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Crescent Journal of Medical and Biological Sciences - Volume:6 Issue: 2, Apr 2019

Crescent Journal of Medical and Biological Sciences
Volume:6 Issue: 2, Apr 2019

  • تاریخ انتشار: 1398/02/14
  • تعداد عناوین: 18
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  • Amani A Al_Rehaili *_Rana G Zaini_Ghadi A Ali Pages 140-145
    Objectives
    Smoking is an essential and unavoidable risk factor for the disease and death worldwide. In addition, smoking is believed to be highly common among medical students and those studying in a clinical field who plan for becoming healthcare professionals, educators, and researchers. Thus, they are considered the prime targets for smoking prevention programs. Accordingly, the present study was designed to measure the prevalence and patterns of smoking among both male and female medical students. More specifically, it aimed to evaluate the reasons for smoking among medical students in order to recommend solutions to reduce or stop this habit.
    Materials and Methods
    This cross-sectional study was conducted during (December) 2017-(January) 2018. An online questionnaire was completed by 249 students attending the main College of Applied Medical Sciences at Taif University in Taif, Saudi Arabia.
    Results
    The results demonstrated that smoking was extremely prevalent among male and female medical students. In this population, the common types of smoking were tobacco (64%) followed by shisha (28%) and electronic cigarettes (8%). Further, based on the results, stress was regarded as the greatest common cause of smoking including 56% of the total students.
    Conclusions
    In general, more practical approaches are required to assist this group of students to reduce tobacco using or even stop their smoking habits. Therefore, the top priority should be to promote anti-smoking programs for medical students, which would definitely help manage the public health issues related to smoking.
    Keywords: Smoking, Health, Medical students, Taif University
  • Ali Ghobadi, Farshad Amini, Behbahani, Azizollah Yousefi, Maryam Taghavi Shirazi, Nasim Behnoud * Pages 146-150
    Objectives
    Ziziphus jujuba (jujube) is a plant with a long history of consumption as a fruit and a medicinal plant, which has various pharmacological effects. This plant has been widely used in traditional Persian medicine (TPM) and modern phytotherapy. Therefore, the overarching goal of this research was to review the nutritional and pharmacological properties of this valuable plant.
    Materials and Methods
    The relevant keywords were used to search different databases containing the new findings as well as the old textbooks, and several articles on Z. jujuba, its effects, and its benefits were extracted.
    Results
    First, the descriptions of Z. jujuba in the books on traditional medicine were reviewed with regard to the experiences of past physicians. Next, the new findings reported by scientists about the pharmacological effects of Z. jujuba and its active ingredients were presented. Z. jujuba has had numerous uses in the course of history. Considering the definitions provided in the traditional medical books and the modern applications of Ziziphus jujuba, there were close relationships among some of the findings, while for some of the effects described in traditional books there is no similar account in the classical medical books.
    Conclusions
    Jujube has been used for the treatment of some diseases throughout the history. Hence, since this plant is native to different parts of Iran, research centers are recommended to use the state-of-the-art technology to summarize the effects of jujube and its socioeconomic benefits.
    Keywords: Ziziphus jujuba Mill., Jujube, Traditional Persian medicine, Onnab
  • Mahin Hesami, Marya Kalhor, Daem Roshani, Mohammad Fathi * Pages 151-157
    Objectives
    Fatigue is one of the most common complications of cancer and its related medications including chemotherapy. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of reflexology on the fatigue in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy.
    Materials and Methods
    The current randomized clinical trial was conducted on 80 cancer patients under chemotherapy in Tohid Medical Center affiliated with Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences in Iran during 2016-2017. The patients were randomly assigned to control and intervention groups in the form of quadruple blocks using the StatsDirect software. The data were collected by a personal information questionnaire and the fatigue severity scale (FSS). After questionnaire administration and collection, foot sole reflexology was performed on the intervention group during four consecutive days each session lasting for 30 minutes. Then, the severity of fatigue was once more measured in the patients of both groups.
