate, and severe stuttering. Hence, the aim of this investigation was to explore the efficacy of prolonged speech technique in treating boys with mild stuttering.Methods: In this semi-experimental study, 44 school-age (8-14 years old, mean age of 10.8±1.9 years) boys with mild stuttering were selected among student population in Ahvaz city using available method. They were divided into two groups. Case group (n=30). Received 20 sessions an intensive speech therapy with prolonged-speech technique. The control group (n=14) did not receive prolonged-speech technique. They just received counseling sessions and book reading. Stuttering severity was assessed by Stuttering Severity Instrument (SSI-3) before the intervention, immediately after intervention, and 3 months after intervention program. Repeated measures ANOVA test and Independent sample t-test were used for data analysis by SPSS software.Results: A significant difference was observed in stuttering severity between control and study group (P<0.001). In addition, there was a significant difference between stuttering severity before intervention, immediately after intervention, and at 3 months after intervention in case group (P<0.01), whereas, no significant difference was observed in the control group (P=0.067).Conclusion: The results showed that prolonged speech technique might be a benefit and efficient treatment option for boys with mild stuttering and that these persons could maintain high levels fluency of speech even at 3 months after intervention.

Background and aims: Scorpion neurotoxins have been widely studied in recent years, including investigations into their physiological functions and pharmaceutical properties. Chlorotoxin is one of the most attended toxins that are used in brain cancer therapy at now. The aim of this study was to evaluate the sequencing and comparative -bioinformatic analysis of DNA coding chlorotoxin like peptide from Iranian scorpion mesobuthus eupeus.Methods: In this descriptive study Iranian scorpion Mesobuthus eupeus samples were isolated and the total RNA was extracted form venom glands. cDNA was synthesized by RT-PCR and then the sequence encoding a venom peptide with homology to chlorotoxin (named MeICT for Mesobuthus eupeus Iranian Chlorotoxin) was isolated and identified with specific primers for conserved sequences of chlorotoxin like toxins.Results: The sequence of MeICT was 102 nucleotides long and it was similar (88% identities) to that of chlorotoxin isolated from Leiurus quinguestriatus. The sequence identified in this study was compared with other similar venom sequences from other species of scorpion by CustalW server.Conclusion: Homologies analysis showed multiple differences in sequences that can be specific for Iranian subspecies of this scorpion. Furthermore, because of much similarity with chlorotoxin, MeICT may be used as therapeutic agent in glioma cancer.

Background and aims: Occupational stress is defined as the harmful physical and emotional response that occurs when the requirements of the job do not match the capabilities, resources, or needs of the worker. Occupational stress may bring about economic and health problems. This study was conducted to determine the factors that contribute to occupational stress of the employees of ESCO (Iran).Methods: This discreptive-analytical study was conducted on 400 ESCO employees. Data were collected using demographic and DASS questionnaire and then were analyzed using Chi statistical test and logistic regression analyzation.Results: The prevalence of stress was 53%. There was no significant relationship between stress and age, marital status, experience, literacy and shift work. However, high significant relationship was found between income and stress. It is apparent that financial problems were the most common reasons for stress among the employees and the main contributors to stress were work environment, task type, financial problems and the income below 5000000 rials (P<0.05).Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, about half of the ESCO employees suffer from stress compared with other industrialized countries, Iranian employees appeared to have much higher prevalence of stress. This result calls for appropriate planning of the workplace and condition to improve the quality of life and reduce stress.

Background and aims: Crude oil is very complex composition with harmful effect in human health, such as carcinogenesis and blood dyscrasia. Because of the entry of relatively high volume of these compounds in aquatic environments, effective controlling is very important. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of powdered activated carbon (PAC) for reducing the toxicity of crude oil in water.Methods: Water soluble fraction standard samples were prepared with one part crude oil in 9 part water. For toxicity test, different concentrations of crude oil water soluble fraction in water and larvae of rainbow trout were used. Before and after the addition of 10, 20, 40 and 60 mg/l powdered activated carbon, TOC and bioassay tests were performed. LC50 and evaluation of results was done with probit statistic program.Results: LC50 for samples 24, 48, 96 hrsafter addion of different concentration of PAC were 94.8, 106.6, 117.8, 138.3 and 181.5 mg/l. Values of TOC for these samples was 44.81, 43.88, 38.16, 36.62 and 35.14 mg/l.Conclusion: The use of activated carbon reduced toxicity and TOC. With increase in the concentration of activated carbon, toxicity was decreased, but intensity of TOC removal wasn’t similar to toxicity removal. Using of powdered activated carbon for treatment, in case of accidents and entering crude oil in drinking water supplies, can be considered.

Background and aims: Heart failure is a clinical syndrome which may have causes negative effects on quality of life. Nowadays, improvement of quality of life in these patients has become as an objective and a part of treatment programs that is a useful direction for promotion of care quality. It is necessary for nurses to gain essential knowledge to improve the patient’s quality of life. The aim of this research was to study the quality of life in heart failure patients referred to the Kerman Outpatient Centers.Method: This descriptive-analytical study was performed on 200 patients (100 men and 100woman) suffered from heart failure who were referred to the outpatient centers in Kerman. Samples were selected by purposive method. Short From heath survey 36 items (SF36) was used for studding the quality of life. Data were analyzed using Chi- square, independent t-test and ANOVA.Results: Findings showed that the patients mean age was 64 years and most of them were in the second degree of heart failure. The quality of life score was found 42.36 in men and it was 40.65 in women (P>0.05). The comparison of quality of life dimensions in women and men showed that physical function (P=0.005) and mental health (P=0.01) was significantly higher in men than women.Conclusion: The results indicated that the heart failure patients had poor quality of life and the women have weaker physical function and worse mental health than men. Therefore, controlling some amendable variables among these patients is suggested.

