مجله مطالعات علوم پزشکی
سال بیست و پنجم شماره 9 (آذر 1393)

Tuberculosis is the second factor in the deaths caused by infectious diseases in the world. Out of every ten infected people, only in one the clinical symptoms of the disease is developed. The correct vitamin D receptor activity on the nuclei of macrophages is one of the main components of the host innate immunity against M. tuberculosis. In the present study, the relationship between FokI polymorphism in the vitamin D receptor gene and tuberculosis has been investigated. The subjects were 76 patients with tuberculosis and 81 healthy controls. The genomic DNA was extracted from the blood leukocytes of all study participants, and amplified by PCR technique. Then the RFLP process was performed on all PCR products and the FokI polymorphism region was studied. The frequency of each of allele and genotypes was specified in the case and control groups and then analyzed by Chi-square test. The frequencies of FF genotype were 52.4% and 55.6% in patient and healthy groups, respectively, and also, ff genotype were 8.3% and 8.9% in patient and healthy groups; (OR= 0.99, 95% CI 0.33 – 2.96, P= 0.99). These differences in frequency between them were not statistically significant. In this study, there was no statistically significant relationship between allelic and genotype frequency of FokI (F/f) polymorphism in VDR gene and susceptibility to tuberculosis in the respective statistical society.

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition associated with the T-cell–mediated destruction of Pancreatic β cells. Vitamin A (retinol) and its metabolites (such as all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA)) have a variety of biological activities including immunomodulatory action in a number of inflammatory and autoimmune conditions. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of all-trans retinoic acid on the treatment of autoimmune diabetes in mice. Diabetes was induced by multiple low-dose of streptozotocin (MLDS) injection in male C57BL/6 mice. After induction of diabetes, mice were treated with ATRA (20 mg/kg/day i.p.) for 21 days. Blood glucose levels was measured in 0, 7, 14 and 21 days after Streptozotocin induction induced diabetes. Splenocytes were tested for proliferation by MTT test and cytokine production by ELISA. ATRA treatment prevented hyperglycemia in the diabetic mice. Aside from reducing lymphocyte proliferation, ATRA significantly inhibited the production of proinflammatory cytokines interleukin 17 (IL-17) as well as interferon gamma (IFN-γ) while it increased the level of anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-10 and TGF-β compared with those in diabetic control group (p<0.05). Treatment with ATRA in the diabetic mice prevented hyperglycemia, decreased lymphocyte proliferation, and inhibited the production of proinflammatory cytokines interleukin 17 (IL-17) as well as interferon gamma (IFN-γ). In addition, it increased anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-10 and TGF-β as compared with those in diabetic control group. These findings indicate that ATRA may have a therapeutic effect against the autoimmune destruction of the pancreatic beta-cells during the development of MLDS-induced type 1 diabetes in mice.

Parkinsonism occurs in all races. Its prevalence in the United States and Western Europe is 2.1 persons per 1,000 populations. Approximately one third of patients have cognitive problems that often doubles after 4 years in 80% of patients with dementia and Parkinson’s disease (PD) occurs in the final stages. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between visual evoked potential (VEP) and Somatosensory evoked potential (SSEP) findings in patients with Parkinson’s disease with dementia. In a case-control study that performed in neurology department of Tabriz University of medical sciences on patients with PD, the relationship between VEP and SSEP findings in patients with Parkinson's disease with dementia evaluated. Right VEP denotes AMP in 12 was abnormal and left VEP denote AMP was abnormal in 13 patients. No significant correlation line was found between MMSE score with left and right VEP 100, Left and right VEP AMP, right SSEP P40 and SSEP AMP but there was a significant line correlation between MMSE score with left SESEP and SSEP P40.Mean right VEP P100 was 104 + 24.18 and mean left VEP P100 was 104.94 + 24 and also, left and right VEP P100 were abnormal in 24(40). There was no significant difference in mean of P100 Latency in patients with and without functional disorder. No significant difference was observed between patients with Parkinson’s SSEP AMP with and without functional impairment.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the survey of scapular upward rotation and scapulohumeral rhythm in children, adults, and older people during abduction. Ninety subjects (30 children, 30 adults and 30 older people) volunteered for this study. Two inclinometers were used to measure humeral abduction and scapular upward rotation in scapular rest position, 45°, 90° and 135° shoulder abduction in frontal plane. Scapulohumeral rhythm was calculated from division humeral elevation to upward rotation of the scapula from scapular rest position to 45°, from 45° to 90° and from 90° to 135° abduction in frontal plane. The findings indicated there was a significant difference in scapular rest position among three groups: older people had more scapular upward rotation than other groups and children had more scapular downward rotation than adults. (p<0.05) Also, children had more upward rotation in 135° abduction than adults and older people. (p<0.05) On the other hand, children had lower scapulohumaral rhythm ratio from scapular rest position to 45° and from 90° to 135° abduction than adults and older people. (p<0.05). Children, adults and older people show significant but small differences in scapular upward rotation and scapulohumeral rhythm. These data provide useful reference values using a clinical protocol.

