فصلنامه علوم پزشکی دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی
سال هجدهم شماره 2 (پیاپی 52، تابستان 1387)

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is characterized by neoplastic overproduction of myelocytes and neutrophils. Affected patients have a Philadelphia chromosome which arises following a translocation between long arms of chromosome 9 and 22 (q34q11). This results in abelson murine/breakpoint cluster region (BCR/ABL) fusion. Detection of cells carrying BCR/ABL fusion is extremely important in monitoring response to treatment, remission and relapse in CML patients. In this study, we compared RT-PCR and NASBA techniques to determine quantitatively the number of bcr/abl transcripts. Fusion transcripts were synthesized and RNA was extracted from K562 leukemic cell line. A serial dilution of both fusion transcript and RNA was prepared then sensitivities of both techniques were determined. RT-PCR and NASBA reaction products were labeled using equal ratios of DIG-11-dUTP and DIG-11-UTP respectively. Following denaturation, hybridization reactions were carried out with specific probes. The products were incubated in streptavidin coated microplates. Then, the plates were washed, anti-DIG conjugated with peroxidase added and using ATBS as substrate, enzymatic activity was determined by absorption at 405 nm. The results showed that specificity of two techniques was equal but RT-PCR-ELISA sensitivity was about 100-fold more than NASBA-ELISA as it could detect 100 pg RNA less than NASBA-ELISA (0.006 versus 0.06 pg RNA). Furthermore, leukemia cell detection precision by RT-PCR-ELISA and NASBA-ELISA was 4 and 400 cells, respectively. While NASBA technique does not need thermal cycler PCR but has less sensitivity than RT-PCR and is not suitable for quantitative assessment.

Understanding of the mechanisms involved in γ- to β-globin switching may be important for development of treatment options for b-thalassemia. Such studies require the availability of relevant cellular model systems. One such cell type is Hu11, a mouse erythroleukemia (MEL) cell line containing the human b-locus. MEL and Hu11 cells differentiate in the presence of the chemical dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). Nevertheless, levels of γ-globin induction in Hu11 cells after DMSO treatment have not been determined. In the present study, we determined γ-globin levels in Hu11 cells after treatment with various DMSO concentrations. Hu11 cells were cultivated in various DMSO concentrations and the levels of γ-globin were determined by real-time PCR. Our study showed that hemoglobin in Hu11 cells treated with 1% and 2% DMSO was increased by approximately 5 and 10 folds. Moreover real-time PCR results showed that g-globin levels using the indicated DMSO levels were increased by 66 and 298 folds, respectively. Hu11 cells differentiate in the presence of DMSO, and in doing so, their γ-globin levels are increased. Therefore these cells can be used to study the mechanisms of γ-globin induction. Such studies may be beneficial for the treatment of β-thalassemia.

Tamoxifen is a non-steroidal anti-estrogen which is prescribed for treatment of breast cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of tamoxifen on of testes in adult male Wistar rats. This study was an experimental survey. Three groups of adult male Wistar rats received 200, 400 and 600 µg/kg bw tamoxifen dissolved in a solvent (consisted of ethanol (60%) and physiologic solution) for 30 consecutive days. The sham group received the solvent and controls did not receive any drug or solvent. At the end of this period, the animals were sacrificed and their testes were removed and fixed in Bouin’s fluid. Sections of 5µm thickness from testes stained with Haematoxylin & Eosin method. Results showed that thickness of tunica alboginea in experimental groups significantly increased compared with control group. Diameter and thickness of seminiferous tubules and number of spermatogonium A, spermatogonium B, primary spermatocyte, spermatid, spermatozoon, leydig and sertoli cells were decreased in experimental groups (p<0.05). The most profound effect was observed in the group which received 600 µg /kg bw of tamoxifen. According to these findings, we concluded that tamoxifen in a dose dependent manner, via negative effects on testis, decreases the fertilization ability in adult male Wistar rats.

