Background: ANKK1 (ankyrin repeat and kinase domain containing 1) gene is a member of the serine/threonine kinase family. This family involved in signal transduction pathways. This gene contains Taq1A (rs1800497) single nucleotide polymorphism. The A1 allele carriers of TaqIA polymorphism have shown reduced DRD2 (Dopamine Receptor D2) receptors. This decrease predisposes individuals to seek for addictive substances to compensate this deficiency in dopaminergic system. The present study investigated TaqIA (rs1800497) polymorphism in heroin and methamphetamine addiction.

Materials and Methods: In this case-control study, 91 male methadone-maintained heroin and methamphetamine addicts and 100 male healthy controls were studied. Genomic DNA extraction was carried out from peripheral blood through salting-out method and individuals were genotyped for TaqIA polymorphism by RFLP-PCR technique and TaqI enzyme was used for RFLP.

Results: This survey revealed the significantly higher frequency of the A1 allele of TaqIA polymorphism in patients than control individuals (p<0.001). The frequency of A1 allele in patient and control individuals was %51 and %22.5, respectively. The A1A1 genotype was detected in 25% of patients and 7% of controls (p<0.001, OR=9.7, 95% CI=3.64-25.85).

Conclusion: The results of this study revealed that the A1 allele of TaqIA polymorphism is significantly associated with heroin and methamphetamine addiction.

Background: because of the side effects of chemical drugs, using plant drugs was considered during recent decades. Based on previous studies, various concentrations of plant extracts can reduce ileum contraction caused by KCl and carbachol. Therefore, in this study, the role of muscarinic receptors in anti-spasmolytic activity of hydroalcohlic extract of parsley(petroselinum crispum)seed in adult male rat's ileum was investigated.

Materials and Methods: The distal part of Wistar rat’s ileum was separated and its contractions were recorded under 1 gr stretching and 37^oC temperature in the bathroom containing the solution of Tyrode by Isotonic method. The ileum tissue was inserted in separately in first group affected by KCl and parsley seed, in the second group affected by KCl and carbachol with concentration 10^-2 mg/ml and after that parsley seed, the third group affected by carbachol with concentration 10^-2 mg/ml and then the extraction of parsley seed and the fourth group affected by scopolamine with concentration 10^-3 M and after that KCl and then the extraction of parsley seed.

Results: Non-cumulative concentrations of extract reduced the ileum contraction caused by KCl (60mM) in a concentration-dependent form (p<0.001). There was a significant difference between the effect of extract in the presence of carbachol and extract concentration 0.2 mg/ml (p<0.01). There was no significant difference between the effect of extract in the presence of carbachol without stimulating tissue by KCl (60mM) with extract concentration 0.2mg/ml (p<0.05). There was no significant difference between the effect of extract in the presence of scopolamine with extract concentration 0.2mg/ml(p<0.05).

Conclusion: This study showed that the hydroalcholic of parsley seed extract has a relaxatory effect on rat’s ileum. Carbachol with KCl has a synergistic effect on smooth muscle contraction of the ileum wall and muscarinic receptors do not involve in the inhibitory function of parsley seed extract.

Background: Endometriosis disease is considered as a common disease dependent on androgen hormones. Androgens have different effects on endometrial growth. Androgen receptor as a signal transduction pathway could have a key role in regulating the process. Over hundreds of mutations leading to resistance gene function in androgen receptor (AR) has been recorded. Among these, the seuaence of CAG repeat in exon 1 had the largest share of studies related to the disease. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between the AR gene CAG repeat variations in Iranian women with endometriosis.

Materials and Methods: In this study, 100 women with endometriosis and 100 healthy women as controls were selected. Exon 1 was amplified using PCR. Products of PCR were studied to determine CAG repeat variation in acrylamide gels.

Results: The number of CAG repeats in each group was determined between 18-26 repeats (mean±standard, 18.35±3.3).

Conclusion: According to the results of this study, no significant differences were found between the two groups of healthy women and women with endometriosis. The number of CAG repeats in each group was determined between 18-26 repeats which indicates a lack of relationship between CAG repeat diversity and endometriosis. According to the information, this study was conducted on patients with endometriosis in iran for the first time, although studies with larger sample are needed.

Background: The renin-angiotensin system(RAS) has a major role in development of diabetic nephropathy and blocking of RAS by inhibitors and blocking of angiotesin receptors is standard treatment for preventing kidney disease and proteinuria. It is reported that VIT-D analogues are able to suppress renin exertion and improve proteinuria. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of VitD analogue (calitriol) on reducing proteinuria in patients with diabetic nephropathy.

