Journal of Advances in Medical and Biomedical Research
Year:2013 | Volume:20 | Issue:82|Papers Count:15

Background and Objective: Articular cartilage abnormalities are important factors of skeletal disorders and usually are related to glycosaminoglycans synthesis in the cartilage tissue. Presence of some vitamins, amino acids, and minerals increases cartilage regeneration. In this study, Medicago sativa (Alfalfa), which is high in some vitamins, amino acids and minerals, was used for cartilage healing of the pinna in rabbits, and glycoseaminoglycans (GAGs) of the extracellular matrix (ECM) were investigated histochemically.Materials and Methods: Four holes (4-mm in diameter each) were punched in the medial portion of each pinna of 10 New Zealand male rabbits (randomly divided into 2 groups), after shaving the hair and anesthetization by 10% lidocaine (total of 80 holes). The ears of the experimental group were treated by alcoholic extract of M. sativa, while the control group was treated by normal saline daily. Samples of regenerating tissue from day 0 through day 50 after the punch were prepared for microscopic studies. A color intensity of Alcian blue in pH 1 for sulfated molecules and in pH 2.5 for carboxylated GAGs and toluidine blue (that has a metacromatic reaction with sulfated GAGs) were considered.Results: In all 3 histochemical staining methods, an early high-color intensity of cartilage was observed in the treated group compared with the control. Furthermore, the closure of the cartilage hole in the treated group happened faster.Conclusion: It seems that the M. sativa extract, probably because of its vitamin and amino acid composition, increases chondroblasts activity for secretion of carboxylated and sulfated GAGs in ECM, which leads to a faster cartilage wound healing. Therefore, the plant extract provides a good candidate for future studies on its potential role in wound healing and pharmacological applications.

Background and Objective: Due to progress in treatment, the average survival rate of the colorectal cancer (CRC) patients has been steady increasing in recent decades. The aim of this study was to evaluate the survival rate and affecting demographic factors in the Iranian patients with colorectal cancer.Materials and Methods: In this retrospective study, a total of 243 cases of CRC patients, whom were referred to the registration center of Namazi Hospital in Shiraz (2003-2008), were included to the study. Collected data were analyzed by Kaplan-Meier, Log rank, and Cox regression models using the SPSS version 16 software.Results: The mean follow up time of the patients was 35.4±37.49 months. The overall 1, 3, and 5-year survival rates were estimated as 93.9%, 50.3%, and 27.2%, respectively. The Cox regression model revealed that there were some significant correlations between the income status, initial detection method, alcohol consumption, initial treatment strategy, and metastases and the overall survival rate.Conclusion: Despite the progress in treatment, the average CRC survival rate in Iran is lower than developed countries.

Background and Objective: One of the most important complications of utilization of anti-epilepsy drugs in pregnancy is an increase of fetal abnormality. There is not enough information about the role of phenytoin on teratogenic effects on pregnancy and on fetal organogenesis. Hence, this study was designed to determine the macroscopic abnormalities created by continuous use of phenytoin during organogenesis of fetus.Materials and Methods: Forty pregnant mice (NMRI type) were divided into three experimental groups (I, II, III) and one control group. Three experimental groups I, II, III received 60 mg/kg, 75 mg/kg, and 90 mg/kg per day with 0.2 ml volume from the day 6.5 (GD 6.5) to day 14.5 (GD 14.5) of pregnancy intraperitoneally (i.p.). The control group received the same volume of normal saline instead. The mice on the day 18.5 of pregnancy were sacrificed, and their tail lengths, weights, and abnormalities were studied. Data were analyzed by ANOVA and Tukey tests.Results: In the experimental groups, the mean weight and tail length was reduced significantly compared to the control group (P<0.05). In all three experimental group (I, II, III) abnormalities such as absorption of same fetal, hemorrhage in different organs and follicular thyroid was increased significantly compared to the control group (P<0.05).Conclusion: Our results show that utilization of the drug phenytoin in mouse during organogenesis not only induces absorption of some fetuses, weight loss, and tail length reduction, but it can also induce abnormalities such as hemorrhage and follicular thyroid.

