Journal of Kerman University of Medical Sciences
Year:2015 | Volume:22 | Issue:5|Papers Count:13

Background & Aims: Stroke is the third leading cause of death. Oxidative stress has a principal role in the complications of stroke. Due to this fact and the antioxidant effects of ascorbic acid, this study was designed to evaluate the effect of ascorbic acid on reduction of stroke complications in a permanent model of middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion in male rats.Methods: In this experimental study, the rats were divided into 3 groups of control, ascorbic acid, and surgical sham. Stroke was induced by cauterization of MCA. The animals' brain was sliced and stained using tetrazolium chloride (TTC) 48 hours after stroke induction. Then, infarction volume was determined using image processing software. In addition, behavioral tests, such as neurologic deficits, were evaluated 24 and 48 hours after stroke induction. Data were statistically analyzed using One-way ANOVA test.Results: The infarct volume significantly reduced in the ascorbic acid treated group in comparison with control group (P<0.010). Moreover, blood-brain barrier (BBB) breakdown, brain edema volume (P<0.001), and the level of matrix metallopeptidase-9 (MMP-9) (P<0.050) significantly reduced following treatment by ascorbic acid. Neurologic deficits, which were assessed using the Bederson Grading System, showed relative improvement in the ascorbic acid treated group (P<0.050).Conclusion: This study showed that ascorbic acid, due to its neuroprotective effects, can significantly reduce the complications of stroke.

Background & Aims: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic diffuse interstitial lung disease, which has symptoms such as coughing and shortness of breath. The average survival duration in these patients is estimated as 3 years after the onset of symptoms. Today, the therapeutic approach used in IPF cases is the usage of chemical or herbal antioxidants in order to eliminate free radicals and prevent inflammation and fibrosis. Considering the antioxidant properties of fennel, this research was conducted to investigate the effect of the methanol extracted of fennel on bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in rats.Methods: To induce pulmonary fibrosis in rats, intratracheal administration of 15 mg bleomycin was conducted in 52 male rates. Subsequently, the rats were injected intraperitoneally with 500 mg/(kg body weight) of methanol extract of fennel 14-day and 28-day periods. The samples were studied in terms of inflammation, fibrosis, hydroxyproline concentration, lipid peroxidation, and the catalase activity of lung tissue. The obtained results were analyzed using SPSS software.Results: The degree of inflammation, fibrosis, hydroxyproline and lipid peroxidation concentration in lung tissue in the fennel methanol extract group had significantly decreased compared to other groups. In addition, a significant increase was observed in tissue catalase concentration in this group in comparison to other groups on days 14 and 28.Conclusion: The obtained results illustrated that the methanol extract of fennel may be efficient in the prevention and treatment of pulmonary fibrosis due to its antioxidant properties. Accordingly, it can be suggested for the prevention and treatment of pulmonary fibrosis instead of corticosteroids and immunosuppressant drugs due to their many side effects and most patients’ preference of herbal medicines.

Background & Aims: Tyrosinase is the most important enzyme in the production of pigments of the skin, eyes, and hair follicles. The enzyme is encoded by tyrosinase gene (TYR) or oculocutaneous albinism type 1A (OCA1A). Mutations in TYR gene result in pigmentation disorders such as albinism in humans. In view of the large number of mutations reported in this gene, the aim of this study was to identify and introduce polymorphic markers located in the TYR gene region in the Iranian population.Methods: In the present study, using bioinformatics investigations for single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) markers in TYR gene region, rs1799989 marker was selected and genotyped through tetra primer amplification refractory mutation system-polymerase chain reaction (ARMS-PCR) method. The allele frequency and heterozygosity degree of this marker was analyzed in the population of Isfahan, Iran.Results: The heterozigosity of the rs1799989 marker (75.9%) in the population of Isfahan was high. The frequency of allele C and allele A was 0.576 and 0.420, respectively. Comparison of this finding to those of other populations showed that the most similarity existed with African populations.Conclusion: In view of the high degree of heterozygosity, rs1799989 marker can be introduced as an informative marker for linkage analysis and identification of TYR gene mutations carriers in the Iranian population.

Background & Aims: One of the main causes of nosocomial infection is pseudomonas aeruginosa and carbapenems is one of the most important classes of antibiotics used in the treatment of infections caused by this bacteria. Metallo-beta-lactamase (MBL) production is one of the most important mechanisms of resistance to carbapenems and their increased prevalence is a serious threat to treatment of infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The goal of this study was the determination of MBL enzyme prevalence among clinical isolates of imipenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa.Methods: Antibiogram pattern of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates from different clinical infections of patients referred to Emam Reza and Emam Khomini Hospitals of Kermansha, Iran, was determined through disk diffusion method according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). Isolates that were resistant to more than 3 different antibiotics were identified as multi-drug-resistant organisms (MDROs). Then, MBL enzymes production rate was determined among imipenem-resistant isolates using Epsilometer test (Etest).Results: From among the 186 isolated strains from the two hospitals in Kermanshah, 165 (88.7%) isolates were MDROs, of which 67 (40.6%) isolates were imipenem-resistant. Through Etest, 33 (49.2%) strains were identified as MBL producing strains.Conclusion: Due to the increased prevalence of MDROs and MBL-producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa in hospitals, the use of phenotypic methods to detect MBL-producing isolates in hospital labs seems necessary.