Materials and Methods: In this clinical trial study, 132 eligible patients that had diabetic nephropathy and hadn’t vit D deficiency were selected. The patients were divided into two equal groups. First group received the combination of losartan 25mg twice daily and calcitriol 0.25mg and second group received losartan 25 mg twice daly alone for 3 months. The FBS, lipid profile, ESR-CRP BUN, Cr, HbA1c, Ca, P, and 24 hours urine protein were evaluated in all patients at beginning and end of study and the results were statistcally compared.

Results: The 24-hour urine protein in losartan and calitriol group was improved compared to losartan. This difference was statistically significant (p=0.003). As well as, in kidney function (BUN, Cr) in the losartan and calcitriol group compared to losartan alone was significantly improved(p<0.05).

Conclusion: Combination of calcitriol with angiotesin receptor blockers(ARBs) is more effective than ARBs alone in improvement of proteinuria and real function.

Background: Breast cancer is both the prevailing malignancy and the most common cause of cancer death among women. Many factors may play a role in the susceptibility to the breast cancer and Oxygen Free Radicals may be one of these. There are various known antioxidant systems against oxidative stress, including ParaoxonaseI. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between rs854560 polymorphism in the PON1 gene in patients with breast cancer.

Materials and Methods: We performed genotyping analysis using polymerase chain reactionrestriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) assay in a case–control study of 83 confirmed breast cancer patients and 100 cancer-free controls in Markazi Province.

Results: In our study of the PON1 gene L55M polymorphism, the LL genotype was found in 2 (2.40%) patients, whereas the LM genotype was found in 69 (83.13%) patients. The MM genotype was present in 12 (14.45%) patients. In the control group, LL, LM and MM genotypes were found in 4 (4%), 81 (81%), and 15 (15%) subjects, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between patient and control groups in terms of the PON1 gene L55M polymorphism (p= 0.825). Allele distributions were different but this difference did not reach statistical significance (p= 0.920).

Conclusion: We found no association between M55L polymorphism and breast cancer.

Abstract

Background:  Hydatidiform Mole is a benign trophoblastic tumor is made of ectopic pregnancy. Abnormalities in the number or structure of chromosomes are causes of Hydatidiform Mole common numerical disorders resulted from proliferating repetitive sequences markers as called STR were studied in the region of chromosome X, Y, 13, 18 and 21. This study aimed to investigate chromosomal disorders prevalent in women with hydatidiform mole that was performed using QF-PCR techniques.

Materials and Methods: In this study, 50 women with hydatidiform mole and 80 healthy women as controls were selected. For studying the chromosomal abnormalities resulted of proliferating STR, Chromo Quant QF-PCR kit was used. Polymerase chain reaction was performed in PCR machine. Then electrophoresis was performed on Genetic Analyzer. Finally, amplified fragment were analyzed by Gene Marker software Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 19, and t-test. Data were expressed as mean ± SD. In this test, p <0.05 represents significant level between two groups.

Results:  In this study ،of 50 samples, 8 samples of 47XXY (16%), 40 samples of trisomy 21 (80%) and 2 cases of trisomy 18 (4%) were identified.

Conclusion: Anomalies Trisomy 21 (41 ± 1.58) and 47XXY (9.62 ± 1.36) are significantly associated with mydatidiform mole disease (p <0.001). The highest percentage of samples with trisomy 21 and 47XXY had the disease. So, it indicates that these anomalies have the highest percentage in the disease.

Abstract

Background: Aromatase is an enzyme converts androstenedione and testosterone to estrone and estradiol, respectively. According to the role of testosterone and zinc in reducing anxiety and the relation between androgenic system function and zinc supplementations, in this research, the effect of zinc chloride injection was analysed in rats which aromatase enzyme was inhibited by aromatase inhibitor (letrozole).

Materials and Methods: Adult male Wistar rats (weighing 225±25 g) were used. Animals were divided into 12 groups and based on their weight, aromatase inhibitor (letrozole) was injected (subcutaneously), and 30 minutes later, ZnCl₂ or its solvent (saline) was injected intra-peritoneal. Control group was received both solvents (DMSO and saline) respectively. Anxiety levels were tested in the elevated plus maze 30 minutes after the last injection, and thereafter, open field was used for measurement of the locomotors activity of animals.

