Scientific Journal of Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences
Year:2012 | Volume:17 | Issue:2 (SERIAL NUMBER 64)|Papers Count:25

Background and Aim: One of the most important indicators in scientific output in the world is the number of articles indexed in international and reliable indices. Many scientific institutions perform statistical analysis on countries, institutions and individuals. An Institution of Scientific Information (ISI) indexes the scientific information of most of international scientific journals. Using information on Web of Science we can evaluate scientific output of countries, universities and individuals and compare them with one another. The aim of this study was to assess the status of scientific output of Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences according to scientometric indicators until the end of2011 and compare it with those of other universities within the same rank, in Iran.Materials and Methods: By use of basic search in Web of Science and choosing SCI-EXP ANDED index from 1993 to 2011 different affiliated addresses indexed in was for Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences combined by using OR operator, then data were collected and analyzed.Results: Total number of records indexed in was till the en d of 2011 was 157. Maximum and minimum number of records were 111 (71.5%) for original articles and 1 (0.5%) for letter respectively. Maximum number of scientific output belonged to public, environmental and occupational health with 35 (22.87%), tropical medicine with 24 (15.68%), general and internal medicine with 21 (13.75%), pharmacology with 12 (7.19%), and multidisciplinary chemistry with 10 (6.53%) records. Each of the other subjects had less than 10 records. Canada had maximum international collaboration with 7 records and Egypt, Philippines, Thailand, each with one record had minimum international collaboration. Maximum national collaboration was related to Tehran University of Medical Sciences with 29 records and Tarbeyat Modaress University with 13 records. 157 records of Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences had been published in 89 journals, among them 23 journals, published maximum number of articles (54%). Only 5 journals were Iranian. Total number of citations was 300 and a median citation per article was 1191. Average article for every academic member was 1/01.Conclusion: Scientific output of Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences has been on the rise. Increase in citations is indicative of improvement of the quality of the articles in this university.

Background and Aim: Beta-carotene is a precursor for retinol and is an antioxidant. This compound is used as natural color in food industries. In developing countries one of the best sources of retinol is carotenoids, especially for vulnerable groups (women, children, infants). Therefore the evaluation of bioavailability of this nutrient is very important.Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 80 lactating mothers were selected from private and public hospitals in Tabriz. Demographic characteristics and dietary regimen of the patients were recorded after interview with the patients.Colostrum beta-carotene was measured by means of Karr-Price method at 620nm and the concentration of beta-carotene was determined at the wavelength of 620nm. The dietary fiber were measured by use of Chen and Anderson method.Results: The concentration of beta-carotene in milk and dietary intake was normal. The main source of vitamin A was from vegetables. Dietary fiber intake in comparison with recommended dietary allowance was high. There was no significant correlation between milk beta- carotene in well-nourished and undernourished mothers. There was also no significant correlation between dietary fat intake and colostrum beta-carotene of lactating mothers (p£0.997) (r=0.003).Conclusion: Dietary fat when used with high amount of fibers has no significant effect on increasing the bioavailability of carotenoids.

Background and Aim: Methicillin -resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) have created a major problem in the treatment of diseases. MRSA colonization in nose can lead to increased rate of nosocomial infections and mortality. Zataria multiflora is a plant which is widely used in the world for medical purposes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro antimicrobial effect of zataria multiflora extract on MRSA strains isolated from food.Material and Method: In this in vitro study the antimicrobial effect of Shirazi Zataria multiflora extract on MRSA and other Staphylococcus aureus strains resistant to tetracycline, erithromycine, trimethoprim, sulfamethoxazol, and methiclline, together with its MIC and MBC were determined.Results: Shirazi zataria multiflora, had a significant affects against MRSA, and other Staphylococcus aureus resistant to methicillin, tetracycline, erithromycine, trimethoprim, and sulfametoxazol, isolated from food.Conclusion: Production of a suitable herbal medicine with few side effects will give rise to a promising out-look in the treatment of infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus.

Background and Aim: Herbal medicines have been used commonly as a traditional therapeutic method for treatment of medical disorders. Previous studies had shown that purgative manna (Shirkhesht) can be used for the treatment of infantile icterus; however no study has been performed on the preventive effects of this herb on infantile icterus. This study was conducted to evaluate the preventive effects of purgative manna on neonatal icterus.Material and Methods: This was a double blind clinical trial and included neonates born in Besat Hospital, in Sanandaj. Patients were divided into two groups on the basis of blocked randomization. Twenty four hours after birth, five drops of oral purgative manna drop (BiliNaster produced by Sobhan Co.) was given to the intervention group three times a day, for three days and a placebo produced by the same company was given to the infants in the control group with the same dose for three days. Bilirubin was measured every day from the third to fifth days.Results: This study included 140 neonates. Intervention and control groups had no significant difference in regard to basic variables such as sex, type of birth, and bilirubin. 11 neonates (15.7%) in purgative manna group and 15 neonates (21.4%) in placebo group had developed icterus which showed no significant difference (p=0.38). In addition, the mean values of bilirubin measured in the control and intervention groups from the third to fifth days were 12.2 mg/deciliter ( ±2) and 12.5 mg/deciliter (±1.9) respectively which had no significant statistical difference (p=0.54).Conclusion: According to the results of this study, use of five drops of purgative manna three times a day, for three days, did not have any preventive effect on neonatal icterus between the third and fifth days after birth. Some studies have showed the effectiveness of this drug in preventing neonatal icterus, but we did not observe such effect in our study.

