مجله دانشگاه علوم پزشکی قم
سال چهاردهم شماره 9 (پیاپی 104، آذر 1399)

Today, the identification and introduction of plant species with medicinal and antimicrobial properties have become considerably important due to the increased use of chemical drugs, spread of microbial resistance to antibiotics, and side effects of drug consumption. Sage (Salvia officinalis L.) is one of the most important medicinal and aromatic plants possessing anticancer, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties. The harvest time influences the effective combination of medicinal plants; therefore, the quantity and quality of plant essential oils vary in different times. This study was conducted to identify the essential oil compounds of sage shoots, as well as determining the best harvest time to obtain the highest amount of essential oil and phenolic compounds, as well as the antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of this essential oil against four gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria.

In this experimental study, plant samples were collected at four different times (mid- May, July, September, and November), followed by the extraction of their essential oils using the Clevenger type apparatus. The isolation and identification of the constituents of the essential oils were performed using gas chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry me connected to the mass spectrometer. The antioxidant activity of the samples’ essential oils was evaluated by the radical-scavenging activity of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl. The antimicrobial activity of the essential oils was determined by disc diffusion, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), and minimum bactericidal concentration methods. The collected data were analyzed in SPSS software (version 20) using ANOVA, as well as Duncanchr('39')s multiple range test to compare the mean scores.

The major constituents identified in the essential oil of sage in different harvest times were α-pinene, camphene, α-thujone, β-thujone, 1.8-cineole, and camphor. Based on the results, oxygenated monoterpenes formed the major components of essential oil compounds in July (79.94%), May (74.76%), September (73.47%), and November (70.89%). The highest amount of phenolic compounds (66.36±0.74 mg GAE/g) and the lowest value of the half maximal inhibitory concentration (34.87±0.15 μg/ml) were observed in the essential oil obtained from July. At all harvest times, the highest and lowest diameters of the inhibition zone at the concentration of 300 mg/ml were observed for Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, respectively. Moreover, the effect of sage essential oil on gram-positive bacteria was higher than on gram-negative bacteria. The MIC range of sage essential oil at different harvest times ranged from 16-256 mg/ml, depending on the type of bacteria (gram-positive or gram-negative).

The results of this study showed that sage can be used as a potential source for the production of pharmaceutical compounds and natural food preservatives. Overall, the best time to harvest sage is mid-July due to the highest antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of its essential oil during this period.

This study was conducted to investigate the protective effect of hydroethanolic extract of Lippia citrodora L. leaf (LCE) and vitamin D3 on polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in suri rats.

This experimental study was performed on 48 female suri rats with a weight range of 25-35g. The subjects were divided into 8 groups (n=6 each), namely control (food + water), case (estradiol valerate, subcutaneously), sham (sesame oil, 0.25 ml, subcutaneously), positive control (metformin + water), intervention 1 (estradiol valerate + low-dose Lippia citrodora L. extract, intraperitoneally), intervention 2 (estradiol valerate + LCE high dose, intraperitoneally), intervention 3 (estradiol valerate + vitamin D3, intraperitoneally), and intervention 4 (estradiol valerate + Lippia citrodora L. extract + vitamin D3). The whole process of performing the experiments took 55 days. To conduct the study, blood and ovary tissue samples were obtained from the subjects. The collected data were analyzed in SPSS software (version 24) using the one-way ANOVA method.

Based on the results of the study, estradiol valerate caused PCOS in suri rats. Moreover, a significant decrease of ovarian cysts was observed in the ovarian tissue of the treatment groups, compared to those in the case group. It was also found out the concomitant use of Lippia citrodora L. extract and vitamin D3 was more effective in reducing ovarian cysts.

The results of this study showed that the use of Lippia citrodora L. extract and vitamin D3 had a significant effect on reducing ovarian cysts in suri rats with PCOS.

Depression is one of the fourth most common diseases and will be the second most prevalent disease in the world by 2020 predicted by the World Health Organization. Considering the high frequency of depression among students and role of nutrition in psychological disorders according to the literature, the present study aimed to investigate the relationship between the level of depression in female students residing in the dormitory of Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran, and their intake of different food groups.

This cross-sectional study was conducted on 345 students living in the dormitory of Qom University of Medical Sciences randomly selected in 2018. The data were collected using the food frequency questionnaire and Beck Depression Inventory and analyzed by analysis of variance and regression. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

According to the Beck questionnaire, the scores of 9 or less (normal) and 10 or more (levels of depression) were reported for 57.5% and 42.5% of the students, respectively. Although no significant relationship was observed between the scores of the Beck questionnaire with the intake of different food groups and anthropometric indices of the subjects, a positive correlation was observed between the consumption of dairies, oil groups, and sweets with the prevalence of depression.

With regard to the observation of some levels of depression among a number of students living in the dormitory and important role of medical and paramedical students in the promotion of health in the communities, it is suggested to consider the elimination of underlying factors of depression as a health priority.

Malnutrition in children is associated with decreased learning, inability to acquire skills, and physical and mental retardation. Anthropometric indicators are the most powerful tools for the assessment of the growth and nutritional status of children. The aim of the present study was to investigate the nutritional status of children within the age range of 5-6 years in the Shekoofa club (i.e., a working children club) in the 15th district of Tehran, Iran.

