مجله فیض
سال نوزدهم شماره 2 (پیاپی 81، خرداد و تی ر 1394)

Iron oxide nanoparticles are one of the most efficient metal nanoparticles, which have prominent properties in biomedical applications. In previous studies, these nanoparticles were prepared using a green synthesis method with the aqueous extract of brown seaweed (Sargassum muticum). This study aimed to examine the cytotoxic effect of these synthesized nanoparticles on A2780cp ovarian cancer cells which indicate resistance to chemotherapy regimen. The cytotoxic effect of synthesized nanoparticles on A2780cp ovarian cancer cells were examined using the methylthiazol tetrazolium assay, acridine orange/ propodium iodide and caspase assay. Results indicated that Fe3O4 nanoparticles encapsulated in seaweed water extract possess a cytotoxic effect on ovarian cancer cells resistant to chemotherapy (IC50 values of 250 µg/ml, 125 µg/ml and 62.5µg/ml for 24, 48 and 72 h, respectively). The nanoparticles through the induction of caspase-3 and -9 dependent apoptosis (intrinsic pathway) significantly exerted a cytotoxic effect against A2780cp ovarian cancer cells. The aqueous extract of brown seaweed is an appropriate candidate for stability and reduction of colloidal solution of iron oxide nanoparticles. Due to the apoptotic effect of this extract on A2780cp ovarian cancer cells, it can be a good choice for ovarian cancer treatment.

The methylprednisolone (MP) is a synthetic glucocorticoid steroid initially developed for its enhanced anti-inflammatory activity. The present study aimed to examine the effect of MP on the spatial learning and memory in an experimental model of Alzheimer’s disease in rats. Male rats were allocated into five groups: control group; lesion group which received electrically-induced lesion (0.5 mA, 3s) in the nucleus basalis magnocellularis (NBM) to create Alzheimer’s model; sham group (the electrode was impaled into the NBM with no lesion); MP group (lesion+30 mg/kg MP) and saline group (lesion NBM + 0.2 mL saline). After one week, the rats were trained to perform the Y-maze task for five days. The animals were tested for spatial memory one month later. Results showed that the bilateral lesion of NBM impaired the spatial learning compared to the control group (P<0.01). The administration of MP significantly improved spatial learning of rats with the Alzheimer’s disease (P<0.001). Moreover, no effect on spatial learning was seen in the sham group compared with the lesion group. No significant difference was observed between the results in the 5th day of training and the memory test after one month. Administration of MP can be an effective treatment for the Alzheimer’s disease.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common hormonal disorders among the women. Abnormal ovarian cycle is the result of increased LH and relatively decreased FSH along with overproduction of ovarian androgens. According to the previous studies, Melia azedarach L. seed has anti-steroidogenic properties. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the effect of the hydroalcoholic extract of these seeds on the PCOS induced in female rats. In this experimental study, PCOS was induced in 30 adult female Wistar rats using the subcutaneous injection of estradiol valerate. The extract of plant material was made using the percolation method. Rats were divided into PCOS, sham and 3 experimental groups (n=6). Rats in the experimental groups were treated with 25, 50 and 75 mg/kg/ip injections of Melia azedarach L. seed hydro-alcoholic extract for 10 days. The sham group received NaCl 0.9% as the vehicle. Serum concentrations of LH, FSH, testosterone (T) and estradiol (E2) were measured using the ELISA method. Serum concentrations of LH in all experimental groups (P<0.01), and T concentrations in the group with the highest dose (P<0.05) were significantly decreased compared to those of the PCOS group. While the FSH concentrations in two groups (50 and 75 mg/kg) were increased compared to the PCOS group (P<0.01 and P<0.05, respectively), and E2 concentrations were decreased in the two groups (P<0.01). It seems that the hydroalcoholic extract of Melia azedarach L. seed may lead to a normal ovarian cycle through reducing the androgen concentration.

