Showing 30 results for Ber
Alireza Ghorbani Birgani, Parvin Abedi, Kourosh Zare, Saeed Assadpoor,
Volume 15, Issue 8 (1-2013)
Abstract
Background: Psoriasis is a common chronic skin disease which usually appears as white and silvery spots on the skin. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of berberine on patients with psoriasis. Materials and Methods: This double-blind clinical trial was conducted on 60 psoriasis patients who referred to Imam Khomeini Hospital, Ahvaz, between July and December 2011. The patients were randomly divided into two equal groups that applied berberine and placebo to the treatment of their lesions twice a day. Lesions severity rate in the patients was assessed 7 times using a Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI). Data were analyzed by ANOVA with repeated measurements and Chi-square using SPSS software. Results: After 6 months, severity of lesions showed a significant decrease in the group receiving the berberine cream compared with the placebo group so that the mean PASI score of the group receiving berberine decreased from 3.99 to 2.11 while in the placebo group this decreased from 3.98 to 3.71. Mean difference in PASI score was not significant before receiving the treatment till the third month in berberine and placebo groups, but in the fourth to sixth months it was statistically significant (p=0.013). Conclusion: Berberine cream was more effective than the placebo in reduction of skin lesions of psoriasis patients. Therefore, it is recommended that plant-based drugs, like berberine, be used more besides the main medications of patients.
Ebrahim Alijani, Ali Akbar Pourfathollah, Soheila Ajdary, Batool Sharifi-Mood, Ahmad Zavaran-Hosseini, Vahid Khaze-Shahgoli,
Volume 16, Issue 2 (5-2013)
Abstract
Background: Considering the fact that more than one third of the world’s population is infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria, identifying individuals with latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) is vital for controlling TB. Tuberculin skin test (TST) and IFN-gamma release assays are practical methods used for screening people with LTBI. Due to the insufficiency of data on endemic tuberculosis region and the need for evaluation of these methods in a high-risk population, this study was performed in Zahedan.
Materials and Methods: This descriptive study was carried out on 75 individuals, including 21 health care workers (HCWs) as well as 54 family members of patients with active TB. IFN-&gamma release assay and TST were also carried out on the participants.
Results: Of the 75 participants, 26 had positive IFN-&gamma release assay results and 49 persons showed negative results. TST was also performed and 12 participants did not show up for taking the results. Among the remaining 63 participants, 60.31% had more than 10 mm indurations. The results in 32.25% of the participants were positive for both IFN-gamma release assay and skin test, whereas 34.92% of the participants presented negative tests results for both IFN-gamma release assay and skin test. The agreement between these two tests was 66.67 % (P=0.001, K=0.36, 95% Confidence Interval).
Conclusion: The results showed a weak agreement between the two tests.
Ali Asghar Farazi, Masome Sofian, Mansoreh Jabari Asl,
Volume 16, Issue 5 (8-2013)
Abstract
Background: Mycobacterium Tuberculosis usually infects the lungs but organs other than the lungs may also be involved. This study is an analysis of the situation of extra-pulmonary tuberculosis in the central province of Iran.
Methods and Materials: In this cross-sectional study, the information in the registration software of tuberculosis in health centers collected and for analyzing of data statistical software SPSS16 was used.
Results: In the survey a total of 1787 TB patients were identified, of which 24.2% were diagnosed with extra-pulmonary tuberculosis and 1.9% of patient with extra-pulmonary TB were associated with HIV infection. Female to male sex ratio is equal to 1.3. The 82.5% of the patients were Iranian citizen and mean age of patients were 43.3 years. Tuberculosis of the lymph nodes, skletal and pleural tuberculosis had the highest prevalence. Also extra-pulmonary tuberculosis in females, age 15-55 was more and the diagnosis delay was more in extra-pulmonary tuberculosis and relapse was more in pulmonary tuberculosis.
Conclusion: Because of more diagnosis delay in extra-pulmonary tuberculosis it is necessary to train physicians and other healthcare workers in the field of extra-pulmonary TB diagnosis and more planning to do about learning of it.
