Journal of Kerman University of Medical Sciences
Year:2016 | Volume:23 | Issue:5|Papers Count:12

Background and Aims: Hydatid cyst disease is one of the most common parasitic zoonotic diseases in Iran and the most common involved sites, are lungs and liver. The best treatment of this disease is surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate the epidemiology and early complications of surgery of hydatid cyst of lung and liver in patients referred to Afzalipour Hospital afiliated to Kerman University of Medical Sciences during 2003-2013.Method: In this cross-sectional study, 85 patients with lung or liver hydatid cyst who were referred to Afzalipour hospital during 2003-2013 were evaluated retrospectively. Data related to epidemiologic variables and surgery complications were obtained from patient’s documents.Results: From 85 patients with hydatid cyst of lung and liver, 48.23% were male and 51.76% were female. Among patients, 69.4% had lung hydatid cyst, 24.7% had liver hydatid cyst and 5.8% had both simultaneously. Cough, dyspnea and fever were dominant symptoms and almost all the surgeries were done through cystectomy with open drainage or cystectomy with capitonage. In whole, 12 cases (14%) had been complicated. There was no significant relation between the method of surgery and complications.Conclusion: in the present study, the results of epidemiologic variables such as age, sex, prevalence of pulmonary and hepatic involvement and clinical manifestations were similar to the studies that were done in other cities of Iran and also previous studies in Kerman. From 85 surgeries, 12 cases were complicated and there was no significant relation between the method of surgery and complications. Method of surgery, result and complications were similar to other parts of the world and surgery is recommended to prevent hydatid cyst complications such as abscess, opening to the pleural cavity and anaphylactic shock.

Background & Aims: Various antiviral drugs such as amantadine are used to treat influenza. This drug is categorized in group C and few researches have been conducted about its toxic effects on human fetus. In the current study, the pathologic effects of the drug as well as drug efficacy in reducing influenza virus titer in the developing chicken embryo were assessed.Method: The experiment was done on 48 fertilized eggs. Amantadine and allantoic fluid containing 105 EID50/ml of H9N2 virus were inoculated into the egg albumen, then, the pathologic effects of the drug on embryos were evaluated using macroscopic and histopathologic examinations. Drug efficacy in reducing influenza virus titer, was also assessed using the hemagglutination test.Results: The study showed that amantadine has adverse effect on the survival, growth, weight and internal organs during embryonic development. Histopathological examinations of the internal organs showed that pathological effects of the drug occurred in the organs, including lungs, heart, liver, kidney and brain. Furthermore, it was found that amantadine can to reduce the replication of H9N2 virus and increases the viability of the embryo.Conclusion: As regards to the endemic condition of the H9N2 virus in Iran and the possibility of virus transmission to human, the utilization of amantadine is inevitable, however, the hazard of the drug for human embryo must be taken seriously.

Background & Aims: Preeclampsia is one of the complications of pregnancy and a major cause of maternal mortality. Since, hypercoagulation is one of the risk factors, defined polymorphisms of V and II coagulation factors (G1691A and G20210A) may increase the risk of the disease.Methods: This investigation was performed on blood samples of 64 preeclamptic women and control group. DNA of white blood cells were extracted using salt satutation method. Then, G1691A and G20210A polymorphisms were investigated using ARMS-PCR technique.Results: Significant difference was found between the mean age of case (28.734 yrs) and control (24.921 yrs) groups (P=0.000196). But, mean of gestational age did not show significant difference between the case and control groups (34.719 wks & 34.421 wks respectively).Among the preeclamptic patients, we found two heterozygotes (3.1%) for each factor II and factor V. No homozygote mutation (0%) was found in this study, while we found one heterozygote subject (1.6%) for factor V in the control group.Conclusion: in comparison of preeclamptic and control group for single nucleotid polymorphisms (G1691A and G20210A), no significant difference was found. Therefore, these polymorphisms cannot be considered as prediagnostic risk factors for preeclampsy. We suggest more wide genetic and invironmental investigations for finding preeclampsia risk factors.

