مجله دانشگاه علوم پزشکی مازندران
پیاپی 217 (بهمن 1401)

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the most complex diseases of the central nervous system (CNS). Nesfatin is an 82-amino acid effective polypeptide in CNS. In this study, we investigated the role of nesfatin in neuron protection in the process of diffuse concussion in rats and also its effect on the level of matrix metalloproteinase-9.

In this experimental study, 56 Wistar rats were subjected to TBI by the Marmaru method. After 30 minutes, nesfatin was injected intraperitoneally at different doses, and repeated on second and third days. The results of Veterinary Coma Scale, beam walk and beam balance tests were recorded at Pre-TBI, immediately after TBI, 24, 48, and 72 hours after TBI. After 72 hours, CSF was collected from the cisterna magna and used for ELISA test to measure the matrix metalloproteinase-9.

Intraperitoneal administration of nesfatin at 50 µg/kg and 10 µg/kg can reduce cerebral edema, destruction of the blood-brain barrier, and neurological and balance-motor scores (P<0.0001) compared with the control group (Sham and Intact) (P<0.0001). Nesfatin was not found effective at 20µg/kg (P>0.05).

Nesfatin has been able to affect the consequences of trauma and reduce brain edema, accelerate the improvement of blood-brain barrier and neurological and balance scores. Probably part of these neuroprotective effects is through reduction of MMP-9.

The sequence of Omp25 is conserved in all Brucella species. The high antigenicity of the product of this gene stimulates the host’s immune system. Using engineered probiotic bacteria is an appropriate method for vaccine transport. The aim of this study was to express the Omp25 of the Brucella abortus pathogenic bacterium in Lactococcus lactis probiotic bacterium.

In this experimental study, the required vector was designed and synthesized to include the gene of interest and a signal peptide (pNZ8148-Usp45-Omp25). E. coli strain TOP10F was transformed using the pNZ8148-Usp45-Omp25 expression vector based on induction by nisin. The recombinant plasmid was extracted from the transformed bacteria using a plasmid extraction kit. The L. lactis was transformed by pNZ8148-Usp45-Omp25 vector using electroporation. Evaluation of the expression of Omp25 gene at the RNA level was assessed by reverse transcription method and confirming the presence of recombinant Omp25 protein in the engineered bacteria using SDS-PAGE method.

Successful expression of B. abortus Omp25 in L. lactis was verified by RT-PCR. Subsequently, the proteins were separated based on molecular weight using sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). The protein expression analysis showed the expression of Omp25 as a 25kDa extra band in transformed L. lactis compared to the L. lactis receiving the vector lacking the target gene.

This study shows that Omp25 is expressed in L. lactis transformed via pNZ8148-Usp45-Omp25 by electroporation. Transformed L. lactis can be successfully used as a subunit oral vaccine in prevention of Brucellosis.

Considering the antioxidant properties of physical activity, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) and high-intensity intermittent training (HIIT) on oxidative stress and total antioxidant capacity in rats treated with cisplatin.

In this experimental study, 24 male laboratory rats were randomly divided into four groups (control, control cisplatin, cisplatin + MICT, and cisplatin + HIIT). In cisplatin groups, 5.5mg/kg cisplatin was injected intraperitoneally. The training programs continued for 10 weeks. Twenty four hours after last training session, blood serum of rats was collected to examine the study variables. Data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance.

In this study, cisplatin caused significant increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) (P=0.019), significant decrease in total antioxidant capacity (TAC) (P=0.014), and significant decrease in catalase (CAT) (P=0.001) in the control group compared to the cisplatin control group. MDA showed significant reduction in cisplatin+ MICT group (P=0.001) and cisplatin + HIIT group (P=0.001) compared to the cisplatin control group. Findings showed no significant difference in TAC between cisplatin + HIIT group and healthy controls (P=0.66). CAT in cisplatin + MICT group (P=0.12) and in cisplatin + HIIT group (P=0.177) was not found to be significantly different with that of the control group.

It seems that exercise at different intensities can be effective in reducing oxidative stress caused by cisplatin in rats.

Garlic and cinnamon extracts, like fluoride varnish, play a role in caries control due to their antimicrobial effect and controlling demineralization. This analytical laboratory study was conducted in 2021 to investigate the antimicrobial effect of garlic and cinnamon extracts compared with fluoride varnish in controlling the infection of oral Lactobacillus acidophilus and Streptococcus mutans.

