Yafteh
Year:2018 | Volume:20 | Issue:3 (77) |Papers Count:18

Background: Antioxidants derived from plants play an important role in reducing the risks ofchronic and oxidative stress due to free radicals. The present study aimed to measure and comparethe various antioxidative activities of ethanolic and methanolic extracts of Achillea biebersteiniiAfan from Aligudarz, Lorestan Province. Materials and Methods: After obtaining ethanolic and methanolic extracts of Achilleabiebersteinii Afan, the radical scavenging activity of the samples was assessed usingdiphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH). The total antioxidant capacity of the samples was assessed by thePhosphomolybdenum method. The amount of total phenol and flavonoid in the samples wasassessed using the Folin-Ciocalteu and Zhishen methods. Results: It was found that the total antioxidant capacity, and the phenol and flavonoid content ofthe ethanolic and methanolic extracts were similar. The IC50 values (the concentration required toscavenge 50% of radicals) of the ethanolic and methanolic extracts of Achillea biebersteinii Afan, with Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) as a reference was 67. 43± 4. 16, 67. 96± 5. 93, and3. 88± 1μ g/ml, respectively, P<0. 05. Conclusion: The results showed that there was no difference between the antioxidant properties ofthe ethanolic and methanolic extracts of Achillea biebersteinii Afan. The solvent type used in theextraction process did not affect the antioxidant properties of this plant. This suggests Achilleabiebersteinii Afan is a suitable and easily accessible source of natural antioxidants, which could beincluded in foods and pharmaceutical applications.

Background: Visfatin is a protein secreted by visceral fat, which plays an important role in thepathogenesis of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Visfatin is also known as Pre-B Cell Colony EnhancingFactor or Nicotinamide Phosphoribosyl Transferase. Visfatin is widely expressed in the visceraladipose tissue and has insulin-like metabolic functions. However, its pathophysiological role inhuman is still unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between plasmavisfatin and obesity, and type 2 diabetes. Materials and Methods: This case-control study was conducted on 50 women with pre-diabetesand type 2 diabetes, and 50 healthy women. Visfatin and insulin levels were measured using aMercodia ELISA kit (Mercodia Company, Sweden). The weight, height, waist circumference andFBS were determined using standard methods. Data was analyzed using SPSS software (Version19). Results: According to the data, plasma visfatin levels increased in patients with prediabetes andtype 2 diabetes compared to the control group (p<0/05). There was a meaningful correlationbetween visfatin and BMI, weight, waist circumference and HOMA-IR (p<0/05). No correlationwas found between visfatin and FBS, and insulin in patients with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes. Conclusion: These results suggest that visfatin levels correlate with BMI, weight, and waistcircumference, and can be used as a marker for the diagnosis and treatment of type 2 diabetes.

Background: Lung cancer is one of the most common cancers around the world, and a majorcause of death. The KRAS and NRAS genes could cause malfunction in signal transduction and cellcycle regulation. Materials and Methods: In this study, the expression level of KRAS and NRAS biomarkersamong 50 lung cancer patients in comparison with 50 normal individuals was investigated. TotalRNA from blood samples was extracted and the cDNA synthesized. The specific primers fordetection of markers were designed and the expression levels of KRAS and NRAS genes in thepresence GAPDH using the qRT-PCR method were quantitatively studied. Results: Quantitative comparison showed that KRAS and NRAS expression levels increasedsignificantly in lung cancer patients compared to the control population. Results showed aquantitative increase of KRAS and NRAS genes with an increase of 2/05 and 3/43 fold respectively, for lung cancer compared to normal samples. Conclusion: Based on current study results, we could quantitatively predict the expression level ofKRAS and NRAS genes in patients which could be used as a biomarker indicator during screeningof lung cancer samples. This could also be used as a noninvasive method for the screening of thepopulation for early detection to inhibit cancer.

Background: Iron adsorption factors are among the most important virulence factors of P. mirabilis causing urinary tract infections. The aim of the present study was the evaluation of thefrequency and nucleotide sequence of genes encoding the iron adsorption genes in Proteus mirabilisisolated from patients with urinary tract infections. Materials and Methods: In total, 100 P. mirabilis isolates were obtained from urine samples ofpatients with urinary tract infections. Amplification of the iron adsorption genes in the isolates wasperformed by PCR. For sequencing of the amplified genes, their PCR products were purified fromagarose gel using a PCR purification kit and sent for sequencing. After sequencing, the sequencesof these genes were compared with the genes deposited in GenBank and Expasy. Results: The frequency of PMI1945, PMI2596, PMI0409, PMI1426, PMI0842 and PMI1425 genesin the isolates was 90%, 25%, 35%, 85%, 75% and 55%. Comparison of the nucleotide sequencesof these genes using analysis software showed similarity higher than 80% between the sequences ofthe iron adsorption genes with the iron sequences deposited in Genbank and Expasy. Conclusion: In this study, it was observed that the iron adsorption genes PMI1945 and PMI1426with high frequency and conserved sequences among P. mirabilis could be presented as novelvaccine candidates against urinary tract infections.

