JOURNAL OF RAFSANJAN UNIVERSITY OF MEDICAL SCIENCES AND HEALTH SERVICES
Year:2019 | Volume:18 | Issue:5 |Papers Count:12

Background and Objectives: Myocyte enhancer factor 2c activates the genes of the slow-twitch muscle, the muscle which plays role in endurance activity. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a program of intensive endurance activity on MEF2c gene expression in fast and slow twitch skeletal muscles in wistar rats. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 14 males wistar rats (231 ± 24 grams), after familiarization were randomly assigned into control (n=7) and experimental (n=7) groups. The experimental group performed an endurance activity program (30 m/min, 50 min, 6 sessions per week for 14 weeks) on motorized treadmill, and 48 hours after the end of the last session of endurance activity were anesthetized and sacrificed then the soleus (slow-twitch) and extensor digitorum longus (fast-twitch) muscles were removed. Real time PCR was used to determine expression levels of MEF2c gene and the data were analyzed by independent t-test. Results: The MEF2c gene expression in fast-twitch muscle of the experimental group was significantly more compared to the control group (p=0. 001), and the expression of MEF2c gene in soleus muscle of the experimental group significantly increased after 14 weeks endurance activity compared to the control group (p=0. 022). Conclusion: Intensive endurance activity increases MEF2c gene expression in slow and fast twitch skeletal muscle which this change in gene expression probably provides grounds to obtain endurance characteristics in slow and fast twitch skeletal muscles.

Background and Objectives: Lower back pain is a common orthopedic illness that has a reasonable relationship to pronated foot. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of resistance training with Thera-Band on the electromyography frequency domain of trunk and lower limb muscles of patients with both low back pain and pronated feet during walking. Materials and Methods: This clinical trial study was carried out at the University of Mohaghegh Ardebil in 2018. At first 30 men with low back pain and pronated feet were selected by convenience sampling and then randomly divided into control (n=15) and experimental (n=15) groups. An electromyographic system was used to record the activity of trunk and lower limb muscles during walking. Two-way ANOVA was used for statistical analysis. Results: During the post-test phase compared with the pre-test phase in the experimental group, the median frequency of the tibialis anterior muscle (p=0. 013) was lower during the loading response phase and the median frequency of the abdominal external oblique muscle (p=0. 015) was larger during the loading response phase. In addition, during the post-test phase compared with the pre-test phase in the experimental group, the median frequency of the abdominal external oblique muscle (p=0. 029) was higher during the push off phase. Also, during the loading response phase, the main effect of the group on the median frequency of biceps femoris (p=0. 015) and erector spine (p=0. 009) was statistically significant. Conclusion: Considering the high activity of the tibialis anterior muscle in the patients with low back pain with pronated feet compared to the healthy subjects, there was a significant reduction in the median frequency of the tibialis anterior muscle during post-test compared with the pre-test during the loading response phase that shows the positive effects of this exercise protocol.

Background and Objectives: Biosurfactants are amphiphilic molecules produced by microorganisms that due to surfactant activity, have several applications in different industries such as cleaning, emulsification, foaming and dispersion. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of biosurfactant extracted from saccharomycess cerevisiae on biofilm formation of staphylococcus aureus (PTCC 1112), staphylococcus saprophyticus (PTCC 1440) and staphylococcus epidermidis (PTCC 1435). The effect of this biosurfactant on the removal of the mentioned bacteria’ s biofilms was also assessed. Materials and Methods: In this laboratory study, after Saccharomycess cerevisiae cultivation for producing biosurfactant and extraction of the produced biosurfactant, the effect of the extracted biosurfactant in preventing the formation of biofilms of staphylococcus aureus, staphylococcus saprophyticus and staphylococcus epidermidis was assessed using 96-well polystyrene microplate and absorbance reader at 570nm by ELISA reader. The same method was used for determining the ability of biosurfectant in removal of biofilms. Statistical analysis was performed by ANOVA. The means of treatments were compared with Duncan's method at a confidence level of 99%. Results: The results showed that biosurfactant of saccharomycess cerevisiae had an emulsification index equal to 55%. The biosurfactant activity was determined via the oil displacement method and the area of displaced oil was 2. 5± 0. 5 cm2. The results showed the biosurfactant produced by saccharomycess cerevisiae had the most effect on preventing biofilm formation by staphylococcus aureus and staphylococcus saprophyticus. Biosurfactant caused the all tested bacteria’ s biofilms to be removed. Conclusion: Biosurfactant produced by saccharomycess cerevisiae has strong anti-biofilm activity against biofilms of Staphylococcus aureus, epidermidis and saprophyticus.

