مجله دانشگاه علوم پزشکی شهرکرد
سال هفدهم شماره 2 (پیاپی 77، خرداد و تیر 1394)

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is one of the major causes of mortality in the world. So, nowadays there is a continuing attempt to identify the risk of new factors. This study was aimed to evaluate the correlation between serum concentration of lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), and cadmium (Cd) with coronary artery disease. In this descriptive analytic study, serum concentrations of Pb, Hg and Cd were determined in 65 patients (35 women and 30 men) with coronary artery stenosis, and 65 individuals in control group (43 women and 22 men) were determined using atomic absorption machine without flame and compared using independent t-test, Chi-square and covariance analysis. It was observed that the mean concentration of lead, mercury and cadmium were significantly higher in patients (P˂0.05). The same result was also obtained after adjustment with other cardiovascular risk factors (P<0.05). The result of the present study showed that serum levels of heavy metals are associated with the presence of CAD.

Infant's growth health is one of the important elements effectively on social health. Accordingly, recognizing effective factors on infant's physical growth as well as identifying essential procedures to preserve and improve their health matters is very important. The aim of this study was to determine influential factors on growth parameters including height, weight and head circumference of infants using quantile regression analysis. This cohort analytic descriptive study was conducted in Islamic research committee of Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences from Ramadan 2006 to 2009. 92 healthy infants including entrance criteria were studied. The impacts of effective factors on growth parameters like height, weight and head circumference in various quantiles were compared using quantile regression model. Growth parameters have a direct relationship with the birth weight of infants. The direct relationship of mother's age was pretty apparent up to 6th month. Birth rank had a reverse effect on growth parameters. Iron consumption at the 20 and 40 quantiles of height and feeding of mother’s milk at the second deciles of head circumference was significant (P<0.05). Due to fit of various regression lines, obtained results indicated that quantile regression is more comprehensive than a linear regression model. Effectiveness of variables of father's education, birth rank, mother's Body Mass Index, the number of family members, iron intake, vitamin and feeding mother milk was not observed by linear regression. Meanwhile, a greater attention is needed to girl's growth especially during the first 6 month after birth.

Osteoporosis is a silent disease causing decrease in firmness and accumulation of bone, and leading to increase in bone fracture. The importance of ApaI and TaqI polymorphisms of vitamin D receptor gene in bone metabolism and density has been shown in other parts of world. The aim of the present research was to study the association of these polymorphisms with bone mineral density in women with 45 years old and older in Chahamahal and Bakhteiari province. In this descriptive analytical study, 200 women participated aged 45 years old and older who referred to Bone Mineral Density Assay Centers in Shahrekord in years 2012-2013. Bone mineral density at femur neck and lumbar spine was measured by DEXA method. Based on T- score, these women divided tin two groups, 130 patient individuals and 70 healthy individuals. Then, different genotypes of Taq1 (TT/Tt/tt) and ApaI (AA/Aa/aa) were determined by PCR-RFLP method and their frequencies were calculated. Statistical analyses did not show any significant relationship between ApaI polymorphism and bone density (P>0.05). TaqI polymorphism and femur neck bone density showed a significant relationship (P<0.05), but no significant relationship was seen with lumbar spine bone density (P>0.05). Patients with hemozygote dominant genotype (TT) compared with other genotypes had the least femur neck bone mineral density. Lumbar spine bone mineral density in all genotypes of TaqI was identical. TaqI polymorphism may be a good marker for diagnosis of osteoporosis in susceptible women in Chahamahal and Bakhteiari Province and even in Iran. However, further and larger populations should be studied to verify the results of this study.

