Journal of Advances in Medical and Biomedical Research
Year:2007 | Volume:14 | Issue:58|Papers Count:12

Background & Objectives: Clostridial neurotoxin inhibits neurotransmitter release by selective and specific intracellular proteolysis of synaptosomal associated protein of 25KDa (SNAP-25), synaptobrevin/VAMP-2 and syntaxin. SNAP-25 is one of the components that forms docking complex in synaptic ends. This protein is subtrate for botulinum neurotoxins types A, C, and E. Each of these toxin serotypes specifically cleaves SNAP-25 in a particular position and thereby blocks docking and synaptic vesicle membrane fusion and finally prevents neurotransmitter exocytosis and transition of neurotic signals. Recombinant production of SNAP-25 in the laboratory can be used as a subtrate for the detection of clostridium botulinum types A, and E neurotoxins.Materials & Methods: In order to use the protein as a subtrate for detection of different types of clostridium neurotoxins in-vitro the protein was produced by recombinant technique. The cDNA from SNAP-25 was synthesized from total RNA purified from frozen Rattus norvegicus brain and amplified by RT-PCR the amplified fragment was cloned into pET32a expression vector. The identity of recombinant protein was confirmed by Western blot using specific antibody and finally the recombinant protein was purified through an affinity column chromatography (Ni-NTA).Results: The optimum conditions of expression of SNAP-25 were found to be IPTG (1mM) and incubation at 37oc for 5 hours. The recombinant protein was isolated and purified using Ni-NTA column with imidazole at a concentration of 25OmM. Using enterokinase to cut the fision at 37oC comparatively yielded better results than room temperature.Conclusion: The protein retained its structure during the purification process being suitable for cutting and further tests. The purified protein we obtained can be used as substrate for detection of clostridium botulinum types A, and E toxins.

Background & Objectives: Nocturnal enuresis, the involuntary passing of urine during sleep after the age at which bladder control would normally be anticipated, is a widespread and potentially disabling disorder of children. Treatment of enuresis includes non-pharmacologic and pharmacologic procedures. Imipramine, anticholinergics, and desmopressin are appropriate drugs for treatment. Desmopressin is a synthetic analogue of vasopressin, which decreases urine output. Since efficacy and side effects of desmopressin-therapy differ in various studies, this research was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of desmopressin in enuretic children in Zanjan.Materials & Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, 126 chidren aged 5-14 suffering from primary nocturnal enuresis, referring to pediatric nephrology clinit was entered into the study during 2002-2006. Following the written consent a questionnaire concerning the personal data and physical examination was completed for each patient. Clinical tests including U/A, U/C, Cr and serum electrolytes were carried out and after rejecting the secondary causes of enuresis 10-20 g intransal desmopressin was prescribed according to the age and weight of the children. The effect and complications of the drug were followed up monthly for six months.Results: Of 126 children, 56 (44.4 %) obtained full recovery, and 48 (38.1%) partial recovery from nocturnal enuresis. The total recovery was 82.5 %. 22 patients (17.4 %) did not respond to the drug. No significant difference was observed between age, gender, existence of stress, and effect of the drug on child enuresis. Children with familial history of nocturnal enuresis responded better to the drug. No complications were observed in patients.Conclusion: Desmopressin is an effective drug against nocturnal enuresis of children. The drug is more effective in children with familial history of primary nocturnal enuresis.

Background & objective: With regard to increasing use of opioids and their potential role in infertility research centers around the world are in search of pharmacologic compounds which could neutralize effects of opioids and overcome infertility through administration of GnRH and its analogues which also do not have considerable side effects. Materials & Methods: In this study male wistar rats weighing 200-250 gr were used. At different intervals (5-10-15 days) 5mg/kg morphine was injected intraperitonneally into the male rats. Then they were divided in 5 groups of 8. The first group contained intact rats, while saline, morphine, naloxone, and fertagyl were injected into the second third, fourth and fifth groups respectively. Then the rats were anesthetized and their bloods were taken for further tests. Results: The results showed that morphine induces loss of testis weight and diameter, loss of weight in rats, and nutritional and behavior changes. Furthermore, a significant changes in the amounts of LH and testosterone hormones was observed in all groups (p<0.05) while no significant change in the amount of FSH was observed. Conclusion: Since the experimental groups into which naloxone and GnRH were injected showed no significant difference, we suggest that naloxone and GnRH be administrated as opioid antagonist to slove the problem of morphine-induced infertility.