The disk diffusion, minimum inhibitory concentration and the minimum bactericidal concentration tests were used to check the antimicrobial effect. Ampicillin and Erythromycin discs were used for positive control and sterile physiological serum was used for negative control. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Bonferroni post hoc test.

In disk diffusion test, cinnamon along with fluoride varnish (10.0±1.0mm) caused a significant increase in the diameter of the growth inhibition halo of L. acidophilus (P<0.001), However, the largest growth inhibition halo diameters in L. acidophilus and S. mutans were associated with garlic-cinnamon-varnish (12.0±1.58mm) and fluoride varnish (9.0±0.71mm), respectively. In both strains, the antimicrobial effect of garlic extract was significantly lower than other compounds (P<0.001). The most inhibitory and bactericidal effects were associated with fluoride varnish seen in S. mutans.

According to this study, cinnamon and fluoride varnish has a synergistic antimicrobial effect against L. acidophilus in laboratory conditions. Also, cinnamon extract due to similar effects to fluoride varnish, can be useful as an alternative agent in controlling and preventing dental caries.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disease in which the myelin sheaths of nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord are damaged. The prevalence of disease is higher in women and it seems that sex hormones, which usually exert their effects through receptors, are involved in susceptibility to MS. Considering the functional role of Alu insertion 306 bp polymorphism of progesterone receptor in expression level of progesterone receptor, in this study, the association of Alu insertion polymorphism in intron 7 of progesterone receptor with the risk of MS was investigated.

In a case-control study, genomic DNA was extracted from the blood samples of 200 patients (180 women and 20 men) with relapsing remitting MS (RRMS) and 226 healthy individuals (186 women and 40 men) as a control group. In order to determine the polymorphic genotype of Alu insertion, PCR technique was used and the PCR product was electrophoresed on 2% agarose gel. Data were analyzed in SPSS V21 using logistic regression test.

Findings showed that WI (P= 0.003) and II (P= 0.001) genotypes increase the risk of MS compared to WW genotype, and allele I acts as a risk allele (P<0.001).

According to this study, it seems that allele I of Alu insertion polymorphism may play a dominant role in susceptibility to MS by decreasing PGR gene expression.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder of the central nervous system which leads to slowness of movement, tremor, postural instability, reduced balance, and autonomic nervous system disorders. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of selected balance training on physiological, motor and balance performance in patients with PD.

This pre-post design interventional study was performed in 30 female patients at PD stages 1-3 based on Hoehn and Yahr scale who were willing to participate in our study. They were selected via purposive sampling in Zahedan Ali Ibn Abitaleb Hospital and divided into two groups (n= 15). The intervention group in addition to medications had balance training 3 sessions/week ×60 min for 8 weeks while patients in the control group were only followed up. Evaluation was performed at the beginning and end of the study using Berg Balance Scale (BBS), leg muscle strength, and the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test. In order to evaluate the normality of data distribution, homogeneity of variance between the two groups, and differences between means, we applied Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, Leven test, and dependent t-test, respectively using SPSS V22.

After the intervention, mean BBS score showed significant increase (48.69±10.28, P<0.05) and we observed significant improvement in the mean score for leg muscle strength (0.456±0.092, P<0.05). In this study, mean TUG was found to significantly decrease after the intervention (18.14±3.63, P<0.05).

It seems that balanced exercises lead to increased balance, leg muscle strength, and reduced TUG in patients with Parkinson's disease.

Candidates for cataract surgery have high anxiety and worry for various reasons which may cause changes in their hemodynamic parameters. Maintaining hemodynamic stability during anesthesia and surgery is very important. This study aimed at comparing the effects of listening to nature sounds and lavender inhalation on hemodynamic parameters in patients undergoing cataract surgery with regional anesthesia in Amir Al Mo'menin Educational Remedial and Research Center in Rasht 2021-2022.

In this clinical trial, 120 patients were randomly assigned into three groups (n=40 per group); nature sounds, lavender, and control. In one experimental group, the patients listened to nature sounds and in other group lavender inhalation was performed. Both tasks were carried out for 15 min before the operation while the control group received routine care. Hemodynamic index was measured before and four times during the surgery. Repeated measures ANOVA test was applied in SPSS V22.

The average systolic pressure in the control group was about 11 mm Hg higher at first minute compared to the group that listened to nature sounds. Before the intervention, no significant differences were found between the study groups in terms of respiration rate(P=0.37), systolic blood pressure(P=0.36), and diastolic blood pressure(P=0.26). But after the intervention, mean systolic blood pressure was observed to be significantly different between the three groups and during measurement times(P<0.03). The mean differences in diastolic blood pressure(P=0.62), heart rate(P=0.20), and arterial blood oxygen saturation (P=0.16) during measurement times were not significant between the groups.

