مجله دانشگاه علوم پزشکی ایلام
سال سی‌ام شماره 1 (پیاپی 132، فروردین 1401)

Increasing levels of free radicals in the ova reduce the quality of their fertilization. Investigations have revealed the elevated production of tissue and serum-free radicals in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Sirtuin-3 is located in mitochondria and plays an important role in the deactivation of free radicals. This study aimed to investigate the expression of the Sirtuin-3 gene in the ova of polycystic ovary syndrome affected mice.

Polycystic ovary syndrome was induced by the injection of estradiol valerate (40 mg/kg) in six NMRI mice (age: six weeks old; weight: 25±5); moreover, six mice were selected as a control group. Following the induction, the structure of the ovaries was examined using the histotechnique, and the serum levels of sex hormones were determined using ELISA. The ova were collected from the ovaries, and their RNA was extracted by a special kit and converted to cDNA. Real-Time PCR was performed to analyze the expression of Sirtuin-3, and the Gapdh gene was selected as an internal control.

In the mice with polycystic ovary syndrome, hydatid cysts were formed in the ovaries. Furthermore, serum FSH hormone levels decreased in the affected mice, while LH and testosterone levels elevated, compared to those in the control mice (P<0.001). The expression of Sirtuin-3 was reduced in the ova of mice with polycystic ovary syndrome, compared to that in healthy mice in the ratio of 0.18 (P<0.05).

The result of the present study showed that the expression of the Sirtuin-3 gene was decreased in the ovum of mice with polycystic ovary syndrome. Moreover, the disrupted expression of the Sirtuin-3 in the ovum can be suggested as one of the causes of reduced quality of the ovum in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Linguatula Serrata is a zoonotic parasite. Several cases of human infection have been reported from Iran and other countries. Sheep and Canids, as the intermediate and definitive hosts, respectively, play an important role in the persistence of infection in humans. The present study aimed to evaluate the lymph node infection in the sheep with respect to host factors (age and gender), lymph nodes (color and consistency), and their role in the infection of various hosts.

This cross-sectional study included the randomly selected samples of mesenteric lymph nodes from slaughtered sheep (n=619) of different areas of Ilam province, Iran, from April to November 2015. The positive samples were determined by collecting Linguatula Serrata nymphs. Following that, the obtained data were analyzed using statistical tests.

Out of 619 sheep samples, 99 (16%) samples were infected with Linguatula Serrata nymphs. The highest prevalence rates were observed in the southern areas, including Abdanan, Darreh Shahr, and Dehloran (19%). On the other hand, the lowest prevalence rates were in the eastern regions, including Shirvan, Sirvan, and Chardavol (11.7%). The infection prevalence rate in females was 25.6% (n=52 of 203) that was more than that in males (11.3%; n=47 of 416). There was a significant relationship among gender, age, and the prevalence rate of the infection (P<0.05). The highest and lowest infection rates were observed in the age groups of ≥3 (23.4%) and <1 (11.3%), respectively.  Furthermore, the maximum infection rates were noted in the dark and soft lymph ‌‌nodes, (54.3% and 38.7%, respectively), compared to normal ones (11.5%, and 10.4%, respectively). The color and consistency of the lymph nodes showed a significant relationship with the infection rate (P<0.05).

Considering the high levels of infection in sheep, which is a reflection of dogs' infection in the area and the potential risk to humans, health education and observance of the principles of prevention, especially avoiding the use of infected lymph nodes to feed dogs, are essential to reduce the parasite infection in the hosts.

Cisplatin (CIS) is among the chemotherapeutic agent. However, its use is limited due to side effects, such as impairment in the spermatogenesis process. On the other hand, Boswellia Thurifera has protective effects on the reproductive system. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the protective effect of Boswellia Thurifera aqueous extract against cisplatin-induced cytotoxicity on sperm parameters in mice.

In this experimental study, 32 male mice were divided into four groups (n=8). The first group (the control group) was given isotonic saline for 35 consecutive days. Boswellia thurifera aqueous extract was orally administered to the second group at the dose of 500 mg/kg/day for 35 consecutive days without CIS. The mice in the third group were treated with an intraperitoneal injection of CIS (5.5 mg/kg). Finally, the last group received CIS and Boswellia thurifera aqueous extract together at the same doses. On the next day, after the last injection, body and testis weight, as well as sperm count, motility, viability, and morphology were evaluated.

CIS alone led to a significant reduction in sperm motility, viability, and morphology, compared to the control group (P<0.001). However, CIS+Boswellia thurifera aqueous extract and Boswellia thurifera aqueous extract alone increased the sperm count, motility, and viability; moreover, they decreased the abnormal sperms, compared to the CIS group (P<0.001).

The results of the current study demonstrated that CIS decreased sperm quality, and the coadministration of Boswellia thurifera aqueous extract reduced CIS-induced cytotoxicity and improved the sperm quality. In conclusion, the Boswellia thurifera aqueous extract is useful for the reduction of limitationthe toxic effects of CIS and improvement of the parameters of sperm quality.

