Studies in Medical Sciences
Year:2016 | Volume:27 | Issue:1|Papers Count:14

Background & Aims: Primary cardiac tumors are rare entities with an autopsy frequency ranging between 0.017% and 0.19%. The present study aimed to summerize 5 years of our clinical experience with surgical resection of intracardiac tumors.Materials & Methods: In this study, 3245 consecutive cases of cardiac operations performed at Seyedal-Shohada Cardiovascular Center between November 2009 and December 2014 were retrospectively reviewd. The data of 13 patients with open heart surgery due to cardiac tumors were selected and analyzed. All patients underwent median sternotomy and cardiopulmonary bypass.Results: The prevalence of cardiac operations for primary cardiac tumors was 0.4% among the corresponding period cardiac operations. Of 13 operated patients, 6 were female (46.2%) and 7 male (53.8%). The average age of the patients was 15 to 82 (mean 55.1±16.2). The typical presentations were cardioembolic stroke in 30.8% and congestive symptoms in 46.2%. It was an incidental finding in 23% of cases (3 patients). Myxoma (84.6%) was the most common diagnosis, typically affecting the left atrium (81.8%). Malignant tumors represented 7.7% of cases. Mean tumor dimension was 5.2 cm in largest diameter. Three patients (23%) had concommitant surgery together with tumor resection.Papillary myxoma was found in 54.5% of patients (6 of 11 myxoma) and strongly was associated with preoperative cardioembolic stroke (CVA). There were no early hospital deaths in the perioperative period, and follow-up ranged from 6 to 44 months (mean 23 months). Only one patient died during follow-up after 2 years of surgery for malignant tumor. None of the myxoma patients had tumour recurrence. At the last follow-up examination, all of patients were in functional NYHA classes I or II.Conclusion: Surgical resection provides excellent outcome in patients with benign cardiac tumors and surgery for cardiac myxoma is associated with low long-term mortality and morbidity. Malignant tumors are a challenge despite good local tumor control because local recurrence and metastatic disease lead to limited survival.

Background & Aims: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is one of the major causes of neurogenesis and neuronal plasticity which come from exercise. The aim of this study is to find an exercise which has the most influence in the least time. On the basis of this aim, the effect of short-term, three and five days of continuous endurance training (CET) and high intensity interval training (HIIT) on the serum BDNF levels in the rats were investigated.Materials & Methods: First, 50 two-month aged rats with the weight of 273±27 of Sprague Dawley race were selected and divided into four groups (CET 3 days training, CET 5 days training, HIIT 3 days training, HIIT 5 days training and control) randomly. Based on their groups, rats performed a 3-days or 5- days CET or HIIT trainings. At the end of the study, blood samplings were taken from subjects. Data have been analyzed by using two-way ANOVA.Results: The results showed that the interaction effect resulted from the increasing of serum BDNF in 5-days group in comparison with other groups of 3-days CET (p=0.039), 5-days HIIT (p=0.003), 3-days HIIT (p=0.001) and control group (p=0.003) was significant. However, the interaction effect between other groups showed no changes.Conclusion: According to results, it can be said that BDNF is influenced by the overall training time and by the increasing of time and days of performing trainings, BDNF increased. The minimum time to increase serum BDNF is at least 5 days of CET trainings.

Background& Aims: Arsenic (As) is one of the toxic metals. Zinc (Zn) supplementation could have a protective effect against arsenic toxicity because of their antagonistic properties. In this study, the influence of Zn on toxicity that is caused by As on serum parameters related to liver function has been investigated.Materials& Methods: In this experimental study, a total of 60 male Wistar rats were randomly allocated into ten groups. In a short-term period: group 1 was the control, group 2, and 3 received 40 and 80 mg/l As sodium, group 4 received 40 mg/l Zn, and group 5 received 40 mg/l As sodium and zinc simultaneously. In a long-term period groups received half the dose of short-term period with oral administration. Blood samples were taken over a 15-day and 45-day period and serum enzymes of the liver were measured.Results: The result showed that administration of four different doses of As sodium decreased the activity of lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase, and Aalanine aminotransferase compared to the control group. Moreover, the simultaneous use of As sodium with zinc increased the activity of lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase and Aalanine aminotransferase. (P<0.05) Conclusion: Zinc supplementation can have protective effects against the toxicity caused by As on serum enzymes liver.

