Journal of Arak University of Medical Sciences

Changes in the Expression of SGO1 and SGO1-AS1 Genes in Colorectal Tumor Tissues, Compared to Healthy Tissues

Maryam Peymani

Background and Aim: The protein encoded by the SGO1 gene is a member of the shugoshin family of proteins and protects the centromere during mitosis. lncRNAs are non-coding RNA with 200 nucleotides lengths, i.e., involved in regulating gene expression. The current study aimed to evaluate the expression of SGO1 and SGO1-AS1 in different stages of disease progression; we also compared their expression pattern in tumor tissues with healthy tissues in colorectal cancer patients.
Methods & Materials: In total, 40 tissue samples of patients with colorectal cancer were reported according to the examination and criteria with the approval of a pathologist. Besides, 40 normal tissues were sampled from a completely healthy part of the intestine of the same patients. After RNA extraction and cDNA synthesis, the Real-time RT-PCR technique was used to evaluate the expression of the desired genes in the study groups. ROC curve analysis was also used to determine the ability of each selected gene to diagnose the disease.
Ethical Considerations: This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Shahrekord Azad University (Code: IR.IAU.SHKREC.1398.020).
Results The obtained data suggested that SGO1 significantly decreased in the colorectal cancer tumor samples (P<0.001) and SGO1-AS1 LncRNA significantly increased expression, compared to adjacent healthy tissues. Additionally, in the age group of below 60 years, compared to the age group of over 60 years, SGO1 expression increased and SGO1-AS1 expression decreased. Based on the AUC obtained from the ROC diagram, it was found that the SGO1 gene with AUC=0.8041 and SGO1-AS1 with AUC=0.6364 could significantly distinguish a healthy population from patients with colorectal cancer.
Conclusion: According to the collected results, SGO1 -AS1 and SGO1 were significantly reduced and increased in tumor tissue, respectively; however, only the SGO1 gene was introduced as a good marker for diagnosing colorectal cancer.

Survival Analysis of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus in Iranian Patients: A Multistate Model

Rasoul Najafi

Background and Aim: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) caused by Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), is a chronic and potentially life-threatening disease. Numerous factors affect its development and progression. Therefore, the present study attempted to identify characteristics impacting the prognosis and progression of AIDS using multistate models.
Methods & Materials: The present retrospective study consisted of 2185 patients affected with HIV referring to Behavioral Disease Counseling Centers in Tehran City, Iran, from 2004 to 2013. We considered multiple states of AIDS, tuberculosis, and tuberculosis/AIDS in the natural history of the disease (from the onset of HIV disease until death occurred). Then, we applied the multistate models, to examine the effect of contextual demographic and clinical variables on survival time; subsequently, the transition probabilities of HIV.
Ethical Considerations: This study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of Hamadan University of Medical Sciences (Code: IR.UMSHA.REC.1396.117).
Results: HIV-Related deaths in individuals with an incarnation history were 2.40 times higher than in those without the prison history. Death risk was also 1.70 and 1.80 times higher in those aged 25-44 and 44 years, respectively, compared to the individuals aged less than 25 years. An inverse relationship was also found between CD4 levels and the risk of death in our participants.
Conclusion: Antiretroviral therapy, CD4 count, age, and history of imprisonment were the main factors in the progression of the disease and subsequent death in HIV patients. Thus, preventing the further spread of the disease to the community and controlling the disease in the patients requires targeted educational and therapeutic interventions; accordingly, the community will be familiarized with transmission routes and the preventing principle of disease. Furthermore, we can encourage patients to visit the healthcare centers early.

