مجله دانشگاه علوم پزشکی اردبیل
پیاپی 69 (پاییز 1397)

Parasite dependent factors are virulence factors which exist in Leishmania species such as LPG, GP63. In recent years, the importance of these factors in the field of vaccine and drug has been considered by researchers. Sand fly biting behavior and salivary gland proteins are vector dependent factors which are effective in the Leishmania pathogenesis. Age, gender, nutrition, immune system, infectious diseases, genetic, occupation, socio-economic characteristics, and habitat are vertebrate host mediated factors. Temperature, rainfall, wind and its speed, soil, and continuous changes in climate are also environmental factors. Therefore the aim of this study was to evaluate the pathogenesis of Leishmania parasites.

Epidemiological Studies have shown that diabetes increase the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease (AD).also several studies have confirmed that long term use of Metformin (Met) improves cognitive function in diabetic patients. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of Met on learning and memory in diabetic and non-diabetic rats. Animals were divided into 2 groups including healthy and diabetic group. In healthy group, normal rats subdivided into control, saline and Met groups which received saline or Met (500mg/kg) and in diabetic group including DM, DM+saline and DM+Met subgroups, diabetic rats received saline or Met (100, and 200mg/kg) for 20 days. Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal injection (ip) of streptozotocin (STZ). Our results showed that Met (500mg/kg, ip) impaired spatial learning but improved spatial memory in normal rats. The results also showed that Met improved learning and memory in diabetic rats in a dose dependent manner, so that the rats of DM+Met group compared to DM+saline group found platform in less time and with less distance traveled. Met also increased the percentage of time elapsed and the distance swum in the target quadrant in diabetic rats during the probe trial. An intraperitoneal injection of STZ resulted in a significant decline in learning and memory and treatment with Met can enhance learning and memory in a dose dependent manner, therefore, it is useful for treatment of cognitive impairment in diabetic patients.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate 8 weeks individualized balanced low calorie diet on anthropometric measurements in apparently healthy obese women. Forty apparently healthy obese women (age: 18-40 years and 27.5≤BMI≤40 kg/m2) were recruited from the nutrition clinic in Ardabil city. The participants received a balanced low calorie diet after anthropometric measurements. Paired T-test was used to compare the changes during 8 - week intervention. Individualized balanced low calorie diet resulted in a significant decrease in body weight (-3.99±0.34 kg, p<0.001), body mass index (-1.61±0.14 kg/m2, p<0.001), waist circumference (-2.91±0.32 cm, p<0.001), hip circumference (-1.89±0.37 cm, p<0.001), waist to hip ratio (-0.01±0.004, p=0.001), waist to stature ratio (-0.02±0.002, p<0.001), body adiposity index (-0.97±0.15%, p<0.001), abdominal volume index (-1.07±0.11, p<0.001) and conicity index (-0.007±0.002, p=0.001) during 8 weeks. Based on the results, an individualized balanced low calorie diet induced weight loss and decreased other anthropometric measurements during 8 weeks. Balanced low calorie diet-induced moderate weight loss alone can be a good way to reduce metabolic risk factors in obese women. .

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of oral creatine supplementation on biochemical markers of liver, kidney and testis in the male rats under swimming training plan. In this study, male Wistar rats, weighing 245±5gr, were divided into five groups (n=8): control, exercise plus zero dose, exercise plus low-dose, exercise plus moderate dose and exercise plus high dose of creatine (200,300 and 600 mg/kg/d respectively). Biochemical studies of blood serum were performed ten days after creatine supplementation and swimming exercises. Following serum collection, the alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine and testosterone levels were measured using spectrophotometry method. Statistical analysis was performed by SPSS software using mixed model ANOVA. serum levels of ALP showed statistically significant differences between groups receiving low and moderate doses of creatine compared to both control and exercise with zero dose (p<0.05). Also, the results of serum levels of BUN, ALT and AST showed there was no significant difference between the exercise plus zero dose of creatine, exercise plus low-doses of creatine group, exercise plus moderate dose of creatine, exercise plus high dose of creatine groups and control group. The exercise group with high doses of creatine significantly showed a higher serum creatinine level than control group (p<0.05).The serum testosterone level was significantly higher in the exercise with moderate doses of creatine group than in the control group and exercise plus zerecaratin dose (p<0.05). The results suggested that short-term creatine supplementation (up to 10 days) might adversely affect some biochemical markers of liver, kidney and testis. However, further studies are necessarily needed to clarify the consumption of short-term creatine supplementation.

