Journal of Kerman University of Medical Sciences
Volume:29 Issue: 2, Ma-Apr 2022

Sonodynamic therapy (SDT) may be a new hopeful non-invasive method for cancer treatment, which incorporates a combination of low-intensity ultrasound and a sonosensitive chemical. The goal of this study was to evaluate the effect of dual-frequency sonication (1 and 3 MHz) and injected Hematoporphyrin encapsulated in mesoporous silica nanoparticles (HP-MSNs) as a sensitizer in the treatment of mice grafted with breast adenocarcinoma. In this research, one hundred and thirty-two female mice with grafted breast adenocarcinoma were separated into 22 groups including control, sham, 4 groups of sonication 1 or 3 MHz (1 and 2 W/cm2), and 16 groups of SDT with Hematoporphyrin (HP) and HP-MSNs (2.5 and 5 mg/kg). The tumor growth factors and tumor grading were used to assess the treatment management. The results indicate that dual-frequency sonication has a delayed effect on tumor growth. The required time of T5 to the initial volume in all groups of SDT with HP (5 mg/kg) was greater than that in the control group (P<0.05). It was observed that SDT with an injection of HP-MSNs was effective in delaying tumor growth and the time of T2 and T5 was higher than that of other groups (P<0.05). This group had Grade II (intermediate), while others had Grade III (high) malignancy in the histological study of mice breast adenocarcinoma. Our results reveal that dual-frequency SDT therapy with HP-MSN has a delaying tumor growth effect on mice breast adenocarcinoma. Hence, the expansion of minimally invasive methods such as SDT is necessary.

Helicobacter pylori (H.pylori) is the main known cause of gastritis, gastroduodenal ulcer disease, and gastric cancer. Eradication of H.pylori can be an effective method of treatment for peptic ulcer disease and mucosa‐associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of levofloxacin versus clarithromycin in the eradication of H.pylori. This randomized clinical trial was conducted on 170 cases with H.pylori infection in Kerman. The participants were randomly allocated to two groups. As the first line therapy, ‘A’ group was treated twice a day with clarithromycin (500mg), pantoprazole (40mg) and amoxicillin (1gr) for 14 days and ‘B’ group was treated twice a day with levofloxacin (250mg), pantoprazole (40mg) and amoxicillin (1gr) for 14 days. Stool H.pylori antigen test was performed one month after the end of treatment. To analyze the data, descriptive and analytical methods and SPSS software version 22 were used. The study cases were comprised of 170 individuals (52.35%female). The mean age of patients in ‘A’ and ‘B’ groups was 42±11.88 and 41±13.75 years, respectively. H.pylori eradication was successful in 61.1% of ‘A’ group and 92.9% of ‘B’ group showing a significant difference (P=0.037). Drug complications were reported in 7.1% of ‘A’ group and 4.7% of ‘B’ group which showed no significant difference between the two groups (P=0.772). The most common drug complication in both groups was abdominal pain (2.3%). The results of this study indicated that levofloxacin-containing regimen was more effective in eradicating H.pylori than the standard clarithromycin triple therapy.

Accessibility of medicines is one of the main building blocks of health. As a consequence of the decision of the US president to withdraw from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, harsh sanctions were instigated on Iran.  Legally, medicines were exempted from the sanctions. But in practice, this action has caused serious shortage of medicines including psychotropics in Iran. As a domestic solution, the impact of this shortage on the patients could be mitigated by distributing the most needed medicines in pharmacies closest to public and private psychiatric clinics to reduce patients’ sense of bewilderment. We tried to identify the top 10 psychiatric medicines for this purpose. 

Through semi-structured interviews with all the 384 reachable psychiatrists of Iran, face to face or by phone, we prepared a list of psychiatric medicines preferred as priority.  Data were analyzed using c2 for relationships with contributing factors and controlling for confounders.

  Medicines were ranked, and we ended up with a final list of ten. Sertraline ranked first followed by sodium valproate and risperidone. Age and years of experience were correlated with preferences. Comparison with the sales market ranking showed that the latter is mainly influenced by benzodiazepines not prescribed by psychiatrists.

We finalized a ranked list of psychiatric medicines useful for the food and drug administration of Iran to consider in distributing psychotropic medicines in the vicinity of public and private clinics. This will ease access and help in mitigating patients’ stress. Other medical groups can follow suit.

Topical zinc sulfate application has lower efficacy in comparison with intralesional usage, due to less penetration of ionic drug within the epidermis. Niosomes introduce new method of drug delivery with improved penetration and sustained release of medicaments within epidermis. On the other hand, combined cryotherapy with topical immunomodulators can increase the efficacy of cryotherapy with less recurrence rate. In this study, we compared the efficacy of 2% niosomal zinc sulfate suspension with cryotherapy versus combined conventional 2% zinc sulfate and cryotherapy in the treatment of Verruca vulgaris.