    Results
    Based on the results, the mean and standard deviation in the investigated patients, before and after the intervention was 5.538±1.041 and 4.486±1.040 in the intervention group, respectively, indicating that the difference was significant (P = 0.000). In addition, after the reflexology was performed, the mean and standard deviation of the intervention and control groups were 4.486±1.040 and 5.180±1.450, respectively, which demonstrated a significant difference between the two groups in terms of fatigue (P = 0.016).
    Conclusions
    In general, based on the results, reflexology was found to have a positive effect on fatigue in cancer patients who underwent chemotherapy.
    Keywords: Cancer, Chemotherapy, Fatigue, Reflexology
  • Seyd Hosein Abtahi Ivary, Najme Jajarmy, Mehedi Karimi Shahri, Majid Shokoohi, Hamed Shoorei, Abbas Ebadi, Maryam Moghimian *, Faraz Sigaroodi Pages 158-163
    Objectives
    Dietary n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids have positive effects on the heart. The present study investigated the effects of pretreatment with fish oil (FO) and flaxseed oil (FLO) on the heart of the rat, which is associated with the isoprenaline (ISO)-induced myocardial injury.
    Materials and Methods
    The study was conducted on 40 male Wistar rats which were included in control, ISO, FO + ISO, and FLO + ISO groups (each containing 10 rats). In ISO rats, acute myocardial ischemia was induced by ISO while in FO + ISO group, the rats were pretreated with FO orally for 4 weeks. Finally, rats in the FLO + ISO group received pretreatment with FO and flaxseed oil orally for 4 weeks. Eventually, the histopathological examinations of the cardiac tissues and serum activity of creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) were assessed. Moreover, mitochondria were isolated to examine the mitochondrial swelling.
    Results
    Based on the results, ISO administration significantly increased the serum CK-MB activity compared to the control group. In addition, severe muscular damage to the heart was observed in more than 70% of the rats in ISO group. However, a remarkable decrease in the intensity of heart tissue destruction, as well as the serum levels of CKMB was found in the FO + ISO group compared to the ISO group. Conversely, there was no significant decrease in the serum level of CKMB in FLO + ISO group compared to the ISO group.
    Conclusions
    In general, pretreatment with FLO significantly suppressed the intensity of heart tissue destruction compared to the myocardial ischemic group. FO and FLO led to a decrease in CaCl2-induced swelling in the mitochondria. Therefore, FO and FLO result in protecting against ischemia/reperfusion injury through inhibiting the 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine.
    Keywords: Isoprenaline, Myocardial Infarction, Fish oil, Flaxseed oil, Cardioprotection
  • Zahra Arab Khangholi, Jamileh Mohtashami *, Saeedeh Hosseini, Seyyed Mehdi Saberi Pages 164-169
    Objectives
    Violence exerts negative effects on nutritional status and digestive system of women provoking mental disorders among them. The aim of this study was to determine the rate of domestic violence against women presenting to legal medicine centers and its coping methods.
    Materials and Methods
    A total of 150 women sustaining domestic violence presenting to legal medicine centers in Iran were selected as participants of this descriptive study using convenience sampling method. Data were collected through demographic information questionnaire, WHO standard domestic violence questionnaire, and a researcher-made inventory of coping with domestic violence against women and analyzed through SPSS version 23.0 using Mann-Whitney test, correlation coefficient, and independent t test.
    Results
    We found mental violence as the most common type of violence against women followed by physical and sexual violence. There was a significant correlation between women’s age and problem-based strategy, women’s occupation and problem-based strategy, marriage duration and coping strategy, marriage duration and problem-based method, consent at the time of marriage and excitement-centered strategy, presence of disease and excitement-centered strategy, and drug abuse and excitement-centered strategy, and a reverse significant correlation between excitement-centered strategy and sexual violence and between problem-based strategy and mental violence.