Background and Objective: This study aimed to determine the antibacterial activity of either zinc oxide or copper oxide nanoparticles alone or combined against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.Materials and Methods: In this experimental study Escherichia coli (E. coli ATCC 25922), Staphylococcus aureus (S.aureus ATCC 25923), Pesudomonas aueroginosa (P. aueroginosa ATCC 27853) and Staphylococcus Epidermidis (S. Epidermidis PTCC 1114) were used as test microorganisms. The Zinc and copper oxide nanoparticles were prepared commercially. The antibacterial activity of nanoparticles was studied using bacteriological tests such as minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and time kill study. Time kill studies were done using MIC nanoparticle concentration in mono and combined together mood for all the test microorganisms. The fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) index used to define or to describe nanoparticle interactions at combined together mood of two nanoparticles. The ANOVA test (SPSS ver. 16) was used to compare the antibacterial activity of nanoparticles alone and combined. A Pvalue of£0.05 was considered significant.Results: The MIC value for E. coli and S.epidermidis against the combined nanoparticles had a lower concentration than mono metallic nanoparticles. By contrast, the MIC value for P.aeroginusa, and S. aureus against the combined mood of the nanoparticles had higher concentration. The fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) index for E. coli, S.aureus, P. aueroginosa and S. epidermidis were 0.75, 9, 6, and 0.625, respectively. The results show that the Gramnegative bacteria seem to be more resistant to ZnO nanoparticles than the Gram-positive bacteria. Moreover, the antibacterial effect of nanoparticles in both mono and combined modes were time dependent (P<0.0001).Conclusion: The used commercial CuO/ZnO nanoparticles have great antibacterial potential against all of the strains, and the combination of zinc oxide and Copper oxide nanoparticles increases their bactericidal effect only for certain strains but not all.

Background and Objective: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is the most common pathogen causing nosocomial infections. The aim of this study was to determine the antimicrobial susceptibility pattern and prevalence of ESBLs in clinical and environmental isolates of P. aeruginosa by phenotypic and genotypic techniques.Materials and Methods: In this descriptive study, a total of 100 P. aeruginosa strains isolated from different clinical and environmental specimens were used. The antibiotic resistance pattern to eight antimicrobial agents was determined by disk diffusion method. The ESBLs producing strains were confirmed by doubledisk-diffusion test, and the blaTEM-1, blaSHV-1, blaSHV-5, blaCTX-M-1, blaCTX-M-2, blaCTX-M-3, blaCTX-M-9, blaOXA-1, blaGES-1, and blaGES-2 genes were detected by PCR.Results: Piperacillin and ciprofloxacin showed the highest (36%) and the lowest (16%) resistance against the isolates, respectively. Thirty percent of the total isolates were resistant to at least three classes of antibiotics. By double-disk-diffusion test, eight strains (8%) were ESBL positive. According to the PCR results, the blaGES-2, blaSHV-1, blaSHV-5, and blaCTX-M-1 genes were detected in 8, 2, 2, and 1 isolates of ESBLs producing strains respectively.Conclusion: The blaGES-2 gene displayed an expanded hydrolysis profile to the antibiotic imipenem. In fact, this enzyme, which plays an important role in resistance to imipenem, was detected in all ESBLs producing P. aeruginosa strains. This is the first report describing blaGES-2 producing P. aeruginosa in Iran.

