فصلنامه علوم پزشکی دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی
سال بیست و نهم شماره 4 (پیاپی 98، زمستان 1398)

Nucleic acids play different roles besides storing information and proteins coding. For example, single-stranded nucleic acids can fold into complicated structures with capability of molecular detection, catalyzing bioreactions and therapy. The development of RNA-based therapies has been rapidly progressed in the recent years. RNA aptamers are biomolecules with a size of 10 to 50 nm that can be useful for targeted therapy and systemic release of therapeutics into the desired tissues. Aptamers can be linked to other RNA drugs and form a biohybrid RNA nanostructure. The chemical nature of the aptamers makes them attractive therapeutic agents compared to other small molecules and antibodies. In this review, we discuss different approaches related to drug targeting and release by RNA aptamers, since the importance of the aptamer-based nano-medicine is now well demonstrated and this field become a promising platform in the treatment of diseases.

Cytotoxic waste management is one of the significant issues in healthcare system. The aim of the present study was to review studies conducted on investigation of possible levels of cytotoxic drug residues in hospital effluents.

All peer-reviewed journal articles on investigation of possible levels of cytotoxic drugs residues in hospital effluents which were published before May 2019 were investigated. 51 publications which were mostly published between 2011 and 2016 were included.

Anticancer medication continue to enter hospital effluents and urbane wastewaters. Hospital effluents seem to be one of the main sources of water contamination in this regard. Cytotoxic drugs and their metabolites are detected in hospital effluents in different countries across the globe. Platinum-based antineoplastic drugs, methotrexate, cyclophosphamide, ifosfamide and tamoxifen were found with higher concentrations across different studies.

Hospital waste management is one of the most important issues in health care system. According to the results of the present study, cytotoxic drugs residues are detected in the effluents of oncology wards of the investigated hospitals. Therefore, establishment of strict rules and regulations, provision of cytotoxic waste disposal and removal for the purpose of inactivating cytotoxic drugs in hospital effluents prior to entrance of the effluents to the sewage treatment systems is mandatory.

Q10 coenzyme is a potent antioxidant in the mitochondrial membrane. Releasing the oxygen free radicals occurs in the cerebral ischemia. Using Q10 coenzyme causes strength against oxidative after injury of cerebral ischemia during reperfusion. Also CoQ10 plays an important anti-apoptotic role to reduce Caspase 3 as a key enzyme neuroprotective in apoptosis. According to the sensitive nature of CA1-Hypocampus pyramidal neurons against the cerebral ischemia, we studied the effects of CoQ10 in this area of rat`s brain after transient general ischemia/ reperfusion.

We selected randomly 24 heads of Wistar rats under 250-300 g weights that divided into 4 groups, including control, experiment (ischemia, Q10), ischemia and Q10 coenzyme groups. Then we separated the hippocampus from the brain expression of pro-apoptosis genes was studied. After extraction of RNA and synthesis of cDNA, we used real time RCR methods to express this gene.

The expression of Bad gene in experiment group (Q10, 10mg/Kg) significantly decreased compared to ischemia group (p<0.05).

It seems that ischemia caused to increase the expression of Bad pro-apoptic gene, and CoQ10 with dose of 10mg/Kg has effects on the expression of Bad gene and prevent the severity of lesions.

Positive effects of medicinal herbs on diabetes have been demonstrated in previous studies. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of charantin on the treatment of diabetes and increase the expression of the Ngn3 gene in diabetes, which is a key gene for transcription of the pancreas.

In this experimental study, 42 adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 7 healthy control groups, diabetic control, control group, 150 control, and three groups receiving effective doses of charantin (50-100-200 mg/ Per kilogram). All groups except diabetic control group and control group with streptozotocin chemical injected intraperitoneally. Afterwards, they received a cartilage by gavage for four weeks (three times a week).

The lowest expression was observed in the diabetic group. Among those who received different doses of charantine, the highest expression was among group with dose of 100 mg/kg, and the lowest expression in 50/kg group.

It can be concluded that increased expression of the Ngn3 gene was not dose-dependent. After the development of diabetes, the patient's severity declined sharply, and after the use of the charantin and metformin drug, this reduction was somewhat offset.

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a type of hospital acquired pneumonia with the mortality rate between 27% and 76% that develops more than 48–72 h after endotracheal intubation. Possible causes leading to this infection can be Mycoplasma pneumoniae. The objective of this study was to determine the presence of Mycoplasma pneumoniae in bronchoalveolar samples of patients with VAP who admitted in the intensive care unit (ICU).

In this cross-sectional study, 103 bronchoalveolar lavage samples were collected from VAP patients who admitted to ICU in Loghman, Erfan Niyayesh and Erfan Hospitals. Then, samples were investigated for presence of Mycoplasma pneumoniae using nested-PCR method with 16S rRNA gene.

4 (3.9%) patients were positive for Mycoplasma pneumoniae. There was a significant relationship between the positive infectious agents with clinical signs (P=0.017) and the duration of using ventilator (P=0.043).

The results of this study, as a first study in Iran, showed that Mycoplasma pneumoniae can be considered as true pathogens of the respiratory tract in patients with VAP and should be given more attention. To confirm the results of this study, further research is needed to reveal the association of this bacterium with VAP

Listeriosis can be fatal for vulnerable groups of society. The disease has been widespread in recent years due to the large consumption of dairy and meat products. There is little information about the susceptibility of antibiotics and the pattern of Listeria monostigenesis gene resistance in Iranian society. Accordingly, the present study was conducted to investigate the antibiotic susceptibility and genetic resistance pattern of Listeria monosteogenesis strains isolated from different clinical and environmental sources.

