فصلنامه علوم پزشکی دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی
سال شانزدهم شماره 2 (پیاپی 44، تابستان 1385)

Trichophyton verrucosum (T.verrucosum) is one of the dermatophyte fungi which invades the skin of human and animals particularly cattle. Several properties of this fungus have been investigated so far. However a few studies were carried out in the field of molecular biology of this fungus. In the present study we tried to identify the chaperone proteins related to the 70 kDa heat shock proteins (HSP70) in this fungus and study of its gene regulation under heat-stress conditions. 

Pairs of 21 and 20 nt primers were designed from highly conserved regions of the similar genes in other fungi. Mentioned primers were utilized in PCR by using isolated genomic DNA and cDNA of T.verrucosum whereas the PCR fragments were then sequenced. 

Eventually, 2217 nucleotides have been sequenced from this new gene which has two introns and encodes a polypeptide with 654 amino acids. Sequences comparison in gene data banks (NCBI, NIH) for both the complete DNA and its deduced amino acid revealed significant homology with members of the eukaryotic 70 kDa HSP family. Further investigation revealed that the expression of this new gene increases under heat-stress conditions. 

This new gene has similarity with other genes of the same family in other organisms. This protein could efficiently protect the microorganism against heat stress.

The purpose of this study was to achieve defense proteins. Indeed, it proposed that salicylic acid (SA) involved a number of defense mechanisms. The influence of SA application probably on changes in levels of protein extent of Dianthus shoots was investigated.

Firstly, explants of cv. Cerise Royallette were cultured on OM medium with 0.2 mg.L−1 NAA, 0.5 mg.L−1 BAP, supplemented by 0, 10, 50, and 200 µM SA. After 4 weeks, growth of shoots were measured and then prepared extracts and performed Bradford test. These substances were tested with SDS-PAGE, to find the concentrations which caused changes in quality of proteins.

Data analysis indicated that the most typical effect of SA treatment protein content of shoots was occurred. Indeed, treatment increased protein content considerably, however, it decreased the number of shoots. Analysis of the polypeptide pattern following SDS-PAGE showed that all tested SA changed the accumulation of both 38 and 39 kDa polypeptides that located very close to each others, and the level of their accumulation was found to be varied depending on the kind and intensity of the stressor.

The data provide evidences that plant defense mechanisms might involve the same proteins in response to SA and may lead to induction or deletion of defense proteins changes.

Enteroviruses in sewage are considered among the most sensitive indicators for virus circulation in society. These are mainly detected by sensitive cell cultures, however, since it is time consuming, molecular direct methods have also been considered as sensitive techniques. This study accomplished to assess different methods of removing organic inhibitors of sewage in order to detect Enteroviruses with RT-PCR.

For this cross sectional study, 63 sewage specimens of Tehran were prepared with Grab sample method and concentrated with Pellet and Two-Phase methods and cultured in RD and Hep-2 cells. Then, with 12 different methods, removing organic inhibitors in sewage with RT-PCR method was assessed.

Of investigated methods, we succeeded to isolate all of expected viruses only with the use of ICC-RT-PCR method. 

With respect to 0.01 TCID50 sensitivity of ICC-RT-PCR method, further studies are strongly recommended in order to confirm the utility of this method as one of the most sensitive methods of detecting Enteroviruses.

The present study was achieved to investigate the effect of Hypericum perforatum extract on abortion and any changes on embryonic development and oogenesis in pregnant mice. 

A dose of 1.457g/kg body weight (approximate oral dose in human per day) of dried alchoholic extract of the plant dissolved in water were given orally to Balb/C mice strain, once a day for 7 days (after vaginal plug observation as day 0 of pregnancy up to day 7). Then experimental embryos were removed from uterus on day 15 of gestation and compared with 15 days control embryos. The external and internal morphological properties of all embryos and the survival rate were determined. 

In all experiments, no conspicuous external or internal abnormalities in embryos were detected. The gross conditions of nervous system, liver, kidney and their development were normal as compared with sham and controls. There was no significant difference in the thickness of uterus wall and the number of endometrial glands among experimental, sham and control pregnant mice. However, in ovaries there were significant differences in some investigated parameters such as the number of corpus lutei cells and their diameters, and the number of degenerating follicles. Hormonal analysis of pregnant mice serum on day 15 of gestation showed a significant increase in the level of FSH and LH and a significant decrease in the level of progesteron as compared with those of controls.

Therefore, according to our results, it can be concluded that using Hypericum perforatum extract during pregnancy has no effect on embryos. It does not produce any abnormalities or change in development, and the significant decrease in the level of progesteron is not sufficient to produce abortion.

Thyroid gland affects many physiologic and metabolic activities .Thyroxine (T4) and its effective form (T3) regulate metabolism of tissues. These hormones affect the heart work with direct or indirect mechanisms. In the present study we investigated the effect of hypo and hyperthyroidism on rat heart.

We used female Wistar rats (250-300 gr) in 3 groups (each consisted of 6): Hyperthyroid rats were treated with thyroxine (1 mg /lit water for 20 days) hypothyroid rats were treated with propylthyoacil (PTU) (0.5 gr/lit water) and Control. Finally, histopathological and stereometric evidences were investigated in heart slides.

Results showed that in papillar muscle of hyperthyroid rats, there were clear evidences of hypertrophy and increased capillary density. In hypohtyroid rats, however, changes were in opposite to hyperthyroid rats.

Results revealed that during changes of hypo and hyperthyroidism, the metabolic changes are in accordance

Considering the previous studies on the harmful effects of opioids on some body organs, determining the histological changes of liver due to heroin, as the most used opium in Iran, seems to be necessary. 

