مجله فیض
سال نوزدهم شماره 4 (پیاپی 83، مهر و آبان 1394)

Studies have shown that exposure to oil paints and chemicals can lead to physiological disorders. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of inhalation of oil paint vapors on the serum levels of male steroid hormones. In this experimental study، 15 adult male Wistar rats، weighing 200 to 225 g، were randomly allocated into three groups (n=5 for each group) including a control group (no treatment) and two experimental groups (which received paint vapor for 1 h and 8 hs per day). After 10 weeks، blood samples were taken from rats’ hearts. Serum levels of hormones were measured using the radio immunoassay method. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and a least significant difference follow-up test. Serum levels of DHEAS، LH، and FSH were increased significantly in the groups with 1 h and 8 h exposure to paint vapor compared to the control group (P<0. 001); however، the increase in the FSH level in the group with 1 h exposure to paint vapor was more than the group with 8 h exposure (P<0. 001). Moreover، the testosterone hormone level was decreased in the 1 h and 8 h exposure groups compared to the control group (P<0. 05); however، this decrease in the 1 h exposure group was lower than the 8 h exposure group (P<0. 05). The findings of the present study show that exposure to oil paint vapor in different time periods leads to an increase or a decrease in the serum levels of male steroid hormones.

Type 2 diabetes is considered as one of the most common chronic diseases. Controlling glucose indices and blood pressure in diabetic patients is very important. This study aimed to examine the effect of blueberry solution on blood pressure and fasting blood sugar (FBS) in patients with non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus. In this before-and-after experimental study, 50 patients were selected and received 20 ml of blueberry solution before every meal. The FBS and blood pressure of the patients before and one, two, three and four weeks following the consumption were measured and the results were compared before and after the intervention. Sixty-six percent of the subjects were females and 60% of them were in the age group of 55-50 years old. The mean FBS level before the intervention was 190.50±53.48 mg/dl and mean values of the systolic and diastolic blood pressure before the intervention were 150.20±8.75 and 103.16±9.66 mmHg, respectively. After the intervention, there was a statistically significant reduction in mean FBS level (the first stage: 178.32±51.71, the second stage: 170.26±50.66, the third stage: 165.42±51.71, and the fourth stage: 156.08±51.49 mg/dl), systolic (the first stage: 147.24±8.67, the second stage: 144.18±8.52, the third stage: 142.14±8.47, and the fourth stage: 140.84±9.06 ml/Hg) and diastolic (the first stage: 98.52±7.63, the second stage: 94.44±6.72, the third stage: 92.12±6.05, and the fourth stage: 91.34±6.75 mm/Hg) blood pressure (P=0.001). Medicinal plants such as blueberry can be used as a drug to reduce FBS and blood pressure in patients with diabetes.

Women with hyperkyphosis have impaired balance and increased body sway, which can increase their risk of falls. Impaired balance and poor postural stability are the main risk factors for falling. This study aimed to study the effect of corrective exercises on balance in elderly women with hyperkyphosis.Methods and Materials: In this quasi experimental study, 30 adult women (age range, 60-75 years old) were selected using a purposive sampling and assigned randomly into the experimental and control groups. Participants in the experimental group took part in an 8-week (3 sessions a week) corrective exercise program. In this period, the control group did not receive any corrective exercise program. The flexicurve ruler and Berg balance scale were used in pre- and post-tests to measure kyphosis angle and balance, respectively. This study was conducted in Spring 2014 at Jahandideh Nursing Home in Arak city, Iran. The number of falls and fears of falling was also recorded. To analyze data, dependent t-test and covariate analysis at a significance level of P<0.05 were used. Twenty-six participants completed post-test measures. The Kyphosis angle changed from 50.58 to 48.84 degrees (P=0.002) and a significant improvement was observed in the Berg scale (P<0.0001). Moreover, fear of falling was decreased significantly. In the experimental group, the number of people at risk of falling was reduced from 7 to 2 cases. A corrective exercise program can be effective in reducing the angle of kyphosis and improving balance in elderly and thus it can decrease risk of falling.

