Journal of Kerman University of Medical Sciences
Year:2016 | Volume:23 | Issue:6|Papers Count:15

Background & Aims: Tuberculosis is one of the most important diseases of century that involves all the human organs including lungs. Due to the yearly occurrence of 9 millions new cases and 1.5 millions deaths in the world, tuberculosis is in the center of attention. The aim of this study was to indentify factors affecting the time required for sputum smear conversion in patients.Methods: This historical cohort study was performed on tuberculosis patients with pulmonary involvement and positive smear referred to Health Centers of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences from September 2012 to July 2014. The demographic characteristic of patients and features of disease were used as variables. Log Rank test, Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression were used to analyze data (a<0.05).Results: Out of 1141 patients, 54.8% were female and 45.2% were male. The medium time to sputum smear conversion was 2 months. At the end of the second and third months of treatment, respectively 78% and 89% of patients had negative smear. Based on Cox regression, gender and bacillus level at the beginning of treatment significantly affected the time to sputum smear conversion.Conclusion: Special attention must be paid to the patient education and to the male patients and those with high level of bacillus at diagnosis time.

Background & Aims: Shigella infection is still a health problem in less developed countries. This infection is a major cause of food poisoning that sometimes caused morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to investigate outbreak of Shigella food poisoning in children referred to Kerman Afzalipour hospital.Method: In September 2015, a large number of children and adults with high fever and diarrhea following consumption of a common food were admitted in Kerman Afzalipour hospital, south east, Iran. Along with primary care, culture and smear of stool samples were tested in the laboratory.Results: From thirteen children aged 2 to 14 years, one child was treated as outpatient and 12 ones were hospitalized. One child had diarrhea with blood and mucus. Seven children had colitis along with numerous leukocytes in the stool test. Two patients had generalized tonic-clonic seizures. In two cases stool cultures showed Shigellaflexneri susceptible to third generation cephalosporin, but resistant to co-trimoxazole and nalidixic acid. After the treatment, all children were discharged from the hospital in good condition.Conclusion: In food poisoning, Shigella infection and antibiotic resistance of this bacterium should be considered.

Background & Aims: Change in visual experience impairs circadian rhythms. In this study, The effects of visual deprivation during critical period of brain development and melatonin intake on synaptic plasticity of hippocampal CA1 neurons were evaluated.Methods: This experimental study was done on male rats kept in standard 12 hour light/dark condition (Light Reared-LR) or in complete darkness (Dark Reared-DR). Each group, was divided into 3 sub groups of 2, 4 and 6 week old rats (n=16). Excitatory post synaptic field potentials were recorded from dendrite of CA1 area neurons. Then, half of animals in each group received melatonin via ICV and field potentials recording were repeated. Finally, using tetanic stimulation, Long-term potentiation (LTP) was induced.Results: The amplitude of basic responses of the LR animals decreased with age incaease (P<0.01). Visual deprivation and also melatonin increased the amplitude of basic responses of the DR group (P<0.01), and inhibited LTP induction in CA1 circuits. In comparison to the LR group, melatonin injection had less destructive effect on the LTP induction in the DR group (P<0.001).Conclusion: Visual deprivation during critical period of brain development increases basic responses of rat’s CA1 neurons and inhibits LTP induction in these neurons, time dependently. Also, the visual deprivation opposes the destructive effects of melatonin on LTP induction in CA1 neurons in a time-dependent manner.