For many years, the opioid drugs, especially morphine, have a high efficiency in the mitigation of acute and chronic pains, but because they result in tolerance and addiction following long or frequent use, their administration in mitigating chronic pains has been restricted. The present study intended to use alcohol extract of juglans regia leave accompanied by morphine to increase the analgesic effect of morphine and decrease its dosage. The experiment was carried out on 70 adult male rats, weighting approximately 200-220 g. The animals were divided into seven groups, considered as control, sham and experimental groups. The experimental groups were divided into five sub-groups. The first group received 2 mg/kg of morphine, 3 groups received 2 mg/kg of morphine accompanied by alcohol extract of leave juglans regia with different doses of 0.5, 1 and 1.5 mg/kg and the last group received only 1.5 mg/kg of the alcohol extract. The drugs were injected intraperiotoneal 15 minutes before the formalin test (minute 0-5 and 15-60 were designated respectively as the acute and chronic phase of pain). Alcohol extract of walnut leave in dose of 1.5 mg/kg caused a significant nociception decrease in acute phase of formalin test and this effect was dose dependent. Moreover groups that received combination of morphine and alcohol extract showed more nociception especially in acute phase of formalin test, in comparison to the groups that received each separately and the control group (P 0.05). The leave of juglans regia has antinociceptive effect and its administration accompanied by morphine causes an increase in antinociceptive effect of morphine in acute phase.

Currently cancer is considered as one of the main causes of mortality globally. Many chemicals in our environment can cause genetic mutations and are potentially responsible for millions of cancer-related deaths. The scientists are nowadays looking for food materials which can potentially prevent cancer occurrence. The aim of this research was to examine antimutagenicity and anticancer effects of Citrus Limon fruit juices. In the present study Human Astrocytoma cancer cells were cultured in DMEM (Gibco), supplemented with 10% fetal calf serum, penicillin, streptomycin, L-glutamine and incubated at 37 ºC for 2 days. In addition, cancer cell lines were treated by Citrus Limon fruit juice and cellular vital capacity was determined by MTT. The Citrus Limon fruit juice was subsequently evaluated in terms of antimutagenicity and anticancer properties by a standard reverse mutation assay (Ames Test). For performing Ames Test salmonella typhimurium TA100 strain was chosen based on the fact that it had a specific mutation in the histidine operon, requiring histidine from a foreign source to ensure its growth. The mentioned strain gives rise to reverted colonies exposing to carcinogen substance (Sodium Azide). During MTT, human Astrocytoma cell line revealed to have a significant cell death when compared with controls (p<0.01). In Ames Test the fruit juices prevented the reverted mutations and the hindrance percent of half-ripe Citrus Limon was 71.7% and ripe Citrus Limon was 34.4% in antimutagenicity test and this value in anticancer test was 83.3% and 50% in half-ripe Citrus Limon and ripe Citrus Limon, respectively. This is the first study that revealed antimutagenicity and anticancer effects of Citrus Limon fruit juice and the effects were higher in half-ripe Citrus Limon in comparison to the ripe one.

Diabetic mellitus is the most common metabolic disorder. Intake of glucose or any disaccharides containing glucose is prohibited in these patients. In this study changes in blood glucose of diabetic patients were determined after eating jelly jams with sorbitol as the sweetener and white bread as a reference. A total of 30 diabetes type II patients were studied and the effects of the jams on their blood glucose levels were evaluated. To determine the glycemic index of these jams, we used white bread as the reference and blood glucose levels were measured after eating each of them at different time intervals of 0, 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, 120 minutes. Increased values for white bread compared to fructose jam at 120, 90, 60, and 45 minutes were as follows: 36/6% (P<0.001), 50/6% (P<0.001), 37/4% (P<0.02), and 21/7% (P<0.02), respectively. Blood glucose response evaluation in patients showed that glycemic index of white bread and sorbitol jam was 100 and 27/9 respectively. According to the results of our study, the glycemic index of this kind of jams is low and considering the positive clinical effects of the foods with low glycemic index, using this kind of jams in the diet of diabetic patients is recommended.

