Journal of Arak University Medical Sciences
Year:2011 | Volume:14 | Issue:2 (55)|Papers Count:17

Background: Food contamination with fungi and the production of mycotoxins, such as aflatoxin, allow the toxins to enter human body. Continuous contamination with low doses of these agents can act as a major risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma. Thus the present study was carried out to evaluate the detection of contamination in eggs with aflatoxin by PCR method.Materials and Methods: In a cross-sectional study, a total of 144 suspicious and 211 intake eggs were collected and three samples of fungi including aspergillus niger, penicillium expansum, and fusarium verticillioides as negative controls and 14 samples of aspergillus flavus as positive controls were selected and examined using TLC and PCR. The results were analyzed through SPSS software. Results: By PCR, neither aflR, omt-A, and ver-1, nor-1 was detected in intake eggs by PCR. Of the suspected eggs, four samples with nor-1, two samples with aflR, and two samples with omt-A could be detected. Three samples of the 14 strains of aspergillus flavus were shown to be positive through the use of TLC and the four primers. One strain of aspergillus flavus was positive with all of the four primers; however, it was negative in TLC.Conclusion: The findings of this study indicated that PCR is a sensitive, fast, and specialized technique, but it cannot detect the presence of the fungi before the appearance of colonization. Thus for indicating toxcification, other complementary tests are also required.

Background: Noticing the fact that graft survival rate of kidney transplantation from live donors is more than deceased donors, this study was conducted to determine the relationship between the graft survival rate of renal transplantation and the donor source in patients transplanted from March 1999 to March 2009 in Namazi Hospital Transplantation Center of Shiraz.Materials and Methods: In this retrospective cohort study which was designed to determine the relationship between graft survival of kidney transplantation and the donor source (related live donor, unrelated live donor, and deceased donor) in 1356 patients who were transplanted in Shiraz Transplant Center, Namazi Hospital. Kaplan-Meier method was used to determine the survival rate, log-rank test was used to compare survival curves and Cox regression model was used for ruling out the intervening factors.Results: Five-year graft survival rates of renal transplantation from related, unrelated, and deceased donors were 92.4, 92.6 and 82.1%, respectively. Also, a significant relationship was seen between donor source and survival rate of the renal allograft (P>0.001).Conclusion: The findings of this study transplanted patients with kidneys from living donors (related or unrelated) have a higher graft survival rate compared with deceased donors.

Background: Noticing the practical significance of stem cells, this study was conducted to culture and screen bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells derived from Raf and Hilline chicken strains and investigate the effect of age and race on the morphology and differentiation of the generated cells. Materials and Methods: In this fundamental study, bone marrow cells from 3 to 25 day-old Raf and Hiline chicken strains were cultured in low glucose DMEM, 10% BFS. Then third passage bone marrow cells of the two strains were compared in terms of morphology, differentiation to bone, cartilage, and adiposity. Data were analyzed through SPSS software.Results: In culturing Raf chicken derived bone marrow cells, in contrast to Hiline chicken strain, colonization took place and they almost had a better fibroblastic morphology. The results indicated higher yields of differentiation to bone, cartilage, and adipose tissues in Raf chicken derived bone marrow cells than Hiline chicken. These differences were statistically significant. Also, 15 days was the most suitable age for screening the mesenchymal stem cells of chicken.Conclusion: Screening and proliferation of mesenchymal stem cells from 15-day old Raf chicken bone marrow cells are good resources for differentiation and purification of chicken bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells.

Background: Trauma noise is one of the major physical pollutants in modern societies. Sound conditioning, on the other hand, is known as one of the mechanisms for protecting the hearing system.Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 15 three month-old male white New Zealand rabbits were divided into three groups. The equipments used in this study included a sound generator, a loudspeaker, an exposure box, a sound level meter, and a distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) device. The rabbits were assigned to trauma noise exposure, conditioning noise exposure, and control groups. The conditioning and traumatic sound levels were respectively 80 and 105dB within the 500-3000 Hz frequency.Results: Conditioning noise at the level of 80 in combination with trauma noise enhanced the rabbits hearing system tolerance up to 13-17 dB so that in all frequencies there were significant differences between the trauma noise exposure group and the sound conditioning and trauma noise conditioning group (P<0.05).Conclusion: Sound conditioning can act as an effective factor in protecting the hearing system against trauma noise.

