SCIENTIFIC JOURNAL OF KURDISTAN UNIVERSITY OF MEDICAL SCIENCES
Year:2019 | Volume:24 | Issue:4 (102) |Papers Count:13

Background and Aim: Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs), and potential EDCs are mostly man-made, found in various materials such as pesticides, metals, additives or contaminants in food, and personal care products. Phthalates are a group of these compounds that are carcinogenic to animals and can cause fetal death and congenital anomalies. The aim of this study was to investigate the photocatalytic process using GO/ZnO nanocomposites under LED irradiation for removal of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs) from aqueous solutions. Materials and Methods: In this study, GO/ZnO nanorods were characterized by, Field emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscope, and Brunauer– Emmett– Teller surface area analysis. A Central Composite Design was used to optimize the reaction parameters for the removal of DEP by GO/ZnO. The four main reaction parameters optimized in this study were the following: the LED radiation time, pH, and the initial concentration of phthalates and the concentration of ZnO and graphene-oxide. The interaction between the four parameters was studied and modeled using the Design Expert 10 software. Phthalate detected by HPLC apparatus equipped with a UV detector at 225 nm wavelength with methanol (90%) and Acetonitrile (10%) phases. Results: The results of FE-SEM and TEM showed that the ZnO is composed of a bar and separate face. Based on the peak obtained, the diameter and length of the nanorods are 20-60 and 200 nm respectively. A maximum reduction of 90% of DEP was achieved at pH 5 and 120 minutes. The results represent the prediction of a model fitted from the Quadratic model (p-value<00001). Conclusion: The interaction of variables showed that the maximum effect was belonged to the pH and the time in the process reactions. Also, the results showed that the GO/ZnO low power LED irradiation can be used as an effective method for the removal of EDCs from environmental.

Background and Aim: Screening of neonates for early detection and timely treatment of congenital hypothyroidism (CH) is one of the most important public health programs in the world. The purpose of this study was to review the structures, processes and achievements of the CH Screening program in Iran. Materials and Methods: Data were obtained from the surveillance program of the noncommunicable diseases office, review of records, documents, books, published articles and also interviews with process owners and experts of CH screening program in Iran in 2019. Results: TSH measurements on the 3rd to 5th days after birth, supplementary and confirmatory testsfor children with TSH ≥ 5 mu/L, timely treatment of hypothyroid children using levothyroxine tablets and assessment of the program by follow-up and continuous monitoring were the most important parts of the national neonatal screening program for congenital hypothyroidism in Iran. Conclusion: The present study provides an overview of the principles and implementation of the CH screening program in Iran, and can be used as an educational and research source for policymakers, researchers, and health providers who work in the field of neonatal metabolic disorders.

Background and Aim: Pharmaceuticals, especially antibiotics, are new contaminants that because of their cumulative nature, adverse effects and drug resistance; have created a major environmental concern. The aim of this study was to evaluate UV/peroxymonosulfate (UV/PMS) process efficiency in the removal of cefexime antibiotic from aqueous solution. Materials and Methods: This experimental laboratory study was conducted in batch mode. We assessed the effects of main operational parameters such as solution pH (3-9), reaction time (0-30 min), photocatalyst dosage (0. 75-2. 25 mmol/L), and initial concentration of cefexime (5-25 mg/L) on removal efficiency. Spectrophotometer (HACH DR-5000 UV– Vis) was used to measure the initial and final concentrations of cefexime. Results: Under optimal condition (pH=7. 5, irradiation time=30 min, C0=5 mg/L, and PMS dosage=1. 37 mmol/L), use of photocatalytic UV/peroxymonosulfate led to efficient removal of cefexime (93. 18%). Conclusion: The results of this study showed the acceptable performance of peroxymonosulfate process in the removal of cefexime.

