SCIENTIFIC JOURNAL OF KURDISTAN UNIVERSITY OF MEDICAL SCIENCES
Year:2007 | Volume:12 | Issue:3 (SERIAL NUMBER 45)|Papers Count:12

Background and Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of cigarette smoking on Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase activity in smoker and non-smoker staffs of Kurdistan University of medical sciences.Material and Methods: Subjects were randomly divided into 2 groups. Smoker group had smoked at least 10 cigarettes per day for at least one year. While non smokers had no previous smoking experience All individuals in smoker and non smoker groups had no previous history of endocrine, gastrointestinal, cardiovascular diseases and no one had nutritional supplements or drug consumption. The subjects were between 25- 50 years of age. The collected data about the health status of the subjects, average number of cigarettes smoked per day, and the onset of smoking were recorded in a questionnaire for each patient. Erythrocyte activity of Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase were assessed.Results: Glutathione peroxidase (p=0.001), catalase (p=0.001), and Superoxide dismutase showed a significant difference in their activities in the 2 groups. Activity of anti-oxidant enzymes (SOD, GPX, CAT) had been lower markedly in the smokers than non smokers (p<0.001).Conclusion: The results of our study showed a high reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and decreased SOD and CAT activities, which support the oxidative stress hypothesis in carcinogenesis. The relatively low GPX, GR, SOD and CAT activities may not be adequate to detoxify high levels of H2O2 into H2O, leading to the formation of the most dangerous °OH radical. Therefore, administration of antioxidants may be helpful in the management of BC patients. However, further definitive clinical studies are required to evaluate the role of these antioxidant enzymes in BC management.

Background and Aim: The aim of the present study was to isolate mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from canine bone marrow, differentiate them into bone and examine the structure of the produced bone that was not reported before.Materials and Methods: MSCs from canine b<, memarrow were extracted, expanded and cultured in an osteogenic medium which differentiated into bone tissue on the surface of the cover slips. At the end of the differentiation period, the bone prepare~ was examined with light and electron microscopes. In this study, the isolated cells were also differentiated into adipocytic cell lineage.Results: Cultivated mesenchymal stem cells formed several nodule-like structures during differentiation period. According to the light microscopic images, these nodules were composed of several layers of cells with an abundant matrix among the cells. Transmission electron microscopic study indicated that the cells were mainly of spindle-shape morphologly similar to osteocytic cells, and the matrix consisted of collagen fibers with sharp striation organized in bundles perpendicular to each other.Conclusion: It seems that the bone produced from in vitro differentiation of the MSCs, histologically is similar to that of laminar bone particularly in terms of the collagen fiber arrangement.

Background and Aim: Scientific evidence, over the past 50 years has revealed that fluoride allegedly might lead to shortening of the life span, promotion of cancer and various mental disturbances, acceleration of osteoporosis and fracture of hips in old people. Exposure to fluorides can induce inflammatory reactions, cell cycle arrest, and apoptosis in animal cell culture, but less is known about fluoride effects on heart histology. There are a few reports about the role of sodium fluoride in induction of degenerative changes in myocytes in animal models. The studies conducted so far, had dealt with the long term effects of sodium fluoride on cardiac cells. The aim of this study was to evaluate the short term effects of fluorosis on producing histological changes in heart muscles of rats.Material and Methods: Fifty six adult young male rats were divided into experimental and control groups (n=7) randomly. Experimental group received 10 and 20mg of sodium fluoride/kg/day subcutaneously for 14 and 28 days respectively. The control animalsr eceiveu the same volume of phosphate buffer/kg/day. Body and heart weights were measured in control and experimental groups. The heart samples were stained as routine and prepared for histological studies. Data analyzed by means of student T- test.Results: The results of our study revealed a significant difference in the body and heart weights in the experimental group as compared with those of the control group. In the experimental group myocardium showed degenerative changes after injections on the 14th and 28th days. These changes included presence of hyper-chromatic myocytes and small hemorrhages. The myocardium exhibited degenerative myocytes, dissolution of myocyte nuclei, fibrinolysis, and more interstitial cells in the connective tissue. The degree of myocardial damage seemed to be directly proportional to the dosage of fluoride administered (p<0.05). In the control animals, the myocardium showed normal structure without any of the above mentioned changes.Conclusion: Sodium fluoride injection in rat induced significant decrease of body and heart weights soon after injection. Histological studies showed degenerative changes of myocardium during this period.