Background: Hyperlipidemia is an important risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. In this study, the effects of physalis alkekengi extract on the levels of cholesterol, low density lipoproteins (LDL), high density lipoproteins (HDL), and triglycerides (TG) were evaluated.Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, fifty adult male Wistar strain rats were selected and divided into five groups of ten: Control group with a normal diet, control group with a high fat diet receiving interpritoneal injection of saline for 21 days, and treatment groups with fatty diets which received maximum (0.1 g/kg), moderate (0.2 g/kg), and minimum (0.4 g/kg) dose interpritoneal injections of the extract. After this period, blood sampling was done and the obtained results were analyzed through SPSS software.Results: According to the obtained results, LDL and cholesterol concentrations decreased significantly (P<0.05), whereas HDL and TG plasma concentrations did not reveal any significant changes.Conclusion: The findings of this study show that such changes are mainly due to the lycopene existing in the plant. Lycopene is a strong antioxidant which inhibits the production of LDL and presumably increases the excretories through releasing cholesterol; therefore, it reduces blood cholesterol level and controls cholesterol synthesis.

Background: With adiponectin anti-inflammatory properties, adiponectin acts as an agent which can decrease the risk of type II diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. The aim of this study was to determine adiponectin serum levels in type II diabetic men and explore its relationship with insulin resistance following aerobic exercise.Materials and Methods: In this semi- experimental study, 30 men with type II diabetes were randomly assigned to training and control groups. The training group went through an 8-week training program which consisted of three 40-50 minute aerobic exercise sessions a week (running on treadmill at intensities corresponding to 30to 75% of maximal heart rate (35-75% HR max)). For measuring adiponectin and insulin serum levels, blood samples were obtained through ELISA technique in 2 stages, weeks zero and eight. For determining insulin resistance, insulin resistance index was utilized. In order to evaluate the results, dependent and independent t-tests and Pearson correlation coefficient were used.Results: The results did not indicate the presence of a significant relationship between adiponectin and insulin resistance following training (P=0, r=-0.14). In comparison with the control group, training induced a 39% decrease in adiponectin serum levels, a 10% decrease in BMI and bodyweight, and a 48% decrease in insulin resistance (P>0.001).Conclusions: The findings of this study showed that in response to the 8-week aerobic training program, adiponectin serum levels significantly increased while insulin resistance got decreased. In addition, there was not a significant relationship between adiponectin serum level changes following training and insulin resistance index.

Background: Hirsutism in women is identified as the increasing growth of terminal hair in areas that are sensitive to androgen. The most common causes of hirsutism are PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) and idiopathic hirsutism. The role of insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia as the most important pathogenesis mechanism of PCO is obvious, but there is not enough information on the role of insulin resistance in idiopathic hirsutism.Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 16 to 40 year old women. Medical history and physical examination were completed for patients with PCOS and idiopathic hirsutism. Hormonal tests and sonography were run for both groups and insulin resistance was assessed using HOMA-IR formula. Data were analyzed using SPSS version. 17. Results: Mean of serum insulin levels in PCOS and idiopathic hirsutism groups were 16.04±1.4 and 7.32±6.85 mIu/ml, respectively (P<0.001). HOMA-IR values in PCOS and idiopathic hirsutism groups were 3.7± 3.36 and 1.67±1.75, respectively (P< 0.001). Mean of serum DHEA-S levels in PCOS and idiopathic hirsutism groups were 2.48±1 and 1.84±0.46 pg/ml, respectively (P< 0.001). These findings indicated a significant difference between the two groups. However, in terms of serum glucose, testosterone, androstendione, and follicular hormones levels, there were not any significant differences between the two groups.Conclusion: In both PCOS and idiopathic groups, there was a significant relationship between hirsutism and insulin resistance. This relationship, however, was more significant the PCOS group.

