Journal of Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences
Year:2016 | Volume:18 | Issue:4|Papers Count:18

Background and aims: Keratoconus (KC) is a degenerative eye disorder, which is leading to irregular corneal surface, thinning of cornea, changing the shape of a cone and decreased vision. The disease incidence between 1.500 to 1.2, 000 people worldwide is estimated. Several genes associated with the disease have been studied, but evidence suggests a major role of visual system homeobox1 (VSX1) in the etiology of KC. The aim this study was to investigate the relationship between rs6050307 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in exon 1 of the VSX1 gene with keratoconus disease in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province.Methods: In this laboratory discriptivel study, rs6050307 polymorphisms of VSX1 gene in 100 KC patients and 100 healthy individuals have been studied. DNA was extracted using standard phenol chloroform method and rs6050307 were determined by polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Allele frequency of this polymorphism were analyzed using chi-square test and the relevance between allele frequency polymorphism were evaluated with the disease.Results: Genotype distribution of diferent allels of rs6050307 VSX1 gene between patient and control samples was not significant (P>0.05).Conclusion: Regarding to the findings in this research, it seems that rs6050307 of VSX1 gene not involved as a risk factor in the pathogenesis of keratoconus.

Background and aims: The most important cause of fertilization failure after assisted reproduction techniques are lack of releasing sperm-associated oocyte activating factors (SAOAFs) and sperm DNA damage. PLCx is one of the sperm factors that plays important role in oocyte activation. The aim of this study was to compare expression of PLCx, protamine deficiency (maturity marker of sperm chromatin) and sperm DNA damage between fertile men and oligoasthenoteratozoospermic subfertile men.Methods: In this case-control study, semen samples were collected from 10 subfertile oligoasthenoteratozoospermic and 10 fertile men. Sperm parameters (concentration, motility, morphology), expression of PLCx, DNA damage, and protamine deficiency were assessed by World Health Organization protocol, flow cytometery, TUNEL and chromomycin A3 staining, respectively.Results: Percentage of PLCx- positive sperm, DNA integrity and protamine content significantly was lower in oligoasthenoteratozoospermic men compared to fertile men. In addition, significant correlations were observed between percentage of PLCx- positive sperm with sperm parameters and percentage of protamine deficiency. A significant correlation was also observed between percentage of DNA fragmentation and protamine deficiency.Conclusion: In these infertile men, sperm chromatin integrity and percentage of PLCx-positive sperm decreased extremely. This could be one cause of fertilization failure in these individuals. Therefore, the artificial oocyte activation is recommended for these type of infertile men.

Background and aims: Allergy to food substances is considered as one of global health problems particularly in developing countries and its rate, as with other allergic disorders, is growing. The aim of this study was to study frequency of common food allergens in the region.Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study conducted on 230 children 1 to 6 years referring Imam Ali Clinic, Shahrekord in 2014 enrolled by convenience sampling. The children were assigned to two groups of 115 each, those with suspected food allergy and those without food allergy symptoms, and the common food allergens consisting of cow milk, egg, and groundnut were investigated for skin test. T-test and chi-square statistics were used for data analysis.Results: There was a statistically significant difference between allergic to peanuts, eggs andother allergens (Pepper, banana, fish, kiwi, melons, wheat, peaches, eggplant, squash, tomato and watermelon) in studied groups (P<0.001).79 (68.7%) of children in case group and 22 (19.1%) in the control group showed allergic reaction to at least one food. The most allergies 79 children (34.3%) were related to other allergens and the least was 2 children (0.9%) related to allergy to milk.64 (55.7%) in the case group had the highest allergy to other allergens, then 43 individuals (37.4%) had allergy to eggs and 32 (27.8%) individuals had allergy to peanuts.Conclusion: Other allergens were identified with the highest and cow’s milk with the lowest frequency of food allergy in the children. This allergy was higher in food allergy-suspected children compared to the control group.

Background and aims: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is an inflammatory multi systemic autoimmune disease with auto antibodies. The aim of this study was to consider the effect of Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) on quality of life in patients with SLE.Methods: In this experimental study with randomized clinical trial design which was conducted on 46 SLE patients referring Imam Ali Clinic in Shahrekord, southwest Iran within one year, the patients (totally 46 patients in 2 groups of 23 each) were assigned into one of the treatment and control groups alternately. Both groups underwent routine medical care. The treatment group underwent eight group sessions of MBCT, as well. The patients were assessed by Quality of Life Test (SF-36) prior to, after, and six months after intervention. The data were analyzed using analysis of covariance.Results: The mean scores of mental quality of life in trial group were significantly more than control group at post-intervention and follow-up stage (P=0.001, P=0.004). The mean scores of somatic quality of life in trial group were significantly more than control group at post-intervention but weren’t significantly at follow-up intervention (P=0.001 vs P=0.157).Conclusion: The results demonstrated that MBCT has persistent and continuum effect on access scores of mental quality of life in patients with SLE.

