Journal of Arak University of Medical Sciences

The Effect of Six Weeks Combined Training on Plasma Levels of Chemerin, Serum Amyloid A and C-reactive Proteine and Plasma Lipid in Obese Male

Amir Hosein Pazoki

Background: The evidence suggests that obesity causes the chronic inflammation. Chemerin is a new adipokine which is associated with obesity and metabolic syndrome. The effects of combined training on levels of inflammatory markers specialy chemerin and serum amyloid-A has been less studied.The present study aims to examine the effect of six weeks combined training on plasma levels of chemerin, CRP and SAA and plasma lipid in obese men.

Materials and Methods: 18 obese men were divided into control and experimental groups. General characteristics of subjects serum levels of chemerin, CRP and SAA were examined (by ELISA method), before and after one session training. Endurance training protocol was performed on the large muscles included in 6 weeks running around the track with 60 to 75% HRmax, 4 sessions per week, intense resistance training for 25 to 30 minutes with 50 to 70% of one repetition maximum of 6 stations (2 sets, 12 Reps). Data analysis was performed by T-independent test for comparison of two control and training groups, T-paired test for comparison of two groups before and after the test and significant level of p≤0.05 was considered.

Results: The results show that 6 weeks combined training significantly decrease the plasma levels of chemerin (p=0.004), and SAA (p=0.009), but there was not any significant decrease on CRP levels(p=0. 476). So, it can be concluded that combined training will affect on some inflammatory markers in obese men and improve them.

Conclusion: One session combined training for 6 weeks significantly affects on plasma levels of chemerin and serum amyloid-A, however, it doesn't decrease the plasma levels of C-reactive protein (CRP).

Designing and Construction of a Multiepitope-Based DNA Vaccine to Induce Protective Immunity against Hepatitis C Virus

Leila Pishraft Sabet

Background: Hypervariability of hepatitis C virus (HCV) proteins is an important obstacle to design an efficient vaccine for the infection. To construct a protective vaccine against HCV, a DNA vaccine containing conserved epitopes of the virus was designed. To enhance the induced immune responses, adjuvant activity of N-terminal domain of gp96 (NT(gp96)) was used.

Materials and Methods: A multi-epitope (PT) DNA vaccine encoding four HCV immunodominant cytotoxic T lymphocyte epitopes (HLA-A2 and H2-D^d) from Core, E2, NS3 and NS5B antigens in addition to a T-helper CD4+ epitope from NS3 protein and a B-cell epitope from E2 protein was designed and constructed. Then, NT(gp96) was fused to the PT DNA (PT-NT(gp96)). The stimulated cellular and humoral immune responses of PT and PT-NT(gp96) were evaluated in mice model.

Results: According to multicolor flow cytometry assay, the frequency of CD8+ T-cells producing IFNγ and TNFα in the splenocytes of immunized mice with PT-NT(gp96) (6.8%, 4%) was significantly higher than those of immunized with PT (0.9% , 0.8%), respectively. The same results have obtained in hepatic lymphocytes of the vaccinated mice. The level of IgG, IgG1 and IgG2a in the mice vaccinated with PT-NT (gp96) was significantly higher than the value obtained from the mice immunized with PT.

Conclusion: The results showed that PT DNA vaccine induces immune responses in mice model. Fusion of NT (gp96) to PT DNA vaccine causes to enhance cellular and humoral immune responses against HCV compared to sole PT vaccine.

Association of rs1042658 Polymorphism of the CSF3 Gene with the Susceptibility of Recurrent Pregnancy Loss in Women of Fars Province

Mahboobeh Nasiri

Background: Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) is a heterogeneous condition with the prevalence of more than 1% among women of reproductive age, which is defined as the occurrence of more than two miscarriages. Immune-mediators, cytokines, determine the role of immune cells in response to tissue incompatibility conditions. Colony stimulating factor 3 (CSF3) is a cytokine affecting the expression of other cytokines such as IL-4, and suppressing the immune response against semi-allograft embryo. This study was done for the first time on the association of the rs1042658 polymorphism at 3’UTR of the CSF3 gene with the susceptibility to recurrent pregnancy loss, supposing the effect of it on the expression level and stability of the CSF3 gene transcript.

Materials and Methods: 122 RPL women and 140 healthy fertile women as a control group were enrolled in this case-control study. Genotype distribution of the selected polymorphism was evaluated by T-ARMS PCR method and the results were analyzed by logistic regression test.

Results: comparison of the genotypic frequencies in the 3'UTR of the CSF3 gene in patients and controls resulted in the statistically significant difference in the incidence of pregnancy loss in order to the protection effect of the genotypes carrying T allele was observed between two groups (p<0.05). History of the abortion among the relatives of RPL women versus the relatives of controls showed significant differences (p=0.05).

Conclusion: Findings showed significant relationship between rs1042658 polymorphism and the risk of recurrent pregnancy loss, which can affect the susceptibility of the condition.