Background and Aim: Aerobic exercise plays an important role in prevention of obesity, improvement of sleep quality and cardiovascular function. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of 8 weeks of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise training on sleep quality, and also cardiac structure and function in inactive obese girls. Materials and Methods: In this study, 20 inactive obese girls (mean age; 18 year, mean BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2) participated voluntarily and were randomly assigned to exercise (E, n=10) and control (C, n=10) groups. Exercise group participated in aerobic exercise program for 8 weeks (60 min/day, 3 times/week, 50%-70% maximal heart rate). Control group maintained their daily routine physical activity for 8 weeks. At baseline and after 8 weeks of the training program, both groups were evaluated for cardiac function and structure, and also sleep quality by use of echocardiography and sleep quality questionnaire respectively. T-test and Pearson correlation coefficient were used for data analysis. p≤ 0. 05 was considered significant. Results: Sleep quality improved significantly in the exercise group compared to that in the control group (p ≤ 0/05). Among cardiac structural and functional indices, only cardiac output significantly increased in exercise group compared to that in the control group (p ≤ 0/05). Conclusion: 8 weeks of moderate intensity aerobic exercise training improved sleep quality in inactive obese girls. However, except for cardiac output, it did not create any significant change in other cardiac structural and functional indices.

Background and Aim: Metaphor is a systematic relationship between two conceptual domains. In metaphor; an experimental or sensual domain called source domain, is related to another domain as target domain. The purpose of this study was to review understanding of metaphorical time pattern in the medical and paramedical students based on gender, age and academic status. Materials and Methods: This descriptive study included 120 medical and paramedical students of Tehran medical university with minimum undergraduate university degree. Time metaphorical pattern questionnaire which had been designed by Raiisi (2019) on the basis of time metaphor corpus analysis included 3 subscales of object, place and matter. Pearson correlation test, T test, analysis of one-way variance and post hoc test (least significant difference) were used for data analysis. Results: The results showed that there was no difference between gender and understanding of metaphorical time pattern. Higher educational levels (from undergraduate to postgraduate and specialty courses) led to better understanding of metaphorical time pattern in Persian speaker students. Students of higher age showed improved understanding of metaphorical time pattern in relation to the object subclass. Conclusion: Perception of the time is not dependent on gender but can be improved with increasing age and higher academic levels.

Background and Aim: Asthma and allergy caused by arthropods are among the most common disorders which affect millions of people around the world. Among these diseases, respiratory allergic diseases and inhaled allergens are of particular importance. In this study we investigated all of the biotic and a biotic factors affecting the incidence and prevalence of allergen-related diseases, with emphasis on the arthropods allergens in the living environments of the patients referring to Imam Reza Clinic of Asthma and Allergy in Shiraz. Materials and Methods: We selected 100 patients who had positive allergy skin tests to at least one of the house dust mites or cockroaches randomly. After informed consent, the patients filled out a previously designed questionnaire. Results: Place of residence (city and village) and type of air-conditioning system showed a significant relationship with the severity of contamination with cockroaches in the settlements of the patients (P value= 0. 028 and 0. 007). There was a significant relationship between the place of residence and the presence of mites (P value= 0. 001). Also lighting and ventilation of the patients' houses showed a strong correlation with the presence of mites. All (100%) of the places in which mites were found had a poor and very poorcondition in regard to lighting and ventilation. Conclusion: Lack of adequate light and ventilation in the patients' houses found to be the main causes of asthma and allergy in the patients. In general, due to the high abundance of some arthropods such as flies (Diptera), ant, silver fish, etc. in the houses of these patients, it can be assumed that arthropods other than mites and cockroaches may exacerbate allergic complications in the susceptible patients.

