Scientific Journal of Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences
Year:2018 | Volume:23 | Issue:4 (96) |Papers Count:14

Background and Aim: Over the past decades, air pollution in the urban areas has shown an increasing trend. Air pollutants have resulted in different diseases. The aim of this study was to study the air quality in Sanandaj City in 2015 and 2016 and investigate its potential relationship with cardio-respiratory disorders and premature birth.Material and Method: This was a cross-sectional (descriptive-analytic) study, in which air pollutants data (Particulate Matter (PM10), ozone, nitrogen dioxide, nitrogen monoxide, carbon monoxide, and sulfur dioxide) were collected from Department of Environmental Protection, Kurdistan Province. Data about cardio-respiratory diseases and preterm births were obtained from Tohid, Besat, and Tamin-e-Ejtemaee hospitals. Time series analysis was used to analyze the data.Result: The results showed that the levels of all air pollutants except particulate matters of less than 10 microns were lower than the annual allowed limit. Associated risk analysis showed relationship of particulate matters with increased mortality rate due to cardiovascular diseases. However, time series analysis showed that none of the air pollutants had statistically significant associtation with the mortality rate of cardiovascular diseases and number of premature births.Conclusion: The results of this study showed PM10 as the only pollutants in Sanandaj air which was outside the standard limits and showed no significant relationship with mortality rate of cardio-respiratory diseases.

Background and Aim: Provision of timely healthcare for children under 5 years of age specially children with congenital hypothyroidism and also regular monitoring of growth through measuring weight, height and head circumference have been of great importance. The aim of this study was to make a comparison between healthy children and children with congenital hypothyroidism in regard to health-care coverage in Iran.Materials and Methods: This study was conducted in five provinces in different geographical areas of Iran in 2015.240 children with congenital hypothyroidism and 240 healthy children were entered into the study. Children with congenital hypothyroidism were selected randomly from the national registere database. The children in the control group were matched with the children with hypothyroidism in regard to age, gender and place of residence. Anthropometric indices including weight, height and head circumference of the children of less than 3 years of age were recorded as the health care indices. STATA software version 13 was used for data analysis.Results: The mean percentage of measurement and record of weight, height and head circumference in children below 3 years of age with congenital hypothyroidism were 82.1, 78.7 and 55.4%, respectively. The mean percentage of measurement and record of weight, height and head circumference in healthy children (control group) below 3 years of age were 82.2%, 80.9 and 55.1%, respectively. There was a statistically significant difference between the two groups in relation to the percentage of height measurement (P=0.02).Conclusion: According to the results of this study, percentage of measurement and record of the anthropometric indices in Iranian children of less than 3 years of age is low. More attention to the measurement and record of these physical growth indices in children of less than 3 years of age specially children with congenital hypothyroidism who need regular follow up, is essential.

Background and Aim: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory and autoimmune disease characterized by the degeneration of myelin sheath in the central nervous system. Vitamin D deficiency and an increase in the levels of oxidative stress and inflammation are regarded as possible causes of the disease. This review article deals with the role of vitamin D on the levels of oxidative stress and inflammatory factors in the patients with multiple sclerosis.Material and Method: In this review study data were selectively collected by using google scholar, science direct and pubmed data bases and also by searching key words of MS, vitamin D, inflammatory factors and oxidative stress, from 1990 to 2018.Results: Various studies have shown increased levels of pre-inflammatory factors and decreased levels of anti-inflammatory factors in the serum of the patients with MS. Therefore, active form of vitamin D, 1.25 (OH) 2D3 (calcitriol), can be effective in regulation of cellular immune function. It can decrease production of inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress but, increases anti-inflammatory cytokines. This vitamin can affect energy metabolism and its deficiency can result in increased basal metabolic rate and lack of provision of sufficient energy to the energy-dependent neurons.Conclusion: The results of this study showed that vitamin D can play a two-way role in maintaining balance between inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Vitamin D can improve survival of the MS patients by its antioxidant effect and reduction of oxidative stress.

