Journal of Advances in Medical and Biomedical Research
Volume:23 Issue: 99, 2015

Amniotic membrane (AM) as a natural tissue has lots of unique features which make it a suitable candidate for vascular tissue engineering. The aim of this study was to evaluate blood compatibility of mesenchymal surface of the AM. In this study, the effect of mesenchymal surface of the AM on internal and external coagulation pathways, hemolysis and platelet activity was measured and the results were compared with heparin-coated ePTFE as a synthetic vessel substitute. In addition, platelet adhesion and their morphologic changes after being in contact with samples were analyzed by electron microscopy. Prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), clotting time and hemolysis tests showed that the AM is hemocompatible. Additionally, mesenchymal surface of the AM induced platelet aggregation less than ePTFE while both similarly provoked secretion of P-selectin. Number of adhered platelets to mesenchymal surface of the AM was less than ePTFE. The platelets on the mesenchymal surface had round morphology whereas ePTFE exhibited dendritic shape platelets. Results of this study showed that the mesenchymal surface of the AM is hemocompatible which could be a proper candidate for vascular tissue engineering.

In this study the effect of high intensity interval training on miR-29 expression that is expressed in the heart and in the regulation of physiological processes, including extracellular matrix and cardiac hypertrophy of healthy male rats were examined.

16 Wistar rats were divided into training (n=8) and control (n=8) groups. After one week of familiarization, the training protocol was performed for 8 weeks. The progressive training protocol included 6 min warm up (with 50 to 60% of VO2max), 7 frequency (4 min with 80 to 90% of VO2max and 3 min with 50 to 60% of VO2max) and 5 min cool down with 50 to 60% of VO2max. The animals were sacrificed 24 hours after the last session of training program and cardiac samples were kept at a temperature of - 80 ° C and the variable expression levels (miR-29a، miR-29b and miR-29c) were measured by RT-PCR method. Analysis of the results was performed by independent t-test.

Training led to a significant increase in miR-29a (3. 5 fold), miR-29b (2. 24 fold) and miR-29c (9. 77 fold) gene expression in the training group compared with the control group (p<0. 001). Also training brought about 22% increase in heart weight to body weight ratio (HW/BW) in the training group (p<0. 001).

These results point out that training increases miR-29 expression which is associated with physiological cardiac hypertrophy and improved heart performance.

There are evidences for the beneficial effects of probiotic products on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The aim of the current study was to investigate the effects of probiotic yogurt consumption compared to conventional yogurt on enzymes and ecogenisity of liver in patients with NAFLD.

This study was conducted on 72 patients with NAFLD. Subjects were randomly allocated to either the intervention or control group (n=36, in each group) and consumed 300 g of probiotic yogurt or 300 g of conventional yogurt everyday for 8 weeks, respectively. Dietary intakes, anthropometric parameters, liver ultrasonography, serum levels of liver enzymes were measured at the beginning and the end of the study. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software and chi-square test, independent sample t-tests, analysis of covariance and paired t-tests.

There were not any significant differences in baseline characteristics at the beginning of the study. Probiotic yogurt consumption caused 13.6% decrease in Alanine Amino Transferase (ALT) compared with the control group and reduced Aspartate Amino Transferase (AST) by 13.87% (P <0.02 and P <0.005, respectively). No significant changes were seen in AST to ALT ratio between the groups after the trial (P-value >0.05). Results of liver ultrasonography showed significant improvement in intervention group versus control group (P-value <0.02).

Probiotic yogurt consumption lowered serum ALT and AST concentrations in our subjects and improved liver ecogenisity. Nevertheless, it might have a role in the improvment of NAFLD.