Results: The results showed a significant decrease in the percentage of time spent in open arms in letrozole (1.25 mg/kg) treated group as compared to that of solvent group. The locomotors activity significantly decreased between letrozole (1.25 mg/kg) with the control group. The combined groups received letrozole (2.5 mg/kg) and different amounts of zinc chloride (2.5, 5, 10 mg/kg), significantly reduced (p<0.05) the percentage of time spent in the open arm, comparing to the control group. Groups that received the combination of zinc chloride (2.5 mg/kg) and different amounts of letrozole (1.25, 5, 10 mg/kg), showed no significant difference in the percentage of entry and time spent in the open arms.

Conclusion: Totally, the present study suggests that letrozole alone increased anxiety and decreased locomotors activity and could interfere with anxiolytic effect of ZnCl₂ as well.

Abstract

Background: Specific learning disorder is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent difficulties in learning academic skills in reading, written expression, or mathematics. This study was performed to investigate the effectiveness of memantine in the relief of cognitive deficits (selective attention, sustained attention, and working memory) in specific learning disorder.

Materials and Methods: This study is a clinical trial. Of all children 8-12 years referred to Amir Kabir Hospital 94 patients diagnosed with specific learning disorder based on DSMV diagnostic interview referred by specialist and randomly divided by two groups, memantine and placebo. Cognitive deficits before and after treatment were measured with continuous performance test, Stroop test and Wechsler Digit Span forward and reverse and Corsi test.

Results: Multivariate analysis of variance showed a significant difference in error when answering, omission answer and corrected answer in continuous performance test, but this difference is not significant in response time. Difference in forward, reverse and collected auditory was significant and not significant in the auditory span. In active visual working memory at corsi cube test, difference was significant (p <0.05).

Conclusion: The results showed that memantine in improvement of sustained attention, auditory working memory and visual working memory, is effective, while in selective attention is not effective and according to similarities of learning disorder and Attention deficit / Hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and the effectiveness of memantine in improvement of symptoms of ADHD, we can also use this drug in improvement of cognitive deficits of specific learning disorder.  

Abstract

Background: Client satisfaction as an important indicator to assess the quality of provided services has found a special place over the past few decades. The main purpose of this study is to compare the client satisfaction in the public health posts and outsourced health posts affiliated to Qom university of medical Sciences in 2014.

Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive analytic (cross- sectional) study.The participants were 216 clients, who had referred to 10 public health posts and outsourced health posts of Qom province. Health posts  were selected by cluster sampling from different urban areas  and participants were selected by simple sampling methods. A researcher made questionnaire was used to measure the data on a 5-point Likert scale, which it's validity and reliability were confirmed by experts panel and Cronbach's alpha coefficient, respectively. After collection, the data were analyzed by SPSS 20, and descriptive statistical methods, Mann-Whitney test, chi-square, with 0.05 significant level.

Results: Among 60 health posts, 20 health posts (33.33%) were outsourced and 40 (66.66%) were managed by the public sector. Results showed that in health centers outsourced , overall satisfaction of the child care and vaccinations and maternity care were respectively, 64.5 and 55.42 and 67.43 percent and in public health posts were respectively, 35.5 and 44.58 and 37.66 percent and this difference was significant. Client satisfaction in the public health posts of the vaccination (57.1%) compared with client satisfaction in the outsourced health posts (47.2%) was higher, also at public health posts, satisfaction of the scientific skill employees (55.1 percent) assigned to the outsourced health posts (44.9%) was even greater, that this difference was significant.

Conclusion: Results of the present study showed that, there is a significant difference in satisfaction of clients in public health posts and outsourced health posts It seems necessary to pay special attention to employee training programs by managers and also considering the results of client satisfaction in performance appraisal of personnel in health care posts.

Abstract

Background: 4cure models are a model to analyze survival data that these models exist for long term survivors. Cure models are a special type of survival model where it is assumed that there are a proportion of subjects who had never event, thus, survival curve will eventually reach a plateau. Therefore, standard survival models are not appropriate because they do not account for the possibility of cure.The aim of the present research is to apply non-mixture cure model to analyze survival of patients with colorectal cancer.

Materials and Methods: We studied 232 patients with colorectal cancer who were visited and treated at Taleghani Hospital Research Center for Gastroenterology and Liver Disease in Tehran. These patients were diagnosed from 1987 to 2012 and followed up until 2013. The Effect of age, gender, family history, body mass index and site of infection were studied. Kaplan-Meier and Non-Mixture cure Model were used for analzing data.

Results: The ten-year survival rate after diagnosis in the studied patients was 64 % .A total of 60 (25.8 %) deaths due to colorectal cancer were observed. The mean of age at the time of diagnosis was 51.6 years. Based on non-mixed cure model, the rangs of age was 45-65 years old and BMI were significant.