Increasing use of mobile phones is caused an increase of concerns about biological effects of cell phone waves (CPWs) on the body tissues, especially on the central nervous system. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of CPWs on migration of cerebellum granular cells in neonatal rat. In this experimental study, 40 neonatal rats were randomly divided in 4 groups (n=10), one control group and three case-groups (I, II, III). In the days 7-13 of post-born, the case-groups I, II, and III were irradiated to the CPWs from 10cm for 0.5, 2, and 8 hrs; respectively. After killing the rats in day 14, tissue sections were prepared and the granular cells of the internal layer of the cerebellum were counted using Motic software. Furthermore, thickness of the external granular layer was measured using Nikon software. Comparing group III to control-group, the cell numbers of internal granular were decreased significantly (P<0.05). Moreover, in group III, the ratio of the cerebellum-weight to the body-weight decreased significantly (P<0.05) as well as the external layer thickness decreased significantly compared to control group (P<0.05). CPWs with increasing migration of granular cells leads to anatomic changes. Finally, it prevents from cerebellum development and can lead to disorder in its metabolic activities.

Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) is a gram-positive, toxin-producing bacillus that can infect both human and animals. The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of virulence genes and evaluation of antibiotic resistance among C. difficile isolated from feces of calves in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province. In this cross-sectional study, 150 fresh feces of calves were collected and C. difficile was isolated from feces of calves using bacterial culture methods. Bacteria genomic DNA was extracted by a DNA extraction kit, and tcdA and tcdB genes were identified by Multiplex PCR method. In the final stage, antimicrobial resistance was carried out by standard Bauer-Kirby disk diffusion method. 90 samples (60%) were included C. difficile, 8 samples (8.8%) tcdA and 16 samples (17.7%) tcdB. The highest rate of antibiotic resistance was against Clindamycin (100%) and Erythromycin (90%), respectivly. In addition, the highest rate of antibiotic sensitivity was against Ciprofloxacin (50%) and Vancomycin (20%). According to the results of present study, the prevalence and antibiotic-resistant of C. difficile was high. It should be adapted to appropriate methods of prevention and treatment, as well as restricting the use of antimicrobial drugs in the development of human and animal bacteria, especially, pathogenic strains.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has an important role on nervous system growth and development. Animal studies have shown that exercise affects serum levels of BDNF. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of endurance and circuit resistance training on BDNF and serum cortisol in inactive males. In this clinical trial study، 30 inactive males were randomly divided into 3 groups: endurance training، resistance training، and control groups. The endurance training group performed interval running for 30-45 minutes at the intensity of 60-75% of maximum heart rate during 4 weeks. The resistance training group performed circuit resistance training at the intensity of 60-75% with one repeated maximum، 3 days in a week for 4 weeks. Blood samples were taken before and 48 hours after experimental period to assess serum levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and cortisol. Circuit endurance and resistance training increased significantly the serum concentration of BDNF (P<0. 001). There was no intergroup difference between training groups (P>0. 05). The intergroup difference was only observed between endurance training and control groups (P<0. 001). Moreover، both endurance and circuit resistance training had no significant effect on serum cortisol levels (P>0. 05). According to the findings of the present study، it can be concluded that endurance and circuit resistance training increase neurotropic factors which may lead to structural and functional adaptation in nervous system.

Addiction is a physical, mental, social and spiritual illness and one of the serious damages following substance abuse is brain injury. The main aim of the present study was to compare of prospective and retrospective memory in addicted males, have left addicts, and healthy. The study was a descriptive study. 35 addicted, 32 have left addicts, 35 healthy selected by purposive sampling. Prospective and retrospective memory questionnaire (PRMQ) was used for data collecting. Data were analyzed using of multivariate (MANOVA) and Turkey test. There were significant differences in prospective memory performance between addicts, have left addicts, and healthy (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference in retrospective memory performance. Turkey test results also showed that prospective memory score mean more than in addicts and have left addicts, and healthy(P<0.05). The increase duration of addiction causes prospective memory destruction and therefore makes it more difficult to quit addiction.