Background & Aims: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is associated with peptic ulcer and gastric cancer. Polymorphisms of the genes coding Toll-like receptors (TLRs) may influence the innate and adaptive immune responses and affect the susceptibility to H. pylori or the disease outcomes. But the details and association to different polymorphisms and different clinical expression in patients infected with H. pylori have remained unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of TLR-4 Asp299Gly polymorphism on expression levels of IL-6 and IL-18 genes in patients infected with H. Pylori in comparison to uninfected patients.Methods: In a case-control study, biopsies were collected from 58 H. pylori-infected and 44 uninfected subjects. Genotypes of TLR-4 Asp299Gly single-nuleotide polymorphism were assessed through polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). The expression levels of mucosal IL-6 and IL-18 mRNA were measured by real time-PCR. Cytokine expression levels in the two groups were analysed using the t test.Results: The frequencies of D/D and D/G genotypes were respectively 55.2% and 44.8% in H. pylori-infected and 77.2% and 22.8% in uninfected subjects. The expression level of IL-6 in H. pylori infected patients with TLR-4 gene polymorphism was significantly higher (P=0.001). However, no significant relationship between the expression level of IL-18 and TLR-4 gene polymorphism was reported in patients infected with H. pylori (P=0.419). In addition, no significant relationship between IL-6, IL-18 expression levels and TLR-4 gene polymorphism was reported in uninfected patients.Conclusion: TLR-4 Asp299Gly Gene single-nuclotide polymorphism increases the expression levels of TL-6 and has an important role in development of Hopylori-associated gastrititis.

Background & Aims: Sodium arsenite, an environmental pollutant, produces free radicals with harmful effects on the reproductive system. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of curcumin, as a strong antioxidant, on the testis tissue and spermatogenic cell population in mice treated with sodium arsenite.Methods: In this experimental study, Adult male NMRI mice were randomly divided into the 5 groups (n=6): control, sodium arsenite (5mg/kg/day), curcumin (15mg/kg/day), sodium arsenite+curcumin and DMSO as vehicle. After 5 weeks of treatment (through intraperitoneal ingection), animals right testis were removed, fixed, sectioned, stained (using heiden hain azan method) and stereologically studied. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Tuckey's test and the means were considered significantly different at p<0.05.Result: A significant decrease in the mean volume (P<0.05) and diameter (P<0.001) of seminiferous tubules, height of the germinal epithelium (P<0.01), thickness of the basement membrane (P<0.001) and the number of spermatocytes and spermatids (p<0.001) and a significant increase in the mean volume of the interstitial tissue was observed in the sodium arsenite group compared to the control ones (p<0.05). The above parameters were significantly compensated to the control level in the sodium arsenite+curcumin group.Conclusions: Curcumin can compensate the harmful effects of sodium arsenite on the testicular tissue and spermatogenic cell populations in adult mice. Therefore, it is suggested as a supplement in the case of arsenite intoxication.

Background & Aims: Lipotoxicity is the process through which accumulation of lipid intermadiates leads to cellular dysfunction. The worldwide prevalence of cardiovascular diseases has been increased dramatically due to lipotoxicity. According to the peformed studies, saturated and unsaturated fatty acids differ significantly in their contributions to lipotoxicity. It has been reported that linolenic acid prevents lipotocixity in rat hepatocytes. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of linolenic acid on the lipotoxicity induced by palmitic acid in adult rat cardiomyocyte.Methods: Ventricular heart muscle cells were isolated and seeded into 24-well-plates. Cells were randomly treated with palmitic acid (0.5 mM), linolenic acid (0.5 mM), palmitic acid+linolenic acid (0.5 mM+0.5 mM) or left as control. Triacylglycerol (TAG), diacylglycerol (DAG), DNA fragmentation and percent of viability were measured at 24, 48 hours.Results: Linolenic acid decreased DAG and DNA fragmentation and increased TAG and viability when co-administrated with palmitic acid in comparison with palmitic acid alone (P<0.05).Conclusion: In conclusion, linolenic acid significantly eliminates induced lipotoxicity induced by palmitic acid in primary adult rat cardiomyocytes culture.

Background & Aims: Diabetic neuropathy can lead to atrophy and weakness of distally located muscles and lack of neurotrophic support is believed to contribute to the development of these consequences. So, the aim of the present study was to investigate BDNF and TrKB gene expression in soleus muscle of Wistar male rats with diabetic neuropathy following endurance training.Methods: A total of 16 Wistar male rats were randomly assigned in 4 groups: diabetic trained (DT), diabetic Non-trained (DNT), normal trained (NT) and normal control (NC). Two weeks after STZ injection (45 mg/Kg), diabetic neuropathy was demonstrated with mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia tests. Then, moderate endurance training protocol was performed for 6 weeks and 48 hours after the final training session, rats were dissected and soleus muscle tissues were removed. BDNF and TrkB gene expression was determined with Real time- PCR methods.Results: Soleus muscle weight decreased in diabetic groups (p=0.001); even though, compared with DNT group, it was higher in DT group (p=0.001). BDNF and TrkB gene expression in DNT group was higher than NC group (p=0.001). Also, training significantly decreased BDNF and TrkB gene expression and blood glucose levels in DT group compared with DNT group (P=0.001 and P=0.0001, respectively).Conclusion: In soleus muscle of diabetic rats, BDNF and TrkB mRNA up-regulation is involved in the development of muscle atrophy and training as a non-pharmacotherapy strategy can modulate it. So, considering BDNF and TrkB as novel therapeutic targets in diabetes disease is suggested.