Physiological stress resulting from physical activity is one of the potential regulators of leptin secretion from adipose tissue. Thus, the purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a 12-week combined training (CT) program on serum leptin, C-reactive protein (CRP) and the insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) in over weight men. In this quasi-experimental study, 30 sedentary men (20.97±1.9 years old, and body mass index (BMI) of 26.47±0.75 kg.m-2) were randomly allocated into the experimental (n=20) and control (n=10) groups. The experimental group performed a CT program (aerobic exercise: 60%-70% of their maximal oxygen uptake for 20 min and resistance exercise: 2 sets of 10 repetitions at 70% of 1 repetition maximum). The control group did not perform the physical exercises. At the end of the CT, blood samples were collected from the experimental group. Dependent variables were measured before and 12 weeks after the CT program. At the end of the 12 weeks, there were a significant reduction in serum CRP (1.45±0.27 mg. l-1 versus 1.39±0.3 mg. l-1, P<0.05), leptin (7.27±0.68 ng.ml-1 versus 7.24±0.65 ng.ml-1, P<0.05) and insulin resistance index (1.6±0.14 versus 1.5±0.23, P<0.05). A 12-week CT program can cause to decrease leptin, CRP and insulin resistance index in over weight men, and this improvement occurred in the presence of increased cardio respiratory fitness but is independent of measurable changes in weight and BMI.

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) that their surface hydrophilicity has been modified are important vehicles in drug delivery and diagnostic application. This study aimed to evaluate the cytotoxicity of original and functional CNTs on human cells. In an interventional study, lateral surfaces of single wall-carbon nanotubes were coated by polyethylene glycol, as an amphiphilic polymer, via charged functional groups (the amine or carboxylic group). Original and functional carbon nanotubes were exposed to human hepatoma (HEPG2) cells, as a cellular model of liver. Exposure times were 24, 48 and 72 hours and CNT suspension applied in concentrations of 100, 200, 400 and 600µg/ml. Morphologic changes of cells were analyzed using an inverted microscope. Viability percentage of HEPG2 cells was also evaluated by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The naked CNTs after 72 hours exposure showed toxicity on HEPG2 in concentrations more than 100 µg/ml, while surface modification of CNTs with amine or carboxylic polyethylene glycol (PEG) led to a better biocompatibility of CNTs to 200 and 400 µg/ml, respectively. In 400µg/ml concentrations of CNTs and more, PEG-CNTs via carboxilic functional groups showed severe morphological changes in the HEPG2 cells, while amine mediated PEG-CNTs, in the same experimental time were more biocompatible. The results of the MTT test showed that carboxylic PEG-CNTs in concentrations more than 200 µg/ml, and amine PEG-CNTs in more than 400 µg/ml decreased viability of HEPG2 cells significantly (P<0.05). Accumulation of charged functional groups on the surface of CNTs can be an interesting pathway to render CNTs as biocompatible nanoparticles for application in drug delivery and diagnostic systems.

The German cockroach, Blattella germanica (L.), is an important health and economic pest. Due to the development of resistance to insecticides and medical and economic importance of German cockroaches in urban areas, researches have been focused on using environmental-friendly biopesticides. This study aimed to evaluate the contact toxicity of essential oils of Allium sativum L. and Citrus nobilis var. deliciosa (Ten.) Swingle against adults of B. germanica. The plant essential oils were obtained using a modified Clevenger-type apparatus through hydro-distillation. Bioassays were conducted using essential oil impregnated filter papers, which were placed at the bottom of plastic containers. The A. sativum oil was applied in the concentration ranges of 0.19-0.36 and 0.09-0.17 ml/m2, and the C. nobilis oil was applied in the ranges of 5.82-7.23 and 3.15-5.50 ml/m2 on females and males, respectively. The results of probit analyses of mortality data after 24 hours indicated that mortality of cockroaches was increased with increasing oil concentration. The toxicity of A. sativum oil (with the LC50 values of 0.12 and 0.26 ml/m2 on males and females, respectively) was significantly higher than C. nobilis oil. Moreover, males were more susceptible than females to A. sativum and C. nobilis oils (2.24 and 1.58 times, respectively). To have a healthy and safety environment, the use of environmental-friendly biopesticides including essential oils is suggested for integrated management of German cockroaches’ populations in urban areas.