Behnaz Taheri, Siyamak Samiee, Mehdi Paryan, Ehsanollah Ghaznavi-Rad,
Volume 16, Issue 5 (8-2013)
Abstract
Background: The emergence of drug-resistant strain of M.tuberculosis is one of the most critical issues facing TB researchers and clinicians. Rapid diagnosis of drug-resistant tuberculosis is essential for the prompt initiation of effective second-line therapy to improve treatment outcome and limit transmission of this obstinate disease. The aim of this study is to develop a Real-time PCR assay for the detection of mutations in RRDR (rifampcin resistance determinant region) of rpoB which conferring rifampicin resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, the primer and probe set were designed for a RRDR region of rpoB gene using a specialized software. Clinical specimens that had previously been evaluated resistant or sensitive by using convential method, were used for assessing the clinical sensitivity and specificity of the assay.
Results: The clinical sensitivity of the assay was determined 100%. The primers and the probes were rpoB specific and no cross-reaction was observed with other microorganisms and human genome bioinformatically. The clinical specificity of developed Real-time PCR assay was examined experimentally using 25 negative samples and determined to be 100%.
Conclusion: The developed real-time PCR assay can be used as an appropriate and efficient tool for the rapid detection of rifampicin-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
Fatemeh Baghebani, Javad Heravian, Akbar Derakhshan, Mohammad Khajedaluee, Abbas Azimi , Hadi Ostadi Moghaddam, Abbasail Yekta ,
Volume 16, Issue 6 (9-2013)
Abstract
Background: The aim of this study was to determine the prognosis of visual acuity and contrast sensitivity in keratoconus patients according to the correlation between aberrations changes before and after RGP lenses.
Materials and Methods: A total of 40 eyes of twenty patients 20 to 40 years with mild, moderate keratoconus were participated in this study. Ocular examinations were included VA with standard Snellen chart, CS with CSV 1000 chart and HOAs with technolas aberrometer objective (Bush & Luamb). All these tests were performed before and after RGP lenses. Refraction and corneal radius of curvature were measured using Autokeratometr. Data were then analyzed with Spss softwair version 11.5.
Results: Mean contrast sensitivity at each spatial frequency with RGP lenses was higher than the best correction in both male and female. Compairing with best correction mean high order aberration of the 5 and 6 mm pupil was reduced with RGP lenses but the effect was not statistically significant different. Mean high order aberration with pupil 6 mm was more than pupil 5 mm. Using Pearson correlation test, there was no significant correlation between visual change and Contrast sensitivity changes with high order aberrations.
Conclusion: Visual performances and visual acuity were improved with RGP lens than best correction by reduction of high-order aberrations. However, there was no correlation or relationship between high order aberrations and visual performance. This indicates that Aberrometery condition was unrelated with Prediction of visual acuity changes in this patients.
Hossein Sarmadian, Farshideh Didgar, Massoumeh Kalantari, Nader Zarinfar, Mojtaba Ahmadlou,
Volume 16, Issue 12 (3-2014)
Abstract
Background: Motivation is one of the most important tools to push faculty members to perform effectively and efficiently in the workplace is. This study is based on Herzberg's theory of motivating factors to consider requiring faculty at the University of Medical Sciences deals.
Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a total of 168 faculty members of Tehran University of Medical Sciences, 102 persons conducting a completely free and informed, a 40-question questionnaire based on Herzberg's two-factor theory, design, a questionnaire. Data using t-test and Mann-Whitney U and indicators of central tendency and dispersion were analyzed by SPSS 16 software.
Results: Response rate to the questionnaires, 7.60, respectively. 5.24% of the faculty in the basic sciences and 5.74% at the clinical level of activity. Of "communication" and "progress and development", the motivation faculty have the greatest impact. Factors "physical condition" and "salary" have been less effective. Between the ages of faculty motivating factors, "nature", "responsibility and career" and "supervision and monitoring", there was a significant correlation. The relationship between work experience and of "salary" and "job security" was also significant.
