مجله علمی دانشگاه علوم پزشکی کردستان
سال بیست و هفتم شماره 6 (پیاپی 123، بهمن و اسفند 1401)

Hypoxia occurs especially in ischemia and heart attack, and finally can lead to death because of oxidative stress due to production of reactive oxygen species. Compounds with antioxidant activity can exhibit antihypoxic property. Kojic acid has good antioxidant activities. To the best of our knowledge, there have been no report about the protective effect of this compound against hypoxia-induced lethality in mice.

Protective effects of kojic acid against hypoxia-induced lethality in 80 mice were evaluated by three experimental models of hypoxia including asphyctic, haemic and circulatory.

Antihypoxic activity of kojic acid was pronounced in asphyctic model and at the dose of 125 mg/kg, it prolonged the survival time in the negative control group (P<0.01). At this dose, it showed higher activity than positive control group (phenytoin) (P<0.01). Kojic acid showed marked protective activities in circulatory model. At the does of 62.5 mg/kg, it prolonged survival time which was significantly higher than those in the control groups (P<0.01). In haemic model, it significantly prolonged survival time only at the dose of 125 mg/kg (P<0.01). 

Kojic acid showed significant protective effects against hypoxia in some animal models. Antioxidant activity of this compound may be proposed as a mechanism for its antihypoxic activities.

Caspase-9 is a key enzyme in the intrinsic pathway of apoptosis that its activity is regulated by various mechanisms such as phosphorylation. It has been reported that phosphorylation of serine 310 in murine caspase-9 prevents enzyme processing. The role of this residue in human caspase-9 activity in not clear. In this study we investigated the effect of negative charge on serine 310 in caspase-9 activity.

Considering that phosphorylation leads to negative charge on caspase-9, the codon of serine 310 in human capsase-9 was mutated to aspartate via quick change site-directed mutagenesis. Recombinant wild type and mutant caspase-9 were expressed in BL21(DE3) and purified by affinity chromatography. The temperature profile and activity of the mutant caspase-9 were assessed by chromogenic substrate of Ac-LEHD-pNA in vitro, and compared to those of wild enzyme. Student’s t test was used for data analysis.

The results showed that kinetics parameters of S310D mutant and wild type caspase-9 were similar, but their temperature profiles were different. Comparison of S310D mutant enzyme and wild type caspase-9 showed that S310D mutant enzyme had higher activity at 37 oC and lower activity at 4, 15, 45 and 60 oC.

In our study, the negative charge on serine 310 in caspase-9 led to change in the profile temperature of the enzyme with no effect on kinetic parameters.

Evaluation of the alkaline phosphatase expression is known as one of the diagnostic markers to confirm the stem cells differentiation into osteoblasts. Several methods, including immunocytochemistry, are used to measure alkaline phosphatase in different studies. Due to limitations of using this method, we decided to optimize the calorimetric method as an alternative, low cost and efficient method for quantitative assessment of alkaline phosphatase.

Mesenchymal stem cells derived from human adipose tissue were used. Cells were differentiated into osteoblasts using an induction medium. Alkaline phosphatase levels were assessed on the days 0 and 21 of differentiation using both immunocytochemistry and calorimetric methods.

Immunocytochemistry findings demonstrated a significant increase (approximately 5-fold) in alkaline phosphatase expression level on the 21st day of differentiation compared to that on the day 0 (p <0.0001). Also, statistical analysis of the results of the calorimetric test showed a significant increase (approximately 9-fold) in alkaline phosphatase expression level on the 21st day of differentiation compared to  that on the day 0 (p<0.0001).

Comparison of the data between calorimetric and immunocytochemistry showed similar results. These findings suggested that colorimetric assay can be used as an alternative, quantitative, fast, and low cost method for determining the levels of alkaline phosphatase in osteoblasts differentiated from mesenchymal stem cells.

Nowadays, research in the field of tissue engineering has increased widely. Scaffold production is important for regulation of the morphology of the tissues. The purpose of producing these scaffold is to make a uterine endometrial scaffold. Therefore, the fibers with different diameters and morphology were synthesized to produce an optimal scaffold.