Background & Aims: Organisms producing TEM-b-lactamase are emerging around the world as a source of resistance to b-lactam antibiotics such as three generation cephalosporins. In this study, we used a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to identify genes TEM for Extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBLs) producing clinical isolates of Klebsiella pneumonia from hospitals of Boroujerd/ Iran.Method: A total of 100 K. pneumoniae isolates were collected from different hospitals in Boroujerd. Phenotypic screening and confirmatory tests for ESBL detection were performed according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of azteronam, amikacin, ciprofloxacin and meropenem were determined by micro broth dilution method. All of the ESBL-producing isolates were examined for the presence of TEM gene by PCR method.Results: Primary phenotypic tests revealed that 41% (n=31) of K. pneumonia isolates produced ESBLs. In confirmatory tests using clavulanic acid, ESBL production was confirmed in 100% of isolates with a primary positive test. Among the ESBL producing K. pneumoniae, 31 isolates were positive for TEM gene. The study showed excellent susceptibility among the strains to meropenem and amikacin. Low susceptibility to ciprofloxacin and the lowest susceptibility to azteronam were observed.Conclusion: ESBLs producing isolates can be combined with resistance to other classes of antibiotics such as aminoglycosides. Also, meropenem can be a good treatment options to control infections caused by ESBLs producing organisms.

Background and Aim: Iron oxide nanoparticles are used in fields related to nanotechnology including ecology, magnetic storage, imaging and medicinal purposes. Iron nanoparticles produce reactive oxygen species (Ros). These materials are able to cross the placenta. The aim of this study was to investigate toxic effect of iron oxide nanoparticles on fetal lung in mice.Methods: In this study, at day 14 of pregnancy, fetal lungs were removed and transferred to the Cell culture medium. The lungs were divided into 5 groups, including control, sham and experimental groups of 1, 2 and 3 (received respectively 10, 30 and 50 mg/kg nano iron oxide) and then they were incubated for 24 hours. For histopathological evaluation, lung tissues were stained with Hematoxylin-Eosin and the results were evaluated.Results: Mean number of bronchioles and the diameter of blood vessels in exprimental groups showed no significant difference compared with control and sham groups. Mean number of blood vessels in experimental groups 1 and 2 showed no significant difference compared to control and sham groups, while in the experimental group 3, mean number of blood vessels showed significant decrease compared to sham and control groups (p<0.05). Histopathological examination of lung after exposure to iron oxide nanoparticles showed signs of cytotoxicity including vacuole degeneration and necrosis.Conclusion: The finding of this study showed that in in vitro, conditions, iron oxide nanoparticles reduce number of blood vessels and have cytotoxic effects such as vacuole degeneration and necrosis in the lung tissue of the fetus, in a dose- dependent way. These results can be grounds for in vivo studies.

Background and Aims: Formaldehyde, a colorless aldehyde with pungent odor, has negative effects on systems of the body. Considering, there are a little data about protective substances against kidney damage induced by formaldehyde, the aim of the present study was to examine the effects of different doses of N-acetyl cysteine on biochemical and histopathological parameters in kidney of mice exposed to formaldehyde.Methods: A total of 48 adult male mice were randomly divided into six groups. Control group did not receive any injection. Formaldehyde group received 10 mg/kg formaldehyde. Third to sixth groups received 10 mg/kg formaldehyde as well as respectively 50, 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg N-acetyl cysteine, intraperitoneally. After 14 days, slides from kidney were prepared and kidney volume and glomeroules number were obtained by steriologic method. Besides, levels of serum urea and cranitine were measured. Data were analyzed through SPSS software and using ANOVA.Results: Administration of formaldehyde has caused necrosis, cast and vacuolization in kidney tubules. Collapse and sclerosis were observed in the glomeruli. Effects of N-acetylcysteine were dose-dependent; that is, administration of high doses of N-acetylcysteine caused glomerular and tubular damage. In the group received 50 mg/kg N-acetylcysteine, glomeruli and interstitial tissue were normal. The glomerular volume and urea levels in the experimental group 3 and 6 were significantly different compared to the control group (P=0.000). The number of glomeruli and the level of creatinine in the groups receiving N-acetylcysteine was significantly different compared to the control group (P = 0.000).Conclusion: Administration of 50mg/kg N-acetyl cysteine for 14 days caused protective effect on kidney tissue of mice that had received formaldehyde.