Background and Aim: Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a psycho-somatic disturbance that occurs during luteal phase. It is estimated that approximately 75% of women experience recurrent physical and psychological symptoms of PMS.The exact cause of this syndrome remains unclear and different methods such as vitamin consumption have been used to cure this syndrome. The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of vitamin B6 on premenstrual syndrome.Material and Methods: This study was a randomized double blind placebo-controlled study. 92 patients were enrolled into this study and divided into two groups by simple random sampling. Experimental group with 52 subjects receiving 200mg vitB6/daily (five 40mg/day tablets during the whole length of menstrual cycle) and control group with 40 subjects taking 5 starch tablets/day likewise at the same period. Assessment of the symptoms of PMS was performed according to the COPE scale. Data analysis was done by means of X2 and Fisher's exact statistic tests.Results: The findings of this study showed that vitB6 (200mg/daily) was clinically effective in depression, anxiety, sleepiness (psychological symptoms) and breast tenderness, weight gaining (somatic symptoms) (p<0.05). Placebo also reduced severity of the symptoms but vitamin B6 was superior to the placebo in reducing the symptoms of PMS (p<0.05). The mean age of the subjects in the experimental group was 24.5 and in the control group was 23. The results showed no significant differences between the two groups in relation to mean age, course and field of study.Conclusion: According to the results of this study daily use of vitB6 during menstrual cycle can control PMS symptoms but one must be cautious with high doses of this medicine.

Background and Aim: Smoking of tobacco products is one of the major risk factors of non-communicable diseases that increases the disease burden in all over the world.Smoking causes 4 million deaths annually and now prevalence of the smoking is increasing in the contemporary generations especially in young people. The aim of this study was to perform an epidemiologic survey on cigarette smoking in people between 15-64 years of age in Kurdistan province. Material and Methods: This study was a part of an extended study in 2005 under the title of "Non Communicable Diseases Risk Factors Surveillance System in Islamic Republic of Iran" based on WHO's suggestions. This was a cross-sectional study that performed by using a designed questionnaire. Sampling method was quota-clustering.The final sample size, after the screening of the data and omission of tampered-with files was 2468 out of 2500 records.Result: Among the 2468 people, 49.6% (1225 people) were men. 65% were (1602 people) uneducated & 61.6% were from urban areas. As a result, 77.6% were nonsmoker, 16.4% active smoker, 1.1% inactive smoker (occasional smoker) & 4.9% was ex-smoker (former smoker).The prevalence rate of smoking was higher in 25-64 years old group (p<0.000) than that of younger age subjects. There was an increase in ex-smokers by increasing age (p<0.000), especially in women (p<0.000). There was a significant difference in smoking prevalence between men and women (p<0.000). There was no difference in smoking prevalence between urban and rural areas '(p>0.05). The mean number of cigarettes smoked was 14.34/day. There was a significant difference between the prevalence rates of smoking in people with higher educational levels and those with lower levels of education (p<0.0000).Conclusion: This study performed in all over the country and provides a baseline for future longitudinal studies on smoking in Kurdistan province and identifies demographic groups at risk of tobacco-related disease. Planning of effective smoking prevention programs for young people and also smoking cessation programs are recommended in Kurdistan province.

