مجله دانشگاه علوم پزشکی اراک
سال بیست و سوم شماره 1 (پیاپی 143، فروردین و اردیبهشت 1399)

COVID-19, a viral respiratory illness. In this review, we discuss issues such as the genetic structure, pathogenic mechanism, clinical characteristics, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of COVID-19 based on the latest findings.

The Medline was searched for terms such as “Coronavirus” ،“COVID-19” and “Respiratory infection”.

In December 2019, the unprecedented outbreak of pneumonia with unknown etiology began in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. The cause was a new coronavirus, named COVID-19 by the WHO. This virus has high transmissibility and affects the lower respiratory tract. Research into the mechanism and treatment of COVID-19 is under way, and new information is being provided every day, some of which are contradictory. COVID-19 is a serious and dangerous infectious disease and a significant threat to the health of the world's population, and should be prevented from spreading rapidly.

Because the exact mechanisms of the disease have not been fully elucidated and specific drug or vaccine have not yet been developed for it, control is mainly based on the interruption of the transmission cycle.

Fennel with phytoestrogenic, antioxidant and anti-diabetic properties is used in traditional Iranian medicine to treat Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). Chronic inflammation is a new proposed mechanism in PCOS pathogenesis that suggests the role of immune system in this disease. Due to the main role of Treg cells in maintaining immune homeostasis, their impaired function, along with increased production of inflammatory compounds such as nitric oxide, can lead to persistent inflammation.

In this experimental study, 18 BALB/c mice were randomly divided into three groups including control group, untreated PCOS-induced group, and fennel-treated group. The control group received 0.1 ml sesame oil for 21 days. PCOS was induced by subcutaneous injection of Dehydroepiandrosterone (60 mg/kg/day) plus 0.1 mL sesame oil for 21 days. Mice in third group were treated by intraperitoneal injection of 500 mg/kg/day fennel extract after 21 days. The regulatory of T cells (Tregs) were analyzed by flow cytometry method and nitric oxide level determination was performed by Griess Reaction method. Ferric Reducing/Antioxidant Power (FRAP) assay was used to measure the total antioxidant power.

This study was approved by the Ethical Committee of Arak University of Medical Sciences (Code: IR.ARAKMU.REC.1397.312).

 The estrous cycle was normalized after treatment with fennel. Fennel significantly reduced the number of ovarian cysts. Nitric oxide concentration decreased significantly while FRAP concentrations did not significantly alter. The number of Treg cells was also increased significantly.

 Due to the role of immune system in the incidence of inflammation, concurrent modulation of both immune and endocrine systems may open new horizons in the design of new therapeutic interventions for PCOS.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between stress coping strategies and difficulties in emotion regulation mediated by marital life quality in married women with breast cancer. 

This is a descriptive correlational study. The study population included all married women with breast cancer in Amol and Babol cities of Iran in 2018. Of these, 385 were selected through a convenience sampling technique. The research instruments were Ways Of Coping Questionnaire, Difficulties In Emotion Regulation Scale and Marital Life Quality Scale.  The goodness-of-fit of proposed model was examined by Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) in LISREL software. The indirect correlations were tested by using Preacher and Hayes’ bootstrapping method . 

This study received its ethical approval from Islamic Azad University of Tonekabon Branch (Code: IR.IAU.TON.REC.1397.029). Informed consent was obtained from all participants.

 The proposed model had good fit (RMSEA=0.057). All direct correlations were reported significant (P<0.05). Moreover, indirect paths between stress coping strategies and difficulties in emotion regulation through mediation by marital life quality were significant. 

 The proposed model had a good fit and can be used in identifying the factors affecting difficulties in emotion regulation.  It can be useful for designing and developing programs to prevent emotions problems in women with breast cancer.

The present study aimed to investigate the effect of a 10-week resistance training on the serum levels of insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR), the serum levels of liver enzymes, chemerin, and resistin in healthy and type 2 diabetic rats.

In this experimental study, 40 Wistar rats with the mean±SD weight of  200±48 gr were randomly divided into 4 groups (normal control, diabetic control, diabetic resistance training, and resistance training). The training groups performed regular resistance exercises for 10 weeks by ladders. Twenty-four hours after the last training session, the blood sample of rats was collected for resistin, chemerin, insulin, and liver enzymes. The obtained data were analyzed using one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), Tukey posthoc test, Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA), and Bonferroni posthoc test at a significance level of 0.05.