Background & Aims: Iodine is an essential element of biosynthesis of thyroid hormones and for the development of the fetus nervous system during early pregnancy. It has been suggested that alteration in iodine clearance during pregnancy is dependent on glomerular filtration rate (GFR). The aim of the present investigation was to explore the association between urinary iodine excretion (UIC) and serum cystatin C during pregnancy.Materials & Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 74 pregnant women (age>17 years) at first trimester (<12 weeks) were enrolled. Random urine and serum were collected at first-, second- and third trimesters. UIC was assayed according to Sandell-Kolthoff reaction, cystatin C by PETIA technique and serum creatinine by the Jaffe method, respectively. Data analysis was performed using SPSS software (version 22.0).Results: The mean age of the studied population was 26±5 years. Median UIC at first-, second- and third trimesters were 57 mg/L, 126 mg/L and 89 mg/L (P<0.0001). Mean cystatin C levels were 0.71±0.2 mg/L, 0.74±0.2 mg/L and 0.98±0.3 mg/L (P=0.001). Serum creatinine concentrations were 0.83±0.1 mg/dL, 0.81±0.1 mg/dL and 0.82±0.1 mg/dL. No significant relationships between was seen between UIC and cystatin C during gestation.Conclusions: This study reveals that serum cystatin C levels during first and second trimesters were similar but significantly higher that of the third trimester. The pattern of UIC alteration during pregnancy did not match that of cystatin C. These findings imply that the marked reductions in UIC during first and third trimesters relative to that of the second trimester does not reflect increased GFR but is to ensure adequate iodine supply for thyroid hormone biosynthesis during the two vital stages of pregnancy.

Background & Aims: Given that H. pylori infection increases the inflammation of the stomach and duodenum, stomach and duodenal ulcer and gastric adenocarcinoma risk in children, the main purpose in this study was to compare the accuracy of serology and rapid urease test in diagnostic of H. Pylori in children.Materials & Methods: This cross-sectional study was a diagnostic test evaluation that was conducted on all children aged between 2 to 15 years old who referred to Shahid Motahari hospital due to abdominal pain and had positive serology for H. pylori. After obtaining the consent of parents, the patients underwent upper endoscopy. Biopsies were taken for rapid urease test and histopathology.Histopathology was considered as the gold standard test. Finally, the data were processed and analyzed by SPSS 21 software. Chi-square test was used for comparison of variables.Results: From 173 patients with positive serology, according to the results of histopathology, 100 children were infected with H. pylori while 73 children were not. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value percentS were for IgG84, 63, 75, 74, for IgM54, 60, 65, 48 and for RUT 87, 78, 84, 81, respectively.Conclusion: According to the results of this study, among H. pylori infection diagnostic test, the rapid urease test (RUT) had the highest sensitivity and specificity but anti-H. pylori IgM had low sensitivity and specificity.

Background & Aims: Diabetes is one of the health problems in all societies. Exercise training and drug interventions, especially herbal medicines are considered as effective approaches in improving diabetes.The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of regular aerobic exercise and Nigella supplementation and a combination of both on the Apelin and Glucose in rats with type 2 diabetes.Materials & Methods: Seventy five male Wistar rats were divided into five groups: normal control, diabetic control, diabetes+aerobic training, diabetes+Nigella, diabetes+aerobic training+Nigella.Diabetes was induced by intra-peritoneal injection of streptozotocin (50mg/kg). Exercise program included 8 weeks of aerobic training on a treadmill (5 sessions per week, 30 minutes per session, with a speed of 22m/min and 5% incline). After 8 weeks of aerobic training and Nigella consumption, plasma glucose and apelin were measured. The data were analyzed via ANOVA and Tukey with a significant level of P<0.05.Results: Apelin and glucose index in diabetic control group was significantly higher than normal control group. Also the mean of clucose index in diabetes+Nigella, diabetes+training and diabetes+training+ Nigella groups was significantly lower than diabetic control group. But the mean of Apelin index in diabetes+training and diabetes+training+Nigella groups was significantly higher than diabetic control group. but diabetes+training group wasn’t significantly.Conclusion: It seems that aerobic training along with the use of specific herbal plants can be considered as a complementary therapy in improvement of diabetics.

