Journal of Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences
Year:2008 | Volume:15 | Issue:3 (49)|Papers Count:9

Background and Purpose: Previous studies have not properly clarified the role of A2A adenosine receptors in convulsions induced by kindling. In the present study, the role of these receptors in convulsions induced perforant path kindling has been investigated by blocking these receptors (with specific antagonists).Methods and Materials: This experimental study was conducted on 24 rats which were randomly divided into four groups of six. They were kindled by electric stimulation of the perforant path. In two groups, before each kindling stimulation, antagonists of A2A adenosine receptors (ZM 241385) (500 and 200 mM) was injected to the lateral ventricle of the rats. Control animals were given only the electric stimulations. In the fourth group (sham), the solvent of the abovementioned drug was injected to the lateral ventricle before kindling stimulations. The obtained data were analyzed using two-way ANOVA and Tukey tests.Results: Injecting the antagonists of A2A adenosine receptors (ZM 241385) (500 mM) to the lateral ventricle of the rats postponed the process of kindling. Two-way ANOVA indicated that number of stimulations required to reach the convulsive stages were significantly increased (P<o.oo1, F(4, 40) = 47). Also, compared with the sham group which received the solvent of the drug, a significant reduction was observed in the duration of depletion waves following accumulation (P<0.05, F(6, 60) = 2.5) in this group.Conclusion: According to the findings, injecting the antagonists of A2A adenosine receptors produces a significant anticonvulsant effect on the convulsions induced by perforant path kindling, and that this effect functions through controlling the effect of endogenic adenosine on A2A adenosine receptors.

Background and Purpose: Noise, in high intensity, is one of the major physical stressors. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of stress of threshold limit value of noise with shrill and bass frequencies on antioxidation and lipid peroxidation variations of liver tissue of rabbit. Methods and Materials: This experimental study was carried out on 18 male white New Zealand rabbits at Tarbiat Modarres University in 2004. Rabbits were randomly divided into three groups: Control Group (unexposed to noise), Group 2 exposed to noise (85 dB SPL, < 250-3540Hz, 8 h/day, 96 h) and Group 3 exposed to noise (3540Hz-20kHz, 85 dB SPL, 8 h/day for 96h, 12 days). The obtained data were analyzed in SPSS. One-way ANOVA and post hoc Tukey test were used for comparing means across the groups; differences at P<0.05 were considered statistically significant.Results: The findings indicated that Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were 5.5, 5.54, and 5.71 in the groups 1, 2, and 3 respectively, and that the glutathione level was 0.131 g per μmol liver tissue across three groups. It was also found that the differences were not statistically significant (P=0<0.05). Conclusion: According to the findings of the present study, despite limited variation in Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels induced by noise with 85dBA frequency, it does not induce significant changes in levels of Malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione in the liver tissue of rabbits.

Background and Purpose: In Iranian traditional medicine, it has been widely believed that camphor is a suppressor of sexual desire. Based on this idea and the few studies about this issue, we examined the effect of camphor on the histological changes and spermatogenesis phenomena in the mouse reproductive system.Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 24 premature male balb/c mice were selected and divided into four (2 experimental and 2 control) groups. Experimental groups 1 and 2 were administered daily 30 mg/kg body weight dissolved camphor in olive oil (orally) for 10 and 20 days respectively. The control groups received the same volume of olive oil during the same periods. At the end of the exposure time, each group was anesthetized and their testes were routinely removed for obtaining serial sections and histological staining. The obtained data were analyzed using t-test.Results: The study data indicated that although the mean external diameter of the somniferous tubules did not show significant differences in experimental and control groups, the mean internal diameter tubules (26/31±1/56) of the experimental groups (versus control groups 42/38±2/19) decreased by %25, and mature sexual cells (17/±3/71) in the experimental groups (versus control groups 28±3/92) decreased by %12.Conclusion: The results of the present study indicated that administration of camphor significantly decreased the internal diameter of Somniferous tubules and reduced maturity of sexual cells; hence, affecting the reproductive system of the male mice with structural changes.

Background and purpose: Factor VII is one of the important coagulation factors in extrinsic blood coagulation pathway, which can resolve the use of FVIII and FIX for hemophilia patients by activating FX. Recombinant expression of this factor can eliminate the potential problems in preparing those factors from plasma and the risk of transferring hematological diseases.Therefore, the present study intended to investigate the expression of recombinant FVII at a higher level using Gateway technology and TOPO cloning.Methods and Materials: In this experimental study, Factor VII cDNA was isolated from HepG2 cell line by PCR, and cloned to prokaryote TOPO vector by TOPO cloning reaction. The recombinant vector was extracted for bacterial colonies after screening, and was used in Gateway adapted Baculovirus DNA by LR recombination reaction. The recombinant virus was transfected onto insect cell line, and the expression of the protein was analyzed after necessary screening. Findings of the protein expression via ELISA were presented in triadic (Mean ± SD); the differences across the three groups were investigated using Student t-test.Results: Cloning and recombination reaction analysis by PCR determined cloning of rFVII in high accuracy (³ 90%) in the vectors. High level expression of recombinant FVII was confirmed by SDS-PAGE, ELISA, and Western blot analysis (30 g/ml). The highest expression level was produced on the 7th day after transfection (1.960±0.076). Determined by ELISA, this result was negatively significant in the transfected sample (P<0.001). Conclusion: Findings of the analysis of the recombinant protein expression by Baculovirus expression system indicated its production in a larger scale than similar eukaryote and prokaryote expression systems.