    Conclusions
    Some training classes ought to be held to provide appropriate coping strategies for women sustaining violence.
    Keywords: Domestic violence, women, Coping method
  • Samaneh Rouhi, Rashid Ramazanzadeh *, Bijan Nouri Pages 170-177
    Objectives
    Resistance to multiple antibiotic classes is called multidrug resistance (MDR), extremely drug resistance (XDR), and pandrug resistance (PDR). In addition, the genotyping survey of resistant bacteria is a prominent factor in epidemiological surveying. Therefore, the present study aimed to conduct an epidemiological survey in order to detect XDR, MDR, and PDR of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from clinical specimens in Kurdistan province, Iran.
    Materials and Methods
    During (December) 2015-(August) 2017, a total of 134 strains of P. aeruginosa were detected by the polymerase chain reaction and were tested for antibiotic resistance, MDR, XDR, and PDR. The related specimens of the patients with nosocomial infections were subjected to BOX-PCR analysis. Finally, the data were analyzed using Stata software with frequency determination, Fisher exact test, and Logistic regression (P ≤ 0.05). BOX-PCR analysis was performed by GelJ version 1.13 software.
    Results
    Based on the results, the lowest and highest resistance and susceptibility rates in 134 isolates of P. aeruginosa were related to cefpodoxime (93.28%), imipenem (27.61%), colistin (69.40%), and cefpodoxime (6.71%), respectively. In addition, MDR and XDR isolates were observed in 97.76% and 15.67% of P. aeruginosa isolates, respectively. However, PDR was detected in none of the isolates while BOX-PCR demonstrated four main clusters with 56 unique patterns in nosocomial infection isolates. Further, a significant relationship was observed between MDR and XDR isolates and nosocomial infection (P ≤ 0.05). Eventually, there was a significant association between ward, the type of specimens, and hospitals with nosocomial infection (P ≤ 0.05).
    Conclusions
    In general, a high frequency of antibiotic resistance was observed in this study whereas no genetic correlation was observed between P. aeruginosa strains. In sum, selecting the most effective antibiotics and devising an efficient way for controlling the antibiotic resistance should be taken into consideration.
    Keywords: Genotyping, Pandrug Resistance, Extensively Drug resistance, Multidrug resistance, Pseudomonas aeruginosa
  • Vahid Keshavarz, Saeed Rezaee Zarchi, Afshar Bargahi, Hossein Khorramde, Mohammad Ali Zare, Zeinab Mahdian, Arman Hashemi, Mohammad Hashemi, Parviz Farzadinia * Pages 178-182
    Objectives
    The effects of air pollution from industrial advances and mechanization on people, specifically children whose immune and respiratory systems are not fully developed, have attracted growing attention from researchers. Given that the oil and gas facilities in Asaluyeh have turned it into one of the most polluted regions in the world, this study aimed at investigating the effect of airborne dust particles (ADPs) on the atomic absorption of heavy metals and histopathologic changes in spleen and bone marrow of male rats.
    Materials and Methods
    In this study, 30 adult male rats were assigned to the control, negative control, and treatment groups. After the course of treatment, the changes in spleen and bone marrow tissue, as well as atomic absorption of metals (lead, mercury, cadmium, and arsenic) in their serums were examined.
    Results
    The atomic absorption of metals in the serum of the treatment group significantly increased as compared to the control group; in addition, the significant histopathologic changes were observed only in the spleen tissues.
    Conclusions
    Dust of polluted air of Asaluyeh had relative toxic effects on spleen tissue and serum but did not have toxic effects on bone marrow.
    Keywords: Dust pollution, Asaluyeh, Spleen, Bone marrow, Rat
  • Mahdi Basiri Moghadam, Forough Rafii *, Abbas Ebadi Pages 183-190
    Objectives
    Procrastination is associated with many negative consequences which can have an effect on both physical and mental health while little attention is paid to health-related procrastination (HRP). Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the prevalence of HRP and its related factors among nurses.