Background and aims: The present study was conducted to identify the effective factors on quality of theoretical and clinical education from students and teachers viewpoints in Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences (SKUM).Methods: The method to conduct this study was descriptive-survey and the study population consisted of all students and teachers in SKUMS, of whom 330 (214 female and 116 male) students and 125 (44 female and 81 male) teachers were enrolled by random, stratified sampling.Results: From the faculty members' perspectives, the most important effective factor on theoretical education quality was the students' attending classes on time and from the students' perspectives, tendency toward field of study. The mean scores of these two factors was significantly different between the faculty members and the students (P<0.001). From both the faculty members' and the students' perspectives, the most important effective factor on clinical education quality was the use of theoretical lessons lecturers to teach clinical lessons. The mean score of this factor was significantly different between the faculty members and the students (P=0.01).Conclusion: By using theoretical lessons lecturers to teach clinical lessons, clinical education quality can be enhanced. Moreover, we can affect their attending classes on time and enhance theoretical education quality through triggering motivation and increasing interest in students.

Background and aims: Online medical information seeking is one of the common activities.Researchers have recently begun to investigate a disturbing cycle of concerns related to physical health and online medical information seeking as “cyberchondria”. The aim of this studywas to introduce anxiety sensitivity and intolerance of uncertainty as two important predictors for cyberchondria.Methods: In this descriptive- analytic study that was conducted among students of Tabriz universities (University of Tabriz, Payame Noor) 228 volunteers (154 males and 74 females) selected by convenience sampling and responded to the cyberchondria severity scale, Anxiety Sensitivity Index and Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale. For data analysis, Pearson correlation and regression analysis were used.Results: The results showed that anxiety sensitivity and intolerance of uncertainty relatively have high correlation with cyberchondria. Among the components of anxiety sensitivity, physical concern and cognitive concerns were able to predict cyberchondria. Also, both components of intolerance of uncertainty, the IU Inhibitory and IU Prospective are well able to predict cyberchondria symptoms.Conclusion: The results of the current study endorsed on the importance of anxiety sensitivity and intolerance of uncertainty in the development and maintenance of cyberchondria. Sothese 2 factors can be proposed as important risk factors for cyberchondria.

Background and aims: Glutaricaciduria type 1 (GA1) is an inherited neurometabolic disorder caused by mutations in the GCDH gene encoding glutaryl-CoA dehydrogenase (GCDH). Direct sequencing is usually used to detect point mutations and other sequence variations in the gene, which is expensive and time-consuming. Alternatively, linkage analysis of polymorphic markers such as single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) has been used in heterozygous carrier detection and prenatal diagnosis of the disease in families with an affected individual. A large number of SNP markers have been introduced in the GCDH gene region in the electronic databases. In the present study, the characteristics of rs 9384 as an informative marker located in GCDH gene region were investigated.Methods: Genotyping was carried out by ARMS PCR technique in 100 unrelated healthy individuals using newly designed primers. Estimation of allelic frequency and heterozygosity rate was performed using GenePop website and the presence of Hardy Weinberg Equilibrium (HWE) as well as the amount of polymorphism information content (PIC) was computed by Power Marker software for the marker.Results: The results indicated 0.34% minor allele frequency (MAF), 0.53% heterozygosity rate and 0.3498% PIC for rs9384 marker in the population. Moreover, analysis of Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium showed the presence of equilibrium for this marker in this population.Conclusion: In total, according to the results of this study, rs9384can be considered as an informative SNP marker for molecular diagnosis of GCDH related GA1 by indirect genetic analysis in the Isfahan population as a representative sample of the Iranian population.

Background and aims: Assessment is an integral part of any exercise enforcement, Hospital performance evaluation is also an important role in improving the quality and quantity of services provided and would be strengthened accountability in treatment services and maximize the utilization of limited resources available to the organizations. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of medical services tariffs on hospital performance in Imam Ali (AS) hospital of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province.Methods: The research method is descriptive and the study population includes Imam Ali (AS) hospital personnel that the number of random stratified sample of 186 people are intended. The instrument used in this study is a questionnaire. After confirmation of validity to determine the reliability, coefficient of 0.88 is estimated. Collected information using single-parameter t-test, t-test and Friedman test were analyzed.Results: The project results show that the average performance of Imam Ali (AS) hospital was moderate to high (3.73 out of 5), respectively. The role of therapy Tariff on hospital performance respectively is: financial performance (3.96), provide better service to patients (3.72), employee satisfaction (3.65), efficiency (3.85) and the effectiveness of the clinical level (3.61).Conclusion: A significant role in health care tariffs (on average) in the hospital and can function as one of the main criteria used to evaluate the performance improvement plan.

