Journal of Ardabil University of Medical Sciences
Year:2016 | Volume:15 | Issue:4|Papers Count:13

Background & objectives: Salvia officinalis is one of the memory-enhancing herbs that were used in the past. On the other hand, iron oxide nanoparticles which are widely used in medicine and industry may impair the brain process related to memory. In this investigation, the effect of hydro-alcoholic extract of Salvia officinalis on iron oxide nanoparticle induced memory impairment and the role of beta-adrenergic receptors in this effect were studied.Methods: To assess the inhibitory avoidance memory, animals were trained in the step-down task and drugs (saline, hydro-alcoholic extract of sage leaves, nanoparticles of iron oxide and propranolol) were injected immediately after training by intraperitoneal (ip) injections. Long-term memory was tested 24 hours later and step-down latencies were recorded.Results: Administration of iron oxide nanoparticles (5 mg/kg, ip) impaired memory retrieval. Salvia officinalis extract (40 mg/kg, ip) also prevented iron oxide nanoparticle induced long-term memory impairment. On the other hand, administration of propranolol (5, 10 mg/kg, ip) before Salvia officinalis extract (40 mg/kg, ip) and iron oxide nanoparticles (5 mg/kg, ip) attenuated the effect of Salvia officinalis extract.Conclusion: It seems that extract of Salvia officinalis leaves decreases iron oxide nanoparticle induced memory impairment. Beta-adrenergic mechanisms are possibly involved in these effects of Salvia officinalis extract.

Background & objectives: Surgery of upper part of femor in elderly patients can be due to the fracture of femoral neck, shaft and arthroplasty. Hemodynamic changes and complications of the anesthesia are among the major concerns. The aim of this study was to compare the hemodynamic changes in low dose isoflurane with propofol in upper femoral surgeries in elderly patients.Methods: This prospective clinical trial study was done on 60 patients over 65 year-old elderly patients with ASA physical status of I and II that were candidate for upper femoral surgery in two groups (inhalational: isoflurane 0.5-0.6 MAC) and (total intravenous anesthesia with propofol 50-100 mic/kg/min). Hemodynamic changes were compared in these groups with the same anesthetic depth (HR-SBP-DBP-MBP-SaO2).Results: There was no significant difference in heart rate, age or sex between two groups. In isoflurane group SBP on 20 and 25th minutes and DBP and MBP on 20, 25 and 35th minutes were significantly higher than propofol group. In propofol group SaO2 was significantly more than isoflurane group on induction, start of surgery and on 5, 25, 35 and 45th minutes of surgery.Conclusion: In anesthesia with the same Bi-Spectral Index, isoflurane provides more stable hemodynamic parameters than propofol.

Backgrounds & objectives: Liver damage results in a large accumulation of external cellular matrix that affects the function of this important body organ in a long term and finally stops its function completely. The growth factors existing in platelet extract are more cost-effective, available, and stable than recombinant ones. To determine whether the platelet extract effects on histological changes in liver injury induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), we used immunohistochemical analysis in male rats.Methods: In this project the 28 male Wistar rats (250-300 g) were randomly divided into 4 groups, each consisting of 7 animals. The rats were divided into four experimental groups as follows: the first group (sham) intraperitoneally received only olive oil as the solvent of carbon tetrachloride; second group (CCl4) intraperitoneally received carbon tetrachloride dissolved in olive oil (ratio of about 1: 1) at a concentration of 1 ml/kg and a twice a week for eight weeks; third group subcutaneously received only platelet extract at a concentration of 0.5 ml/kg twice a week for three weeks; and fourth group received both CCl4 intraperitoneally for eight weeks and platelet extract subcutaneously for last three weeks. After 8 weeks of trial blood and liver sampling were done. Blood samples sent for enzymatic (AST, ALT) tests and liver samples tested for histological and immunohistochemical studies. The data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey test by Graph pad Prism 5 software and data were considered significant at p£0.05.Results: The results show that platelet extract causes a significant (p£ 0.001) decrease in liver enzymes and albumin improves the function of liver. The level of alfa smooth muscle actin (a-SMA) as an index of hepatic stellate cell activation was decreased by platelet extract administration which eventually reduced the necrosis and fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride in studied rats.Conclusion: The existence evidence shows that platelet extract improves the function of damaged liver by reducing the index of smooth muscle alpha-actin which is an indication of liver fibrosis.

Background & objectives: In this study, we aimed to determine the extent of possible genetic influence on cardio-metabolic risk factors and to evaluate the familial aggregation of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in a Tehranian population.Methods: In a cross-sectional observational study, the anthropometry, blood pressure and biochemical measurements were examined in each member of 566 nuclear families. The role of risk factors in MetS and the Pearson partial correlation between MetS and lipid related factors were calculated.Results: The prevalence of MetS among the mothers and girls was 78.4 and 12.9%, respectively. Grandmothers had the highest incidence of atherosclerotic risk factors. Four factors were found which explained 77.7% of the overall variance. Recurrence risk ratio among siblings was 5.61 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.15-9.97). The adjusted odds ratio (OR) of proband's MetS status was 1.33 (95% CI: 1.06–1.67) and adjusted OR for the four factors to predict MetS were all significant with the obesity factor having the highest risk (OR: 7.50, CI: 5.91–9.52) followed by dyslipidemia/hyperglycemia factor (OR: 4.86, CI: 4.03–5.87), and blood pressure factor (OR: 4.20, CI: 3.51-5.02).Conclusion: The present findings confirm the idea of familial aggregation and the recurrence risk ratio in MetS traits. Sibling correlations were higher than other relatives indicating the high genetic factors of these quantitative components in which a high risk of MetS (two-fold) was found.

