Journal of Advances in Medical and Biomedical Research
Volume:30 Issue: 138, Jan-Feb 2022

Leishmaniasis is a worldwide vector-borne disease. The Cutaneous form of this disease leaves chronic wounds on the patientchr('39')s skin. The purpose of this study was to treat cutaneous leishmaniasis woundsusing Lucilia serricata larvae. Leishman’s body was confirmed and Leishmania major was identified using PCR test in the samples of three patients in health center of Andimeshk County, southwest Iran during 2019-2020. The patients signed an informed consent form to receive maggot therapy. Five to ten sterile 1st instar larva of L. serricata per cm2 wound were inserted directly on the wounds in 48-hours intervals and bandaged with sterile saline gauze. Cutaneous leishmaniasis wounds were free of purulent secretion within 9-12 days. After 30- 45 days of treatment; the wounds were healed entirely without leaving scar tissues. The results showed larvae of L. sericata can significantly improve wound healing rate but it is recommended to evaluate this biotherapy method in more patients.

 The start of menstruation is an important event in female puberty, but there are several health related problems that may be associated with its occurrence. Our goal was to estimate the frequency of menstrual problems and determine the factors related with them in adolescents.

Girls were recruited from the Mashhad and Sabzevar regions in northeastern Iran. Adolescent girls who had attained menarche were administrated to complete a self–reported questionnaire containing items about menstrual pattern and premenstrual symptoms. Descriptive and categorical data were analyzed for statistical significance using t-tests and chi-square tests.

Eight hundred and ninety seven girls (mean age 14.0±1.3 years) ranging in age from 10 to 19 years were recruited. The mean age of menarche was 12.57±1.19 years for the girls recruited in Sabzevar vs 12.68±1.23 years in group from Mashhad (P <0.05). Dysmenorrhea was observed in 617 (68.8%) of participants and irregular cycle was found in 168 (18.7%) of cases. Also, 47.6% of participants had premenstrual syndrome (PMS) which was significantly associated with dysmenorrhea (P<0.05). Backache (60%) and tendency to cry easily (31.8%) were common premenstrual disorders among participants. 21% had delayed menarche and 2.1% suffered from menorrhagia. The prevalence of primary dysmenorrhea and obesity in girls with early menarche was significantly higher compared to those with delayed menarche (P<0.05).

 Menstrual disorders affect a large percentage of Iranian girls. More than half of participants experienced dysmenorrhea that often required medical treatment.

 Socioeconomic impact evaluation is a systematic and data based analysis; it aims to determine the socioeconomic benefit of science in human life and health, organizational capabilities, decision making and so on.  In this study, we intended to present the results of socioeconomic impact assessment in Iranian Universities of Medical Sciences (IUMS).

 Based on SciVal database, socioeconomic impact indicators consist of two categories: Citing – Patent Count (C-P), Patent-Cited Scholarly Output (P-CS), Patent-Citations Count (P-C) and Patent-Citations per Scholarly Output (P-C/S) for economic impact, and Mass Media (MM), Media Exposure (ME) and Field-Weighted Mass Media (F-WMM) for societal impact. Mentioned indicators were extracted for all of IUMS during 2015-2018. Preparation, extraction, weighting, scoring and ranking were the main performed steps in this study.

Almost 64% of IUMS had research activities, reflected their socioeconomic impacts. The C-P was 242 in all IUMS. The number of P-CS and P-C was 165 and 255, respectively. Also, the average of P-C/S was 1.93 (Max=6.4, Min=0.5). Related to societal impact, only 1% of published articles had been presented in media by IUMS (Mass Exposure). The average of F-WMM was 0.03.

 Socioeconomic impact evaluation is very complex; it involves a large scale of direct and indirect activities.  Therefore, evaluation with a limited number of indicators cannot provide a comprehensive view of impact. Quantity and quality of universitieschr('39') research activities are likely matters in socioeconomic impact.

Androgens play an essential role in the regulation of the structure and function of the central nervous system and are involved in different types of cognitive functions and behaviors. The low levels of androgens may alternate cognitive functions and result in neurodegenerative disorders. Regarding the important role of androgens in the central nervous system, androgen deprivation by castration may lead to synaptic and cognitive dysfunction. The focus of this study is specifically on experiments reporting the role of androgen deprivation by castration in changes of neuronal system functions that underlies depression, anxiety, synaptic plasticity, learning, and memory. Also, we tried to explain a possible mechanism by which castration changes synaptic plasticity, memory formation and cognitive functions. In this review article, Science direct, PubMed and Scopus databases were explored to provide original articles. Studies show that castration leads to anxiety, depression, memory impairments and synaptic dysfunctions. On the other hand, it has been reported that castration decreases the level of some synaptic markers such as BDNF, PSD-95, and SYN. Therefore, regarding a positive correlation between cognitive performances and synaptic markers, it can be suggested that castration can exacerbate memory impairments, synaptic dysfunctions, and cognitive defects by decreasing the level of the synaptic markers. However, it is necessary to conduct more investigation to understanding the effects of castration on the central nervous system.

 Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the most common infections in children worldwide and Escherichia coli is the main pathogen that can cause UTI. The current study aims to investigate the antibacterial susceptibility pattern, biofilm production, and determine the frequency of afa and sfa genes in E. coli strains isolated from pediatrics with UTI from 2018 to 2019 in Hamadan, Iran.

In this cross-sectional study, 112 E. coli strains were collected from children with UTI. Disc diffusion method was performed to determine antimicrobial susceptibility. The PCR was used to detect the existence of afa and sfa genes. A microtiter plate assay was performed to test the biofilm production ability.

81 (72.32%) of the 112 E. coli strains isolated from UTI samples were positive for biofilm development (22.2% strong, 33.3% moderate, and 44.4% weak). The afa and sfa genes were detected in 29.4% and 49.1% of the isolates, respectively. Most isolates were resistant to cephalothin (76.79%) and sensitive to imipenem and meropenem (100%).

 The afa and sfa genes have a significant correlation with strong biofilm formation in uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC).

Klebsiella pneumoniae is the most common pathogenic bacterium in the genus Klebsiella (1). The aim of this study was to use Polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) nanoparticles in vaccine design of the capsule antigen of Klebsiella pneumoniae K2O1.The capsular antigen was loaded into the polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) nanoparticles by W/O /W method (5). FT-IR and AFM were used to confirm capsule antigen loading and morphology of the nanoparticles, respectively (6,7). The fever after the vaccination was tested by limolus amoebocyte lysate assay (LAL test)(8). The investigation of the serum of mice by ELISA. Histopathological examination of lung, liver and spleen organs of vaccinated mice in four groups containing five female BALB/C mice (6-7 week-old) was studied after challenge with Klebsiella pneumoniae. Mice vaccinated with nanoparticles containing Klebsiella pneumoniae capsular antigen showed that the proposed vaccine has a high potential for long-term and stable protection against pure Klebsiella pneumoniae capsule antigen, activates (T Helper) lymphocytes T, and stimulates memory by stimulating T cells. Indicating the effectiveness of the vaccine, the results revealed that the vaccine could be recommended for animal studies with more samples or phase one clinical trial studies.

 There is a worldwide trend towards substitute synthetic antioxidants with natural alternatives to treat inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) such as ulcerative colitis (UC). This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of Dracocephalum kotschyi extract on tissue injury and oxidative stress in an acetic-acid induced colitis model.

48 male Wistar rats were allocated to 6 groups: healthy control, colitis control, and 4 treatment groups which administrated 10, 25, and 50 mg/kg of D. kotschyi extract respectively, and 200 mg/kg sulfasalazine once daily for 8 days after colitis induced. Colitis severity was assessed using histologic and macroscopic changes of damaged colon, and enzymatic antioxidant activities like superoxide dismutase (SOD), total thiol (–SH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and lipid peroxidation marker MDA (malondialdehyde) were evaluated.

D. kotschyi extract (50mg/kg) decreased colonic macroscopic and histological damage scores, which were accompanied by a significant decrease in lipid peroxidation, and an increase in colonic antioxidant markers.

 The results suggest that D. kotschyi extract is effective against oxidative bowel damages induced in IBD and its beneficial effect is, at least in part, due to its antioxidant properties.

 The neuroprotective potential of 1,8-Cineole (CIN) has recently been documented in vitro. Here we studied potential beneficial therapeutic effects of CIN, using the temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) pilocarpine rat model through up-regulation of Bcl-2, as an anti-apoptotic gene.

A total of 32 (n=8 per group) male Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups as follows:  i) normal rats (received CIN (50 mg/kg)). ii) Non-treated epileptic rats. iii) Vehicle epileptic rats treated with 10% Polysorbate 20 (Tween 20). iv) TLE-treated rats with CIN once daily (50 mg/kg), three days after the first seizure and up to 28 days, four days a week (treatment group).
For the analysis, based on the Racine scale, the score of 4 and 5 was chosen. Rats were sacrificed and primed 28 days after the first seizure for both histopathological and quantitative real time PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis.

