JOURNAL OF BABOL UNIVERSITY OF MEDICAL SCIENCES (JBUMS)
Year:2016 | Volume:18 | Issue:1|Papers Count:13

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Hepatitis B virus infection is regarded as a major factor for chronic liver disease and cirrhosis, worldwide. Hepatitis B is most commonly transmitted from mother to child at birth (perinatal transmission). In this study, we aimed to determine the prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) among rural pregnant women, who had received vaccination at birth, based on the national hepatitis B vaccination program, implemented in Iran in 1994.METHODS: This cross-sectional study was performed on all rural women, born in years 1993-1999, who had received hepatitis B vaccination according to the national program and had become pregnant during 2007-2014. In order to diagnose the disease, the status of HBsAg marker was recorded and evaluated by reviewing the subjects' health records.FINDINGS: Among 1065 pregnant women, only 2 (0.18%) cases were HBsAg-positive; one of these two cases was diagnosed with hepatitis B infection.CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicated that the national vaccination program had a considerable impact on reducing the prevalence of hepatitis B virus infection among women of reproductive age. Continuous vaccination of newborns and high-risk groups and screening programs for pregnant mothers should be also prioritized in the national program.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Approximately 80% of premature infants are diagnosed with icterus, most of whom are treated by phototherapy. Given the adverse effects of this treatment on neonates, minimizing the duration of phototherapy seems to be necessary. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of massage on the duration of phototherapy in premature infants admitted to neonatal intensive care units. METHODS: This clinical trial was performed on premature infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of Qaem Hospital of Mashhad, Iran, in 2011. The infants were randomly divided into intervention (n=30) and control (n=30) groups. The infants of both groups were similar in terms of weight, age, and the level of bilirubin. The intervention group received massage therapy (including massage and passive movements of the body parts) on a daily basis for three 15-minute courses at three consecutive hours for five days. The control group received the routine care and phototherapy. After the intervention, the two groups were compared in terms of duration of phototherapy and level of transcutaneous bilirubin.FINDINGS: The mean duration of phototherapy in the intervention and control groups was 80.8±61.58 and 112.8±75.45 hours, respectively. However, this difference was not statistically significant. On the fifth day of the intervention, the level of transcutaneous bilirubin was 9.7 and 8.1 mg/dl in the intervention and control groups, respectively, this difference was not significant as well.CONCLUSION: Massage can be used as an effective method alongside with phototherapy to minimize the duration of phototherapy for premature healthy infants in clinically stable conditions.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is the most common cause of anterior knee pain in adults. Patellar taping is used to correct patellar position and rehabilitate patients with PFPS. However, the effectiveness and clinical efficiency of this technique in the treatment of these patients are not fully determined. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of knee taping on patellar alignment, quality of life, and pain in patients with PFPS.METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 25 PFPS patients within the age range of 20-50 years. McConnell taping technique was applied for patients during four weeks. Before and immediately after the treatment, quality of life (via KOOS questionnaire), patellar alignment (via skyline radiography of the knee), and pain intensity were measured.FINDINGS: After four weeks, McConnell taping technique caused a decline in pain intensity from 50.13±21.60 to 26.67±10.14 mm in patients with PFPS (P=0.001). However, this technique had no positive effects on quality of life (score on KOOS questionnaire) or patellar angle/position (P<0.05).CONCLUSION: Based on the findings, independent use of McConnell taping technique is not sufficient for improving the quality of life in patients with PFPS or correcting the abnormal alignment of patella; however, it can help reduce the induced pain.