SCIENTIFIC JOURNAL OF KURDISTAN UNIVERSITY OF MEDICAL SCIENCES
Year:2012 | Volume:16 | Issue:4 (SERIAL NUMBER 62)|Papers Count:17

Background and Aim: Policosanol is a component from main alcohol groups with long-chain which is extracted from cane sugar. In the present study, we investigated the effect of policosanol on atherosclerosis some of its biochemical risk factors in hypercholesterolemic rabbits.Materials and Methods: 24 male rabbits of New Zealand race with average weight of 1750gr were divided in to 4 group: control group (n=6) had normal diet, Sham and experimental group no.1 and no.2 (n=6) had high cholesterol (2%) diet, and they received placebo and policosanol with doses of 0.25 and 0.5mg respectively, every day. After 4 weeks of treatment, blood samples were obtained and cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL-C and HDL-C were measured. For histological studies part of aorta was dissected and fixed in formalin %10. Data were introduced into SPSS software and analyzed by variance analysis.Result: The results showed that in experimental group no.1 there was significant decrease in the rate of cholesterol, LDL-C and triglyceride (P<0.05), and significant increase in HDL-C (P<0.05) compared with those of control group. Also in experimental group no.2 there was a significant decrease in cholesterol, LDL-C and triglyceride (P<0.01) in the rate of cholesterol, LDL-C and triglyceride, and significant increase (P<0.01), and significant increase in HDL-C (P<0.01) compared with those of control group. Histological investigations showed treatment by policosanol in experimental group no.1 and no.2 could prevent atheroma plaque formation.Conclusion: policosanol can be an effective component in decreasing cholesterol, LDL-C and triglyceride and increasing HDL-C, leading to prevention of atheroma plaque formation.

Background and Aim: The correlation between dietary fat and coronary heart disease (CHD) has been clearly established. This study was designed to investigate the effects of different dietary oils on serum fatty acid composition and lipid profile in rats.Material and Methods: In this experimental study, 40 male rats were assigned to 5 groups and received standard chow diet for 3 weeks. At the end of the 3rd week, blood samples were obtained from four rats in every group. The remaining rats received standard chow diet or experimental diet (chow diet supplemented with yogurt butter, olive oil, soybean oil, or flaxseed oil for another 4 weeks. Serum fatty acid composition was analyzed by gas chromatography whereas serum lipids were determined by use of enzyme kits.Results: Total saturated, monounsaturated, and n-6 and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) were significantly higher in the rats which received yogurt butter, olive, soybean, and flaxseed oils, respectively. In addition, consumption of olive, soybean, and flaxseed oil markedly increased total unsaturated fatty acids. There was a significant increase in total PUFA after consumption of soybean or flaxseed oils in comparison to yogurt butter. A marked reduction was observed in n-6:n-3 PUFA ratio in the rats that consumed flaxseed oil. Serum triglycerides significantly decreased after consumption of olive, soybean, and flaxseed oils, whereas no change was observed in the total cholesterol. Olive oil and yogurt butter consumption led to increased HDL-C, but a noticeable decrease occurred in LDL-C in the rats of all test groups.Conclusion: Different dietary oils differentially affect serum fatty acid composition and serum lipid profiles.

Background and Aim: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of different exercises including resistance, endurance and combined exercise training with equal intensity on some cardiovascular risk factors.Materials and Methods: 40 middle-aged healthy men were selected from academic and working staff of Azad University in Sanandaj and randomly divided into four groups including (G1: Endurance training, G2: resistance training, G3: combined endurance and resistance training, and control groups. The experimental groups 1, 2 and 3, trained endurance exercise for 8 weeks. Levels of HDL, LDL, TG, TC, Apo A, Apo B, ratio of Apo B / Apo A, and LPL were measured before and after exercise.Results: The levels of Apo B and Apo B/Apo A ratio decreased significantly in G3 group (P<0.05). TG and LDL levels decreased significantly in G1 and G3 groups (P<0.05). TC/HDL-C Ratio and HDL levels reduced significantly in G2 group (P<0.05). LPL, TC and Apo A levels did not show any significant change in the groups.Conclusion: Various exercise trainings have beneficial effects on some indicators of cardiovascular risk factors in healthy middle-aged people. But it seems that a combination of resistance and endurance trainings has higher efficacy on cardiac risk factors than strength or endurance exercise training alone.