    Materials and Methods
    This cross-sectional study was conducted on 400 nurses working in educational hospitals affiliated with Iran and Gonabad University of Medical Sciences. These nurses were selected employing multi-stage sampling method in 2018. The data were collected by a highly reliable researcher-made HRP questionnaire. Finally, the data were analyzed using SPSS software, version 14.5.
    Results
    Based on the results, 14.86% and 15.36% of the nurses were high and low health-related procrastinators, respectively. In addition, the health status of the nurses decreased by increasing the HRP levels (P < 0.001). There was a statistically significant relationship between HRP and the place of habitation (P = 0.009), employment status (P = 0.013), and one’s satisfaction with his/her economic status (P = 0.013). However, no significant relationship was found between variables such as age (P = 0.18), gender (P = 0.9), marital status (P = 0.73), level of education (P = 0.69), work shift (P = 0.47), position (P = 0.51), type of working ward (P=0.61), underlying disease (P = 0.90), work experience (P = 0.25), and number of children (P = 0.22).
    Conclusions
    In general, the results revealed that HRP is less common among nurses compare to other individuals in society. Therefore, improving the health status of the nurses necessitates planning and performing several actions in order to reduce HRP.
    Keywords: Health, Procrastination, Nurses
  • Azizeh Barry, Kobra Parvan, Faranak Jabbarzadeh Tabrizi *, Parvin Sarbakhsh, Bagher Safa Pages 191-195
    Objectives
    Professional self-concept is the individual’s perception of himself/herself as a professional person. Stress is considered a common phenomenon in nursing education due to the nature of clinical environments. However, the relationship between these two variables is unclear in the review of the literature. Accordingly, this study aimed to assess the correlation between professional self-concept and stress among nursing students in clinical environments.
    Materials and Methods
    The present descriptive correlational study was conducted, between the second and the eighth semesters, on 154 nursing students who were selected using the stratified random sampling technique. Based on the purpose of the study, the Cowin’s 36-item questionnaire of professional self-concept and Cohen’s perceived stress scale (PSS) were used to collect the required data. Finally, data were analyzed by SPSS using the Pearson correlation coefficient (or Spearman correlation coefficient in case of non-normality of the variables).
    Results
    The overall mean score of professional self-concept in nursing students was 210.80 ± 37.41. In addition, the highest and lowest scores were related to the seventh and second semesters, respectively. Further, the correlation coefficient of the total score of professional self-concept with the total score of stress was equal to -0.31, which is considered significant (P < 0.001).
    Conclusions
    In general, a statistically significant correlation was observed between the professional self-concept and stress among the nursing students. In other words, a higher professional self-concept was associated with a reduction in the level of stress. Therefore, lower professional self-concept can be one of the possible causes of stress among the students. As a result, designing and implementing interventions are considered essential in promoting professional self-concept among nursing students.
    Keywords: Self-concepts, Stressful events, Nursing student
  • Mahin Kamalifard, Niloufar Sattarzadeh, Jalil Babapour, Soraya Gholami * Pages 196-200
    Objectives
    Diabetes is considered a chronic metabolic disorder which is caused by increased levels of blood sugar. In addition, neurological complications including sexual function disorders are one of the long-term side effects of diabetes. Further, decreased libido, as another complication, is highly prevalent in people with diabetes. Accordingly, the present study aimed to determine sexual function and its predictors in women with type 2 diabetes in Sanandaj, Iran.
    Methods
    The participants of the study included 254 women (127 married women with type 2 diabetes vs. 127 healthy women) who referred to the diabetes center in Sanandaj during 2016. The randomized sampling method was used to select the study samples. Furthermore, data were collected by demographic and sexual function questionnaires. Finally, the obtained data were analyzed using SPSS software. The P < 0.05 was considered statisticially significant.