Linguistic factors can decrease or increase the children’s speech disfluencies. One of these factors is the type of linguistic tasks presented to the child. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of two tasks of sentence imitation and sentence modeling on severity of speech disfluencies in preschool children with stuttering. This cross-sectional descriptive-analytic study performed on 58 children with stuttering (29 subjects with mild stuttering and 29 subjects with moderate stuttering) and on 58 children with fluent speech aged 4-6 years old. The severity of speech disfluencies was measured by two separate tasks (sentence imitation and sentence modeling), and the results of two tasks were compared. The mean stuttering severity score in boys with moderate stuttering in two tasks of sentence imitation and sentence modeling was 23.79±1.26 & 29.00±1.87 respectively and significant difference was observed (P=0.004). The mean stuttering severity score in girls with moderate stuttering was 25.27±1.93 & 33.18±2.32 respectively and significant difference was observed (P=0.007). The score of speech disfluencies in both sexes of non-stutter children and mild stuttering had no significant difference between two tasks (P>0.05). In preschool children with mild stuttering and peer non-stutters, performing two tasks of sentence imitation and sentence modeling could not increase the severity of stuttering. In preschool children with moderate stuttering, doing the task of sentence modeling increased the stuttering severity score. It is suggested that speech therapists apply the findings of this study to develop linguistic tasks with various levels of difficulty for children with stuttering.

Medical sciences students are commonly exposed to infectious agents, including hepatitis A virus (HAV). The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of HAV antibody among newly admitted medical students of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences. In this cross-sectional analytic descriptive study, 403 freshmen were selected non probability and serum samples evaluated by Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) to determine total antibodies IgG and IgM against hepatitis A. A total of 403 students, 252 (62.5%) males and 151 (37.5%) females, were included in the study. The prevalence of Anti-HAV IgG-IgM was detected 67.5%. It was found a significant relationship between hepatitis A infection with residence and drinking water (P<0.01 & P<0.018, respectively). Freshmen are considered as a high risk group for HAV infection. So, primary screening and vaccination of negative anti-HAV antibody individuals is recommended.

Non-existence of concordance and having behavioral disorders in human society is common and abundant. Imbalance individuals are founded in each class and group of society. This study aimed to compare mental disorders and adversity quotient (AQ) in prisoners and non-prisoners in Shahrekord in 2013. This study is a descriptive analytic research. 100 prisoners and 100 non-prison inmates in age, education, income, marital status and social class matched and randomly selected. Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R) and adversity quotient (AQ) questionnaires were used to gather data for the diagnosis of mental disorders and adversity quotient. The results showed no significant difference found in the rate of mental disorders in prisoners and non-prisoners (P>0.05), but the AQ of the prisoners was more than the AQ of non-prisoners (P<0.001). According to the findings of current research, AQ Could effect on mental disorders, and is a protective factor due to personality features against pressures in life.

Aspergillus flavus is the most important fungus for production of Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). This toxin can be entered in the body through feed chain and ultimately leads to intoxications. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.), milk thistle (Silybum marianum L.) and cape aloe (Aloe vera) essences on the growth of A. flavus and AFB1 production. In this experimental study, concentrations of 0, 100, 200, 300 and 400 ppm of the studied plants essences were used in 4 replications. The AFB1 and major components of each essence were measured by Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) and Gas Chromatography– mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) method. A rich medium (Yeast Extract Sucrose) was used for measuring the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal fungicidal concentration (MFC). Carvacrol, silydianin, and glucomannan were the main constituents of the essential oil of thyme, milk thistle and cape aloe. The lowest yield of AFB1 production belonged to the concentration of 200 ppm in thyme essence (P=0.001). In contrast, the maximum yield of toxin was observed in the concentration of 100 ppm in cape aloe (P=0.013). However, MIC for thyme essence was 200 ppm and MFC of this essence was estimated 400 ppm. 300 and 400 ppm of thyme essences has the highest MIC and MFC on fungal colonies growth and AFB1 production. Thyme essence may be added to food to prevent fungal growth and aflatoxin production.