Background and aim: Intimacy in couples has beneficial effects on physical and psychological health. This study investigated the effectiveness of training relationship enhancement program on increasing intimacy in dual-career couples.Material and Method: This was a quasi-experimental study with pretest, posttest and control group. The research population included female elementary school teachers who had married for 5 to 10 years, in Sanandaj City. 30 women were selected randomly from eligible volunteers and were randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. The experimental group used the relationship enhancement program for ten 1.5 hour sessions (one session/week) while the control group did not do any training.Marital intimacy questionnaire was used as a measurement tool and the groups completed it three times in pretest, posttest and follow up test. Data were introduced in to SPSS software and analyzed by covariance analysis.Results: Our results showed that training relationship enhancement program led to increased intimacy and all intimacy subscales (emotional , intellectual, physical, social-recreational, relational, spritual, psychological, sexual and general) between dual-career couples significantly (p<0.05).Conclusion: The training relationship enhancement program can be used to increase intimacy in dual-career couples.

Background and Aim: Neural stem cells (NSCs) play an essential role in the development of embryonic nervous system and have the capacity for self-renewal in the adulthood which may be important for normal functions of the CNS, such as learning, memory and response to injury. These cells exist at different stages of development in different areas of the CNS. The purpose of this study was isolation and confirmation of stem cell and induction of differentiation of the cells isolated from the 15 day old embryonic rat cortex.Material and Methods: This was an experimental study on 15 day old embryonic rat cortices (n=6). 15 days after plug formation in female rats, the animals were transported to the laboratory. Under anesthesia and sterile condition, embryos were removed from the uterus. The meninges were separated by use of a stereoscope and the cortices of the embryos were dissected in HBSS buffer. Then the cortices were cut into small pieces and cultured in DMEM-F12 medium containing bFGF, EGF and B-27 supplement. The medium changed every day to keep the cells in an undifferentiated and proliferative state. DFN medium (DMEM-F12 and supplements N2) without growth factors was used for induction of differentiation. Immunocytochemical technique was used for confirmation of stem cells and detection of various neural cell types.Results: Immunocytochemical evaluation revealed that, these cells were neural stem cells (nestin positive) and had the potential to differentiate in to the neuronal (expression of Beta tubulin III), oligodendrocyte (expression of OSP marker) or astrocyte (expression of GFAP marker).Conclusion: This is a reliable method for isolation of embryonic neural stem cells and considering their embryonic origin; they can be used to investigate the effect of various agents on the process of CNS development. Also they might be effective in the treatment of neurodegenerative lesions.

Background and aim: Today, chlorine is the most common material used for effluent disinfection. Chlorination is an established and effective method for effluent disinfection. But the use of chlorine for disinfection of effluent due to several major concerns should be reassessed. The aim of this study was to compare long-term benefits and costs of chlorination/de chlorination with those of UV by pilot studies.Material and Methods: This pilot study consisted of pre-treatment units clarification and filtration systems with two types of low pressure and medium pressure UV lamps designed and installed at the wastewater treatment plant in the north of Isfahan.Results: Medium pressure UV systems with dose of 230 mw.s/cm2 for disinfection of filtered effluent with SOR of 1090 lit/m2.hr is more economical than a low pressure system and chlorination/dechlorination process and has the least environmental and health adverse effects.Conclusion: In wastewater treatment plants use of UV disinfection technology should be considered in preference to chlorination, especially if the dechlorination of chlorinated effluent is required. Before application of this system pilot studies on actual effluent at plant sites are required.

Background and Aim: Long - term use of opiates induces tolerance to the analgesic effect. Despite significant investigations, the precise cellular mechanisms underlying opioid tolerance is not clear. Many studies have revealed the key role of nitric oxide in the morphin-induced tolerance. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of nicorandil (a nitric oxide donor and ATP sensitive potassium channel opener) and glibenclamide (an ATP sensitive potassium channel blocker) on morphine-induced tolerance.Materials and Methods: In this study male mice weighting (20-30g) were randomly placed into groups of 8, and received different therapeutic regimens for 5 days. Different groups received either morphine (50mg/kg, i.p) + normal saline (10ml/kg, i.p), or morphine (50mg/kg, i.p) + nicorandil (2.5, 5, 10mg/kg, i.p) or morphine (50mg/kg, i.p) + glibanclamide (5, 10, 15mg/kg, i.p) every day. Nociception was assessed using a hotplate apparatus on the 6th day. The nociceptive effect was recorded when the animal licked its hind paw or jumped due to the heat effect.Results: Our results showed that tolerance to the analgesic effect of morphine significantly increased in the group which received morphine + nicorandil (5, 10mg/kg, i.p), (p<0.05), while in morphine+ glibenclamide group, tolerance significantly reduced (p<0.05).Conclusion: The results of this study indicated that intraperitoneal injection of nicorandil increased tolerance to the analgesic effects of morphine while glibenclamide decreased tolerance. The above effect seems to be related to the role of nitric oxide (NO) and ATPsensitive potassium channel in this phenomenon.