Background and Aim: Stereological methods are used for measuring different parts of the kidney and can serve as useful guides for diagnosis and assessment of improvement of this organ. Several instruments produce electromagnetic waves at home or work place and the effect of these waves on human body have attracted many researchers' attention.Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive study. 16 rats of wistar race with an average weight of 135 gr were chosen and were randomly divided into two groups. Each group consisted of 8 rats. Experimental group were exposed to electromagnetic field with an intensity of 0.1m tesla for 6 hours a day for one month and control group had the same situation with the instrument turned off. After one month under deep anesthesia kidneys of the rats were extracted, processed and cut into 5-m~cronslices which stained with H & E. Finally the total volume of kidney, medulla, cortex and glomeruli were measured on the basis of Cavalier principal. The data introduced into SPSS win soft ware and analyzed by means of Hest.Results: According to this study the mean values for volumes of kidney and cortex in both control & experimental groups didn't show any significant difference (p>0.05).There was a significant difference between mean medullary volumes and also between the mean ratios of glomeruli volume to the total kidney volume.Conclusion: The results of this study showed that electro magnetic field can produce either detrimental effect on kidney volume or histo-pathological impacts on kidney tissue. However, the effect on kidney is different in the presence of variable intensities of electro- magnetization.

Background and Aim: Sleep disorders can threaten human health and disturb social activities, leading to psycho-social problems. Some specific groups seem to be more affected by insomnia, among these groups; medical students have received special attention.Material and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. Sample size included 244 people who entered into this study by use of randomized systematic sampling method.A researcher-made screening questionnaire which had been designed on the basis of DSM-IV was used for data registration. The subjects filled out the questionnaires after informed consent. Statistical analysis was performed by means of descriptive tables and X2 test using SPSS software.Results: 37.3% of students were male and 62.7% were female. Mean age of samples was 22.01±2.6 years. There was no significant difference between age and sex and presence of insomnia in the students. In addition 57.4% of the students had insomnia that 66.7% of them resided in dormitory and 36.8% in their own houses which showed a significant difference (p£0.005). The most common type of insomnia was longer sleep latency detected in 76.4% of the subjects. The most frequent predisposing factor of insomnia was anxiety observed in 35% of the students. There was a significant relation between insomnia and educational field (p£0.005).There was also a significant relation between insomnia and residence time in dormitory (p£0.005) but no significant relation between insomnia and number of roommates was detected.Conclusion: considering high prevalence rate of insomnia in medical students in this study; detection of factors influencing mental and physical status of students, specially those residing in dormitory, is necessary in order to provide proper condition for medical students to achieve educational progress.

Background and Aim: Low back pain (LBP) & lumbar radiculopathy are among the most common causes of referral to the clinics especially in persons between 20-50 years old. The most important cause of the LBP is discal herniation which can be diagnosed by means of MRI. Cultural and occupational differences together with different life styles in different areas influence the pattern and prevalence of the disease. Therefore, determination of the prevalence of the properly diagnosed cases in different time periods can be valuable and have a beneficial role in health care recommendations.Material and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study which included all nonoperated patients referring to Kurdistan MRI Center that had a lumbar MRI without contrast, in a period of 6 months between April 2006 and September 2006. Sampling method was census. All the MRIs were reported by the same physician and the locations and severity of discal herination were determined. Demographic data, chief complaint, and duration of the symptoms were recorded in a questionnaire for each of the patients. The data were analyzed by means of statistical tests.Results: Of the 2210 Lumbar MRI, 1988 cases met the criteria for enrollment. 50.4% of the cases were women and the rest of them were men. The mean age of the patients was 41.69±13.85 years that most of them were between 36 to 45 years of age. The disease was more common in office workers and housewives. The most common herniation stages encountered were bulging & protrusion of discs. The discal herniation prevalence was 7.87%. Generally 87.7% of the patients had some degree of herniation. The mean age of the patients with hernia was higher than those of the patients without this problem (p=0.000). Women compared to men had a higher mean age (p=0.000) & the severity of the hernia gotworse by increasing age (p=0.000). Conclusion: MRI is a good modality for the assessment of the patients with LBP with doubtful diagnosis of discal hernia. The prevalence of the discal herniation is high in Kurdistan province. Adoption of policies toward public health care education to prevent verteberal column diseases seems to be necessary.

