Journal of Arak University Medical Sciences
Year:2013 | Volume:16 | Issue:5 (74)|Papers Count:13

Background: Heat shock proteins (HSP) are from proteins family playing a crucial role in maintaining cellular hemostats and protecting cells in acute and chronic stressful conditions. The objective of this study is to investigate the alternation of heat shock proteins (HSP70) levels after Wingate and Strand tests in female students.Materials and Methods: In this semi-experimental study, 40 female students (20 athletic and 20 non-athletic) with the mean age of 22.3±3 and 23.2±2 years, height of 159.2±5 and 161.2±4 cm, and mean weight of 59.3±3 and 65.4±2 kg, respectively were selected randomly and underwent training protocols of Wingate and Strand tests with 3-day intervals. Five cc brachial vein blood samples were taken immediately before and after performing tests in order to analyze the data using repeated measures analysis method.Results: The findings showed a significant increase after aerobic Strand test in athletic and non-athletic females (P<0.01). However, after aerobic Wingate test, a significant increase was observed only in athletes' group (P>0.05). There was an insignificant reduction in the non-athletic group.Conclusion: The results showed that exercise duration is more important than exercise intensity in HSP70 production.

Background: There is priority for evaluation of micronutrients (vitamin A) in the world, especially in develpoing countries like Iran. Vitamin A has an essentiall role in growth, reproduction, and maintenace of epithelial cells. Vitamin A, especially retinoic acid, acts like a hormone for gene expression. Vitamin A is necessary for growth of bones and immune system. The role of vitamin A in reducing mortality rates of neonates is well recognized. The aim of research is to evaluate this micronutrient (vitamin A) and the rate of transportation from mother to fetus and its positive effects on birth weight.Materials and Methods: In this descriptive study, 90 pregnant mothers were selected from private and public hospitals in Arak. Data gathered through a questionnaire including general information concerning pregnant mothers and also their nutritional diet. The analysis of dietary intake was done by Nutritionist IV software. The measurements of serum and cord blood retinol samples were carried with reverse phase HPLC.Data analysis was done by Pearson correlation.Results: The results indicated a positive and significant correlation between cord blood retinol of mothers and birth weight of neonates (r=0.22) (P£0.05). There was not a significant correlation between serum retinol of the mothers and birth weight of the neonates. Also, there was no significant correlation between retinol intakes of the mothers and birth weight of the neonates.Conclusion: Improvement of the retinol status of mothers has an effective role in normal birth weight of neonates.

Background: Caesarean section is one of the most common gynecologic surgeries and nausea and vomiting after pain are the most common side effects of surgeries. Today, serotonin receptor antagonists are most widely used that are the most effective antiemetics and have less side effects compared with other drugs. Ondansetron is considered a typical serotonin antagonist.Materials and Methods: This randomized, double-blind clinical trial was done on 162 women undergoing cesarean section. Four mg intravenous ondansetron was administered to the first group and 8 mg oral ondansetron was given to the second group and the third group received placebo. Blood pressure and heart rate were measured before and immediately after performing spinal anesthesia every 5 minutes until 20 minutes. Post-operative nausea and vomiting and APGAR score were recorded after operation in recovery and 2, 4, and 6 hours after surgery.Results: There were no significant differences among the 3 groups according to age, gravidity, mean atrial pressure, and heart rate before and during surgery. Nausea and vomiting in oral and intravenous groups at recovery 2 and 4 hours after surgery were significantly less than placebo group (P<0.05), whereas there were no significant differences between oral and intravenous groups.Conclusion: It can be concluded that using oral ondansetron with the same antiemetic effect is more appropriate for women undergoing cesarean section with spinal anesthesia.

