Journal of Gorgan University of Medical Sciences
Year:2014 | Volume:16 | Issue:2 (50)|Papers Count:24

Neurodegenerative diseases cause a range of neurological disorders in the central nervous system. Todays researchers emphasize the pivotal role of apoptosis in neurodegenerative diseases. Given that injured central nervous system has limited regenerative capacity, it is of extreme importance to limit the damage by inhibition of neuronal death. During the past decade, considerable progress has been made in understanding the process of apoptosis at molecular level. Also, according to the understanding of the mechanisms of apoptosis, several studies have examined the possible effects of neuroprotective compounds for reducing or inhibiting neuronal apoptosis. In this review article, it has been attempt to review the role of apoptosis in the pathology of neurodegenerative diseases. Also, an overview has been made in the field of neuronal apoptosis inhibitor with neuroprotective compounds in human and experimental models of neurodegenerative diseases.

Background and Objective: An activity performed through a new motional pattern and very intensively often leads to a kind of muscle soreness whose indicator is delayed onset of pain, which is called Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS). This study was done to determine the effect of vitamin C and E supplementation on lipid peroxidation and delayed onset muscle soreness in professional basketball players.Methods: In this clinical trial study, 24 male professional basketball players were randomly divided into four groups including vitamin C (1000 mg), vitamin E (800 IU), vitamin C (500 mg) + vitamin E (400 IU) and placebo (Glucose 500 mg). Supplement was consumed two hours before and 24 hours after leg press and scuat exercise. Blood samples were collected before the first supplementation and immediately (post- exercise), 24 hour and 48 hour after exercises. Serum creatine kinase (CK), malondialdehyde (MDA), vitamin C and vitamin E and the level of perceived muscle soreness were evaluated. Results: MDA in Vitamin E group significantly decreased in the 24-hr to 48-hr after the exercise in compared to bignning of exercise (P<0.05). Serum CK significantly increased 24-hr and 48-hr after the exercise in all groups (P<0.05). Muscle pain perception non significantly increased after the exercise in all groups in compare to baseline level.Conclusion: Short period supplementationin of vitamin C and E, either alone or in combination can not reduce pain and muscle damage and lipid peroxidation following the leg press and scuat exercise in professional basketball players.

Background and Objective: Fluctuation in the homeostasis system is one of the main causes of heart attacks. There are contradectry reports regarding the effect of regular exercise, particularly resistance training on hemostasis indeces. This study was done to determine the effect of 8 weeks of resistance training on hemostasis indeces and lipid profile in adult men.Methods: In this clinical trail study, 16 adult men were randomly divided into interventional and control groups. Subjects in interventional group participated in a resistance training program including a period 3 days a week for 8 weeks session. Body mass index, level of fibrinogen, protrombin time (PT), partial thromboplastin time (PTT), platelet count, D-dimer fibrinolytic factor, Cholesterol, Triglyceride, HDL and LDL were measured for each subject.Results: After 8 weeks of resistance training, the level of fibrinogen, PT, PTT and platelets count were significantly reduced and D-dimer fibrinolytic factor increased in interventional group in compared to controls (P<0.05). Serum level of Cholesterol, Triglyceride, HDL and LDL had no significant change in interventional group in comparsion with the controls.Conclusion: Resistance training reduces hemostasis indeces in adult men.

Background and Objective: Free radical production andsubsqunt oxidative steress can be due to hyperglycemia and its oxidation. This study was done to evaluate the effect of swimming training test and Fenugreek seed extract on plasma glucose and antioxidant activity in heart tissue of streptozotocine- induced diabetic rats.Methods: In this experimental study, 50 male wistar rats were allocated into five groups; diabetic (DC, n=10), healthy control (HC, n=10), swimming training (S, n=10), swimming training +Fenugreek seed extract (1.74 g/kg/bw) (SF1, n=10), and swimming training + Fenugreek seed extract (0.87 g/kg/bw) (SF2, n=10). Streptozotocine (60 mg/kg/bw) was used for induction of diabetes in DC, S, SF1 and SF2 groups. Serum glucose and the rat heart tissue antioxidant enzymes activities of superoxide dismutase, Catalase and Glutation peroxidase were determined. Results: Body weight in all groups were significantly reduced in comparsion with healthy control group (P<0.05). Plasma glucose level significantly reduced in SF1 and HC groups compared to diabetic group (P<0.05). Cardiac antioxidant enzymes in swimming training, SF1 and SF2 groups significantly increased in compare to diabetic group (P<0.05). Conclusion: The combination of endurance swimming training and fenugreek seed extract can reduce plasma glucose and increase cardiac antioxidant enzymes in streptozotocine- induced diabetic rats.