 The findings showed that CIN prevents cell death caused by Pilocarpine, via regulatory effect on apoptotic and anti-apoptotic gene expression. QRT-PCR results showed a significant increment in the Bcl-2 expression, and a decrease in Caspas-3 gene in the epileptic group treated with CIN. Also, amount of total antioxidant capacity was higher in CIN treated group. Histological study of the brain regions revealed a significant decrease in the apoptotic and necrotic hippocampal cells in the treatment groups.

 Collectively, the present study showed CIN significantly induced neuroprotection effects for brain damage. It seems CIN can be a promising method for improving the effectiveness of therapy.

 Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a highly prevalent malignancy leading to death across the world. However, patient survival is greatly affected following a diagnosis of diabetes. The purpose of this research was to study the correlation between diabetes and controlling risk factors with the survival rate of colorectal cancer patients.

This retrospective follow‐up study was done on 356 patients with colorectal cancer, who had been diagnosed during 1999-2013. Notably, the patients were selected using systematic random sampling. The patients were allocated into two groups according to the history of diabetes and its absence. The survival rate of the patients was assessed during the follow-up period up to 2018.

 In colorectal cancer patients, the diabetes prevalence was 11%. The mean survival rate in patients with CRC and non-colorectal non-diabetic was 5.541±0.227 years and in diabetic patients was 0.508 ±5.246 years. No significant difference was apperceived in the survival rate of the diabetic and non-diabetic patients (P = 0.57). The risk of mortality in patients with CRC who were not treated with insulin increased and their survival decreased (P= 0.05). In metastatic stage of lymph nodes, it was 0.314 higher in patients with the metastasis to distant regions (P = 0.000).

 Based on the results, training diabetic patients regarding effective therapies in controlling risk factors, hyperglycemia, and screening for rapid diagnosis of CRC are essential to improve health and increase survival rate in diabetic patients.

 Vitamin D deficiency has been implicated in a wide range of conditions such as infectious and autoimmune diseases, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events, and various malignancies to unfavorable birth outcomes. We studied vitamin D status in a group of neonates with congenital heart disease (CHD) and its relationship with the outcome of heart surgery.

 Total vitamin D levels in plasma were measured before and 24 hours after the operation in 45 neonates with CHD undergoing heart surgery and in 77 hospitalized neonates without a history of CHD as controls, at Children’s Medical Center between March and September 2018.

Preoperative vitamin D levels in patients with CHD were not significantly different from the control group (42.4 +/- 18.0 versus 46.9 +/- 27.7 nmol/L, P=0.640). Patients’ vitamin D levels decreased postoperatively (42.4 +/- 18.0 versus 36.2 +/- 14.5 nmol/L, P=0.013). This decline was significant in the cyanotic and open-heart surgery groups, but not in non-cyanotic or closed-heart surgery groups. In 41 (91.1%) patients, the outcome was successful discharge from the hospital, in 3 (6.7%), the outcome was demise, and in one, it was not determined due to early discharge. Preoperative and postoperative vitamin D levels did not show any relationship with the outcome. However, logistic regression analysis revealed a significant relationship between the amount of postoperative decline in vitamin D levels and the outcome of death (OR=1.261, 95% CI=1.026-1.551, P=0.028).

 Results corroborates previous findings and suggests the amount of postoperative decline in vitamin D levels as a predictor of the outcome of heart surgery in CHD.

 The present study aimed to assess the supportive role of open lung ventilation on respiratory mechanics, the rate of oxygenation, inflammatory biomarkers, and probable liver or renal injuries following coronary artery bypass grafting surgery.

This randomized double-blinded clinical trial study was conducted on 64 candidates for coronary artery bypass surgery using a cardiopulmonary pump. The patients were randomly categorized into the Positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) group (n = 32) or Zero End Expiratory Pressure (ZEEP) group (n = 32).

Interleukin-6 levels were similar between the PEEP and ZEEP groups before surgery (p = 0.18) and were significantly higher in the ZEEP group after pump insertion (p = 0.005). On the contrary, the levels of Interleukin-6 were significantly higher in the PEEP group after extubation (p = 0.001). The Between-group analysis also showed a significant difference between the levels of interleukin-6 in the ZEEP and PEEP groups, representing a greater increase in the PEEP group (p < 0.001). There was no difference in certain hemodynamic parameters, including heart rate, mean blood pressure, mean CO2 pressure (PCO2), mean concentration of HCO3, and base excess. The mean arterial O2 saturation was higher overall in the PEEP group compared to the ZEEP group. The mean PaO2/FiO2 was significantly higher in the PEEP than in the ZEEP group (p < 0.001).

 Supportive ventilation technique leads to better oxygenation and better lung expansion, as well as lowering inflammatory biomarkers, after coronary artery bypass surgery.