This study was performed to evaluate changes in tear indices and confocal microscopic findings after corneal collagen cross-linking (CXL) in patients with progressive keratoconus in Farabi Hospital in Tehran, Iran, during 2012-2013. In this analytical study, 32 consecutive eyes of 23 patients (mean age of 20.91 years) with progressive keratoconus were enrolled. The standard cross-linking surgery was performed for all patients. Visual, refractive and topographic evaluations were done before and 6 months after the surgery. Tear function tests and confocal microscopic examination were performed before and 1 month and 6 months after the procedure using the paired t-test with SPSS software. Using the confocal microscopy, all eyes showed reduced or absent subepithelial nerve plexus. Differences in basal epithelial cell density, epithelial mean cell area and keratocyte density in anterior and middle stroma and endothelial cell pleomorphism were all statistically significant between 1 month and 6 months after CXL (P<0.05). No statistically significant change was noted in the number of the endothelial cells and polymegathismt after 6 months follow-up. Significant improvement was noted in uncorrected visual acuity, best corrected visual acuity, flattest corneal meridian and maximum keratometry in pentacam after 6 months of the procedure. Corneal collagen cross-linking can cause a significant reduction in subepithelial nerve plexus and significant alterations in keratocyte density in anterior and middle stroma.

Carbon nanotubes (CNT) are important carriers in drug delivery and medical application. This study aimed to investigate the cytotoxic effects of original and modified CNTs on A549 cells, as a cellular model of human lung. Single-wall CNTs were pegilated via different functional groups. Original and modified CNTs were exposed to A549 cells. Different concentrations (0-600 µg/ml) of CNTs were evaluated at exposure times of 24, 48 and 72 hours. Morphologic changes were observed by an inverted microscope and the viability percentage of A549 cells was determined using the methylthiazol tetrazolium (MTT) assay. Amine-mediated pegilated CNT (amin-PEG-CNTs) and carboxyl-mediated pegilated CNT (carboxyl-PEG-CNTs) in concentration of 600 µg/ml after 48 hours exposure led to severe morphologic changes in the A549 cells. These changes were also obvious after 72 hours. In concentrations of 100, 200 and 400 µg/ml of CNTs, in all times, amin-PEG-CNTs showed better biocompatibility than carboxyl-PEG-CNTs. The MTT results showed a significant reduction in viability of A549 cells in concentrations more than 200 µg/ml after carboxyl-PEG-CNTs exposure and more than 400 µg/ml after amin-PEG-CNTs exposure (P<0.05). While, original CNTs showed a cytotoxic effect on A549 cells in concentration of 100 µg/ml. It seems that the amine group in combination with positive charge in surface, with surface modification of CNTs, can be an interesting solution to safer application of CNTs as carriers.

Problems and various events that happen in life can change person's mental states. Abortion is one of the life events that have an adverse emotional impact on women. The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) on anxiety and meta-worry symptoms among women with recurrent miscarriages. This case-control study was conducted on women with recurrent miscarriages referred to the Navid Clinic in Tehran City, Iran. Forty patients were purposefully allocated into two experimental and control groups according to age and lack of personality disorders. Anxiety and meta-worry of the participants before and after mindfulness-based cognitive therapy were measured using the Cattel anxiety (1975) and Wells meta-worry (2000) scales, respectively. The results showed that mindfulness-based cognitive therapy decreased anxiety and meta-worry symptoms in women with recurrent miscarriages. People who learn coping skills necessary to manage stressful situations have the ability to control their anxious thoughts. Therefore, their stress, anxiety and meta-worry are continuously declining.