Background and Aim: Bone marrow stem cells (BMSCs) are recognized as appropriate source for cell therapy in neurodegenerative disorders. In this exprimental study, neuroprogenitorcells (NPC) -derived from BMSCs were transplanted into an animal demyelination model.Material and Methods: BMSCs were isolated from femur bones of the rats and cultured in DMEM medium containing FBS. BMSCs were differentiated into NPC by inducers such as; RA, bFGF and EGF. Specific neuroprogenitor markers, e.g.: Nestin and NF68 were detected by using immunocytochemistry technique. Demyelination model was induced via injection of gliotoxin lysolecithin (LPC) into the corpus callosum. After one week, Dil labled NPCs were transplanted into the rat brains. The extention of demyelination and cell homing were measured 2 weeks later by histological and immunohistochemical staining.Result: BMSCs were appeared with neurologic morphology and differentiation of the cells intoNPC after exposure to neural inducers was confirmed by immunocytochemistry staining. Histological and immunohistochemical evaluation showed significant decrease in demyelination in the experimental group.Conclotion: The results of this study demonstrated that transplantation of NPC-derived BMSCs led to significant remyelination in demylinted corpous callosum.

Background and Aim: Genital wart is the most common sexually transmitted infection and its role in cervical cancer has been confirmed. The aim of this study was to determine the presence of human papillomavirus (HPV) and the frequency of its genotypes in the patients with genital lesions referring to the clinics in Sanandaj, Iran.Material and Method: This descriptive analytical study included 50 women with genital lesions referring to the clinics in Sanandaj City from February 2016 to February 2017. Biopsy samples were examined for four genotypes (HPV 16, 18 (high risk) and HPV 11, 6 (Low risk)) by PCR. Demographic information and risk factors were recorded in a questionnaire for every patient. Using spss v.20 software, data were analyzed by descriptive statistics. Fischer test was used to investigate the relationship between the risk factors and HPV infection.Results: The results showed that 28 cases (56%) were HPV positive. Among the four genotypes of HPV, HPV 6 was the most frequent (32%), followed by the types of 18 (12%), 16 (6%) and 11 (2%). Co-infection of HPV-16 and 18 were found in 2 cases (7.1%).The mean age of the patients with HPV infection was 34.07±8.7 years and the mean age of the first sexual contact was 21.22 ± 4.8 years. No significant association was found between the risk factors and HPV infection (P>0.05).Conclusion: Considering the high prevalence of HPV infection and its asymptomatic course in many cases, early detection and treatment of the genital warts, especially HPV16 and 18, can lead to prevention of cervical cancer.

Background and Aim: Strawberry is a valuable product that has a relatively short storage life. Use of chemical fungicides to extend storage life has been a matter of concern. In recent years, use of edible coatings has been regarded as a safe method in order to replace synthetic coatings. The aim of this study was to increase the storage-life and maintain the quality of strawberry by using edible coatings of whey protein concentrate and Trachyspermum copticum essential oil during a storage time of 10 days at 4 ± 1 ° C and relative humidity of 75±5%.Materials and Methods: We extracted the essence of the seeds by Clevenger apparatus. Then, the active components of the essence were identified by gas chromatography - mass spectrometry (GC-MS) method. In this study we used edible coating of whey protein concentrate and Trachyspermum copticum essential oil at different concentrations (0.2, 0.4 and 0.6%).Microbial quality) number of molds and yeasts, total microbial count (, physicochemical characteristics (weight loss, acidity, pH, soluble solids, texture firmness, and decay) and organoleptic characteristics were assessed in the experimental group after packing, before storage (at the beginning of storage) and then 3, 5, 8 and 10 days after storage and compared with those in the control group.Results: This coating significantly delayed the growth of microorganisms. By increasing concentrations of 0.4 and 0.6%, the mold and yeast counts after 10 days of storage reached zero and we found a logarithmical cycle reduction in the microbial load. As well texture firmness, weight loss, and decay percentage significantly decreased in the experimental group compared to those in the control group. On the 10th day, the decay rate was 86% for the control group and 10% for the case group containing 0.6% essential oil. Changes in PH, acidity and soluble solids were not significant. The best organoleptic properties were related to the priming with 0.2% essential oil, which also had a positive effect on the parameters in our study.Conclusion: Strawberry fruit coating with whey protein concentrate and Trachyspermum copticum essential oil can be regarded as a safe and effective way to increase the storage life and quality of strawberry fruit in cold environments.