Invasive aspergillosis (IA) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in severely immuno-compromised patients. Despite the advances made in diagnostic methods, accurate diagnosis of IA is not easy. At the present time, in Iran, the diagnosis is most often made based on a combination of clinical and abnormal radiologic findings, which are nonspecific, and the treatment is often given without establishing the diagnosis. Considering the invasive and progressive nature of the disease, if proper diagnostic methods are not used, control of the disease will be difficult. Therefore establishing the diagnosis of IA at an early stage by non-invasive and specific methods is necessary for early successful treatment. The detection of circulating galactomannan (GM) antigen in serum, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, urine, and cerebrospinal fluid and tissue has become an important method for the early diagnosis of IA. Recent data have indicated that this test has a high specify and sensitivity and is more valuable than other methods such as culture and CT scan. In general this method is non-invasive, time-saving and specific which permits early treatment of the disease and helps physicians to select the proper treatment and other clinical measures. Certainly, well designed prospective studies with systematic sampling and use of accepted definitions are required to compare the efficiency of antigen detection in different samples and population.

Background and Aim: Macrolide Streptococcus pneumoniae is generally mediated by two mechanisms: 23SrRNA methylation and efflux. The aim of this study was to assess the molecular mechanism of resistance in S.pneumoniae strains isolated from intensive care units in Shiraz.Materials and Methods: This was a cross - sectional study.50 strains of S.pneumoniae were obtained from the patients admitted to intensive care units (ICU) of Nemazee and Shahid-Faghihi Hospitals, from 2010 to 2011. Suspected colonies were identified by phenotypical and biochemical tests. Organisms were confirmed to be Streptococcus pneumoniae on the basis of the presence of lytA gene by PCR method. Antibiotic resistance was evaluated according to Standard Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). Macrolide resistance genes were identified by use of ermB and mefA specific primers. Using SPSS software, statistical analysis was performed by means of chi- square test.Results: Resistance to erythromycin, clarithromycin and azithromycin levofloxacin were 18%, 48% and 44% respectively. In this study, 25 strains (50%) had mefA and 21 (42%) had ermB genes. Erythromycin resistance had significant relationships with mefA and ermB genes.Conclusion: The results of our study showed that the predominant mechanism of macrolide resistance was due to mefA gene in this area. Increased macrolide resistance calls for attention to the pattern of resistance in the therapeutic regimens.

Background and Aim: The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between university students' personalities and their perception of their mothers' control in predicting self-reported anxiety.Material and Method: This was a cross sectional descriptive analytical study and included 50 students from Isfahan University. Cattell Anxiety Questionnaire, Mother Control Questionnaire, and NEO-FFI Questionnaire were used to measure student's anxiety, their mothers' control and their personality characteristics. Data were analyzed by analysis of variance, regression, two way variance analysis and Tukey's test.Results: The findings of this study showed that student's perceptions of control are an independent predictor of anxiety, unrelated to students' personality. Among five factors of personality, three (high emotional instability, low agreeableness, and low conscientiousness) were independent predictors of anxiety, unrelated to students' perception of control.Discussion: This study revealed a relationship between perception of mothers' control and anxiety. Personality traits such as emotional instability, high agreeability, and high conscientiousness were associated with anxiety. Other findings of this study showed that interaction between emotional instability, agreeability and conscientiousness with mothers' control had a relationship with anxiety.Conclusion: The results of this study stress the importance of preventive measures by using educational and advisory plans for mothers about different personality traits of children and methods of relationship between mothers and children.

Background and Aim: Development of manufacturing industries of textile dyes has resulted in marketing new dyes with better dyeing qualities. Improvement of the dye quality is related to the structural stability of the chromogenic materials which make dyes resistant against chemical and biological dissociation. The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficiency of the photochemical processes combined with UV/H2O2 and UV/TiO2 in removal of Acid Red 18 dye from aqueous solutions in a batch reactor.Material and Methods: This study was an experimental - laboratory study. A reactor was designed and fabricated in our laboratory. Then optimum pH was determined in stable condition. The effect of initial concentrations of hydrogen peroxide, titanium dioxide, contact time, and different concentrations of Acid Red 18 dye were systematically assessed while keeping optimum pH constant. Data were analyzed and interpreted using Excel software and regression coefficient.Results: The results of this study revealed increased removal efficiency of Acid Red 18 in acidic pH in the above mentioned processes; however, this efficiency decreased with increased initial concentration of Acid Red 18 dye. Moreover, the removal efficiency of dye increased by increasing contact time and concentrations of hydrogen peroxide and titanium dioxide.Conclusion: In general, our results showed that the photochemical processes combined with UV/H2O2 and UV/TiO2 could be used as an effective method for removing Acid Red 18 from aqueous solutions. Moreover, comparison of the results indicated that the removal efficiency of the photochemical process combined with UV/H2O2 was higher than that of the photochemical process combined with UV/TiO2. Because of availability, time-effectiveness, and lack of sludge production this process is recommended for removal of Acid Red 18.