This is a triple-blind randomized clinical trial on 60 patients. Patients were randomized in 2 groups including combined 2% niosomal zinc sulfate suspension with cryotherapy versus combined 2% conventional zinc sulfate suspension combined with cryotherapy. The efficacy of treatment was evaluated during the treatment sessions until 12 weeks. Patients were followed for 3 months after the end of the treatment to evaluate recurrence rate. We used chi-square test to evaluate the efficacy of treatment and side effects. Mean number of treatment sessions was evaluated by t-test.

Mean number of the treatment sessions for complete remission was 3.66±0.92 and 4.63±0.66, in niosomal group and conventional group, respectively (P=0.001). The rate of complete remission was higher at the 6th and 8th weeks of the treatment in niosomal group compared to conventional group (P=0.001).

This study demonstrated significant rapid remission of wart lesions treated with cryotherapy plus 2% niosomal zinc oxide suspension in comparison with cryotherapy plus 2% conventional zinc oxide suspension.

Exudative pharyngitis is one of the common causes of children referral to medical centers. This problem is caused by various bacterial and viral causes. Antibiotics seem to be taken indiscriminately and irrationally. Investigation of bacterial and viral causes is useful for appropriate treatment. This study aimed to compare the bacterial and viral causes of exudative pharyngitis in children aged 3-15 years who referred to the clinics affiliated to Kerman University of Medical Sciences. The study population consisted of children who presented with fever and sore throat and were diagnosed with exudative pharyngitis. Samples were taken from the nasopharynx with sterile swabs and sent to the laboratory to culture group A beta-hemolytic Streptococcus (GAS) and molecular analysis of common viruses. The resulting information was recorded on the data collection form. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 20 using descriptive statistics, and an inference was made. The mean age of the study group was 7.33 years with a standard deviation of 3.05 and the mean age was 7 years. Most cases (42.6%) referred to the clinics in winter. The most common clinical symptoms were fever (86.9%), sudden onset of the symptoms (77%), sore throat (75.4%), and cough (67.2%), respectively. Seven cases (11.5%) were positive for GAS bacteria. Thirty-two cases (52.5%) were positive for the studied viruses. In housewives, the frequency of positive results in terms of bacteria was significantly lower than that in other occupations. The frequency of virus-positive samples in terms of demographic variables, bacteriological test results in terms of disease symptoms, virology test results in terms of disease symptoms, and comparison of clinical signs and symptoms in the positive group in terms of bacteria and virus were not significant (P > 0.05). Viral causes of exudative pharyngitis are more than bacterial causes. If cultured and laboratory diagnosis is available, it is best to identify the causes of pharyngitis before starting treatment with antibiotics.

Bond strength of fiber-reinforced composite (FRC) posts can be influenced by the post surface treatment method. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of surface treatment method on the bond strength of FRC posts. 40 extracted mandibular premolars with minimum root length of 14 mm were cut from 1 mm above CEJ and root canal treatment was performed on them. Randomly divided into 2 groups: Group 1 surface treatment with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) 24%, group 2 surface treatment with hydrofluoric acid (HF) 10% and posts in 2 groups cemented with Luxacore cement. The push-out test was performed on 2 mm sections from cervical, medial and apical areas of roots in universal testing machine with speed of 1 mm/min. Bond strength was calculated in megapascal. The failure mode of the specimens was analyzed under stereomicroscope at ×40 magnification. The data were statistically analyzed with SPSS 21 and the results were evaluated by ANOVA, chi2 tests at the significance level of p<0. 05. Bond strength was 22. 13 ± 10. 12 and 21. 27 ± 9. 45 megapascal in group HF and H2O2 respectively. There was no significant difference between two surface treatment methods and bond strength. The most mode of fracture was in cementum-dentin. Based on the result of the present study, surface treatment can affect the bond strength of FRC posts. Further studies are recommended.

Thyroid resection surgeries used to treat many thyroid diseases may be performed as a total or subtotal thyroidectomy. This study aimed to compare two methods of subtotal thyroidectomy (omission from both sides) with the Hartley-Dunhill procedure in patients with thyroid diseases. In this retrospective study, the records of all patients who underwent thyroidectomy between 2017 and 2018 were evaluated. Demographic information (age and sex) of patients, initial diagnosis and pathology, type of surgery, serum calcium level on the fourth day after surgery, parathyroid nerve damage, and hematoma were collected using patients’ files. Finally, complications in the two groups were measured. A total number of 100 patients, including 67 female (67%) and 33 male (33%) individuals, were studied. The mean age of patients in the Hartley-Dunhill subtotal thyroidectomy group was 12.65±40.75 years and in the non-Hartley-Dunhill surgery group was 12.86±38.91 years. There was no association between two groups in terms of indications of surgery (P=0.235), postoperative pathology (P=0.754), postoperative hematoma (P=0.11), postoperative recurrence (P=0.714), and the postoperative calcium level (P=0.816). However, the difference in recurrent laryngeal nerve injury occurrence was statistically significant between the groups (P=0.03). Findings of this study showed that there was no significant difference between the groups regarding complications of the surgery, except nerve damage, and the recurrence rate in both methods was clinically pretty low.