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and miRNAs belong to a class of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) that play important roles and functions in the regulation of the expression of genes in main biological processes, such as cell proliferation, apoptosis, and differentiation. LncRNAs can potentially affect miRNAs in the forms of cis/trans to modulate their regulatory role. In this study, mRNA, miRNA, and lncRNA gene networks were predicted by web-based programs for three ectodermal pathway markers (BMP4, NOG, FGF8) in the mouse embryonic stem cells.

In this theoretical bioinformatics study, the miRNAs of the target genes (BMP4, NOG, and FGF8) were extracted and examined by MirWalk and TARGETSCAN databases to finally obtain the common miRNAs of these three genes. Following that, the target lncRNAs for common miRNAs were then extracted from the DIANA-Tool database.

MiRs mmu-miR-92a-2-5p, mmu-miR-129b-5p, mmu-miR-130b-5p, mmu-miR-692, mmu-miR-7009-3P, mmu-miR-7116-3p, and mmu-miR-7689-3p may affect the function of lncRNAs, including Kcnq1ot1, Gm26812, Gm4117, Gm11837, 4930423MO2Rik, Malat1, Gm12594, Gm3414, 5830444B04Rik, Gm2464, and NEAT1.

Due to the mutual relationships among lncRNA, miRNA, and mRNA, our results provided a novel perspective on lncRNAs for future research and experimental studies on ectodermal differentiation pathways and molecular mechanisms.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, autoimmune, inflammatory nervous system disease, which is emerged under the influence of the loss of myelin in the white matter of the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. The most complications in MS include tiredness, muscle cramp, tremor, unsteady gait, and inability to move. This study aimed to compare the effect of selected exercises with TRX and aerofitness on balance and proprioception in patients with MS.

A total of 30 women with MS referred to the Isfahan MS association in the age range of 20-50 years with an extended disability scale score of 1-4 were purposefully selected and randomly assigned into two selected groups of TRX exercises (n=15) and aerofitness (n=15). The subjects in both groups performed TRX and aerofitness exercises for eight weeks, three sessions per week (60 min per session). Balance and ankle proprioception were measured by the stork balance test and isokinetic device, respectively. Paired and independent t-tests were used to analyze the data (P<0.05).

The results showed that the selected exercises with TRX and aerofitness increased balance and ankle proprioception significantly in the patients with MS (P<0.05). Regarding the comparison between TRX and aerofitness, it was shown that TRX (P<0.01) had a more significant effect, compared to aerofitness exercises (P<0.05).

The results showed that the selected exercises with TRX and aerofitness improved balance and ankle proprioception in patients with MS. Therefore, it is recommended to perform these exercises as a training intervention to improve the balance and ankle proprioception in people with MS.

CGRP and rCT are involved in descending pain control areas. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of intracerebroventricular administration (ICV) of CGRP and rCT on mRNA expression of CGRP and rCT peptides in the Periaqueductal Gray Area (PAG) of the diabetic rats in the formalin test.

This study investigated 24 male Sprague-Dawley rats in four groups (n=6). To induce diabetes, streptozotocin at a dose of 45 mg/kg was used intraperitoneally. CGRP or rCT peptides at a dose of 1.5 nmol with a volume of 5 μl were ICV injected daily for seven days. Pain-related behaviors were recorded in the formalin test for up to 60 min in the study groups. The PAG was then removed to assess the changes made in the mRNA expression of the CGRP and rCT.

ICV injection of CGRP or rCT in diabetic rats reduced pain in the acute and middle phases of the formalin test. In addition, ICV administration of CGRP increased CGRP mRNA expression in the PAG. However, ICV administration of rCT increased the mRNA expression of both CGRP and rCT peptides after seven days in the PAG.

ICV injection of CGRP and rCT peptides reduced the pain of formalin injection in rats in the experimental model of streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus, possibly by altering the mRNA expression of both peptides.

Fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) levels and inflammatory markers are usually elevated in End-Stage Renal Disease ESRD, and each is associated with adverse clinical outcomes. This study aimed to investigate the hypothesis that FGF23 was independently associated with C-reactive protein in ESRD.

This cross-sectional study was performed on 254 ESRD patients undergoing hemodialysis. The sampling method was census so that all ESRD patients undergoing hemodialysis in the hemodialysis center of Razi Hospital, Rasht, Iran, in 2017, were included in the study. Data analysis was performed using SPSS software (version 26) through the Shapiro-Wilk test, Spearman correlation multiplication, and linear regression.

The median age of the patients was 60 years (age range: 49-69), and 57.9% of the cases were male. The mean and median amount of iFGF23 in patients were 59.5±14.6 and 62 pg/ml (50-70), respectively. Moreover, the median amount of CRP factor was 4 mg/l (1-11). The percentage of positive CRP in the studied patients was 72.9%, while the mean amount and standard deviation in the positive cases were 12.94±8.82. In multiple linear regression analysis, after controlling the effect of confounding variables (individual variables, blood parameters, and underlying diseases), there was a direct and significant relationship between iFGF23 and CRP (P=0.010, 𝜷=0.129, CI=0.032-0.226).