Background & Aims: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune inflammatory disease, involving multiple organs and producing autoantibodies against different components of the cell. SLE is of unknown etiology with various clinical and laboratory manifestations. Different psychological disorders are seen in patients with SLE, including mood, anxiety, and cognitive disorders. This study was conducted to determine the effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) on general health in these patients.Methods: This experimental, randomized, clinical trial was conducted on 46 patients with SLE referring to Imam Ali Clinic in Shahrekord, Southwest Iran within 1 year. The patients were assigned to either of the treatment and control groups (23 patients in each). Both groups underwent routine medical care. The treatment group also underwent 8 group sessions of MBCT. The patients were assessed using the General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28) prior to, after, and 6 months after the intervention. The data were analyzed using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA).Results: Mean score of general health was significantly lower in the MBCT group compared to the control group in both post-test and follow-up periods.Conclusion: The findings indicated that MBCT contributed to enhancing general health in patients with SLE and that this is a sustainable effect.

Background & Aims: Para-Nonylphenol (p-NP) can cause oxidative stress through reducing the activity of scavenging enzymes. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of green tea extract, as an antioxidant, on testis in rats exposed to p-NP.Methods: In the present study, 24 Wistar rats with mean body weight of 215±10 g were divided into 4 groups (n=6). The first group was considered as the control group. The treatment group, respectively, received p-NP (200 mg/kg/day), green tea extract (200 mg/kg/day), and p-NP+ green tea extract orally for 56 days. Then, the rats were sacrificed and their right testis removed. After tissue processing and staining, the volume of seminiferous tubules and interstitial tissue, seminiferous tubules length and diameter, height of germinal epithelium, basement membrane thickness, and the number of cell types were estimated stereologically. The concentration of serum malondialdehyde (MDA) was also evaluated. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA. All P values of less than 0.05 were considered significant.Results: The mean volume and diameter of seminiferous tubules, the thickness of their basement membrane, germinal epithelium height, and mean total number of spermatocytes, spermatids, and Sertoli cells significantly reduced in the p-NP group compared to other groups. MDA concentration in rats treated with p-NP significantly increased compared with the control group.Conclusion: Green tea seems to have a protective role in p-NP-induced toxicity in testis tissue. Thus, the results suggest that consumption of green tea, as an antioxidant agent, can play an important role in preventing the side effects of p-NP exposure in industrial areas.

Background & Aims: Toxoplasmosis in one of the most prevalent parasitic infections that could result in abortion or miscarriage in the pregnant women. The main objective of this research was to determine seroepidemioligy of toxoplasmosis infection among the urban and rural women admitted in Milad genetic consultancy center of Birjand during 2011-2013.Method: This descriptive-analytical study was carried out on 519 women referred to the centre to find out Toxoplasmosis anti body in serum samples.Results: the prevalence of seromic toxoplasmosis was found to be 19.5%. Among the patients ,77persons (14.8% ) had IgG+, IgM-,408 ones (78.6%) had IgG+, IgM-, 2 persons (0.4%) had IgG-, IgM+, And 13 ones (2.5%) had IgG+, IgM+. For the age group of 27-30 year, the prevalence of infection was detected to be 31.7% which was greater as compared with to the other groups. The patient with high school diploma had the highest prevalence among the other educational groups. In Whole, 74.4% of the studied population were urban and 25.2% were rural and 18.8% of rural and 81.2% of urban sebjeects were IgG+.Conclusion: According to the results, 80.5% of the referred women were negative for toxoplasma antibody. Since this low level of toxoplasmosis antibody during pregnancy might lead to serious fetal complications, necessary trainings and laboratory tests before pregnancy are highly recommended.

Background & Aims: Uroflowmetry is a common procedure to examine the lower urinary tract system. Uroflowmetry results are affected by different factors. In this study, the effect of voiding position on uroflowmetric parameters and voiding residue were investigated in healthy subjects.Methods: This descriptive-analysis study was performed on 41 healthy volunteers with mean age of 33.22±9.45 referred to Imam Reza Hospital, Mashhad, Iran, in 2011. Nonprobability purposive sampling method was used in this study. The uroflowmetric tests were performed in the standing, sitting, and crouching positions for men and in the sitting and crouching positions for women. Post voiding residue (PVR) was measured using transabdominal ultrasound after voiding. Maximum flow rate (Qmax), average flow rate (Qave), voiding volume (VV), voiding time (VT) and PVR values were compared between voiding positions. SPSS software, paired t-test, and repeated measurement were used for data analysis. All P values less than 0.05 were considered as significant.Results: The differences between Qmax (P=0.193 for men and P=0.792 for women), Qave (P=0.312 for men and P=0.896 for women), and VV (P=0.187 for men and P=0.124 for women), and VT (P=0.017) in different positions were not statistically significant. However, the lowest and highest mean post voiding residue in men (P=0.001) were in the crouching and standing positions, respectively. Inwomen, mean post voiding residue (P=0.039) was lower in crouching position than sitting position.Conclusion: In healthy subjects, voiding position does not affect Qmax, Qave, and VT. However it seems PVR was lower in the position they usually used.