Background and aims: The research reports indicate the effect of exercise as an important factor in the prevention of breast cancer. In the process of cancer development, the cytokines are playing the vital role as regulatory proteins. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a one-term moderate intense endurance exercise before tumor formation on serum concentration content of a cytokine, Interleukin-1 (IL-1) as well as life span in the breast cancer balb/c mouse model.Methods: This research was an experimental project.17 female BALB/c mice were randomly distributed into two groups of experimental Group (exercise+tumor) and control Group (rest+tumor). Prior to the tumor formation, the EG mice performed a daily session of 35-40 minutes endurance exercise protocol for 12 consecutive weeks and 5 days a week. The exercise intensity began with 15.4 meter per minutes in the first week and then it was gradually raised up to 23.8 meters per minutes during the last week. In order to induce cancer, one day after the end of the exercise protocol, all animals in both groups received subcutaneous injections of T410 cell line. After the formation of cancerous tumor, the ELISA method applied to measure the serum content of IL-1 and the volum of tumor was measured by caliper.Results: Comparing the 2 groups, a significant difference (P=0.001) between the average serum IL-1 content was observed and also the volume of tumor in mice suffered from cancer in experimental group was significant (P=0.003).Conclusion: Moderate intense endurance exercise can play a preventive role in breast cancer causing reduction of the cancerous inflammation in the patients suffering from breast cancer.

Background and aims: The studies has been shown that some natural compounds are effective in preventing injuries induced by electromagnetic fields (EMFs). The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effect of the Persian Gulf sea cucumber body extract against injuries induced by 50 Hz EMF on sperm parameters in Balb/C mice.Methods: In this experimental study, mice were divided randomly into 7 groups including control (without treatment), sham (exposed to a power off EMF) and experimental groups 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. The experimental groups were exposed to EMF 4 h/day for 10 days. The experimental groups 2 to 5 received sea cucumber body extract (25, 50, 100, 200 mg/kg) 6 h before radiation exposure. Then, the testosterone levels, LH, sperm morphology, motility and viability were measured. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software, one way ANOVA and Tukey post test (P<0.05).Results: Electromagnetic fields did not exert significant changes in LH level (P>0.05), but EMF induced abnormalities in sperm morphology (22±0.008), reduced sperm motility (12%), viability (57±0.16), testosterone level (0.25±0.04) and increased their body weight (38%) in electromagnetic group as compared with control. The hormonal and sperm evaluations showed that under exposure groups treated with sea cucumber extract had optimize reduction of sperm abnormalities in experimental group 4 (%6±0.012), motility elevation in experimental group 5 (%64±0.008) and elevation of sperm viability (%77±0.01) and the testosterone levels (1.12±0.26) in experimental group 4 as compared with experimental group.Conclusion: The results demonstrated that the sea cucumber extract possess protective effect against harmful effects of low frequency electromagnetic field in parameters such as sperm motility, viability and morphology in Balb/C mice.

Background and aims: The effects of the mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) on the neutrophil functions has been revealed in recent documents. Moreover, it has been showed that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) express some of the nicotinic receptor subunits. The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of the secretory factors from mesenchymal stem cell pulsed with nicotine on the neutrophil functions.Methods: After isolation of mesenchymal stem cells from bone marrow of rats, these cells pulsed with different concentration of nicotine (0, 0.1, 0.5 and 1 mM) for 48h. Then, neutrophils were co-cultured with MSCs supernatants for 4 h and the functions of neutrophils were evaluated.Results: The results showed that MSCs supernatants pulsed with nicotine could significantly enhance the viability and phagocytic activity of neutrophils more profound that MSCs supernatants without treatment. Furthermore, supernatants of MSCs treated with nicotine significantly reduced the respiratory burst and nitric oxide production of neutrophils more prominent than and /or supernatants of the MSCs without treatment.Conclusion: Collectively, these findings may offer new insight into the potential mechanisms underlying the immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects of nicotine.