    Results
    The mean (SD) of the total sexual function of healthy women and those with diabetes was 29.89 (±9.8) and 28.83 (±12.1), respectively, indicating that there was a statistically significant difference between the groups in this respect (P = 0.044).
    Conclusions
    In general, sexual dysfunction was found to be an effective variable in the lives of women with diabetes type 2. Therefore, identifying and treating sexual dysfunction in women can increase life satisfaction and thus result in preserving the families and having a healthy community.
    Keywords: Sexual dysfunction, Diabetes, Sexual satisfaction
  • Hamideh Najjarpour, Jabbari, Mohammad Nouri, Masoud Pezeshkian, Masoud Darabi, Razieh Parizad* Pages 201-208
    Objectives
    Fatty acids may include saturated or unsaturated fat. It seems that the consumption of trans fatty acids (TFA) can raise the risk of coronary artery diseases (CADs). The composition of the fatty acids of epicardial and subcutaneous adipose tissues (SATs) is a proper biomarker for assessing the fat used in a long-term period; therefore, nutrition can affect this composition. In addition, the human serum paraoxonase enzyme is considered an estraz/lactonase whose activity decreases in coronary heart disease (CHD). The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between metabolic variables related to the fatty acid composition of epicardial and subcutaneous fatty tissues and the activity of the paraoxonase enzyme. Further, the current study sought to explore the regional differences between subcutaneous and epicardial fatty acids, and the relationship between these measurements, as well as metabolic variables and food.
    Materials and Methods
    This descriptive cross-sectional study included 42 patients within the age range of 35-65 years who underwent coronary artery bypass graft. The fatty acid profile was measured by means of gas chromatography equipment, followed by estimating the lipid parameters of serum samples using commercial kits and enzymatic method in the autoanalyzer. Finally, paraoxonase enzyme activity was evaluated by Sigma chemical paraoxon substrate.
    Results
    Based on the results, the amounts of saturated fatty acids (SFAs) such as meristic (14:0), palmitic (16:0), and stearic (18:0) acids of the epicardium were higher. However, the levels of unsaturated fatty acids including palmitoleic (16:1), oleic (18:1 n-9), linoleic (18:2 n-6), and linolenic acids of the epicardium were lower compared to the SAT. Further, hypertension had a positive relationship with 18:1 n-11 (r=0.349, P=0.024) while a negative relationship with 18:1 n-9 (r=0.319, P=0.041) and 18:2 n-6 (r=0.391, P=0.01) epicardial adipose tissues. Foods such as fruits and vegetables had a positive relationship with linolenic acid (18:3 n-9) and conjugated linolenic acid epicardium. Furthermore, paraoxonase enzyme activity reduced by increasing the number of vessel cramps. Moreover, body mass index was found to have a negative relationship with subcutaneous SFAs whereas a positive association with the subcutaneous palmitoleic acid (16:1 n-7).
    Conclusions
    In general, the findings revealed that the amounts of subcutaneous and epicardial fatty acids vary in individuals with different CADs and that both types of fatty acids and serum lipid profile are correlated with each other. Additionally, there is a relationship between fatty acids of these two tissues and serum lipid profiles and food, as well as between paraoxonase enzyme and vascular cramps.
    Keywords: Epicardial adipose tissue, Fatty acids, Cardiac artery bypass graft, Paraoxonase
  • Shiva Pour Vahdani, Taghi Khanzadeh, Fattaneh Karimi, Aylin Jahanban Esfahlan, Somayeh Ghavipanjeh, Amin Ghasemi, Milad Zadi Heydarabad, Hakim Azizi, Akbar Darbin, Arash Khorrami, Ako Azimi * Pages 209-213
    Objectives
    Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is considered one of the common types of cancers in childhood with an incidence of up to 25%. In addition, drug resistance is a phenomenon which reduces the chances of overcoming cancer. Further, a phytoalexin combination called resveratrol can sensitize the leukemic cells to apoptotic cell death. Due to the importance of the above-mentioned issues, the present study aimed to evaluate the effect of resveratrol on BAX and BCL-2 expression levels and apoptosis induction.