Background and Objective: Bunium percicum is often used in Iranian traditional medicine for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders particularly gastric ulcer. This study was done to evaluate the antiulcerogenic effect of Bunium percicum Boiss. essential oil against indomethacin and ethanol- induced ulcer models in Wistar rats.Methods: This experimental study was carried out on rats weighing 200-220 g in veterinary college of Urmia University, Iran. LD50 was calculated based on Lorke’s method. To evaluate the short term oral toxicity, animals were allocated into four group of six each. In groups 1-3 animals were received orally 250, 125, 80 mg/kg/bw of Bunium percicum Boiss. essential oil, respectively. Controls were received Tween 80 (2%) orally for 14 consecutive days and monitored daily. Bunium percicum Boiss. essential oil was administered orally at doses of 20, 40 and 80 mg/kg/bw and cimetedin (10 mg/kg/bw) and omopirazol (30 mg/kg/bw) in indomethacin and ethanol-induced ulcer models.Results: The LD50 was 375 mg/kg/bw. Daily single oral doses of Bunium percicum Boiss.essential oil tolerated behaviorally after 14 days without any alterations in body and organs weight, food, water consumption and serum total protein, alanine and aspartate aminotransferase activity. The preventive index in doses of 40 and 80 mg/kg/BW of Bunium percicum Boiss. essential oil was 37.98% and 59.21%, respectively in the indomethacin -induced ulcer model (P<0.05). In the model of ethanol -induced ulcer, the preventive index in doses of 40 and 80 mg/kg of Bunium percicum Boiss. essential oil was 12.40% and 22.05%, respectively (P<0.05).Conclusion: The essential oil of Bunium percicum Boiss is completely ‘‘safe’’ and at the doses of 40 and 80mg/kg/bw significantly prevent gastric ulcers in animal model.

Background and Objective: Gestational diabetes is affected 3-12% of women and occurs at the final stage of second trimester. This study was done to determine the fructosamine and glycated hemoglobin level in pregnant women with abnormal glucose challenge test.Methods: This case-control study was carried out on 96 pregnant women with glucose challenge test (GCT)>140 mg/dl as cases and 96 pregnant women with GCT<140 mg/dl as controls. The serum fructosamine and glycated hemoglobin determined using ELISA and chemical methods, respectively.Results: In pregnant woman with abnormal GCT, there was a significant correlation with glycated hemoglobin and fructosamine. The glycated hemoglobin correlation was more significant compared to fructosamine (0.63 to 0.24). There was not significant correlation between GCT with fructosamine and glycated hemoglobin in individuals with normal GCT.Conclusion: The measurement of glycated hemoglobin is more accurate than fructosamine in pregnant women with abnormal glucose challenge test.

Background and Objective: Failure of tuberculosis (TB) treatment is a major problem of health systems in developing countries. This study was done to identify the Risk factors of tuberculosis treatment failure in the Sistan and Bulochestan province, the high risk region in South-East of Iran.Methods: This case – control study was carried out on 52 tuberculosis patients (smear -positive and category- I therapy) treated during six months period. Patients with treatment failure were considered as cases and patients with negative smear after 6 months of treatment with anti-tuberculosis (TB) medicines were considered as control group. Demographic, clinical and treatment outcomes were recorded for each patient. The multivariate logistic regression was performed to determine the predictors of treatment failure.Results: Family history of tuberculosis (95% CI: 1-12.56, OR=3.55, P=0.04,), smoking (95% CI:1.58-51.21, OR=9, P=0.01), drug addiction before or during the treatment period (95% CI: 5.28-123.91, OR=25.6, P=0.0001) and low body weight (95% CI:1.05-12.6, OR=3.65, P=0.04) were risk factors fortreatment failure.Conclusion: Family history of tuberculosis, weight loss during treatment, smoking and drug addiction, were considered as risk factors for treatment failure in National Tuberculosis Control Programme (NTCP) in south-east of Iran.

Background and Objective: Urinary tract infection is the second common bacterial infection in children. Constipation as a risk factor in urinary tract infection was reported by several studies. This study was carried out to evaluate the relationship between rectal diameter and constipation with urinary tract infections in children.Methods: This case- control study was performed on 40, 2-12 years old hospitalized children with urinary tract infections as cases and 40 healthy children with the same age as controls in Boali Hospital in Sari, Iran. Rectal diameter was measured by ultrasonography. Demographic characteristics, rectal diameter, during of infectious and disease clinical signs were recorded for each subject.Results: Constipation was observed in 62.5% and 17.5% of cases and controls, respectively (P<0.05). Rectal diameter was 47.64 mm and 26.48 mm in case and control groups, respectively (P<0.05). Conclusion: Regarding to increasing of rectal diameter in patients with urinary tract infections in comparison with healthy subjects, ultrasonography can be a reliable method either to confirm or reject the presence of constipation in urinary tract infections.

