نشریه دانشور پزشکی
پیاپی 115 (بهمن 1393)

The role of mast cells in carcinogenesis is improved in many malignant neoplasms but there are scanty literature which show the role of these cells in pathogenesis of progression of dysplastic lesion to invasive squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). The aim of this study was comparison of mast cell density between squamous cell carcinoma and dysplastic laryngeal mucosa to investigate mast cell role.

In this study, 20 paraffin blocks of SCC, 18 blocks of dysplastic mucous and 18 blocks of normal mucous of larynx were selected and stained by toluidine blue. After mast cell counting per surface unit by two observer, the averages of mast cells density for each groups were obtained and compared using ANOVA test for absolute counting and Kruskal-Wallis for rank counting.

In absolute counting, average of mast cells per surface unit was 11±9.33, 10.67±10.11 and 8±4.68 in SCC, dysplastic mucous and normal mucous, respectively, that did not show any significant difference between the groups (p=0.493) There was also no significant differences between the groups by rank counting (p=0.132).

According to obtained results from this study, participation of mast cells in carcinogenesis process in premalignant lesions and advanced tumor did not show a difference, in other words, carcinogenic activity of mast cells may be at early stages of pre-malignancy.

Lack of physical activity is a major risk factor for obesity and cardiovascular disease. Pregnancy and postpartum can limit physical activity. The purpose of this study was to evaluate beliefs and physical performance during pregnancy and postpartum. During a cross sectional study, 200 women within 1 year of a child’s birth were recruited. To determine the amount of physical activity and exercise beliefs (behavioral, normative and control), Global Physical Activity Questionnaire designed by the World Health Organization and Exercise Beliefs Questionnaire based on the theory of planned behavior guidelines were used, respectively. Data were statistically analyzed by SPSS 13 software based on descriptive statistics and non-parametric Wilcoxon test. Meanwhile, p < 0.05 was considered significant. The most frequent behavioral beliefs during pregnancy and after pregnancy were as follows: exercise improves mood and morale, reduces stress, controls body weight and make fitness. The most common normative belief (affected people) were: spouse, mother and health of employees. Fatigue, lethargy and lack of energy, morning sickness and time limitations were the most common control beliefs (physical barriers) in pregnancy and postpartum. Physical activity during pregnancy and postpartum in order were the average rate (19.5%) and (3%) and low rate (87.5%) and (97%). The total amount of physical activity during pregnancy was more than postpartum (p <0.05). In comparison with the pregnancy, physical activity decreases after delivery. Pregnancy and postpartum promotes a sedentary lifestyle.

The colored compomers are a group of restorative materials that are introduced for filling of primary dentition since 2002. These materials have been used in pediatric dentistry because of their attractive colors and their simple handling properties. But their characteristics have not been evaluated and compared completely. Since a change in the color of these materials can change its physical characteristics, the aim of this study was evaluation of colored compomer micro-hardness in 20, 40 and 60 second time curing. In this in vitro study, 180 composite discs were prepared. Then, each color (blue, green, lemon, golden, silver and pink) was packed into the discs, and was cured for 20, 40 and 60 s. Specimens were stored for 10 days in an incubator with distilled water at 37C and away from direct light. Then, surface micro-hardness measurements were carried out using a Vickers micro-hardness tester in three different points on the top and bottom surface of each sample. Silver color had maximum micro-hardness value (44.19), and blue color had minimum micro-hardness value (39.52). Green, golden, pink and lemon had average micro-hardness values (42). Statistical analysis shows that compomer color and side of specimen had significant influence on compomer micro-hardness. However, no significant influence in various time of curing on compomer micro-hardness was found out. A comparison between colors showed that blue color had minimum micro-hardness and silver color had maximum micro-hardness (p<0.05). Based on the results of this study, the color of compomer influences micro-hardness. Due to maximum micro-hardness of two colors, i.e. silver and lemon, these are recommended for restoration of primary dentition.