Background & Aims: The presence of heavy metals in water resources is a serious threat to human health. Due to the importance of this subject, this research was carried out to determine the concentration of heavy metals in drinking water resources of central and Southern Bardsir plain and compare the results with national and international standards.Methods: The descriptive and cross-sectional study was performed in winter 2014 in the Environmental Health Engineering Research Center of Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran. A census sampling of all drinking water resources (46 resources) of cities and villages in central and Southern Bardsir plain, Iran, was performed in the middle of each month. The concentration of heavy metals (arsenic, lead, copper, cadmium, and iron) in the samples was measured using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Data were analyzed by means of SPSS software.Results: The results of the study showed that the maximum concentration of the metals were Pb=4, Cu=12, Cd=0.8, Fe=160, and As=210 mg/l. The concentration of arsenic in 50% of the ground water samples was higher than the World Health Organization (WHO) standards for drinking water. However, the concentrations of the other contaminants were lower than permissible level.Conclusion: High concentration of arsenic in some drinking water resources in the region under study is an important environmental problem. The higher than standard concentrations of arsenic in drinking water can be of geological origin. Because of the dangerous effects of arsenic on human health, appropriate measures should be taken by the relevant agencies.

Background & Aims: Physical activity in leisure time can increase life expectancy in disabled people via increasing freshness, communicating with others, and participating in community activities and can prevent withdrawal and malaise. The aim of this research was surveying on barriers for wheelchair-user disabled people in their recreational activities in southeast of Iran.Methods: In functional survey, the statistical population contained all of the wheelchair-user people of southeast provinces of Iran and the sample was 370 that were chosen via stratified random sampling method. A researcher-made questionnaire was used which face and content reliability was confirmed by sport management professors; and the structural reliability confirmatory factor analysis showed its high structural reliability. Cronbach's alpha and correlation coefficients was used to certitude the validity. Research data were analyzed using descriptive, inferential Friedman, repeated-measures ANOVA, and Wilks' Lambda tests in SPSS software.Results: There were significant differences between the mean ranks of individual (c2=211.166, P<0.05) and structural (c2=40.715, P<0.05) barriers; while there was no significant difference between the mean ranks of cultural-social barriers (c2=1.498, P>0.05) affecting leisure time physical activities in wheelchair-user disabled. There was significant difference between the means of individual, structural and cultural-social barriers (F=38.216, P<0.05). The mean of cultural-social barriers (3.40±0.91) was significantly more than individual (2.96±0.79) and structural (3.06±0.89) barriers. There was no significant difference between personal and structural barriers (P>0.05).Conclusion: Wheelchair-based people consider more of the constraints to be related to the society, coworkers’ and familiars’ attitudes. Supportive approaches on disabled people would be pervasive in all aspect not limited just in physical and ergonomic structural ones. Physical activity is and inevitable need of life and is more important for disabled people, due their special condition.

Pomegranate as a functional food and nutraceutical source has gained widespread popularity. Pomegranate and its juice and extracts are currently being widely offered, with or without scientific support, to consumers as a new superfood with numerous health promoting effects. Therefore, due to the explosion of interest in pomegranate as a therapeutic source, the aim of the present work was to investigate the functional effects of pomegranate. This was a review study. Due to the extensive studies of pomegranate, the most cited papers were elicited from ScienceDirect, Springer, PubMed, and Google Scholar databases using the keywords pomegranate, pharmacological, therapeutic, functional compounds, microorganism, bioactivity, and cancer. The antioxidant, antiinflammatory, antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, and anticancer properties of pomegranate have been reported. Moreover, cardiovascular health improvement, diabetes prevention and management, menopausal symptoms relief, hormone balance, increased libido in both genders, skin nourishment including antiwrinkle effects, and protection against Alzheimer’s disease and rheumatoid arthritis were reported in various studies. The majority of these health effects have been attributed to its high polyphenolic content and the unique fatty acid profile of its seeds. It should be noted that functional properties of pomegranate products have been mostly studied in vitro, but to a very limited degree in vivo or human clinical trials. Although there is not sufficient evidence for the health effects of pomegranate, some preliminary evidence that show promising results against cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and prostate cancer have been reported in human clinical trials.