نشریه پژوهش در پزشکی
سال سی و پنجم شماره 1 (پیاپی 137، بهار 1390)

Sepsis is a systemic response to severe infections leading to organ failure and death. Recently the role of herbal drugs in the management of the inflammatory response has come under increased scrutiny. Caraway is a well known traditional herbal plant believed to contain active components with pharmacological properties such as antioxidative effects. In this study attempts were made to assess the protective role of caraway essential oils on parameters related to oxidative stress in heart and kidney of rats with sepsis induced by experimental cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) method. The rats were divided into five groups i.e: controls or Sham-operated (SOP); CLP group; intervention group of CLP + essential caraway oils, 50&100 mg/kg injected intra peritoneally (IP); and CLP + Indomethacin group 10 mg/kg, (IP), chosen as positive control. Twenty-four hours after CLP, the rats were sacrificed and the heart and kidney tissues and plasma were removed. The tissues and plasma were tested for parameters related to oxidative stress i.e. lipid peroxidation (LP), glutathione (GSH) and also the plasma tissue injury indexes (urea, creatinine and CK-MB). It was found that kidney tissue was partially injured after sepsis induction as evidenced by increased level of LP and high levels of urea/creatinine. Treatment of rats with caraway oils and also indomethacin modulated these parameters showing a diminished response to CLP. These results implied that caraway oils have a protective role in preventing partial kidney damage induced by sepsis.

Anti oxidative enzymes activity is an important issue in oxidative stress. Most previous researches have dealt with the effect of brief and anaerobic exercise on these enzymes; the purpose of this study was to determine the alterations of antioxidant enzymes viz. superoxide desmutase, catalase and glutathione (SOD, CAT, and GPX) activity after endurance training in rat liver tissue. In this experimental study, 62 male Wistar rats were selected randomly and divided into 3 control and 3 experimental groups. Experimental rats trained for 6, 9 and 12 weeks, 5 days/week running on treadmill with initial speed of 10 m/min for 10 minute to the ultimate speed of 25 m/min for 60 minute. For control groups the protocol was walking on treadmill with 10 m/min speed for 3 days/ week. After each course (6, 9, 12 wk.), rats were anesthetized and samples taken from the livers of all animals in the study. Determination of antioxidant enzymes activity was done with enzymatic color assay method. The results showed that 6, 9 and 12 weeks of endurance training have no significant effect on GPX activity. Also, 6 and 9 weeks of endurance training did not alter the activity of SOD and CAT in liver tissue, but, 12 weeks of endurance training decreased SOD and CAT activity significantly, (CAT activity in experimental group was 23.11 ± 7.27 U/mL and in control group it was 31.43 ± 7.21 U/mL; SOD activity in experimental group was 47.70 ± 0.56 U/mL and in control group it was 48.20 ± 0.48 U/mL, (P<0.05)). Results of this study reveal that participating in 9 weeks of moderate exercise does not have detectable effects on the anti oxidative system, but when the exercise continues until 12 weeks, it decreases the SOD and CAT enzyme activity.

Inhalation of Sulfur mustard (HD) will cause lung epithelial inflammation and injury. There are different results from the prophylactic effects of amifostine (AM) on protection of lung epithelial tissue against HD. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prophylactic effects of AM on protection of rat lung tissue exposed to HD. In this study twenty Albino Wistar adult male rats weighting 200±20 grams were used. Rats were divided randomly into 4 groups (5 rats in each group) as below: Normal saline group (NS), AM group, HD group (0.25% HD) and HD+AM group. Normal saline and HD solution were injected by intra tracheal catheter. Animals in AM and HD+AM groups received AM by intra peritoneal injection for 14 days daily. All rats were killed after 14 days; parts of the base of right lungs were removed, fixed and processed for histological evaluation by Toluidine blue, H&E staining and apoptotic cell death study by the TUNEL Apoptosis Detection Kit. In addition, glutathione level was measured in all specimens. No significant differences were revealed between Saline & AM groups in any of the aforementioned tests. Significant reduction of mast cells in lung tissue of the HD+AM group was shown when compared to the HD group. Lung tissue inflammation in the HD group was significantly more severe as compared to HD+AM group. In addition, amifostine in HD+AM group could prevent excess reduction of GSH level. The number of apoptotic cells in the HD group was significantly higher than the HD+AM group. Administration of amifostine before exposure to HD in rats prevents collection of mast cells, and excess reduction of GSH level in lung tissue; in addition it can partially reduce pulmonary edema and alveolar cell death apoptosis.