Background: Depression is one of the most common problems in postmenopausal women.The aim of this study was to examine the effect of fenugreek seeds on depression in menopausal women in Arak in 2011.Materials and Methods: In a randomized controlled trial, 60 women with complaints of depression due to menopause were enrolled. Beck Depression Inventory was administered to postmenopausal women and the samples that met the inclusion criteria were enrolled in the study. The samples were randomly divided into two groups and received diosgenin (6 g Fenugreek seed daily containing 25 mg diosgenin) and sorbitol (25 mg daily) for 8 weeks. The questionnaire was administered before and 8 weeks after intervention. SPSS software test the statistical Paired t-test was used to compare the scores before and after treatment.Results: Mean depression score significantly decreased after 8 weeks of fenugreek (containing diosgenin) and sorbitol administration as compared with the period before intervention. However, the comparison did not indicate a significant difference between these two groups.Conclusion: According to the finding of this study, administration of 6 g fenugreek seed containing diosgenin for 8 weeks decreases menopausal depression. However, there is a need for further studies with longer duration and higher doses before making recommendations.

Background: Several clinical studies suggest that melatonin is a neuroprotective molecule in neurodegenerative disorders and it showed to be reduced in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) patients. MS also results in blurred vision, papillitis and diplopia. The main objective of the study was to asses the influence of Melatonin supplimentation on visual characteristics in patients with MS.Materials and Methods: In a Quasi-experimental plan, approved by AUMS (Arak University of Medical Sciences) Ethical Committee (9-129-91, Grant No: 782), 34 patients (9 male and 25 female) with stable MS were asked to voluntarily participate in the study. All subjects (Mean EDSS; 3.14) were taking their routine medications. Visual funtions were evaluated by Visual Functioning Questionnaire (VFO-25) and standard Pattern Reversal Visual Evoked Potentials (PR-VEP) records.Serum melatonin levels were also measured using an ELISA assay. Recordings were performed after a single dose and after taking one tablet every night for 14 days, at the day 16th.Results: In all subjects, serum melatonin levels significantly enhanced. VFQ scores also showed significat improvements. Except for the change in N75 latencies of left eyes, VEP latencies of P100, N145 of both eyes, and N75 of right eyes significantly (P<0.05) decreased.Conclusion: Our findings suggest significat improvements of visual symptoms of MS after daily intake of 3 mg melatonin. The results call for further studies and clinical trails before asking all MS patients to take melatonin suppliment every night.

Background: Menopause being the most critical period with unfavorable changes in anthropometric and metabolic parameters is associated with CVD risk. Metabolic syndrome is the key factor for cardiovascular diseases and has become a major problem in many countries. Noticing the high prevalence of metabolic syndrome, especially in women after menopause, this study was performed to investigate the relationship between menopausal age and metabolic syndrome in nonobese postmenopausal women.Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional research, 140 healthy non-obese postmenopausal women who had a BMI less than 30 Kg/m2 were selected, in Ahvaz city in 2010. Data were obtained through interview that included demographic information (age, age at menarche, age at menopause, date of last menstrual period, and parity), BMI, values of HDL-C, FBS, TG serum after 12 hours fasting, blood pressure, and waist circumference. Pearson correlation and multiple regression analysis were used. Metabolic syndrome was defined according to the definition of the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III.Results: Menopausal age with FBS (P=0.04) was negatively significant, but there was not any correlation between menopausal age and other components of metabolic syndrome [triglycerides (P=0.28), systolic blood pressure (P=0.80) diastolic blood pressure (P=0.48), waist circumference (P=0.08), HDL-C (P=0.65)].Conclusion: Late menopause has a favorable effect on fasting glucose.