Air pollution can affect human health, plants, buildings and environment in many ways. Hence the aim of this study was determined to compare the air quality in six industrial cities (Tehran, Tabriz, Mashhad, Urmia, Ahvaz and Irak) by using air quality index (AQI) in 2011-2012. In order to AQI determination, hourly data of five criteria pollutants taken from the environmental protection agency of each city and validated according to the WHO guidelines. The valid data converted to standard concentrations according to the guidelines and based on standard table and equation, daily AQI was determined for each pollutant. The highest value between the calculated indexes for all of the stations and the pollutant that was responsible for this index, introduced as a final index and responsible pollutant of day, respectively. The findings showed that in Tehran, Tabriz, Mashhad, Urmia, Ahvaz and Irak in 341, 139, 347, 28, 162 and 81 days of year, the AQI was over the Environment Protection agency of Iran's standard, respectively. Also in all of the cities the particulate matter (PM) was the main responsible pollutant. Comparing the air quality in these cities indicated that Urmia and Irak have average condition but the other cities conditions are far from the ideal.

ackground & Elimination of carbon dioxide is related to the alveolar ventilation, respiratory rate and tidal volume. The aim of this study to determine the effect of mechanical ventilation with different tidal volumes and constant minute ventilation on the end tidal Co2 and oxygen saturation during general anesthesia and to seek optimum parameters of mechanical ventilation during general anesthesia. In an analytical study, 38 healthy patients, with the age range of 40-20 years and physical status ASA, I, II candidate to elective lower abdominal or lower extremity surgery under general anesthesia were enrolled. End expiratory carbon dioxide concentration and arterial oxygen saturation in four respiratory rates: 12, 14, 16 and 18 and different tidal volumes with constant minute ventilation were measured. Mean arterial oxygen saturation in the respiratory rate of 12, 14, 16 and 18, was 97.2 ± 11.5, 95.9 ± 14, 97.3 ± 11.5, 97.4 ± 11.5, respectively, There is no significant difference in mean arterial oxygen saturation in the respiratory rate of 12, 14, 16, 18 no (p =0.94). The Mean end tidal CO2 in the respiratory rate of 12, 14, 16 and 18, was 26 ± 4.9, 25.8 ± 4.9, 25.5 ± 4.3, 25.6 ± 4.5 respectively. There is no significant difference among Mean end tidal CO2 in the respiratory rate of 12, 14, 16, 18 no (p =0.97) According these findings, in the respiratory rate of 12-18 bpm, changes in the tidal volume with constant minute ventilation, don’t change ETCO2 and SPO2. This range of respiratory rate can be easily used for ventilation of patients under general anesthesia.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, induced by the cryopreservation process, can be responsible for mammalian sperm damage. a-tocopherol is known as an effective antioxidant against oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant effects of a-tocopherol on count, motility, viability, TAC capacity, and DNA integrity rat spermatozoa during semen freezing process. Collected sperm from 10 adult rats were divided into 3 groups: fresh sperm, control and a-tocopherol (200 μM). After freezing-thawing, the number of spermatozoa, motility, viability, TAC capacity of the sperm was analyzed. DNA integrity was assessed by nuclear staining using acridine orange. After freezing-thawing, there was a significant increase in the motility, viability and sperm DNA integrity in a-tocopherol group compared to the control (p<0.05). Following cryopreservation, no significant differences were found in morphology and sperm count between groups. Based on our results, it is concluded that addition of a-tocopherol during freezing resulted in positive effects on sperm parameters after thawing in adult rats.

