Journal of Ardabil University of Medical Sciences
Year:2011 | Volume:11 | Issue:1 (39)|Papers Count:13

Background & Objectives: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a Gram-negative and aerobic bacterium. Exotoxin A is one of the important toxins produced by the bacterium and it is the main cause of mortality. About 90% of P. aeruginosa strains produce this toxin. Biofilm is a functional consortium of microorganisms attached to the body surfaces and bacteria are embedded in extracellular polymeric substances produced by the microorganisms. This bacterium is nontoxic in the planktonic form, but as a biofilm is highly toxic. In this study, we examined the association between the presence of exo-A gene and antibiotic resistance patterns with biofilm formation in Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains.Methods: In this study 110 strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from various infections with defined antibiotic resistance patterns were used. The PCR method was used to detect the presence or absence of Exotoxin A gene (exo-A). Ability of biofilm formation was evaluated by spectrophotometry. Association between exo-A gene and antibiotic resistance patterns with biofilms formation was analyzed statistically by Fishers and Chi-square tests.Results: exo-A gene was detected in 93 strains (84.5%). Sixty two strains were multidrug resistant and they produced broad spectrum beta-Iactamase enzyme. Results showed that, exo-A positive strains had significantly higher ability to biofilm formation in comparison with exo-A negative strains (p<0.05). Also the biofilm formation was significantly higher in multidrug resistant and ESBL producing strains (p<0.05).Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that there is a significant association between exo-A gene as well as antibiotic resistance pattern and ESBI producing with biofilm formation in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Because of importance of biofilms in the pathogenesis of this bacterium, our study could open a new window for investigation of the molecular processes involved in the formation ofbiofilms.

Background & objectives: Ischemic brain edema is one of the most important complications of cerebral infarction. Edema aggravates the primary ischemic injury to the brain. It was demonstrated that the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) and its active peptide angiotensin II involved in ischemic brain injury. But role of RAS in the formation of ischemic edema is not clear. The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of the RAS inhibition by enalapril on edema formation and blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption.Methods: In this research frothy Sprague Dawley male rat in six groups were studied. Animals were anesthetized with chloral hydrate (400 mg/kg, IP). Transient focal cerebral ischemia was induced by occlusion of right middle cerebral artery using intraluminal filament method. Three groups of animals as sham, ischemic and enalapril receiving (0.03 mg/kg) groups were studied for assessment of neurological outcome and brain edema formation. 24 hours following ischemia (60 minutes), animals were assessed for neurological deficits. Ischemic brain edema was investigated by brain water content detection. Another three groups of animals at the same conditions were studied to evaluate the possible disruption of BBB by Evans blue extravasation technique.Results: When sham operated rats had no motor deficit, induction of ischemia in ischemic group, seriously caused impairment of motor functions and neurological deficit score (NDS) of ischemic group was 2.67±0.42. Pretreatment with enalapril (0.03 mg/kg) significantly reduced NDS and improved motor dysfunctions (1.5±0.34, P<0.05). Induction of ischemia seriously caused edema formation in right (ischemic) hemisphere of the brain in ischemic group (4.1±0.4 percent). Pretreatment with enalapril (0.03 mg/kg) significantly decreased edema compared to ischemic group (1.89±0.23 percent). Extravasation of Evans blue in right side of the brain in ischemic group (12.48±1.94 mg/g) was significantly more than sham group. Pretreatment with enalapril (0.03 mg/kg) had protective effects on BBB function and decreased Evans blue extravasation by 44.5 percent (6.92±1.46 mg/g).Conclusion: RAS inhibition by enalapril reduces ischemic brain edema formation by protecting the integrity of BBB and reducing its permeability following focal cerebral ischemia in rat. Pre-ischemic inhibition of RAS activity may reduce ischemic brain injury by ameliorating edema formation.

Background & Objectives: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional gastrointestinal disorder that is common through the world including Iran. Because of its chronic nature and lack of effective treatment, patients are always anxious and stressful and physicians are also exhausted of untreated patients. The cause of IBS is unclear and it has not effective treatment. Therefore, there is a need to find and introduce a proper method of treatment to control symptoms including abdominal pain and defecation changes. This study was aimed to determine the effectiveness of probiotic yogurt on the general relief of symptoms associated with IBS.Methods: Subjects were recruited from patients of gastroenterology clinic in Imam Khomeini Hospital, Ardabil. A total of sixty patients fulfilling the Rome II criteria took part in this study. Subjects were randomized into two groups of trial and control. Pre- and post- treatment symptoms were investigated using a questionnaire. Thirty one patients received probiotic and 29 patients normal yogurt for 4 weeks. Bottles of yoghurt were manufactured, and coded by a company. Both participants and researcher were blinded for the bottles' code. The symptoms were followed before and after two and four weeks of treatment and two weeks post discontinuing of trial, too. Data were analyzed by SPSS (Ver. 17) and differences between groups were compared statistically using of chi-square and t-test.Results: A total number of 60 patients were recruited in this study of whom 36 (60%) were female and 24 (40%) male. The average age of participants was 34.1±9 which did not differ between two groups. The onset of symptoms did not show any difference between two groups. The trial group had a history of 5.7±5.1 years while this was 6.5±4.9 for the controls. In overall, patients who were given probiotic yogurt had shown a better response in the control of abdominal pain and flatulence than those who were treated with normal yogurt. There was not a significant difference between two groups in the response to treat for other symptoms including epigastric pain, vomiting, frequency of defecation and feces consistency.Conclusion: According to our research, adding probiotic yogurt to the patient diet may help ease symptoms of IBS especially, abdominal pain and flatulence. Considering the high prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome and the lack of effective therapies, even a slight reduction in symptoms can have positive public health consequences.

