SCIENTIFIC JOURNAL OF KURDISTAN UNIVERSITY OF MEDICAL SCIENCES
Year:2016 | Volume:22 | Issue:2|Papers Count:14

Background and Aim: Despite the use of different drugs in the treatment of bipolar disorder, about 50 percent of the patients are not completely cured. To strengthen the treatment effect, various medications including new antiepileptic drugs and serotonin-dopamine antagonists have been studied. Considering the potential role of NMDA receptor antagonists on the mood changes, this study was conducted to investigate the effects of memantine on acute mania as an adjunctive therapy to lithium and risperidone.Material and Method: Our study was a double-blind randomized clinical trial which included 40 patients with bipolar disorder in the acute phase of mania. Patients in both groups were treated with the same drug regimen (including risperidone and lithium). In the intervention group, an oral dose of memantine, 5 mg/day was started and increased to 20 mg / day after 96 hours. Patients in the control group received placebo. Severity of the symptoms before starting treatment and at the 1st, 2nd, 4th and 6th weeks after treatment was measured based on the Young Mania Rating Scale. We estimated clinical side effects of memantine by using a clinical check list.Results: At the end of the study, severity of manic symptoms decreased in both groups, but speed and rate of reduction of the symptoms of mania were not significantly different in the memantine group compared with the placebo group (p=0.784). The most common side effects in both groups included; restlessness (p=1.000), tremor (p=0.501), and dizziness (p=0.605), which were not significantly different in both groups.Conclusion: Considering the limitations such as small sample size and short period of the study, addition of memantine 20 mg /day to the treatment regimen of the patients with bipolar disorder in the manic phase, for six weeks, had no effect on the rate and extent of symptoms of mania.

Background and Aim: The light transmittance through amniotic membrane (AM) has a major effect on the visual acuity after transplantation of this biomaterial for reconstruction of the cornea. In this study, we evaluated role of placental region of extracted AM and histological layers of the amnion on the light transmission ability (transparency).Material and Method: The AMs were obtained from disk and peripheral (2 cm away from disk edge) regions of the placenta. The light transmission rates of the prepared intact tissues and also of the tissues after removal of the epithelial and spongy layers were measured. We determined the thicknesses of AMs by evaluating the photos of histological sections using software analyses.Results: Peripheral region of the AM was more transparent than the disk region. Histological studies revealed structural differences between epithelial cells of disk and peripheral regions. Removal of the epithelial cells increased the transparency of AMs and omitted the transparency difference between disk and peripheral regions, while, the thickness of the AMs samples of the two regions had significant differences after removal of the epithelial layer.Conclusion: The epithelial cells of the AM, which have stem cell characteristics, play a major role in the light transmission ability of the AM, and thickness of the membrane had no significant impact on its light transmission rate.

Background and Aim: Ideal scaffold for tissue engineering must be a mimic of extracellular matrices that facilitates proliferation and differentiation of the cells. Biological scaffolds are prepared from decellularization of human or animal tissues. Extracellular matrix of natural tissues can be used as a scaffold for regenerative applications, even xenogenically. In this study, for the first time complete human skin tissue (dermis plus epidermis) was decellularized. This matrix can be used in the clinics for the treatment of severe burns. Unseparated epidermis from the dermis may cause the skin to maintain higher levele of moisture until complete healing.Material and Methods: Human skin tissues were decellularized by combination of three methods: physical (slow freezing and snap freeze–thaw), enzymatic (trypsin 0.25% for 18 hours) and chemical (sodium dodecyl sulfate- SDS 1% for 12 hours). Then, the prepared decellularized 3D matricies with 5×105 of cells were cultured. Finally, histological studies were performed after 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks of culture by different stains.Results: Histological studies confirmed cell elimination and also preservation of collagen fibers in the human skin matrix. In vitro analysis of cellular behaviors showed adhesion and proliferation of L929 fibroblast cell line in the culture in different weeks. Statistical analysis indicated significant induction of cell densities at the end of the 2nd week (p<0.001) compared to the other weeks of our study. The number of cells reduced after the 3rd week.Conclusion: The results indicated that remnants of ECM of the human skin can be a suitable matrix for adherence, proliferation and differentiation of L929 cells. On the other hand, because of high density of collagen fibers and low porosity of prepared scaffolds, we found no penetration and migration into the dermis.

