Journal of Arak University of Medical Sciences

Studying the Independent Component Analysis (ICA) Algorithm for Detection and Separation of Two Conceptual Categories of the Words Danger and Information by Using Traffic Signs

Ehsan Imani

Background: In various researches, ICA is used for detecting and removing eye artifacts but here, for innovation, ICA algorithm is used not only for detecting eye artifacts, but also for detecting brain signals of two conceptual categories of the words Danger and Information.

Materials and Methods: In this descriptive- analytical study, recording is done by using a Micromed device and a 19-channel helmet in unipolar mode that the Cz electrode is selected as reference electrode. The statistical community included four men and four women in the age range of 25-30. In the designed task, three groups of traffic signs are considered in which two groups refered to the concept of danger and the other one refered to the concept of information.

Results: For two of the eight volunteers, alpha waves were observed with a very high power from back of the head in the test time, but it was different in thinking time. According to this alpha waves, in changing the task from thinking to rest, it takes at least 3 and at most 5 seconds for two volunteers till they go to the absolute rest. For seven of the eight volunteers, danger and information signals well separated that these differences for five of the eight volunteers observed in the right hemisphere and for the other three volunteers in the left hemisphere.

Conclusion: ICA algorithm as one of Blind Source Seperation (BSS) algorithms is suitable for recognizing the word’s concept and its place in the brain. Achieved results from this experiment are the same as the results from other methods like fMRI and methods based on electroencephalograph (EEG) in vowel imagination and covert speech.

Assessment of Maternal Nutritional Intake of Some Nutrients and its Relationship with Anthropometric Indices of Newborn

Zahra shalikar

Background: One of the factors determining the survival and neonatal health is maternal proper nutrition during pregnancy. The aim of the present study is to determine the maternal nutritional status with a view to the intake of some nutrients and its effect on anthropometric indices of newborn .

Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional analytical study, 500 pregnant women referred to Sina maternity hospital in Ahvaz were studied. Dietary intake of calcium, zinc, iron, vitamin D was measured and its relation to average weight, length and head circumference at birth in infants was evaluated. Data were analyzed by using Independent T-Test in SPSS 17. P-value less than 5% was considered statistically significant.

Results: There was a significant correlation between calcium intake rate, weight and length at birth. Between zinc intake rate, weight, length and head circumference at birth, there was a significant correlation. The maternal intake of vitamin D affected on birth weight(p<0/05). But, there was no significant association between iron intake rate and neonatal anthropometric indicators(p>0/05).

Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the maternal nutritional intake of calcium, zinc and vitamin D influences on some infant anthropometric indicators.

The Interaction Effect of Aerobic Training and Different Doses of Intramuscular Vitamin D on Body Weight, Visceral Fat and Food Intake in Female Wistar Rats

Rastegar Hoseini

Background: The effect of exercise training on body weight and visceral fat have been examined in several studies, whereas those of aerobic training along with the different dosages of intramuscular vitamin D on body weight, visceral fat and food intake are unknown. The main objective of the study was to assess the effect of aerobic training and different doses of intramuscular vitamin D on body weight, visceral fat and food intake in female Wistar rats.

Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, seventy-two female Wistar rats were divided into 9 with 8 rats in each group, one group: aerobic training (3 days/week for 8 weeks), three groups: aerobic training and vitamin D supplementation (in high, moderate and low doses ), three groups: vitamin D supplementation ( in high, moderate and low doses ) and two control groups. One-way ANOVA and repeated measures ANOVA test were used to analyze the data.

Results: Results showed that body weight and visceral fat in aerobic training with high dose vitamin D supplementation group was significantly lower than other groups. Also, the mean food intake in three groups of (aerobic training with low dose vitamin D supplementation , low dose vitamin D supplementation and control) w as significantly higher than other groups.

Conclusion: It seems that aerobic training with high dose vitamin D compared to using each of the strategies is more effective in decreasing body weight, visceral fat in female Wistar rats .

The Effect of Education based on Health Belief Model (HBM) on the Promotion of Mothers Behavior about Danger Signs in Children less than Five Years axxording to IMC(Integrated Management of children Illness)

mohsen shamsi

Background: M others must gain enough knowledge and practice about danger signs in children to achieve behavior change. Knowing such factors influencing behavior change will facilitate change. So, training about danger signs in children using models that identify the factors influencing behavior is essential. Health belief model is one of the effective models in education. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the effect of education on behavior of mothers about danger signs in children less than five years.

Materials and Methods: This is an educational trial study that was conducted on 116 mother with children under five years old referring to treatment health centers in Arak city in 2014. They were divided into two groups case (n=56 ) and control ( n=60 ) randomly.

The data collected by filling the valid and reliable questionnaire that reseatcher made along with interview. An educational intervention was conducted in case group during the four learning sessions. Three months after educational intervention, post-test was conducted by filling questionnaire. Finally, data were analyzed by SPSS software in significance level of p<0/05.