Usual fluctuations of sex hormones during the estrous cycle in female mice affect the hippocampal neurogenesis. The hippocampus also comprises many steroid receptors suggesting the modulatory effects of gonadal hormones on the hippocampal plasticity. Sex differences at the level of structure and function of the hippocampus are mostly due to the fluctuations of steroid hormones during the estrous cycle. The purpose of this study was to investigate the morphological changes in hippocampal astrocytes and also the expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) at different phases of the estrous cycle. In this study, different stages of the estrous cycle were determined in 6-8 week NMRI female mice by methylene blue-stained vaginal smears. The morphological changes of astrocytes in the hippocampus were investigated using GFAP immunohistochemistry. In addition to the morphological study, the expression of astrocytic marker was quantitatively evaluated. GFAP immunostaining showed the changes in the morphology of astrocytes and also in the serum level of estrogen during the estrous cycle. The highest concentrations of estrogen and GFAP reactivity were observed in the proestrus stage. Different stages of the estrous cycle in female mice were associated with morphological changes of hippocampal astrocytes and the alternation in the serum level of estrogen.

Cancer patients are facing with the problems such as anxiety, depression, hopelessness, and aggression, which affect the various aspects of their life. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of teaching anger management skills using cognitive-behavioral approaches in the reduction of aggression. This quasi-experimental study with a pre-test/post-test design was performed on 30 female clients suffering from breast cancer referred to Imam Khomeini Hospital, Tehran, Iran, during 2014-2015. The participants were selected according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria and assigned to the experimental and control groups. Then, the participants in the experimental group answered the Buss and Pray’s scale of aggression before and after the therapy sessions. After receiving the cognitive-behavioral therapy, results obtained from multivariate covariance analysis showed that the mean aggression score in the experimental group had a significantly meaningful reduction (P<0.05) compared to that of the control group. It seems that teaching the anger management skills, due to its cognitive improvement, has an effective role in the control of aggression among the women suffering from breast cancer.

Although participation in centre-based cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is known to reduce morbidity and mortality but the participation rates of coronary artery patients are low. Therefore, establishing alternative programs in this regard is important, and it seems that home-based exercise rehabilitation is one of the predominant alternatives. This study aimed to compare the effects of the home-based exercise rehabilitation and centre-based CR on lipid profiles of patients with coronary artery disease. This semi-experimental study was conducted on 40 patients (mean age, 59±6.28 years) in Isfahan cardiovascular research center in 2014. The participants were voluntarily divided into 3 groups: home-based exercise rehabilitation, centre-based CR and control. Triglycerides, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL-C) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C) were measured at baseline and after 2 months of CR. After 2 months of CR, levels of total cholesterol, LDL-C, HDL-C and the ratio of LDL/HDL and cholesterol/HDL were significantly improved in both experimental groups. No significant difference was observed between the home-based exercise and centre-based CR programs in all indices. Both home-based exercise rehabilitation and centre-based CR can improve the lipid profiles in patients with coronary artery disease. Thus, it can be a modern approach to increase the participation of patients, reduce the costs and the current restrictions in our country to fulfill the patients’ needs.

Adipocytokine resistin is an inflammatory mediator and a biomarker of metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the serum resistin concentration and blood pressure, insulin resistance, lipid profile, white blood cell, and cardio respiratory function in obese and lean men. In this descriptive-analytical study, thirty-eight obese and lean men were selected. After 12 h fasting, blood samples were collected and general characteristics of the subjects were assessed. Serum resistin concentration was higher in obese than in lean men (P<0.01), and was positively correlated with the insulin resistance index (The Homeostatic Model Assessment-Insulin Resistance) only in obese men (r=0.40, P=0.002). The resistin level was positively correlated with systolic blood pressure (obese: r=0.34, P=0.008, lean: r=0.31, P=0.004) and white blood cell (obese: r=0.19, P=0.001, lean: r=0.15, P=0.004), while negatively correlated with cardio respiratory function index (VO2max) (obese: r=-0.41, P=0.003, lean: r=-0.36, P=0.005). No significant correlation was observed between the serum resistin level and lipid profile and diastolic blood pressure in the obese and lean men. Only VO2max in lean men (P=0.005), and insulin resistance and VO2max in obese men (P=0.002, and P=0.009, respectively) were predictive of the resistin level. The obese men have higher resistin levels compared to the lean men and this higher level is associated with higher insulin resistance. It seems that the insulin resistance and cardio respiratory function can be predictive of the resistin level.