    Materials and Methods
    CCRF-CEM cultured cells were treated by resveratrol at doses of 15, 50, and 100 μM based on previous studies. Furthermore, RT Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was conducted to assess the BAX and BCL-2 gene expression. Moreover, the amount of apoptosis induction was analyzed by annexin V staining method.
    Results
    Based on the results, time and concentration were found to play a critical role in resveratrol-induced apoptosis. Additionally, BAX upregulation and BCL-2 downregulation excreted by resveratrol in CCRF-CEM cells resulted in predisposing these cells to apoptosis.
    Conclusions
    In general, it was revealed that resveratrol could have a chemo-preventive activity by modifying the expression of BAX and BCL-2 genes. Finally, resveratrol was found to be a supplement drug in anti-leukemic therapy.
    Keywords: Leukemia, Resveratrol, BCL-2 associated X, BCL-2 Gene, Apoptosis
  • Aniseh Javadi, Reza Badalzadeh *, Narges Zolfagharzadeh, Sara Adeli Shahir Pages 214-220
    Objectives
    Ischemic heart disease is the principal cause of mortality worldwide. Using natural strategies to prevent this disease is very important. Therefore, the current study aimed to evaluate the combined effects of the cinnamon extract and aerobic exercise on oxidative stress following myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury.
    Materials and Methods
    Male Wistar rats weighing 250-300 g were randomly divided into 4 groups (6 rats each) including control, cinnamon extract, aerobic exercise, and a combination of cinnamon and exercise. The aerobic exercise was performed on a treadmill and the cinnamon extract was administered by gavage for a month. In addition, the isolated hearts of the rats received global ischemia (30 minutes) and reperfusion (60 minutes) in order to induce I/R injury. Lactate dehydrogenase (the indicator of tissue damage), the marker of lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde), and antioxidative enzymes (i.e., superoxide-dismutase and glutathione-peroxidase) were measured with specific kits and spectrophotometric methods on samples obtained from the ischemic tissues.
    Results
    Based on the results, lactate dehydrogenase level significantly decreased in the group receiving a combination of cinnamon and aerobic exercise compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Further, both aerobic exercise and cinnamon extract significantly increased the values of antioxidant enzymes and this effect was greater in combination therapy compared to the individual treatments. However, the amount of malondialdehyde in the exercise group and in the combined treatment significantly reduced compared to that of the control groups (P < 0.05).
    Conclusions
    A combination of aerobic training with cinnamon supplementation had better cardioprotective influences. Accordingly, cinnamon may increase the aerobic exercise potency in enhancing the heart antioxidant capacity against oxidative insult in reperfusion injury.
    Keywords: Myocardial reperfusion injury, Oxidative stress, Cinnamon, Aerobic exercise, Antioxidant
  • Mehri Jafari Shobeiri, Noushin Mobaraki Asl *, Ali Dastranj Tabrizi, Heidar Ali Esmaeeli, Manizheh Sayyah, Melli, Parvin Mostafa, Gharabaghi, Elaheh Ouladsahebmadarek, Maryam Vaezi Pages 221-225
    Objectives
    Endometrial cancer is one of the most important and prevalent malignancies among women and its treatment and prognosis depends on the severity and spread of the disease in the body. The present study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of the frozen section (FS) as a reliable method for intraoperative decision-making in patients with endometrial endometrioid adenocarcinoma.
