مجله دانشکده پزشکی اصفهان
پیاپی 362 (هفته دوم بهمن 1394)

Candida albicans is the most common fungal species isolated from the oral cavity. Oral candidiasis is due to biofilm formation and an overgrowth of Candida species. Cigarette smoking can affect Candida colonization of the oral cavity. This study aimed to investigate the presence and identification of Candida species isolated from oral cavity in smokers and nonsmokers individuals. 76 oral cavity and saliva samples were collected during March 2014 to September 2015 from two groups of smokers (n = 38; mean age: 48.50 ± 9.76 years) and nonsmokers (n = 38; mean age: 44.68 ± 10.79 years) as the control group. The swabs were cultured on sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA) media and then, pure colonies were picked to transfer on CHROMagar candida. Likewise, the saliva samples were collected from the both groups for the measurement of salivary glucose and pH. The identification of candida species was completed using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. The incidence frequencies of Candida albicans, Candida Kefyr and Candida krusei were 42.10%, 5.30% and 2.63%, and 26.31%, 2.63% and 0.0% in smoker and nonsmoker groups, respectively. However, Candida dubliniensis was not detected from the oral cavities in both two groups. At the present study, the colonization of Candida albicans in smokers was more prevalent compared to nonsmokers. The amount of salivary glucose, the number of cigarette smoked per day and the oral hygiene status were the most important predisposing factors for candida colonization in the mouth.

Vitamin D metabolites are involved in immunological signaling that leads to suppression and regulation of autoimmune and inflammatory pathways. Therefore, vitamin D supplementation may be a viable method for treating autoimmune or inflammatory diseases. This study aimed to investigate how treating with interferon beta-1 with vitamin D differs from treating with interferon beta-1 alone in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). In this phase II double-blind randomized clinical trial, 59 patients with multiple sclerosis receiving interferon β-1 were split into two groups, one supplemented with vitamin D, to study the clinical effects resulted after 6, 12, and 24 months. We used analysis of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), evidence of clinical relapses, and expanded disability status scale (EDSS) scores at baseline, 12 and 24 months to perform statistical analysis. Type of statistical analysis varied based on the measured outcomes. After 2 years of treatment, patients treated with vitamin D experienced decreased EDSS score (P = 0.014), decreased rate of relapse (P = 0.240), and decreased average number of gradient-echo (GE) lesions (P < 0.001). Vitamin D is a viable way to supplement the treatment of multiple sclerosis and its role in autoimmune diseases needs to be further clinically investigated. Our results suggest that in a population of patients with multiple sclerosis, vitamin D levels are a good predictor of the severity of the disease. In conclusion, vitamin D may not be a significant factor to consider in the etiology of multiple sclerosis, but rather a possible environmental exacerbating factor in the progression of the disease.

Colorectal malignancies with high microsatellite instability (MSI-H), either hereditary or sporadic, demonstrate better prognosis, altered response to fluorouracil (5FU) chemotherapy and altered operative approach. It is now recommended to perform MSI testing for all new cases of colorectal cancers regardless of being categorized as hereditary or sporadic. This study aimed to evaluate MT1XT20 mononucleotide marker in Iranian patients with hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC). The samples were further characterized using Promega five-marker MSI testing panel and immunohistochemical (IHC) technique. MT1XT20 mononucleotide marker and commercially available kit (Promega, USA) incorporating five quasi-monomorphic markers were studied in 20 cases of HNPCC using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. IHC was performed to evaluate the status of all four important mismatch repair (MMR) proteins, too. Eight (40%), seven (35%) and five (25%) cases showed MSI using Promega kit, IHC and MT1XT20, respectively. Among the markers included in Promega kit, BAT26 marker with instability in all 8 samples (100%) was the most instable marker. NR24 and NR21 markers showed instability in 7 cases (87.5%); BAT25 and MONO 27 markers were instable in 6 (75.0%) and 5 (62.5%) specimens, respectively. Although MT1XT20 is considered as a valid single marker in Italian population, it seems this is not hold true about the Iranian patients. Instead, BAT26 among the markers included in Promega MSI testing was shown instability in all 8 samples of MSI-H colorectal cancer (CRC). Therefore, it may be concluded that BAT26 alone is as efficient as the cohort of five markers in Iranian patients.

Capillary refill time (CRT) largely used as a quick way to assess the cardiovascular system and the status of peripheral blood flow and perfusion in patients. On the other hand, cardiac heart failure is a complex clinical syndrome happens due to improper ventricular function and causes ventricular hypertrophy and dilatation tends to decreasing in cardiac functioning and in capillary refill time. This field sometimes has contradiction and this study aimed to determine the effect of general anesthesia on capillary refill time in patients with congestive heart failure compared to the control group. In a prospective cohort study, 50 patients with congestive heart failure and 50 non-affected patients with cardiovascular disease undergoing elective surgery, were selected and both capillary refill time and hemodynamic parameters before induction of anesthesia and 30 minutes after it, were measured and compared. The mean capillary refill time before induction of anesthesia was 94.0 ± 21.0 and 76.0 ± 18.0 minutes in patients and controls group and the difference was statistically significant. The mean capillary refill time 30 minutes after induction of anesthesia was significantly higher in patients (90.0 ± 18.0 minutes) compared to the controls (81.0 ± 17.0 minutes) (P < 0.001). All hemodynamic parameters were significantly different between the two groups before induction of anesthesia; but in 30 minutes after surgery, systolic blood pressure and heart rate were not significantly different but diastolic blood pressure was significantly different between the two groups. Patients with congestive heart failure in terms of hemodynamic parameters are different from those without it. It is necessary that during the operation, anesthesiologists should pay special attention to hemodynamic status of these patients. While such patients have longer capillary filling time compared to normal individuals, we can use this parameter as an indicator of the likelihood of heart failure in care and examination before the surgery.