Background: Hemorrhoidectomy is the basis of treatment for grades three and four hemorrhoid. One of the major post hemorrhoidectomy problems is pain that is usually due to the spasm of the internal sphincter. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of sphincterotomy on post hemorrhoidectomy pain.Materials and Methods: This interventional clinical trial was conducted on 60 patients with 3rd and 4th grade hemorrhoid who had randomly been divided into hemorrhoidectomy and hemorrhoidectomy combined with sphincterotomy groups. The degree of pain was measured on visual analogue scale (VAS) and analyzed by SPSS version 14.Results: In terms of reduction in pain with sphincterotomy, there was a significant relationship between the two groups on the first, second, and fifth postoperative days (P=0.001). On the third and sixth postoperative days, a significant relationship was observed between the two groups (P=0.001). Days four and seven also indicated a significant relationship between the two groups (P=0.002). However, there were not any significant relationships between the two groups in terms of urinary and fecal incontinence and gas retention (P>0.05). A significant relationship existed between the two groups in terms of reduction in the need for sedation (P=0.006).Conclusion: Lateral internal sphincterotomy combined with hemorrhoidectomy can reduce the patients’ post hemorrhoidectomy pain and can reduce the use of analgesics, but it does not have any significant influences on the incidence of urinary retention and bleeding after the first defecation and does not increase the risk of fecal and gas incontinence in comparison with the hemorrhoidectomy group.

Background: There is inconsistent evidence indicating that serum Zn deficiency in pregnant women may adversely affect fetal growth. In order to survey this matter in Iran, a study was conducted with the aim of determining the association between serum Zn in pregnant women of Kashan and anthropometric factors of their neonates in 2008-2009.Materials and Methods: In this eross-secrional study, of all the pregnant women referring to Naghavi Polyclinic of Kashan University of Medical Sciences, 128 women and their neonates were selected. Serum Zn concentration in 6-9 month pregnant women and anthropometric factors of their neonates (weight, height, and head circumference) were measured. Then the relationship between the prevalence of Zn deficiency and the neonates’ anthropometric factors was reported. T-test and stepwise multiple regression analysis were used for data analysis.Results: Mean weight and height of the infants whose mothers had low serum Zn concentration (below normal) were 130.1g and 0.6 cm less than the infants whose mothers had high Zn concentrations. A significant positive correlation was found between birth size height of the neonates and serum Zn concentration of the mothers (P=0.02).Conclusion: The results suggest that maternal serum zinc level affects neonates’ height.

Background: Hyaluronidase A is an antigenic protein that is secreted by Streptococcus pyogenes. Nowadays, streptococcal infections are diagnosed by tracking down anti-hyaluronidase A antibodies. In this study, the attempt was made to generate recombinant hyaluronidase A in E. coli. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, through designing specific primers and polymerase chain reaction (PCR), hyaluronidase A gene was amplified and after purification, it was sub-cloned in plasmid expression vector pET32a. Then pET32a-hylA was transferred to E. coli BL21- DE3-plySs. Protein generation induced by IPTG. The recombinant protein was purified by Ni-NTA kit and its concentration was assayed by Bradford method. Western-Blot analysis was run for verifying the recombinant hyaluronidase A.Results: The nucleotide sequencing of the gene amplified by PCR was the same as hyaluronidase A gene from Streptococcus pyogenes. Production of the recombinant hyaluronidase A via induction by pET32a-hylA plasmid was done through IPTG. The expressed protein was purified by affinity chromatography by Ni-NTA resin. The concentration of purified protein was 500mg/ml. analysis using a mouse anti-hyaluronidase A serum was reacted with the generated protein using Western-Blot analysis.Conclusion: Recombinant HylA protein can be generated in E.coli and the resulting protein maintains its antigenic properties desirably.

Background: Postoperative pain brings about undesirable effects such as medical complications, increased healthcare costs, and the need for opioids administration. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of low dose ketamine in comparison with the placebo on postoperative pain and analgesics consumption after cesarean section.Materials and Methods: In a randomized clinical trial, 120 women undergoing elective cesarean section were randomly divided into case and control groups. Ketamine (0.15 mgkg-1) or an equal volume of normal saline were administered intravenously immediately after initiating spinal anesthesia to the case and control groups, respectively. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 11. Results: Analgesics consumption, pain scores, homodynamic signs, drowsiness of the mothers, and the neonates’ Apgar scores after cesarean section were similar in both groups and no significant differences were found between them (P>0.05). The mean of postoperative arterial pressure in the early hours in the ketamine group showed a significant decrease compared to the placebo group (P>0.03). The means of the first time of request for analgesics after surgery in the ketamine and placebo groups were 99.75±68.88 and 96.1±52.59 minutes, respectively (P>0.05).Conclusion: It seems that the administration of 0.15 mg/kg dose of ketamine (0.15mg/kg) does not have a significant impact on decreasing the postoperative pain in cesarean section. Therefore, in order to obtain the desirable analgesic effects of this drug, further studies should be conducted with greater doses of this drug and its use in combination with other opioids.

