Journal of Arak University Medical Sciences
Year:2018 | Volume:21 | Issue:6 (135) |Papers Count:16

Cancer is a multifactorial Disorder caused by variations in multiple genes coupled with environmental risk factors. The genes involved in the carcinogenesis can be classified into several groups, including protooncogenes, tumor suppressor genes, genes involved in genome stability and cell migration. The accumulations of genetic changes lead to tumor mass and formation of new blood vessels to grow. The tumor is not a collection of single cells and has bilateral interactions with its environments. The tumor microenvironment (TME) has a similar function to stem cells niches that affect tumor progression and metastasis. The study of this environment is effective in diagnosis and treatment of cancer and provides valuable and new information for controlling tumor malignancy and risk assessment (1).

Background and Aim: Migraine is a common disease with throbbing and unilateral quality, which is accompanied by aura symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and photophobia. The level of procalcitonin is increased in migraine, which is due to the inflammation caused by a low level of serum serotonin. This study aims to investigate the level of serum procalcitonin in patient with migraine by prescribing serotonin agonist drugs. Materials and Methods: In this case-control study, 40 migraine patients in the center of migraine patients of al-zahra university hospital in Isfahan were selected, among which 26 patients received serotonin as a treatment while the other 14 ones were treated by drugs other than sumatriptan agonist. Then, the level of procalcitonin in these patients was calculated and analyzed. Findings: The results of the study showed that there was a difference between of the case and control groups in the level of procalcitonin in the serum of their sample blood tests. It seems that the case group patients have a lower level of procalcitonin compared to the control group. Conclusion: Totally, the current study indicates the effect of serotonin in reducing the level of serum procalcitonin.

Background and Aim: Recent findings in cell therapy have presented new perspectives and opportunities for the treatment of neurodegenerative disease. The experimental research with intranasal (IN) administration of Stem Cells in Parkinson’ s disease (PD) mouse model can work and in some cases induce major, long-lasting improvement. Adult Human endometrial derived stem cells (HEDSCs), a readily obtainable type of mesenchymal stem-like cell were used to generate dopaminergic cells and for cell therapy. In this study, we investigated the therapeutic effects of IN-delivered HEDSCs in mice model of Parkinson. Materials and Methods: In this experimental research, 35 male mouse weighting 25-30 g were divided into 5 groups. On day 120 post cell administration, the rotational behavior was measured. Immunohistochemistry staining was used to detect HEDSCs in mice brain. Findings: IN application of HEDSCs resulted in the appearance of cells in the substantia nigra (SN) and decrease in the rotational behavior of case group. Conclusion: HEDSCs are a highly inducible source of allogenic stem cells that improve Parkinson’ s disease.

Background and Aim: Interval censored data occur in repeated data in medical studies. There are common methods to analysis this type of data. The purpose of this study is to examine the random imputation technique in the analysis of interval censored data. Materials and Methods: Using the Monte Carlo simulation technique, we evaluate the power of Random Imputation method, and finally we assess its performance using the actual data set. Actual dataset is related to dental information in Urmia, which contains 207 children. All calculations are done using R 3. 2. 3 software. Findings: The simulation results show that the power of random imputation technique is good and acceptable. The p-value in real data shows that there is no difference using the random imputation technique. Conclusion: Random imputation technique can be used as an alternative method in comparison with other conventional methods.

Background and Aim: Ellagic acid (EA) is a natural antioxidant with phenolic structure. In this study, we evaluate the effects of EA consumption on population and activation of neuroglia cells in the animal model of MS under oxidative stress. Materials and Methods: Mature male mice with age of between 8 to 9 weeks were kept in the standard conditions. For model induction, animals received powder normal diet containing 0. 2% Cuprizone (Cup) for six weeks. Mice were divided into eight groups containing control, control receiving three doses of EA (20, 40 and 80 mg/kg), Cup and Cup receiving three doses of EA. Finally, specific glial cell markers in the animal brain tissues were analyzed by molecular methods such as immunohistochemistry (IHC), western blotting (WB) and Real Time-PCR (RT-PCR). Findings: IHC and WB analysis have shown that only high concentration of EA is able to reduce protein expression of GFAP (activated astrocytes marker), Mac-3 (activated microglial marker), increase protein expression of Olig-2 (oligodendrocytes precursor marker) and ultimately significant reduction on APC (mature oligodendrocytes marker)/Olig-2 ratio in comparison with Cup group. In addition, RT-PCR evaluation indicated that changes in the mRNA expression of target markers were consistent with observed changes in their protein expression and therefore, IHC and WB results were confirmed. Conclusion: Consumption of 80 mg/kg of EA effectively decreased activation of astrocytes and microglial and so appropriates environment for migration of oligodendrocyte precursor cells to the lesion area and shifting from damage course into the repair progressions.