The use of low-molecular-weight, nonpeptidic molecules that degrade the interaction between the p53 protein and its negative regulator MDM2 (Murine- double minute colon 2) is a new therapeutic strategy for treatment of various types of cancer. One of these agents is RITA (reactivation of p53 and induction of tumor cell apoptosis) which binds to p53 protein and inhibits formation of p53-MDM2 complex while induces apoptosis in tumor cells by increasing p53 protein levels. The aim of this study was to assess the possible in vitro apoptotic effects of RITA on pre-B ALL NALM-6 cells. NALM-6 cells were treated with different concentrations of RITA at different time intervals. The viability of NALM-6 cells and apoptosis was measured by MTT assay and PI staining, respectively. The level of p53, acetylated p53 as well as cleaved PARP and procaspase-3 were determined by Western blot in RITA-treated cells. The results were analyzed using Paired t test. RITA has cytotoxic effects on NALM-6 cells. Flow cytometry analysis indicated increased apoptotic cells in sub G1 region in treated cells (P < 0.05). The Western blot analysis revealed that protein expression levels of p53, and its acetylation increased in response to RITA. In addition, RITA-induced apoptosis associated with activation of caspase-3 and PARP cleavage. The results of this study showed that RITA induced p53-dependent apoptosis in pre-B ALL NALM-6 cells.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen causing nosocomial burn infections. Disease results from the production of numerous virulence factors, some of which are injected directly into the eukaryotic host cells via the type III secretion system (T3SS).The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of cytotoxins encoding exoT, exoY, exoS and exoU genes among the P. aeruginosa isolated from burn patients. Over one year period of study, a total of 95 isolates of P. aeruginosa were collected and identified from burn infections in hospitalized patients. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based method was used for detection of exoT, exoY exoS and exoU genes. According to CLSI (Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute) guidelines antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed by disc diffusion method against 10 antibiotics. The data were analyzed by χ2 test. A p value of <0.05 was considered as statistically significant. All of the isolates of P. aeruginosa contained exoT gene while exoY gene was detected in 69.5 % of isolates. The prevalence of exoU and exoS genes was 44.1% and 35.8%, respectively. 8.42% of isolates harbored all of the four genes. Coexistence of exoS and exoU was seen in 10.5% of the isolates. High resistance rates were seen for cefipime, Azteronam and Ofloxacin. Considering the low prevalence of exoS in P. aeruginosa causing burn infection in comparison with other infections caused by this bacterium, it seems that this gene has a minor role in the P. aeruginosa pathogenesis isolated from burn infection. Instead, exoT and exoY were found in nearly all isolates and probably, these genes may have a greater role in burn infections.

Previous studies indicate an inverse association of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin-D level with obesity, metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular events. This study was aimed to assess metabolic syndrome correlation with serum Vit-D levels of physicians in Zanjan city (Iran).

In an analytical cross-sectional study, a total of 108 physicians were selected and their 25-hydroxyvitamin D status, fasting blood glucose, triglyceride and HDL were assessed using venous blood. Metabolic syndrome was defined based on ATPIII criteria. Data was analyzed using SPSS software.

The mean serum 25(OH) D concentration was 23.40±23.72 ng/ml and its median level was 17.65 ng/ml. 25 (OH) D concentrations <20 ng/ml was observed in 62% of the participants. The prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome for the whole sample was 21.2%. The most prevalent components of metabolic syndrome were hypertriglyceridemia and low HDL with a prevalence of 55.6% and 38%, respectively. Significant correlative difference was found between serum 25(OH) D levels and triglyceride (P = 0.009).

The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and metabolic syndrome among physicians in Zanjan was lower than general population. A significant association between serum levels of Vitamin D and triglyceride was detected, which may be due to higher BMI.

Horizontal transfer of integrons is the most successful transfer of antimicrobial resistance genes and the emergence of multi-drug resistance strains. The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of class I and II integrons and their gene cassette assortments and antibiotic resistance profile in Escherichia coli strains isolated from diarrheal and urine specimens.

In this cross-sectional study 200 E. coli isolates were collected from the clinical urine and stool specimens. After identification of isolates by biochemical tests, the antibiotic susceptibility test (disk diffusion method) was done according to CLSI advice against 13 antibiotics. DNA extraction was performed and class 1 and 2 integrons and associated gene cassettes were determined using PCR method.

The highest resistance was found against erythromycin (96.5%) and %98.5 of isolates were susceptible to imipenem. Out of 200 isolates, class 1 integron was detected in 181 (90.5%) isolates and 78.5% of these isolates were positive for the gene cassettes. Also, class 2 integron was detected in 15 (7.5%) isolates and 2% of them were positive for the gene cassettes. Dihydrofolate reductase (dfrA) and aminoglycoside adenyl transferase (aad) gene cassettes were found most frequently in intI1 positive isolates.

These results indicate that class 1 integrons are widespread among E. coli isolates. Therefore, appropriate surveillance and control measures are essential to prevent further spread of integron producing isolates.

The adipokines or adipocytokines are cytokines secreted from adipocyte tissue including Vaspin and chemerin. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of eight weeks of intense aerobic exercise on vaspin and chemerin level changes in female Spraw dawly rats. Among the Spraw Dawly rats available in the laboratory of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, 35 samples were selected and divided into control (15 rats) and experimental (20 rats) groups. The necessary controls were conducted in terms of nutrition, sex (female) and age (two months old). For 8 weeks, the training group rats performed a high-intensity exercise in accordance with the training program, consisting of running on a treadmill 5 times a week. This exercise was carried out progressively and in compliance with the principle of overload. The data was analyzed using independent t-test by SPSS (version 16). In order to determine the relationship between the study variables, Pearson's correlation coefficient was utilized. The research findings suggest that physical exercise reduces vaspin protein levels (P<0.0001) and increases serum levels in chemerin (P<0.0001). It was found out that the response of adipokines in female rats to intense exercises (for 8 weeks) is different; though, it cannot be claimed that all of them exhibit increasing or decreasing effects. The response is probably influenced by the duration or the intensity of the exercise.

