Scientific Journal of Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences
Year:2017 | Volume:22 | Issue:4 |Papers Count:16

Background and Aim: Oral mucositis is a common and debilitating complication that can occur after administration of certain chemotherapy drugs. Yet, no preventive therapy has been recommended for this complication. This study aimed to determine the effect of licophar on prevention of chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis. Methods and method: This was a double blind RCT which was performed in Sanandaj City and included 40 patients with colon and gastric cancer who had received chemotherapy for the first time between 1390 and 1391.5-FU (FOLFOX4) was prescribed for the patients. Licophar was given to the intervention group, and control group received placebo. The patients were examined for the presence or absence of oral mucositis. Using SPSS.18 software, data were analyzed by descriptive statistics and Mann-Whitney tests, independent T test and chi square. Results: In our study, 25 patients (62.5%) were male and 15 (37.5%) were female. The mean age of the participants was 53.20 ±8.77 years and the mean duration of treatment was 5.05 ±3.15 months. Oral mucositis was not observed in the intervention group, but 35% of the patients in the control group developed this disorder (p<0.01). There were no statistically significant difference between the two groups in relation to age and gender (p>0.05).Conclusion: Licophar is effective for prevention of oral mucositis induced by chemotherapy.

Background and Aim: Diabetes can cause sexual dysfunction including spermatogenic disorders in the diabetic patients. The aim of the present study was to investigate the antioxidant effects of garlic extract in diabetic mice.Materials and Methods: Diabetes was induced by multiple low-dose streptozotocin injections (40 mg/kg/day for 5 consecutive days), in male C57BL/6 mice (15-20 gr body weight). After induction of diabetes, the mice were divided into 4 groups: group 1 (normal control group); group 2 (diabetic control group); group 3 (treatment with garlic extract 200 mg/kg for 35 days) and group 4 (treatment with garlic extract 400 mg/kg for 35 days). Mice were euthanized on the 35th day and serum testosterone levels were estimated. Testes and epididymis were removed for sperm evaluation and measurement of nitric oxide (NO) levels and total antioxidant capacity (TAC).Results: Garlic treatment significantly improved semen parameters and increased serum level of testosterone (p<0.05). Aside from reducing the elevated tissue nitric oxide level, garlic increased total antioxidant capacity in testis tissue samples.Conclusion: This study showed potent antioxidant effect of hydro-alcoholic garlic extract on the testes of mice against type 1 diabetes -induced oxidative stress.

Background and Aim: Use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is the second most common cause of peptic-ulcer and a common cause of upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB). The aim of this study was to evaluate demographic and behavioral characteristics of the hospitalized patients with UGIB who had been using NSAIDs, in Tohid hospital in Sanandaj, in Iran.Material and Method: This descriptive, analytical study, included patients hospitalized in gastroenterology ward of Tohid Hospital due to UGIB and with history of using NSAIDs and related compounds (from February 2015 to February 2016). We used a questionnaire to record demographic, social, cultural and clinical characteristics of the subjects. Endoscopy was performed to determine causes of UGIB. Data were analyzed by using SPSS software.Results: 60 patients were men (58.3%) and 43 were women (41.7%) with the mean age of 52.85±20.03.8.4% of subjects had a family history of peptic ulcers in their first degree relatives, 26.9% and 6.8% had history of smoking and drinking alcoholic beverages respectively.53.3% of the subjects had history of underlying disease of which chronic heart disease was the most frequent disorder (36%). The most frequent drugs used by the patients were aspirin and ibuprofen (58.3% and 42.7%, respectively). UGIB associated with aspirin use was more prevalent among the men than women. The main cause of bleeding (67%) was ulcer.There were no significant differences between causes of bleeding and use of NSAIDs, gender, age and age range of the patients. Also there was no significant difference in the mean age between both sexes (P>0.5).Conclusion: Considering the role of NSAIDs in UGIB, provision of necessary training for the correct use of NSAIDs (according to indications) and measures to eradicate H.Pylori infection will result in significant decrease in morbidity and mortality from UGIB in these patients.