Background & objective: Due to high kinetic variation of antiepileptic medications in children, judgment on the efficacy of intravenous phenytoin and phenobarbital in treatment of refractory status epilepsy requires measurement of serum levels of the drugs. The aim of this study was determine and compare serum levels of phenytoin and phenobarbital, as the two major and common first- line drugs in treatment of children with status epilepsy and refractory status epilepsy.Materials & methods: Serum levels of phenytoin and phenobarbital in 20 children (1 month – 12 years) with refractory status epilepsy (candidates for midazolam infusion) was compared with 20 children with status epilepsy. Age, gender, etiology, type of seizure and previous use of antiepileptic drugs were matched.Results: In patients with status epilepsy and refractory status epilepsy mean serum levels of phenobarbital were 28.03 ± 12.7 mg/ml, 37.22 ± 20.78 mg/ml respectively while serum levels of phenytoin were 30.38 ± 16.80 mg/ml, 31.42 ± 14.81 mg/ml respectively. There was no significant difference between phenobarbital (P=0.1) and phenytoin (P=0.8) serum levels in these two groups. There was no significant correlation between phenobarbital serum level with age in the group of status epilepsy (P=0.1) and refractory status epilepsy (P=0.8). In contrast, increased phenytoin serum level was associated with increased age in status epilepsy group (P=0.004) and refractory status epilepsy group (P=0.01). In both groups, blood level of the drugs was within the therapeutic range.Conclusion: High pharmacokinetic variation of antiepileptic medications in children does not cause any changes in the serum level of intravenous phenytoin and phenobarbital in the groups of status epilepsy and refractory status epilepsy. Development of refractory status epilepsy is probably due to the nature of disease or other unknown factors which need further studies.

Background & objective: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are presently isolated from various human tissues such as bone marrow. These cells have relatively high replication potential and can differentiate into various cell lineages with mesodermal and non-mesodermal origin and therefore, show promising in treatment of diseases. Their striking features like availability of source, ease of isolation and replication, and migration to lesions have made them appropriate for disease treatment and tissue engineering. The low frequency of MSCs in bone marrow necessitates their in-vitro expansion prior to clinical use. However, over-expansion may lead to aging or replicative senescence of MSCs and other complications for the patient.Materials & methods: In this study, we isolated BM MSCs and cultured them in vitro. After the first passage cell surface markers were determined by flowcytometry and the cells propagated in culture for more passages. Telomere length was assessed using Telo TAGGG Telomere Length Assay kit after each cell passage.Results: Our data showed that there is a direct correlation between in-vitro expansion of MSCs and reduction of telomere length. The telomere length was shortened by 1 kb after nine passages. This means that expansion induces aging through reduction of telomere length.Conclusion: These data suggest that in-vitro expansion of MSCs may restrict their future clinical application due to telomere length shortening which happens in each cell division. Thus, it would be much better to consider early passages of MSCs for cell and gene therapy due to their proliferation, differentiation and homing ability.

Background & objective: Efficacy of family planning is an important factor in reducing fetomaternal mortality and morbidity. Since men could influence their spouses′ attitudes toward reproduction, we conducted this study to investigate the role of male education and participation in increasing the use of safe contraceptive methods.Materials & methods: This quasi-experimental study was carried out on all fertile couples of Islamabad (Zanjan) who used withdrawal method for contraception. 90 families were entered into the study and following completing the questionnaire randomly divided into two groups of treatment and control. Intervention was performed through face-to-face education by NGO′S of the related regions for two months. After 6 months the second questionnaire was filled out to investigate the contraceptive methods. The data was analyzed using chi-square statistical test.Results: Rate of application of safe contraceptive methods (TL, OCP, condom, IUD, DMPA) was higher in treatment group than in control group compared with withdrawal method which showed a significant difference (p=0.04). Knowledge of using OCP and condom in both groups was high. There were 4 and 1 cases of unwanted pregnancy in control and treatment groups respectively (non-significant difference).Conclusion: Despite the difficulties in performing the research, the study results showed that participation of men positively affects family planning. More investigafion regarding the involvement of men in family planning is recommended.