Background and Aim: Nowadays, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the world. Considering the high prevalence, identification of diagnostic markers can be useful for early diagnosis and cancer management. In recent years many studies have been conducted to determine the role of cytokines in cancers, but role of IL-37 in breast cancer has not been determined, yet. The aim of this study was to investigateIL-37 expression in tumor tissues from breast cancer patients and its relationship with pathologic and clinical symptoms.Material and Methods: In this case-control study we examined 50 formalin-fixed paraffin embedded tumoral tissues from breast cancer patients and 50 non-tumoral adjacent tissues. After informed consent, clinical information of the samples were recorded. Total RNA was extracted and complementary DNA (cDNA) was synthesized. Then, the relative gene expression was determined by using quantitative real-time RT PCR (qRT-PCR) and evaluated by method. Finally, the expression pattern was analyzed by statistical analysis.Results: The results of this study indicated that, the mean relative expression of IL-37 in tumor tissues was significantly lower than that in adjacent healthy tissues and there was statistically a significant difference between them with a 95% confidence level (P=0.003). The results also indicated a significant decrease in the expression of this cytokine in the tumoral tissues with sizes of >3cm (P=0.02). The reduction in gene expression was clearly observed in the tumors of grade 2 and 3, which showed a significant relationship between gene expression and grade 3 tumors (P=0.0001).Conclusion: The results of this study revealed IL-37 can be regarded as a potentially sensitive and valuable biomarker for diagnosis of breast cancer and also tumor size determination. The results of this study can also be used in clinical and diagnostic studies on breast cancer.

Background and Aim: Cerebellar degeneration is characterized by disturbance in complex motor functions, balance, muscular strength and motor learning. This study investigated the effect of systemic transplantation of human adipose stem cells (hMSCs) primed with valproic acid (VPA) on amelioration of motor disorders in animal model of cerebellar degeneration.Material and Methods: After inducing unilateral lesion in rat cerebellum (Folia VI) by quinolinic acid, CM-DiI labeled hMSCs isolated from adipose tissue by liposuction, were primed with VPA for 48h and transplanted by way of the jugular vein, systemically. Then, we used cylinder, rotarod, hanging wire and beam balance test to assess motor functions in a period of 6 weeks after transplantation.Results: Six weeks after transplantation surviving hMSCs were detectable in the lesion site. The hMSC transplanted group showed markedly improved functional performance in motor learning, locomotor asymmetry, dysmetria, and neuromuscular strength and balance, in the first 6 weeks after transplantation compared to the control group. On the other hand, transplantation of VPA primed hMSCs led to a better amelioration in motor functions compared to non-primed hMSCs transplantation in the rats.Conclusion: According to the results of this study, cell therapy by means of VPA primed hMSCs can result in improved migration and homing capacity which can be regarded as a promising treatment for neurodegenerative disorders such as cerebellar diseases.

Background and Aim: There has been many studies on the use of medicinal plants in the treatment of type-1 diabetes, as a chronic metabolic disorder. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of aqueous extract of grapevine leaf (Vitis vinifera) on histopathological changes in pancreas of male Wistar rats with alloxan-induced type-1 diabetes.Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 30 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 equal groups: control (C); diabetic (S); T1, T2 and T3 (diabetic animals treated with aqueous extract of grapevine leaf with doses of 200, 400 and 600 mg/kg, respectively). The extracts were administered daily by gavage for 21 days. At the beginning and end of the study, blood glucose levels were measured. At the end of the experiment, the animals were euthanized based on the animal research ethics. We isolated the pancreases of the animals for evaluation of histopathological changes based on the following criteria: vacuolation of cells; degenerative changes; vascular hypertrophy and hyperemia.Results: Blood glucose levels in the T2 group were significantly reduced compared to those in other groups (P<0.05). Among the diabetic groups, the highest and lowest histopathological lesions in the pancreas were observed in S and T2 groups, respectively. The histopathological lesions of the pancreas in the T3 group were less than those in the T1 group, although these differences were not significant (P>0.05).Conclusion: This study showed that prescription of 400 mg/kg of grapevine leaf aqueous extract could be effective in the treatment of diabetes and improvement of its histopathological changes.