Background and Aim: Visceral leishmaniasis, a native disease in developing countries, can cause functional impairment in various organs, including the reproductive system, which can lead to infertility. The aim of this study was to evaluate the stereological, morphometric and morphological changes of testicular histoarchitecture in an experimental murine model of visceral leishmaniasis in BALB/c mice. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 20 adult male BALB/c mice were randomly divided into two equal groups including control and experimental (infected with visceral leishmaniasis) groups. In the experimental group, infection was induced by intraperitoneal injection of 0. 2 ml of a solution containing 12 × 106 promastigotes of Leishmania infantum in the stationary phase. 6 weeks after the start of the study, all the mice were euthanized after induction of anesthesia, then the spleens and testicles of the animals were removed immediately under sterile condition and examined for signs of infection and histological changes. Results: The experimental group showed significant reductions in the diameter, germinal epithelium height, cross-sectional area, quality, maturation and number of seminiferous tubules as well as obvious testicular morphological changes including severe hypocellularity and spermatogenic cell maturation arrest in comparison to the control group. Conclusion: The results indicated that visceral leishmaniasis in BALB/c mice may lead to testicular histological injuries because of incitement of inflammatory reactions, microcirculatory disruption, and involvement of the hematopoietic system.

Background and Aim: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and gallstone disease (GD) are both highly prevalent in the general population and have many risk factors in common. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of GD in the patients with NAFLD. Materials and Methods: In this case-control study, our case group included 145 patients with NAFLD and control group consisted of 215 age-, sex-, and BMI-matched healthy subjects. NAFLD and gallstone disease were diagnosed by sonography. The prevalence and risk factors for gallstone disease were evaluated in the groups and compared between the 2 groups. Results: The frequency rates of gallstones in the case and control groups were 10/135 (6. 9 %) and 5/210 (2. 3 %) respectively (p=0. 04). The frequency rates of gallstones in the female participants in the case and control groups were 6. 8% and 3. 4%, respectively, and in the men were 6. 9% in the case and 1% in the control groups. We found no significant relationship between sex and frequency of gallstones in both groups (P> 0. 05). In the control group, the prevalence rate of GD in the subjects over 50 years of age were significantly higher than that in the subjects under 50 years of age (P = 0. 04). However, there was no significant difference between ag e and GD in the case group (P = 0. 51). Also, in both groups, the prevalence of GD was significantly higher in obese subjects (BMI> 30) (P> 0. 05). There was a significant difference between the grade of fatty liver and the prevalence of GD (P = 0. 01). Comparison of the risk factors associated with the GD, showed no significant difference between the two groups. Conclusion: The prevalence of gallstones was more in NAFLD than in normal population and was associated with grade of fatty liver disease.

Background and Aim: Different phenotypic methods are available for identification of pseudomonas aeroginosa isolates producing carbapenemase enzymes. Carbapenem inactivation method (CIM) is a fast and inexpensive way for detection of this enzyme. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the CIM method for accurate identification of carbapenemase producing pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates. Materials and Methods: A total of 97 clinical specimens were collected from the patients in the hospitals of Hamadan from November 2017 to May 2018, in Iran. Antibiotic susceptibility test was performed by disc diffusion method. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for imipenem was measured by E-test. Then, CIM test and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods were performed. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of the CIM test were calculated for each of the genes. Using SPSS16 software, significance of CIM test was evaluated by chi-square test (X2). Results: In this study, the highest and lowest levels of resistance belonged to cefoxitin 91 (93. 8%) and piperacilin/tazobactam 38 (39. 2%). Among 97 P. aeruginosa clinical isolates, 49 (50. 51%) were carbapenemase producer with positive results for CIM test in 44 (89. 7%) isolates, and negative results for CIM test in 48 (49. 48%) isolates. Therefore, the sensitivity and specificity of the CIM test were 90% and 100%, respectively. Conclusions: According to the results of this study CIM method is an inexpensive test which can be easily performed and has high sensitivity and specificity for identification of carbapenemase producing P. aeruginosa isolates.