Background & Aims: In recent years, the feasibility of hydrophilic nanoparticles has been broadly investigated for use in drug delivery and therapeutic systems. Due to the problems of traditional adjuvants, in this study Agkistrodon halys (Ah) Snake venom was loaded in chitosan nanoparticles (CS NPs) in order to be used as an advanced adjuvant and antigen delivery system in antidote production industry.Methods: CS NPs containing Ah venom were prepared using ionic gelation and crosslinker method. In this study, polymer concentration, cross-linker concentration, particles size, particle size distribution, zeta potential, particles shape and surface characteristics, loading efficiency, loading capacity, and particles structure were optimized.Results: Optimum concentration achieved were chitosan 2mg/ml and cross-linker 1mg/ml and Agkistrodon Halys snake venum 500 mg/ml. Mean particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), and zeta potential of venom-loaded CS NPs were respectively 129 nm, 0.418 and 41 mV. The loading capacity (LC) and loading efficiency (LE) were 82±1.9 and 88±2.1, respectively. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy of nanoparticles showed between chitosan and cross linker. An initial burst release and second slow release up to 96 hours was observed.Conclusion: The obtained results suggested that venom-loaded CS NPs could be a suitable alternative to conventional adjuvant for manufacturing antivenom.

Background & Aims: Food Craving refers to an intense desire for eating specific foods. Food Craving Questionnaire-Trait (FCQ-T) is the most commonly used instrument to assess food craving as a multidimensional construct. Its 39 items have an underlying nine-factor structure for both the original English and Spanish versions; but subsequent studies yielded fewer factors. The present study aimed to explore the factor structure of the Persian version of FCQ-T.Methods: A total of 340 Iranian adults participated in this study. Confirmatory and exploratory factor analysis was used to evaluate construct validity. Further, Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire (DEBQ) and The Restraint Scale (RS) were used for measuring concurrent and discriminant validity.Results: Result revealed a five-factor structure for the Persian version of FCQ-T, which explained 60% of the variance. The five factors were: 1) lack of control under environmental cues, 2) thoughts or preoccupation with food, 3) hedonic hunger, 4) emotions before or during food craving, and 5) guilt from craving. Results showed satisfactory internal consistency for the Persian version of FCQ-T and its factors (Cronbach’s alpha= 0.76 to 0.96), as well as good test-retest reliability (0.76 to 0.86). Strong correlations between FCQ-T and external eating, emotional eating and concern for dieting as well as weak correlation between FCQ-T and restrained eating indicated appropriate concurrent and discriminant validity.Conclusion: Results indicated that Persian version of Food Craving Questionnaire-Trait has appropriate psychometric properties and could be a useful tool in clinical and research settings.

Notochord is an axial structure derived of embryonic mesoderm and in addition to structural supporting role in inducing nearby germinal layers, it has a basic role in formation of organs such as vertebral column, axial vessels, neural tube and primitive gut. This organ undergoes essential changes during the development process. First, arises from the primitive node and terms notochordal process, while containing a central canal. Then, transforms to notochordal plate and thereafter, changes to a cord called definitive notochord. Finally, it degenerates in centra and remains in intervertebral discs and makes its nucleus pulposus.Glycoconjugates are macromolecules containing carbohydrates that interfere in some biological phenomena such as cell proliferation, differentiation, migration and apoptosis during the development of numerous organs. The terminal sugars of carbohydrate chains are mainly responsible for these duties. These sugars are identifiable by using some polypeptides derived from plants and animals sources termed lectins. Lectins are linked exclusively to these sugars and the applied technique is called lectin histochemistry.Investigation of the developmental changes of notochord using this technique has shown that different glycoconjugates with divers terminal sugars such as N-acetylgalactoseamine (GalNac), N-acetylclucoseamine (GlcNac), galactose (Gal), fucose (Fuc), mannose (Man) and neuraminic acid (NeuAc) and also Gal-GalNac and GalGlcNac disaccharides are expressed during morphogenesis period in this organ of different animal species.Review of extensive studies carried out on development of notochord and its inductive role on nearby tissues has revealed that it is a highly glycosylated tissue and diverse glycoconjugates with different terminal sugars are expressed in it. Some of these molecules are probably involved in morphological changes of notochord while, the others are present in secreted substances from it and play key roles in its inductive effects on the nearby tissues.