Conclusion: Communication is one of the most important factors in increasing the motivation of faculty members in the physical conditions of work and wages are minimal impact in this area. With an aging faculty, salary, supervision and monitoring, and job security are more important motivation. In other words, with increasing age and work experience, academic expectations of the management of change and the proper evaluation of the activities of the officials do not have the decision-making, and because the quality of activities, good participate Ndah encouraged do not motivate members to create good will.
Jalil Kardan , Hossein Kazemian, Mohammad Mehdi Feizabadi,
Volume 17, Issue 2 (5-2014)
Abstract
Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM), also known as atypical mycobacteria or mycobacteria other than tuberculosis are environmental organisms that are normally found in soil and water. Many of the mycobacterial species that have been described in the past decade are involved in human diseases, especially in patients with AIDS and immunocompromised HIV-negative patients. In this study, pathogenicity and clinical significance of new species of mycobacteria were evaluated. A total of 63 new species of non-tuberculosis mycobacteria, recognized in the past ten years (2003-2013), were classified in different Runyon groups. Approximately, 40 isolates were reported to infect human. Of these, 27 (67.5%) were non-chromogenic and 13 (32.5%) were scotochromogenic. The majority of the 40 isolates belong to the slow grower group. Photochromogenic species were not pathogenic to human. The most frequent infections included respiratory infections in elderly people and cervical lymphadenitis in children caused by Mycobacterium kyorinense and Mycobacterium mantenii, respectively. NTM also causes disseminated infections, the most frequent agents of which are M. boenickei, M. houstonense, M. neworleansense, and M. brisbanense in immunocompromised HIV-negative persons. Some of the NTMs, such as Mycobacterium riyadhense, are considered the primary pathogens for human. Considering the progressive spread of HIV co-infected mycobacteria in recent years, accurate identification of these agents’ pathogenicity, drug resistance, and appropriate treatment in epidemic regions, such as Iran, is essential.
Aliasghar Farazi, Masoomeh Sofian, Mansoureh Jabbariasl,
Volume 17, Issue 3 (6-2014)
Abstract
Background: The importance of maintaining and enhancing the quality of life in (tuberculosis TB) patients is essential. The purpose of this study was to use N - acetylcysteine to improve the quality of life in patients with tuberculosis.
Materials and Methods: This study is a double-blind clinical trial that performed on 88 patients on anti-TB treatment that aged over 50 years in the central province of Iran within 15 months. Data collection tools included a demographic questionnaire and the Short Form Quality of life (SF12). Data were analyzed using SPSS software and t-test, Chi-square, Mann-Whitney, ANOVA and Pearson correlation analysis were used. p less than 0.05 was considered significant.
Results: This study showed that the two groups before the intervention in different features were not significantly different, but in quality of life at the end of the first month. The intervention group compared with the control group in physical subscale score (p=0.0068) and psychological subscale scores (p=0.0284) and quality of life score (p=0.0112) were better. Also, our study showed that age of patients (p=0.0331), duration of disease (p=0.0416), and serum CRP mean (p= 0.0234) and type of tuberculosis (p=0.0372) were significantly related to total score of quality of life at the end of the first month in the intervention group.
Conclusion: According to this survey results we hoped to combine the use of adjuvant therapy with N-acetylcysteine and standard tuberculosis treatment improves quality of life and increase life expectancy of patients.
Zahra Alizadeh, Masoud Fereidoni, Morteza Behnam Rassouli,
Volume 17, Issue 7 (10-2014)
Abstract
Background: Since the anti-inflammatory effects of usual doses of morphine (10mg/kg) is proved, and also, regarding to the role of C-fibers in the release of substance P and CGRP and progression of inflammation were found, and the other hand, the excitatory effects of very low doses of morphine (1µg/kg) on C-fibers have also been reported, present study has examined the role of C-fibers, usual and very low doses of morphine in presence or reduced C-fibers on paw edema induced by sub plantar injection of formalin.