Background & objectives: Today there is a significant progress in the treatment of female infertility but there is no main improvement for the rate of implantation and live birth. This is because of non-implantation and early abortion that lead to decrease the rate of live birth. Genital infections such as bacterial vaginitis are common cause of this problem. Distinction and treatment of bacterial vaginosis is easy and non-expensive. Treatment of bacterial vaginitis could results in improving the rate of implantation and then live birth.Methods: We considered 209 infertile women treated with ICSI (intra cytoplasmic sperm injection). This study was performed in infertility clinic of KOSAR hospital affiliated to Uremia University of Medical Sciences, Iran. Before transferring of embryo, a sample was taken from posterior culdesac secretions by sterile cotton swap and fixed it on lamella. Then bacterial vaginitis was graded by a pathologist. The relationship of bacterial vaginitis with implantation and early abortion was studied. Data were entered into SPSS software and analyzed by t-test and Chi-Square test. p<0.05 is considered statistically significant.Results: Bacterial vaginitis was significantly more frequent in patients with tubal and ovulatory disorder (p=0.013). In women undergoing ICSI, bacterial vaginitis was not associated with decreased conception rate (p=0.892) and with increased rate of early pregnancy loss (p=0.44).Conclusion: Bacterial vaginitis is prevalent in women with infertility. It is also the most important cause of infertility in patients with tubal and ovulatory disorder. Bacterial vaginitis does not affect fertilization rate.

Background & objectives: The hand is one of the sensitive organs of the body. The hand injuries usually occur in workers and are one of the most common causes of disabilies. The aim of this study was to investigate the causes of the hand injuries leading to defect among industrial workers and farmers’ reffered to emergency department of Fatemi hospital in Ardabil.Methods: In a cross-sectional study, from January 2009 to Agust 2010, 100 patients with hand injuries were included. The data were collected by the chek list including: category of severity, time and type of incident, and location and cause of the injuri and then were analyzed statistically by Chi-square test.Results: Most of the industrial workers (58%) ranging as 20–29 years old and had 38 years as an average. Sixty two percent of them were working more than 8 hours per day and 64.7% experienced severe injuries in their hands. Amputation showed to be the most common injury in this group. Most of the farmers (30%) were in age group 20-29 years and from them 70% were working less than 8 hours per day. In this group, 54% of injuries occurred in left hand and the most common type of injuries was amputation (54%).Conclusion: The highest incidence of hand injuries has been shown to occur among industrial workers with 28 years as mean and working for more than 8 hours per day without any formal training before starting to work. So, it seems to be need we use the expert workers with the high level background and don’t use adolescents under 15 years.

Background & objectives: Origanum Vulgare is herbal plants which is widely distributed in the north and northwest parts of Iran and possess therapeutic properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection of aqueous extract of Origanum Vulgare L. ssp. viride on pain threshold in male rats.Methods: In this study, 28 Male Wistar rats (200-250 g) were divided randomly into 4 groups (n=7). Rats were anaesthetized with a mixture of ketamine and xylazine and placed in stereotaxic apparatus. A guide cannula was inserted into ventricular area, according to the atlas of Paxinos and Watson. One week after surgery, three groups of rats received microinjection of Origanum extract (1, 3, 6 mg/rat). Controls received the microinjection of the same volume of saline. Tail flick latency (TFL) was used to assess the nociceptive response each 15 min for 120 min, using tail flick test. The results were analyzed by repeated measurement test. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare the mean values of quantitative variable among the groups. The data are expressed as mean±SEM. p<0.05 was considered significant.Results: Intracerebroventricular administration of the Origanum extract resulted in significant and dose-dependent increase in TFL compared to controls (p<0.05). Origanum extract at dose of 3 mg/rat showed the highest analgesic response. The maximum analgesic response was observed at 60 min and 90 min post extract injection (p<0.05).Conclusion: These results suggest that the ICV injection of aqueous extract of Origanum Vulgare possesses dose- dependent ant nociceptive activities in the tail flick test in rats.