This study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of Arak University of Medical Sciences, Iran (Code: IR.ARAKMU.REC.1394.329).

 Diabetes induction significantly HOMA-IR, the serum levels of liver enzymes, resistin, and chemerin in the diabetic control group, compared to the healthy control group (P<‏0.05). Resistance training also significantly decreased insulin HOMA-IR, the serum levels of liver enzymes, resistin, and chemerin in the diabetic resistance training group, compared to the diabetic control group (P<0.05).

 The obtained data suggested that resistance training improved liver enzymes in type 2 diabetic rats by decreasing the insulin HOMA-IR, the serum levels of chamirin, and resistin.

High occupational stress reduces the workers’ concentrations and decision-making power. In industries with high risks in term of exposure to hazards, there may be negative consequence. This study aimed to investigate relationship between Occupational Stress (OS) and the job-related risks in the steel industry. 

This is a descriptive-analytical study with cross-sectional design carried out in a steel industry located in Lorestan province of Iran in 2017. For risk and OS assessments, the Melbourne University’s 3D risk assessment model and the United Kingdom's Health and Safety Executive (HSE) questionnaire were used. Statistical analysis was performed by using Pearson correlation and Kruskal-Wallis tests in SPSS V. 22.

This study was approved by Ethics Committee of Arak University of Medical Sciences with the Code: IR.NREC.007.1394.05.

 A total of 182 job-related risks were identified for 14 job titles. 19.3% of subjects had high OS level. The risk rank had a statistically significant correlation with overall OS score (P=0.03), and OS dimensions of control (P=0.02) and demand  (P=0.02). There was no significant difference between the mean OS score and age, work experience, educational level.

 Due to the relationship of risk amount and OS among workers in the steel industry, Planning to control stressors in the workplace and managing occupational risks by reducing the likelihood and consequence of job-related risks seems essential.

Periostin acts as necessary protein in tissue development and has a key role in tooth-supporting tissues such as periodontal ligament. The effect of inflammation on reducing periostin level has been shown in some studies. The aim of this study was to compare the salivary and Gingival Crevicular Fluid (GCF) periostin levels in patients with chronic periodontitis and healthy peers.

In this matched case-control study, 106 participants (53 patients with chronic periodontitis and 53 healthy controls) were studies after signing a informed consent form. They were matched for age, gender, weight, and Body Mass Index (BMI). The GCF and salivary samples were collected from all participants and were assessed using standard Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). The statistical analysis was conducted in Stata V. 11.

This study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of Arak University of Medical Sciences (Code: IR.ARAKMU.REC.1397.34).

 The salivary and GCF periostin levels was significantly lower in patients than in healthy subjects (P<0.001). Moreover, the periostin levels was significantly different based on periodontal parameters (P<0.001).

 There is association between the incidence of chronic periodontitis and salivary and GCF periostin levels. Hence, the periostin may act as a potential biomarker for the diagnosis  of chronic periodontitis and prevention of its progression.

 Tendon is the extracellular matrix of the muscle that mechanically and structurally adapts to the mechanical load. However, the cellular and molecular mechanisms of this adaptation are not known yet. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of 6 weeks of resistance training on expression of two Transforming Growth Factor Beta 1 (TGF-β1) and myostatin genes in the tendon of fast- and slow-twitch muscles including Extensor Digitorum Longus (EDL) and Soleus (SOL).

Twelve male Wistar rats with 8 weeks of age were randomly divided into two groups of exercise (n=6) and control (n=6). The exercise group performed resistance training (Carrying weights with 40-160% body weight on the ladder) for 6 weeks, 5 sessions per week. Forty-eight hours after the last training session, all rats were sacrificed and the tendons of SOL and EDL muscles were extracted. The mRNA expression level of TGF-β1 and myostatin genes was assayed using real time polymerase chain reaction. Independent t-test was used for statistical analysis. 

All experiments on animals were according to the ethical guidelines of Research Ethics Committee of Islamic Azad University, Central Tehran Branch (ethical code: IR.IAU.PS.REC.1398.296)

 The expression of TGF-β1 gene in EDL (P≤0.001) and SOL (P≤0.01) muscle tendons significantly increased, while the expression of myostatin gene in EDL (P≤0.001) and SOL (P≤0.05) tendons were significantly reduced. 