Elaeagnus angustifolia extract has been used for its antinociceptive effects. The present study was done to compare of different dosage of this plant extract with and without Morphine on the extent of the antinociceptive effect. This study was done on the 80 male NMRI mice with a mean weight of 28±3G. These animals were divided to 10 groups (8 mice in each group) including: control, positive control, group treated with morphine (2 mg/kg), group treated with E. angustifolia aqueous extract (62.5, 125 and 250 mg/kg) and group treated with the plant aqueous extract plus morphine. Study was done on the 80 mice in two stages: with and without morphine and with three dosages of E. angustifolia aqueous extract. The extract was injected through the intraperitoneal route, (i.p) 30 minutes before the writhing test. Normal saline was injected in the control group and indomethacin, (5 mg/kg) to the positive control group. Then, the increase in abdominal pulse was calculated for 30 minutes as a sign of visceral pain and the pulse rates were compared in the different groups. Pulse rate in the control group was 88.4±2.4. These rates were 39.6±2.4 when 62.5 mg/kg E. angustifolia was used without morphine and 9.3±1.4 with same dosage of extract with morphine (p<0.0001). Moreover, our findings showed that antinociceptive effect increased with higher dosages of plant extract (p<0.001). Elaeagnus angustifolia and morphine show evidence of synergistic effect for antinociception in mice.

Human rabies is preventable by prompt post-exposure prophylaxis. The total number of rabies vaccine doses administered during post-exposure prophylaxis is 5; given on days 0, 3, 7, 14 and 30. The aim of this study was to measure the durability of rabies neutralizing antibody in exposed persons treated 14–17 years ago and to investigate the effect of 2 boosters of rabies vaccine. This study was conducted in 2 phases. In phase 1 blood samples were taken from 100 rabies vaccine recipients 14-17 years after they had received the vaccine. In the 2nd stage of the studies 30 volunteers from the first phase of the study were divided into 2 groups of 15 subjects each; the first group was given 2 booster doses of the vaccine intra-dermally on days 0 and 3. In the 2nd group the 2 doses were administered through the intramuscular route; blood samples were collected 10 days after the booster doses. Rapid Focus Fluorescent Inhibition Test (RFFIT) was used for measuring the antibodies in both phases. The rabies neutralizing antibody was detected in the sera of all 100 individuals who had received the rabies vaccine, 85% of whom demonstrated titers ≥0.5 IU/ml. In the groups who received the booster doses, serology results demonstrated higher rabies neutralizing antibody titers in persons who had received the two booster injections intradermally. This study confirms the persistence of rabies neutralizing antibody for at least 14 years after a full course of primary post-exposure prophylaxis; furthermore two booster inoculations of Vero rabies vaccine on days 0 and 3, given intradermally resulted in a sharp increase in the level of antibodies, indicating that two boosters could protect against rabies after a repeat exposure.

Mesothelium is composed of a single layer of mesothelial cells attached to a thin basement membrane supported by subserosal connective tissue; it plays an important role in homeostasis, wound healing, fluid transport and inflammation. The introduction of peritoneal dialysis (PD) as a modality of renal replacement therapy has provoked much interest in the biology of peritoneal mesothelial cell. This study was conducted to investigate the nature and plasticity of mesothelial cells isolated from peritoneal dialysed fluid (PDF), from patients on dialysis. Cell populations from peritoneal fluid of dialysed patients showing no evidence of peritonitis, and mesenchymal cells isolated from the bone marrow were cultured and screened for dominant surface markers by cell culture and immunofluorescence; MHC II, (DR, DQ), and MHC I were detected by flow cytometry method. Our results showed both bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells and mesenchymal cells obtained from peritoneal fluid do not express MHC II; also, peritoneal mesothelial cells have limited expression of MHC I. The use of peritoneal mesothelium as an option for grafting and regenerative therapy needs to be investigated in intensive research.

Mesothelium is composed of a single layer of mesothelial cells attached to a thin basement membrane supported by subserosal connective tissue; it plays an important role in homeostasis, wound healing, fluid transport and inflammation. The introduction of peritoneal dialysis (PD) as a modality of renal replacement therapy has provoked much interest in the biology of peritoneal mesothelial cell. This study was conducted to investigate the nature and plasticity of mesothelial cells isolated from peritoneal dialysed fluid (PDF), from patients on dialysis.

Cell populations from peritoneal fluid of dialysed patients showing no evidence of peritonitis, and mesenchymal cells isolated from the bone marrow were cultured and screened for dominant surface markers by cell culture and immunofluorescence; MHC II, (DR, DQ), and MHC I were detected by flow cytometry method.

Our results showed both bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells and mesenchymal cells obtained from peritoneal fluid do not express MHC II; also, peritoneal mesothelial cells have limited expression of MHC I.