Evaluating Specivity, Sensitivity, Positive and Negative Predictive Values of CA125 for Diagnosing Ovarian Cancer

Neda Nasirian

Background and Aim: Ovarian cancer is among the most common cancers in women worldwide. CA125 is the most frequent biomarker used in the screening for ovarian cancer. CA125 has no high sensitivity and specificity as a screening test in the medical community; however, because of being simple and noninvasive, it is almost always requested for evaluation and ruling out cancer. It plays an important role in the treatment and post-treatment process, the prediction of prognosis, and the relapse of the disease. The present study aimed to determine the relationship between a high level of CA125 tumor marker and ovarian cancer by detecting spesivity, sensivity, positive and negative predictive values.
Methods & Materials: In this cross-sectional study, all cases undergoing CA125 test in Velayat Hospital in
2017-1028 were evaluated for having ovarian cancer. In addition, the CA125 level was compared between healthy individuals and patients with ovarian cancer. Finally, the obtained data were analyzed using SPSS.
Ethical Considerations: The present study was approved by the Qazvin University of Medical Sciences (Ethics Code: IR.QUMS.REC.1396.316).
Results: In this study, 35.3% of the study participants received a definite diagnosis of ovarian cancer. Generally, CA125 values were negative in 41.8% and positive in.58.2% of the study subjects. The sensitivity of the test was measured as 80.1%, the specivity as 53.6%, the positive predictive value equaled 48.4%, and the negative predictive value was measured as 83%. There was a significant relationship between age and the presence of ovarian cancer, and serum CA125 levels.
Conclusion: The present study suggested that age and the serum level of CA125 were statistically significant. Finally, CA125 levels were significantly related to ovarian cancer. It provided moderate specivity and specivity as well as low positive predictive value and high negative predictive value as a tumor marker; it is valuable for ruling out of tumor but not appropriate as a screening test.

The Effects of Topical Vitamin C on Burn Wound Healing

Hamid Robat Sarpooshi

Background and Aim: Topical supplements and vitamins have often been used to accelerate the healing of burn wounds. This study investigated the effects of topical application of vitamin C solution on burn wounds.
Methods & Materials: This research was performed on 30 patients with extensive second-degree burns on one or two organs with similar burns. The study subjects were randomly divided into the intervention and control groups. The intervention group received topical application of vitamin C solution in addition to silver sulfadiazine ointment in the burn area; however, only silver sulfadiazine ointment was applied in the burn area in the control group. The wounds were examined and scored on days 1, 3, 7, and 14 using the Bates-Jensen Wound Assessment Tool. The collected data were analyzed in SPSS using repeated-measures Analysis of Variance (ANOVA).
Ethical Considerations: This study was approved by the ethics committee of sabzevar university medical sciences. (Code: IR.MEDSAB.REC.1394.60).
Results Eighteen of the 30 examined patients were male and 12 were female. Their Mean±SD age and body mass index were 43.03±11.90 years and 27.82±4.08 kg/m2, respectively.
Conclusion: The repeated-measures ANOVA data indicated that the study groups were significantly different concerning the final mean scores given to the wounds (P=0.047). In other words, the research groups significantly differed in wound healing; thus, topical application of vitamin C significantly improved wound healing in the study participants.

The Antioxidant Effects of Ginger Extract on Bioavailability and Oxidative Stress-induced Apoptosis in Mesenchymal Stem Cells of Human Adipose Tissue and Rat Bone Marrow

Leila Rouhi

Background and Aim: Proliferate potential differentiate into different cell lineages and high self-renewal of Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs); thus, they are ideal tools for regenerative medicine. However, a leading problem is an oxidative stress in the target tissue and the apoptosis of transplanted stem cells before tissue repair. The pretreatment of stem cells with antioxidants may make them resistant to oxidative stress. Ginger is the main medicinal plant with antioxidant properties. This study explored the antioxidant effects of ginger extract on bioavailability and oxidative stress-induced apoptosis in human adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells and rat bone marrow examined.
Methods & Materials: In this study, human adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells and rat bone marrow were cultured in a DMEM medium with 20% FBS. The explored cells were incubated for 4 and 6 hours for pretreatment with different concentrations of ginger extract (50, 100, 200, & 400 mg/mL); then, they were treated with 200 μM H2O2 for 2 hours. Bioavailability was analyzed by ELISA reader using an MTS kit and apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry using an Annexin V-FITC/PI kit into the manufacturer’s protocol at both times. The obtained data were analyzed by Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) using SPSS.
Ethical Considerations: This study was approved by the Ethics Research Committee of Shahrekord Branch, Islamic Azad University (Code: IR.IAU.SHK.REC.1397.028).
Results: The MTS results indicated a dose- and time-dependent manner increase in the bioavailability of human adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal treated stem cells. Ginger extract treatment also dose- and time-dependently decreased the rate of apoptosis in rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells.
Conclusion: Ginger extract, by reducing the oxidative stress in mesenchymal stem cells, elevates their lifespan in the target tissue, and increases the efficiency of these cells in tissue regeneration.