Results: There was no significant difference between mean score of health belief model construct and behavior in the experimental and control groups before the intervention(p<0.05) , but significant differences were shown after intervention(p<0.001). The mean score of the mothers in the intervention group before and after intervention was 39.58±42.15, and 84.52±23.05 respectively, that showed significant differences (p<0.001).

Conclusion: According to the results of this study, educational intervention based on initial assessment on Health Belief Model was effective in improving mothers' practice about danger signs in children. Thus, it can be helpful to design training programs.

Comparing the Preand Post-training Administration of Magnesium Oxide Nanoparticles on Passive Avoidance Memory in Adult Male Mice

mahnaz kesmati

Background: Failure to pass the blood-brain barrier is a serious challenge to the use of magnesium in the treatment of neurologic disorders. But , recently, applying magnesium oxide nanoparticles that is capable of crossing biological barriers has created new hopes. According to the reinforcing effects of magnesium oxide nanoparticles on memory and ambiguity in the best time of application and duration of its effects, the aim of the present study was to compare effects of pre-and post-training administration of different doses of magnesium oxide nanoparticles on long-term memory.

Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, fifty- six adult male NMRI mice in the control group and receiving magnesium oxide nanoparticles group at doses of 1, 2.5 and 5 mg/kg (I.P) before and after training were used. Long-term memory of mice in a week on days 1,3and7 days after training (shock) by using step-down device and passive avoidance learning method was assessed. Time latency in coming down the secure platform was considered as the memory assessment scale.

Results: The results showed that injection of nano-magnesium oxide in both the 2.5 and 5 mg/kg improved memory through increasing the latency in coming down the secure platform during a week (p< 0.001), without any changes in locomotor activity, whereas, it had no effect at 1 mg dose. Pre-training injection of magnesium oxide nanoparticles increased memory relatively, it wasn't statistically significant compared to the control group.

Conclusion: According to the above results, magnesium oxide nanoprticles improves long term memory, and it is possible when the training and the acquisition has occurred, otherwise it will not make a significant impact .

Studying the Effect of Alpha-Tocopherol on Cell Proliferation and Apoptosis in Rat Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Malek Soleimani Mehranjani

Background: Alpha-tocopherol, as a strong antioxidant, plays an important role in testraining free radicals. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Alpha-tocopherol on cell proliferation and restraining apoptosis in rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells.

Materials and Methods: In this research study, the rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were extracted under sterile conditions using flashing-out method. At the end of the third passage, cells were divided into groups of control and Alpha-tocopherol with doses of 15 and 25 µM and were treated in the osteogenic media cell medium containing 10% fetal bovine serum, 10 mM β-glycerol phosphate, 10 nM dexamethasone and 50 µg/ml ascorbic 3-phosphate] for a period of 21 days. Then, cell proliferation, DNA damage, expression of Bcl-2 and Bax genes and the morphologic changes of the cells were investigated during the procedure of osteogenesis. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and means difference was considered significant at p<0.05.

Results: Cell proliferation, the size of nuclei diameter and expression of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 gene showed a significant increase in mesenchymel stem cells treated with Alpha-tocopherol (p<0.05) in a dose dependent manner compared to the control cells. Also, cytoplasm extension was seen in the cells treated with Alpha-tocopherol, compared to the control group. Since Alpha-tocopherol causes a significant decrease in DNA damage and the expression of apoptotic Bax gene, compared to the control group, therefore it can suppress apoptosis in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells, in a dose dependent manner .

Evaluation of the Aassociation Between Programmed Cell Death 1 Gene Single Nucleotide Polymorphism +7146A/G and Susceptibility to Chronic Hepatitis B

Seyed Reza Mohebbi

Background: In spite of designing and applying an effective vaccine against Hepatitis B virus (HBV), chronic infection with this virus is still one of the most important health problems worldwide. Host genetic background including single nucleotide polymorphisms play a significant role in chronicity or clearance of the infection. The final product of programmed cell death 1 gene (PDCD1) is expressed frequently on T-cells and in chronic viral infections, prevent the virus-specific T-cell response against the virus. In this study, the association of a single nucleotide polymorphism (+7146A/G) in intron 4 of PD1 gene with chronic hepatitis B infection in Iranian population has been assessed.

Materials and Methods: 212 chronic HBV patients and 208 healthy controls were analyzed in this case-control study. Genomic DNA of the studied individuals was extracted and after performing polymerase chain reaction (PCR), polymorphism of +7146 was determined via RFLP method.

Results: Frequencies of GG, GA and AA genotypes on position 7146 of the intron 4 of PD1 gene were 77.4%, 20.7% and 1.9% in patient group and 80.8%, 15.4% and 3.8% in control group, respectively. After statistical analysis, No significant difference was observed between patient and control groups (p=0.198).

Conclusion: Genotype frequencies in the studied population are in accordance with the results of previous studies. Results of the present study suggest that there is not any association between A/G single nucleotide polymorphism in intron 4 of PD1 gene and susceptibility to chronic hepatitis B in Iranian population.