Conclusion: When the population is divided into two groups (susceptible and non- susceptible individuals), using Cox semi-parametric model is not appropriate. Therefore, we should use cure models.

Abstract

Background: Operating room personnel are subject to occupational hazards which could lead to an increase in free radicals and develop various diseases. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of consuming green tea on the improvement of the blood oxidative biomarkers in operating room personnel who are exposed to anesthetic gases.

Materials and Methods: This study was a before-after clinical trial which was conducted on 24 operating room personnel. They were invited to consume 4 cups of a green tea beverage, prepared from 3 g of green tea leaves in 300 mL of boiled water (at 80˚ C), daily for 8 weeks. Then, Myeloperoxidase (MPO), DNA damage, Glutathione Peroxidase (GPx), and Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) in the plasma were measured in order to evaluate the level of oxidative stress biomarkers before and after consuming green tea.

Results: Green tea consumption by operating room personnel brought about a significant increase in glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase and a considerable decrease in myeloperoxidase and DNA damage.

Conclusion: According to the results of this study, green tea consumption as an antioxidant supplement by operating room personnel, who are regularly exposed to anesthetic gases, can minimize oxidative stress and DNA damage considerably. Thus, it is advisable for operating room personnel to consume green tea as a natural antioxidant supplement.

Abstract

Background: Parsley is one of the medicinal herbs used for gastrointestinal disorders. However, spasmolytic activity of Petroselinum crispum (parsley) extract has been reported, there is a lack of information to support the mechanism of this antispasmodic activity. Taking this into account, the purpose of the present work was to investigate the role of GABA_A receptor on antispasmodic activity of the hydroalcoholic extract of parsley seed in isolated rat ileum.

Materials and Methods: In this study, terminal portion of ileum (2 cm) was dissected out and mounted in an organ bath containing air bubbled Tyrode solution (37^οC, pH=7.4). Under 1gr resting tension, ileal contraction was induced by KCl (60 mM) and recorded isotonically. The effects of non-cumulative (0.1-0.5 mg/ml) concentrations of extract on KCl-induced contractions were examined.  After evaluating the effect of agonist and antagonist GABA_A receptor, the effect of parsley extract was assessed in the presence of muscimol (25 µM) and bicuculline (10 µM) as agonist and antagonist of GABA_A, respectively. 

Results: Parsley seed extract reduced the KCl-induced ileal contraction in a concentration-dependent manner (n=7, p<0.001). Both muscimol and bicuculline exerted relaxant effect on ileal contraction (n=7, p<0.05, p<0.01, respectively). Surprisingly, agonist and antagonist of GABA_A both potentiated the spasmolytic effect of extract (0.2 mg/ml). Altogether, spasmolytic effect of extract was not attenuated in the presence of GABA_A antagonist.

Conclusion: It seems that GABA_A receptor is not involved in the antispasmodic effect of parsley seeds extract in rat ileum.

Background: Biological and epidemiological data indicate that the levels of vitamin D maybe affect the breast cancer risk. Vitamin D plays an important role in cell proliferation, apoptosis and tumor growth suppression. Vitamin D receptor is a critical mediator for the cellular reactions of vitamin D. Some of the epidemiological studies, reviewed the relationship between VDR gene polymorphism ApaI and breast cancer, but the controversial findings have been achieved.

Materials and Methods: In this study, a population-based case-control study including 140 patients and 160 healthy individuals of women in Markazi Province were evaluated using PCR-RFLP approach. Genomic DNA was extracted from blood samples using the salting-out procedure. Polymorphism of interest was determined by PCR-RFLP method using ApaI enzyme and statistical analysis was performed by SPSS software.

Results: Based on the results of this study, distribution of AA genotype in cancer and control groups was, 38.6 and 26.87, for AC genotype 55.00 and 66.87, and finally for CC genotype 6.43 and 6.26 respectively. The results of this study showed no association between ApaI polymorphism of the VDR gene and breast cancer(OR=0.903,CI=95%, 0.29-2.95.)

Conclusion: In this study, we found no association between ApaI polymorphism and breast cancer, which are consistent with the findings of some other researchs. It is necessary to examine a larger population to achieve more definitive results.

Abstract

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a common disease in human societies that dealing with its complications imposes enormous cost to the health system. The previous studies have shown that bone biochemical markers can be used for evaluation of bone metabolism in response to physical activity. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of increasing 10-week aerobic exercise (AE) on serum osteocalcin, PTH and glycemic and anthropometric indices in postmenopausal women with type II diabetes.