Predicting Resilience Based on Dark Triad Personality and Psychological Wellbeing in Athletes Students

Abbas Abolghasemi

Background and Aim: The concept of resilience has been recently extensively considered concerning sports studies; accordingly, in most qualitative studies, it has been used to explore the attitudes of coaches, athletes, and sports psychologists. In this regard, the present study aimed to determine resilience in athletic students based on dark triad personality and psychological wellbeing.
Methods & Materials: This was a descriptive and correlational study. The population of the study consisted of all male students of Guilan University of Physical Education in the first semester of the academic year 2019-2020. A sample of 200 individuals was selected by convenience sampling method; then, the required data were collected using Sheard et al.’s (2009) Resilience Scale for Adults, Jonsson and Webster’s Dark Triad Personality Questionnaire, and Ryff’s 18-item Psychological Wellbeing Scale (1989). The obtained data were analyzed by SPSS using Pearson correlation coefficient and multiple regression analysis.
Ethical Considerations: This study was approved by Research Ethics Committee of Guilan University of Medical Sciences (Code: IR.GUMS.REC.1398.121).
Results: The present research results suggested a positive and significant correlation between the resilience of the examined athletic students and narcissism (r=0.495, P<0.001), self-acceptance (r=0.598, P<0.001), purposefulness in life (r=0.556, P<0.001), personal growth (r=0.648, P<0.001), the mastery of the environment (r=0.645, P<0.001), positive correlation with others (r=0.569, P<0.001), and independence (r=0.381, P<0.001). Moreover, there was a significant negative correlation between antisocial behavior (r=-0.557, P<0.001) and Machiavelli’s aspect (r=-0.604, P<0.001), and the explored students’ resilience. Additionally, multiple regression analysis data revealed that dark triad personality and psychological wellbeing predict 62% of resilience in the study subjects.
Conclusion: The current investigation results signified a significant correlation between dark triad personality and psychological wellbeing, and resilience in athletic students. Accordingly, educators and teachers need to pay more attention to the role of psychological wellbeing and different dimensions of athletes’ personalities for promoting the health and performance of students.

The Effects of Teaching Sexual Satisfaction Model on Couple Burnout

Omid Moradi

Background and Aim: The quality of sexual satisfaction of couples plays an essential role in marital dissatisfaction; therefore, sexual satisfaction training can be effective in reducing this marital problem. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of sexual satisfaction model training on reducing couples’ distress among couples referring to counseling centers.
Methods & Materials: This was a quasi-experimental study with pretest-posttest and a control group design. The statistical population of the study included all couples referring to counseling centers in Sanandaj City, in the academic year of 2019-2020. The instruments used in this research were Couple Burnout Measure (CBM). After selecting the sample and randomly forming two groups of 30 experimental and control groups, a pretest was conducted on the study groups. The researcher provided eight 90-minutes training sessions to the experimental group as a model of sexual satisfaction. The obtained data were analyzed using SPSS.
Ethical Considerations: This study was approved by Ethics Committee of Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences (Code: IR.MUK.REC.1397.5037).
Results: The current research results revealed a significant difference (P≤0.001) between the experimental and control groups concerning marital boredom (F=35.581) and its dimensions, including physical fatigue (F=25.074), emotional exhaustion (F=39.031), and mental exhaustion (F=35.020); the effect of the educational program was equal to 0.42, 0.31, 0.41, and 0.39, respectively.
Conclusion: The present study findings indicated that sex education model training was effective in reducing couples’ referrals to counseling centers.

