مجله دانشگاه علوم پزشکی اردبیل
پیاپی 74 (زمستان 1398)

There is a direct relationship between the presence of beneficial microbiota in the gut, development immune system functions and maintenance homeostasis. Hence, the consumption of foods or supplements with postbiotic components has been characterized as one of the most important strategies to modify the microbiome balance and improve the health status of the host. In this study, the concept of postbiotics and their clinical role in host health has been reviewed.

All articles related to the study subject were searched in the Scopus, PubMed/Medline, ISI Web of Knowledge, and Google Scholar database and studies that examined the effects of postbiotics on diseases were included.

According to available evidences, postbiotics do not need the viability in comparison with their parent cells and they exert health effects like live probiotic cells. Also, their preparation and application in various delivery system is affordable, which this highlights the importance of postbiotics from technological, clinical and economic aspects. These compounds have biological activities including immunomodulation, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and anti-proliferation, and they can play an important role in modulating the immune system's performance, improving therapies and reducing their possible side-effects in some cases of gastrointestinal disorders and chronic diseases.

The postbiotics as a novel strategy can be used in a wide range of pharmaceutical products for the preventive therapy and improvement of the current therapeutic methods, as well as in food products to delay corruption, increase shelf life, and promote functional foods.

Paraquat is a toxic herbicide that is widely used in many countries. Paraquat selectively accumulates in the lung tissue and leads to severe pulmonary injury through the oxidative and inflammatory processes. The plant Rosa canina L. has been used for long years as an herbal medicine throughout the world. Rosa canina L. is a member of Rosacea family and shows therapeutic effects against numerous disorders by its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant effect of Rosa canina fruits on the paraquat induced lung injury in a mouse model.

Animal experiments were performed on male NMRI mice. Paraquat was injected at a single dose (20 mg/kg, ip) to induce pulmonary damage in mice. The extract of Rosa canina fruits (200 and 400 mg/kg/day, orally) administered by gavage for four days after the injection of paraquat. The treated mice were compared to normal mice as a control group. At the end of the experiment, lung tissue samples were collected for biochemical analysis.

The results showed that administration of paraquat caused an oxidant-antioxidant imbalance in the lung tissue. However, treatment with Rosa canina increased the levels of glutathione (GSH) and catalase (CAT) antioxidants and decreased the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) in the lung tissues compared with those in the paraquat group.

Treatment of paraquat-exposed mice with the extract of Rosa canina fruits improved oxidant-antioxidant balance in the lung tissue of mice. In other words, the present study demonstrated that Rosa canina has remarkable antioxidant effects against paraquat induced oxidative damage.

Gastric cancer has a very wide geographic distribution. Identification of the genetic factors involved in the cancer predisposition is very important. IL-1β as a pro inflammatory cytokine is involved in gastric acid secretion in the H. pylori infected individuals. This study was aimed to evaluate the role of IL-1β-511 polymorphism on the susceptibility to gastric cancer in residents of Ardabil province.

One-hundred patients affected with gastric cancer and 100 normal individuals were selected as case and control groups, respectively. After DNA extraction from peripheral blood samples, the presence of the polymorphism IL-1β-511 was determined via PCR-RFLP assay. The results were evaluated by agarose gel electrophoresis.

Among cases, CC, CT, and TT genotypes were observed in 19%, 60%, and 21% of individuals, respectively. Also, the distribution of genotypes among the participated individuals in control group was 4%, 67%, and 29%, respectively. There was a significant difference (p<0.05) between case and control groups.

According to this study, there was a significant relationship between IL-1β 511C allele polymorphism and gastric cancer in patients with gastric cancer in Ardabil province. It is indicated that some of the polymorphisms in IL-1β cytokine are associated with gastric cancer, and this finding would be used as a predictive value.

Nephrotoxicity is the most important side effect of gentamicin and is a concern in clinical situations. There are no therapeutic tools to prevent or palliate nephrotoxicity. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) as a source of growth factors can be considered as a therapeutic tool. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of PRP on proliferation of epithelial cells of convoluted tubules in gentamicin-treated rat model by stereological method.

28 male rats (200-300g) were divided into four groups, each group containing 7 animals: control, patient without treatment, sham and experimental groups. Gentamicin was injected intraperitoneally (80mg/kg/daily) for 8 days. 24 hours after the last injection, blood samples were collected to assess the serum levels of blood urea nitrogen and creatinine. The sham and experimental animals were subjected to intrarenal injection of 100 µl normal saline and PRP, respectively. 3 days later, the rats scarified under the deep anaesthesia and their kidneys were removed, prepared histologically and stained. The stereological methods were used for estimating the number of epithelial cells in convoluted tubules. Data analysis was done using SPSS 26. Differences between groups were compared with one-way analysis of variance and Duncan’s multiple range test. p<0.05 was considered as significant.