Background & Aims: Pseudomonas aeruginosais a gram-negative bacterium which is capable of producing biofilm, phosphomycin is one of the broad-spectrum antibiotics and Zataria multiflora is among the most widely used medicinal plants. The aim of this study was to evaluate the combined effects of Phosphomycin and Z.multiflora essential oil against biofilm formation by P. aeruginosa PAO1.Materials & Methods: Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and Minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of phosphomycin and Z.multiflora essential oil were determined in the concentration range of 0.25- 128 mg and 0.078%- 10% v/v, respectively. The biofilm formation amounts were measured in the absence of antimicrobials and then in the presence of sub-lethal concentrations of them alone or in combination. Two-factor analysis of variance was used to assess the main effects of Z.multiflora essential oil, antibiotic and the interaction between Z.multiflora essential oil and phosphomycin.Results: Minimum inhibitory and bactericidal concentrations of phosphomycin were 64 mg/mL and minimum bactericidal concentration of the essential oil was 5%. The amount of biofilm formation in the absence of phosphomycin and Z.multiflora essential oil was the most, but in the presence of phosphomycin and sub-lethal concentration (2.5% V/V) of Z.multiflora essential oil was significantly reduced. More reduction was observed in the presence of the both compounds. Statistical analysis showed that there was a significant difference in biofilm formation in the presence of all phosphomycin doses compared with its absence; however, there was no significant difference between the amounts of biofilm formation in the presence of different concentrations of antibiotic (the difference between all groups, p>0.05).Conclusion: Combined use of Z.multiflora essential oil and phosphomycin, especially in low concentrations of phosphomycin, is a promising way to control and prevent biofilm formation by of P. aeruginosa PAO1.

Background & Aims: The multicultural curriculum is a mechanism to effectively empower the individuals and groups in terms of accessing to knowledge, attitudes and skills for peaceful coexistence in a multicultural society. In this regard, this study aimed to investigate the attention given to the design and development of this kind of curriculum in the content of undergraduate nurse curriculum.Materials & Methods: This applied field study was conducted on all faculty members of medical sciences at various universities in Iran. Using convenience sampling, a number of 50 subjects were selected as sample. A researcher-made questionnaire was designed as a research tool and its validity and reliability was confirmed.Results: According to the results of univariate t-test and the criteria proposed by Bazarghan and colleagues (2007) (1 to 2.33=little attention, 2.34 to 3.67=medium attention, and 3.67 to 5=much attention), it was revealed that the attention given to the teachings of this approach in the medical science curriculum content was not optimal. From the ten measured components of multicultural education, however, the attention given to six components was low and to four components was medium.Conclusions: In order to provide effective medical care to patients with different cultural backgrounds, it is necessary to make significant changes in the content of the curriculum and pay proper attention to the training associated with this approach. Therefore, the medical personnel will learn the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to become a transcultural medicine agent and will act responsibly in a multicultural society to provide better services.

Background & Aims: Religious practices are the leading cause of peace and spiritual happiness. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between religious practice and happiness in students of Urmia University of Medical Sciences.Materials & Methods: This study was a correlation-regression one including all undergraduates (2181 students) in Faculty of Medicine in Urmia University of Medical Sciences. The sample was chosen through multi-stage stratified random sampling method and 377 subjects were selected based on Morgan’s Table. The samples were asked to fill out the questioners of organizational vitality and religious practices questionnaire and theses scales’ reliability were approved with Cronbach’s alpha (0.92). To analyze the data, descriptive and inferential statistics such as Pearson correlation and multiple regressions were used.Results: Accordingly, there was a significant relationship between the practice of religion and happiness of students.89.2% of happiness in students are predicted to be along with doing religious obligations and its components. The effective components in students’ happiness and their significance were life satisfaction (92.8%), personal dignity (94.8%), subjective well-being (93.6%), satisfaction (82.7%) and positive mood (82.2%) percent Happiness in the students involved in the creation of Medical Sciences.Conclusion: In case of correct and coherent planning on religious practices along with students’ course curriculum, it is predicted to observe a higher rate of caring and doing religious obligations that has significant effect on persistent and more stable happiness in students.

Background & Aims: Tooth loss and using complete denture may have adverse effects on the nutritional status. Nutritional status of edentulous patients with or without complete denture has been evaluated in studies at several communities using different methods including anthropometric indices and different results have been obtained. The aim of the present study was to compare the nutritional status of complete denture wearers and persons with natural dentition based on some anthropometric indices in an Iranian population.Materials & Methods: A total of 130 persons with age range of 60-80 years attending to Tabriz Dental Faculty in two groups of edentulous with conventional complete denture and dentate were compared based on socio-demographic, economic and general health status and anthropometric indices. For qualitative variables, Fischer's exact and Chi-square tests were used and to compare anthropometric indices, independent sample t-test was used.Results: There was no meaningful difference in the most indices of socio-demographic, economic and general health status between two groups. The mean weight of edentulous patients was meaningfully higher than dentate patients while the mean heights had no difference. The BMI of edentulous patients (28.99±5.77 kg/m2) was higher than dentate patients (25.06±3.79 kg/m2). The mean values of waist and mid upper arm circumferences were statistically higher in the edentulous patients.Conclusion: Edentulous patients with complete denture have higher weight, BMI, waist and mid upper arm circumferences than dentate patients and are most prone to overweight and obesity.