Background and Aim: Handicapped child in the family is a source of stress which can affect physical and mental health of the parents, especially mothers. Increase in resiliency increases ability to manage stressors. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of stress coping skills training on the resiliency of mothers with handicapped children.Material and Methods: This semi experimental study with pre-test, post-test design and control group included 60 mothers with handicapped children who had been referring to the Kermanshah welfare center in 2013. They were selected by using convenient method and then divided randomly into two groups. In this study we used a coping skill training package and Connor and Davidson Resiliency Scale (CD-RISC). SPSS 20 software was used for data analysis.Results: The results showed that coping skills training resulted in a significant increase in resiliency level in the mothers with disabled children (P<0.001).Conclusion: In most of the coping skills training programs, handicapped children were the center of attention and their families that take care of them had been ignored. Therefore, training programs for parents with handicapped children is at the forefront of planning policies.

Background and Aim: Nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT) / (visfatin) have been proposed as proinflammatory cytokine that is influenced by blood glucose or insulin. In diabetes mellitus proinflammatory agents such as prostaglandin E2 and nitric oxide can increase visfatin synthesis and visfatin stimulates their expression. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of cyclooxygenase and nitrergic system on serum visfatin level and some biochemical parameters in diabetic rats.Material and Methods: Male Wistar rats were rendered diabetic by streptozotocin (60 mg/kg, i.p.). Animals were treated with celecoxib (5 mg/kg) or L-arginine (50 mg/kg) or L-NAME (50 mg/kg) alone or with combinations of celecoxib and L-arginine or celecoxib and L-NAME. Using SPSS software, we used one way analysis of variance followed by tukey test for data analysis.Results: All treated groups showed significant decrease in blood glucose and triglyceride levels (P<0.05). Treatment with L-NAME decreased serum insulin level significantly (P<0.05), while celecoxib alone (P<0.05) or in combination with L-NAME and L-arginine enhanced its levels significantly (P<0.01). Serum visfatin level increased in diabetic rats compared to controls (P<0.05). Treatment with L-arginine had a significant effect on increasing visfatin level (P<0.05). Celecoxib decreased visfatin level (P<0.01). Combination of L-NAME or L-arginine with celecoxib caused a greater reduction in visfatin level (P<0.01).Conclusion: Serum visfatin level increased in streptozotocin- induced diabetes. Inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2 by celecoxib, resulted in decreased visfatin level and part of this effect was due to interaction with nitrergic system. It seems that blood glucose and insulin do not affect visfatin level directly, but proinflammatory cytokines play the main role in its synthesis.

Background and Aim: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is widely expressed in the brain, but it is reduced significantly in the brain of the patients with Alzheimer's disease. The aim of the present study was to assess the impact of low intensity aerobic training and Omega-3 consumption on hippocampal BDNF levels in male rat with homocysteine induced Alzheimer’s disease.Material and Methods: 60 Wistar male rats (12 weeks old and mean weight of 222.31±11.91 g) were divided into six groups, including: Alzheimer’s rat with training, Alzheimer’s rat with training+Omega-3 intake, Alzheimer’s rat+supplement of Omega 3, healthy control rat, Alzheimer’s control rat and sham. Alzheimer's disease was induced by injection of homocysteine (0.6M) into the rat brain ventricle. Training with a speed of 20 meters per minute (intensity of 50-55% VO2max) was done for 5 days a week on the treadmill. Each session lasted 60 minutes. The supplement groups received, 800 mg per kg of Omega-3/day for 8 weeks. We used one-way analysis of variance for data analysis. P<0.05 considered significant Results: The results of this study showed that, 8 weeks of aerobic training and intake of omega-3, had no significant effect on the BDNF level in the hippocampus of Alzheimer induced rats (P=0.06).Conclusion: According to the results of this study, it seems that aerobic training and use of omega-3 in the short-term cannot increase BDNF levels in the hippocampus of Alzheimer induced rats. But it is possible that aerobic training with higher intensity along with use of higher amounts of Omega-3 for longer periods may affect the BDNF level in the hippocampus.