Materials & Methods: In this study, male Wistar rats (180-200g) were Categorized into two groups. One as vehicle (which received neonatal capsaicin vehicle, C-normal) and experimental (which received neonatal capsaicin, C-lesion). Each category contains three groups which were treated by saline, 10 mg/kg and 1µg/kg of morphine (i.p). In each group, paw edema volume induced by injection of 0.05 cc of 2.5% formalin, was acquired by plethysmometric test.
Results: In C-normal groups, morphine showed an anti-inflammatory effect at the dose of 10mg/kg (p<0.01) and pro-inflammatory effect at the dose of 1µg/kg (p<0.01). Reduction of C-fibers in C-lesion groups diminished the inflammation induced by formalin (p<0.001). Also in these groups, 10 mg/kg dose of morphine showed a more potent anti-inflammatory effects (p<0.001) and the pro-inflammatory effects of 1µg/kg dose of morphine reduced (p<0.001).
Conclusion: C-fibers by releasing substance P and CGRP can play an important role in inflammation induction in injured tissue. The results showed that, the reduction of these fibers can lead to inflammation reduction. So, the presences of C-fibers are so important in inflammation induction and edema.
Abolfazl Mozafari, Latif Moini, Shahram Arsang, Mahdi Gholamzadeh Baeis, Abbas Javid, Sam Hatami, Zahra Faraji, Bahareh Zareh,
Volume 17, Issue 9 (12-2014)
Abstract
Background: Despite control, prevention and the availability of drugs to cure tuberculosis, TB remains an important cause of death from an infectious agent in Iran. Pulmonary tuberculosis is more than 80% of tuberculosis cases. Chest x-ray is sensitive, cheap and accessible instrument for the diagnosis of tuberculosis. The aim of this study was to determine the radiological changes in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis.
Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, after consideration of inclusion and exclusion criteria, finally 477 radiographic patients referred to rural and urban clinics in recent decade were enrolled. The affected lobe or lobes of the left or right lung were recorded. The types of involvement were categorized based on patchy consolidation, cavitation, fibrosis, bronchiectasis, gohn lesion, bronchogenic spread and bronchopneumonia. Pearson correlation coefficient was used to measure the strength of association between continuous variables. For analysis of qualitative parameters, we use from Chi-square test. Data analysis was done in SPSS18 and p value below than 0.05 was significant.
Results: Out of 477 patients, mean age was 48.24±22 years old, male including 33.3%, Iranian and urban cases were 44% and 91.3% respectively. The most frequent involved site was the left upper lobe followed by the right upper lobe. The most frequent radiographic finding was patchy consolidation and then bronchogenic spread and pneumonic consolidation respectively. There was significant correlation between lung cavities in patients with nationality.
Conclusion: This study could help to early diagnosis and treatment of suspect patients to pulmonary tuberculosis.
Neda Baghinia, Gholam Hassan Vaezi, Ali Akbar Malekirad, Mahmood Reza Baghinia,
Volume 17, Issue 11 (2-2015)
Abstract
Background: Nickel and chromium are heavy metals whieh after arriving in biological systems can produce highly reactive free radicals in the body and interact with macromolecules cause damage to them. The purpose of this study, the effect of bilberry and cinnamon extract on blood biochemical factors in workers exposed to nickel and chromium.
Materials and Methods: In this clinical trial, 99 workers were divided into 3 groups: group 1 (control), group 2 workers, welders exposed to nickel and chromium without extract (G) and group 3 workers, welders exposed to nickel and chromium with extracts (B). First biochemical parameters were measured in blood serum. Then the group 3, 2 times a day for four weeks, billberry juice and tea - Cinnamon received. Finally, Biochemical parameters in blood were measured and compared. SPSS software and descriptive statistics (mean±SD), T- independent and one-way ANOVA test were used to analyze the data.
Results: Between group Variance in some biochemical variables between the three groups, control, G and B showed statistically significant differences (p<0.05). Within-group variance was significant in some variables.