The present study showed that increased FGF23 levels are independently associated with increased CRP levels in patients with ESRD. Future studies should evaluate whether inflammation alters the association between elevated FGF23 levels and adverse clinical outcomes in ESRD.

Safety climate is one of the factors related to nurses' satisfaction, and therefore, quality of patient care. This study aimed to determine the safety climate in medical-surgical units of teaching hospitals in Zanjan, Iran.

This cross-sectional study was conducted on 247 nurses working in five teaching hospitals in Zanjan, Iran, in 2021.  Participants were selected by the Poisson sampling method. The required data were collected using a demographic characteristics form and the standard nurses' safety climate questionnaire by Sarsangi et al. (2015). This scale measures the nurses' perceptions regarding the dimensions of nursing education, communication with physicians, communication with nurses, supervisors' attitudes, reporting errors, and burnout. The obtained data were analyzed in SPSS software (version 18) through descriptive statistics, independent t-test, one-way ANOVA, and Pearson correlation coefficient.

The total mean score of safety climate was 3.12±0.53 out of 5. The highest mean safety climate scores were related to the ‘communication between nurses’ (3.61±0.83), followed by ‘reporting errors ‘(3.53±0.69). The lowest mean score was related to ‘burnout‘(2.32±0.90) out of 5. The total score of safety climate was statistically different and significant based on the organizational position and city in which the participants were working. However, the total mean score of safety climate showed no significant relationship with gender, marital status, education, employment, ward, age, and work experience.

This study showed the moderate level of safety climate of nurses working in Zanjan, Iran. Cumulative burnout was one of the components of the safety climate that obtained the lowest mean score, compared to other dimensions. In other words, burnout was highly prevalent among the nurses in this study. Therefore, it is necessary to improve the safety climate of nurses, especially in the cumulative burnout dimension.

This descriptive cross-sectional study examined the association between the presence of four non-Helicobacter-pylori bacterial species (e.g., Staphylococcus aureus, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Streptococcus sanguis) and dyspepsia.

This study included a total of 100 antral biopsy samples isolated from dyspeptic (n=50) or non-dyspeptic (healthy control) (n=50) patients referred to Mehrad and Labafinejad Hospitals, Tehran, Iran, in 2018. Following that, the presence of Staphylococcus aureus, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Streptococcus sanguis was investigated by PCR and using their respective primers, including nuc, PA431CF, iga, and 16s rRNA.

In this study, a total of 50 antral biopsies were isolated from patients with dyspepsia, and 50 antral biopsy specimens were isolated from individuals without dyspepsia during endoscopy. The mean age of the subjects was 48 years (age range: 16-80 years); moreover, the highest age group belonged to the group of 26-46 (24%) years, and the lowest age belonged to the group of 16-26 years (0.06%). The age ranges used in this study had a relatively good population distribution. According to the results of the PCR test, the prevalence rates of Staphylococcus aureus, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Streptococcus sanguis in dyspeptic patients (n=50) were 23 (46%), 3 (6%), 42 (84%), and 0 (0 %), respectively. Moreover, the corresponding prevalence values were 19 (38%), 10 (20%), 45 (90%), and 2 (4%) among the non-dyspeptic control individuals. The presence of these bacteria showed no statistically significant association with the incidence of dyspepsia (P˃0.05).

Bacterial species living in this area can be highly diverse, and therefore, in addition to other epigenetic involved factors, the studying of other factors, such as environment, nutrition, lifestyle, and the host's genetic, will increase our understanding of the pathogenesis of this complex disorder

Allium genus with more than 900 important breeding and wild species, as a natural and bioactive antioxidant, is widely used in the pharmaceutical and food industries. This study aimed to investigate the effect of antioxidant activity of aqueous extract of Allium canadense and its effect on the inhibition of acetylcholinesterase enzyme and recovery of the inhibited enzyme activity.

After the preparation of Allium canadense aqueous extract, the antioxidant activity of the extract at the concentrations of 100, 500, and 1000 μg/ml was investigated using DPPH free radical scavenging method. Following that, the activity of serum acetylcholinesterase and its reactivation after inhibition by organophosphate diazinon was evaluated at the concentrations of 100, 500, and 1000 μg/ml of the extract by the Ellman method.

Inhibition concentration of 50% (IC50) of free radicals of DPPH was 360/19 μg/ml.   Aqueous extract of Allium canadense did not inhibit acetylcholinesterase activity and was added to the concentration dependently. The regeneration of the inhibited enzymes activity was also observed in the vicinity of different concentrations of the aqueous extract of the plant.

The aqueous extract of Allium canadense does not inhibit acetylcholinesterase activity; however, it can reactivate the enzyme inhibited by diazinon. The reason for this positive effect may be related to the high antioxidant activity in the extract.