Comparing Enamel Microhardness in Decidous Teeth With Primary Carious Lesions After Applying Three Fluoride Containing Materials in Vitro

Shima Nourmohammadi

Background and Aim: For decades, using fluoride has been introduced to prevent the development and progression of primary carious lesions. Increased surface microhardness of primary caries is among the essential factors in preventing lesion progression and cavity formation. The present study aimed to compare the microhardness changes of primary caries treated with 3 products, containing fluoride (varnish, toothpaste, & mouthwash) in dental teeth.
Methods & Materials: In this study, 45 extracted human deciduous molars were used. Using a diamond-winning disc, enamel blocks with a dimension of 1 x 4 x 4 mm were prepared from the buccal surface of the teeth, i.e., healthy and without structural defects; they were mounted in acrylic self-adhesive. Initial microhardness test (Vicker’s test) with a force of 300 gr and Dwell time for 15 seconds was applied on samples. Next, artificial caries with the standard solution were created in all samples and the microhardness of samples was recorded at this stage. The study samples were randomly divided into 3 groups of 15, treated with fluoride varnish, mouthwash, and toothpaste. Then, the microhardness of samples was re-measured. The mean surface microhardness was compared between the study groups by Independent Samples t-test and Bonferroni test. All analyses were performed using SPSS at the significance level of P<0.05.
Ethical Considerations: This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Arak University of Medical Science (Code: IR.ARAKMU.REC.1397.264).
Results: Increase in surface microhardness of primary caries in fluoride varnish group was statistically significant; in GC MI paste plus toothpaste and Oral B mouthwash was non-significant. The research samples treated by fluoride varnish had a higher surface microhardness, compared to toothpaste and mouthwash.
Conclusion: According to the present research results, fluoride varnish was superior to fluoride mouthwash and toothpaste in improving the microhardness of primary dental caries.

The Awareness and Attitude of General Dentists on Dental Implants Follow-up

Vahideh Nazari

Background and Aim: Considering the increasing use of dental implants in replacing lost teeth, the odds of failure over time in this treatment are inevitable, as with other dental treatments; thus, it requires careful and regular follow-up. Accordingly, the present study aimed to evaluate the awareness and attitude of general dentists about the follow-up of the dental implants to create baseline information to schedule future workshops concerning dental implants.
Methods & Materials: In this analytic cross-sectional study, 98 general dentists of Arak City, Iran were evaluated. Questionnaires were designed in 3 sections, as follows: demographic, awareness, and attitude. After checking the validity and reliability of the questionnaires, they were distributed among the research participants. The obtained data were analyzed using descriptive analysis, Chi-squared test, and Independent Samples t-tests. The significance level was considered 0.05.
Ethical Considerations: This article was approved by the Ethics Committee of Arak University of Medical Sciences (Code: IR.ARAKMU.REC.1397.283).
Results: The average score of awareness of the questionnaires was equal to 10.8 (based on the score of 0-19); the mean score of attitude was measured as 12.8 (based on the score of 7-21). Fifty-Three of the explored dentists had performed implant treatment, whose awareness and attitude toward implants follow-up were significantly higher than those of the dentists who did not perform such treatment (P=0.0001). Work experience presented no significant effect on the examined dentists’ awareness and attitude (P>0.05).
Conclusion: General dentists have low awareness and attitude about implant follow-up. Follow-up plays an important role in the long-term success of implant therapy; therefore, dental education/retraining programs should be reviewed in this field.

