Journal of Arak University of Medical Sciences

Protective Effect of Nano-Zinc Oxide on Reproductive System and Fertility of Adult Male Wistar Rats Following Doxorubicin Treatment

seyed Davood Hosseini

Background: Doxorubicin (DOX) is a widely used anticancer drug, but its use in clinical chemotherapy is limited due to its side effects, including testicular toxicity. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effect of nano-zinc oxide (nZnO) on DOX-induced reproductive toxicity in male rats.

Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups, including one control and three experimental groups. They received saline, DOX (6 mg/kg), nZnO (5 mg/kg), and nZnO followed by DOX (i.p), respectively. Treatment was performed for 3 days. After 28 days, post-administration histological changes and reproductive indices were studied.

Results: Administration of DOX induced a significant reduction in seminiferous tubules diameter and thickness of germinal epithelium. Also, fertility and fecundity indices, number of litters and epididymal sperm concentration, decreased, whereas degenerated Leydig cells and deformed Sertoli cells increased.

Conclusion: Coadministration of nZnO significantly improved DOX-induced changes. These findings show the protective role of nZnO in DOX-induced reproductive toxicity.

The Prevalence of Scoliosis in Pupils Aged 9-16 in Arak: 2011-2012

Ahmad Reza Behruzi

Background: Noticing the particular importance of timely detection of scoliosis due to its progression over the time and associated complications such as non-symmetric appearance, movement restrictions, and sometimes disturbance in cardiac or respiratory function, this screening study was designed to investigate the prevalence of scoliosis in pupils aged 9-16 in Arak.

Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 984 students aged 9-16 years in Arak, Iran, who were randomly selected by clustering method, were screened for scoliosis by Adams test and suspected pupils were examined by orthopedics and PA X-ray was applied for them. For diagnosis confirmation, the Cobb angle was calculated and angle>6 was considered as scoliosis.

Results: Based on the results, the prevalence of scoliosis was 1.52% and 1.21% in female students and 3.21% in male students. The Cobb angle of about 67% of the cases was less than 10 which indicated minor scoliosis.

Conclusion: The results of the present study necessitate school-based scoliosis screening so that early detection of the disease allows for implementation of a suitable treatment program which can prevent the development of the disease and the financial burden of surgery and its complications.

The Impact of Omega-3 Fatty Acids on Depression of Menopausal Women: A Randomized Double-Blind Clinical Trial

Zahra Shalikar

Background: Depression is one of the most commonly observed problems in menopausal women. This study was conducted to determine the effect of omega-3 fatty acids on menopausal depression in women referring to No. 1 Health Clinic of Ahvaz, Iran, in 2010.

Materials and Methods: This randomized double-blind clinical trial was done on 70 menopausal women experiencing various levels of depression. After administering the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D-21), the participants who met the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into intervention group (n=35) receiving a 2gr omega-3 capsules and control group (n=35) receiving 2 gr placebo capsules. After 8 weeks of intervention, data were collected and analyzed by Chi-square, independent t-test, and one-way ANOVA with repeated measures using SPSS software version 17.

Results: Mean depression scores decreased significantly (p<0.001) in the intervention group (13.36±2.23 to 8.72±3.71). Also, mean depression scores decreased (p>0.05) in the control group (13.25±2.04 to 11.78±2.93) however, it was not significant. The comparison of depression scores did not indicate a significant difference regarding the reduction of depression after intervention between the two groups (p=0.08).

Conclusion: According to the findings of this study, administration of omega-3 capsules (2gr/daily) for 8 weeks decreased menopausal depression. However, there was not a significant difference between omga-3 and placebo groups in this study. For a more precise observation of the effects, further studies with longer periods of intervention are needed.

Designing a Local Seizure Detection System Using Brain Mapping, Image Processing Techniques, and Artificial Neural Networks

Mahdi Tohidipour

Background: The general method for paraclinic diagnosis of epilepsy is electroencephalography that is performed by visual analysis by experienced neurologist. However, due to false detection and impossibility of evaluating electrodes and brain areas coherence, it is not uniquely used for seizure detection. In recent years, Quantitative Electroencephalogram (QEEG) has become a strong instrument for detection of brain disorders. Hence, studies in the field of EEG performance improvement and brain mapping images analysis corresponding to new methods that contain 2-D and 3-D output images and automatic epilepsy diagnosis are necessary.

Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, through extracting epilepsy feature by computing the energy of each EEG channel, brain map pattern of each patient was plotted using cubic interpolation and generalized and partial patterns and potential center of epilepsy were diagnosed by LVQ artificial neural network using image processing combination methods.

Results: In the proposed algorithm, 11 epilepsy brain mapping patterns, including 1 generalized and 10 partial seizure patterns, were automatically diagnosed.

Conclusion: Since seizure detection in the EEG signals is a complex procedure and the number of expert neurologists is small, this schema can be used for epilepsy diagnosis as an intelligent diagnosis method so that generalization of this method can help detect various brain disorders.