Background and Aim: Urinary tract infection is one of the most common bacterial diseases in human being. The most important etiologic agent is Eschrichia coli & the most important virulence factor in uropathogenic E.coli is P fimberiae. Construction of P fimbriae is coded by pap operon. The importance of P fimbriae is related to the incidence of urinary tract infection, especially infection of the upper tracts. The aim of this study was to identify & determine P fimbriae prevalence in isolated uroparhogenic E.coli.Material and Methods: A total of 182 isolates of E.coli were evaluated .Bacterial DNA was extracted by boiling method & subsequently DNA samples were examined for pap operon (pap C gene) by use of PCR method. Then PCR products were stained and identified by polyacrylamid gel electrophoresis.Results: Based on the results of PCR, among 182 isolated strains, 66 samples (36.3%) had pap operon(pap C gene).Conclusion: The results indicated that prevalence of pap operon in isolated strains was within the global range. Pyelonephritis was more common than cystitis & asympthomatic bacteriuria.

Background and Aim: Disabilities of upper extremities, as a sequel of stroke, often result in permanent functional complications which have received less attention in comparison to lower limb disabilities. Magnetic stimulation is a new therapeutic method which is used for induction of currents in the brain. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of magnetic stimulation on the wrist and elbow joints movements and grip force with that of routine rehabilitation.Material and Method: 12 hemiplegic patients were assigned to two groups. Patients in group I, received routine rehabilitation with placebo magnetic stimulation, and patients in group II, received magnetic stimulation with routine rehabilitation for 10 sessions, 3 times a week. Pre and post treatment evaluations were performed by use of Barthel index, Fugl-Meyer Motor Impairment Scale and dynamometer.Result: In group I, Barthel and Fugl-Meyer indexes showed significant improvement, but no significant improvement noted in the rate of grip force. Group II, showed significant improvement in Barthel and Fugl-Meyer indexes and rate of grip force.Conclusion: When conventional treatment is not effective, rTMS can improve force and function of hand muscles in chronic hemiplegic patients.

humans and animals. It causes severe and chronic diseases in HIV positive people and neonates. As yet no effective treatment has been found for it. The aim of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic effects of blue berry cherry, garlic and mixture of them on the Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts in HANK medium.Material and methods: Different concentrations of blue berry cherry extract, garlic tablets and mixture of them, with dilutions of %100, %50, %25 and %12.5, were prepared and sterilized by filter 0.22. The oocysts were separated from the stool of young calves suffering from diarrhea and were concentrated by use of sucrose and Shyter methods. 100A of the concentrate containing 2x106 oocysts and 900l of the above mentioned dilutions (blue berry cherry extract, garlic tablets and mixture of them) were poured into the Ependrof vials (pipes) and kept into an incubator at 370C for 24 to 48 hours (tests were performed in triplicates).Results: The results showed that all concentrations were effective in reducing Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts, but 1/100 garlic concentration, was more effective than blue berry cherry at the same concentration (P<0.001). The mixture of them had the highest effect on reducing Cryptosporidium Parvum oocysts compared with those of blue berry cherry or extract of garlic tablets (P<0.001). Blue berry cherry, garlic and mixture of them are effective in reducing Cryptosporidium oocysts.Conclusion: Since chemical compounds have side effects, use of blue berry cherry, garlic and mixture of them even in very low doses, can reduce the number of oocysts of this parasite, which is probably due to presence of allicin in garlic and polyphenolic compounds in blue berry cherry. Therefore, they can be used in children, elderly and those with immune system defects.

Background and Aim: The intestinal protozoa Giardia lamblia is a parasite frequently involved in human parasitic gastroenteritis throughout the world. Transmission of G. lamblia cysts to human occurs mainly via ingestion of contaminated food and water. The aim of this study was to evaluate Giardia lamblia genetic differences in the Khorramabad City and its surrounding villages by means of PCR and sequencing.Material and Methods: In these study 30 fecal samples positive for Giardia lamblia were collected from the patients in Khorramabad city and its surrounding villages. The samples were fixed in dichromate 5% after filtration. Before DNA extraction, all samples were washed with PBS solution in order to remove dichromate. For determination of genetic differences sequencing on 5 samples was performed.Results: After DNA extraction, amplification of GDH gene from 24 of 30 samples was performed by PCR, successfully. Alignment of the obtained GDH sequences with reference sequences (gene bank) indicated the presence of only one genotype of G. lamblia; 5 specimens were identified as G. lamblia assemblage A.Conclusion: Assemblage A was the dominant genotype in Khorramabad City and its surrounding villages. Because of limited number of samples in this study, further studies with higher number of samples are recommended.