Background and Aim: Considering bacterial resistance to common antibiotics and the need for new drugs, use of medicinal products manufactured by nano-technology, can be effective in the prevention and treatment of bacterial infections. In this study, we evaluated the sensitivity of Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella to nanoparticles of magnesium oxide and silicon oxide in vitro.Methods: Staphylococcus intermedius and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella typhimurium, Salmonella abourtus were cultured in Mueller Hinton Broth medium. Then different concentrations of the nanoparticles of magnesium oxide and silicon oxide were added to the culture medium. After 24 hours of incubation we measured optical density (OD) by means of ELISA reader. Multi-well plate was used as controls. Using SPSS software data were analyzed by ANOVA and LSD post hock test.Results: Silicon nanoparticles prevented growth of Staphylococcus intermedious, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhimurium and Salmonella abortus (p<0.0001) in a dose dependent way, but showed no antibacterial effect on Salmonella typhi. Also nanoparticles of magnesium oxide showed antimicrobial effect on the above-mentioned bacteria in a dose-dependent manner (p<0.0001).Conclusion: Silicon oxide and magnesium oxide nanoparticles can be used and evaluated as antibacterial drugs in experimental or clinical infections.

Background and Aim: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is one of the most common gastrointestinal diseases and its prevalence rate in various countries, including Iran has been on the rise. The aim of this study was to investigate the risk factors and prevalence rate of this disease in Sanandaj.Materials and Methods: In this descriptive, analytical study, 430 people were selected via random cluster sampling. Data were collected by carrying out interviews with the participants from May 2014 to June 2015. Using a questionnaire, we recorded data about the demographic characteristics, symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease and risk factors for the disease. Then, we measured and recorded the participants’ blood pressure, height, weight, and BMI. People who had experienced episodes of mild symptoms of heartburn for two days or more in a week or experienced moderate to severe symptoms for more than once in a week were regarded as cases of reflux. Data analysis was performed by using STATA-11 software.Results: From 410 patients, 41% were male and 59% (241 persons) were female with the mean age of 37.75 years. The prevalence rate of gastroesophageal reflux in the study population was 30%. We found no statistically significant difference between the patients and healthy individuals in relation to the risk factors for gastroesophageal reflux.Conclusion: Considering the high prevalence of GERD in Sanandaj, it is of great importance to provide necessary training about the risk factors, prevention, and appropriate treatment of the disease for the public.

Background and Aim: Considering the high prevalence of low back pain, investigation of the efficiency of new therapeutic methods for this disorder is of great importance. This study aimed to compare the effects of different exercises with a variety of approaches on dynamic balance and pain intensity in the females with chronic low back pain.Material and Methods: This study included 68 female patients between 21 and 27 years of age with chronic low back pain. The patients were selected based on convenient sampling and randomly assigned to four groups. We used pre-/post-test for evaluation of dynamic balance in the anterior, posterior-lateral, posterior-medial planes, and also we assessed the pain intensity. Our three experimental groups performed a 12 week-training program (hydrotherapy, McKenzie and Williams exercises) 3 sessions per week. Each session lasted 45 minutes. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and post hoc Scheffe's test.Results: The three training programs (hydrotherapy, McKenzie and Williams exercises) had significant effects on dynamic balance in the anterior plane. Hydrotherapy and Williams exercises showed significant effects on posterior-lateral and posterior-medial dynamic balance and reduced the pain intensity significantly in the patients with chronic low back pain.Conclusion: Considering the effectiveness of hydrotherapy, McKenzie and Williams exercises on dynamic balance and reduction of the pain intensity, such exercises are recommended for improvement of the functional mobility and maintaining the dynamic balance in chronic low back pain.