Evaluation of liver and renal function before and after administration of methotrexate (MTX) is recommended in the treatment of molar pregnancy, but the necessity of performing these tests during treatment of ectopic pregnancy (EP) is not clear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes of creatinine and AST levels before and after treatment with double (DD) and multiple (MD) doses of MTX in patients with Ep. This retrospective cross-sectional study performed on 152 patients with an EP during 2007-2013 in Al-Zahra hospital (Rasht). Seventy six patients received DD and 76 cases were treated with MD of MTX. The success rate, side effects of MTX and changes in creatinine and AST levels were compared between the two groups. The mean changes in creatinine level was 0.06±0.08 and 0.16±0.13 in DD and MD groups, respectively and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant (p=0.002). The mean changes in AST level was 5.06±2.47 and 9.63±5.5 in DD and MD groups, respectively which was statistically significant (p=0.002). The success rates were 65.8% and 86.8% in DD and MD groups, respectively with statistically significant difference (p=0.002). The side effects rates were 13.2% and 32.9% in DD and MD groups, respectively with statistically significant difference (p=0.004). It seems that administration of MD of MTX in EP patients leads to an increase in success rate of treatment but also it causes considerable increase in creatinine and AST levels.

cardiovascular diseases are the main cause of mortality around the whole world. However, there is limited information on its economic costs in Iran. The aim of this study was to evaluate the economic costs of coronary heart disease in Iran in 2014. The diseases costs were calculated based on the incidence approach using a bottom-up method and a community-oriented perspective. The drug cost information was obtained from angiographed patients (607 cases) in Shahid Modarres Hospital using simple random sampling method. Other information like disease incidence, distribution of patients, treatment patterns, length of stay and mortality rate was gathered from the literature, interview with patients, consultation with specialists, questionnaire, ministry of health and statistical center of Iran. Coronary heart diseases impose a significant economic burden in the range of 4,715 and 4,908 billion dollars (210,037,860,000,000-201,778,425,000,000 rials) upon Iran economic system. The medical costs and the costs of lost productivity due to premature death were calculated at USD 3.572 billion (152,863,740,000,000 rials) and USD 933 million (39,927,735,000,000 rials) respectively. The major part of medical costs was related to angioplasty costs (47%) and the minor part was related to drug costs (1.15%). Coronary heart diseases impose a lot of financial costs to Iran healthcare system which cover more than 16% of whole healthcare financial costs. It is possible to streamline all consequential costs due to coronary heart disease by means of economic and effective use of resources and widespread self-care plan.

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is the main therapeutic technique in psychiatric diseases. The use of anesthesia for ECT is necessary. In these patients, selection of anesthesia with minimal hemodynamic changes is very important. The aim of this study was to compare the hemodynamic effects of two anesthetics including sodium thiopental and propofol in patients undergoing ECT. This study was performed on 84 patients (50 males and 34 females) who were anesthetized for ECT in 22- Bahaman Hospital, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences (QUMS). Initially, the hemodynamic status of patients was recorded. Then, they randomly received either sodium thiopental or propofol as an anesthetic and succinylcholine as a muscle relaxant. Hemodynamic changes, including systolic and diastolic blood pressure, pulse rate in the 1, 3 and 10 minutes after ECT, as well as seizure duration and recovery time were recorded. The data were analyzed by SPSS v.20 using independent t-test. the sodium thiopental group, showed the highest changes in systolic and diastolic blood pressure and heart rate in the third minute (45%, 64% and 26% respectively). In the propofol group, the highest systolic, diastolic and mean arterial blood pressure changes were 55%, 64% and 43% respectively, at the 10th minute, but the highest pulse rate (33%) occurred in the 3rd minute. The blood pressure changes were significant between the two groups (p<0.05). The post-shock seizure duration was less with sodium thiopental, but recovery from anesthesia was shorter with propofol (p<0.05). Our findings showed that in the anesthetic required for electroshock, sodium thiopental had a slightly better hemodynamic stability than propofol. Therefore, it seems appropriate to use it as an anesthetic for ECT.

The growing numbers of cosmetic treatments, especially Botox in recent years, and the limited researches on the mental characteristics of those applying for this type of cosmetic surgery, have necessitated more attention to this matter. The aim of this study was to compare appearance schema and emotional processing in applicants and non-applicants of botox injection. the present work was cross-sectional (causal-comparative) study. The statistical population of the study consisted of all individuals referring to beauty clinics (dermatology, hair, beauty) in Ardabil, second half of 1396. Among them, 60 subjects (30 applicants and 30 non-applicants for Botox cosmetic) were selected through convenience sampling procedure. Furthermore, Appearance Schema Inventory (ASI) and Baker et al’s Emotional Processing Questionnaire were used to collect the data. The data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA). The results showed a significant difference between the mean of appearance schema and emotional processing in applicants and non- applicants (p<0.01). The amount of visual schema (self-assessment and self-motivation) and emotional processing was high in the Botox group (p<0.01) and non-Botox group (p<0.01) respectively. results indicated that Botox and beauty enthusiasts had high appearance schemas and low emotional processing. These people in compared to non-applicants were more likely to experience difficulties.