Background & Aims: The aim of the present study was to use a psychological model to explain the effect of trait anxiety and induced anxiety on individual’s performance in updating function of working memory. This study was also designed to test attentional control theory of Eysenck et al.Methods: Throngh Multistage Cluster sampling method, 330 freshman university students were asked to complete the trait part of Spielberger's State-Trait Anxiety Inventor. After scoring, 24 subjects from the upper 25 percent of distribution were selected as high trait anxiety group, and 24 subjects from the lower 25 percent of distribution were selected as low trait anxiety group. Then, the subjects were tested in normal and induced anxiety conditions. The performance in updating function was investigated with both of processing efficacy and performance effectiveness. Data were analyzed using mixed repeated measures, modified bone ferreni post hoc test and independent t- test.Results: The results showed the effect of trait anxiety on processing efficacy in updating function of working memory. Also, in addition to processing efficacy, performance effectiveness was impaired in the induced anxiety condition.Conclusion: The results provided support for attentional control theory of Eysenck et al; That is, the high trait anxiety group increased their effort in order to maintain levels of performance. The high trait anxiety group, in addition to increasing mental effort, had lower cognitive function in the induced anxiety condition.

Background & Aims: Ghavoot, a traditional product of Kerman, depending on its formulation is a mixture of several seeds, nuts and medicinal plants seeds milled with sugar. In spite of limitted scientific studies, this traditional product is being widely offered to consumers by claiming several health promoting effects. The aim of this study was to evaluate major constituents and antioxidant properties of Ghavoot.Methods: To prepare eight common mixtures of Ghavoot, the nuts, medicinal plants seeds were cleaned roasted and milled with a certain amount of sugar. The analysis of samples and peroxide and acidity values of the extracted oils were performed. Total phenolic content and antioxidant activity of Ghavoot samples were measured after reflux extraction with 80% ethanol.Results: The results showed a significant difference between Ghavoot samples in term of moisture (1.17-3.03%), carbohydrate (51.12-88.22%), protein (4.04-12.61%), fiber (0.53-7.67%), ash (0.97-3.22%) and oil (1.58-25.65%). Based on the results, the acidity and peroxide values of extracted oil from Ghavoot samples were respectively between 1-72% and 0.15-1.72, meq/kg oil. In addition, the total phenolic content of Ghavoot samples was in the range of 15.71-748.57 mg gallic acid equivalents/100 gr Ghavoot. The highest phenolic content was observed in coffee Ghavoot and the least was found in cardamom+sugar Ghavoot.Conclusion: Seeds of medicinal plants and nuts that used in Ghavoot can be suitable sources of essential compounds for human body. Also, the phenolic extracts obtained from some Ghavoot samples had considerable phenolic content and antioxidant activity.