Cadmium (Cd) is a heavy metal that has widespread use in industries and is entering the food chain in different ways, including soil and water. Magnesium (Mg) supplementation could have a protective effect against cadmium toxicity because of their antagonistic properties. In this work the influence of Mg on toxicity that is caused by Cd on serum parameters related to renal function has been investigated. Adult male Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups of five and were administered to Cd (1 mg/kg) and Mg (1.5 mg/kg) and 0.5cc normal saline for control group by ip injection for 21 days. Then, the levels of serum parameters related to renal function (sodium, potassium, urea, creatinine, protein) were measured. The results illustrated that levels of creatinine and protein decreased and levels of urea, sodium and potassium increased as a result of Cd exposure in comparison to the control group. Co-administered Cd and Mg decreased serum urea, sodium and potassium. Treatment by Mg enhanced serum creatinine and protein level. The findings seem to suggest that magnesium compounds by its antagonistic activities can have protective effects against Cd renal toxicity.

Human stability is controlled by various parts of neuromuscular, visual and vestibular systems. It depends upon integration of afferent information from the visual, vestibular and proprioception systems. Below knee amputees miss the ankle strategy and do not have the mechanoreceptors and sensory inputs from ankle and sole of the foot and should use other mechanisms to improve their standing balance. There is not enough evidence in literature regarding stability of below knee amputees. Moreover, it is not cleared weather the dependency of these subjects on vision to compensate lack of sensory input is more than normal subjects or not. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the stability of below knee amputees and also to determine the influence of vision on stability. Two groups of normal and amputees (20 amputee subject and 20 normal subjects) participated in this research study. The stability of subjects was evaluated using a Kistler force plate. The difference between the stability of subjects was determined by two sample t-test. The mean values of COP excursion of the amputees were 23.71±7.8 and 13.49±5.3 mm in the anteroposterior and mediolateral directions, respectively compared to 24.21±9.76 and 14.55±8.06 mm for normal subjects under open eyes condition (P>0.05). The results showed that there was no difference between stability of amputees and normal subjects. Moreover, there was no difference between stability parameters between two test conditions. There was no difference between stability of amputees and normal subjects. It can be concluded that although the amputees missed the ankle strategy and foot and ankle sensory inputs, they could enhance their standing stability by other mechanisms such as internal mechanism and the information obtained from the skin in contact with socket and also external mechanism such as alignment of prosthesis. The stability of the amputees during quiet standing with open eyes is the same as that of closed eyes. It means that the amputees do not depend upon vision to restore their standing stability.

Esophageal atresia (EA) is a congenital malformation first described by Durston in 1670 and occurs in 1/2500 births. Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is an anatomic anomaly which causes herniation of the abdominal organs into the chest due to incomplete closure of pleuroperitoneal membrane. We preformed this research due to lack of a comprehensive study on growth and neurodevelopment of children with history of congenital esophageal atresia or diaphragmatic hernia. This study was conducted on 60 children who underwent surgery for EA (30 patients) or CDH (30 patients) in Tabriz children hospital. Neurological development evaluated with ASQ scoring system and patients’ score in every field recorded and reported according to the national health ministry cut points. Children’s growth was reported according to weight, height, head circumference and BMI. Evaluating patients with EA after 3 years, 17 cases (56.6%) had normal BMI, 9 cases (30%) had BMI less than 5% percentile and 4 cases had BMI above 95% percentile for age. Evaluating their neurological development, four children had abnormal results. Evaluating patients with CDH after 3 years, 16 cases (53%) had normal BMI, 8 cases (26%) had BMI under 5% percentile and 6 (20%) cases had BMI above 95% percentile for age. Also in evaluating neurological development, three children had abnormal results. Overall patients with CDH and EA need intensive care in development, hearing, growth and feeding. Articles mention some of these children with hearing or speech problems had normal neonatal test. More prospective studies are necessary to be conducted.