Increased carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) is considered as a marker for early detection of atherosclerotic changes in the arterial walls. The purpose of this study was to assess CIMT in type 1 diabetic patients compared to controls. A case-control study was performed on 34 patients with type 1diabetes mellitus and 33 healthy people in Kashan during 2013-2014. The inclusion criterion was the diabetes history more than one year and the exclusion criteria were the use of antihypertensive or lipid reducing drugs, smoking, family history of cardiovascular disease, any complications of diabetes and any chronic disease. The weight, height, blood pressure and CIMT of the patients were measured. Moreover, laboratory tests including fast blood sugar, Hb A1c and lipid tests were performed. Sixty-seven subjects (34 type 1 diabetes patients and 33 healthy controls) were evaluated. The mean history of diabetes mellitus was 76.03±51.44 months. The mean age of the healthy subjects was 15.35±5.73 years and for the patients 15.25±7.94 years. Mean CIMT in healthy subjects was 0.439±0.06 mm and in patients 0.478±0.05 mm (P=0.005). Moreover, maximum CIMT was higher in the patients than in the controls (P=0.01). The multiple linear regression showed that CIMT was about 0.012 units higher in diabetic patients than in controls, and also CIMT was increased 0.012 units per one unit increase in HbA1c values. The mean CIMT in patients with type 1diabetes was higher than in the controls and positively correlated with the history of diabetes, while it does not correlate with the lipid profiles, blood pressure and body mass index.

Cuffed central venous catheters (CCVC), as preferred types of vascular access for hemodialysis have several complications (e.g. infection, thrombosis, embolism, bleeding and fractures). This study aimed to describe the complications of CCVC. In this cross-sectional study, the incidence of complications associated with CCVC in patients referred to Kashan Akhavan dialysis center was evaluated during a six-month period between June 2013 to December 2013. The census sampling method was used and patients in each dialysis session were evaluated for all catheter-related complications using the checklist. Finally, a nephrologist approved the complications. From a total of 183 patients admitted to the Kashan Akhavan dialysis center during the six months, 43 patients were enrolled with permanent hemodialysis catheters. Catheter-related infection and thrombosis were common complications. The incidence rates of catheter-related infection and thrombosis were 1.87 and 1.5 per 1,000 daily catheter use, respectively. Catheter-related infection and thrombosis are two common complications among hemodialysis patients used a CCVC. Therefore, the necessary measures should be taken to reduce these complications.

Stroke is the third leading cause of death and the first leading cause of disability worldwide. The tissue plasminogen activator (TPA) is one of the few treatments for this condition, which is currently used at a limited number of medical centers in Iran. Since the TPA is not used in Qazvin City, Iran, this study aimed to determine the frequency of qualified recipients to receive the TPA and the preventive factors associated with the use of the drug at the Boo Ali Center (Qazvin, Iran). In this case study, 100 patients with the acute cerebral ischemic attack admitted to Boo-Ali hospital were selected during a six-month period (March to September 2014). The patients were evaluated for receiving the TPA using a questionnaire and then the data were analyzed. Only 8% of the patients were qualified to receive the TPA. the main preventing factors in drug delivery with the highest rates were delay in visiting by a neurologist (75%), delay in referring the patients to the medical centers (67%), delay in preparing the clinical tests (46%), delay in visiting by an emergency department physician (39%), delay in preparing the CT scan result (36%), using the anti-platelets (35%), and anticoagulants (26%), respectively. Due to several preventive factors in the delivery of the drug, only a limited percentage of the patients were qualified to receive the TPA. More studies are needed to identify the causes and obviate them.

Diabetic foot ulcers are one of the main health problems in diabetic patients. Nowadays, there are several ways for the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers, but some patients with bone destruction are still forced to amputation. Here, we report a rare case of complete reconstruction of osteomyelitis-induced bone degeneration using ANGIPARS in diabetic foot ulcer. Case Report: A 59-year-old man with a history of type 2 diabetes mellitus presents to Kashan Shahid-Beheshti hospital, Iran, with a diabetic foot ulcer (3cm × 2cm) in his right thumb. Foot X-ray revealed complete resorption of the distal phalanx. The patient received parenteral broad-spectrum antibiotics including meropenem, vancomycin and ciprofloxacin, with a diagnosis of osteomyelitis. He was discharged after one month with oral antibiotics and topical and oral ANGIPARS. After 2 months follow-up, complete osteogenesis was seen in serial radiographs. In addition to healing the diabetic foot ulcer, ANGIPARS can also cause to reconstruct the degenerated bone and prevent debility due to limb amputation. Thus, the oral and topical application of ANGIPARS in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcer is recommended and more research is needed to reveal the benefits of ANGIPARS.