In this study, electrospun hybrid fiber scaffolds made of polycaprolactone (PCL), gelatin (G) and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) with different optimal ratios and different morphologies were produced by electrospinning collector changing for tissue engineering applications. Physicochemical properties of fabricated scaffolds were evaluated using scanning electron microscopy, the immersion of scaffold samples, attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared and tensile strength analysis. Cytotoxicity analysis of scaffolds and human foreskin fibroblasts on the scaffolds were assessed by 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazoyl-2-yl) 2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. Proliferation and growth of the cells on the scaffolds were evaluated by hematoxylin-eosin staining.

Layer-by-layer scaffold, cotton-like scaffold, mixed cell scaffold, flat scaffold and control sample showed reduced cell growth and proliferation. Therefore, layer-by-layer scaffold and cotton-like scaffolds are the best options for cell growth and proliferation. Also, the mechanical properties of layer-by-layer scaffold and cotton-like scaffolds were better than those of other scaffolds. The cotton-like scaffold was better than other scaffolds in terms of porosity and was suitable for cell penetration into the scaffold. Although layer-by-layer and cell-mixed scaffolds showed suitable cell penetration due to placement of the cells among the fibers.

The morphology and characteristics of the PCL / G / PDMS hybrid scaffolds are adjustable by inducing change in the electrospinning collector. The PCL/ G/ PDMS hybrid scaffolds characteristics showed that these scaffolds were suitable for tissue engineering applications especially engineering of elastic tissues.

Cystic fibrosis is a rare genetic disease which causes widespread inflammation in the body and has a poor prognosis due to various complications, especially respiratory system involvement. The aim of this study was to estimate the incidence of cystic fibrosis and determine its epidemiological, clinical and paraclinical features in Kurdistan province, Iran, between 2010 and 2020.

This cross-sectional study included cystic fibrosis patients admitted to Besat Hospital in Sanandaj (as the only referral specialized center for pediatric diseases in Kurdistan Province) between 2010 and  2011. Epidemiological, clinical and paraclinical data of the patients were collected by a checklist. Using SPSS software version 22, data were analyzed by using Mann-Whitney test and Spearman correlation coefficient.

During the study period, we found 19 patients with definite diagnosis of cystic fibrosis, 14 (73.7%) male and 5 (26.3%) female, with mean age ± standard deviation of 11.10 ± 9.7. Based on the data of the birth rate in kurdistan Province during the study period, the incidence of cystic fibrosis in Kurdistan Province was estimated to be one in 15,000 live births per year. 4 patients (21.1%), had positive family history. The main symptoms of these patients were steatorrhea (94.7%), cough (89.5%), dyspnea (78.9%), growth disorder (73.7%), heart disorders (63.2%), jaundice (57.9%) and finger clubbing (36.8%).

Although cystic fibrosis is not very common in this province, identifying at-risk parents and early diagnosis of the disease can be beneficial for increasing life expectancy and quality of life and reducing health costs.

 In luting cements, the compressive strength characteristics are important. Sufficient radio opacity for luting cements is helpful in detecting recurrent caries, open gingival margins and residual luting materials. The aim of the present study was to conduct a comparative evaluation of compressive strength and radio opacity between Fuji I glass ionomer (GC, Japan)  and Iranian glass ionomer luting cements ( produced by Qazvin Ava Tajhiz Co).

In this study, 20 samples were prepared for each cement group. The specimens were prepared with a powder to liquid ratio (1.8/1) and after mixing were poured in mold with a height of 6 mm and a diameter of 4 mm. Then; we evaluated the strength of the specimens. In the radio opacity study, the cement mixture was poured into mold with 15 mm in diameter and 1 mm in thickness. Then the specimens were tested using a digital radiography apparatus. Using Digora for Windows software, radiopacity of the samples were evaluted.

There was no significant difference between Fuji I (59.48 MPa) and Iranian cement (58.92 MPa) in regard to compressive strength (P=0.89). Radio opacity of Fuji I (2.4mmAl) was significantly higher than that of Iranian cement (1.85mmAL) (P =0.003).

The results of this study showed that both properties of compressive strength and radio opacity of the cements were within the range of ISO 9917-2: 2010. If other properties of the Iranian cement are suitable, it can be considered as an alternative to Fuji I glass ionomer cement.