Background and Aim: In Iran, one quarter of couples experience infertility, which can affect various aspects of their marital life. The aim of this study was to compare psychological characteristics in fertile and infertile women referring to health centers and an infertility center in Qom. Materials and Methods: This descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study was carried out on 160 women. of all, 80 women were selected via simple random sampling method and were among those in reproductive age who referred to health centers to receive routine childcare services. The other 80 women were selected via simple random sampling method among infertile women who referred to the infertility center. The required data were collected using standard anxiety, depression, and marital adjustment questionnaires. Data were entered into SPSS V. 20 software and were analyzed using Fisher’ s exact test, independent t-test and Chi-square. Findings: There were a significant difference between the two groups in terms of the mean scores of depression (p=0. 005), anxiety (p=0. 02), and marital adjustment (p=0. 01), as the mean score of depression and anxiety was higher in fertile women than in infertile women. However, the mean score of marital adjustment was higher in infertile women than in fertile women. Conclusion: Since fertility can be dependent on psychological factors and other underlying factors of an individual, therefore, it is necessary to consider the educational needs of fertile and infertile women.

Background and Aim: Neuropathy is the most common abnormality in diabetes mellitus which characterized with cerebral damages especially in hippocampus. This study evaluates the effect of Cinnamomum Zeylanicum extract (CZE) on memory, hippocampal neuron damage and antioxidant enzymes levels in animal model of diabetes. Materials and Methods: 50 adult Sprague dawley rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: Control, STZ (Streptozotocin, 50 mg/kg; i. p. ), and STZ + CZE100, STZ + CZE200 and STZ + CZE400 which were treated with CZE in 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg, respectively. CZE was administered in 14 days, orally. After evaluation of working and spatial memory, activity of catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) enzymes was assessed by ELISA. Then, histopathological assessment of hippocampus was done. Findings: In comparison with the controls, STZ group showed an increase in latency time and distance to the hidden platform in MWM, a decrease in alteration behaviors, cell density and activity of CAT and GPx enzymes in hippocampus (p˂ 0. 05). In addition, treatment with CZE decreased latency time and distance in MWM and increased alteration behavior, hippocampal cell density and activity of antioxidant enzymes in comparison with the STZ group (p˂ 0. 05). Conclusion: Diabetes with reduction of neuronal density and activity of antioxidant enzymes in the hippocampus causes deficits in spatial and working memory. However, Administration of CZE ameliorates these neuropathologic disorders.

Background and Aim: Multiple Sclerosis is (MS) is a common demyelinating disease of CNS that inflammation and stress oxidative processes have an important role in clinical courses and progression of it. The aim of the present study was to determine the anti-inflammatory effects of Melatonin on fatigue in MS. Materials and Methods: In a double-blind clinical trials study, 62 patients with relapsing remitting MS were randomized to oral Melatonin 3 mg or placebo daily for 8 weeks. Scale of Fatigue in MS was studied by assessing FSS (Fatigue Severity Scale) on weeks 1 and 8. Findings: 47 patients in intervention group and 15 patients in placebo group completed the study. In intervention group, treatment with Melatonin produced a significant decrease in FSS vs placebo group (before intervention: the average of FSS in patient group was 32. 04± 13. 97 and in control group was 35. 86± 15. 44; after intervention: the average of FSS in patient group was 30. 42± 12. 40 and in control group was 41± 12. 66). Although in control group, the average of FSS was 35. 866 and it was 41 after intervention. Because the score of placebo patient is near or upper than 36, this study suggested that Melatonin has a significant effect on improving and decreasing fatigue in MS. Conclusion: The use of melatonin alongside of First-line drugs such as mitoxantrone, IFN – B or glatimer acetate can improve fatigue and disability in patient with MS.