Conclusion: After consumption of billberry juice and tea-cinnamon positive changes in biochemical parameters in workers who are exposed to the toxic effects of nickel and chromium was obtained.
Samira Marzband, Farhad Mashayekhi, Zivar Salehi, Mohammad Hadi Bahadori,
Volume 18, Issue 7 (10-2015)
Abstract
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.
Fariba Feyzi, Shirin Moradkhani, Mohammad Matini, Fatemeh Parandin, Arastoo Roshan, Mohammad Fallah,
Volume 18, Issue 8 (11-2015)
Abstract
Background: Hydatidosis is one of the dengerous zoonotic diseases that cause serious problems for human health, as well as major economic losses for livestock industry. Due to the nature of the parasite life cycle and also the structure of the cyst in human, the control of parasite in community is difficult and its treatment has faced with a major challenge. One of these challenges is inactivating the protoscolices for treatment purposes and preventing secondary cysts. Different chemicals have been used in the treatment of cyst that most of them had serious side effects for the patient. The aim of this study was investigating the scolicidal effects of some herbal extracts in vitro.
Materials and Methods: Liver hydatid cysts were collected from slaughterhouse the cysts fluid containing live protoscolex was aspirated aseptically and stored at 4°C until use. Three concentrations (25, 50 and 100 mg per ml) of each extract (ginger and artemisia) prepared and protoscoleces placed into incubator at 37oC. The viability of the protoscoleces was determined by eosin staining method at the times 5, 10, 25, 40 and 60 minutes.
Results: The methanolic extract of ginger at the concentration of 100 mg/ml leads to kill all of protoscoleces at 40 minutes. While the artemisia extract in none of investigated concentrations had not much effect on the protoscoleces.
Conclusion: The study of animal models and complementary tests showed that methanolic extract of ginger can be used as an effective protoscolex for it has high activity.
Ali Heidarianpour, Zahra Razavi, Masoomeh Seif,
Volume 20, Issue 1 (4-2017)
Abstract
Abstract
Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of aerobic exercise and GnRH agonist on the levels of apelin and insulin resistance index in girls with central precocious puberty.
Materials and Methods: In this study, twenty-five girls (7.44±0.34 years) with precocious puberty were included. They were randomly divided into three groups (drug, n=10, exercise+drug, n=8, and exercise, n=7) and one control group (healthy, n=10). In the experimental group, aerobic exercise for 12 weeks, 3 days/week was done, duration intensity of exercise gradually increased 5 minutes and 5% respectively every 2 week. Also, the GnRH agonists were used as medicine. BMI, the apelin and insulin resistance index were assessed before and after exercise.
Results: Insulin resistance index and apelin serum levels in experimental group (exercise and exercise+ drug) were significantly decreased(p=0.05), while these factors were unchanged in control group (p=0.05). Additionally, BMI in exercie groups was significantly decreased (p=0.000), while it was increased in experimental group (drug group) (p=0.06).
Conclusion: Considering to current data, it could demonstrate that aerobic training and GNRH agonists at the same time can lead to a decrease in BMI and apelin and an improvement in insulin resistance index.
Rahmatollah Parandin, Namdar Yousofvand,
Volume 20, Issue 11 (2-2018)
Abstract
Abstract
Background: Several studies have shown that developmental exposure to phytoestrogens causes adverse effects on the reproductive functions. Fennel as a phytoestrogen plant has a rich history in household use and traditional medicine.So, the current study was designed to investigate the effects of in utero and neonatal exposure with fennel on the puberty onset, estrus cycle, reproductive organs and sexual behavior of their offspring.
Materials and Methods: BALB/c mice were injected intraperitoneally with 0 (control), 100, 200 and 400 (mg/kg bw) aqueous fennel seed extract (AFSE), daily from day 7 of gestation to postnatal day (PND) 7.
