Studies in Medical Sciences
Year:2016 | Volume:26 | Issue:10|Papers Count:11

Background & Aims: Various Leishmania species can cause human infection with a spectrum of clinical manifestations. The current treatments are unsatisfactory; and in absence of a vaccine there is an urgent need for effective drugs to replace those currently in use. In the present study, the effect of direct current electricity in combination with selenium and silver nanoparticles on the healing of leishmanial lesions has been investigated.Materials & Methods: In this experimental study, 24 Balb/c mice were divided into four groups and infected experimentally with L.major. Then silver nanoparticles with a concentration of 250 mg/kg and selenium nanoparticle with a concentration of 125 mg/kg were injected inter-lesion, and simultaneously 0.5 mA DC induction was applied directly into the wound. Finally, the lesion size and mice body weight changes were measured during five weeks.Results: The lesions were found to be smaller in the group treated with DC and silver nanoparticles than the group treated with DC and selenium nanoparticles (P<0.05). Two treated groups showed significant differences with both negative control group and the group treated with Glucantime (P<0.05).Conclusion: The results showed that selenium and silver nanoparticles with direct current electricity promotes wound healing in mice.

Background & Aims: Cardiovascular diseases are the most important causes of death worldwide. There are a lot of different risk factors that increase the susceptibility of patients to cardiovascular disorders.With regard to the possible role of M. pneumoniae infection in triggering and progress of cardiovascular diseases, this study was designed to determine the seroprevalence of antibodies against M. pneumoniae in patients with acute coronary syndrome in Urmia.Materials & Methods: This Case-Control study was conducted by collecting patients’ data by questionnaire, studying patients’ records and laboratory tests. Serum samples were collected from 40patients with acute coronary syndrome and 44 patients in eye ward matched for age and sex as case and control group, respectively. The levels of serum triglycerides, cholesterol, fasting blood sugar and IgG and IgM antibodies against M. pneumonia was measured and results were analyzed with T- statistical test.Results: There are no significant differences between the mean of age, sex, smoking history and the level of fasting blood sugar, cholesterol, triglycerides and M. pneumonia IgG and IgM antibodies in the case and control groups but there is a significant difference in the mean of the white blood cell counts that was higher in patients. Seroprevalence of IgG was 62.44% and 63.29%in case and control groups respectively and in both groups it was higher in men in compare with women. Positive IgM antibody against M. pneumonia was not detected in both control and test groups.Conclusion: Although high prevalence of infection with M. pneumoniae was found in subjects but its role in increasing the risk of developing acute coronary syndrome was not confirmed.

Background & Aims: Male factors account for 20%-50% of cases of infertility and male infertility due to severe oligozoospermia and azoospermia has been associated with a number of genetic risk factors.Severe oligozoospermia was defined as a concentration of less than 5×106 sperm/ml. The aim of this study was to examine whether an association exists between glutathione S-transferase GSTM1 and GSTT1 genes polymorphism and severe oligozoospermia.Material & Methods: This case-control study was conducted on 103 subjects, including 51 infertile men with severe oligozoospermia and 52 fertile men serving as controls. Blood samples were collected from patients and healthy individuals and used for isolation of genomic deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). The polymorphisms were analyzed using multiplex-polymerase chain reaction (multiplex-PCR) technique.The data were analyzed using Chi-square, Fisher exact test, and independent t-test. (P<0.05) Result: The frequency of GSTT1 and GSTM1 null genotypes were observed to be higher in infertile men with severe oligozoospermia (GSTT1=41.18% and GSTM1=27.45%) in comparison with the fertile men (GSTT1=13.46% and GSTM1=9.62%).Conclusion: These differences were statistically significant. The results of this study suggest a possible positive effect of GSTT1 and GSTM1 null genotypes on the spermatogenesis process of the testis.

