نشریه ارمغان دانش
سال بیست و هفتم شماره 1 (پیاپی 150، فروردین و اردیبهشت 1401)

Otomycosis is a chronic, acute or subacute infection of the external auditory canal. Aspergillus and Candida species are the most common fungal agents of Otomycosis. Although Otomycosis rarely life-threatening, the disease is a challenging and frustrating entity for both patients and doctors as it requires long-term treatment and follow-up, despite this, there could be recurrences. Resistance in Aspergillus and Candida has been increasingly investigated and reported because of standards for susceptibility testing and associated breakpoints became available and as a consequence of the increased use of antifungal compounds. We aimed to determine the susseptibility of Amphotericin  B, Itraconazole, Voriconazole, and Clotrimazole on Aspergillusis strains isolated in Otomycosis patients referred toYasuj Shahid Mofatteh Clinic.

160 clinical species of Aspergillus spp, including 60 strains of A. flavus, 53 strains of A. Tubingensis, 43 strains of A. niger, 3 strains of A. terreus and 1 strain of A. fumigatus isolated from Otomycosis patient cultured on PDA medium and evaluated drug sensitivity of Amphotericin  B, Itraconazole, Voriconazole, and Clotrimazole according to the CLSI M38A2 guidelines

MIC50 and MIC90 of Amphotericin  B, Itraconazole, Voriconazole and Clotrimazole against A. flavus (1 and 2, 0.0156 and 0.0625, 0.125 and 0.25, 0.25 and 1), A. niger (2 and 4, 0.0625 and 0.25, 0.125 and 0.25, 0.5 and 1) and A. tubingensis (2 and 4, 0.125 and 0.5, 0.25 and 0.25, 1 and 1) were reported respectively. All strains of Aspergillus were sensitive to Itraconazole and Voriconazole.

The laboratory data obtained from this study showed that Itraconazole has the best antifungal effect against Aspergillus species, followed by Voriconazole, Clotrimazole and Amphotericin B, respectively. Itraconazole and Voriconazole appear to be alternative drugs for the treatment of Aspergillusis, but more studies are needed to investigate the resistance of different Aspergillus species to different antifungal drugs

Primary dysmenorrhea is one of the most common disorders in adolescent girls. Exercise has positive effects on women with primary dysmenorrhea. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of three types of aerobic exercise with low, medium and high intensity on pain, quality of life, duration of pain and some menstrual symptoms in patients with primary dysmenorrhea.

This study is a randomized controlled trial. The study included 60 sedentary adolescent girls. Participants were divided into three training groups and a control group. The training protocol of the sports groups was performed three times a week for eight weeks. McGill Pain Questionnaire was used to assess the severity of pain and hourly pain was used to measure the duration of pain. The Menstrual Distress Questionnaire and the abbreviated form of the WHOQOL Questionnaire were used to assess menstrual symptoms and quality of life, respectively.

 Research Ethics Code: IR.LUMS.REC.1400.043

The results showed that between three intensities of aerobic exercise for 8 weeks on pain (P = 0.133), duration of pain (P = 0.19) and menstrual symptoms (P = 0.239) in adolescent girls with dysmenorrhea Initial no significant difference was observed. In contrast, low-intensity aerobic exercise had a greater effect on improving the quality of life of adolescent girls with primary dysmenorrhea (P = 0.001).

Given the effects of aerobic exercise on quality of life and pain duration, this type of activity can probably be effective in improving this problem. However, due to its limitations, this study should be considered and its effectiveness cannot be conclusively confirmed.

Nanotechnology is a modern research field with broad applications in cancer management. Among the various metal nanoparticles, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been used in cancer therapy due to their promising anti-tumor properties. Despite the great advantages of AgNPs, their effects on normal cells have become a challenge. Besides, their anti-cancer effects have not previously been well noted on human bladder cancer 5637 cells. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of AgNPs on 5637 and HEK-293 cells viability and also to explore their effects on vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) gene expression and cell migration in 5637 cells. 

In the current in vitro study, after 24-h exposure to different concentrations of AgNPs (0-125 μg/ml), the viability of 5637 and human embryonic kidney cells (HEK-293) were assessed by using 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol, 2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Moreover, the morphological alterations were studied using an inverted microscope. VEGFA gene expression level and migration rate were evaluated by qRT-PCR and wound healing assay, respectively. Statistical analyses were performed using one-way ANOVA and Two-way ANOVA methods with the aid of SPSS and GraphPad Prism softwares.