Diabetic ketoacidosis is one of the most common and life threatening complications in children with diabetes mellitus. The aim of this study was to evaluate predisposing factors, complications and prognosis of the patients with diabetic ketoacidosis admitted to Zanjan hospitals. The records of patients with DKA admitted to Mousavi and Vali-e Asr Hospitals of Zanjan city from 2006 to 2011 were studied. The presenting complaints along with laboratory results were collected and analyzed. This study was carried out on fifty one patients with diabetic ketoacidosis. The mean age of children was 6.6±3.9 years. The most frequent symptoms were nausea and vomiting and the most frequent signs were dehydration (94.1%) and tachypnea (88.2%). Regarding laboratory results, 49% of patients showed hypokalemia, 25.5% hypoglycemia, 17.6% hyponatremia, 11.8% hypernatremia, and 9.8% hyperkalemia. Finally, 48 patients were discharged while 3 patients died; two of whom were died due to cerebral edema. Cerebral edema was the major mortality factor in our study. Therefore, prevention and treatment of cerebral edema is recommended.

The purpose of this study was to compare depression in children of single parent and two-parent families and examine the convergence of Family Drawing test and Children’s Depression Inventory (CDI) in diagnosing depression disorders. This study was of causal-descriptive type. Sample included 217 third grade students who were selected randomly. The research instrument was Children’s Depression Inventory (kovacs, 1992) and Draw-A-Family-test (Hall, 1951). Students completed Children’s Depression Inventory and then they were assessed using family drawing test. Data were analyzed based on gender and family type (single parent and two-parent family) using descriptive methods, Pearson correlation and T test. Results from Pearson correlation indicated a significant correlation (R=0/328, p<0/001) between two tests. The mean of depression of children with single parent in Children’s Depression Inventory and Family Drawing Test was significantly higher than the mean of depression of children with normal families. There was no difference in the mean of depression between girls and boys in Children’s Depression Inventory, but a significant difference was observed between two genders in terms of Family Drawing test. Separation from one of the parents is associated with high risk of depression in children. Both of the aforementioned tests have high analytic value in diagnosis of children’s depression.

Arthrosis of the hip joint is one of the most common complications of patients and many efforts have been made to find its etiology. One of the subjects important for researchers is morphologic parameters of the hip joint and its relationship with osteoarthritis of this joint. Since these parameters themselves are affected by physical parameters of the body and the race, we made an endeavor to study these parameters in an Iranian population. 300 normal anteroposterior radiograms of the pelvis were studied for anatomic parameters of the hip joint including: center edge angle of Wiberg, acetabular index, neck-shaft angle and head-neck ratio. Physical parameters of subjects including height, weight and body mass index (BMI) were recorded. The relationship between these parameters were studied using SPSS software. Mean center-edge angle was 34 degrees, mean acetabular index was 38 degrees, mean head-neck ratio was 1.4 and mean neck-shaft angle was 130 degrees. Center-edge angle was greater than 25 degrees in 4.7% of our population. With respect to correlation between anatomic parameters of the hip and physical parameters, neck-shaft angle and height, and also head-neck ratio and BMI had positive correlations with neck-shaft angle and BMI, but head-neck ratio and height had inverse correlation. The mean parameters of hip joint in Iranian population are similar to other populations. In our population, 4.7% of asymptomatic hips had acetabular dysplasia.

Obesity is a low grade inflammatory condition. It seems that there is an association between diet quality and inflammatory markers. Healthy Eating Index (HEI) is one of the important tools to assess diet quality. In this study, we assessed the effect of improving HEI score through nutritional education on serum levels of inflammatory markers in obese women. This study was a randomized clinical trial on sixty obese women who were assigned to educated and non-educated groups. Three months of nutritional education, one session in a week, was conducted for education group. The HEI scores of diet for seven days were recorded. Then, the concentrations of inflammatory markers (hs-CRP, TNF-α) and the anthropometric indexes were assessed at the baseline and at the end of the study in both groups. After adjustment for energy intake, weight and age, the HEI score of educated group improved significantly. Prior to receiving education, the HEI mean score was in need of improvement (60.58±6.31) in the educated group. Throughout education it improved to a good level (83.34±5.12). After adjustment for energy intake, weight and age, the plasma levels of hs-CRP, TNF-α significantly decreased (all p values were <0.05). It seems that the quality of diet could be an independent factor in preventing chronic diseases through improving inflammatory condition.