Background: One of the main complications associated with arteriovenous fistula in hemodialysis patients is the median nerve ischemic neuropathy in the wrist. This study was conducted to examine the effect of arteriovenous fistula on the development of carpal tunnel syndrome.Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 37 hemodialysis patients at Shahid Mohammadi Hospital of Bandar Abbas in 2007-2008. All of the patients had either a distal or a proximal arteriovenous fistula in one hand. Nerve conduction velocity and median nerve distal sensory and motor latency were applied to the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome. The limb with fistula (the case) was compared to the one without it. Data were analyzed through independent t-test and Pearson product correlation.Results: Overall, 17 patients had proximal and the rest had distal fistulas. Fistulas aging more than one year were seen in 15 patients and 22 patients had fistulas less than one year old. Carpal tunnel syndrome had developed in 25 wrists with fistula (17 motor and 8 sensory cases) and 27 wrists without fistula. A significant difference was observed in the median nerve distal sensory latency between the wrists with fistula and those without it. There was not a significant difference between the variables. In addition, there was a significant difference between the age of the fistulas and the incidence of carpal tunnel syndrome.Conclusion: The rate of the development of carpal tunnel syndrome in wrists with or without fistula is the same. Also, the site of the fistula does not have any effects on the incidence of the median nerve ischemic neuropathy.

Background: Falcaria vulgaris has different properties and it used as dietary and medicinal herb in the west of Iran. Previously, we showed that this plant has protective and repairing effect on gastric ulcer were demonstrated .The aim of present work was to investigate the effects of F. vulgaris extract on female rat's fertility.Material and methods: In this Exprimental study, Virgin female NMRI rats (160-190 gr) were used in three experiments. In each experiment, animal divided into two subgroups (n=8): control which received Distilled Water (DW) (2cc/kg) and case which received herb extract (150mg/kg) interaperitonealy. In first experiment, animals received single dose of extract or DW.In second experiment، female rat received extract or DW in perimplantation period (day 1 to 5 of pregnancy) and in third experiment (day 5 to 7 of pergnancy). In both experiments implantation sites and neonates were counted in three experiments. Data were analyzed by T-Test test and p<0.05 were considered significant.Results: All three experiments showed significant differences between control and case groups in implantation sites and neonates number. These differences were more prominence in first and third experiment.Conclusion: Falcaria vulgaris extract showed antifertility effect in female rat.

Alzheimer’s disease is one of the most common causes of loss of mental function broadly known as “Dementia”. Alzheimer’s disease affects approximately 2% (6.5 Million) of people in the developed countries and responsible for over 100,000 death per year in USA Alzheimer’s disease usually occurs between sixth to ninth decade and its progressive deterioration comprised of gradual destruction of memory, judgment, language, reasons in addition to behavioral alterations. Microscopic biopsy shows cortical atrophy along with ventricular enlargement of the brain. These clinical manifestations reflect the neurotic degeneration in cerebral cortex, especially, the temporo-parietal cortex and the hippocampus. Pathological abnormalities of Alzheimer’s disease include brain deposition of two fibrillary proteins. These two are known as Beta-amyloid proteins containing Apolipoprotein E and Tau proteins. Alzheimer’s disease affects primarily cholinergic neurons , therefore, treatment is followed by specific drugs that inhibit the degradation of acetylcholine within synapses. Current medications only treat the cognitive symptoms but not the underlying disorder. Several lines of ongoing research are showing promising scientific results. These include, uncovering the biological markers for early detection and developing new effective drugs. Also, new approaches have been employed to block the molecular processes that lead to this disease. Moreover, many clinicians are exploring alternative pathways for Alzheimer’s disease treatment, such as; good diet along with mental and physical exercise as preventive methods.