Background & Aims: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were introduced as multipotent non-hematopoietic precursor adult cells. Pre or anti-inflammatory features of these cells appear on immune responses by activating specific tool like receptors (TLRs). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Lipopolysaccharide and Polyribocytidylic Acid on different concentration and times of incubation on nitric oxide production and apoptosis induction in activated T-cells.Materials & Methods: Suspension cells were prepared through the femural and tibial bones by flushing method; and Mesenchymal cells were isolated by plastic adhesion technique. When the cultures reached % 70 confluence, cells treated with TLR agonists, Poly: IC (1 and 5 mg/ml), LPS (10 and 20 ng/ml) and the lowest combination concentrations (Poly: IC 1μg/ml and LPS 10ng/ml) (LP) at two different times, 1 and 12hr. Nitric oxide of cell surface liquid were measured by Griess (year) method. Apoptosis percentage in T cells was assayed by flowcytometry in the presence of Achridin orange/propidium iodide (AO/PI).Results: The results showed that Poly: IC could induce the highest T cells apoptosis at low concentration (1 mg/ml) after 12hr incubation. But, LPS could cause T cells apoptosis at high concentration (20 ng/ml) after 1hr incubation (P<0.05). Also, an increase in T cells apoptosis could be related to nitric oxide production.Conclusion: These findings suggest that the concentration of agonist and treatment period of the stem cells could affect nitric oxide production and apoptotic activity in MSCs.

Background & Aims: Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) is a form of hemoglobin that is measured primarily to identify the average plasma glucose concentration over prolonged periods of time. In diabetes mellitus, higher amounts of glycated hemoglobin, indicating poorer control of blood glucose levels, have been associated with cardiovascular disease, nephropathy, and retinopathy. Monitoring HbA1c in type 1 diabetic patients may improve outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between serum HbA1C level and severity of coronary artery disease (CAD) in diabetic patients at Urmia Taleghani Hospital by selective coronary angiography.Materials & Methods: This descriptive and solidarity research was performed on 188 diabetic patients candidate for selective coronary angiography (SCA) in Urmia Taleghani Hospital according to purposive and including criteria. These patients were divided into 3 groups on the base of serum HbA1C level(HbA1C<7%, HbA1C between 7-9% and HbA1C>9%). Also the patients were divided into 4 groups on the base of SCA findings: no CAD, one vessel disease (1VD), 2 vessel disease (2VD), and 3 vessel disease (3VD). Samples were analyzed by SPSS-16.Results: There were 86 (45.7%) male and 102 (54.3%) female. The mean age of patients was 58.63+/-9.66 years. Coronary angiography revealed 1VD in 59 patients (31.4%), 2VD in 43 patients (22.9%), 3VD in 51 patients (27.1%) and normal coronary arteries in 35 patients (18.6%). Results of study showed HbA1C>9% in 73 patients (38.8%), HbA1C=7-9% in 96 patients (51%) and HbA1C<7% in 19 patients (10.2%). There was significant statistical relationship between serum HbA1C level and severity of CAD (P=0.002). Also there was significant relationship between CAD and positive family history (P=0.03). Analyses were performed independently in males and females and there was no relationship between smoking and severity of CAD on the base of gender consideration (P-value in male=0.160 and P-value in female=0.281).Conclusion: The findings of our study revealed significant relationship between serum HbA1C level and severity of CAD in diabetic patients. HbA1C can estimate severity of CAD. Accordingly with tight controlled diabetic mellitus, we can reduce number of severe CAD.

Background & Aims: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is progressive chronic demyelinating disease of the central nervous system that in patients interferes with quality of life. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between personality traits and coping styles with quality of life in patients with MS was done.Materials & Methods: The study population included all MS patients with secondary or higher education covered by the MS Society of West Azerbaijan Province.120 MS patients (51 males, 69 females) were selected by means of convenience sampling. The data were collected using Goldberg character inventory, quality of life questionnaire (QOL), and scale of coping style (CSQ). The data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation coefficient, and stepwise regression using SPSS-20.Results: The results indicated that there was significant relationship between neuroticism (negatively), extraversion, openness, conscientiousness, and problem-focused coping style (positively) with quality of life in MS patients. Also, stepwise regression analysis showed that three traits of neuroticism, extraversion and conscientiousness about 40 percent of variance in quality of life can be predicted in patients with MS.Conclusion: Personality traits predict the quality of life of MS patients and problem-focused coping strategies, increase quality of life in these patients.