Results: Vaginal opening (sign of puberty onset) was advanced in 200 (p<0.01) and 400 AFSE (p<0.001) treated females. A 30 days vaginal smear check indicated that 200 or 400 AFSE treated mice showed a prolonged estrus with decreased proestrus, estrus and metestrus stages and increased and diestrus stage and index. The ovary weight, number of corpora lutea and LH concentration decreased and uterus weight and estradiol concentration increased in the 200 or 400 treated mice in PND 70. 400 AFSE (p<0.01) treated females showed lordosis with a low lordosis quotient (LQ) when compared to the control group.
Conclusion: These results suggest that developmental exposure to AFSE, due to its estrogenic compounds, it may cause the precocious puberty, disrupted estrus cycle, altered weight of reproductive organs, hormonal imbalance and low lordosis behavior.
Ali Reza Morad Abadi, Mohammad Arjomandzadegan, Navid Emami, Manijeh Kahbazi, Azam Ahmadi, Saeed Falahat, Seyyed Hossein Hosseini, Mehdi Kargaran, Parisa Khosravi,
Volume 21, Issue 4 (8-2018)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Ziehl Nelson staining, fluorescent and also culture are the standard methods for the diagnosis of tuberculosis. In this study, the performance of conventional cultivation methods was compared with Flash PCR.
Materials and Methods: A total of 56 sputum samples from patients with suspected tuberculosis in Tuberculosis Center of Arak city were collected and Ziehl–Neelsen and culture in Löwenstein–Jensen medium were accomplished. Moreover, DNA from all of the 56 sputum samples was extracted by Chelex100 method. Molecular evaluation was accomplished by Flash PCR kit containing probes and primers for gene amplification IS6110. Positive and negative controls together with samples were used in a MTC410 apparatus for amplification. FD-12 apparatus was used to evaluate the results. In addition, electrophoresis on agarose was used for confirmation of the results.
Findings: From 56 sputum samples of suspected TB patients, 20 samples were positive and 36 samples were negative on microscopic evaluation and culture methods. FLASH-PCR molecular analysis showed that all of 20 positive samples were positive in molecular methods, too. On the other hand, three of sputum samples that were negative by culture and staining were positive in FLASH-PCR method. One of these 3 patients, received Isoniazid, pyrazinamide and ethambutol antibiotic by responsible medicine. All results were confirmed using conventional electrophoresis.
Conclusion: In some negative samples, possibly because of the small number of bacteria in sample or a defect in the sampling, the Flash PCR may due good advantages. Therefore, due to the low cost, this method is recommended for routine use.
Elham Pishgar, Milad Makhfian,
Volume 22, Issue 2 (6-2019)
Abstract
Background and Aim: A variety of bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus utilize quorum sensing to perform their important activities such as biofilm formation and production of virulence factors. Interfering with the bacterial QS will disable the bacteria to perform above-mentioned vital activities. The principal aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of five plant extracts against bacterial Quorum sensing of Staphylococcus aureus.
Materials and Methods: Thirteen strains of Staphylococcus aureus were isolated from patients with dental implant infection and identified. The plant species were collected from vicinity gardens of Fars Province and extracted using 96% ethanol. The anti-QS and antimicrobial susceptibility methods were then carried out to evaluate their bactericidal and QS properties with the use of Agrobacterium tumefaciens NTL/PZLR4. Furthermore, the biofilm production of the isolates was evaluated by microtiter plate (MTP) assay.
Ethical Considerations: This study with research ethics codes 01-16-1-1959 and 73/118248 has been approved by research ethics committee at Islamic Azad University, Jahrom and research sciences branch, respectively.
Findings: The results of the study disclosed that the extract of raspberry blossom possesses significantly (p<0.05) anti-QS property (>21 mm). The anti-QS activity was proved by creating clear halo sides of the wells formed by Agrobacterium tumefaciens NTL/PZLR4. Moreover, the extracts of tarragon, wheat flower, flixweed and basil showed antimicrobial properties.
Conclusion: According to the anti-biofilm and anti-QS properties of raspberry blossom extract against the isolates of Staphylococcus aureus, it could be considered as a mouthwash against dental bacterial infection with the identification of active compounds in the raspberry.