The use of peritoneal mesothelium as an option for grafting and regenerative therapy needs to be investigated in intensive research.

As most researchers are unaware of the quality of articles published in scientific journals of nursing-midwifery, findings from these studies are not used in clinical practice. This study was conducted to evaluate the accuracy of articles published in nursing-midwifery journals in Tehran in 2008 as regards design and methodology of writing a scientific paper. In this cross sectional study, all original articles published in scientific journals of nursing-midwifery in Tehran in 2008 were evaluated. Research methodology in different sections of articles including, abstract, introduction, methods and materials, results, discussion and references were assessed. Totally, 52 criteria were taken into consideration, articles were evaluated on the basis of these criteria and classified into 3 categories of “correct”, “relatively correct” and “incorrect”. Data analysis was done by chi-square. Eighty three original articles published in 3 selected journals were evaluated. On the whole, format of the papers was correct in 45% of articles, in 8% it was relatively correct and in 47% the presenting format was incorrect. Inaccuracies found in the incorrectly written articles were found in the following sections: abstracts 53%; introduction 69.7%, methods and materials 32.2%; results 45.4%; discussion 48% and references 25.3%. Articles published in nursing-midwifery journals have major flaws. Implementations for reducing mistakes in article writing would result in increasing application of the study results.

Face and neck skin is commonly exposed to flame burns, boiling water, steam, and other combustible materials. Neck reconstruction is considered as one of the most important and most difficult surgeries in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. Because in our country there is no information about theresults of such treatments, this study was carried out to determine the results of reconstructive surgery of extensive face and neck burn scars using tissue expanders. In a descriptive prospective study, 36 patients with extensive burn scars in the neck and face who underwent reconstructive surgery between October 2009 to September 2010 in the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at “Fifteenth Khordad Hospital” were enrolled. In preoperative visits, the donor tissue was assessed regarding tissue expander insertion, its type and size and the required incision. Operation for tissue expander insertion was performed under general anesthesia and tissue distension started two or three weeks later, depending on the patient's incision. After sufficient time had been accorded for tissue expansion, the expanded flap was used to cover the lesion under general anesthesia together with the removal of the expander and excision of the lesion,. A total of 43 cosmetic surgeries were done. The age of patients was 27±8 and 67% of patients were female. Causes of scar formation were burns (85%), and crash (9%) and others (6%). Locations of scar were face (54%) and the neck (36%). The diameters of the largest and smallest lesions were 18±6 and 13±6 cm, respectively. Rectangular expanders were employed in 74% of patients; in 61% ofpatients its location was the neck. The initial volume was 322±183ml. which was extended to the final volume of 865±624 ml. The average time from surgical placement of prosthesis to the reconstruction surgery was 191±67days. Complications were seen in 5 patients (14%); exposure of the prosthesis was the most common complication. The results of the reconstructive surgery including assimilation of flap’s color with the surrounding skin (in 78% of cases), assimilation of its consistency (in 92%), and its thickness with the surrounding skin (in 81%), were satisfactory. Scar tissue at the reconstruction site and flap donor site were acceptable in 94% and 98% of cases respectively. For the reconstructed skin complications occurred in 5 patients (14%). The most common complication was inadequate coverage. Most patients (78%) were satisfied by the operative results. It seems that using tissue expanders in tissue reconstruction of extensive neck and facial burn scars are associated with very good results. With this method, one can reconstruct the scars in a way that is associated with acceptable results in terms of beauty from the patient’s and his/her family’s points of view and improve the patient's appearance.

One of the most important pathogens responsible for acute gastroenteritis is Human Norovirus (NoV), causing >85% of all nonbacterial outbreaks of gastroenteritis reported in Europe. NoVs are members of the Family Caliciviridae. There are three infectious genogroups; genogroups I and II are recognized as the major cause of NoVs infections in humans. The aim of this study was to determine the rate of pediatric diarrhea caused by NoVs infection in children under 10 years with acute gastroenteritis admitted in Mofid Children’s Hospital. During May 2008 to May 2009 we collected 204 stool samples from children under 10 years with acute gastroenteritis. RNA was extracted and RT-PCR was performed using specific primers. Using these primers we could distinguish between genogroup I and II of NoVs. Stool samples of 23 children (11.3 %) were positive for NoVs RNA and 6 positive samples belonged to genogroup I (26%), 74% belonged to the genogroup II. The mean age of NoVs infected patients was 4±2.8 years. The results revealed the role of NoVs as one of the viral agents responsible for gastroenteritis in children. It also demonstrates the predominance of genogroup II of Norovirus.