Bystander's cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is one of the factors to increase the chance of survival of patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. The study aimed to determine the bystander’s (CPR) rate and its contributing factors in Kashan (Iran) in 2014. In this cross-sectional study, 277 untrained bystanders who accompanied patients suffering from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest were studied in a six-month period in Kashan in 2014. Data were collected using a researcher-made questionnaire consisted of demographic data (age and gender of patients and their bystanders, education and relation of bystanders with the patients, and the place of CPR), and specific questions (the bystander CPR experience, reasons for refusal to perform CPR, and the actions performed by a bystander). Patients’ survival data were obtained from their hospital records and analyzed using the t-test and chi-square test with SPSS version 16. Ten out of 277 bystanders (3.6%) had performed CPR. There was a significant difference between the rate of bystander’s (CPR) rate and the age of patients and their bystanders, bystanders’ CPR experience, education of bystanders, and place of CPR. The rate of bystander’s (CPR) rate was increased with a decrease in the age of patients and their bystanders, and with an increase in bystanders’ educational level. The rate of BCPR was higher in cases with out-of-home cardiac arrests. Of the 10 bystander’s (CPR) rate cases, a return of spontaneous circulation had been stimulated in 2 patients and only 1 patient was discharged from the hospital. The bystander’s (CPR) rate was very low in Kashan City and the most frequent obstacle was a lack of knowledge and skills.

An increasing occurrence of antimicrobial resistance among uropathogenic bacterial isolates has complicated the treatment process. The aim of this study was to evaluate the ciprofloxacin and imipenem resistance among uropathogenic bacterial strains isolated from patients with urinary tract infection (UTI). This cross-sectional study was conducted in Kashan from December 2012 to June 2013. A total of 391 urine samples were collected from patients with UTI and identified by standard biochemical tests. Antimicrobial susceptibility pattern screening was determined using the disk diffusion method. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp isolates that were resistant to ciprofloxacin and imipenem by disk diffusion were determined using the E-test method. Among 391 positive urine cultures, 72.1% were from females and 27.9% from males. Escherichia coli were identified as the most prevalent uropathogenic bacteria. Resistance to ciprofloxacin among E. coli, Klebsiella spp, Enterococcus spp and Acinetobacter baumannii isolates were 37.8%, 22.5%, 36.8% and 62.5%, respectively. Resistance to imipenem was not found in any isolate. We found that all ciprofloxacin resistant E. coli and most (94%) of the ciprofloxacin resistant Klebsiella isolates had ciprofloxacin MICs in the resistance level by the E-test method. Ciprofloxacin resistance among prevalent uropathogenic bacterial isolates is increasing. However, imipenem is still effective against these bacterial infections and needs to be saved to maintain the effectiveness.

Staphylococcus aureus is one of the most important pathogens that cause disease and death in humans and animals in Iran and around the world. This study was conducted to detect antibiotic resistance genes and antibiotic susceptibility patterns in S. aureus strains isolated from patients admitted to Isfahan hospitals during 2014-2015. In this cross-sectional study, S. aureus isolates were collected from patients referred to the health centers in Isfahan Province, Iran. The isolates were separated using the laboratory standard methods. Antibiotic susceptibility patterns of the isolates were determined using the disk-diffusion method. Furthermore, the presence of genes responsible for antibiotic resistance including tet M, tet K, and mec A were investigated using the multiplex-polymerase chain reaction method. Phenotypic evaluation showed that the highest antibiotic resistance was seen for methicillin (90.2%), erythromycin (89.7%), ciprofloxacin (89.5%), penicillin (88%), tetracycline (82.4%), and gentamycin (75.8%) and the lowest resistance level was seen for nitrofurantoin (2%) and vancomycin (10%). Molecular study showed the presence of mec A (93%), tet M (78%) and tet K (21%) in the isolates. The results of this study compared with the results of other studies show an increase in drug resistance of S. aureus isolates.