Background and Aim: Considering the effect of middle ear infection and dental caries on the children’ s quality of life and ability to grow and thrive, high prevalence rates of these diseases in children, we conducted this study to evaluate the association between dental caries status and middle ear infection in preschool children in Rasht City. Materials and Methods: This study included 310 children between 3– 6 years of age. Dental caries of the children were evaluated based on WHO decayed and filled primary teeth index. The children were divided into two groups; with and without caries and referred to Amiralmomenin Hospital in Rasht for clinical examination and audiometry test. Descriptive and analytical statistical tests were used for analysis at the significance level of 0. 05. Results: 170 girls and 140 boys with mean age of 4. 58± 1. 02 years participated in this study. Thirty children (9. 67%) had middle ear effusion. Mean value of dft index was 2. 07± 2. 35. Probability of middle ear infection with effusion in the children with dental caries was139% more (95%CI= 1. 04-5. 50, OR = 2. 39) than that in the children without dental caries which was statistically significant (P = 0. 04). Other variables such as gender, age, education levels of fathers and mothers did not show any significant relationship with middle ear effusion (P >0. 05). Conclusion: Middle ear effusion was significantly higher in the children with dental caries than in children without dental caries. Further prospective studies are recommended for evaluation of the effects of improved oral hygine on middle ear infection.

Background and Aim: Industrialization of communities has resulted in a rise in cadmium accumulation in the plants, and also organs of human and animals. Kidney is the main target organ for cadmium accumulation and toxicity. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of montelukast on cadmium toxicity in renal cells. Materials and Methods: This experimental study was performed on human embryonic kidney cells of HEK-293 class. The study included six groups. Group one was our control group. Group 2: treated with different concentrations of cadmium chloride; group 3: treated with different concentrations of montelukast; group 4: exposed to cadmium chloride IC50 for 24 hours, then treated with montelukast at therapeutic concentration for 24 and 72 hours; group 5: treated with montelukast at therapeutic concentration for 24 hours followed by cadmium chloride IC50 for 24 and 72 hours; group 6: simultaneously exposed to cadmium chloride IC50 and montelukast at therapeutic concentration for 24 and 72 hours. Cell viability and changes in the cell nuclei were determined at specific times by MTT test and DAPI staining, respectively. Finally, the data were statistically analyzed by ANOVA. Results: Montelukast administration resulted in a significant increase in the viability of cadmium exposed kidney cells. The results of MTT test and DAPI staining showed that treatment with montelukast decreased cadmium induced cell deformation and led to significant improvement of the damaged cells (p<0. 05). Conclusion: Considering the beneficial effects of montelukast on renal cells, it can be recommended for prevention or treatment of cadmium toxicity.

Background and Aim: Paclitaxol (PTX) is one of the well-known drugs that has been widely used for chemotherapy of a wide spectrum of cancers. Recently, advanced drug delivery systems using nanocarriers with high selectivity have been used for cancer therapy. Graphene nanostructure and its derivatives, i. e., graphene oxide (GO), are promising candidates for biological applications, such as drug delivery, because of their high specific surface areas. Due to hydrophobicity of graphene, it is not easily dispersed in water. Therefore, functional groups are added to it. In this study, we investigated adsorption of paclitaxel (PTX) drug molecule onto graphene oxide (GO) in aqueous environment. Graphene sheets typically decorated with epoxy (GO-O), and hydroxyl (GO-OH) hydrophilic functional groups can reduce apparent hydrophobicity. Materials And Methods: Using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations the influence of the functional groups on adsorption of PTX anticancer drug molecules, adsorption energy, and the average distance of drug molecules from surface were evaluated. Simulations were conducted using the LAMMPS software package. Result: The results showed when the functional groups exceeded the critical value (18%), the number of atoms with the same partial charge in GO-OH system were more than that of GO-O surface. Therefore with an increase in the repulsion forces, the molecule distance became longer due to compressive surface stresses induced in GO-OH system. Furthermore, deformation of surface will result in an increase in the distance of PTX-GO. Conclusion: Our findings suggested that type of functional groups affecting adsorption of paclitaxel on GO surface was important in drug delivery system. Moreover, the critical value of functional groups can have useful medical applications as in drug delivery systems.