    Materials and Methods
    This study was conducted during September 2016- February 2017 on 50 patients with endometrioid adenocarcinoma, detected by the diagnostic curettage which was the total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (TAH + BSO) surgery candidate in the oncology ward of Al-Zahra hospital of Tabriz. Tissue samples of TAH + BSO patients sent for FS pathology were evaluated in terms of histological subtype criteria including endometrioid, serous, clear cell, undifferentiated, tumor grade 1, 2, and 3, tumor size in cm smaller or bigger than 2 cm, and myometrial invasion (MI) rate higher or lower than 50 %. FS results were compared to the final results of the paraffin section (PS) pathology.
    Results
    The concordance rate between PS and FS regarding the risk factors of endometrioid (k: 0 .492, P < 0.001), myometrium invasion (k: 0.729, P < 0.001), tumor size (k: 0.800, P < 0.001), tumor grade (k: 0.641, P < 0.001), undifferentiated (k: 0.545, P < 0.001), adenosquamous (k: 0.390, P < 0.005), papillary serous (k: 0.658, P < 0.001), and clear cell (k: 0.479, P < 0.001) was 49, 73, 80, 64, 54, 39, and 65 %, respectively.
    Conclusions
    Based on the results, if FS is accurately and precisely implemented, an appropriate decision can be taken for low-risk patients. This method can successfully be adopted by the gynecologic oncologists.
    Keywords: Endometrial cancer, Frozen section, Paraffin section, Surgical staging
  • Babak Nasiri, Naser Khezerloy Aghdam, Ahmad Separham, Ramin Salmasi, Nilgoon Daviran, Raziyeh Parizad, Mohammadreza Taban Sadeghi * Pages 226-230
    Objectives
    Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a major cause of hospital admission and the main reason for mortality in the world, which are triggered by both genetic and environmental factors. In addition, minerals and trace elements have long been considered potential risk factors for CVD among which calcium and magnesium may play a significant role. Accordingly, the present study aimed to assess the relationship between coronary atherosclerotic diseases and hardness of drinking-water in the residence of patients admitted to Shahid Madani hospital in Tabriz.
    Materials and Methods
    The population of the study included 780 patients undergoing coronary angiography out of whom 547 cases were entered into this case-control study. The subjects were then divided into 5 groups based on the severity of coronary artery involvement: with the least or no involvement (control group), one artery involved (group 1), 2 arteries involved (group 2), 3 arteries involved (group 3), and severe diffuse involvement of all coronary arteries (group 4). Residences of the patients were located from their medical history and then 200-mL of drinking-water samples were then taken from each area in plastic containers. Next, the levels of calcium and magnesium were measured using the EDTA method. Finally, the samples were divided into 4 groups based on the hardness of water.
    Results
    The mean age of the participants was 59.7 years and the most frequent type of water in the residential areas was the soft water. Further, the highest frequency related to the severity of atherosclerosis belonged to groups 4 and 3, respectively. Based on the results, no significant relationship was found either between the severity of atherosclerosis and calcium level of water or the severity of atherosclerosis and magnesium level of water.
    Conclusions
    In general, the results revealed that there was no significant relationship between the levels of calcium and magnesium in the drinking water of the patients residing in East Azerbaijan province and their severity of atherosclerosis. The findings further suggest that the drinking water of the province can be divided into hard and soft water and the severity of atherosclerosis of the patients is independent of the hardness of the drinking water in their residences.
    Keywords: Calcium, Magnesium, Hardness of drinking-water, Atherosclerosis
  • Mehrdad Naghikhani, Hamid Tayefi Nasrabadi*, Jafar Soleimanirad, Mohammad Taghi Joghataei, Amir Massoud Arablu Pages 231-236
    Objectives
    Micro-RNAs (miRs) affect the gene expression of the pain and inflammation mediators. Myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) are one of the most common causes of skeletal and muscle pain. In this regard, dry needling (DN) was favored by physiotherapists as an effective method of treatment for mucopolysaccharidosis. The present study aimed to assess the effectiveness of DN on serum concentration of miR-939 and miR-25 before and after the treatment in patients with muscular pain caused by MTrPs in their shoulder girdle muscles.