Background and Objective: The causes of non traumatic abdominal pain are varied from mild to severe onset. This study was carried out to assess the outcome of the patients with non-specific abdominal pain discharged from the emergency department.Methods: This cohort study was carried out on 247 patients (68.4% female, 31.6% male) with nonspecific abdominal pain which referred to the emergency department of Imam Hossain hospital in Tehran, Iran during 2010-11. The existence or improvement of pain, readmission to hospital and possible subsequent complications diagnose and death was recorded after four-week through telephone follow-up. Results: 247 patients with non-specific abdominal pain were enrolled. Out of 158 patients with recurrence pain, 71 (45%) patients were admitted to the hospital again that finally, cause of pain was diagnosed in 45 (28.5%) patients. The most common cause of abdominal pain was irritable bowel syndrome (3.2%). History of similar pain (OR=4.04, P<0.05), abnormal findings in abdominal ultrasonography (OR=8.2, P<0.05), abnormal urine analysis (OR=7.4, P<0.05) and abdominal pain persisted for more than 2 days (OR=4.04, P<0.05) were independent factors to identifying the causes of abdominal pain.Conclusion: Nonspecific abdominal pain will not lead to appropriate recognition and most of them recover without any complication.

Background and Objective: Cryptorchidism or undescending testis is a developmental defect and occurred in 2-4% of male newborns. This study was done to determine the pattern and risk factors of cryptorchidism in Gorgan, northern Iran.Methods: In this cohort study, 2851 male newborns were examined for cryptorchidism at the birth and follow up for one year after birth in Dezyani referral teaching hospital in Gorgan, northern Iran during April 2010- December 2011. Mother ethnicity, working in farmland, addiction, consanguinity, age, infant maturity and birth weight were recorded for each subject.Results: The rate of cryptorchidism was 18.9 per 1000 live birth. Bilateral and unilateral cryptorchidism was 11.7 and 7.1 per 1000, respectively. The rate of cryptorchidism in preterm newborns (30 per 1000) was significantly higher than the term (20 per 1000) and post term (11.4 per 1000) newborns (P<0.05). The Mean±SD of newborns weight with unilateral cryptorchidism (3024±537grams) was significantly lower than the healthy newborns (3253±489 grams) (P<0.05). The rate of cryptorchidism in Turkmens (10 per 1000 births) was significantly lower than Fars (21 per 1000 births) and Sistani (23 per 1000 births) newborns (P<0.05). One year Follow up of newborns showed that 41 (77.3%) testes were descent to scrotum.Conclusion: Low births weight, prematurity and ethnicity are the main risk factors of cryptorchidism in northern Iran.

Background and Objective: Hydatidosis is a chronic, zoonotic worldwide infection which induced by larval stage of Echinococcus worm. This study was done to assessment the pure and B hydatid cyst fluid antigens for the serological diagnosis of human hydatidosis.Methods: In this descriptive laboratory study, infected liver with Hydatid cyst were obtained from Tehran's slaughterhouses to prepare cyst fluid in different stages. After draining and purifying the cyst fluid, it was centrifuged and subsequently concentrated. Specificity and sensitivity of sera samples including hydatidosis (n=60), worm parasites (n=55), fascioliasis (n=35), toxocariasissera (n=20) and negative control (n=35) were tested by Counter Immunoelectrophoresis (CIEP), ELISA and Dot ELISA methods.Results: Specificity and sensitivity of pure antigen of hydatid cyst using CIEP method was 68.9% and 86.7%, respectively. Specificity and sensitivity of B-antigen using CIEP method was 87.8% and 83.3%, respectively. Specificity and sensitivity of pure antigen of hydatid cyst using ELISA method was 76.7%, and 93.3%, respectively. Specificity and sensitivity of B-antigen using ELISA method was 96.7% and 88.3%, respectively. Specificity and sensitivity of pure antigen of hydatid cyst using Dot ELISA method was 83.3% and 100%, respectively. Specificity and sensitivity of B-antigen using Dot ELISA method was 100% and 98.3%, respectively.Conclusion: B-antigen using Dot ELISA method is the most suitable serological test for the diagnoses of hydatid test.