Productnin of Antigenic Region VacA Helicobacter Pylori in E.coli

Hamid Abtahi

Background: Helicobacter pylori is the most common bacteria causing chronic infections worldwide. An important virulence factor of H. pylori is a vacuolating cytotoxin (VacA) that induces the formation of acidic vacuoles in cytoplasm and damage to epithelial cells. The aim of this study was to examine the antigenic properties of the recombinant VacA of H. pylori in infected sera of mice and human.

Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, the highly antigenic region of VacA gene (1233 bp) was detected by bioinformatics methods, and it was amplified by PCR method and cloned into the pET32a expression vector. After expression and purification of the target protein, its antigenicity was studied by Western Blotting using human sera infected with H. pylori and sera from immunized mice infected with purified recombinant VacA.

Results: PCR and sequencing results showed that the target gene was correctly cloned into the recombinant vector. Antibodies used in Western Blotting indicated the production and expression of the recombinant protein (65kDa) with concentration of 2.1 mg/ml.

Conclusion: Recombinant VacA protein has antigenic and immunogenic properties thus, it is a proper candidate for designing H. pylori vaccine and diagnostic kits

Auditory Steady-State Response and Auditory Brainstem Responses Thresholds in Neonate and Children with Moderate to Severe and Severe to Profound Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Maryam Delphi

Background: ASSR is the latest threshold detection technology in pediatric audiology. The aim of this study is to investigate the degree to which ASSR thresholds correlate with click-ABR thresholds.

Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 32 children ranging in age from birth to 7 years were evaluated by ASSR and ABR in moderate to severe and severe to profound hearing loss groups.

Results: The correlation coefficients for frequencies of 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000, mean of 2-4 and mean of 1-4 kHz were between 0.68- 0.90 in moderate to severe hearing loss and 0.79-0.96 in severe to profound hearing loss.

Conclusion: Strong correlations were found between ASSR and click-ABR thresholds in all frequencies. This correlation was greater for higher degrees of hearing loss.

The Effect of Exercise Training on Stress-Induced Changes in Learning

Naser Naghdi

Background: Exercise can counteract the negative effects of stress, but variations in exercise protocols and intensities have generated different results. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of immobilization stress on cognitive performance and the moderating role of exercise.

Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, adult Albino-Wistar rats were randomly assigned to 5 groups. The animals underwent immobilization stress (2 hours per day×7 day), exercise (30 minutes per day×7 day), or no intervention. The rats were trained and tested using Morris water maze.

Results: The control group had better performance than the stress group in acquisition (p<0.01) and recall (p<0.05) in Morris water maze. There was not a significant difference between exercise-stress and control groups in water maze performance. Stress increased corticosterone levels (p<0.001), but exercise had a significant effect on decrement of corticosteron levels (p<0.001). Also, despite the absence of a significant difference between sham and exercise groups in the acquisition stage, the exercise group had a better performance in the recall stage (p<0.05).

Conclusion: Immobilization stress can impair acquisition and mild exercise has a protective effect against stress-induced negative effects. Corticosterone may be a major mediator in the protective effect of exercise against stress-induced cognitive impairment. In addition, the role of exercise in retrieval of past experiences is more prominent than their acquisition.

Comparison of the Accuracy of Intraocular Lens Power Calculation Based On the Axial Length of the Eye

Ahmad Sarvarian

Background: For calculating intraocular lens (IOL) power required for cataract surgery, ultrasonic biometry is used and the axial length of the eye is the most important error in this estimation. Therefore, the aim of this study is to evaluate the final refractive power based on the axis length of the eye in patients undergoing phacoemulsification cataract surgery.

Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, from June 2010 till December 2011, 446 eyes which underwent phacoemulsification cataract surgery were investigated. Biometry was performed before cataract surgery to achieve emmetropia in all eyes. Based on the axis length of the eye, patients were classified into four groups: less than 22 mm, 22-24.5 mm, 24.5-26 mm, and more than 26 mm.

Results: There was not a significant difference in mean absolute value of final refractive power deviation from zero. The highest amount of mean absolute value of final refractive power deviation from zero was in myopia group which was equal to 1.52±1.17 diopter. However, there was not a significant difference in the amounts of mean absolute value of final refractive power deviation from zero according to axial length of the eye (p=0.081).

Conclusion: With increases in axial length of the eye, intraocular lens power calculation decreases, but the absolute difference of means is not significant in two apparatuses.

A Comparative Study of the Effects of Matricaria Chamomilla Extract and Mefenamic Acid on the Severity of Premenstrual Syndrome Symptoms

Masoumeh Simbar

Background: Some clinical trials have revealed the effects of Matricaria chamomilla on premenstrual syndrome symptoms. This study was done to compare the effects of Matricaria chamomilla extract and mefenamic acid on the severity of premenstrual syndrome symptoms.

Materials and Methods: In a randomized double-blind clinical trial, 90 students completed daily rating form for the diagnosis of premenstrual syndrome symptoms and its severity for two consecutive cycles. After verification, they were randomly divided into two equal groups. The participants received one 100 mg capsule of Matricaria chamomillaor 250 mg mefenamic acid three times daily from day 21 of menstrual cycle till the beginning of the menstruation. They completed the daily symptom rating form at the same time.