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Botulinum toxin type A (BoNT/A) is widely used in the treatment of some muscle contraction disorders through injection. This study aimed to produce recombinant protein through covalent bonding of the light chain of BoNT/A to the peptide TAT (47-57), and to create an optimized condition for expression and purification of the protein.METHODS: In this preliminary study, the nucleotide sequences of the light chain of BoNT/A and TAT peptide were obtained from Gen Bank, and genetic structures containing these sequences were designed and engineered. After cloning into the BL21 (DE3) E. coli vector, expression was induced by IPTG. Thereafter, optimum thermal condition and IPTG concentration for maximum expression were determined based on the difference in the intensity of staining between the bands on SDS-PAGE protein gel. The recombinant protein was purified through nickel column chromatography (Ni-NTA).FINDINGS: The produced chimeric protein is insoluble in normal conditions (1 mM IPTG and at 37oC). Through optimization of expression conditions (0.5 mM IPTG and at 18oC) 60% of the chimeric protein was produced as solution.CONCLUSION: Based on our results, through expressing the recombinant protein as a solution, the protein maintained its proper folding and function. Hence, the use of denaturation compounds for solution making and destabilization of folded protein structures is not required.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Copper is one of the main micronutrients in the human body. Malfunction in copper homeostasis results in Menkes syndrome and Wilson’s disease, which are associated with complications such as seizure and impairments in learning and memory. Use of high copper concentrations can cause permanent damage to the cells and neurons. The aim of this study was to examine the toxic effects of orally administered copper sulfate on rats’ learning in Morris water maze.METHODS: In this experimental study, 39 Wistar rats were divided into male (n=21) and female (n=18) groups. These two groups were each randomly divided into three sub-groups. The control group received distilled water, while the other two groups were administrated 1 and 1.5 mM of copper sulfate, dissolved in distilled water for a period of one month. After this period, the Morris water maze was incorporated to evaluate the spatial memory of rats.FINDINGS: In male rats, copper sulfate, which was added to drinking water, made no significant changes in the distance traveled to find the platform (24.09%±3.01 in the control group, 26.06%±2.95 in the 1 mm copper sulfate group, and 25.68%±1.82 in the 1.5 mM copper sulfate group), the time spent to find the platform (23.93±2.87 in the control group, 25.54±3.47 in the 1 mM copper sulfate group, and 25.33±1.92 in the 1.5 mM copper sulfate group), or the swimming speed. The comparison of female groups showed that 1 and 1.5 mM concentrations of copper sulfate could not cause any significant impairments in learning of rats. CONCLUSION: The results showed that the addition of copper sulfate to drinking water have no detrimental impacts on the memory or learning of male and female rats.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Zinc oxide nanoparticles are one of the most widely used nanoparticles in fields of industry, medicine, pharmaceutical sciences, cosmetics, and nutrition. Multiple studies have demonstrated the negative effects of zinc oxide nanoparticles on the nervous system, while others have revealed their enhancing effects on the activity of nerve cells, involved in memory processes. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of zinc oxide nanoparticles and zinc oxide on long-term memory of mice. METHODS: In this experimental study, 49 NMRI adult male mice, with the mean weight of 25±5 g, were randomly divided into seven groups, each consisting of seven mice: control group, three treatment groups receiving zinc oxide nanoparticles (1, 2.5, and 5 mg/kg of zinc oxide nanoparticles, respectively), and three treatment groups receiving zinc oxide (1, 2.5, and 5 mg/kg of zinc oxide, respectively). Intraperitoneal injections were performed before training (electric shock). Passive avoidance memory of mice was evaluated, using the Step-Down device. The latency time to descend the platform was regarded as an indicator of memory on days 1, 3, and 7 following training. FINDINGS: Pre-training administration of zinc oxide nanoparticles and zinc oxide at a dose of 2.5 mg/kg yielded no effects on the motor activity of mice. However, a significant decline was reported in the latency time to descend the platform on days 1, 3, and 7 following training (58±17, 45±13, and 39±14 in the zinc oxide group and 93±18, 62±12, and 14±3 in the nano zinc oxide group, respectively) (p<0.01); however, the dosage of 5 mg/kg had less significant short-term effects (130±38, 49±14, and 68±10 in the zinc oxide group and 132±46, 41±13, and 58±24 in the nano zinc oxide group, respectively). Also, the dosage of 1 mg/kg was almost ineffective.CONCLUSION: The results showed that weakened long-term memory, caused by zinc oxide administration, is not influenced by the size of particles.