Background and Objective: SLC26A4 gene mutations after GJB2 mutations are the second currently identifiable genetic cause of autosomal recessive non syndromic hearing loss (ARNSHL) which currently is used in molecular diagnosis of ARNSHL. Several potential STR markers related to this region have been reported .This study was carried out to identity the informativeness of D7S2456 CA repeat STR marker in SLC26A4 gene region in five ethnic groups of the Iranian population.Methods: In this descriptive study, The locus was genotyped in 165 unrelated healthy individuals of five different ethnics including Fars, Azari, Turkmen, Gilaki and Arabs ethnic groups using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) and fluorescent capillary electrophoresis. Data was analyzed by Gene Marker HID Human STR Identity software, Gene Pop program and Microsatellite Tools software.Results: Analysis of the allelic frequency revealed the presence of 9 alleles for D7S2456 marker in the Iranian population, which allele 5 at the D7S2456 locus with 55% frequency was the most frequent. The most frequent heterozygosity with rate of 81.8% belongs to Azari ethnic group. Analysis of deviations from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium demonstrated that all the ethnics except Fars were in equilibrium for D7S2456 locus. D7S2456 marker is a moderately informative marker in Iranian ethnic population (PIC value within 0.44 and 0.7).Conclusion: D7S2456 is a moderately informative marker in diagnosis of SLC26A4 based autosomal recessive non syndromic hearing loss in Iranian population by linkage analysis.

Background and Objective: Due to the increase of incidence of extrapulmonary tuberculosis in Iran, This study was conducted to determine the epidemiological pattern of extrapulmonary tuberculosis in the Mazandaran province, northern Iran.Methods: This descriptive-analytic study was carried out on medical record of 3313 tuberculosis patients in Mazandaran province, northern Iran during 2001-11. Age, gender, affected year, area and affected organ were gathered for each patient.Results: 843 (25.4%) of subjects were diagnosed with extrapulmonary tuberculosis. The incidence of extrapulmonary tuberculosis increased by 4% for every unit increase in incidence year (P<0.05). The mean age of patients with extrapulmonary tuberculosis was significantly less than patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (42.8±20.6 years vs. 48.7±21.2, P<0.05). Extrapulmonary tuberculosis was significantly higher in women (P<0.05). The chance of extrapulmonary tuberculosis in women was 1.7 times of men. Lymph node (33%) was the most common affected organ followed by pleura (18.9%) and bone (17.7%).Conclusion: The trend of incidence of extrapulmonary tuberculosis was ascending during 2001 to 2011. The most affected organ in extra pulmonary tuberculosis was lymph nodes.

Background and Objective: The Detection of neurologic signs for topographical disorders in central nerves system can prevent unnecessary neuroimaging techniques such as MRI. This study was performed to determine the diagnostic value of physical examination for topographic detection of infratentorial lesions in patients with cerebrovascular syndromes.Methods: This descriptive study was done on 200 patients with cerebrovascular syndrome in Qaem Hospital in Mashhad, north-east Iran during 2011. Regarding to topographic physical examination, sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value and accuracy of signs of syndromes were compared to MRI as gold standard method.Results: The accuracy of tetraparesis and crossed syndromes for localization of brain lesion in brainstem was 79% and 83%, respectively. The accuracy of hemiataxia for localization of brain lesion in ipsilateral cerebellar hemisphere was 98%. The accuracy of Wallenberg syndrome for localization of brain lesion in posterolateral medulla was 98%.Conclusion: Using clinical neuro-examination skills and accurate topographic physical examination can prevent unwanted MRI technique for the diagnoses of cerebrovascular syndromes.

Background and Objective: Colonoscopy is the best method for management of patients with Hematochezia or lower gastrointestinal bleeding (LGIB). This study was conducted to assess the endoscopic and histopathologic findings in patients with hematochezia. Methods: This descriptive -analytical study was done on 117 (50 males, 67 females) patients whom referred to 5th Azar hospital in Gorgan, northern Iran during 2010. Demographic characteristics, medical history and colonoscopic and histopathologic findings were recorded for each patient. Results: Hemorrhoid was the most common finding in colonoscopic examination. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and cancer were the most common feature in the under and higher than 43 age old patients, respectively (P<0.05). Ulcerative colitis (22.2%) was the most common finding in histopathological examination. Rectosigmoid was the most common anatomical location of involvement in IBD cases. Cancer and IBD were occurred in the left colon.Conclusion: Flexible sigmoidoscopy can be a selected procedure for evaluation of hematochezia in the <43 age old patients but in >43 age old subjects sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy should be made based on patients' status.