Background and Aim: Propolis is one of the most important bee products which has antibacterial property. This study was conducted to investigate antibacterial activity of propolis on Bacillus pumilus, Pseudomonas syringae and Serratia plymuthica.Material and Method: After propolis collection from different parts of Kurdistan Province and preparation of its alcohol and water extracts, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) for bacterial strains were determined. Data analysis was carried out by use of SPSS software. To compare mean values we used Duncan test at the significance level of 5%.Results: Use of alcoholic solvent (96% ethanol and dimethyl sulfoxide) resulted in a greater mean diameter of growth inhibitory zone in comparison to water extract solvent (p<0.05). Inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of alcoholic extract of propolis for Bacillus pumilus, Pseudomonas syringae and Serratia plymuthica were 0.328, 0.656 and 1.31 mg/ml and The MBCs, were 0.328, 0.656 and 1.31 mg/ml respectively. The MICs of dimethyl sulfoxide extract for Bacillus pumilus, Pseudomonas syringae and Serratia plymuthica were 0.656, 1.31 and 1.31 mg/ml and its MBCs for the above mentioned bacteria were 0.656, 1.31 and 1.31 mg/ml respectively. MICs of water extract of propolis for Bacillus pumilus, Pseudomonas syringae and Serratia plymuthica were 1.31, 2.62 and 2.62 and its MBCs for these bacteria were 2.62, 5.25 and 5.25 respectively.Conclusion: According to the results, alcohol and water extracts of propolis showed significant effects against Bacillus pumilus, Pseudomonas syringae and Serratia plymuthica in laboratory condition.

Background and Aim: Cholestasis is characterized by impaired bile flow, which can cause accumulation of bile acids in the liver and development of metabolic disorders, resulting in hepatocellular necrosis and apoptosis. Mitochondria are a critical cellular organelle that produces most of the cellular energy. Mitochondrial morphology varies from an interconnected filamentous network to isolated dots. This processes are called mitochondrial fission and fusion. Disrupted mitochondrial morphology has been observed in cholestatic liver disease. Dynamin related protein 1 is one of the genes involved in mitochondrial fission and plays a role in apoptosis. In this study we investigated Drp1 gene expression in the liver of cholestatic rats.Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, male Wistar rats (290±25g) were divided into three groups of control (non-operated), sham (operated without common bile duct ligation) and BDL (operated with common bile duct ligation). On the 28th day of BDL, rats were weighed and sacrificed. Biochemical assays for measurement of bilirubin level and liver enzymes, and also dissection of liver tissue for histopathological analysis were performed. Drp1 gene expression was evaluated by semi-quantitative RT-PCR technique.Results: The results showed that serum levels of total bilirubin and liver enzymes (ALT, AST, ALK) were significantly increased in BDL group compared to those in the control and sham operation groups (P<0.0001 and P<0.001). Histological examination revealed bile ductular hyperplasia, focal liver necrosis and fibrous tissue expansion in BDL group. The result of RT-PCR indicated significant increase of Drp1 gene expression in the liver of the rats in BDL group compared to that in the other groups (P<0.001).Conclusion: In this study we found that liver cholestasis increased expression of Drp1 gene which led to increased mitochondrial-mediated apoptotic effect with resultant liver cell death.

Background and Aim: Whey protein has been known to be an excellent prophylactic agent against obesity. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of endurance training and whey protein supplementation on TNF-a levels and insulin resistance in the rats fed with high-fat diet.Materials and Methods: In the first phase of the study, 40 male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to two groups: one group was fed with standard chow (n=8) and the other group with high fat diet (HFD) (n=32). After 9 weeks, in the second phase of our study, HFD rats were randomly assigned to 4 groups: (1) control, (2) whey supplementation, (3) endurance training and (4) endurance training+whey supplementation groups. Each group consisted of 8 rats. Endurance training protocol was performed for 10 weeks (5days/wk, 1hr/day, 21m/min, and 15% grade). Data were analyzed by Mann–Whitney U test (to compare normal control group and control high-fat diet group) and two way ANOVA.Results: Body weight (P=0.009), adipose tissue (P=0.002), insulin resistance (P=0.045) and TNF-a level (P=0.022) were significantly higher in HFD sedentary rats, compared to those in the rats in normal diet control group. Adipose tissue weight (P=0.02), blood glucose (P=0.006), insulin (P=0.0003), insulin resistance index (P=0.00021), and TNF-a level in adipose tissue (P=0.039) in whey supplemented groups were lower than those in the non-supplemented groups. Also, body weight (P=0.017), adipose tissue weight (P=0.001), adipose tissue TNF-a level (P=0.001) in the training groups were lower than those in the control group.Conclusion: Whey protein supplementation led to improvement of high-fat diet -induced insulin resistance and decreased inflammation. Endurance training also reduced inflammation in adipose tissue.