PRP increased the number of epithelial cells in the convoluted tubules in gentamicin-treated animals (p<0.05).

It seems that PRP can induce proliferation of epithelial cells of convoluted tubules in gentamicin-treated rat model.

Impaired immune system provides favorable conditions for colonization by Acanthamoeba in the human body. In this case control study, we compared the molecular and culture methods in identifying Acanthamoeba in the nasal and oral secretions of HIV+/HIV human.

In a current case control study, nasal and oral discharge of 53, HIV+ patients and 53, HIV people were evaluated. The nasal and oral secretions of each patient were prepared by sterile swabs and transferred to the laboratory. All samples were cultured but only the positive samples used for molecular analysis.

By cultivation method, of the 53, HIV+ patients, a total of 11 samples, including 5 nasal and 6 oral samples, were contaminated with Acanthamoeba. Of the 53, HIV people, 3 samples of nasal discharge were contaminated with this parasite. The molecular method approved the contamination of 10 samples, including 5 oral and 5 nasal samples from HIV+ patients with this parasite. Statistical analysis showed the rate of infection in HIV+ patients was significantly different compared to HIV people

The results of the current study showed that the rate of Acanthamoeba infection in HIV+ patients was higher than that of HIV- individuals. Also, considering that in the control group (HIV- individuals) only the nasal discharge were infected with the parasite, it seems that in the case group (HIV + patients) the infection of the oral discharge with the parasites is due to the  entry of its cysts into the nose and transmission to the mouth

Marital satisfaction is a very important aspect of a couple's relationship that is affected by various factors such as cardiovascular disease. The purpose of this study was to assess the sexual satisfaction based on the left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF) in patients with coronary artery disease.

This descriptive  cross-sectional study was performed on 220 patients with acute coronary disease admitted to angiography ward of Shahid Beheshti Hospital of Kashan University of Medical Sciences in 2018. The data collection tools in this study included background and clinical information checklists and Larson's sexual satisfaction questionnaire. Data analysis was performed with chi-square, one-way ANOVA and univariate and multivariate regression test.

The mean sexual satisfaction of all participants was 103.24±13.62. Their average sexual satisfaction in people with LVEF in range of >55%, 45-55%, 35-45% and <35% was 106.29±14.49, 105.95±10.12, 103.84±12.18 and 96.89±17.7 (p=0.041) respectively.

LVEF is an important factor in sexual satisfaction in patients with acute coronary disease and sexual satisfaction decreases by reducing of LVEF.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus is one of the most common causes of nosocomial infections.  The polysaccharide adhesion mechanism encoded by the ica operon generates a direct role in biofilm formation and infection of the bacteria. The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of icaA gene in Staphylococcus aureus isolates isolated from clinical specimens of patients admitted to some clinical centers of Rasht.

This descriptive, cross-sectional study was performed on 100 Staphylococcus aureus isolates from some clinical centers of Rasht in 2019 and confirmatory tests were performed to identify the bacteria. icaA gene identification and its frequency were investigated using molecular methods . The antibiotic resistance pattern against 10 antibiotics and biofilm-forming ability of the isolates were determined using the disk diffusion method and Congo red method respectively.

In the present study, among the 100 studied isolates, the highest drug resistance was related to penicillin, and the lowest antibiotic resistance was belonged to ciprofloxacin. 81 isolates (81%) were resistant to methicillin and 37 isolates (37%) had multiple resistance. Of 37 isolates with multiple resistances, 32 isolates (86.48%) had icaA gene and 24 isolates (64.9%) ،had the ability to produce strong biofilms.

According to the findings of this study, the prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus isolates carrying icaA gene with strong biofilm forming ability and resistance to methicillin, were high. This necessitates the need for serious management of antibiotic administration.

 In recent years, more attention has been paid to the cognitive impairments of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and several studies have been conducted in this field. One of the areas that have been considered in these studies is the defect in executive functions. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of executive functions in differentiation children with intestinal parasitic diseases and ADHD in Karaj city.

 This was a descriptive, cross-sectional study. The statistical population consisted of all children referred to the Radmin Comprehensive Rehabilitation Center of Karaj in 2019. Convenient sampling was performed on 120 children in groups of 40 members, including healthy children, children with ADHD and intestinal parasite infection group. Research tools included diagnostic interview, Conners grading scale, continuous performance test, n-back test and parasitic test. Data were analyzed by SPSS software version 23 using logistic regression and diagnostic analysis.