In this study, 55 isolates were tested for antibiotic susceptibility by disk diffusion in agar and genetic pattern by polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

91% and 83% of the strains were resistant to streptomycin and Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole respectively. The result of PCR of antibiotic resistance genes showed that the prevalence of ermA, ermB, strA, tetA, tetS and ermC genes in isolates of Listeria monocytogenes was 50.90% (28/55), 21.81% (12/55), 89.9% (49/55), 0% (0/55), 21.81% (12/55) and 0% (0/55), respectively.

Due to the presence of 1/2a and 1/2c serotypes in isolated isolates and the presence of marker virulence genes in these strains, these isolates have potential for biological risks and listeriosis disease. Existence of this genetic pattern and resistance pattern can be partly due to the use of antibiotics during the production of dairy products. Regarding results of this study, the manner and rate of using animal antibiotics can be managed.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is one of the most important chronic liver disorders worldwide. Adipokines are polypeptide hormones that participate in the pathogenesis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Adiponectin is an adipokine that stimulates fatty acid oxidation in muscle and plays a role in the development of insulin sensitivity. This study aimed to investigate the association between plasma adiponectin and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

This case and control study was conducted on 80 non-alcoholic fatty liver disease patients and 80 participants as control group. Plasma levels of adiponectin and insulin were measured by ELISA kit (Mercodia Company, Sweden) and other variables were determined by standard methods. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software, version 19.

Plasma adiponectin was significantly lower in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease patients than control (p-value<0.001). Whereas, subjects with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease had significantly higher levels of body mass index, serum transaminases, serum triglycerides, systolic blood pressure, serum insulin and insulin resistance compared to control group (p<0.01). An inverse correlation was observed between adiponectin with serum transaminases, triglycerides and insulin resistance (P<0.05), while it did not correlate with lipoproteins.

The results indicate that adiponectin levels are reduced in individuals with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Adiponectin levels are inversely correlated with liver transaminases and insulin resistance.

Knowing the variables affecting health is clinically important. The purpose of this study was to determine the mediating role of coping styles in relation between attachment styles and early maladaptive schemas and health dimensions.

In a descriptive study, 500 students from Azad University of Medical Sciences of Tehran between 2017 and 2018 were selected by available sampling method. Participants (250 female and 250 male) were asked to complete questionnaires of adult attachment scales, early maladaptive schemas, coping styles, and general health. Data analysis was performed using structural equation modeling.

The results showed that the tested model had suitable fit. There was a significant negative relationship between subscales of attachment styles other than secure attachment with dimensions of health. In the early maladaptive schemas scale, other than the sub-scale of the other direction, the other subscales had a significant negative relationship with the dimensions of health. In the scale of coping styles, there was a significant positive correlation between problem-oriented strategy subscales, and emotional-oriented strategies had a negative significant relation with health dimensions, The results also showed that coping styles had mediating role in the relationship between attachment styles and early maladaptive schemas with health dimensions.

These findings, while pointing to the complexity of attachment nature, early maladaptive schemas and coping styles, emphasize the identification and conceptualization of various variables affecting health.

Among the etiological and precipitating factors in tendency to use drugs, psychological variables and personality traits are of particular importance in relation to drug abuse. This study was carried out in order to assess not only different dimensions of temperament and character in opiates and amphetamines-dependent patients but to examine any existing relationship between these dimensions and the abused substance.

In this survey correlation study, 46 amphetamine and 50 opiates-dependent subjects who referred for treatment to Aftab clinic in the city of Mashahd (a North-Eastern city in Iran) were selected. Subjects were administered Cloninger's Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI-56).  The data were analyzed using SPSS v.21.T-Test was used to compare the mean of the groups.

The subscales of the temperament scale including novelty seeking, harm avoidance, reward dependence, persistence and the subscales of the character dimensions including cooperativeness and self-transcendence scores were higher in amphetamine-dependent individuals than in opiate-dependents.

Our findings revealed significant differences between the personality traits of opiates and amphetamine-dependent individuals.

Nurses need to be lifelong learners to provide care, efficiently, and apply the art of care, in a context of rapid change in knowledge and technology. Life-long learning is an indicator of professionalism for health care professionals. A study of creating a lifelong learning culture for nurses is a necessity. This study aimed to identify the basis of lifelong learning for nursing education in the field of "education system".

This study was based on grounded theory approach and purposeful sampling method with open-ended semi-structured interviews on 19 nursing scholars and professors who had a PhD in nursing and medical education. According to Strauss and Corbin's method, the data were collected, analyzed and interpreted simultaneously and analyzed by continuous comparative method for validation and the acceptance of data a collaborator check and external observer were used.

By analyzing the viewpoints of participants, the basis of lifelong learning in the field of educational system had three main areas, including "policies, curricula and assessment system, and teaching-learning methods". They became the main category of characteristics in the educational system.

Regarding the necessity of education with the a lifelong learning approach for nursing students, policy makers in the field of health and nursing, planners and administrators of nursing schools can develop effective strategies with the aid of factors identified in this study.