This randomized controlled trial was designed to assess impact of short time music listening on the attention and working memory performance. Forty medical students randomly assigned to music and control groups. This randomization was performed in a way to maintain an equal sexual distribution between the two groups to lower probable bias. Fifteen minutes of classical music (Piano sonata K576 by Mozart) played for volunteers in music group, while in control group 15 minutes of rest allowed before performing tests. Wechsler memory scale and reverse digit count test were performed by both groups. The results were compared between two groups and analyzed by statistical methods. Corrected WMS score in music group was 113.97 so it was higher than control group witch was 107.22 (p<0.01). Resulted memory quotient (MQ) in music group was 131.75 and it was higher than control group which was 116.6 (p<0.01). Performing time of reverse digit count test (from 100 to 1 by interval of 7) in music group was 41.50 sec and it was lower than 51.0 sec of control group but it was not statistically significant (p>0.05). Reverse digit count test errors in music group was 0.45 and was lower than 1.20 of control group and it was statistically significant (p<0.05). Music listening improved attention and memory performance in music group comparing to control group.

Primary infection of cytomegalovirus especially in first and second trimester of pregnancy causes severe tissue injury and congenital abnormalities. Infection in third trimester of pregnancy has a higher chance of transmission but less tissue injury. Elisa method is a simple test for diagnosis of serum antibody but blood lymphocytes culture is a better and more specific diagnostic method than Elisa. In this study we compared Elisa and tissue culture methods for the diagnosis of congenital cytomegalovirus infections. In this study 5 ml of blood obtained from mothers who aborted their fetuses. Then serum antibody was titrated by ELISA method. Moreover, 5ml of citrated blood with 2 ml of Ficohl hypaque centrifuged in 3000 g and buffy coat layer of leukocytes was separated. These cells cultured in MRC5 fibroblast cell line and were assessed for intracellular inclusion bodies after 72 hours. Positive samples were selected and tested for nucleic acids of cytomegalovirus with PCR method. In this study, 118 cases of abortion were included. In tissue culture method, 6 samples (7.2%) had intracellular inclusion body. Of these samples only 4 had cytomegalovirus nucleic acid by PCR method. Two cases showed increasing anti-cytomegalovirus IgM with ELISA but they were negative by tissue culture method. In general, 6 cases (7.2%) of cytomegalovirus infection were diagnosed. ELISA and tissue culture methods should be performed together. Cytomegalovirus infection has not likely any relation with habitual abortion and is seen in first time abortions preferably.

Non-polypoid colorectal neoplasms and related malignancies are difficult to be detected using traditional colonoscopy. In this study, we attempted to evaluate frequency of flat and depressed colorectal neoplasms using high-magnifying colonoscopy. Patients with medical indication of colonoscopy who referred to Talaghani hospital in 1385 were evaluated. After preparation, total colonoscopy (Olympus, CF-Q240TL, Japan) was performed up to cecum. Lesions were classified according to macroscopic presentation and Paris classification, and then they were evaluated regarding pit patterns after 100-fold magnification. Pathologic findings of lesions were studied by two expert pathologists. One hundred patients with mean age of 44.3 ± 16.1 were studied. In total 27 lesions (17 polypoid, 10 non-polypoid) were found in 18 patients. Peduculated polyps (9 polyps) were the most common lesions. We found 8 flat and 2 slightly elevated polyps. There was no depressed lesion. In pathologic examination, there were 21(77.8%) adenomas, mostly tubular (12, 66.6%). One adenocarcinoma was also detected. Pit pattern II was the most common pattern found. As non-polypoid neoplasms are frequent lesions in Iran, we recommend performing high-magnifying colonoscopy in patients with suspected presentations in traditional colonoscopy.