Background and Objectives: Increasing physical activity, as a health issue, especially among girls, is one of the recommendations of the World Health Organization for the osteoporosis prevention. The present study was designed and implemented with the aim of determining the causes of physical activity among students regarding osteoporosis based on health belief model (HBM). Materials and Methods: This descriptive study was conducted among 470 pre-university female students of Rafsanjan city by census method in 2017-18. The data collection tool was a questionnaire including demographic characteristics, knowledge about osteoporosis and 24 questions based on HBM constructs, and it also assessed 11 physical activity questions. The tool validity was based on experts' opinion and reliability was determined using Cronbach's alpha coefficient. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA, independent t-test and Pearson's correlation test. Results: The number of participants in this study was 470 students. The knowledge related to osteoporosis among students was undesirable (score 6 out of 15). 253 (53. 8%) of students had moderate physical activity. There was a significant reverse correlation between the mean score of physical activity and perceived barriers (r=-0. 1, p<0. 001). But there was no significant relationship between physical activity and other structures and demographic characteristics (p> 0. 05). Conclusion: Due to undesirable physical activity and knowledge of students, designing and implementing educational interventions are recommended. It is also necessary to identify other determinants affecting physical activity, such as enabling and reinforcing factors.

Background and Objectives: Due to high prevalence of postural changes during aging, modern corrective methods can be used to improve posture abnormalities. Therefore, the present study aimed to examine the effect of trainings based on modern corrective approaches on posture status and spine function of elderly women. Materials and Methods: In this randomized clinical trial study, the statistical population included the elderly women aged 60 to 65 years with kyphosis more than 42 degrees in the city of Paveh in 2018, of which 30 were selected by convenience sampling and randomly divided into two groups of experimental and control. The experimental group participated in the selected corrective training sessions, based on the principles of USA’ s National Academy of Sports Medicine, for 6 weeks, 3 sessions a week and 60 minutes each session. The angle of kyphosis and function of spine were measured before and after intervention. Data analysis was performed using paired t-test and multivariate analysis of covariance. Results: Comparing the mean of pre/post test results showed a significant improvement in the angle of kyphosis, spine extension, distance acromion (p=0. 001) and chest expansion (p=0. 002) in the experimental group. The comparison of findings between the two groups showed a significant difference for the improvement of the angle of kyphosis, spine extension, distance acromion and chest expansion (p=0. 001) in the experimental group. Conclusion: Given the comprehensiveness of the corrective trainings program in this study, experts can use its positive effects in corrcting posture of elderly people.

Background and Objectives: Previous studies have shown that dietary components can be associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, few studies have investigated the effect of fast foods consumption on the NAFLD. The purpose of this study was to determine and compare the frequency of monthly consumption of twelve fast food types in two groups of NAFLD and healthy individuals. Materials and Methods: This case-control study was carried out with 192 participants in two groups of patients with and without NAFLD, 20-40 years old who referred to the ultrasound clinic of Moradi hospital in Rafsanjan in 2017. The two groups were matched in terms of age, sex, physical activity, body mass index and economic status. General information, physical activity and nutritional information checklists were completed by a blinded questioner on the allocation of people in the two groups. Risk values based on OR (Odds ratio) with 95% confidence intervals were calculated for checking the strength of the relationship between fast foods consumption and NAFLD. Results: The means of twelve fast foods monthly consumption were more in the cases than these means in the controls. But this differences were statistically significant only for Bandary, s food (p=0. 013), Hot dog (p=0. 018), Felafel (p=0. 034) and cheeseburger (p<0. 001). The more the number of annual frequency of fast foods consumption, the more the NAFLD risk (p=0. 003). Conclusion: Based on the results, there seems to be a significant positive relationship between fast food consumption and NAFLD. More research is needed on the possible side effects of fast food consumption.

Background and Objectives: Combustion is a potential risk in modern surgery. The present study was carried out to determine the staff’ s awareness level of combustion sources and its prevention methods in the operating rooms of hospitals affiliated to Yazd University of Medical Sciences in 2017. Materials and Methods: This descriptive study was conducted on 120 operating room personnel using a questionnaire and a census. The mean score (0-100) was classified into three weak, moderate, and good levels, and analyzed using independent t-test, one-way ANOVA and Pearson's correlation coefficient. Results: Of the staff, 58. 3% had passed the training courses, while 89. 2% and 93. 3% of the staff considered conducting the training classes and holding the training program necessary, respectively. Conclusion: Most of the personnel do not have enough knowledge in this regard. Therefore, it is suggested that training courses be conducted to raise awareness of employees.

Background and Objectives: Despite significant promotion in the health care across the world, intestinal parasitic infections are one of the most important and common health problems, especially in the developing countries. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections in Gerash city. Materials and Methods: This descriptive study was conducted on the individuals referred to Amir Almomenin Hospital of Gerash, from March 2017 to March 2018. Collected samples were assessed using direct wet mount and formalin-detergent concentration methods. Results: Out of 5100 stool samples, 172 cases (3. 3%) were found to be infected with intestinal parasites. Blastocystis hominis (126 cases, 73. 3%) had the most frequency. The maximum infection rate (70 cases, 40. 7%) was observed in the age group of 30-50 years. The most prevalence of parasitic infections was in the winter (63 cases, 36. 6%). Conclusion: The prevalence of intestinal protozoa is higher than worm’ s infections. Generally, the results showed the relative prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections in Gerash city.