Background and Aim: Mental health disorders are common problems among health care professionals such as nurses, which can create great problems. The aim of this study was to evaluate mental health status in nursing personnel in the teaching hospitals.Materials and Methods: This descriptive and cross-sectional study was performed in 2013 and included 5837 nurses working in educational hospitals affiliated to the medical universities in Iran. Data were collected by using a general health questionnaire (GHQ- 28) and were analyzed by descriptive and analytical statistics using SPSS18 software.Results: The results showed that 30.2% of the nurses were mentally healthy and 69.8% of them were exposed to mental health disorders. The mean score of mental health was 31.11 ± 12.37. The highest mean score (the worst condition) of the unhealthy nurses belonged to social performance domain (12.86 ± 3.38) and the lowest mean score (the best condition) was related to depression domain (4.1 ± 3.02).Conclusion: Attention to mental health of the nursing personnel is of great importance and can lead to improvement of nursing care quality. Psychological counseling for nursing personnel is also recommended.

Background and Aim: Determination of prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCD) risk factors is the key factor for designing any intervention program for the control and prevention of these diseases. The aim of this study was to determine NCD risk factors among rural areas population in Kurdistan Province, in Iran, in 2015.Materials and Methods: In this population-based study, we investigated the prevalence of main NCD risk factors among 13710 adults above 20 years of age selected by systematic random sampling method from rural areas of Kurdistan Province, in the north-west of Iran. Data were collected by using a standard questionnaire. SPSS version 22 software was used for data analysis.Results: The results showed that 10.6% (9.0-12.2%) of the participants were current daily tobacco smokers and 32% (31.5-33.0%) of them had passive smoking.54.9% (54.1-55.8%) used solid oils as the main consumed oil by the households. The prevalence rate of overweight/obesity was 17.2% (16.5-17.8%). Mean daily fruit and vegetable consumption and also mean hours of exercise or vigorous physical activity per week were 1.6 ± 0.9 servings and 2.8 ± 3.5 hours, respectively. The prevalence rates of hypertension and hyperlipidemia were estimated 8.2% (7.8-8.7%) and 3.3% (3.0-3.7%), respectively. The prevalence rats of stroke, various cancers, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), depression and diabetes were 0.6% (0.5-0.8%), 0.4% (0.3-0.6%), 1.1% (0.9-1.3%), 1% (0.8-1.1%), 1.5% (1.3-1.7%) and 2.5% (2.2-2.7%), respectively. Different cities of the province showed significant differences in the prevalence rates of the most of the risk factors (P<0.05).Conclusion: This population-based study provided the real figures of NCD risk factors among the population living in the rural areas of Kurdistan Province. We recommend use of the results of this study for designing any intervention program for control and prevention of NCD in this region.

Background and Aim: Risky and unprotected sexual behaviors are among the health threatening factors which can increase the risk of transmission of HIV/AIDS and hepatitis especially in young people. This qualitative study aimed to explore the reasons of unprotected sexual behaviors among young people, based on low self-control characteristics.Materials and Methods: The study was designed as a qualitative content analysis. Eleven individuals who had unprotected sexual contact were selected by purposeful sampling method. Data were collected by semi-structured interviews and analyzed concurrently.Results: According to the results of this study impellent belief about risky sexual behavior, barriers to condom use and lack of knowledge were cited by the participants as the main reasons beyond the risky and unprotected sexual behaviors.Conclusion: Adoption of the safe and protected sexual behaviors is dependent on reinforcement of the beliefs, perceptions and attitudes towards sexually transmitted disease (STD) and effectiveness of preventive behaviors.