According to this study, listening to nature sounds and lavender inhalation reduce systolic blood pressure in patients undergoing regional anesthesia, but they do not affect diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, and arterial blood oxygen saturation.

The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in an uncontrolled disease burden on healthcare workers (HCWs) worldwide. We aimed to investigate the prevalence and severity of COVID-19 in HCWs of selected hospitals in Mazandaran province and examine the association between COVID-19 and missed opportunities of HCWs.

In this retrospective descriptive-analytical study, 1105 HCWs in Qaemshahr Razi Hospital and Sari Fatemeh-Zahra Hospital were studied between February 2020 and June 2020. In order to evaluate the frequency and severity of the disease, clinical and paraclinical manifestations were recorded by a trained HCW. Data were analyzed in SPSS V18.

The frequency of COVID-19 was 16.19% among HCWs. The patients included 113 (63.13%) nurses, 47(26.26%) service providers and administrative personnel, and 19(10.61%) physicians. Duration of sick leave was found to be significantly associated with severity of COVID-19 (P=0.006). This length was also significantly associated with the job and was longer in nurses (P=0.013). Our findings revealed a significant relationship between the level of adherence to personal protective equipment (PPE) and the severity of COVID-19 (P=0.001).

COVID-19 could exert remarkable impact on the quality of work in HCWs, especially among nurses. Effective training of HCWs regarding PPE instructions results in suitable protection against severe forms of the disease.

There are limited studies on co-infection of COVID-19 and tuberculosis (TB). This study aimed to describe the clinical, radiological, laboratory characteristics, treatment and outcome of patients admitted with tuberculosis and COVID 19 co-infection.

In this retrospective study, we investigated all patients with either active TB or old TB and COVID-19 admitted to Qaemshahr Razi Teaching Hospital between 2020 and 2022.

A total of 9251 patients with COVID-19 were admitted to our hospital between February 2020 and May 2022. There were eight patients with pulmonary tuberculosis and COVID-19 co-infection, including five (62.5%) male patients. The mean age of these patients was 61.13±22.63 years old. The mean time of symptom onset to hospital admission was 15.13±30.56 days and 50% were diagnosed with active TB and other half had old TB. Four patients were admitted to the ICU, three of whom required ventilation. Finally, four (50%) patients deceased. In this study, among factors that influence patients’ outcomes, only underlying diseases were significantly associated with death.

Tuberculosis is assumed to cause a higher mortality risk in COVID-19 patients, especially in those with chronic underlying diseases.

Recently, several studies have shown type 2 diabetes to be associated with gastric cancer and metformin appears to inhibit the growth of cancer cells by inducing apoptosis. This study was conducted to investigate the relationship between metformin and gastric cancer.

This case-control study included patients with gastric cancer (case group, n= 121) and a family member of patients with cancer (control group, n= 119). Diabetes history, duration and management of glucose level were recorded in a checklist and data were analyzed in SPSS applying T-test and Chi-square test. Also, logistic regression was used to calculate the odds ratio.

There were significant differences between the case group and control group in terms of age, gender, place of residence, level of education, BMI, and smoking (P<0.05). The adjusted odds ratio for history of diabetes was 0.87 (Adjusted OR=0.87, CI95%: 0.3-2.35) which was not significant (P=0.751). The study showed no significant difference between the two groups in history of diabetes control drugs (including metformin) (P>0.05).

According to current study, it appears that, in north of Iran, there is no association between gastric cancer and diabetes, control drugs (including metformin), and other factors such as duration of diabetes or a family history of diabetes.

Hypertension is a global problem due to its consequences. Recognizing warning signs and taking necessary measures are effective in preventing the disease and its complications. We used the logistic regression model to determine the factors affecting blood pressure based on the results of the Tabari Cohort Study.

This cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study was conducted in people older than 35 years old in Sari, whose information (demographic and anthropometric characteristics, and risk factors) was available at the Tabari Cohort Center in Mazandaran province. Logistic regression model was used to determine the factors affecting hypertension. We did statistical analyses using SPSS V26.