This cross-sectional study was carried out on 53 children. Due to the limited number of working children in the district, the study was conducted using the Census method in 2018. The required data were collected based on the children’s records, anthropometric measurements, and use of the National Center for Health Statistics standard. In addition, the Z score was individually calculated for body mass index/ weight/height for age. The data were analyzed by SPSS software (version 20) and Chi-squared test at a significant level of P < 0.05.

A total of 25 male (47.2%) and 28 female (52.8%) children participated in the present study, respectively. In addition, out of these 53 children, 28 (52.8%) and 25 (47.2%) subjects were reported as Iranian and Afghan, respectively. The anthropometric evaluation showed that 5.7%, 7.5%, and 5.7% of the children were moderately underweight, moderately stunted, and overweight, respectively.

The findings of this study showed that the nutritional status of the children within the age range of 5-6 years in the Shekoofa club is fairly favorable; however, due to the likely presence of micronutrient deficiencies in the studied children, it is suggested to carry out further studies to consider this issue.

Stroke is one of the most common neurological diseases worldwide  causing different types of disabilities and high rate of mortality each year. Abdominal obesity is one of the most important risk factors for stroke. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of abdominal obesity and its related factors in patients with stroke.

This descriptive-analytical study investigated 36 patients with stroke in the internal medicine ward of Kowsar Hospital, Semnan, Iran. The sampling was performed using the convenience and purposive method. Data were collected using a demographic characteristic form, patient records, and a questionnaire on the status of the patient with stroke. Moreover, the abdominal obesity was measured by calculating the ratio of the abdomen diameter to the pelvic diameter. The data were analyzed in SPSS software (version 16) using descriptive and inferential statistics, as well as ANOVA. A p-value less than 0.05 was statistically significant.

The mean±SD age of the patients was 75.43±10.8 years. In total, 50% (n=60) of the cases were male. Moreover, 83.3% and 93.3% of the males and females had abdominal obesity, respectively. According to the results, 50% and 24.2% of the total population were overweight and obese, respectively. Furthermore, there was a negative and significant relationship between abdominal obesity and level of education (P<0.001). However, abdominal obesity showed a positive association with oil consumption (P=0.026) and stroke severity (P=0.028).

Regarding the high prevalence of abdominal obesity in stroke patients, it is necessary to undertake measures, such as the improvement of nutritional quality of the food and promotion of the health literacy in order to prevent obesity and weight loss, thereby accelerating the rehabilitation and enhancing the prognosis in these patients.

 Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, especially those with Pantone-Valentine leukocidin (pvl) or Toxic Shock Syndrome Toxin-1 (tsst-1) genes, are increasingly accountable for nosocomial infections. This study was conducted to evaluate the frequency of mecA, tsst1, and pvl genes, as well as agr specific genes in clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus from patients admitted to hospitals in Tehran.

 To conduct the study, 215 isolates of Staphylococcus aureus were collected from clinical specimens. All strains were identified by standard methods. Afterward, the disk diffusion method was used to evaluate antibiotic resistance. The polymerase chain reaction method was performed to detect mecA, tsst1, and pvl genes and agr specific groups.

 The highest resistance was observed to tetracycline (49.3%). It was also found out that all strains were susceptible to vancomycin. The prevalence of mecA, tsst1, and pvl genes in clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus was obtained as 46.04%, 32.3%, and 1.4%, respectively. Moreover, 57.20%, 14.41%, 16.74%, and 11.62% of clinical isolates had agr1, agr2, agr3, and agr4 group, respectively.

 Considering the production of various toxins in Staphylococcus aureus strains and the increase in antibiotic resistance of this bacterium, it is essential to diagnose this disease early and adopt appropriate treatment to prevent its progression caused by this bacterium.

Nowadays, with the development of medical science, the coupleschr('39') infertility problem has been resolved; however, this issue has presented some challenges. This study was conducted to explain the psychological challenges of infertile men seeking alternative infertility treatments.

This qualitative research with phenomenological design (n=9) was carried out on infertile males seeking alternative infertility treatments. The subjects were selected using purposive and criterion sampling methods with maximum variation until reaching saturation. The necessary data were collected through a semi-structured interview method and coded and analyzed using the Dickelman method. The coding process was analyzed in the form of primary codes, concepts, and categories.

Based on the findings, the psychological challenges of infertile men seeking alternative reproductive therapies included 4 main themes (precedent challenges, process challenges, contextual challenges, and approaching challenges) and 13 sub-themes (problems in decision-making and acceptance of treatment, challenges related to childless life, intellectual and emotional challenges of couples through the treatment, challenges affecting marital life, concerns related to the course of treatment, challenges related to the actions and reactions of family and relatives, concerns about cultural and social rejection and religious issues, concerns due to the possibility of physical, mental, and behavioral defects of the child, and challenges related to the parental role).

In general, reviewing the categories and concepts obtained from this study and summarizing them could well reveal the concerns and difficulties experienced by infertile males and provide a clear picture of their problems to experts and authorities.