Background & Aims: Repair of defective restoration is more conservative than replacing it. Veneering the amalgam restorations with opaque resin materials can satisfy the esthetic demands. Evaluation of interfacial bond quality between amalgam and composite surface is one of the important factors in assessing the quality of repaired amalgam which can be achieved by micro leakage test and bond strength test. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of introduced amalgam and also the bonding agent on shear bond strength of amalgam and composite interface.Methods: First, 72 acrylic models (20*33 mm) were provided and categorized into two groups of A and B. we used Tytin (kerr, USA) amalgam in group A and Cinalux (Shahid faghihi, Tehran) amalgam in group B. Amalgam surface was scratched by using a diamond bur. All the groups were etched and rinsed. In A1 group, nothing was done after etching and rinsing. In A2 group, single bond and in A3 group Excite was used. B1, B2 and B3 groups were respectively prepared like A1, A2 and A3 groups. DenFil composite was used in all groups. Shear bond strength was assessed by using Universal testing machine. All the specimens were seen under stereo microscope (Olympus, Germany) with 75% magnification. Tukey HSD test was used for statistical analysis.Results: In the groups which were filled with Tytin, A3 group had significantly higher bond strength than A1 group (P=0.001). In groups which were filled with Sinalux, B3 group had significantly higher bond strength than B1 and B2 groups (P=0.001 and 0.03 respectively). Bond strength was significantly higher in A1 compare to B1, A2 compare to B2, and A3 compared to B3 (P=0.001).Conclusion: According to the obtained results, the type of introduced amalgam and also the bonding agent can affect shear bond strength of amalgam and composite interface. Tytin amalgam compared to Cinalux amalgam can create more shear bond strength. Also, excite bonding causes higher bond strength compared to single bond.

Uterine sarcomas are very unique tumors with mesodermial origin and accounting for 2-6% of uterine cancers. In general, uterine sarcomas are the most malignant tumors of the uterus. Their usual histologic types are endometrial estromal sarcoma, lieomyosarcoma and malignant mixed mullerian tumor or carcinosarcoma.In this case report, a 19 year old woman with chief complaint of abnormal uterine bleeding from 1 year ago is presented. The patient had 3 times curettage in this period and due to the last pathology report that was suspicious for uterine sarcoma referred to Afzali Poor Hospital. In the last sonography, a huge pelvic mass was reported with hydronephrosis and dilated left ureter. Furthermore, in the last CT scan a suspicious mass in favor of leiomyoma was reported too. In laparotomy surgery due to frozen section report of fibro sarcoma, hysterectomy and bilateral salpigo oophorectomy was done. In final pathology, endometrial stromal sarcoma was reported. Endometrial stromal sarcoma accounts for 15% of uterine sarcomas usually seen in perimenopausal period. The usual symptom of this tumor is abnormal uterine bleeding. Some of these patients are asymptomatic. The main therapy of these patients is total hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo oophorecomy.

Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) also known as germ stem cells (GSCs) are the basis of spermatogenesis process in the testis. Furthermore, they are also valuable cells with different applications in developmental biology, transgenesis technology, and clinic. Understanding the new findings related to the cell and molecular biology of SSCs and the methods for isolation and maintenance of these cells are important and essential for their applications in medicine to treat some infertility problems and also in biotechnology to produce transgenic animals. The present review was conducted to describe the cell and molecular basis of development, self-renewal, and differentiation of mammalian and poultry SSCs in vivo (natural niche) and in vitro. Moreover, this study represents specific molecular markers to characterize SSCs. We also introduce methods to isolate, cultivate and enrich these cells, which are important for their applications. Finally, the significance of SSCs in different fields and their practical perspectives, and also the differentiation potential of other stem cells into spermatogonial- and spermatic-like cells are discussed.

Invasive fungal infections with high mortality rate are a growing health concern in hospitals and medical centers. The infection usually occurs in people with compromised immune systems. The purpose of this paper is a review of the most commonly prescribed antifungal drugs for invasive fungal diseases.Antifungals consist of the four main groups; polyenes, azoles, echinocandins and DNA and RNA synthesis inhibitors. Amphotericin B is one of the most significant antifungal agents effective against Aspergillus, Candida and Mucor species, but due to several side effects, it is not used for prophylaxis. Its lipid formulation has lower toxicity. Azoles have an extensive activity against a broad spectrum of filamentous fungi and Candida species. Voriconazole is the drug of choice in the prophylaxis and treatment of the patients susceptible to Aspergillus infections. Posaconazole is an oral azole used to treat mucormycosis.5-fluorocytosine is an antifungal drug with intracellular mechanisms that is used routinely for the treatment of cryptococcal meningitis. Echinocandins are the latest family of antifungal agents and include caspofungin, anidulafungin and micafungin. They are effective against Candida and can serve as an alternative for azoles.There is a variety of antifungal treatments and monotherapy has been the best; however, to prevent side effects of a medicine with high-dose and resistance, combination treatments are under investigation.