Amniotic fluid is an effective indicator for placental function and fetal development. Evaluating amniotic fluid volume is one of the main ways to assess fetal health. This study aimed to investigate the effect of the amniotic fluid index on pregnancy consequences in Sabzevar City.

This prospective study included 240 pregnant women referring to Shahidan Mobini Hospital in Sabzevar. Based on the amniotic fluid index, the women were divided into three groups: normal amniotic fluid, borderline index and less than 5 cm. All maternal and neonatal consequences were investigated in the three groups. Using SPSS-ver. 20 software, chi-square and one-way analysis of variance were used for statistical analysis.

There was a significant difference among the three groups in terms of cesarean, meconium excretion, and neonatal hospitalization rates in newborn intensive care unit. In the oligohydramnios group; the above mentioned variables were higher than in the other two groups (p<0.05). There were no significant difference among the three groups in regard to Apgar scores of 1 and 5 minutes, oxytocin consumption in the first and second stages of labor and neonatal weight (p>0.05). There was no neonatal death in the three groups.

The results showed that oligohydramnios is one of the important factors affecting pregnancy outcome. We found no significant difference in adverse pregnancy consequences between pregnancies with borderline and normal amniotic fluid index. Our  study does not support the benefits of intensive care in evaluating the prenatal fetus in pregnancy with borderline amniotic fluid.

Blastocystis sp. is a common intestinal protozoan that can infect humans and a wide range of animals such as mammals, birds, reptiles, and arthropods. The prevalence of Blastocystis species is relatively high in developing countries and has been reported as the most common parasite in Iran. In recent years, various studies have shown the importance of its pathogenicity in humans. Blastocystis sp. infection is associated with skin lesions and a variety of gastrointestinal disorders such as diarrhea and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of Blastocystis sp. in children with cancer in Sananadaj City by PCR method.

To determine prevalence  rate of Blastocystis sp infection in children with cancer, 93 fecal samples from available cancer patients were collected from the hospitals in Sananadaj City on the basis of census method from 2019 to 2021. The samples were analyzed by molecular method (PCR) using primers in the barcoding region of 18 rRNA gene for Blastocystis sp. amplification.

The results of PCR showed 15 cases (16.1%) had 600 bp fragment for Blastocystis sp.Statistical analysis showed that Blastocystis sp.had no significant correlation with infection and residential place (Pvalue = 0. 48), age (Pvalue = 0.88) and contact to animals (Pvalue =0.83).

According to the results of this study, Blastocystis sp. is prevalent in cancer patients in Sananadaj city. These data can play an important role in the development of studies and research on Blastocystis sp.  infections in cancer patients. In general, determination of the prevalence rate of the infection and identification of the different types of Blastocystis sp.  in children with cancer and reporting these data to regional and national health officials can be beneficial in order to adopt a more appropriate treatment strategy and provide health strategies to control this infection.

Neuropathic diseases are neurodegenerative conditions and a wide and difficult group of peripheral nerve diseases in humans. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effectiveness of acceptance and commitment therapy on pain coping strategies and pain self- efficacy in chronic neuropathic pain patients

This study was a semi-experimental study with a control group and included pre-test, post-test and follow-up. The statistical population, included all chronic neuropathic pain patients referring to Rohani Hospital and personal office of our neurologist in Babol City in 2022. 30 patients were selected by using purposive sampling method and randomly divided into two experimental (15 persons) and control (15 persons) groups. Both groups filled out the pain coping strategies and pain self- efficacy questionnaire  in the pre-test stage. Acceptance and commitment therapy was performed for the experimental group for 8 sessions (one 120 minute session/week), while control group did not receive any treatment. After completion of the treatment period for both groups, post-test and 2 months after the post-test, follow-up test were performed. Using SPSS-18 software, data were analyzed by repeated measures analysis of variance.

The results showed that in the post-test there was a significant difference between the two experimental and control groups in the scores of pain coping strategies subscales in diverting attention, reinterpretation of pain, catastrophizing, ignoring pain, prayer-hope, self-statement, increased pain behaviour and pain self-efficacy (P<0.01). The treatment results were maintained in the follow-up stage. 

The results of the present study indicated that acceptance and commitment therapy can be effective in improving pain coping strategies and increasing pain self- efficacy in the patients with chronic neuropathic pain.