Background and Aim: Problem based learning has a high place in higher educational levels. Special attention has paid to medication administration skills, in order to maintain patient's health. Identifying the best educational methods for administrating medication to children by nurse students can solve some of the existing educational problems. According to the above reasons this study was conducted to compare the impact of conventional and problem based learning (PBL) teaching methods on cognitive knowledge and psychomotor skills of nursing students in drug administration to children.Material and Methods: It was a quasi-experimental study. 29 pediatric ward nursing students at the 4th semester of kurdistan university were divided randomly into comparative and conventional groups. The comparative group was taught by the conventional method and the conventional group by PBL teaching method. Data were recorded in a check-list about cognitive knowledge and psychomotor skills. The check-list also included the student's attitudes towards applied strategies and their compliance of learning methods. Data were analyzed with SPSS statistical software. Results: The results of this study showed that there was a significant difference in the mean values of student's cognitive knowledge between comparative and conventional groups in the first stage (p=0.000) and there was a significant difference in student's psychomotor skills between the two groups (p=0.000) in the second stage.Compliance of learning methods was approved after instruction by the two groups and more than fifty percents of students had a positive attitude towards the PbL method (57.1%).Conclusion: It can be concluded that PbL is effective in improving knowledge and skills in nursing students, and it is recommended to take the place of the conventional method.

Background and Aim: Ulcerative colitis is rarely associated with immunoglobulin A nephropathy (lgAN). The development of IgA nephropathy complicates further the clinical course of the patients with ulcerative colitis.Case Report: A 47 years old woman with HTN and edema referred to our hospital.Because of proteinuria kidney biopsy was taken. The patient was labeled as a case of IGA nephropathy anti primary treatments for the disease and HTN were started. After one year, the patient developed digestive problems with rectorrhagia, weight loss and diarrhea. Diagnosis of ulcerative colitis was made. After improvement of renal function hematuria and proteinuria gradually disappeared without specific treatment for IgAN.Conclusion: This case was reported because of the rarity of association of ulcerative colitis with Berger's disease and also importance of this subject that treatment of ulcerative colitis, can influence the duration of IgAN.

Background and Aim: Acute leukemia demonstrating immunophenotypic features of more than I cell lineage are referred to as acute leukemia of ambiguous lineage in the World Health Organization classification system. A subtype of acute leukemia is biphenotypic acute leukemia in which the malignant cell population expresses markers of 2 different lineages. This entity has been defined by a scoring system proposed by the European Group for the Immunological Characterization of acute leukemias (EGIL).Cases having a score of greater than 2 for the myeloid and either the B- or T-lymphoid lineages are regarded as biphenotypic acute leukemia in this system. We report morphological, cytochemical, immunopheI1otypical, and cytogenetic features of a case of acute leukemia referred to our flow cytometry center of Iranian Blood Transfusion Organization (IBTO) in Tehran-Iran.Materials and Methods: Peripheral blood and bone marrow samples of a 52 year-old man with previous diagnosis of AML were submitted to flow cytometry department of IBTO for final diagnosis. Morphology, cytochemistry, and immunophenotypic features of blast cells were studied.Results: Blast cells stained with Wright, were relatively large, with high N/C ratio, and often without any granules. Cytochemical stains (MPO, SBB, NSE, PAS) were negative.Multicolor flow cytometric analysis showed that BM blasts expressed CD19, CD20, CD7, and TdT as lymphoid markers, CD13, CD15, and CD117 as myeloid markers, D34 and HLA-DR as stem cell markers. Cytogenic analysis revealed a normal karyotype.Considering the morphology and CD13 positivity, the patient was diagnosed as a case of MO-AML. The patient was treated with AML chemotherapy regimen. He died 5 months later due to the relapse of the disease.Conclusion: BAL is a rare case of acute leukemia with poor prognosis that can not be diagnosed with morphology and cytochemical stains. Although its clinical and biological significance is not yet determined but correct diagnosis and classification of this disease according to accepted and standard criteria like those of EGIL may help to achieve this aim, improve prognosis, and select a specific therapy.