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Pulmonary fibrosis is a chronic interstitial lung disease caused by parenchymal lung damage due to inflammatory factors and fibrosis. Hypericum perforatum contains various flavonoids with antioxidant properties. This study aimed to evaluate protective effects of hydroalcoholic extract of Hypericum against bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in rats.METHODS: This empirical study was conducted on 30 Wistar rats weighing 150-180 grams. Animals were randomly divided into five groups of six. Group one received a single dose of normal saline intraperitoneally, and group two was administered with bleomycin (7.5 units per kg) intratracheally. Other groups received daily doses of Hypericum extract (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) via intraperitoneal injection one week before and two weeks after bleomycin administration. After 21 days, animals were sacrificed, and blood and lungs were collected for histopathological examinations, and measurement of plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) and lung hydroxyproline (HP).FINDINGS: In this study, lung index, HP and plasma MDA in normal saline group were respectively 7.09±0.32 mg per kilogram of body weight, 1.80±0.23 mg per gram of lung tissue, and 1.32±0.27 micromoles per liter of plasma. In rats administered with bleomycin, these values were 9.75±0.90, 5.43±0.7 and 3.04±0.42, respectively. Treatment with Hypericum extract, especially at dosage of 200 mg/kg, resulted in a significant reduction in the aforementioned parameters compared to bleomycin group (p<0.05).CONCLUSION: According to the results of this study, hydroalcoholic extract of Hypericum perforatum could exert protective effects against bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, myelin-degenerative disorder, which causes irreversible pathological changes to the central nervous system. The number of patients diagnosed with this condition has increased during the past decade. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical and demographic findings of MS patients in Babol, Iran.METHODS: This cross-sectional study was carried out on 263 patients diagnosed with MS in Babol, Iran, during a ten-year period. MS was confirmed in all the included patients based on a neurologist’s diagnosis and the McDonald’s criteria. Age, gender, place of residence, marital and employment status, age at disease onset, and magnetic resonance imaging findings were obtained using a checklist.FINDINGS: Out of 263 patients, 188 (71.5%) and 75 (28.5%) cases were female and male, respectively. The mean age of the patients was 34.28±9.47 years, and the female to male ratio was 5:2. It was found that 245 (93.2%) patients had relapsing-remitting MS. At the onset of the disease 161 (61.2%) and 102 (38.8%) of the patients were monosymptomatic and polysymptomatic, respectively.CONCLUSION: Prevalence of MS was relatively higher in in the female population and the ages of 30 years or less.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Tinnitus is a common symptom associated with hearing loss and its related disorders. Awareness of audiological features is of paramount importance for effective management of tinnitus. This study aimed to evaluate audiological characteristics of tinnitus in patients referring to otolaryngology clinics of Babol, Iran.METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 120 patients with tinnitus (47 male, 73 female) with mean age of 47.12±15.285 years referring to otolaryngology clinics of Babol, Iran. Patients were examined via pure tone audiometry at frequency of 250-8000 Hz to determine the location and type of tinnitus. FINDINGS: In this study, 104 patients (88.7%) had hearing loss, 103 patients had tonal tinnitus with dizziness, 17 patients had loud tinnitus with no dizziness, 45 cases (37.5%) had bilateral tinnitus, 75 patients (62.5%) had unilateral tinnitus, and 17 patients had family history of tinnitus. Among female patients, two cases (1.7%) experienced tinnitus during pregnancy, while in four patients (3.3%), it was reported immediately after pregnancy. CONCLUSION: According to the results of this study, bilateral sensorineural hearing loss has a higher prevalence among patients with tinnitus.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Diabetic muscle infarction, which is a rare microangiopathic complication of uncontrolled diabetes, should be considered as a differential diagnosis for diabetic patients with lower extremity swelling and local pain, and without any other systemic symptoms. In this study, we presented the case of a diabetic patient with thigh muscle infarction.CASE REPORT: The case was a 63-year-old diabetic male with pain and dysfunction in the right lower limb, who was referred to cardiology clinic for vascular assessment. During hospital stay, after rheumatology consultation, a mass was detected in the anterior thigh, which was confirmed with magnetic resonance imaging. Samples were taken from the mass, and the pathology reports showed diabetic muscle infarction. The patient was treated with analgesics and insulin. After partial improvement, the patient was discharged, and two months after hospital discharge the mass size and pain had reduced considerably.CONCLUSION: Diabetic muscle infarction is a rare complication of uncontrolled and prolonged diabetes, which has a simple treatment. In this study, we call attention to this condition to prevent unnecessary actions and help with its early diagnosis.