Background and Purpose: One probable sources of error blood pressure measurement can be the cross-leg seating position but research findings in this regard are contradictory. Therefore, the present study was designed to investigate the effect of crossing legs while measuring the blood pressure on the reading of blood pressure in patients with hypertension.Methods and Materials: The quasi- experimental study involved 90 patients selected through purposive sampling from among the population of patients with primary hypertension admitted to Internal and Cardiac Clinics of Vase'ee Hospital in Sabzevar, Iran. Patients, blood pressure was measured according to a written protocol in three steps: first sitting with both feet straight on the floor, then sitting with crossed legs, and finally sitting with both feet straight on the floor (as in the first step). Conventional stethoscope and sphygmomanometer were used for measurements; t- test was used for data analysis in SPSS.Results: Crossing legs while measuring blood pressure increased systolic bp by 6.81 mmHg (from 144.43±21.782 to 156.24±22.082) and diastolic bp by 3.12 mmHg (from 89.06±13.610 to 92.18± 14.920). Mean systolic bp when the third step of the protocol was adopted reduced 9.59 mmHg (from 156±22.082 to 146.66±22.438) and diastolic bp reduced by 3.53 mmHg (from 92.18±14.920 to 88.64±14.839). Conclusion: According to the findings, blood pressure reading increases in patients with hypertension when they take a seated cross-leg position during bp measurement.

Background and Purpose: By defining the exact time of fetus maturity, complications and side effects could be predicted and best decisions could be made. Since the present methods are complicated, time-consuming and stressful for the neonates, researchers decided to compare the simple Klimek method with the New Ballard method.Methods and Materials: This study is a descriptive-analytical cross-sectional research in which 229 neonates, who were admitted to the postpartum wards in Qaem and Imam Reza Hospitals in Mashad from April through September 2005, were sampled through non-random and purpositive sampling. Qualified neonates in a single group were examined for maturity by both Klimek and New Ballard methods. The first neonate was examined by the first co-researcher with New Ballard method, and immediately examined by the second co-researcher with Klimek method. The second neonate was examined by the first co-researcher with Klimek method and then immediately by the second co-researcher with Ballard method. The examinations were done in the first 6-12 hours after birth. Analysis of data was conducted in SPSS, using Mann Whitney U and Kappa Coefficient.Results: In the present study, determination of gestational age via 2 methods (New Ballard and LMP) was not statistically different; and in 74.6% (171 cases) the same gestational age was obtained by both methods (p=0.664). Also, determination of gestational age by Klimek method and LMP was not statistically different; and 75.9% (174 cases) the same gestational age was obtained by both methods (p=0.943). In 51.5% (118 cases), both methods detected mature neonates (K=0.806). Conclusion: The simple Klimek Method is completely compatible with the New Ballard and LMP methods in determining neonatal maturity.

Background and Purpose: Keratinolytic fungi (KF) are among the fungi existing in the soil, whose enzymatic activity causes the decomposition of keratinized material in the soil; they are also considered as one of the pathogenic factors. The present study was conducted to determine the enzymatic activity of the KF, and to evaluate the effect of climatic conditions on their activity. Methods and Materials: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 90 isolates of KF randomly selected from different regions in Iran and other countries in 2004. The samples were cultured in Modified Czaspex-dextrose liquid medium (MCDLM). Their enzymatic activity was measured using Azocazein, the general subtilisin of serin proteinase, and chromogenic substrates including N-Suc-Ala-Ala-Pro-Phe-rNA, N-Suc-Ala-Ala-Pro-Leu-rNA and N-Bz- Phe-Val-Arg- rNA. The obtained data were summarized using two-dimensional tables, and were analyzed using non-repeating one-way ANOVA and Tukey test in SPSS.Results: The results indicated that Myriodontium keratinophilum (94.6 u/ml) and Microsporum coockei (81.66 u/ml) had the highest Azocaseinolytic activity, and hydrolysed N-Suc-Ala-Ala- Pro-Phe-rNA, N-Bz- Phe-Val-Arg- rNA and N-Suc-Ala-Ala-Pro- Leu-rNA respectively. Statistically significant differences were onserved to exist between methods of determining enzymatic activity (P<0.05).Conclusion: The results indicated that the enzymes secreted in these fungi were of a proteinase nature and belong to the subtilisin-like serin proteinase.

Background and Purpose: Taking psychoactive drugs_and the disgusting phenomenon of addiction occur in people due to various personal and social factors, and affect the personal and social lives of the addict. Necessity of attention to this hassle made us investigate the factors affecting addiction and withdrawal in self-declared addicts.Methods and Materials: In this descriptive analytical study, 456 addicts were randomly selected from the population of selfdeclared addicts admitted to Behzisti Clinic of Withdrawal in Sabzevar. A questionnaire, matching with the aims of the study, was completed during interviews and investigation of records. The obtained data were analyzed in SPSS using chi-square and student t-test.Results: It was found that the study sample included 394 male (86.4%) and 62 female (13.6%) informants. Mean age of males and females were 37.4±10.7 and 41.79±13.4 years respectively. In digressing to addiction, men were mostly affected by friends and colleagues (46%) and strangers (42%). However, women were mostly affected by family and kinsmen (40%) and strangers (30%).; and the difference was statistically significant (p<0.05).Around 80% were illiterate and the rest literate. It was found that 38/8% of men had first experienced drugs in their workplace, while 87/10% of women experienced at home. Also, 63% of the urban and 76% of the rural clients had personally decided to quit taking drugs. The role of spouses in urban clients' withdrawal (12%) was far more than the rural ones (2.8%). Unmarried and divorced clients had a history of attempts to withdraw but most married clients (59%) did not (p<0.05). Conclusion: Based on the findings of the present study, family, spouses, friends and colleagues can be considered as key factors in both addiction and withdrawal.