Background & Objective: Emergence of information technology (IT) has influenced human life deeply. Presumably the strongest and deepest influence has been on education field so that any one could get access to required data any time, at any place. Development of IT is so remarkable that its influence on health education could not be neglected. Thus, a great number of countries have implemented basic website set-up for health information purposes. This study paves the way for future research on both e-health and e-education in the society and their effects on the overall health knowledge of the high school students.Materials & Methods: The present study was performed on the basis of information obtained from questionnaires on personal, mental, nutritional, maternal and marital issues and family planning, common infections, AIDS and environmental health information of 649 students in 3 high schools. Information was collected in two steps (pre and post tests). T-test and Leven’s tests were used in the statistical analysis of the data.Results: The results of t-test showed that training the students through health information website increased their health knowledge in the above-mentioned fields with a minimum of 14.5% for environmental health and a maximum of 48.9% for nutritional health which showed a significant difference in all fields (P=0.000).Conclusions: Efficacy of the model in the improvement of knowledge was statistically significant in all health fields. Implementation of IT is a predictable and flexible procedure. Moreover, it enhances accessibility and provides active question-response methods.

Background & objective: Physical complications following esophageal cancer are known as factors that affect the patrent′s quality of life. These symptoms affect the mental, social and emotional aspects of patient′s life adversely. This study was carried out to investigate the effect of self-care education on life quality of patients suffering from esophageal cancer following esophagectomy in selected hospitals of Tehran University of medical sciences.Materials & Methods: In this quasi-experimental study 77 patients treatment and control groups with esophageal cancer were selected non-randomly regarding their characteristics (35 years old and over, and transhiatal esophagectomy). Three half-hour face-to-face education sessions were held for 40 patients and their families, while 37 patients were regarded as control group. Quality of lift of patients undergoing esophagectomy and the number of problems in both groups were measured through SF36 checklist in two stages: before education and esophagectomy and one month after education and esophagectomy. Finally, life quality and the number of complications were compared in both groups.Results: Independent t-test revealed that total life quality score before intervention in two groups was not significantly different (p=0.53). Moreover, the same test showed no significant difference in two groups after intervention (P=46). However, paired t-test revealed that total life quality score in treatment group differed significantly before and after intervention (p=0.035). In addition the same test showed a significant difference in control group before and after intervention (p=0.009). Pearson correlation coefficient indicated that there was no significant difference between demographic variables and total life quality score (p>0.05). Paired t-test showed that the number of patient′s complications decreased following the education.Conclution: Self-care education following esophagectomy improves the life quality of patients and reduces the complications. Thus, regarding the follow-up period (one month) sample volume, and efficacy of the intervention more comprehensive studies using laryer sample volumes with longer follow-ups are recommended.

Background & objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the knowledge and use of contact lenses by high school female students in Zanjan in 2003.Materials & Methods: The designed questionnaire was randomly distributed among the high school female students. Then the questionnaire’s questions were standardized based on the study. The main sample size was 700. The samples were selected out of seven high schools in zanjan regarding the geographic distribution. Then the questionnaires were investigated and following the omission of imperfect cases statistical data was analyzed using SPSS software.Results: Out of 700 studied students, 37.7% had the history of using contact lenses, out of whom 4% had used medical lenses, 2.1% chromato- medical lenses and 32.2% chromatic lenses. Only 11% of the students had appropriate knowledge about contact lenses and merely 14% of the students had obtained the lenses through ophthalmologist. 45% of the users suffered from one of ophthalmic complications.Conclusions: Regarding the high prevalence of using contact lenses and their relatively common complications, informing the users through the media seems necessary and the lenses should be prescribed by ophthalomologists.

Background & objective: FMF is an autosomal recessive genetic disorder characterized by acute episodes of fever accompanied by severe abdominal pain, pleurisy, arthritis, and skin rashes. Clinical symptoms of the disease vary considerably in patients, and little is known about the origin of this variation. This study investigates a male patient suffering from severe FMF and his parents.Materials & Methods: The subject was a six-month-old boy with recurrent fever accompanied by severe abdominal pain and skin rashes. Molecular screening was conducted through polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing exon10 of MEFV gene.Results: The investigation to indentify common mutations، using ARMS-PCR and exon 10 sequencing revealed an M697/M680I compound heterozygote mutation in exon 10 of the related gene. Patient's father and mother were heterozygote for mutations M680I and M694V, respectively without having the history of FMF attacks.Conclusions: It seems that accompaniment of mutations M680I and M694V even in compound heterozygote form might lead to severe phenotype FMF. This is the first report of early onset and severe phenotype FMF case associated with a 694V/680I compound heterozygote mutation in Iran.