Background and aims: Vocabulary plays the main role in the foreign language learning and without vocabulary knowledge is not established any communication. The current study was aimed to investigate the effect of input tasks, input plus output tasks, and output plus input task on vocabulary learning of advanced medical students.Methods: The participants of this pre-experimental study were 45 advanced students majoring different fields of medicine, selected after taking a TOEFL proficiency test. To collect the relevant data the students were randomly divided into three groups. After taking VKS test for choosing the vocabulary which the students don’t know, a pretest was administered. In the following three weeks the students received different types of treatment based on their group to learn the meaning of the intended vocabulary. A post-test was administered two days after the treatments were completed.Results: The analysis of the results showed that all three methods of treatment had an effect on the learning of students. However, one way ANOVA showed that the two groups receiving both input and output tasks with different sequences had a more significant improvement in their vocabulary learning.Conclusion: The results showed that the two mixed methods proved to be the most effectiveness to improve the learning of EAP vocabulary learning in students. The result of this study is useful for material developers and EFL teachers, especially those teaching English for academic purposes.

Background and aims: Clinical symptoms of patients infected with Escherichia coli O157: H7 is a wide range and diagnosis of the symptoms is difficult. to detect conventional methods of biological agents have many disadvantages. The aim of the current study was detection of rfbE gene in real samples of Escherichia coli O157 by by DNA hybridization-based nano biosensor.Methods: In this experimental study, for sample preparation prior to the measurement by the biosensor, the genome of the Escherichia coli O157 was extracted by the CTAB-NaCl method and DynaBioTM DNA Extraction Mini Kit. Enzymatic digestion of genomic DNA of Escherichia coli O157was perform at 37°C for 4 minutes and thermal denaturation. To be sure, rfbE gene Escherichia coli O157: H7was detected by PCR. The rfbE gene sequence in real samples of Escherichia coli O157: H7was measured by DNA hybridization-based nano biosensor.Results: The results of the charge transfer resistance indicate proper interaction between ssDNA immobilized on the electrode with the DNA digested genomic of Escherichia coli O157: H7 and PCR product that is represents of successful detection of the rfbE gene Escherichia coli O157: H7.The nano biosensor was able to detect bacteria digested genome to 10-6 dilution that this dilution is corresponding to the concentration of 102 of Bacterium Escherichia coli.Conclusion: In this study, the nano biosensor based on DNA hybridization was used for the detection of rfbE gene sequences in the real sample of Escherichia coli O157: H7 with high sensitivity and accuracy that could be a basis for making DNA detection tool.

Background and aims: In this study was carried out solid substrate fermentation to evaluate a variety of solid substrates in the production of asparaginase enzyme isolated strain of Bacillus from LAKAN region of Gilan.Methods: In this experimental study, the screening of bacteria producing L-asparaginase of was used by M9 medium. For screening of different substrates in the solid bed, rice bran, rice stalks, wheat bran and wheat stalks as carbon sources and yeast extract, peptone, asparagine and tryptone as nitrogen sources were used. To optimize the culture medium and the effect of carbon and nitrogen sources on the production of enzymes asparginase using Plackett-Burman total of 12 experiments were designed on two levels. Then, the enzyme production was evaluated by changing the factors affecting the production in a variety of solid substrates.Results: As the best solid substrate, rice bran and the best source of nitrogen, asparagine showed the greatest effect on enzyme production. The best production of the enzyme in 1.5% (w/w) rice bran concentration and 0.5% (w/w) asparagine concentration was achieved 69.24 U/g in 30ºC for 72h.Conclusion: In the current study, the rate of enzyme production increased substantially using rice bran as carbon source in the solid state fermentation after optimizations conditions rather than not to optimized conditions.

Background and aims: Nitrate is one of the most important contaminants in nature that makes serious threats to health and quality of water resources. Electrocoagulation is one of the most efficient methods to remove this pollutant.Methods: This experimental study was conducted in a pilot scale. The samples were prepared using synthetic water at 100-300 mg/l initial concentration of nitrate. The independent variables were reaction time, electrical difference potential and pH. The process performance was evaluated based on nitrate removal efficiency. The number of experiments, statistical analysis of experimental data and optimization of nitrate removal efficiency were determined by using central composite design (CCD) and response surface methodology (RSM).Results: The results showed that nitrate concentration (A), reaction time (B), voltage (C), pH (D), square terms of nitrate concentration (A2), and interaction terms of AB, AC, AD, BC was the most effective parameters on nitrate removal efficiency using electrocoagulation. The efficiency of nitrate removal at optimal conditions (reaction time 68 minutes, the electric potential difference 17 volts and at pH 10) was obtained 88%. In these conditions, model validation was 98%.Conclusion: Electrocoagulaion was an effective process for nitrate removal and also RSM (CCD) was appropriate to optimization of the variables affecting nitrate removal using electrocoagulation process.