Results: General severity reduction of symptoms was significantly greater among Matricaria chamomilla extract users (25±13.8 and 28±14.5%) than that among mefenamic acid users (14.8±18.5 and 16.2±18.2%) after the first and second cycles (p<0.05). Severity of emotional symptoms was significantly higher among Matricaria chamomilla extract users (30.1±26.6 and 33.4±25.3%) than that among mefenamic acid-users (11.6±25.7 and 10.7±26.8%) after two cycles intervention (p>0.05).Reduction of physical symptoms was not significantly different between the two groups (p>0.05).

Conclusion: Matricaria chamomilla reduces the severity of symptoms of premenstrual syndrome symptoms during treatment. Matricaria chamomilla effect on the severity of general and emotional symptoms of premenstrual syndrome symptoms is greater than that of mefenamic acid.

The Neuroprotective Effects of Hydroalcoholic Extract of Nigella Sativa on Alpha Motoneurons Degeneration After Sciatic Nerve Injury in Rats

maryam tehranipoor

Background: Peripheral nervous system damages reverse as retrograde to alpha neuron cell bodies and cause spinal degeneration. The fact that herbs, due to their antioxidant properties, have an important role in viability and reproduction of neurons has led to the application of their extracts. Hence, this study was done to determine the neuro-protective effects of the hydroalcoholic extract of Nigella sativa on alpha-motoneurons degeneration after sciatic nerve injury in rats.

Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 24 male Wistar rats with average bodyweight of 250-300gr were divided into four groups of six: Control, compression, A (compression+hydroalcoholic extract 50 mg/kg), and B (compression+hydroalcoholic extract 75 mg/kg). In compression and treatment groups, the right leg sciatic nerve was subjected to compression (30 seconds). In treatment groups, the extract was injected intraperitoneally two times after compression. After 28 days, lumbar segments of spinal cord, L2-L4, were sampled through perfusion method. After going through tissue passage stages, they were cut in serial sections (7µ) and stained with toluidine blue. Then the density of alpha motoneurons of the spinal cord ventral horn was measured by dissector method.

Results: Neuronal density showed a significant difference between the compression and control groups (p<0.05). Also, in treatment groups A and B, it had a significant increase compared to the compression group (p<0.05).

Conclusion: The results indicated that the hydroalcoholic extract of Nigella sativa has neuro-protective effects and the increase in neuronal density is relevant to the amount of extract used.

The Effect of Aerobic Training on Functional Capacity and Percent Body Fat in Women with Moderate Multiple Sclerosis

Abdolhossein Parnow

Background: Multiple sclerosis is a chronic disease of the central nervous system which leads to myelin destruction. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of aerobic training on functional capacity and percent body fat in women with moderate multiple sclerosis.

Materials and Methods: In this clinical trial, 15 women with multiple sclerosis (aged 33.68±8.22 years) with EDSS<4 were randomly divided into experimental (n=8) and control (n=7) groups. An aerobic program prolonged for 8 weeks, 3 days/week, 20-40 minutes/day, with 60-80% of HRmax was run in the experimental group. Some functional capacities, such as speed running, walking endurance, balance, and VO2 Max, as well as BF% were measured before and after the training program in both groups.

Results: The results showed that aerobic training led to significant increases in walking endurance, walking speed, balance, and VO2max (p<0.001). These indices, however, decreased significantly in the control group (p<0.05). Additionally, after the training program, percent body fat decreased significantly in the experimental group (p=0.005), but it increased significantly in control group (p=0.002).

Conclusion: Considering the findings of this study, it can be stated that aerobic training can improve functional capacity and decrease percent body fat in multiple sclerosis patients

Food Insecurity Status and Some Associated Socioeconomic Factors Among Newly Diagnosed Patients With Type 2 Diabetes in Shiraz, 2012

Ahmad Reza Dorosty Motlagh

Background: Food insecurity is defined as the limited or uncertain availability of enough food for an always active and healthy life. Diabetes mellitus, one of the most common metabolic diseases, has been associated with significant morbidity and mortality and it is considered a health priority in Iran. Recent studies indicate the widespread prevalence of food insecurity and diabetes mellitus in Iranian society. This study reviews the status of food insecurity and effective socio-economic factors in people with type 2 diabetes.

Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 135 patients, aged between 30 and 55, who had recently been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Demographic and socioeconomic characteristics and food insecurity status were assessed using demographic and the 18-item USDA household food security questionnaires, respectively. Physical activity also was evaluated by MET, physical activity questionnaire. Data were analyzed by Chi-square, t-test, and logistic regression.

Results: Prevalence of food insecurity was 66.7%. Food insecurity was significantly associated with economic status, education level, income, having child under 18 years of age, family size, and number of children (p<0.05) however, there was not a significant relationship between food insecurity and occupation, marital status, family history of diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease, age, and the amount of physical activity.

Conclusion: Considering the higher prevalence of food insecurity in diabetic patients, it can be said that it is likely that the incidence of diabetes is higher in food insecure people.