Background and Aim: Disk herniation is one of. the causes of low back pain that 90% of people experience this pain. There are many pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods to alleviate the low back pain, such as physiotherapy techniques (infra-red and hot pack, etc.). In this study we investigated the effect of infra-red and hot pack on the low back pain associated with disk herniation.Material and Methods: In this experimental study, 60 patients with disk herniation were selected and divided randomly into infra-red and hot pack groups. Severity of the pain was measured on the basis of a numerical rating scale up to 10. Intervention was performed three times a week for one month. Severity and duration of pain were measured before and after intervention. SPSS software was used for data analysis.Results: The results of this study showed that the mean scores of pain severity and duration in infra-red group was 65.67±8.33 minutes which decreased to 44.33±5.60 minutes after intervention. The respective values for the hot pack group were 81±8.6 and 50.33±5.60 minutes before and after intervention. Effect of infra-red and hot pack on pain reduction was the same after intervention but infra-red was more effective in reducing the duration of pain.Conclusion: Considering the effect of infra-red, it can be recommended for pain reduction as a safe non pharmacological method. Hot pack is also effective in reducing pain by producing humid heat and patients’ compliance with this method will be higher.

Backgrounds and Aim: Increased environmental pollution caused by toxic metals is a great concern because of their carcinogenic, non-biodegradability and bio-accumulation properties. Cadmium (Cd) and copper (Cu) are two of the most common heavy metals in the environment. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of modified wheat straw promoted by sodium bicarbonate for removal of cadmium and copper from aqueous solution.Materials and Methods: Adsorption process was accomplished in a laboratory-scale batch with emphasis on the effect of various parameters such as pH, contact time, arsenic concentration and adsorbent dosage on adsorption efficiency. In order to understand the adsorption process, equilibrium isotherms were also determined.Results: The results of this study showed that adsorption of the Cd and Cu was influenced by several parameters such as arsenic initial concentration, adsorbent dosage and solution pH. Maximum adsorption efficiency was achieved at a pH of 7. The adsorbed amount of metal ions increased with the initial concentration of the metals. Among the isotherm models tested, i.e., the Langmuir, Freundlich, and DubininRadushkevich, the adsorption equilibrium of both Cd and Cu was best described by the Langmuir and Freundlich models. Mean values of the free energies of adsorption (11.1 kJ mol-1 for Cd and11.4 kJ mol-1 for Cu) indicated that adsorption of Cd and Cu ions by wheat straw might follow a chemisorption mechanism.Conclusion: We concluded that adsorption by modified wheat straw is an efficient and reliable method for removal of Cd and Cu from aqueous solutions.

Angiogenesis, the process of new blood vessels formation from existing ones, is important for the normal body growth and development. Angiogenesis is dependent on a delicate equilibrium between endogenous angiogenic and anti-angiogenic factors. If this equilibrium is disturbed, different diseases such as corneal neovascularization, endometriosis, obesity, atherosclerosis, diabetic retinopathy, psoriasis, tumor growth and metastasis may ensue. In general, angiogenesis process is under the influence of several factors and consists of cellular events such as migration, proliferation and differentiation of endothelial cells and finally formation, maturation and remodeling of vessels. Hence, angiogenesis inhibition as a useful measure in conventional therapies such as chemotherapy and radiation has attracted scientists’ attention studying on these issues. In recent years, the angiogenesis control has been considered as a novel idea for control and treatment of angiogenesis-dependent disorders especially tumor growth and metastasis. Because of its importance in causing these disorders, we discuss various aspects of angiogenesis, its mechanisms and causes and also the related studies in this review article.

Background and Aim: Hair transplantation is the main therapeutic method for androgenic alopecia. Improvement of the hair transplant techniques with more acceptable appearance of the transplanted hair has made this method more popular.Nowadays, for more acceptable appearance of transplanted hair, every follicle is transplanted separately or in small groups which is a time consuming procedure and exposes the follicles to environmental stressors. The new device that we introduce here can be time saving and decreases the exposure time to stressors.Case report: This device was named Micro-implant and we used it for hair transplantation in a 45 years old man with androgenic alopecia. After informed consent and adequate explanations, necessary laboratory tests were performed which their results were normal. Three 10x2 cm grafts were resected from occipital area. The grafts were placed into sterile physiologic buffer rapidly and then divided by a scalpel into small pieces, each containing 1-4 follicles. These graft units were transplanted into the frontal bald area by means of the Micro-implant.Conclusion: Use of this device will reduce transplantation time notably and maintain the viability of the transplanted follicles which ensure success of transplantation.