In this experimental study, a total of 30 mice were divided into three control and two experimental groups. Having depended to heroine (50mg/kg IP for 3 days, twice daily), different experimental groups of dependant mice were divided into two groups. One of which received heroin 5 mg/kg IP and the other 5 mg /ml, IP twice daily for a period of 40 days. Then, the mice were euthanized and by removing the livers, they were sectioned and stained with H;E and the histological structures of liver were studied.

There were no histological differences between control groups, however, the experimental and control groups showed some differences such as hyperemia in central veins, presence of inflammatory cells in portal space and its relative parenchyma, irregularity in hepatocyte, enlarging the sinusoids and nuclei and finally repairing changes in liver.

With respect to the observed histological changes, liver's histological changes should be kept in mind as one of the dangerous effects of opioids among addicted Iranian subjects.

Worldwide researches show that there is increasing resistance among urinary tract pathogens to conventional drugs. The aim of this study is to obtain data on susceptibility patterns of pathogens responsible for urinary tract infections (UTIs) in Flavarjan to antimicrobial agents that are currently used for the treatment of UTIs.

In this cross sectional study, 209 uropathogenic organisms were collected during 8 months. Then, appropriate staining and biochemical techniques were applied for organism detection. Iodometric technique was used for betalactamase identification.

Escherichia coli (54.1%) was the most common etiological agent causing UTIs, followed by Klebsiella spp.(15.8%), and Staphylococcus aureus(10.5%). In contrast, coagulase-negative Staphylococci, Pseudomonas aeroginosa, Enterobacter spp., Proteus spp. and Enterococcuc were isolated from less than 6.0%of isolates. Most of uropathogenic isolates were resistant to antimicrobial agents such as Co-trimoxazole, Ampicillin and Nalidixic acid but Aminoglycoside and Quinolones were effective on these isolates. Iodometric analysis showed that ß-lactamases were present in 70.8% of isolates.

With respect to the frequency of urinary tract infection and use of antibiotics, and also the pattern of drug use in different regions, the presence of resistant isolates could be predictable. However, appropriate antibiotic use could postpone their presence.

After cardiac defects, neural–tube defects (NTD) are the most congenital structural defects with a worldwide incidence of 1.4 to 2 per 1000 live births. This defect is due to failure of the neural tube to close spontaneously between the 3rd and 4th wk of uterine development. The control of risk factors related to NTD, may reduce the associated psychologic problems.

For this case-control study, women referred to delivery room in Fatemiyeh Hospital in Shahrud were enrolled. Totally, 100 women with normal fetus or neonate in a systematic randomized sampling were chosen as a control group. Control group were compared with women who delivered fetus or neonate with NTDs in foresaid time for the following factors: drug use, overt diabetes, getting fever and receiving X-ray around the conception’s time.

During 4.5 years, 55 women (3.7 in 1000) had fetus or neonate with NTD. According to determined odds ratio, none of the surveyed factors were effective. There were no statistical difference between two groups in folic acid consuming and all women consumed folic acid after third month of pregnancy. Hydramniose, as a complication of NTDs, was more frequent in case group than controls (20.9 vs 0.01, p<0.001).

Although the precise cause of neural tube defects remains unknown, some factors may influence normal development of CNS. In our study none of the surveyed factors were affective, thus, epidemiological studies are recommended. According to studies, more than half of NTDs could be prevented with daily intake of folic acid throughout the conceptional period, so intake of 400µcg folic acid daily (according to CDC and ACOG recommendations) is offered in all women in reproductive age who referred to the health care settings in Iran.

Nosocomial infections are one of the most important causes of morbidity and hospital mortality rate in hospitalized patients. The infections that are usually occur 48 to 72 hours after admission are called nosocomial infections. These infections increase the duration of hospitalization for 1-30 days. In Iran, nosocomial infections were reported in 1.9% to 25% of hospitalized patients. 

This cross sectional study was conducted among 252 medical students (80 interns and 172 externs). Questionnaires including 40 questions in the form of multiple choices were prepared and distributed randomly among medical students. The answer sheets were collected and corrected. Then, results were analysed using SPSS software. 

Totally, 33% of students had poor knowledge of nosocomial infections, while 50% and 17% had moderate and good (high) knowledge, respectively. There was no statistically significant relationship between gender and knowledge, however, extern's knowledge were significantly better than intern's.

With respect to the poor knowledge of medical students towards nosocomial infection, we suggest a course dealing with nosocomial infections for medical students.

In our country about 95% of workplaces have less than ten workers. Totally, the number of trade units is estimated to be 750000 under the supervision of 3500 trade :::union:::s. This study has been done in order to survey the condition of occupational hygiene of these trade units in Sabzevar.

In this cross sectional study, 100 trade units have been selected from 20 trade :::union:::s by stratified random sampling and surveyed by questionnaires and direct observation.

Approximately, 34.5% of units have unfavourable health facilities. Regarding the exposure with harmful agents, 27.4% of workers were exposed to noise, 25.9% were in touch with harmful chemical compounds, 82.7% had unfavourable ergonomics condition. Safety measures were as follow: 35% of workers were exposed to safe-guards-free equipments and 73.3% of workers did not use personal protective equipments. 37% of workers were not aware of safe-guards of the equipments. Totally, 31% of workers believed that accidents may cause by chance.

The trade units had unfavourable health facilities, harmful agents and hazards more than the large- and medium-sized industries. Reviewing the project of liaisons of health occupational hygiene, employing professional staffs as trade health officials and increasing the occupational hygiene awareness of workers may improve the overall conditions of workers.