Immunological Assessment of Three Tandem Repeat of Influenza Virus M2 Extracellular Domain with Adjuvant in Balb/c Mice Model

Fatemeh Fotouhi

Background: Inﬂuenza A viruses are globally important respiratory pathogens which cause a high degree of morbidity and mortality during annual epidemics. M2 protein which expressed on the viral surface facilitates virus entry to the host cells. The extracellular domain of M2 protein (M2e) consists of N-terminal 24 residue which shows remarkable conservation among all subtypes of influenza A viruses. In this study, we evaluated the immunogenicity of three tandem repeats of M2e along with different adjuvants in BALB/C mice model.

Materials and Methods: Recombinant protein (3M2e) was expressed in Escherichia coli and purified. Six weeks old BALB/c mice were immunized interdermally with three doses of 3M2e alone or supplemented with Alum/CpG motif as adjuvant. Control group was injected with PBS. Two weeks after the last immunization, specific anti-M2 was measured using ELISA method and finally mice were challenged with one lethal dose (LD90) of PR8 virus.

Results: The results showed that 3M2e can induce specific antibody alone. However, 3M2e protein supplemented with Alum-CpG induced higher level of specific antibodies, so that, there was a significant difference with 3M2e group (p<0.05). Anti-M2 antibodies mostly consisted of IgG2a subclass which considered as activity index of TH1 Cells. Moreover, this group showed enhanced protection against wild-type virus (survival rate=60%).

Conclusion: Applying Alum-CpG as a complex adjuvant may play a crucial role in integrating innate and acquisitive immunity. We increased density of M2e in combination with complex adjuvant and showed that this vaccine induced power immune responses and semi-protected mice against lethal challenge.

The Effect of Focus of Attention - Self talk on Balance of Women with Multiple Sclerosis

Mohsen Ebrahimi Monfared

Background: studies in adults have shown that external focus of attention is better than internal focus in motor learning. So, the aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of focus of attention- self talk on balance of women with multiple sclerosis.

Materials and Methods: In this semi- experimental study, statistical population included women with MS referred to MS Society of Arak. Whereas balance disorder in patients was diagnosed by neurologyist, they were invited to the study. Patients were accidentally divided into 3 groups each of 15 concluding control, self tak-external focus of attention and self talk- internal focus of attention groups and were evaluated by Berg balance scale. 42 samples completed executive steps of study. ANOVA and Tukey tests were used to compare balance score between groups with significant level of less than 0.05. All patients practiced balance tasks for 9 days and then they were undergone post test.

Results: Balance was improved in all groups. Although the external- self talk group was better than the two other groups, there was no significant difference between external and internal- self talk groups.

Conclusion: The findings of this study showed the effect of practice on improvement of balance skill and superiority of the experimental groups in comparison with control group. Probably, focus of attention with self talk has effect on balance of women with MS.

Cardiac Troponin and Creatine Kinase Response to the Three Modes of Training (Running, Pedaling and Swimming) in Young Girls

Abbas Saremi

Background: Cardiac troponin T and creatine kinase are used as biological markers for cardiomyocytes and its levels in serum are used as indicators of myocardial cell injury. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of 3 different training protocols (runing, swimming, and pedaling training) on myocardial cell injury biomarkers in young girls.

Materials and Methods: In this semi-experimental study with pretest–posttest design, ten healthy young girls (aged 23.0±1.6 y) were selected in a convenience sampling way. The subjects performed three types of exercise in 7 days interval. Blood sample was assessed before and after the exercise sessions. Data were analyzed using t-test and analysis of variance.

Results: Our results indicated that creatin kinase increased significantly after three types of exercise (p<0.05). Running exercise led to greater increase in serum creatine kinase (p<0.05). Also, troponin T levels significantly were increased after three types of exercise (p<0.05), although no significant differences were observed between exercise types (p>0.05).

Conclusion: Our data suggest that intensive exercise is associated with cardiac damage in less trained girls and the type of exercise is determinants of the magnitude of myocardial injury biomarkers release.

Antibiotic Susceptibility of Brucella Melitensis in Markazi Province (2014)

Ali Asghar Farazi

Background: Brucellosis is one of the most important diseases among humans and animals. Clinical management of brucellosis due to an increased rate of treatment failure and recurrence is extremely worrying. The aim of this study was to determine the antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of the brucella isolates.

Materials and Methods: From April to September 2014 a total of 30 brucella isolates that were cultured on brucella agar has been studied. The species identification was carried out and to determine the effect of antibiotics on bacteria antibiogram testing was performed by disk diffusion.

Results: In this study, 30 brucella strains were isolated from cultured specimens and antibiogram testing was performed. All microbial positive specimens were sequenced by PCR. All isolates were Brucella melitensis. According to the tests, suceptibility to tetracycline, minocycline, gentamicin, tigecyclin was 100%, to doxycycline 93.3%, co-amoxiclave 66.7%, rifampin 44.7%, streptomycin 86.7%, ciprofloxacin 80%, cotrimoxazole 76.7% and ceftriaxone 73.3%.