Background and Objective: Staphylococcus pyogenes and Staphylococcus aureus bacteria are infectious agents of the pulmonary system. S. pyogenes usually appears as a secondary infection along with a primary staphylococcus infection. Hence, antimicrobial effects of Lavandula angustifolia on S. pyogenes and S. aureus were simultaneously examined.Materials and Methods: In this study, compounds existing in essences of leaves and flowers of L. angustifolia (true Lavander) were analyzed by gas chromatography using mass spectrometry (GC/Ms) and the antibacterial effects of the extracts were investigated by tube dilution method in a broth medium. Minimal Inhibition Concentration (MIC) and Minimal Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) were determined using different concentrations of the extracts. Then disk diffusion was performed with MIC concentrations.Results: The most important compounds existing in the essence of L. angustifolia flowers and leaves included linalool (35.2%-36.8%), cineole (17.1%-20.1%), and borneol (7.2%-7.8%), respectively. MIC and MBC of aqua and alcohol extracts of the leaves and flowers on S aureus were 15 mg and 20 mg, respectively. As for S. pyogenes, the MIC was 20 mg. However, the MBCs of alcohol and of the aqueous extracts were different (20 mg vs. 25 mg).Conclusion: Our results reveal that alcohol extract of L. angustifolia leaves has antibacterial effect on S. aureus and on S. pyogenes and could be considered as an antibacterial product in the treatment of infections caused by these two microorganisms.

Background and Objective: Atrial fibrillation is the most prevalent arrhythmia, accompanied with some adverse complications, after coronary artery bypass graft surgery. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of psychological risk factors, as well as age and gender for the incidence of atrial fibrillation after coronary artery bypass graft surgery.Materials and Methods: In this retrospective cross-sectional survey, a total of 317 patients, whom undergone coronary artery bypass graft surgery in the Tehran Heart Center and Tehran Cardiac Surgery Center of Bo-Ali Hospital were selected by convenience sampling. Among these cases, following the coronary artery bypass graft surgery, 89 (28.1%) of them had atrial fibrillation. Data were collected by demographical questionnaire and Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS) and analyzed by chi-square, independent t-test with binary Logistic Regression using the PASW software.Results: Depression (OR= 4.57), stress (OR= 4.49), anxiety (OR= 3.61), age (OR= 4.77), and gender (OR= 2.38) could significantly differentiate the patients with atrial fibrillation from those without it after the bypass surgery (P<0.0001). The total regression model explained that 97.2% of this sample was classified correctly (P<0.05).Conclusion: Depression, stress, and anxiety as psychological risk factors, and age and gender, as background risk factors, all appear to contribute in the incidence atrial fibrillation after coronary artery bypass graft surgery. These results might have applicable implications in prevention of atrial fibrillation after the bypass surgery and its related adverse complications.

Background and Objective: The Bispectral Index (BIS) is a neurophysiologic monitoring system, which continuously analyzes the electroencephalogram recording of a patient during general anesthesia to assess the patient's level of consciousness. When one is awake, the brain cortex is very active, with marked EEG signals. However, during sleep or under general anesthesia, the signal patterns change. This is used as a method for determining depth of anesthesia in patient, in order to facilitate their awakening and discharge from the recovery room. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of BIS monitoring on control of the depth of anesthesia for accelerating the awakening process and minimizing the recovery time in elderly patients.Materials and Methods: In this clinical trial, 68 patients (over the age of 60) participated who had the American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status of I or III and were scheduled for elective abdominal surgery. The patients were randomly allocated to two groups either receiving general anesthesia with BIS monitoring or without it.Result: Data were compared between groups by using the Kaplan-Meier Tests. The time to orientation was faster in the BIS group compared to the control group. There were significant differences regarding the postoperative orientation time between the two groups (P =0.0001).Conclusion: Both the recovery time and discharge from recovery were significantly faster in the BIS group compared with the control group.