    Methods
    Twenty patients with pain in their shoulders, upper limbs, along with heads and necks, who had 3-5 active MTrPs in their shoulder girdle muscles participated in the study. They were treated in 5 sessions with DN. One session was held per day every three days for 2 weeks. Before and after the treatment, the pain intensity of the patients was measured using the visual analogue scale (VAS), their peripheral blood samples were taken, and miR serum concentrations were estimated by real-time polymerase chain reaction.
    Results
    Comparing pain intensity in patients revealed a significant reduction after the treatment (P<0.05). In addition, statistical analysis indicated up-regulation of miR-939 and miR-25 with a significant difference (P<0.05) after the treatment compared to the time before the treatment.
    Conclusion
    According to the reduction in pain intensity and increased expression of miR-939 and miR-25 serum levels after treatment, it can be concluded that DN is an effective technique for treatment of mucopolysaccharidosis in shoulder girdle muscles.
    Keywords: MicroRNA, miR-939, miR-25, Pain, MTrPs, Muscle pain, Dry needling
  • Jamileh Mahdizadeh, Hamid Bouraghi, Sohaila Sadat Ghazavi Shariat Panahi, Ali Mohammadpour, Afsane Khoie Shargh, Mansore Rajabi Mojarad, Mehdi Kahouei * Pages 237-241
    Objectives
    The rate of mortality in the perinatal period is considered one of the most important health indices in a community. Therefore, effective factors should be identified and appropriate strategies should be developed to maintain and enhance the health level of the neonates as a vulnerable group. Accordingly, the present study aimed to determine the rate of perinatal mortality in Semnan.
    Materials and Methods
    This cross-sectional study was performed on perinatal death certificates at the neonatal department of Amiralmomenin hospital of Semnan University of Medical Sciences during 2016-2017. Based on the aim of the study, an anonymous self-administered questionnaire was developed and used.
    Results
    The findings indicated that 55.9% of the newborns were premature. In addition, 89.1% of the infants weighed less than 2500 g. Further, 35.8% of the deaths were due to prematurity while 1.9 of them were related to a congenital anomaly. Finally, a significant relationship was found between the gestational age and causes of death (P < 0.05).
    Conclusions
    In general, authorities are recommended to develop and equip maternity centers and provide access to experienced personnel in developing countries. Moreover, based on the findings, developing neonates care centers and having access to intensive care special for high-risk neonates are considered essential issues.
    Keywords: Cause of Death, Infant, Newborn, Diseases, Premature
  • Majid Montazer, Haleh Farzin, Maryam Hoseini *, Tala Hoseini Pages 242-245
    Objectives
    Teratoma is a rare tumor derived from pluripotent stem cells accounting for 10%-15% of the mediastinal tumors and are the most common subtypes of germ cells which undergo impaired migration during the embryonic developmental period. Teratomas are indemnified by the presence of the tissue from at least two embryonic germ layers and thus, the migration of these pluripotent cells along the lung bud can lead to intrapulmonary mass with or without mediastinal involvement.
    Case Presentation
    In the current report, the case of a 26-year-old woman was presented who was diagnosed with chronic cough from her childhood. The patient had no previous surgery. She mainly complained about cough and sputum production during her childhood period (10-12 years old) which failed to respond to conventional treatment. The 3-year post-operative follow-up indicated no pulmonary symptoms or signs in this patient.
    Conclusions
    In general, the anatomical location of teratoma is associated with several challenges while this tumor demonstrates different symptoms. The histopathological diagnosis of teratoma includes germ cells and other non–germ cells. Therefore, surgical resection is considered the optimal treatment for this tumor since it cannot respond to chemotherapy. Finally, lung teratoma has multifaceted challenges including histopathological diagnosis and therefore, surgery is regarded as the optimal modality of treatment.
    Keywords: Cough, Exercise dyspnea, Teratoma, Lung