Coagulase-negative Staphylococci is one of the most important factors for nosocomial infections. Resistance to methicillin has been observed in this group of bacteria. This study was aimed to investigate and compare resistance to methicillin using two phenotypic and genotypic methods in Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus saprophyticus bacteria isolated from samples in training hospitals of Shahrekord. In this analytic descriptive study, 2900 various samples including blood, urine, and etc. were collected from patients hospitalized in Hajar (PBUH) and Ayatollah Kashani hospitals of Shahrekord. Then, 150 isolates of coagulase-negative Staphylococci were selected using microbiological experiments. In the next step, phenotypic resistance was simultaneously assessed by disk diffusion and genotypic resistance [methicillin-resistant gene (mecA)] by multiplex PCR. Of isolated 150 cases under study, findings showed that 46.66% of the samples (70 isolates with confidence interval of 95% equal to 38.49-54.98%) were resistant to methicillin in phenotypic analysis. Besides, in genotypic analysis 42.66% of the samples (64 isolates with confidence interval of 95% equal to 34.63-51%) had methicillin-resistant gene (mecA). Distribution of phenotypic and genotypic resistance in two hospitals under study was equal, and had no significant difference (P>0.05). The genotypic results indicate the presence of methicillin-resistance gene. Genotyping through PCR is a reliable tool to show the rate of methicillin-resistance in Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus saprophyticus.

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) causes anti-apoptotic and drug-resistant effects in prostate cancer cells. Carvacrol, an herbal antioxidant, exists in many different plants. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Carvacrol on IL-6 gene expression, cellular signaling proteins, and cell emigration in DU-145 prostate cancer cells. In this experimental study, DU-145 cells were treated with various concentrations of carvacrol for 48 hours. Then, cell viability was assessed by MTT assay and the 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) was determined. IL-6 levels at various concentrations of carvacrol were determined by ELISA kit. Il-6 gene expression and cell signaling proteins (pStat3، pErk and pAkt) were determined using real-time RT-PCR and western blot analysis, respectively. DU-145 cells migration and invasion were assessed by invasion assay test. Carvacrol IC50 for DU-145 prostate cancer cells was 406. 2 μM. Carvacrol at 150 μM exhibits IL-6 expression at both mRNA and protein levels, but carvacrol reduces IL-6 expression at more than 150 μM at both mRNA and protein levels in a dose-dependent manner (P<0. 05). Carvacrol suppresses pStat3, pErk, and pAkt cell signaling proteins at a dose-dependent manner more than 150 μM. Also, carvacrol significantly declines cell viability and emigrational invasion ability in DU-145 prostate cancer cells (P<0. 05). Carvacrol reduces cell growth, proliferation, and cell emigration through diminished cell signaling proteins and IL-6 gene expression, and it causes induction of apoptosis in DU-145 prostate cancer cells. Therefore, carvacrol can be considered as a useful therapeutic agent to treat prostate cancer.

Compression causes the cells body degeneration of alpha neurons in anterior horn. Stachys lavandulifolia of Laminacea family has antioxidant and anti-apoptosis effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the neuroprotective effect of aqueous extract of Stachys lavandulifolia leaves, on alpha neurons density after sciatic nerve compression in male rats. In this experimental study, 60 male wistar rats were divided randomly into six groups: control, compression, and compression with treatment (25, 50, 75, 100 mg/kg doses). In order to induce compression, sciatic nerve was exposed to compression for 60 second using locker pincers. Extract injection was done intraperitoneally in the first and second week after compression. 28 days after compression, rats were occurred under profusion method. Then, after sampling of the lumber spinal cord, the density of neurons was measured using dissector and stereological methods and the results were compared together. According to the present results, density of neurons in compression group decreased significantly compared to the control group (P<0.001). Moreover, Neuronal density increased significantly in all treatment groups compared to the compression group (P<0.001). Aqueous extract of Stachys lavandulifolia leaves has neuroprotective effect on neurons in anterior horn of the spinal cord after injury. Probably, it can be useful in patients with spinal cord injury.