The role of ion channels and ion concentrations in cell cycle events is noted in recent years. Investigation of the role of ion channels during different cell cycle phases tend to discover a relationship between the potential of cell membrane and cell proliferation ability. A variable electric field is produced due to changes in cell membrane potential that plays role in cell division. In this study, inducing external fields with similar intensity and frequency proportion to those fields in cell membrane, the effects of low-frequency electromagnetic fields (ELFs) on viability and proliferation ability of MCF-7 cancer cells was evaluated. Electromagnetic fields with three different intensities and frequencies were produced using an alternative wave generator and an amplifier. MCF-7 cells were exposed to electromagnetic fields (EMFs) for 24, 48 and 72 hour. Along with each treated cell group, a control group was considered. The influence of electromagnetic fields on cells viability and proliferation was examined using MTT [3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazoliumbromide] assay. The relative frequency of cell growth inhibition for constant frequency of 125 kHz, for intensities of 1.00, 1.75 and 2.50 microtesla and exposure time of 24 hours was 2.40, 6.04 and 9.28 percent, respectively. For the exposure time of 48 hours and the same frequency and intensities, the relative frequency was 5.61, 8.66 and 11.95 percent, respectively. Under the same conditions and for the exposure time of 72 hours, the relative frequency was 11.15, 23.26 and 31.82 percent, respectively. For constant intensity of 2.5 microtesla and frequencies of 175 and 225 kHz, the relative frequency of cell growth inhibition for 24 hours was 6.58 and 6.79 percent, respectively. The relative frequency of cell proliferation rate reduced with increase of exposure time as well as intensity of electromagnetic fields. However, it does not notably change with increasing frequency. According to finding of this study, it can be concluded that electromagnetic fields with frequency and intensity in this range can disturb the division cycle of MCF-7 cells.

FGFR2b plays a significant role in cell signaling pathway, regulating several key biological processes including cellular differentiation and proliferation. Genetic alterations of the tyrosine kinase domain of FGFR2b, such as point mutations, occur in breast, ovarian and prostate cancer. This study aimed to express and zepurify the human FGFR2b kinase domain and to analyze its structural changes upon interaction with Gallic acid (GA). Expression of recombinant protein was induced with 1mM IPTG at 37 ºC and analyzed using sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). The protein was purified via affinity chromatography and the protein sample was dialyzed and then used to be analyzed via SDS-PAGE. Chemical denaturation and intrinsic fluorescence spectra of the purified proteins were carried out via adding different concentrations of Gallic acid. Comparison between pre- and post-induction samples via SDS-PAGE analysis showed that the expressed protein was soluble at 20 ºC. Additionally, its purity was confirmed. The intrinsic fluorescence spectra of kinase domain in the presence of Gallic acid showed an increase in fluorescence intensity and maximum emission wavelength. Regarding to the results, the recombinant kinase domain of FGFR2b (38 kDa) was expressed, solubilized and purified. Changing in tertiary structural kinase domain reflects a conformational change within the protein that is important for the biological function of FGFR2b.

One of the important strategies for preventing and controlling cardiovascular diseases (CVD) is providing training through interventions at the population. This study aimed to explain the sample size and sampling structure of the Isfahan Healthy Heart Program (IHHP). This program was considered as a comprehensive community-based interventional trial to modify population lifestyle in relation to cardiovascular disease (CVD) and its risk factors prevention and control. Isfahan Healthy Heart Program (IHHP) addressed four target groups including adults, health professionals, patients with cardiac diseases, and children and adolescents in three districts in Iran including Isfahan and Najaf Abad (intervention) and Arak (reference). It was consisted of three phases: baseline survey in 2000-2001, intervention in 2002-2005 and post-intervention survey in 2006-2007. Four evaluation studies were done during 2002 to 2005 to evaluate knowledge and behaviors improvements. The sample sizes and sampling methods in the pre- and the post-intervention phases were as followed: 12514 and 9572 and quota, stratified, cluster, random, probability proportionate to size, systemic and simple random in adults; 1946 and 1992 and quotas, stratified, cluster, random, probability proportionate to size, simple random, simple random in adolescents; 923 and 2015 and simple random in health professionals; and also 814 and 502 and simple random in patients with cardiac diseases. We carried out a 10-year longitudinal cohort study entitled the Isfahan Cohort Study on population aged ≥ 35 years starting from the baseline to examine the incidence of cardiovascular disease events and to calculate the risk assessment chart for cardiovascular disease occurrence. Isfahan Healthy Heart Program, as comprehensive community-based interventional trial in Iran, was so similar to the same worldwide.