Background and Aim: Despite identification of the antinociceptive effects of rosemary and peppermint essential oils, use of these essential oils has been limited due to its low solubility in water and low bioavailability. Use of nanoparticles is one of the ways to overcome these limitations. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antinociceptive effect of nano-emulsions containing rosemary and peppermint essential oils in an animal model of osteoarthritis (OA).Materials and Methods: In this experimental study nano-emulsions containing rosemary and peppermint essential oils were prepared by spontaneous emulsification. In order to investigate the analgesic effect, 30 male rats were randomly assigned to 5 groups: sham (receiving saline injection into the knee), osteoarthritis (receiving intra-articular injection of 2 mg monosodiumiodoacetate), OA (receiving gels containing nano-emulsion, or rosemary and peppermint essential oil or diclofenac sodium). Treatments were administered topically at a dose of 1 ml daily. Mechanical and thermal allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia tests were performed on the 1st, 4th, 7th and 14th days after injection. Data were analyzed by repeated measures ANOVA.Results: OA group showed a significant increased behavioral response to the mechanical and thermal stimuli on all days of the experiment compared to the control group (P<0.001). Use of nano-emulsion or diclofenac gel led to significant increase in the response threshold to von- Frey fillamets (P<0.001), decreased response to acetone (P<0.05), and increased paw withdrawal latency (P<0.05). Histopathology of knee tissues confirmed the results of behavioral tests.Conclusion: Nano-emulsion containing essential oils of rosemary and peppermint reduced pain of osteoarthritis in rats. The nano-emulsification process seems to enhance the antinociceptive effect of rosemary and peppermint essential oils.

Background and Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of mobile phone electro-magnetic field (EMF) on testosterone level and testicular tissue in rats.Material and Methods: A total of 30 male mice were randomly divided into two equal groups (n=15). Experimental group was exposed to EMF, by using mobile phone continuously for 90 days. Control group was kept under the same condition as the experimental group without EMF exposure. Throughout the study cell phones were placed on the wall of the cages. The cell phones were in standby mode for whole day and in talking mode for 150 min per day. At the end of the exposure period, total testosterone serum level was measured and histological examination of testicular sections were performed. Using GraphPad Prism’ software, data were analyzed by t-test. P<0.0001 was considered significant.Result: Mean plasma testosterone level in the experimental group was decreased compared to that in the control group (P<0.0001). Histological examination of testicular tissue of the mice exposed to electromagnetic field revealed seminiferous tubules cellular necrosis, infiltration of inflammatory cells into the paranchymal tissue, and decreased leydig cell count at interstitial space. In some necrotized tubules, multinucleated cells (syncytium formation) were observed.Conclusion: The results of this study indicated that exposure to mobile phone electromagnetic waves could result in histopathological changes in the male mice testis. Further studies can cast light on the molecular mechanism underlying cellular and tissue damage induced by exposure to electromagnetic radiation.

Background and Aim: Leiomyosarcoma (LMS) of the prostate is an uncommon adult prostate tumor that represents less than 0.1 % of prostate malignancies. A highly aggressive clinical course and poor outcome are characteristics of this tumor. Diagnosis at early stage and radical surgery may be curative.Case report: A 60-year-old man referred with history of obstructive urinary symptoms refractory to medical therapy. The patient underwent simple open transvesical prostatectomy. Pathologic examination revealed primary LMS of prostate. Complementary studies including CT scans of the chest, abdomen and pelvis, as well as a whole-body bone scan were negative for metastasis. Radical prostatectomy and extensive pelvic lymphadenectomy were performed. All tumor margins and lymph nodes were free from tumor and there was no evidence of residual tumor. No evidence of disease recurrence was observed in a follow up period of 3 years.Conclusion: Acceptable oncological and functional outcomes can be achieved in the management of low grade LMS, by less extensive radical surgery including radical prostatectomy without removal of intra pelvic organs. However, the main recommendation is multimodal therapy including surgery and chemo-radiation therapy.