Staphylococci are considered as one of the most important etiological agents of omphalitis. Due to the importance of early diagnosis of omphalitis in newborns, this infection can be diagnosed by novel techniques such as multiplex PCR which is rapid, cost- effective and more accurate than microbial culture. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of Staphylococcus aureus, S. epidermidis and S.hominis species in umbilical cord infection in newborns. In the present study, 45 umbilical cord samples were collected from Shahid Afzali pour hospital in Kerman, Iran. Followed by DNA extraction, Multiplex PCR reactions were performed using specific 16srDNA primers for S. aureus, S. epidermidis and S.hominis. Finally, PCR products were analyzed using electrophoresis and sequencing. Also, microbiological and biochemical differentiation tests were performed for the diagnosis of Staphylococci on all specimens. Amplification of 16srRNA genes for S. aureus, S. epidermidis, and S. hominis using Multiplex PCR demonstrated that the frequency of S. epidermidis ,S. aureus and S.hominis were 4.4%, 6.6% and 2.2% in the studied samples, respectively. The prevalence of staphylococcal isolates using differential tests was shown to be 33.3%. This study indicated that, Multiplex PCR is a proper method for simultaneous identification of S. aureus, S. epidermidis and S.hominis species. Also, Staphylococci can be considered as a significant cause of umbilical cord infection in newborns. However, further studies urgently are needed to confirm this finding.

The purpose of this study was to show the dose response relationship of anti-inflammatory effect of methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) on carrageenan induced rat paw edema as an acute model of inflammation. A total of 54 male, Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing 180-190 g, were used. One hundred, 200, 400, 800 and 1200 mg/kg of MSM were administered intraperitoneally to the rats 30 minutes before induction of paw edema with injection of 0.1% carrageenan. Diclofenac was used as a control drug. Rats were divided into three groups: MSM, diclofenac and normal saline, and their paw tissue were collected for the study of inflammatory and oxidative markers (MDA, GSH, TNF-α and IL-1 β). The relationship between the different concentrations of MSM and decrease in rat paw edema was calculated using a simple Emax model. the ED50 value for effect of MSM on carrageenan induced rat paw edema was 193±9.7 mg/kg. A significant reduction in paw edema following administration of MSM at 200, 400, 800 and 1200 mg/kg was observed, but statistical analysis did not reveal any significant reduction in paw edema after administration of 100 mg/kg. MSM did not show statistically significant difference from control group in tissue level of GSH, but it was able to decrease MDA level significantly. MSM was able to significantly alleviate IL-1 β and TNF-alpha tissue levels. The recommended anti-inflammatory dosing range of MSM is 200-800 mg/kg for pharmacological studies in rats and the average appropriate dose is 400 mg/kg. Also, it seems that anti-inflammatory effect of MSM is more profound than its anti-oxidant effects.

Metalloproteinases (MMPs) are one of the most important agents in cartilage damage in rheumatoid arthritis. Increase of these enzymes can change sensitivity to insulin. Therefore, in this study, the MMPs level, insulin sensitivity index and effective factor related to rheumatoid arthritis were evaluated in obese female with rheumatoid arthritis. In the present study, 50 obese women with rheumatoid arthritis who were referred to the Sheikh Al-Reis clinic and Sina hospital in Tabriz and 50 healthy obese individuals were considered as case group and control group respectively. After determining the body weight, the levels of MMP-1, MMP-3, MMP-13, insulin, leptin, visfatin, resistin and glucose were measured using ELISA and Pars -Azmoon kits. One-way ANOVA method was used for statistical analysis of data. Pearson correlation test was used to evaluate the correlation between variables (p<0.05).

in the present study, the mean level of MMP-1 (p=0.008), MMP-3 (p=0.015) and MMP-13 (p=0.001) in the case group was significantly higher than the control group. Also, Insulin- sensitivity index analysis didn’t show significant difference between the case group and the control group (p=0.21). In the case group, the level of leptin (p=0.000), resistin (p=0.000) and visfatin (p=0.024) was significantly increased compared to control group while insulin (p=0.231) and glucose (p=0.430) levels didn’t show significant increase.
Correlation results showed that there was a negative correlation between insulin and MMPs and a positive correlation with other parameters affecting insulin sensitivity. our results showed, the matrix metalloproteinase level and the level of some factors affecting insulin sensitivity have increased in rheumatoid arthritis disease. Also, there was a significant positive correlation between the matrix metalloproteinase and some parameters affecting insulin sensitivity, including resistin and visfatin.