Background: The emergence of drug-resistant strain of M. tuberculosis is one of the most critical issues facing TB researchers and physicians. Rapid diagnosis of drug-resistant tuberculosis is essential to improve treatment outcome and limit transmission of this obstinate disease. The aim of this study was to develop a real-time PCR assay for the detection of mutations in RRDR (rifampcin resistance determinant region) of rpoB conferring rifampicin resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis.Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, the primer and probe set were designed for a RRDR region of rpoB gene using specialized software. Clinical specimens that had previously been evaluated resistant or sensitive by using conventional method were used for assessing the clinical sensitivity and specificity of the assay.Results: By analysis of 40 clinical samples (20 resistant and 20 sensitive samples), sensitivity of the probe for detection of mutation at codons 526 and 531 was determined 100%. The designed primers and probes were rpoB specific and no cross-reaction was observed with other microorganisms and human genome bio-informatically. The clinical specificity of the developed real-time PCR assay was examined experimentally using 25 negative samples and it was determined to be 100%.Conclusion: The developed real-time PCR assay can be used as an appropriate and efficient tool for the rapid detection of Rifampicin-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Background: Mycobacterium tuberculosis usually infects the lungs; however, organs other than the lungs may also be involved. This study is an analysis of the situation of extra-pulmonary tuberculosis in the Markazi province, Iran.Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the information in the registration software of tuberculosis in health centers was collected and SPSS software 16 was applied to data analysis.Results: In the survey, a total of 1787 TB patients were identified, of whom 24.2% were diagnosed with extra-pulmonary tuberculosis and 1.9 % of the patients with extra-pulmonary TB were associated with HIV infection. Female to male sex ratio was equal to 1.3. Overall, 82.5% of the patients were Iranian and mean age of patients were 43.3 years. Tuberculosis of the lymph nodes and skeletal and pleural tuberculosis had the highest prevalence. Moreover, extra-pulmonary tuberculosis in females, aged 15-55 years, was more and the diagnosis delay was more common in extra-pulmonary tuberculosis while relapse occurred more frequently in pulmonary tuberculosis.Conclusion: Noticing the greater diagnosis delay in extra-pulmonary tuberculosis, it is necessary to train physicians and other healthcare workers in extra-pulmonary TB diagnosis and more planning needed for instructing it.

Background: Paraoxonase 1 activity shows a decline in patients with coronary artery disease.The C to T change in the -107 position of promoter is the most important genetic determinant of serum levels of paraoxonase 1. Study of this polymorphism and its relationship with the type of fatty acid composition of phospholipids in HDL particles can be found in the common pursuit of better medicines and considered in drug treatment Materials and Methods: In this descriptive study, 265 patients were selected and divided into two groups based on LDL level (131 in case and 134 in control groups). Lipid profile and paraoxanase 1 activity were measured by commercial kits and spectrophotometry method, respectively. Molecular studies were performed by PCR-RFLP after DNA extraction. Fatty acids of HDL phospholipids were measured by gas chromatography technic.Results: PON1aryl esterase activity had no significant changes after treatment with lovastatin but paraoxonase activity had more significant increases in the CC genitype of -C/T107 polymorphism.Oleic acid, linoleic acid, and icosapentanioc acid percents in HDL phospholipids were increased by lovastatin.Conclusion: Treatment with lovastatin in the CC genotype has probably a more protective effect against cardiovascular diseases. Following treatment, in patients with higher paraoxanase 1 activity, oleic acid and linoleic acid increased in HDL phospholipids.

Background: Hydatid disease is a common infection caused by Echinococcus granulosus.Cerebral involvement is very rare and only occurs in 2% of all hydatidosis in endemic areas. This study reports a case of primary multiple cerebral hydatid cysts in a 23-year- old patient.Case: A 23-year-old female was admitted to the emergency ward with primary generalized tonic colonic seizure, left body and face hemipares, and history of headache in last two months.Contrast enhanced CT and MRI showed a big well-defined, rounded, cystic lesion in the motor strip of right temporo-parietal region with mass effect causing midline shift which was diagnostic for brain hydatid cyst and several smaller cysts. There was no evidence of other organs involvement. The patient underwent brain surgery and a big hydatid cyst (10cm in diameter) and some others adhering to brain parenchyma in different sizes were evacuated completely without rupture using Dowling method. The patient received albendazole 400mg/two times a day for 2 months. There was no cyst in patient’s MRI study in the two-year follow up.Conclusion: Though of low incidence, primary multiple cerebral hydatid cysts should be considered in endemic area using brain CT and MRI. Surgery is considered the standard treatment of the disease.