Comparing Family-related Factors, Nutritional-behavioral Habits, and Lifestyle Between Obese and Non-obese Children

Yazdan Ghandi

Background and Aim: Considering the importance of childhood obesity and easier correction of related factors in this age group, the present study aimed to investigate the role of some factors related to family, nutrition, and lifestyle on childhood obesity.
Methods & Materials: This age-matched case-control study was performed on 150 obese and 150 healthy children, aged 2-15 years referring to Amir-Kabir Hospital in Arak City, Iran. Obesity was calculated based on Body Mass Index (BMI). Required information, including family factors, nutritional factors, and lifestyle characteristics were collected by a checklist.
Ethical Considerations: This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Arak University of Medical Sciences (Code: IR.ARAKMU.REC.1396.119).
Results The results of Odds Ratio (OR) with 95% of Confidence Interval (CI) were in favor of father’s age of 25-35 and over 35 years (0.24), respectively, father’s overweight and obesity (3.87 and 3.57), mother’s overweight and obesity (3.81 and 5.5)7, more than three children per household (3.33), low and high consumption of fruits and vegetables (0.3 and 0.19), breakfast eating (0.43), dietary supplementation (2.68), consuming fast food (3.98), more than two hours of playing a computer game (3.5), chewing well (0.38), using food as a reward (1.89), as well as participating in food and table preparation (3.14). We found a dose-response association between children’s obesity and parents’ BMI, the number of children, and computer games.
Conclusion: Obesity is associated with some factors related to the family, such as nutrition, computer games, and lifestyle characteristics. Due to various risk factors and adjustable safeguards, it is necessary to provide families and children with proper education to reduce obesity.

Comparing the Effects of Cognitive-behavioral Therapy and Zolpidem 10 mg on Illness Perception and Sleep Efficiency in Individuals With Chronic Insomnia

Behzad Salmani

Background & Aim: This study aimed at comparing efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy, Zolpidem 10 mg, and waiting list group on illness perception and sleep efficiency in individuals with chronic insomnia disorder.
Materials & Methods: Participants included 74 (female = 43) individuals with chronic insomnia disorder who were recruited from 2018 December to 2020 February by purposive sampling (inclusive & exclusive criteria). Then, patients randomly allocated to one of the three conditions, including cognitive behavioral therapy (N=25), pharmacotherapy (Zolpidem 10 mg.; N=29), and the waiting list (N=20). All patients were assessed three times at pretreatment, post-treatment, and 3-month follow-up by the Persian version of Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire and Sleep Efficiency Index. The data were analyzed by mixed analysis of variance with Bonferroni post-hoc test and repeated measure analysis of variance.
Ethical Considerations: All stages of the research have been carried after taking supervising and approving of Kharazmi University's ethics in research committee.
Findings: The patients who received cognitive behavioral therapy compared to patients in waiting list group, obtained significantly lower scores in illness perception and sleep efficiency during post-treatment and 3-month follow-up. Efficacy of pharmacotherapy only observed during post-treatment but there were no significant differences between pharmacotherapy and waiting list patients during 3-month follow-up.
Conclusion: Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia reduced significantly illness perceptions and sleep efficiency during 3 months. All the treatment gains remain stable even 3 months later treatment ends. In addition, not receiving any treatment in waiting list and gradually discontinued the treatment in pharmacotherapy group leads to decreasing of sleep efficiency and increasing of illness perception.

Comparing the Effects of Cognitive-Behavioral Group Therapy and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy on Multidimensional Pain Symptoms in Breast Cancer Patients

Javid Peymani

Background and Aim: In every age of history, human beings have been afflicted with the fear of disease. Undoubtedly, cancer is among the most concerning diseases; cancer pain is among the major pains. The present study aimed to compare the effects of cognitive-behavioral group therapy and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy on multidimensional pain symptoms in patients with breast cancer.
Methods & Materials: The present study was applied concerning the purpose and applied a quasi-experimental with pretest-posttest, a two-month follow-up, and control group design. The statistical population was all women with breast cancer referring to Tehran Cancer Research Center in 2018 who were selected by convenience sampling method, consisting of 30 patients. They were randomly divided into two groups of intervention and the control group. The repeated-measures Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used to analyze the obtained data. The research instrument was a multidimensional pain questionnaire (West Hyun-Yale) to evaluate multiple pain indices.
Results: The current study results suggested that cognitive-behavioral therapy and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy were effective on pain experience (P<0.001); however, there was no significant difference between the intervention groups respecting pain experience.
Conclusion Based on the present research findings, cognitive-behavioral therapy and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy impacted the management and pain intensity of patients with breast cancer.