Background and Objective: Thalassemia is an inherited disorder which is common in Iran. Most thalassemic patients suffer from growth retardation due to economic and nutritional problems. The majority of these patients die because of some chronic problems such as diabetes or cardiovascular disease. Nutritional assessment and intervention are important for improving the life expectancy and quality of living in thalassemic patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the nutritional status and hematological indices in patients with beta thalassemia major.Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 61 thalassemic patients, whom were referred to the Seyed-al-shohada Hospital in Isfahan, were enrolled. Data on the dietary intake (micro-nutrient and macronutrient intake) were obtained by 24-hr Food recall and analyzed with a Food Processor software. Demographic data were obtained by using General Questionnaires. Statistical analyses were performed using student t-test and Pearson correlation.Results: Carbohydrate, protein and fat intakes were significantly lower than the standards (23.2 g, 144.6 g, and 17.4 g vs. 130 g, 49 g, and 30 g, respectively (P<0.05). Most of the micronutrient intakes such as vitamins A, D, and B12, and Zink and calcium were lower than references. Some hematological indices such as hemoglobin (11.2±3.5, P<0.05), hematocrit, and ferritin were significantly lower than the standards (32.5±8.6 and 180±45, P<0.01).Conclusions: Nutritional deficiencies were prevalent in these patients. Therefore, it appears necessary to pay special attention to diet in thalassemic patients.

Background and Objective: Nocturnal Enuresis is one of the most common complications in childhood, and it is likely a multifactorial disease. However, its etiology is not fully understood. A number of studies have suggested that children with enuresis have slower linear growth than other children. Our goal was to compare growth and development of children with primary nocturnal enuresis with normal children within the most common age range for the disease.Materials and Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study, we selected 100 6-year-old children (ranging from the end of 5th year till the end of 6th) whom were diagnosed with nocturnal enuresis as our case group and studied their developmental status by Ages and stages Questionnaire (ASQ). The control group was selected from 6-year-old children who attended the clinic for reasons other than enuresis. The test and control groups were sex matched.Results: Among 100 patients with primary nocturnal enuresis, 76 were male and 24 were female. Children with primary nocturnal enuresis were significantly behind in growth and development in the five axes of personal/social, problem solving, gross motor, fine motor, and communication skills (P= 0.007 and P<0.0001, respectively).Conclusion: As children with primary nocturnal enuresis lag in growth and development in comparison with normal children, this disorder can be categorized as a developmental central nervous system disease.

Background and Objective: Brucellosis is an enzootic disease that can involve many organs and tissues. Brucella epididymo-orchitis is a focal complication of the brucellosis. The aim of this study was to compare epidemiologic, clinical, and laboratory features of patients suffering from Brucella induced epididymoorchitis with cases of nonspecific epididymo-orchitis.Materials and Methods: This analytical cross-sectional study was performed in Valiasr Hospital in Arak from 2007 to 2011. A total of 40 cases of Brucella epididymo-orchitis were compared with 40 cases of bacterial (non-specific) epididymo-orchitis and the data were analyzed by SPSS ver.16 software and Student t-test, and Mann-Whitney U and chi-square tests.Results: We found no significant differences between the age (P=0.82), fever (P=0.17), history of urologic manipulation (P=0.23), increased ESR (P=0.28), and positive CRP (P=0.45) between the two groups. However, there was a significant difference between the presence of arthritis and arthralgias (P=0.02), leukocytosis (P<0.05), pyuria (P=0.002), symptoms of dysury-frequency (P=0.004), sweating (P<0.05), and location (P 0.004) between the two groups.Conclusion: This study shows that the existence of epididymo-orchitis without symptoms like dysuria and frequency, leukocytosis, and pyuria is suggestive of brucella epididymoorchitis. The physicians in endemic areas could use these findings for expediting the diagnosis and treatment of Brucella epididymo-orchitis.

Omental cysts are rare and occur in approximately one of 100,000 patients. About 25% of these cysts are presented in children less than 10 years of age. Symptoms produced by omental cysts are not clinically diagnostic and pre-operative diagnosis is exceedingly difficult. Omental cysts producing clinical symptoms must be differentiated from other cysts and acute intra-abdominal conditions such as pancreatic cysts, retroperitoneal cysts, ovarian cysts, cysts of the kidney, ascites, tuberculosis' peritonitis, and appendicitis. In some cases, these cysts are discovered in the course of an abdominal operation for some other reasons. Here, we report the case of a 6-year-old boy presenting with acute abdominal pain presenting a giant omental cyst in him during laparotomy.