Background and Aim: Quaternary ammonium compounds can be used for growth control of fungi in hospitals and algae in swimming pools. The aim of this study was to evaluate antifungal and antialgal effect of new quaternary ammonium compounds.Material and Methods: In this experimental study, eight tetravalent ammonium salts with different positions in R1 and R2 were synthesized. These compounds were synthesized from 4, 4 – Amino methyl biphenyls compounds and were different from each other in biphenyls and amine groups. To determine their effects on molds, they were cultured in potato-dextrose-agar (PDA) medium containing nistatin on the basis of Medallion method. The diameter of inhibitory growth zones for mold in the test cultures were compared with those of the control cultures. The effect of the new compounds on algae strains Clorella vulgaris 157 was evaluated by using glucose solid medium exposed to suitable light at room temperature for 5-3 days. Zones of inhibition were detected.Results: Antifungal effect of compound 149 on the molds was 100%, similar to the effect of Nistatin. This effect was from 68% to 100% for compounds 188 and 178 respectively and lasted for a long time in the culture medium, even after 3 to 7 days no growth was observed. By increasing the concentration of the compounds, compound No.188 showed a higher inhibitory growth rate for algae in comparison to compounds No.149 and NO.178. Three times increase in the concentrations of the compounds resulted in 2.1, 1.45 and 1.38 times increase in the diameters of the zones of inhibition for the compounds No.188, No.149 and NO.178 respectively.Conclusion: Compounds used in this study had similar inhibitory effects on eukaryotic cells and their antifungal and anti-algae effects were similar. Increase in antifungal effects led to increased anti algae effect. Use of these compounds is recommended in the industry.

Background and Aim: Physical exercise and melatonin have considerable effects on cognitive functions such as spatial memory and learning performance. The aim of this study was to clarify the possible interaction between the exercise and melatonin and its effects on spatial memory and learning performance in rats.Material and Method: In this experimental study groups of rats underwent 2 interventions. In experiment 1, Wistar rats were divided into groups (7 in each group), as follows: sedentary-vehicle, treadmill exercise-vehicle, and sedentary-melatonin and treadmill exercise-melatonin. In experiment 2, groups were designed as; sedentary-saline, treadmill exercise-saline, sedentary-lozindole and treadmill exercise-lozindole (M1 and M2 melatonin receptor blocker). The animals received drugs and vehicles intraperitoneally, 30 minutes before treadmill exercise, every day for fifteen consecutive days. Then their learning and spatial memory performance was evaluated using Moris water maze task. Data analysis was performed by two way analysis of variance.Results: Melatonin significantly attenuated learning and memory performance in both exercised and non-exercised rats. Blocking the melatonin receptors by lozindole improved spatial memory in the rest condition, but had no significant effect on the learning and spatial memory after exercise.Conclusion: The findings of this study indicated that exercise had beneficial effects on learning and spatial memory independent of melatonin and its receptors.

Background and Aim: Propolis is one of the most important bee products used as a natural antibiotic alternative for industrial antibiotic production in order to reduce unnecessary usage of antibiotics. The chemical structure of this natural product in different regions of the world is different. The solvent used for extraction of propolis can have a significant impact on its antimicrobial activity. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial properties of ethanol and oil extracts of propolis produced in Kurdistan Province on Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus mutans and Entrobacter aerogenes.Material and Methods: After collecting propolis from different parts of Kurdistan Province, ethanol and oil extracts were prepared. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) for the three above mentioned strains of bacteria were determined by using broth dilution method.Results: Use of alcoholic solvent (96% ethanol and dimethyl sulfoxide) resulted in a greater mean diameter of growth inhibitory zone in comparison to oil extract (p<0.01). Inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of alcoholic extract of propolis for Staphylococcus epidermidis PTCC1435, Streptococcus mutans PTCC1683 and Enterobacter aerogenes PTCC1221 were 0.16, 0.32 and 0.65 mg/ml respectively. The MBCs, were 0.65, 1.31and 1.31 mg/ml respectively. The MICs of oil extract of propolis for Staphylococcus epidermidis PTCC1435, Streptococcus mutans PTCC1683 and Enterobacter aerogenes PTCC1221 were 2.62, 1.31 and 1.31 mg/ml and the MBCs for each of the above mentioned bacteria were 2.62.Conclusion: Propolis showed significant antimicrobial effects in our study therefore, it can be used in the food and pharmaceutical industries.