Gram-negative bacilli with multidrug resistance are important pathogens in hospitals and can lead to high mortality rates. The main purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence rates of Gram-negative bacilli with multidrug resistance isolated from clinical specimens of neonates and childern referring to Besat Hospital in Sanandaj City in 2018.

In this cross-sectional descriptive study 10,000 clinical specimens were studied, including; blood, urine, wounds discharge, respiratory secretions and body fluids in 2018. Gram-negative bacteria were identified by standard microbiological methods, then susceptibility testing to common antibiotics was performed using disk diffusion method to determine multidrug resistant strains.

In this study, among 10000 clinical specimens we obtained 652 Gram- negative bacilli with positive cultures including urine 523 (80%), blood 78(12%), respiratory secretions 26(4%), wound discharge 15(2.5%) and body fluids 10(1.5%) from the outpatients and hospitalized patients. Gram-negative bacilli isolated from these samples included Escherichia coli (65.7%), Enterobacter spp (10.4%), Citrobacter spp (8.9%), Acinetobacter spp (7.2%), Klebsiella spp (3.5%), Pseudomonas spp (2.6%), Proteus spp (0.92%) and Serratia spp (0.78%). Most of Gram- negative bacilli with multidrug resistance were isolated from NICU (neonate intensive care unit) and PICU (pediatric intensive care unit) wards. The highest and lowest antibiotic resistance rates belonged, to ampicillin (84.5%) and meropenem (9.9%).The average multidrug resistance (MDR) rate was 68.9%, ranging from 55.9% for Enterobacter spp. to 83% for Acinetobacter spp.

Multidrug resistance was high among the microorganisms isolated in this center. To select appropriate and specific treatment, periodic interactions and monitoring of the pathogen resistance pattern should be considered and unnecessary use of antibiotics should be avoided.

Burn injuries are usually defined as skin lesions caused by heat, temperature, electricity, chemicals, and radiation. Burn mortality is high in low income countries. The Typha is considered as a traditional medicine for a wound healing in Iran. This study aimed to investigate the molecular effects of aquatic and alcoholic extracts of Thyfa pollen on wound healing in Full -thickness (Third-degree burns) burns in rats.

Material and Methods:

 The burn was induced by boiling water at 100° and a metallic ring in Sprague Dawley rats and then 5% ointment is prepared from aquatic and alcoholic extracts of Thyfa pollen. The extracts were applied to the damaged areas for 21 days after burn induction. Then, the expression of the mRNA of the TNF-α, TGFβ, Col-1, and VEGF genes were assessed by Real time-PCR technique.

Aquatic and alcoholic extracts of Thyfa pollen were identified to mainly contain Vitamin C and Catechin using HPLC method. Macroscopic studies and wound size analysis showed a reduction in wound size after 21 days (P<0.05). In addition, a significant increase in mRNA expression of TGFβ, Col-1 and VEGF genes was observed in the treated groups compared to the control group(P<0.001). Also, a significant reduction in mRNA expression of the TNF-α was indicated in the treated groups compared to the control group(P<0.001)

The results of this study, indicated the aquatic and alcoholic extracts of Thyfa pollen have a potent wound-healing effect against burn injury in rats, therefore aquatic and, alcoholic extracts of Thyfa pollen can be noticed as a potential therapeutic in the future research of Third-degree burns.

Membranous nephropathy (MN) is a podocytopathy characterized histologically by uniform thickening of the glomerular basement membrane due to the presence of subepithelial immune deposits. This disease can occur in a transplanted kidney as a recurrence of primary (Recurrent Membranous Nephropathy, RMN) or de novo disease.

Case report: 

A 40-year-old non-smoker man with a history of membranous nephropathy and resultant kidney failure, underwent a kidney biopsy 9 months after transplantation because of proteinuria of 4000 mg/day. Diagnosis of recurrence of membranous nephropathy in the transplanted kidney was made. The patient was given two doses of rituximab 1000 mg at a 15 day interval. Gradually, the amount of proteinuria decreased to 188 mg/day after 4 months, and his kidney function remained stable (creatinine 0.8 mg/dl) during the treatment.

 Membranous nephropathy can recur after kidney transplantation, and in cases of proteinuria more than one gram per day, we can use rituximab.