Background & objectives: One of the most important zoonotic parasitic diseases, hydatidosis, is caused by the larval stage of Echinococcous granulosus. Investigations have shown that plants secondary metabolites, such as essential oils have anti parasitic properties. Based on previous reports on antiparasitic properties of Lepidium sativum, in this study we investigated the scolicidal effects of the essential oil (EO) extracted from this plant.Methods: Lepidium EO was obtained by hydrodistillation method. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was employed to determine the chemical composition of the EO. Protoscolices were exposed to various concentrations of EO (1, 3, 5, 10 and 15 mg/ml) for 10, 20, 30 and 60 min. Viability of protoscolices was confirmed by 0.1% eosin staining.Results: A total of 19 compounds representing 95.5% of the total oil, were identified. a- Thujene (88.86%), Myrcene (2.9%) and P-cymene (1.67%) were found to be the major EO constituents. Based on the results, protoscolices mortality rates at 1, 3 and 5 mg/ml of EO didn't have a significant relationship with the control group. While, the difference in mortality rate at a concentration of 10 mg/ml of EO in 30 and 60 min was significant. Also, the concentration of 15 mg/ml of EO at all times of incubation had significantly higher protoscolicidal effect. In the present study there was a significant relation between the amount of protoscolicidal activity of different EO concentrations and different incubation times. In other words mortality rates enhanced with increasing concentrations and incubation times.Conclusion: The results of present study revealed that the EO of Lepidium is rich in a- Thujene and has a high scolicidal power. This plant may be used as a natural scolicidal agent.

Background & objectives: Enterococci are among the normal microbial flora in human and animals digestive tract. The nosocomial pathogenicity of enterococci has emerged in recent years and has caused great concern due to developing resistance to many antimicrobial agents. The aim of this study was to investigate and identify the prevalence of VRE (vancomycin resistant enterococcus) within Enterococci isolates obtained from different parts of the hospital.Methods: Putative Enterococci (n=120) were isolated on Membrane Filter Enterococcus Selective Agar Medium and supplemented with 2, 4 and 8 mgr/ml vancomycin in medical samples. A total isolates passed the standard biochemistry tests for the genus and species as well as their specific primers. The antibiotic susceptibility was determined by the disc diffusion method for 8 antibiotics. Microbiologically-influenced corrosion (MIC) of vancomycin was also done using Agar-dilution assay by CLSI recommendations.Results: Results showed that 38 and 84 of the isolates were E. faecium and E.faecalis, respectively. According to antimicrobial susceptibility tests 45, 88, 103, 42, 83, 73, 54 and 95 of the isolates were resistant to vancomycin, tetracycline, gentamicin, chloramphenicol, ciprofloxacin, penicillin, ampicillin and erythromycin, respectively. MIC test on 70% of the isolates was>256 mgr/ml.Conclusion: Despite the fact that the prevalence of VRE strains belongs to two species, E. faecium had high resistance to a broad range of antibiotics. The results of this study indicate the important role of medical samples as reservoirs of resistance elements. Early detection of VRE with their virulence trait will help in preventing the spread of vancomycin resistant enterococcus species and urgent infection control is required in hospital setting.

Background & objectives: Parasitic infections are among important health problems all over the world especially in developing countries. Considering the epidemiological importance of parasitological diseases and necessity to evaluation the parasites prevalence in different areas and populations, current study aimed to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites in patients admitted to the laboratories of Baqiyatallah Hospital in Tehran.Methods: This is a retrospective cross sectional study in which stool examination reports of all referred patients (70978) to central and emergency laboratories of Baqiyatallah hospital were evaluated during 2010-2014. In this course, at least one stool sample of patients was assessed by direct smear and formalin-ethyl acetate methods. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics in SPSS 16. Chi-square test was used for comparison of the prevalence.Results: From 70978 patients, 42421(59.77%) and 28557(40.23%) were male and female, respectively. From 2617 infected individuals, 1841(70.3%) and 776 (29.7%) were males and females, respectively. The prevalence of pathogen and non-pathogen intestinal parasites was 2283(87.23%) and 334(12.76%) respectively. Also the prevalence of intestinal helminthes and protozoa in infected population was 0.42% and 99.57%, respectively. Blastocystis hominis and then Giardia lamblia were the prevalent parasites.Conclusion: In current study the prevalence of parasites is lower than those reported in other investigations. Differences in geographical location, sample size, duration and type of study (prospective or retrospective) and study population may be effective agents. The higher prevalence of "Blastocystis hominis" in comparison with other parasites can attract more attention to improve the quality of laboratory and clinical diagnosis of this protozoa.