The participants included 6622 people (41.3% men) with an average age of 48.97±8.94 years old. There were 1481 people with high blood pressure (22.4%). According to multivariate logistic regression model, age (10-year period) (OR=2.04-8.11), body mass index (OR=1.72-2.35), total cholesterol (OR=1.34), triglyceride (OR=1.30), the ratio of waist to hip circumferences (OR=1.31), history of cardiovascular diseases (OR=2.09), and diabetes (OR=1.81) were among the factors associated with hypertension (P<0.05).

According to the results of the multivariable logistic regression model, obesity management as the main factor and screening of people for diagnosis, follow-up, and prevention of hypertension are suggested.

The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by severe respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) resulted in a worldwide emergency. Various studies show conflicting and diverse results on the role of inflammatory cytokines in predicting the severity and prognosis in patients with COVID-19. The aim of this study was to compare the serum levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) in predicting the severity of COVID-19 and prognosis in patients admitted to Qaemshahr Razi Hospital.

In this cross-sectional prospective study, the serum levels of interleukin 8 and 6 were measured in 51 patients with COVID-19 and compared with 25 healthy individuals in Qaemshahr Razi Hospital, 2021. ELISA method was used to measure these cytokines and data analysis was performed in SPSS V25.

The serum levels of IL6 and IL8 in the patient group were about 4 times and 6 times higher than those of the control group, respectively. Average levels of IL-6 (P=0.004) and IL-8 (P<0.001) were significantly higher in patients with severe COVID-19 compared to moderate form and control group. There was no correlation between the duration of hospitalization and the level of IL-6 (P=0.1), while there was a significant correlation between the length of hospital stay and the level of IL-8 (P=0.012).

IL-6 and IL-8 serum levels in patients with COVID-19 can be helpful in predicting the severity of disease and prognosis of patients.

Gender inequality can cause waste of human resources, reduce women's social participation, influence women's physical and mental health, cause domestic violence and delay the development of a country. Hence, strategies are required to identify and reduce gender inequality in a society. The purpose of this study was to explain strategies to reduce gender inequality.

This qualitative research was conducted as a group discussion in three groups (n=22), two with seven people and one with eight individuals, including lecturers in reproductive health (n=6), psychologists (n=2), sociologists (n=2), midwifes (n=3), postgraduate students with at least 5 years of experience in midwifery (n= 6) and master’s graduates in midwifery counseling (n=3) in 2021. The discussions were held in Tehran and Sari and the subjects discussed their views about strategies for empowerment of women in reducing gender inequality in Iranian society. The participants were selected using purposive sampling at different ages, education level, and economic and marital status until data saturation. Data analysis was carried out using conventional content analysis approach.

Strategies for reducing gender inequality were categorized into four main themes: reducing inequality in social, political, economic, and cultural domains.

In order to empower women and reduce gender inequality, it is possible to look at gender inequality from social, political, economic, and cultural dimensions and take action to reduce this problem through investigating these factors.

The northern regions of Iran have a high incidence of esophageal cancer. This study was conducted with the aim of epidemiological investigation of esophageal cancer patients in the population covered by Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences.

In this cross-sectional descriptive study, the records of 170 patients over 18 years of age who were referred to Tuba Oncology Clinic (affiliated with Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences) between 2014 and 2016 were reviewed. All relevant information, including age, sex, occupation, marital status, level of education, clinical and pathological findings of patients were collected and analyzed in SPSS V22 using Chi-square and Fisher’s exact test.

The mean age of patients with esophageal cancer was 68.2±12 years. The disease was more frequent in patients aged 70-79 years old. There were 53.5% male patients and 94.1% of patients had dysphagia. The frequency of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) was found to increase by aging. The most and least metastatic segments were middle and upper parts of the esophagus, respectively.

Esophageal cancer is common in old age and age is probably the most important factor in developing the disease.

Radiation therapy is one of the major subsets of cancer treatments. Normal tissue toxicity and tumor cell resistance are two main obstacles during radiotherapy treatments. Toxicity to healthy tissue limits the applied dose, resulting in inadequate tumor control. On the other hand, the resistances of cancer cells lead to increased doses of radiotherapy. Therefore, agents that can simultaneously reduce the toxicity of normal tissues and increase the sensitivity of tumor cells to radiotherapy could be a potential solution to increase the efficiency of radiotherapy during cancer treatment. Many studies have found that atorvastatin, as an HMG coenzyme A reductase (HMG-CoA) inhibitor, and protects normal tissue while sensitizing cancer cells to radiotherapy via various molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways. This review summarizes the evidence for radioprotective and radiosensitivity effects of atorvastatin in vitro and in vivo studies.