Exclusive breastfeeding up to 6 months after birth is recommended by the World Health Organization in order to increase infant's survival and reduce the rate of their diseases. This study was carried out aimed to investigate the relationship between prenatal intention to exclusive breastfeeding and maternal practice within 6 months after delivery in Kashan. This cross-sectional and analytical study was conducted in 2014 on 224 primiparous pregnant women referred to Health Centers of Kashan. The samples were randomly selected from 16 health centers in the city of Kashan. Data were collected and analyzed using a questionnaire containing demographic characteristics and questions related to the constructs of theory of planned behavior. The mean maternal age was equal to 24.9 years. Among the pregnant women participating in the study, 86.6% of them intended to continue exclusive breastfeeding up to 6 months of the infant's age. Among these mothers, 89.7% and 70.1% continued exclusive breastfeeding up to three months and six months, respectively. From 13.4% of mothers with no intention of exclusive breastfeeding, 86.7% and 64.7% did exclusive breastfeeding up to the first three and six months of age, respectively. There were significant positive correlations respectively between the intention of exclusive breastfeeding in pregnant women with the constructs of perceived control behavior, attitude, subjective norms and knowledge. Considering the results of this study, the mother's intention for exclusive breastfeeding during pregnancy is an important predictor of continuing this type of feeding up to the six month of infant age, and the theory of planned behavior can be effectively used to design the improving interventions of exclusive breastfeeding.

Allium sativum or garlic belongs to Liliaceae family. Garlic has been used in the Iranian Traditional Medicine for treatment of different diseases like infections, cancers, digestion disorders and heart diseases. Nitric oxide (NO) is produced in immunity response and inflammatory conditions. According to immunomodulator effect of garlic, the effect of garlic extract on serum metabolites of NO (nitrite and nitrate) in balb/c mice was studied. In this experimental study, 30 balb/c mice (female, 6-8 weeks old) were divided into 6 groups (three groups received garlic and three groups as control). Each mouse received 20 mg/kg/day of garlic extract intraperitonealy for one week (mice in control groups received normal saline). Mice were killed at 24 hours, 1st and 2nd weeks after garlic extract treatment. Serum was prepared and nitrite and nitrate were assayed by Greiss method. Meanwhile, t test was used for statistical analysis. Primary nitrite increased by 7.5% and 29% and nitrite +nitrate increased by 42% and 12% in 24 hours and one week after last injection, respectively. Primary nitrite decreased by 2.5% and nitrite +nitrate increased by 4/8% two weeks after last injection. All t-test values were not significant. One week administration of 20 mg/kg of garlic extract increases serum NO metabolites levels time dependently but not significantly and this effect weakens with time.

The purpose of this study was a comparison between effectiveness of a new herbal bleaching material with combination of sodium perborate and distilled water. In this study, 27 permanent anterior teeth with intact crowns were selected and discolored intentionally by inserting them in whole blowhole centrifuged at 2500 rpm for 30 minutes three times a day for 3 days. The bleaching materials tested in each of these 3 groups were: group 1: a mixture of sodium perborate and hydrogen peroxide 35%, group 2: a mixture of herbal bleaching agent and distilled water, and group 3: a mixture of sodium perborate and distilled water. At 7 & 12 days, the teeth were reopened, bleached and placed back into the vials with distilled water. The teeth were photographed at days 1, 7, 12 and 17 after bleaching intervals. Teeth whitening were rated by consensus of 2 evaluators in 3 grades: grade 1 as no change or very slight change, grade 2 as mild change and no acceptable color and grade 3 as an acceptable color change. For statistical analysis, Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whithnet tests were used and significance level was p<0.05. The mixed sodium perborate and distilled water was significantly better than herbal material after 12 days (p=0.006) but no significant difference was found out between them after 17 days (p=0.16). Based on the findings of this research study, the new herbal bleaching material could have the same results as the mixed perborate and water.