Background and Aim: Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is caused by body contamination with human immunodeficiency virus. Several factors affect the survival of people with AIDS, which are often examined using Cox regression models. The default is to use the Cox model as a proportionate hazard, which in case of a violation, this model does not have the required performance. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the effective factors on survival of AIDS patients using the developed Cox model. Materials and Methods: In this cohort study, 1050 patients with AIDS who referred to Imam Khomeini and Zamzam Behavioral Counseling Centers in Tehran Province during the years 2004 to 2014 were studied. The effect of clinical and demographic factors on survival of patients has been investigated using extended Cox model. Findings: 79% of patients were men. The mean age of the patients was 34. 84 ± 10. 21 years old. The mean of the diagnosis time to AIDS was 23. 64 ± 15. 53 months. 76% of patients were cencored. Age at diagnosis, transmission modes, ART, CD4 count, and time to diagnosis of AIDS in univariate and multivariate analysis were significant (p <0. 05). Conclusion: Several clinical factors have implications for the survival of AIDS patients. The most important of these factors is the use of ART and early detection of the disease, which greatly increases the chance of survival of the affected population. Therefore, it seems necessary to provide screening and treatment services for high-risk individuals.

Background and Aim: The CPEB gene encodes an important protein, which play critical roles in translational regulation of oogenesis and spermatogenesis procedures. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between CPEB2 rs12643066 gene polymorphism with the risk of idiopathic azoospermia/severe oligozoospermia of men. Materials and Methods: This study was designed as a case-control investigation on 100 blood samples of men with idiopathic azoospermia/severe oligozoospermia and 100 blood samples of fertile men. To evaluate CPEB2 gene polymorphism, PCR-RFLP method was used. Data analysis was performed by chi-squat test. Findings: In the present study, the genotype frequencies did not show a statically significant difference between groups (p=0. 479, OR=1. 222; CI=0. 701-2. 129). Conclusion: The study showed that the CPEB2 gene polymorphism was not associated with the risk of idiopathic azoospermia/severe oligozoospermia of men. However, it is conceivable that evaluation of this gene polymorphism can not be used as a biomarker in diagnosis of men with idiopathic azoospermia/severe oligozoospermia.

Background and Aim: Radiation therapy is the destruction of cancer cells that in all patients with breast cancer reduces tumor recurrence, relieves pain in local tumors and metastases. There are different treatment methods around the world such as electron, photon alone or a combination of both types of fields. Materials and Methods: In this study, photon therapy (PT) and mixed photon-electron therapy (MPET) were used to treat malignancies of the supraclavicular lymph nodes. 30 patients with right-sided breast cancer with local lymph node metastasis were recruited. The ISOgray software was utilized to collect data about treatment planning methods with PT and MPET. Findings: The maximum and mean delivered doses of radiation to the supraclavicular region were 52. 08± 1. 64, 42. 59± 0. 51 Gy and 54. 24± 1. 64, 43. 67± 0. 43 Gy in the PT and MPET methods, respectively. The mean irradiated volumes of supraclavicular fossa that received 90% of the radiation dose were 59. 74± 1. 94% and 70. 26± 0. 94% in the PT and MPET methods, respectively (p=0. 004). The maximum doses delivered to the spine were 14. 66± 1. 9 Gy and 10. 22± 0. 92 Gy and the thyroid were 42. 62± 3. 1 Gy and 37. 67± 5. 02 Gy in the PT and MPET methods, respectively. Conclusion: The maximum doses delivered to the spine and thyroid significantly diminished by the novel method. Additionally, supraclavicular region received higher maximum and mean doses in the new treatment modality compared to the conventional methods. The new method improved dose coverage for the tumor.

Background and Aim: Type 2 diabetes exerts an anti-angiogenesis effects on the cardiac tissue. The aim of present study was to investigate the effects of endurance training on gene expression of VEGF and VEGFR2 of cardiac tissue in type 2 diabetic male wistar rats. Materials and Methods: 36 male wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups, Diabetic Endurance Training (DET), Diabetic Control (DC) and Healthy Control (HC). Type 2 diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal injection of STZ. The endurance training included 10 weeks, 5 sessions per week running at speed of 27 m/min and intensity of 75% VO2max for 20-30min in 1st week and reached to 27 m/min and intensity of 75% VO2max for 60 min/day in 10th weeks. The gene expression of VEGF and VEGFR2 were examined by Real-Time PCR AND Western Blotting. Findings: The results of Real-Time PCR showed that the endurance training caused increase in VEGF mRNA (p<0. 05) and VEGFR2 mRNA (p<0. 05) compared to DC group. The results of Western Blotting also indicated that the endurance training induced increase in VEGF protein expression (p<0. 05) compared to DC group and there was no significant change in expression of VEGFR2 protein (p>0. 05). Conclusion: Type 2 diabetes impairs the angiogenesis process in diabetic cardiac. It appears that endurance training has positive impact on angiogenesis and it can cause the improvement of diabetic cardiac.