Evaluation of the Effect of Saffron 20% Cream on the Level of Infection and Episiotomy Dehiscence

sahar mehrabi

Background: Episiotomy is one of the most common gynecologic surgery that was done in the second stage of labor, in order to facilitate the delivery. Cutting this area is associated with pain and discomfort. Healing causes pain relief and returning to daily activities became faster. Considering that the high rates of episiotomy infection, we decided to examine the effect of topical cream, saffron 20%, on women who had undergone episiotomy.

Materials and Methods: This randomized, double-blind clinical trial study was performed on 60 primiparous women in 2013-2014 who underwent vaginal delivery and episiotomy at in Taleghani Hospital of Arak. Intervention group recieved 20% topical cream containing saffron extract three times daily for 2 weeks and the control group received a placebo cream. Wound status and its healing were investigated in the first, seventh and fourteenth postpartum.

Results: There was a significant difference between both groups with healing of episiotomy location in seventh(p=0.54) and fourteenth(p=0.003) days and the continuity process of the wound edges in the first (p=0.015), seventh(p=0.013) and fourteenth(p=0.001) days. there was no statistically significant difference about the opening the wound in the first day(p=0.492), There was a statistically significant difference between the two groups in seventh(p=0.001) and fourteenth(p=0.026) days.

Conclusion: This study showed that saffron extract cream 20% can be effective for episiotomy wound healing and wound edges continuity.

Association of Arg399Gln Polymorphism of XRCC1 with Idiopathic Male Infertility in Guilan Province

Zivar Salehi

Background: Approximately, 50% of male infertility causes have remained unknown. It seems that genetic disorders may lead to many cases of idiopathic infertility. XRCC1 ( X-ray Repair Cross Complementing group 1) acts as a scaffolding protein in the base excision repair (BER) and single strand break repair (SSBR). Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) of XRCC1 may influence DNA repair capacity. Thus, they had been considered as a risk factor for infertility. XRCC1 Arg399Gln polymorphism was located on p rotected domain , BRCT1 . The aim of this study was to explore the p ossibility of association between XRCC1 Arg399Gln polymorphism and susceptibility to idiopathic male infertility.

Materials and Methods: In this case-control study, the genotype and allele frequencies of Arg399Gln polymorphism were examined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) on a Guilanian population consisting of 144 men with idiopathic infertility and 166 healthy men. Statistical analysis was performed using the MedCalc 12 software.

Results: According to our results, compared with Arg/Arg genotype, the Arg/Gln , Gln/Gln and Arg/Gln + Gln/Gln genotypes showed a significant association with an increased risk of idiopathic male infertility ( OR=4.19 95%CI 2.37-7.41, p<0.0001 ), (OR=3.42 95%CI 1.50-7.81, p<0.0034), (OR=4.06 95%CI 2.32-7.09, P<0.0001) , respectively. In addition, the Gln allele frequency in patients was significantly higher than that in controls(p=0.0004).

Conclusion: In total, Arg399Gln polymorphism of XRCC1 gene can be associated with male infertility and Gln allele might be a risk factor of idiopathic male infertility in in this sample population. Larger population and different ethnicities should be studied to achieve a definitive conclusion.

Investigation of the Human Serum Albumin(HSA) Protein Structure Change Caused by Remained Diazinon Toxin on the Food Materials

Shahrzad Hadichegeni

Background: Human serum albumin (HSA) is a soluble blood protein which can bind to small molecules (such as drugs and toxins) and transfer them within the blood circulation.

Materials and Methods: UV-Vis spectroscopy and FT-IR methods were used to characterize the binding properties of HSA with diazinon(the toxin of organophosphate) and to investigate the changes of protein secondary structure, respectively, in molecular level under physiological condition in two times of first and thirty five days .

Results: The binding constant (K_Diazinon-HSA = 3.367 ) was have been calculated based UV-Vis spectroscopy data. In FT-IR method, the proportion of decrease in percentage of &alpha-Helix on the first day was 53.97% to 51.88%, other secondary structures increased, such as Turns from 8.49% to10.21%, ß-Sheet from 13.94% to 14.81%, &beta-anti from 8.2% to %8.25 and r-coils from 15.4% to % 17.24. These changes for &alpha-Helixes, Turns, ß-Sheet, &beta- anti and random r-coils after thirty five days were 56.7% to 47.11%, 25.3% to 29.75%, 6.93% to 10.94%, 2% to 2.83% and 9.08% to 10.86%, respectively.

Conclusion: Since the content of protein secondary structure relates closely with its biological activity, therefore, a decrease in &alpha-helix and increase in &beta-sheet structure in the presence of diazinon at high concentration means the decrease of HSA biological activity. Our results suggest that diazinon has a relatively good binding with HSA and it could cause considerable changes in various secondary structures and likely is indicative of a unfolding of protein especially for the samples in thirty five days .