Conclusion: This study shows that the predominant strain in our patients was Brucella melitensis. Also, due to high levels of resistance to rifampin to use the other effective drugs like gentamicin, streptomycin, ciprofloxacin or cotrimoxazole in combination with doxycycline or tetracycline.

Investigation of Fish Consumption Considering Constructs of the Transtheoretical Model in Women 30-50 Years Old in Arak city, 2014

Mahboobeh Khorsandi

Background: Improvement of nutrition like fish and sea products is influential in preventing from non-contagious diseases. The transtheoretical model is one of the models for effective investigation on nutrition behaviors. This study was done with the aim of investigating fish consumption among women 30 to 50 years old based on the transtheoretical model.

Materials and Methods: This study was an analytical and cross sectional analysis which was conducted in 2014 on 360 women 30 to 50 years in Arak city. The data have been collected by using researcher-made questionnaires which its validity and reliability was assessed in accordance to the transtheoretical model were obtained by visiting houses. Then the collected data were analyzed by pearson correlation test.

Results: The average age of the respondents was 39.34±7.5. The average of fish consumption was 0.62 ±0.83 times a week. 64 % of people in consumption of at least two servings of fish a week were in the two first stages of change (pre-contemplation and contemplation).The average score of self-efficacy in fish consumption was a total of 10.58 ±3.12 out of 15 and the average score of cons of fish was 26.35 ±4.78 and the average score of pros of fish was 21.6 ±2.67 out of 25. Pearson correlation indicates that the amount of fish consumption with constructs of the self-efficacy, stages of change and pros of fish had respectively the most positive correlation (p≤0.05). Fish consumption had no significant difference with age, education, Body Mass Index, occupation, monthly income and marital status.

Conclusion: Fish consumption despite its high level of perceived benefits is really low and to eliminate these barriers, education and cultural-building especially in women who are influential people in family nutrition is necessary.

To Study the Effect of Reconstructive Surgery of Myelomeningocele on the Prognosis of Patients

Mahdieh Sadat Ghafari

Background: Myelomeningocele is one of the common congenital malformation in childhood that has association with many disorders. in addition to routine management of associated disorders surgical repair of myelomeningocele has been considered in many cases . The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of myelomeningocele surgical repair in prognosis of children with myelomeningocele

Materials and Methods: This is a case-control study from 2001 to 2013 in 60 infants with myelomeningocele in two department of neurosurgery in Arak and Ilam cities (Vali Asr and Imam Khomeni hospitals, respectively). Infants were divided into two groups according to operable and inoperable cases (each group includes 30 cases). The prognosis of two groups was investigated with respect to mortality, and Stark and Drummond disability rating scale. Data were analyzed with SPSS 18 software.

Results: Case group had better prognoses compared to control with respect to handicap (p=0.003), urinary tract disorders (p=0.006), IQ (p=0.001), global disability(p=0.006) and mortality rate, but there was no difference between two groups with respect to hydrocephalus(p=0.3).

Conclusion: According to the results, mortality, disability and prognosis of infants with myelomeningocele that underwent operation were better. In conclusion, early myelomeningocele repair is advised for infants, because it affects the improvement of prognosis and the quality of patients' life.

Considering the Effect of Hydro Alcoholic Extract of Capsella Bursa Pastoris on Menorrhagia

Noorosadat Kariman

Background: Heavy menstrual bleeding has a negative impact on quality of life. In this study, the effect of hydroalcoholic extract of capsella bursa pastoris on menorrhagia is evaluated.
Materials and Methods: This clinical trial was carried out on 90 women with complaint of heavy menstrual bleeding. Samples, after a control cycle of primary bleeding, were randomly divided to capsella bursa pastoris and control groups. Both groups were subjected to mefenamic acid treatment with 500 mg every 8 hours, from the first day to the end of bleeding, up to seven days, for two consecutive cycles. In capsella bursa pastoris group, in addition to mefenamic acid, capsella bursa pastoris capsule 500 mg every12 hours, from the first day to the end of bleeding, up to seven days, was prescribed. In control group, instead of capsella bursa pastoris capsules,it^,s placebo was prescribed with the same order. Data were checked and compared before and after treatment using SPSS software.
Results: The average amount of bleeding reduced in capsella bursa pastoris group from 135.27 in control cycle to 69.13 in third cycle and in control group reduced from 133.91 to 75.44 in third cycle(p<0.001). The average duration of bleeding was reduced in capsella bursa pastoris group from 7.38 in control cycle to 5.40 in third cycle and in control group was reduced from 6.91 to 5.31 in third cycle(p<0.001).
Conclusion: It seems that the extract of capsella bursa pastoris can be effective in reducing the amount and duration of bleeding in women of reproductive age with heavy menstrual bleeding.