Background and Aim: Clinical efficacy of doxorubicin (DOX), a widely used antineoplastic drug, is limited by causing damage to normal tissues. The aim of this study was to determine the possible protective effects of Citrullus colocynthis pulp hydroalcoholic extract (CCE) on reproductive toxicity induced by DOX treatment.Material and Methods: In this randomized controlled experimental study, 24 adult male mice were divided into groups of 6 animals. DOX was administered to two groups of the mice at a dose of 1.5 mg/kg intraperitoneally on days 1, 7, 14, 21, 28 and 35. One of these groups received CCE at a dose of 200 mg/kg intraperitoneally four hours after DOX treatment. This study also included two other groups: vehicle-treated control group and a group which received only CCE. Epididymal sperm fertilizing capacity of all animals were evaluated after 35 days. Data were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance followed by Tukey test for post hoc comparisons.Results: DOX treatment resulted in a significant decrease in the fertilization rate and embryonic development along with increased rate of embryo growth arrest. Concomitant administration of CCE with DOX, restored all mentioned parameters to normal values.Conclusion: These findings suggested a possible potential role for CCE in the protection of DOX-induced reproductive toxicities.

Background and Aim: Considering the physical and psychological benefits of aerobic exercise and complications of menstrual disorders as familial and social problems, this study was conducted to investigate the effects of 8 weeks of moderate intensity aerobic exercise on menstrual cycle disorders and levels of estrogen and progesterone in non athlete women.Material and Methods: In this study, 20 women with menstrual disorder were randomly divided into two experimental (age: 23.6±3.1 years, height: 161.0±4.2 cm, weight: 58.2 ± 6.2 kg) and control groups (age: 23.4±3.2 years, height: 162±5.1cm, weight: 57.5 ± 7.1kg). The experimental group performed 8 weeks of moderate intensity aerobic exercise with 60-85% MHR. Before and after the training period, blood samples were taken from the subjects in the follicular phase to measure the levels of sex hormones. The subjects were asked to fill out the standard questionnaire for identification of the kind of menstrual disorders. Levels of progesterone and estrogen hormones were measured using electrochemiluminescence method. Data analysis was performed by using SPSS20. p<0.05 was considered significant.Results: In the experimental group, we found a significant decrease in Visual Analog Scale for Pain (VAS Pain) after 8 weeks of moderate intensity exercise compared to pre exercise stage and also control groups (p<0.01). In addition, serum levels of progesterone and estrogen hormones significantly increased in comparison to pre exercise stage and control groups (p<0.05).Conclusion: Regular moderate intensity endurance exercise decreases menstrual disorders probably due to increase in the estrogen and progesterone secretion. Therefore, these exercise training programs can be used as a preventive, therapeutic or adjunctive measure to control dysmenorrhea and other menstrual disorders.

Background and Aim: Fish are considered as one of the main aquatic organisms in the food chain. They have the potential to accumulate large amounts of heavy metals in their tissues. The purpose of this study was to measure the levels of five heavy metals (Cd, Pb, Cu, Cr, and Zn) in the gill, liver, and muscle tissues of common carp, Capoeta trutta, and Grass carp in the Gamasyab River in 2015 as well as bioaccumulation study and hazard quotient determination (HQ).Material and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study in which three species of fish in the Gamasyab River were caught in autumn and winter. The tissue preparation method was chemical digestion. Concentrations of heavy metals were measured using an ICP apparatus. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 16.Results: Permissible limits of ingestion of heavy metals per day through consumption of the three aforementioned fish for an adult person with mean body weight of 70 kg were 0.021, 0.18, 3.5, 13.3, and 20.4 micrograms for cadmium, lead, chromium, copper and zinc, respectively, in this study. The Hazard Quotients (HQ) index was below 1 for all heavy metals.Conclusion: The Hazard Quotients (HQ) index of fish consumption in this study was less than 1 and indicated that consumption of these fish was harmless. But since heavy metals have the property of bioaccumulation, seasonal monitoring of heavy metals in this region is essential.