Background: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurological disorder in which dopamine-producingneurons are destroyed. This disease is associated with aging. Our aim in this study was to measurethe serum concentrations of albumin and uric acid (UA) as a biomarker for PD detection. Materials and Methods: In this case-control study, we recruited 40 Parkinson patients and 40healthy individuals. Blood samples (5 ml) were collected from both groups and the serum wasisolated. Serum albumin and UA levels were measured, and the data was analyzed by SPSSsoftware, and graphs were prepared using Graphpad Prism. Results: Our results showed that the serum levels of albumin were significantly higher in thecontrol group (5. 69 ± 2. 51 g/dl) compared to the patient group (4. 12 ± 1. 60 g/dl) (p˂ 0. 001). On theother hand, the serum concentrations of UA in the control group (5. 18 ± 1. 28 mg/dl) were notstatistically significantly different in comparison with the patient group (5. 01 ± 1. 34 mg/dl) (p=0. 56). The ROC analysis used to evaluate the diagnostic value of biomarkers for PD. Albumin wasshown to have a high capability for separating patients from healthy subjects, with an area under theROC curve 0. 85, sensitivity 60% and specificity 97%. Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that serum albumin levels in patients with PD arelower than healthy subject, and maybe in the future this can be used as diagnostic criteria.

Background: Nurses face a particular set of stresses due to their specific occupational status, which can endanger their physical and mental health. Therefore it is necessary to identify theimportant factors in the nursing community, such as moral intelligence, professional values andmental resilience, in order to help nursing staff preserve mental health, improve performance andprovide better services to patients. Materials and Methods: This analytic-descriptive study (correlation method) was carried out on150 nurses in hospitals in the Bam region of Iran, who were selected by the census samplingmethod. Data gathering tools included a demographic information checklist and a three partquestionnaire related to moral intelligence (Lennik and Kiel), professional value (NPVS-R) andmental resilience (CD-RISC). Data was analyzed using SPSS. V. 20 software, Pearson’ s correlationcoefficient, Linear regression, one-way ANOVA and an independent t-testResults: the total mean score of variables were: mental intelligence (± 11. 9)161. 59, professionalvalue (± 8. 89) 92. 74 and resilience (± 13. 51) 64. 00. Results showed that there exists a significantrelation between moral intelligence and professional value, and resilience, and that predictorvariables are able to predict nurses’ , resilience changes (p<0. 0001). Conclusion: based on this data, individuals who have high scores of professional value and highmoral intelligence also possess a high mental resilience.

Background: Recurrent abdominal pain is one of the common complaints in childhood. The aimof this study was to determine the frequency of Helicobacter pylori and giardiasis in children withrecurrent abdominal pain and to investigate some risk factors in both infections. Materials and Methods: In a case-control study 50 symptomatic children and 50 healthy children atPediatric Center in Zahedan, Iran from 2014-2015 were enrolled. All cases had gastric complaints andundergone endoscopy. Children in both groups were examined for detecting H. pylori stool antigen andpresence of giardia infection by direct examination of stools. Risk factors were recorded in both groupsby a questionnaire. Results: 100 children with the age of 6. 2 ± 3. 7 (58 female) were included. H. pylori stool antigen waspositive in 32(64%) cases and 10 (20%) in control group which showed significant differences. Also, endoscopic antral gastritis with colonization of helicobacter pylori were found in 46 cases (92%). Giardiasis was detected in 12% patients and 6% controls, respectively. Co-infection with H. pylori andgiardiasis was present in 8% of patients compared to 2% of controls. There was no difference betweengroups regarding some risk factors except more using common bed in cases. Conclusion: Co-infection with H. pylori and giardiasis was more frequent in children with recurrentabdominal pain compare to control group. More attention to hygienic conditions in the community isrecommended.

Background: Happiness is a concept that has become important in recent years, due to itsimportant role in mental health. Therefore, the present study was conducted to determine therelationship between personality characteristics, emotional intelligence, attachment style andvoluntary activities with the level of happiness among employed women. Materials and Methods: The research method is descriptive-correlational. The statisticalpopulation consisted of 12373 women employed in Lorestan's departments and organizations, fromwhich 400 people were selected, based on the Cochran's formula by Multi-stage cluster sampling. Data was collected through Neo Characteristic Scale, Shering Emotional Intelligence, Collins &Read Attachment Inventory, Voluntary Activities Questionnaire and Oxford HappinessQuestionnaire, and was analyzed using Pearson correlation and stepwise regression analysis. Results: The results showed that there is a significant relationship between personalitycharacteristics, emotional intelligence and voluntary activities with happiness (P<0. 001), andamong the components of attachment style, only the component of anxiety has a negative andsignificant correlation with happiness (r=-0. 20). The results of regression analysis indicated thatself-motivation variables (from emotional intelligence components), extroversion and voluntaryactivities with positive beta coefficient and neuroticism with negative beta coefficient can predicthappiness (P<0. 001). Conclusion: Based on the results, it is suggested that managers of employment organizations holdfield workshops focusing on the education of emotional intelligence, sporting activities, recreation, and holding happy communities (concerts, comedy programs, etc. ) in order to promote happinessand that they pay attention to the central role of attachment and personality traits in happiness.