 Findings showed that logistic coefficients of active memory in children with intestinal parasite and active memory and attention retention in children with ADHD were significant. Also, healthy children and children with ADHD (85%) and children with intestinal parasitic disease (52.5%) had the highest accuracy in predicting respectively. based on the proposed model they were correctly classified.

 Just as hyperactivity has a pattern of dysfunction performance in executive functions such as working memory and attentional retention, intestinal parasite-related diseases can also have such symptoms. In fact, the symptoms of a child with intestinal parasite are very similar to the symptoms of a person with ADHD, which can lead to errors in assessment and diagnosis.

Depression is a common and debilitating brain disorder and a type of psychiatric syndromes. The most common symptoms of this disease are irritability, worthlessness, sleep problems and anxiety disorders. Reserpine is a drug that can cause depression in animals if used at a very low dose. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is one of the most effective non-pharmacological treatments for depression. In this study, the effect of electroconvulsive therapy on male rats depressed by reserpine in behavioral tests and neural counting in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex areas was investigated.

In this experimental study, 40 male rats were used and they were divided into four groups of ten: 1-control group, 2- ECT group, 3- Depressed group induced by reserpine (0.2 mg/kg i.p.), 4- Depressed + ECT group. Open field, sucrose preference, forced swimming and elevated plus maze tests were used to evaluate anxiety and depression-related behavioral function. At the end of the tests, histochemical studies were performed with neuronal counting in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex.

The results of anxiety and depression behavioral tests showed a significant difference between depressed group and depressed+ECT group (p<0.05). Similarly, studies of the tissue degeneration from hippocampal and prefrontal incisions, showed that ECT could significantly decrease cell death in the depressed+ECT group compared to the depressed group (p<0.05).

According to the results, ECT can reduce the anxiety and depression behaviors induced by reserpine injections in depressed animals and can cause neurogenesis in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex.

Cancer is the leading cause of death worldwide. In this study, the cytotoxic effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Colutea persica leaf and its synergic effect with doxorubicin were investigated on MCF-7, LNCaP and SKM (as control) cell lines.

Hydroalcoholic leaf extract of Colutea persica was prepared using maceration method and ethanol 70%. Breast cancer (MCF7), prostate (LNCaP) and fibroblast (SKM) cell lines were cultured in microplates (96 wells) and exposed to various concentrations (10, 7.5, 5, 2.5, 1.25, 0.625, 0.312 and 0.156 mg/ml) of plant extract and doxorubicin (20, 80, 320 and 640 nM) solution. The synergistic effect of 20 nanomol of drug and 0.156 mg / ml of the plant extract was investigated. MTT assay was employed to evaluate the cytotoxic effects of the extract on cell lines at different time intervals (24, 48 and 72 hours). Staining with annexin V and propidium iodide (PI) was used to identify different types of cell death either necrosis or apoptosis.

The plant extracts had cytotoxic effect and cell viability rate was lower than fibroblasts. At different times, the concentration of 10 mg /ml of the extract showed the most growth inhibition of breast and prostate cell lines. The combination effect of plant extract with doxorubicin on cells was not significant (p<0.01). The Annexin V/PI flow cytometry results showed that the percentage of initial apoptosis, delayed apoptosis and necrosis in treated cells increased compared to untreated cell.

Hydroalcoholic extract of Colutea persica leaf inhibits the growth of cancer cells and induce apoptosis in breast and prostate cancer cells.

 The purpose of this study was to determine the bacterial bioaerosols in indoor air of Ardabil universities and to investigate the factors affecting their concentration in Ardabil city.

 Air sampling was performed using Andersen single-stage sampler at a flow rate of 28.3 liters per minute and a respiratory range of 10 min. In this study, trypticase soy agar containing cycloheximide antibiotic was used for bacterial culture. Biochemical tests such as DNase, catalase, oxidase, coagulase, bile esculin hydrolysis test, urease, citrate test, antibiotic resistance to novobiocin, bacitracin and optochin were used for identification and differentiation of isolates.

 The mean bacterial concentration in Ardabil university of medical sciences in the open air, outside the college, the halls, the classrooms and the staff rooms  was 18, 88.4, 76.6, 77.4 CFU/m3 , respectively. The concentration of bacteria in Islamic Azad university of Ardabil in the open air, outside the college, the halls, the classrooms and the staff rooms was 103, 97, 124, 132 CFU/m3, respectively. The dominant species of bacteria in indoor air were Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Actinomycetes and Bacillus, respectively.

 According to the results of this study, it is found that the concentration of bacterial bioaerosols in indoor air is not more than standard, but the abundance of bacterial species can cause lung, intestinal and other diseases in academic personnel, staff and students in the long-term.