Background & objectives: History of medicinal plants in healing the pains goes back to five thousand years ago. In addition, strong antibacterial properties have been observed in many of these plants. In this research, the effect of aqueous and ethanolic extracts and also homogenized form of scrophularia striata was examined on some respiratory and urogenital tract bacterial pathogens.Methods: At first, bacterial isolates susceptibility test was done by kerby-bauer disc diffusion method and positive control was determined for every isolate. Then, several dilutions (1000, 500, 250, 125, 62.5 mg/ml) of aqueous, ethanolic and homogenized extracts were prepared in distilled water separately. Thirty microliter of each diluted extract was inoculated on sterile blank disc and minimum inhibitory concentration was examined for every studied bacteria by E-test. Minimum inhibitory and bactericidal concentration of extracts was determined by macrodilution method.Results: Based on the results, smaller inhibitory zone than inhibitory zone of positive control was observed only with high concentration of aqueous extract in mannheimia haemolytica and with serial dilutions of ethanolic and homogenized extract in trueperella pyogenes, and with homogenized form in corynebacterium renale. No response was observed with other bacteria. Ethanolic extract showed bactericidal property with 62.5 mg/ml concentration and bacteriostatic property with 125 mg/ml concentration on mannheimia haemolytica which was similar to effect of this extract and homogenized form on trueperella pyogenes.Conclusion: According to the results of this study and common application of this plant in respiratory and urogenital tract infections treatment, study on the role of different bacteria in this infections or effect of this extract on immune system stimulation can be recommended.

Background & objectives: This study was designed to compare the effect of general and spinal anesthesia on hemoglobin and hematocrit values in women following cesarean section.Methods: This clinical trial study performed on 88 ASA class 1 pregnant women who were candidate for elective cesarean. Forty six patients received general anesthesia with isoflorane 0.75, N2O 50% and O2 and also 42 patients received spinal anesthesia with 12 mg of bupivacaine. The patients with a systemic disease or other causes of intraoperative excessive bleeding were excluded. All the operations were performed by same surgeon. Pre- and postoperative Hb and HCT values and Apgar score were recorded in both groups.Results: Previous cesarean section history was the cause of surgery in 21 patients in group one and 22 patients in group two. Both groups were similar in age, weight, height and parity. The preoperative mean Hb or HCT values did not differ significantly between two groups. In both groups, postoperative mean Hb and HCT values were decreased significantly. Postoperative Hb and Hct reduction was significantly higher in general anesthesia group (p<0.05). There was no significant difference between two groups regarding Apgar score.Conclusion: This study showed higher postoperative Hb and Hct reduction in general anesthesia than spinal anesthesia.

Background & objectives: Weight loss and hypernatremic dehydration is a common problem in infants with inadequate nutrition. Determination of risk factors and clinical characteristics of these neonates may help to prevent or early detection of hypernatremia. This study designed to determine the prevalence of clinical signs and risk factors for hypernatremic dehydration.Methods: This study is a sectional descriptive study that conducted on 418 newborns during 1385 to 1393 AHS that referred to Ghaem hospital in Mashhad. The hypernatremic group consisted of 197 neonates with serum sodium level higher than 150 mg/dl and 221 isonatremic newborns with sodium level less than 150 mmol/L were included as controls. Both groups were compared in terms of clinical symptoms of dehydration and maternal risk factors. All data were recorded and coded. Data analysis performed using paired T test and chi square tests by SPSS 16 software.Results: In the present study, 2.8% of infants were hypernatremic. The most common symptoms were neonatal jaundice (62.2%), hyperthermia (25.8%), lethargy (23.6%), agitation (20.8 %) and mucous membranes dryness (17.2%). Problems in pregnancy (p=0.002), inappropriate feeding techniques (p=0.000), the first lactation duration (p=0.022) and frequency per day (p=0.000) had statistically significant difference between case and control groups.Conclusion: Prevalence of hypernatremic dehydrationis considerable in our study and identifying the risk factors may help to reduce its incidence or exacerbation. Weight loss, especially in newborns having jaundice, hyperthermia and irritability, may be helpful in the early diagnosis of hypernatremic dehydration.

Background & objectives: Social capital is defined as norms and networks which provide conditions for participation in social activities in order to profit mutually. This study was designed to evaluate the social capital status of students of Ardabil University of Medical Sciences and its relationship with religious attitudes.Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of 500 students from Ardabil University of Medical Sciences during second half of the academic year 2014. Data were collected using demographic, social capital and religious attitudes questionnaires and analyzed by SPSS 22 using T-Test, Pearson correlation and ONOVA tests.Results: Total means score for social capital was 80.0±16. There was significant correlation between all dimensions of social capital (except for dimension of family and friends connections) and religious attitudes status (p<0.05).Conclusion: Due to the influence of social capital and its relationship with the religious attitude, it can be a guide for reduction of concerns about the educated classes and increasing their social capital.