Myocardial infarction (MI) is one of the most common presentations of coronary artery diseases that the age of its prevalence is decreasing. Survivors of MI are at an increased risk of the recurrence of the disease. This study aimed to determine the frequency of recurrent MI and its ppredictive factors in patients with MI. This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 398 patients with MI referred to Dr. Heshmat hospital in Rasht, the exclusive heart center in Guilan province (north of Iran). Convenience sampling method was used and a valid six-part questionnaire including demographic information, patient's desire to improve knowledge, adherence to the Mediterranean diet, patients' awareness of factors predisposing to re-MI, depression status, and adherence to the therapeutic regimen was employed to collect data. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and analytical statistics in SPSS21 at the significance level of P≤ 0.05. The results of the Logistic regression analysis performed by LR method indicated illness duration (OR=0.97, 95% CI=0.95-0.99), history of receiving education (OR=0.1, 95% CI=0.02–0.7), MI type (OR=0.04, 95% CI=0.01–0.34 and OR=0.006, 95% CI=0.001–0.1, respectively for Ant-MI and Post-MI than non-ST-elevation MI) and level of patients' awareness of predisposing factors to MI occurrence (OR=7.31, 95% CI=1.17–45.71, moderate level than good level) as predictors of re-MI. The findings of this study urges policymakers and planners to consider the necessity of applying educational programs related to factors affecting the recurrence of MI.

Brain abscess is a collection of pus with a vascular capsule beginning as a cerebritis at its early stage. The incidence rate of brain abscess is approximately 0.13-0.9 per 100,000 person-year. In 33% of cases, brain abscess is spread hematogenously, mostly with endocarditis (13%), pulmonary infection (8%), or dental infection (5%). Other cases are attributed to recent neurosurgeries (9%) or cranial traumas (14%). Streptococcus and Staphylococcus species are the most common microorganisms causing brain abscesses. The symptoms presented include headache, fever, nausea, vomiting, focal neurologic symptoms, lethargy, and seizure. In this study, a 44-year-old coal worker methadone-abuser man who was admitted with the presentation of altered mental status, headache, imbalance, and vertigo with widespread ring-enhancing lesions in his brain caused by multiple brain abscesses due to solitary lung abscess without pulmonary disease symptoms is reported. Altered consciousness and dysphagia were considered as a cause for his aspiration.

 Ancient schwannoma is an uncommon neoplasm originating from the peripheral nerve sheaths. Ancient schwannoma occurs mostly in head and neck region and its occurrence is very rare in retroperitoneal (about 0.7% to 2.6% of all schwannomas), and despite its benign nature, it can show malignant behaviors and it may be misdiagnosed with sarcomas in some cases. There is nonspecific clinical symptoms and radiologic findings. Evaluation of histology and immunochemistry is necessary for diagnosis, and complete surgical resection is the treatment of choice for schwannoma.

we report a unique case of retroperitoneal ancient schwannoma in a 50-year-old man with complaint of severe pain in the right flank area for 3 days ago, which was diagnosed with ancient schwannoma after evaluation of the histopathologic and immunohistochemical findings. After surgery, the patient was kept under regular follow-up since last 15 months without any evidence of recurrence.

In the last few decades, many studies have been done on the treatment of premature ovarian failure. This review was conducted to study different types of treatment with a focus on the 3D culture model of stem cells as a pluripotent source for repairment in regenerative medicine for this disease in recent decades.

To conduct this review, electronic databases of MEDLINE, Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science were searched using MeSH terms. Only English articles were included, and case reports were excluded. The keywords used for the search were mentioned as the keywords of the paper.

To transplant the stem cells into the patient's body, the 3D culture of these cells in vitro and the molecular and cellular aspects of these cells were considered, andtheir success rate and differentiation were compared to granulosa cells or oocytes.

The present study aimed to discuss the potential effects of stem cells for regeneration and recovery of ovarian function in premature ovarian failure as a useful therapy.

Probiotics were first proposed by Metchnikoff as contributing factors to health. These living microorganisms, which mainly belong to the microflora bacteria of the gastrointestinal tract, can have beneficial effects on human health if consumed in moderation. The most studied probiotics are lactic acid bacteria, which include Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria. The present study is an overview of some studies conducted on the effects of using probiotics and their possible patterns in the prevention or reduction of certain human diseases and disorders. The available data suggest that probiotics can play a role in improving constipation and liver enzymes level and functions, and have significant effects on rooting and improving the symptoms of Helicobacter pylori. It was concluded that probiotics have positive effects in metabolic syndrome treatment, preventing gestational diabetes, and improving oral health. Since many probiotics are microorganisms familiar to the gastrointestinal tract, if consumed in moderation, there are no side effects for the host. Using them as complementary therapies for some diseases related to the gastrointestinal tract microflora bacteria can be an effective and low-cost approach to alleviating the annoying symptoms of such diseases.