β cell replacement therapy by pancreatic islet transplantation has become a promising treatment for type 1 diabetes. Medicago sativa L (Lucerne) from leguminosae family is known to exhibit hypoglycaemic activity both in animal and human studies. Most of these studies were concentrated on the effects of plant extracts on fasting glucose levels. Until now no researches have been carried out to evaluate the potential of this plant on in vitro differentiation of stem cells into pancreatic β cells. The present study was done to examine the possibility of trophic effects of Medicago sativa L. extract (MSE) on differentiation of insulin-producing cells (IPCs) from mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Mouse MSCs were isolated and cultured as monolayers. The cells allowed becoming confluent and their identification was confirmed by adipogenic and osteogenic induction tests. In order to induce differentiation of MSCs into IPCs, given concentration of MSE was added to culture medium. Dithizone (DTZ) staining was used to detect IPCs derived from MSCs in vitro. DTZ-positive cells were counted and statistically analyzed using SPSS. Pancreatic β cell-specific proteins were determined by immunofluorescence. MSE treatment had dramatic effects on differentiation of MSC cells into IPCs. Morphological studies using DTZ documented crimson red cell clusters similar to islet. The differentiated cells were immunoreactive for proinsulin, insulin, C-peptide and insulin receptor beta. The results showed that MSE could efficiently induce IPCs differentiation of MSCs. Since, MSC cells are widely available and easily cultured; they would provide a valuable experimental tool for studying pancreatic β cell differentiation.

Epilepsy is the second most common disease of the central nervous system. Since memory disturbance is rather commin in epileptic patients, 20, the goal of this study was to assess the effect of berberine on memory deficit in epileptic rats. In this study, 32 male rats weighing 190-240 g were divided into 4 groups: sham, sham receiving berberine, epileptic, and epileptic receiving berberine. Berberine was daily administered at a dose of 25 mg/kg IP, started one week prior to surgery up to one hour before surgery. For induction of epilepsy, 1g of kainate/rat dissolved in normal saline was injected. At the end of fifth week, learning and memory in passive avoidance (shuttle box) and Y-maze tests was assesed. There were no significant differences between the groups regarding initial latency. However, step through latence in epileptic group was significantly lower than the sham group (p<0.05). In epileptic group treated with berberine this parameter was significantly more than the epileptic group (p<0.05). In addition, alternation behavior in the epileptic group decreased (p<0.05) and this was not improved following berberine pretreatment. In addition, seizure intensity in the epileptic group pretreated with berberine reduced versus epileptic rats (p<0.05). The results of this study showed that administration of berberine in temporal lobe epilepsy improves memory and learning in passive avoidance test, but does not improve spatial memory in Y maze task and it has also anticonvulsant effect.

Studies have shown that exposure to oil paints and chemicals emissions is followed by physiological disorders. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of inhalation of oil paint emissions on serum level of prolactin in male and female rats. In this experimental study, 15 male and 15 female Wistar rats were randomly divided into control and groups exposed to paint emissions for 1 and 8 h/day. After 10 weeks, blood samples were prepared using cardiac puncture method and after serum preparation, level of prolactin was measured by radioimmunoassay method and data were analyzed using ANOVA. Serum level of prolactin significantly increased both in male and female groups exposed to paint emissions for 1 and 8 h/day as compared to control group (p<0.001). In contrast to male groups, in female groups, the serum prolactin level increased higher in group exposed to paint emission for 1 h/day as compared to group exposed to paint emission for 8 h/day (p<0.001). The findings of this study show that exposure to oil paint emissions can result in increased serum level of prolactin that may befollowed by other physiological disorders.

Several studies have indicated that hospitalizing infants causes disruption on mother-infant attachment. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of infant massage by mothers on maternal attachment behavior in infants hospitalized in the neonatal care units. In this clinical trial, 80 mothers and their neonates were recruited and randomly allocated into the intervention and control groups. Mothers in the intervention group received training by means of educational movies about practical exercises on how to massage the infants. The trained mothers used massage techniques on their infants for five days. The process lasted 15 minutes. The attachment of the mothers on their infants was assessed before and on the day 5 after the massage. Data were collected using the scale of mother-to-infant attachment. Data were analyzed using the Chi-squared test, Fisher’s exact test and the t-test in the SPSS-19. There were no differences between the two groups in terms of demographic variables and the mean of maternal attachment at baseline (p>0.05). Five days after the massage, there were statistically significant differences between the two groups in the mean maternal attachment. The difference between the case (65.70±4.13) versus controls (54.17±3.01) was statistically significant (p<0/001). According to the role of massage in attachment behavior, this traditional care is recommended to be used in neonatal units.