Background: The lesson plan is one of effective and key factors in the process of education. Themain purpose of the lesson plan design is to facilitate the learning of learners through theestablishment of an appropriate communication platform. The purpose of this study was to evaluatethe lesson plans offered by faculty members of Lorestan University of Medical Sciences during theacademic year 2015-2016. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 134 lesson plans provided byfaculty members of Lorestan University of Medical Sciences during the first and second semestersof 2015-2016. Data collection was done using a checklist that included 13 domains. Descriptivestatistics were used to analyze the data. Results: The most common weaknesses related to learning assist tools (85. 6%), duties andassignments of students (64. 9%), and general goals (39. 6%). Also, the most importantdisadvantages were the planning areas for preparing students before the beginning of the class(62%), training and classification (45. 6%), syllabus and behavioral goals (33. 6%). The introductionof resources domains (64. 9%), general information (43. 3%), and policies and rules of the class(43. 3%) had the highest score and the best situation in the lesson plans. Conclusion: According to the results, the content and writing of the lesson plans provided by thefaculty members of Lorestan University of Medical Sciences were acceptable. Arranging trainingcourses and drafting standard forms is suggested for better designing of the lesson plan among thefaculty members.

Background: Alzheimer's disease is a multi-factorial disorder. The genes involved in Alzheimer'sdisease act as risk factors. The aim of this study was to investigate the APOE gene polymorphism inpatients with Alzheimer's disease in Iran. Materials and Methods: In this analytical-descriptive study, 50 patients with Alzheimer's wereinvestigated. Polymorphism of the APOE gene was investigated in healthy subjects and patientswith Alzheimer's using Tetra Arms PCR. Results: The frequency of the 4ε /4ε genotype and ε 4 allele was significantly higher in patientswith Alzheimer's compared to healthy subjects (38/4% and57/4% versus 3/8% and 28/8%, respectively) (P≥ 0. 009). Conclusion: In polymorphism of the APOE gene, the 4ε /4ε genotype, and the ε 4 allele, are riskfactors for Alzheimer's disease in the Iranian population

Background: Breast cancer according to global statistics, is the most commonly diagnosed cancerin women throughout the world. The most obvious outcomes of breast cancer are psychologicalproblems such as stress in patients which this lead to reduce the quality of life in patients. Thepurpose of this study is to determine the relationship of perceived stress with the quality of life inwomen suffered from breast cancer. Materials and Methods: This study is a descriptive-correlation one. The population includes allwomen with breast cancer who referred to shahid Rahemi Hospital (Breast Cancer Department). Using random sampling method, 300 patients were selected. To measure the variables, the DASSperceived stress questionnaire and the quality of life of cancer patients were used. Data wereanalyzed by regression correlation and confidence level of 95% using SPSS software version 24 intwo descriptive and inferential levels. Results: The results showed that there is a relationship between the perceived stress and the qualityof life of women who suffered from breast cancer. Conclusion: The results showed that there is a relationship between the perceived stress and thequality of life.

Background: Exercise is considered as the important treatment in diabetic patients and the processof angiogenesis in diabetes can be affected by exercise. The purpose was to investigate the effect of6 weeks of endurance training in the form of treadmill running on VEGF levels in cardiac muscle ofdiabetic rats. Materials and Methods: 24 male Wistar rats weighing 245± 9. 4 g and 8 weeks old were randomlyassigned to control (n=6), exercise (n=6) diabetic (n=6) and diabetic and exercise (n=6). Diabeteswas induced by streptozotocin (50 mg/kg). The training was performed for 6 weeks and 5 sessionsper week. 24 hours after the protocol, the rats were sacrificed and their cardiac tissue extracted. TheVEGF levels were measured by ELISA. To analyze data, one-way ANOVA was used. Results: Training results showed a significant increase in VEGF in the diabetic group compared tothe control group (p=0. 008). The level of VEGF in the diabetic group was significantly reducedcompared with the control and exercise groups (p=0. 001). The level of VEGF in the diabetic andexercise group was significantly lower than the control and exercise groups (P<0. 05). Exercisesignificantly increased VEGF in the exercise group compared to the control group (p=0. 001). Conclusion: VEGF levels were significantly higher in healthy groups than in diabetic groups andtraining increased the level of VEGF in the cardiac muscle, and possibly this increased levels ofVEGF has positive effects on angiogenic processes in diabetic patients. Therefore, endurancetraining could be a valuable strategy to develop therapies for diabetes.