The most important factors of anxiety in individuals are diseases and their treatment. Although anxiety is an alerting process, it can affect quality of life or makes the treatment longer. This study was performed to determine the relationship between level of anxiety and some of individual characteristics in patients with myocardial infarction (MI) in hospitals related to Islamic Azad University, Tehran Medical Unit. This study was performed on 200 patients with MI from 3 hospitals related to Islamic Azad University, Tehran Medical Unit. Data were collected with questionnaires, which were filled by interviews. The questionnaire had two parts: 26 questions about some individual characteristics, and the second part comprised Spill Berger standard criteria including 40 questions about anxiety level. "Content validity" method was used for ascertaining validity and "test-retest" method for reliability of tools. The subjects were all in the age range of 22-34 years with a mean of 25.98. Results indicated that 76.5% of study population was married, 64% had a history of hospitalization due to other causes, and 33% knew about their stress and anxiety. On the basis of total anxiety scores (TAS), 8% of individuals had mild (40-79), 47.5% had moderate (80-119), and 44.5% had severe (120-160) anxiety. There were a direct and statistically significant relationship between the level of anxiety and age, gender, marriage status, occupation, job satisfaction, number of children, adequacy of income, site of living, insurance, living conditions, level of liking their visitors, relationship with other family members, anxiety background among the first degree family members, his/her description of personality, description of family environment, present physical health status, and preference to have information about the illness (P<0.05). There is a direct and statistically significant relationship between the level of anxiety and individual characteristics of patients with myocardial infarction.

Hemorrhoid is a chronic disease that has been known as a problem since 4 thousand years ago. Healthy lifestyle is an important mean of decreasing incidence and complications of chronic diseases. Considering the vast influence of lifestyle on chronic diseases symptoms, the goal of this study was to determine these influences on hemorrhoid. The present research is a case-control analytical study. The study population included all patients with hemorrhoid referring to Tehran University of medical sciences hospitals. The study group comprised 101 patients suffering from hemorrhoid, and the control group included 101 healthy individuals. Both groups have been matched in age and sex. The data were collected by using a questionnaire. The questionnaire scientific validity and reliability were determined with content validity and test-retest respectively. We used descriptive and inferential (Chi-square test, Fisher exact test and Mann-Whitney test) statistics for analyzing data. The majority of patients in study group didn’t have their meals on a fixed schedule (p<0.001), had less than three meals per day (p=0.021), had less daily fluid consumption (p=0.001), always used spicy food (p=0.001), and had less fiber consumption, had sedentary activities (p<0.001), never had walkings (p=0.001), and neither in past nor in present they had exercises, had defecation only one time in 3-5 days (p<0.001) with severe pressure and difficulty, and the duration between 5-10 minutes (p<0.001). This study showed that there was a significant relationship between lifestyle and hemorrhoid.

This research aimed at studying the factors affecting medical students’ satisfaction with their future job. In a descriptive, cross-sectional research, 250 medical interns (94 males and 156 females) at the Islamic Azad University in Tehran were studied using an attitude questionnaire with demographic features. They included all medical interns studying medicine in the academic year 1384-1385 (2005-2006) in Qods clinic and Amir Al-Momenin (A), Javadiyeh, Bou-Ali, Javaheri, Torfeh, Kashani, Lavasani, and Naft hospitals. The obtained data were analyzed using t-test, chi-square, and ANOVA. The results of the study showed that mothers’ educational level was the only variable having a significant statistical relationship with the students job satisfaction score (p<0.01). However, no significant correlation was found between students job satisfaction and factors like sex, marital status, the presence of a physician in the family, fathers’ educational level, and willingness to practice medicine after graduation. Dissatisfaction with their economic status, the future of medical practice, working hours, and obligatory services in deprived areas are among the factors which diminish medical students’ motivation to practice medicine in the future.