 Resistance training appears to up-regulate the basal levels of TGF-β1 gene and down-regulate the basal levels of myostatin gene in tendons of fast- and slow-twitch muscles, where these effects are significantly more pronounced in the tendon of fast-twitch muscle.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is a type of accumulation of fat in the liver cells. Moreover, portulaca oleracea has hypolipidemic properties. Accordingly, the present study aimed to investigate the effect of a combination of training and portulaca oleracea supplementation on plasma lipid profile and liver ultrasound in obese women with nonalcoholic fatty liver.

The study population consisted of 40 to 60-year-old obese women with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. In total, 40 obese women with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease were randomly selected and divided into 4 groups. The study groups included training (n=10), training + supplementation (n=10), placebo (n=10) and supplementation (n=10). Before and after the intervention, sonography of the liver and blood tests were performed. The Paired Samples t-test and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) were used to analyze the obtained data. The significance level was set at P<0.05.

This study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of Islamic Azad University, Rasht Branch, Iran (code: IR. IAU.RASHT.REC. 1397. 034). Moreover, it was registered at the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT) (code: IRCT201903090429871).

 The obtained data suggested that 12 weeks of portulaca oleracea supplementation and combination training significantly decreased the plasma concentrations of cholesterol (P=0.001), triglyceride (P=0.00), LDL (P=0.00), and significantly increased serum HDL levels (P=0.00) in the exercise + supplement, supplement, and exercise groups (P<0.05). Liver ultrasound data also improved in the exercise + supplement (P=0.02), and exercise (P=0.00) groups.

 Portulaca oleracea supplementation with combination exercises could be effective in reducing plasma lipids and improving liver ultrasound in obese women with nonalcoholic fatty liver.

Adolescent students are at high risk for substance abuse. The tendency to substance abuse in students is of significant importance. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between the tendency to substance abuse based on resilience and procrastination in high school students.

This was a cross-sectional and correlational study. The statistical population consisted of high-school male students in district 12 of Tehran City, Iran, in the academic year of 2017-2018. The statistical sample consisted of 149 individuals who were selected using a multistage cluster sampling technique. The data collection instruments were Conner and Davidson’s Persistence Questionnaire (2003), Solomon and Roth Blum (1984), and Golparvar Substance Abuse Tendency Questionnaire (2003). Pearson’s correlation coefficient and regression analysis were used for data analysis.

This study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of Kharazmi University (Code: IR.KHU.REC1397.29).

 The current study results suggested a significant relationship between resilience and the tendency to substance abuse (P<0.05). There was a significant and positive relationship between academic procrastination and the tendency to substance abuse (P<0.05) in the study samples. Academic resilience and procrastination could explain 54% of the variance in substance abuse tendency in the investigated adolescents. Resiliency (-0.556) and academic procrastination (-0.436) played a significant role in predicting the tendency of substance abuse in adolescents.

 Academic resilience and procrastination predicted a tendency for substance abuse in secondary school students. Therefore, these risk factors need to be considered in preventive measures and interventions for this age group.

From the viewpoint of Iranian Traditional Medicine (ITM), hemorrhoidal bleeding is not only an organic disease; it also indicates the quality and quantity of blood and temperaments in the body. According to this view, bleeding from different areas has several causes, two important causes of which are: a. vascular hyperemia and consequent blooding in bleeding-prone areas, and b. changes in blood quality that cause the arteries to open and bleed. This study, by reporting a case of hemorrhoidal bleeding, is an evidence of some therapeutic principles in ITM.

Patient was a 39-year-old married woman with four children and warm-wet temperament complaining of heavy menstrual bleeding for one year. After three months of herbal drug administration, menstrual bleeding became normal. One month later, she had hemorrhoidal bleeding. Her bleeding was treated based on ITM method by removing the black bile (Soda) from the body, phlebotomy and leech therapy around the anus.

This study has been approved by the Research Ethics Committee of Arak University of Medical Sciences with code: IR.MUQ.REC.1396.110.

 Based on ITM, it seems that the cause of hemorrhoidal bleeding in this case is vascular hyperemia and poor blood quality following symptomatic treatment of heavy menstrual bleeding.