Materials and Methods: In this semi-experimental study, 40 postmenopausal women with type II diabetes (40-60 years) as available subjects were selected and randomly assigned into two exercise (20) and control (20) groups. Exercise protocol was AE and walking activity for 10 weeks (3d/wk, 45 to 60 min/d with 45% to 60% HRRmax intensity). Blood samples were taken before and after exercise to measure serum variables. Data were analyzed by T-test and statistical significance criterion was set as p<0.05.

Results: AE makes a significant increase in osteocalcin levels and a decrease in insulin resistance index, insulin and fasting blood glucose in the experimental group (p<0.05). Changes in other variables such as PTH, HbA1c and anthropometric indices were not significant (p>0.05).

Conclusion: Due to the favorable effects of AE on osteocalcin and glycemic indices, it seems that this training method can be recommended as a non-invasive treatment for maintaining bone density and controlling blood glucose in diabetic patients.

Background: Self-medication is one of the biggest problems of social, health and economic societies such as Iran. The aim of this study was to determine the benefits and barriers about self-medication among women referring to health center in Qom city.  

Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study carried out on women referred to health centers in Qom city- 2016. In the current study, 226 people were selected from among the health centers by multistage sampling. A standard questionnaire was used on knowledge about self-medication, perceived benefits, perceived barriers and self-medication. Data were analyzed by SPSS V.20 using independent t-test and Chi-square.

Results: According to the results of this study, 74.3 percent of women had a history of self-medication that 43.8 percent of them was in the past 6 months. The mean of knowledge about self-medication and perceived barriers in people with a history of self-medication was significantly higher than those who had not a history of self-medication (p<0.05). While, the perceived benefits was not significantly associated with a history of self-medication (p=0.79).

Conclusion: Given the high prevalence of self-medication and the relationship between knowledge and perceived barriers with self-medication, therefore, educational program is necessary for women about the effects and consequences of self-medication through the media.

Abstract

Background: Uterine myomas are benign tumors of the uterus which are derived from smooth muscle cells of the myometrium. Genetic factors play a major role in the progression of the disease. One of the most important genes which have impression in the mechanism of formation of the myoma is epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) that plays a basic role in the process of cell growth, differentiation, proliferation and mitogenesis. The aim of this study is survey of EGFR gene common mutations in Iranian women with uterine myomas. In this test, the common mutations of the exon 21 and 19 in the EGFR gene were surveyed.

Materials and Methods: In this case-control study, 80 women with myoma and 80 healthy women were studied as control. For checking deletion mutation of the Exon 19 (rs121913438), the Tetra ARMS/PCR method has been used and also for checking point mutation of the exon 21(rs121434568), the ARMS/PCR method has been used and results of the experiments were analyzed via χ 2 test.

Results: The comparison of the genotypes frequency of exon 21 (TT, TG, GG) and exon 19 (WW, WD, DD) related to EGFR gene in two groups of patients and control with using statistical test respectively represents the significant difference (p=1.320e-16) and (p=3.053e-13) in the different genotypes frequency among the patients and control groups.

Conclusion: The results of research indicate a significant relationship between EGFR gene mutations in exon 19 and exon 21 and potential for myoma in the studied population.

Abstract

Background: Vitamin D was recognized with protective effects on nerve cells of Parkinson’s patients. The relationship between several VDR gene polymorphisms and age and risk of the disease was determined. Also, the relationship between VDR gene FOKI genotypes and PD was specified. The main goal of this study is to evaluate the relationship between polymorphic loci of FokI, TaqI, BsmI, ApaI and serum factor related to vitamin D metabolism in Isfahan population.

Materials and Methods: Case- control study of 125 Parkinson’s patients with their matched control individuals has been investigated based on Parkinson's disease brain bank criteria of Great Britain. After receiving consent, serum levels were measured. The genetic material was isolated by Miller protocol and polymorphisms has been analyzed and confirmed by repeated PCR-RFLP.

Results: Comparing the five serum factors between healthy subjects and patients with Parkinson's disease, we have  shown a significant reduction in the levels of calcium, ALP and PTH (p<0.01). However, none of the levels of vitamin D and phosphate show any kind of significant relationship between patients and control subjects. Concentration of blood serumic factors including calcium and PTH showed p-values less than 0.01 between Parkinson's patients and control subjects according to different genotypes containing FokI-F allele,ApaI-A allele and BsmI-b allele .

Conclusion: The result of this study showed that each of FokI and ApaI recessive alleles can influence serum calcium and parathyroid hormone between healthy individuals and Parkinson's patients significantly.