Background & Aims: BRAF-V600E mutation has recently been considered as a molecular marker in diagnosis of Hairy Cell Leukemia (HCL). Detection of this mutation has found a diagnostic and therapeutic value. The aim of the present study was comparing the diagnostic value of BRAF V600Emutation detection with other previous methods in diagnosis of HCL patients.Materials & Methods: Detection of BRAF V600E mutation in 17 patients was performed with allelic discrimination polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The ppatients’ history including results of previous diagnostic tests such as peripheral blood or bone marrow smears as well as flow cytometry immunophenotyping were also collected in order to compare the diagnostic value of BRAF V600Emutation testing with other routine methods in diagnosis of HCL.Results: Lymphoid cells with hairy-like projections were observed in smears of 14 patients.Immunophenotyping by flow cytometry for HCL in these patients were reported as “Definitely Diagnosed” in 9 cases, “Highly Suspicious” in 4 cases and “Suspicious” in 1 case, while BRAF V600Emutation were detected in all of them. Microscopic and flow cytometric analysis for three remaining patients ruled out the presence of HCL, which were related with absence of BRAF V600E mutation in these patients.Conclusion: Since the results of mutation detection confirmed the final report of two other tests, it can be concluded that BRAF V600E mutation detection has a high diagnostic value and is an appropriate confirmation test in this regard.

Background & Aims: Preterm birth is the birth of an infant prior to 37 completed weeks of gestation.Several studies in the past offer different kinds of association between anthropometric index before pregnancy and weight gain during pregnancy with preterm birth. The aim of this study was to determine association between numbers of risk factors with preterm birth.Materials & Methods: In this case control study, the data were collected from file of mothers who had preterm birth and mothers who had normal delivery in Sardasht district, from first November 2012 since first November 2013. This study was conducted on 267 cases and 534 controls. The data about risk factors like age of women, palace of living, occupation and education status of mothers and their husbands, BMI index before pregnancy, and weight gain during pregnancy were collected from medical records. The data were analyzed using χ2, T students, univaraiate and multivariate regression test.Results: There was significant association between weight gain during pregnancy and preterm birth (P<0.001), mothers education level and preterm birth (P<0.001), husbands education level and preterm birth (P<0.001). But there was no association between living place, occupation of mothers, mothers’ age and occupation of husbands with preterm birth.Conclusions: Analysis of data showed there was significant association between BMI index before pregnancy and weight gain during pregnancy with preterm birth. Offering health education and promoting maternal health services improve the health of women, fetus, and child.

Background & Aims: The peripheral parts of the lung are known as the main place of airflow obstruction in asthmatic patients; but the symptoms of asthma with the location of airway obstruction are still unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between asthma symptoms and severity of asthma and proximal and distal airways using function tests.Materials & Methods: Ninety-two asthma patients who were diagnosed on the basis of ATS criteria were enrolled in this study. After full history and physical examination, asthma symptoms and asthma severity was measured for each patient using asthma control test (ACT provided by GINA). Impulse oscillometry and lung volume studies (using body- plethysmograph and IOS both provide by Jaeger, Germany) were performed. Total Airway Resistance (TAWR) indicated by resistance at 5Hz and Central Airway Resistance (CAWR) were indicated by resistance at 20 Hz. The relationship between the presence of asthma symptoms, post nasal discharge, ACT score and parameters of lung function were analyzed.Results: Clinical asthma symptoms such as cough, dyspnea, wheezing, postnasal drip (PND) with distal and proximal airway parameters of pulmonary function tests didn’t correlate. (P=0.05). Cough were found in 59.8% of patients with uncontrolled asthma (ACT score≤19) and 40.2% of controlled asthma (ACT score≥20) patients. There was a significant association with asthma severity (Value=0.02). Other asthma symptoms such as dyspnea, wheezing, postnasal drip (PND) with clinical asthma severity had no significant correlation with degree of changes in distal and proximal pulmonary airway function test parameters (P=0.05).Conclusion: Clinical symptoms of asthma could not differentiate the prominent site of airway involvement.

We report a 71 year-old patient with intertrochanteric fracture who had been managed with DHS and her healed fracture complicated by a subcapital femoral neck fracture.A subcapital femoral neck fracture complicating a healed intertrochanteric fracture is rare but catastrophic event. Such cases are managed in a hetereogenous manner, i.e. there exists a mixture of cases treated by either fixed angle devices or dynamic compression hip screws (DHS). We report on a patient who developed subcapital femoral neck fractures after open reduction and internal fixation of an intertrochanteric hip fracture with a dynamic hip screw. We found 5 cases in literature with similar complication.