Fatemeh Amiri, Ghodrat Roshanaei, Meysam Olfati Far, Rasoul Najafi, Jalal Poorolajal,
Volume 24, Issue 2 (5-2021)
Abstract
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.
Zahra Hoseini, Naeimeh Akbari Torkestani, Abed Majidi, Azam Moslemi,
Volume 24, Issue 4 (9-2021)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Among the different periods of human life, adolescence is one of the most important and valuable periods of each personchrs life and anxiety is very common in this period of development and can continue into adulthood. One of the concerns is health concern so it is the best time to target the efforts of preventive behavior during adolescence. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the effect of group-based puberty counseling on problem-solving health concerns of adolescent girls.
Methods & Materials: This study is an educational trial with a pre-test and post-test design that is performed on 60 female students aged 15-18 years in Tehran (30 in the experimental group and 30 in the control group) who meet the inclusion criteria and by sampling method. Two-stage cluster random sampling was performed. Data were collected using a questionnaire containing demographic information and a standard health concern questionnaire. The intervention was designed by group discussion during 6 sessions for the experimental group and after 2 months, information was collected from both groups and analyzed by chi-square, independent t-test and paired t-test.
Ethical Considerations: This study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of Arak University of Medical Sciences (Code: IR.ARAKMU.REC.1397.262), and all participants have read and signed the informed consent.
Results: According to the results of the study, before the educational intervention in the experimental group, the mean scores of anxiety in: personal health were 3.90, sexual health was 3.77, communication was 3.83, emotional health was 5.43 and the total score of anxiety was 16.10. The intervention had changed to 2.53, 2.03, 2.97, 3.30 and 10.90, respectively. This change was significant in the areas of sexual health, emotional health and total anxiety score (P<0.005). Also, the experimental and control groups, after the educational intervention, had significant differences in the areas of personal health, emotional health and total anxiety score (P<0.005).
Conclusion The results of the intervention showed that group discussion can reduce the health concerns of adolescent girls.
Miss Zahra Mortezaei, Dr Somayeh Rajabi, Dr Sayyed-Javad Ziaolhagh,
Volume 26, Issue 3 (9-2023)
Abstract
Introduction: Methamphetamine increases the release of dopamine from nerve terminals. Binding of dopamine to dopamine receptors increases the phosphorylation of cyclic adenosine monophosphate responsive element (CREB) protein and changes the transcription of downstream genes.The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of methamphetamine induction followed by aerobic training and Berberine on dopamine receptor 4 and CREB gene expression in the heart tissue of methamphetamine-addicted female rats during the withdrawal period.
Methods: 30 rats were randomly divided into 5 control groups, methamphetamine, methamphetamine + aerobic training, methamphetamine + Berberine, methamphetamine + aerobic training + Berberine. Intraperitoneal injection of 10 mg/kg of methamphetamine was performed for 5 days, and during the withdrawal period, aerobic training was performed for 4 weeks and simultaneously the consumption of berberine 100 mg/kg as a solution in drinking water was considered. Real Time PCR method was used to measure gene expression. Independent T-test, Kruskal-Wallis test and SPSS24 software were used at the level of 0.05 to analyze the data. The code of ethics in the research was received with number IR.IAU.SHAHROOD.REC.1402.015.
Results: The results showed that methamphetamine use caused a non-significant increase (97%) in CREB expression and a non-significant decrease (52%) in dopamine 4 receptor compared to the control group (P>0.05). The implementation of interventions during the withdrawal period, such as Berberine consumption and the combination of berberine with aerobic training, produced non-significant increasing and decreasing effects on dopamine 4 receptor gene expression and CREB in the heart of methamphetamine-addicted rats, respectively (P > 0.05).
Conclusions: Short-term induction of methamphetamine did not cause significant changes in the expression of dopamine 4 receptor and CREB genes in the heart. Therefore, these genes could not undergo a significant change as a result of interventions such as Berberine and exercise. More studies are needed to investigate exact genetic changes in heart tissue.