Background and Objective: Indiscriminate use of antibiotics is one of the major health problems worldwide. Rapidly increasing incidence of antibiotic-resistant microbes warns healthcare authorities in the country to use drugs, reasonably. This study was carried out to assess the pattern of antibiotic usage in Razi teaching hospital in Ahvaz, southwest of Iran.Methods: This descriptive –analytical study was conducted on 17668 hospitalized patients in Razi teaching hospital Ahvaz, southwest of Iran during 2012. Proper or inappropriate antibiotic usage was judged based on existing national guidelines or guidelines referenced in textbooks. Results: 3119 of patients were received antibiotics which 20.4% of patients were being treated unnecessarily. 2482 (79.6%) of patients had indications for antibiotic therapy. Out of 2482 patients with indications for antibiotic therapy, 51.9%, 18.1 % and 6.5 % of patients were received incorrect antibiotic regiment, inadequate dose and unsuitable duration of therapy, respectively. The highest rate of unnecessary, inappropriate, incorrect duration and dosage of antibiotics were observed in internal, scorpion wards and the lowest was in infectious diseases and obstetrics wards (P<0.05).Conclusion: The pattern of antibiotic usage in Razi teaching hospital in Ahvaz was inappropriate. Unnecessary prescription, inappropriate antibiotic spectrum, inadequate dose and duration of antibiotics were inappropriate treatment strategy.

Background and Objective: Radiotherapy is a main therapeutic regiment in the treatment of head and neck cancers. Radiation not only eradicate cancer but it also cause damage to healthy surrounding tissues, giving rise to objective and subjective problems. This study was done to evaluate the subjective complications of post radiation in patients with head and neck cancer.Methods: This descriptive –analytic study was carried out on 45 patients with head and neck cancer (28 males and 17 females) whom were gone under radiotherapy in Rasht, Iran. Subjective complications evaluated before, during, 1 month and 3 months after radiotherapy. Persian version of LENT-SOMA questionnaire was used. Pain, xerostomia, dysphagia, trismus and dysgeusia were recorded for each subject.Results: 80% of subjects experienced Pain. In the study period, pain intensity, frequency and analgesic consumption were belonging to ear and throat. One month after post radiation, pain intensity, frequency and analgesic consumption belong to ear, throat, jaw, mouth and teeth which were significantly more than 3 months after radiotherapy (P<0.05). One month after post treatment, xerostomia, dysphagia, trismus and dysgeusia were significantly more than 3 months after radiotherapy (P<0.05). Pain in ear and jaw had significant correlation with radiation dosage (P<0.05).Conclusion: Intensity of subjective complains were aggravated and merge one month after radiotherapy and can be reduced to nearly the initial stage of treatment, three months after radiotherapy.

Background and Objective: Mayer Rokitansky Kuster Hauser (MRKH) syndrome is characterized by Mullerian duct aplasia in an XX individual with female phenotype presenting primary amenorrhea at adolescence. This study was done to determine the mutations of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene including DF508, G542X, N1303K, W1282X in patients with MRKH syndrome.Methods: This case-control study was performed on 25 females with MRKH syndrome and 25 healthy females. Blood sample was taken from each subject. DNA genomic was isolated by standard methods and common mutations of CFTR gene analyzed by ARMS-PCR.Results: DF508 gene was found in 3 in case and one individual in control group. G542X, N1303K and W1282X gene was not detected.Conclusion: DF508 gene was found in 12% of patients with MRKH syndrome.

Borreliosis or recurrent fever is a spirochete disease which is caused by various species of borrelia and characterized by recurrent episodes of fever, chills and spirochetemia that could lead to multiple organ involvement and even death. In this case report, a 23 years old man was presented with shaking chills, fever and abdominal pain from a week before hospital admission. Borrliosis was confirmed following observation of Spirochete in peripheral blood smear. The patient was treated with doxycycline orally and one week after treatment discharged with a good general condition. Coincidence of borreliosis with underlying haemolysis in this patient was misled clinical presentation.

Airway pressure release ventilation (APRV) is a new mode of ventilation. APRV is used in the acute respiratory distress syndrome when the low tidal volume strategy was not responding to assisted controlled mandatory ventilation (ACMV). Four cases of acute respiratory distress syndrome and severe life threatening hypoxia with ACMV whom were successfully managed with APRV are reported in this article. Although hypoxemia patients were treated by APRV method but eventually two patients died.