Background & objectives: Diabetes mellitus is a common metabolic disorder resulting from insulin deficiency or resistance. One of the most common problem in diabetic patients is atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease which induced by hyperlipidemia. Primary strategies for prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease are lowering of the lipids level by food and drugs. Zinc as an essential trace element may affect plasma lipid status. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of zinc on the levels of plasma lipids in patients with type II diabetes.Methods: In this clinical trial study, 60 diabetic patients were divided in two groups. The first group received 25 mg/kg/day zinc and second group received 50 mg/kg/day zinc for 8 week. The levels of fasting serum lipids, lipoproteins and zinc were evaluated in each group before and after administration of zinc. SPSS software (V.11.5) and t-test were used for statistical analysis.Results: In the study procedure in each group 8 patients were excluded and 22 patients completed the study. There were not significant changes in the levels of zinc and serum lipids between before and after zinc treatment in the first group (25 mg/kg/day). The serum levels of zinc significantly increased after administration of 50 mg/kg/day zinc in the second group (160±30 mg/dL vs 140±30, p=0.002). There also were significant changes in the levels of LDL-Cholesterol, total cholesterol before and after zinc supplementation in the second group (50 mg/kg/day). LDL significantly reduced after supplementation (123.9±33.53 vs 96.5±32.50, p=0.001), cholesterol reduced (226.68±31.40 vs 199.8±37.8 p=0.001), HbA1C reduced after zinc supplementation (9.7±1.86 vs8.9±1.5, p=0.02).Conclusion: It seems that Zinc at higher doses (50 mg/kg/day) is effective to decrease the levels of serum lipids and glycosylated hemoglobin in diabetic patients.

Background & objectives: Amblyopia as one of the most important social and visual problems is common in the world including Iran. It plays a major role in visual dimness. The aim of this study was to determine prevalence and causes of amblyopia in middle school students in Ardabil city, Iran in 2004.Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study 4548 middle school students were included. The subjects primarily were screened by optometrists and an ophthalmologist by using of Snelen chart. The doubtful cases were referred to eye clinic for further checking and reexamined by ophthalmologist. The data were collected by questionnaire and the results were analyzed by descriptive and analytical statistics using SPSS software.Results: The results cleared that 11.4% of subjects (520) had refractive errors, 2.63% (120) showed the amblyopia and 0.9% (43) experienced strabismus. The most common cause of amblyopia was anisometropia (59% of all cases) and for strabismus was isotropia (69.5% of all cases). These findings showed that there is a significant correlation between type and rate of refractive defects with amblyopia. The highest rate for refractive amblyopia was over 3 Diopter hyperopia (29.5% of refractive amblyopia). Hyperopia revealed to occur in males more than females and vice versa for astigmatismConclusion: It seems that the prevalence of amplyopia in Ardabil is similar to other cities in Iran and other countries. But the refractive amblyopia in Ardabil shows more prevalent than other areas. Its reason may be due to less knowledge to use glass and low socio-economic conditions as well as low quality of treatment.

Background and Objectives: The importance of considering to job stress among women is not related to loss of economics alone, but it makes an unsafe condition in health of body and soul of person, family and society, too. This study was aimed to determine the rate of job stress among employed women in Ardebil during 2010.Methods: In a descriptive cross-sectional study, 1250 governmental-employed women were selected in different offices of Ardabil city. Data were collected by job-contained Karasek questionnaire and results were analyzed by chi-square test.Results: The results showed that 62.8% of women experienced medium level of stress and 36.5% revealed to have severe stress. Our findings significantly showed that there are relationship between stress rate of individuals with number of children, level of education, place of living, job experience, rate of work hours per day and night work shift, employment status, physical and mental diseases (p<0.05).Conclusion: With respect to severe stress found in employed women in study setting, it seems to need to increase mental health indices in individuals, families and community, and the authorities should develop a comprehensive plan to enhance productivity and satisfaction among employees.

Background & Objectives: Nowadays, appearance of ESBL producing bacteria is medical problem in the treatment of infections. Uropathogenic Escherichia coli like many other bacteria can produce these types of enzymes. The assessment of the ESBL production by clinical isolates is not done routinely in laboratories. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of ESBL producing E.coli and its antibiotic resistance pattern in Kermanshah.Methods: This cross - sectional study was done on 200 Uropathogenic E. coli strains isolated from people in Kermanshah. Sensitivity of isolates to different antibiotics was determined by disk diffusion test and ESBL production was assessed by DDST method.Results: The E. coli strains showed high susceptibility to imipenem (100%), amikacin (97%), nitrofurantoin (95.5%), gentamicin (85%), cefepime (75%), ceftazidime (74%), ofloxacin (73.5%), ciprofloxacin, ceftriaxone and aztreonam (71%) and cefotaxime (70%) respectively. The highest resistance was seen to ampicillin (77%), carbenicillin (76%), pipracillin (74%) and SXT (62.5%). Resistance rate to third generation cephalosporins was 63-75%. Fifty seven isolates (27%) were ESBL producers and 47 isolates (87%) produced all four types of ESBL enzymes.Conclusion: There are some similarities and differences in the antibiotic resistance pattern and ESBL production among the isolates in different areas of Iran and other countries. Identification of ESBL producing bacteria and determining its antimicrobial resistance pattern are recommended to effective treatment of infections.