Hamid Reza Jamilian, Kamran Bagherzadeh, Zeinab Nazeri,
Volume 14, Issue 6 (February-March 2012)
Abstract
Background: Major depression is one of the most prevalent psychiatric diseases, whereas schizophrenia is one of the worst human diseases. Therefore, finding low-cost treatment methods with few side effects can be of great help to patients. The present study was done to compare the serum levels of vitamin D, parathyroid hormone, calcium, and phosphorous in individuals with major depression and schizophrenics with healthy subjects.
Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, serum levels of vitamin D, parathyroid hormone, calcium, and phosphorous were assessed in 100 major depressive, 100 schizophrenic, and 100 healthy subjects. Subjects with a history of renal failure, hepatic failure, parathyroid disease, and consumption of vitamin D, parathyroid hormone, calcium, and phosphorous supplements were excluded from the study. SPSS software version 15 was used for data analysis.
Results: Depression was accompanied with decreased serum levels of vitamin D and increased serum levels of parathyroid hormone (p>0.001, p=0.01), but there was not a significant difference between depression and healthy subjects in calcium and phosphorous serum levels (p=0.69, p=0.15). Schizophrenia presented a significant correlation with decreased serum levels of vitamin D and phosphorous (p>0.001, p=0.01), but there was not a significant difference between schizophrenic and healthy subjects in calcium and parathyroid hormone serum levels (p=0.47, p=0.67).
Conclusion: Since depression and schizophrenia are accompanied by decreased serum level of vitamin D, consumption of supplementary vitamin D can be helpful in the treatment of these patients.
Noushin Rahimi, Sonbol Nazeri, Soheila Mirzaei,
Volume 16, Issue 3 (6-2013)
Abstract
Background: Taxol is a diterpenoid compound that was first isolated from yew tree (Taxus brevifolia) and later from other plants such as Corylus avellana. Studies have shown that some of the endophytic fungi isolated from these plants are also capable of producing taxol. DBAT gene is one of the key genes in taxol biosynthesis pathway that catalyzes the synthesis of Baccatin III, one of the main precursors in taxol biosynthesis. The aim of this study was to investigate taxol production by endophytic fungi isolated from Corylus avellana.
Materials and Methods: In this case-control study, endophytic fungi were isolated from hazelnut trees in the Fandoghlo area, Ardabil province, and purified through hyphal tip method. Genomic DNA was extracted using CTAB method. The presence of DBAT gene was examined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Taxol production in fungal media was investigated via TLC (Thin Layer Chromatography) method.
Results: After purification, 60 fungi were isolated from different organs of hazelnut trees and the presence of DBAT genes in 12 isolates was proved by PCR with specific primers. Investigation of taxol production in culture of these isolates showed that 7 isolates were capable of producing taxol in laboratory conditions.
Conclusion: A group of endophytic fungi isolated from hazelnut, grown in the North West of Iran, had DBAT gene, encoding a key enzyme in the taxol biosynthesis pathway, and some were able to produce taxol in vitro.
Abolfazl Mozafari, Latif Moini, Siamak Mohebi, Fakhreddin Hejazi, Maryam Marvi, Vahid Olomidoran, Azam Nazeri,
Volume 18, Issue 5 (8-2015)
Abstract
Background: Cardiovascular diseases is one of the most prevalent causes of mortality in all around the world accounting for high rates of decrease of physical function and daily work. The aim of this study is to assess the effect of cardiac rehabilitation on quality of life dimensions Percutanous Coronary Intervention (PCI) patients.
Materials and Methods: This clinical trial study was conducted on 96 patients in the rehabilitation unit in Qom. Half of patients put in the test group and the others remained as control. Data of all patients including of demographic parameter and questionnaire of quality of life before and after rehabilitation (in case and control groups) were collected. Data analysis was done in SPSS 18 by central statistical indices and frequency distribution as well as independent t-test, pair t-test ans Chi-square and p-value below than 0.05 was significant.
Results: out of 96 patients, the mean age was 57.21±9.09 and 57.3± 10.89 years in case and control groups respectively and 70.8% were male and remains were female. There was significant relationship between quality of life and its subtypes except physical function (p<0.001). Moreover, difference between quality of life and six out of eight subtypes scores before and after rehabilitation in both groups was significant.
Conclusion: It seems that cardiac rehabilitation after PCI affects quality of life.