Background and aim: Postoperative shivering is a common complication of anesthesia. Some studies reported that hemodilution induced anemia can reduce postoperative shivering. In this study, we evaluated the correlation between the hemoglobin index and changes on post anesthesia shivering.Methods: In a descriptive-analytical study, 117 patients aged 16-60 years were participated. Preoperative and postoperative hemoglobin index was measured. The level of hemoglobin was evaluated in 3 steps; before operation, 1 and 6 hours after operation. Postoperative shivering was evaluated by Crossly-staging. The collected data were analyzed by SPSS 17.00 software, using repeated measures analysis of variances and Spearman correlation tests.Results: From the total of 117 patients, 21 patients (17.9%) demonstrated postoperative shivering. The mean hemoglobin levels in patients with and without shivering before the operation were found 14.70±2.38 and 15.14±2.25 mg/dl, respectively (P>0.05). After the operation, the mean hemoglobin levels in two groups were 13.28±2.36 and 13.64±2.05, respectively (P>0.05). Finally, measuring hemoglobin levels in both groups six hours after the operation, were found 13.08±2.2.10 and 13.52±2.49, respectively (P>0.05). No correlation was observed between the hemoglobin levels and shivering stages (P=0.085).Conclusion: According to results of this study, there is no correlation between hemoglobin level and postoperative shivering.

Background and aims: Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) is the main cause of diarrhea in children in developing countries and also in travelers to these areas. ETEC attaches to host cells via filamentous bacterial surface structures, known as colonization factors. Epidemiological studies suggest that the prevalence of CFA/I is higher than other colonization factors. CFA expressed by ETEC and so represents an important component of any vaccine. Investigation supposed that CfaB as a major subunit of fimbriae is an appropriate candidate for vaccine preparation. In the present study we investigated cloning and expression of CfaB.Methods: In this descriptive study, information about CfaB gene was obtained from gene bank and appropriate primers were designed accordingly. Genomic PCR reaction was performed and its product (CfaB gene) was cloned into pTZ57R/T cloning vector and then subcloned pET28a expression vector. CfaB gene expression was evaluated.Results: Cloning was confirmed by using restriction enzyme and sequencing. Expression of recombinant protein was determined in different conditions (time, media, and host), but native gene inserted in pET28a was not expressed.Conclusion: Native gene employs tandem rare codon which can reduce the efficiency of expression.

Background and aim: Long term delivery of care to patients with Alzheimer disease is associatesd with increase of physical and mental health problems for caregivers. Lack of necessary trainings has increased the caregivers' health problems. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of educational- counseling program on general health of women as caregivers of patient with Alzheimer disease.Method: In this study, 150 women (18-60 years old) who were close relatives to the elderly patients with Alzheimer disease were selected by simple sampling method. These women had been working as direct caregivers for a period of six month, at least. Women were enrolled for a pre-test in which they filled out demographic information questionnaire and Goldberg general health questionnaire. Then, they were randomly allocated to control and experimental groups. The experimental group participated in educational- counseling program which was consisted of a group discussion session, educational pamphlet and 2 telephone consultations. Six weeks after the program, post-test questionnaire was carried out for both groups. Data were analyzed using independent T-test, paired t-test, chi-square and one-way ANOVA.Results: Findings showed that 17.3% of samples had weak general health before the intervention. After the educational- counseling program, the mean of general health in experimental group decreased from 39.68±15.3 to 19.09±10.03 (P<0.001), which showed an increase in general health care. In the control group general health mean increased from 37.43±15.68 to 43.9±14.9 (P=0.001), which shows decreased general health.Conclusion: According to the results of this study and unfavorable general health in women who work as caregivers of patients with Alzheimer disease, effective educational methods are suggested for improving the caregiver’s health.

Background and aims: Shigella dysentery is one of the most important human pathogenic intestinal bacteria. Entrance of the shigella toxin into the epithelial cells inhibits protein synthesis leading to cell death. In spite of great investigations on vaccine production against S. dysentery, studying to achieve significant stxA recombinant protein still remains important. The objective of this study was to determine the appropriate mutation loci and designing stxA subunit synthetic gene, its further expression and optimization and ultimately assaying purification method for further immunization studies.Methods: Three mutant stxA gene including (R170L-A231D-G234E) were designed and the synthetic gene in pET28a plasmid was obtained and confirmed by PCR. Thereafter the plasmid was transformed into the host cell E. coli BL21 DE3 after which gene expression was optimized and protein purity assay was then performed.Results: Preliminary studies led to mutant stop gene design, after which it was confirmed by synthetic plasmid and PCR. Expression and optimization were then performed which resulted in large amount of protein inclusion bodies. Purification of inclusion bodies and protein which resulted solubilization was done with a combinatorial method.Conclusion: With regard to the mechanism of shiga toxin effect and favorable mutation design with new arrangement, less toxicity of expressing protein is predicted than previous other mutants, posing a better vaccine candidate.