The results indicate that AgNPs can reduce 5637 and human embryonic kidney HEK-293 cells viability in a dose-dependent manner. However, the reduction in 5637 cell viability was significantly higher than that of the normal HEK-293 cells (p < 0.05). It is also observed that AgNPs lead to reduction of VEGFA gene expression (p < 0.05) and 5637 cells migration at concentrations of 50 and 60 μg/ml compared to the control (p < 0.001).

AgNPs could reduce the viability of 5637 and HEK-293 cells as their inhibitory effects on 5637 cells viability are significantly more than HEK-293. Furthermore, AgNPs suppressed the 5637 cells migration.

Unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) is a common disorder in renal system. This study aimed at investigation the effects of estradiol in obstruction model and after removal the unilateral ureteral obstruction in female rats.

In this experimental study, a total of 84 ovariectomized Wistar rat (180 ± 20 g) were randomly divided into 14 groups of 6. Group 1 was a non-surgical group. All groups 2 to 14 had unilateral ureteral obstruction and some were treated with medication. Thus that group 2-4, were sacrificed 3 days after the UUO and receiving the drug (sesame oil, 0.1 and 0.5 mg/kg Estradiol), respectively. In group 5-7, the obstruction removed (RUUO) at 3 days after the UUO and receiving the drug, then they were sacrificed in the next day. Groups 8-9 and 10-12, were scarified one day and 3 days after RUUO and receive estradiol, respectively. Group 14-13, were scarified 3 days after UUO, RUUO and receive estradiol in both models.  Quantitative diagnostic tests for stable metabolites of nitric oxide and Malone dialdehyde in blood and tissue samples were performed by special kits. Statistical analysis of data was performed using SPSS-20 software at a significance level of 5%.

The results of the present study showed that in the UUO model, the nitrite and MDA levels of renal tissue in the obstructive groups significantly reduced compared to the sham group (P <0.05). However, different doses of estradiol had not effect on  the serum and tissue levels of nitrite and MDA between treatment and control groups in the both UUO and RUUO models (P >0.05).

According to the results obtained, it can be stated that prescribed estradiol at times UUO and RUUO had not an effect on nitrite and MDA levels. Although it may have protective effect after more days of RUUO, while short-term damage from UUO can progress even after RUUO.

Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory disease of the large intestine that cannot be treated, but its symptoms can be controlled. Cucurbita pepo from the Cucurbitaceae family, has wound healing and anti-inflammatory properties. In this regard, the aim of this study was to evaluate the protective effects of hydroalcoholic extract prepared from the skin of the squash plant in the animal model of ulcerative colitis.

To extract the Cucurbita moschata skin, 150 g of the dried and crushed skin of the fruit was transferred to a glass percolator and extracted using a solvent of water and ethanol in a ratio of 70:30 in three steps. A total of 36 field rats were prepared and randomly divided into 6 groups (6 rat in each group). In order to induce colitis, 4% acetic acid was used to evaluate the effects of the extract obtained from pumpkin skin, this extract was administered by gavage in 3 doses for 6 days to rat. Finally, the rats were examined for macroscopic changes and histological studies.

In macroscopic examinations of the colon between different groups, in the healthy group the colon mucosa was completely normal. In the negative control group, complications such as ulceration, adhesions, thickening of the intestinal wall and severe inflammation were observed. In the groups receiving the extract in 3 doses, decreased Inflammation and wound healing were observed in rat with colitis, with the best results at 200 mg / kg.

Since the complications of colitis in the groups receiving Cucurbita moschata skin extract were significantly reduced compared to the control group, especially at a dose of 200 mg / kg, the results of this study could planning the way for clinical trial studies on ulcerative colitis and Use as a complementary medicine along with other treatments.

Differences in population transition in the provinces of Iran have led to differences in their aging indicators. The purpose of this study is to identify the differences in the cause of death of the elderly in the provinces of Iran during the years 1390 to 1395.

The study performed a secondary analysis of the cause of death of the elderly in the provinces of Iran. The cause of death data is taken from the current death registration in the Civil Registration Organization and is based on the international classification of the cause of death (ICD10). This data is analyzed by gender and age groups in the elderly population. Years of life lost due to premature death (YLL) were used per thousand to measure the mortality of each disease. Death rate and YLL rate allow comparison over time, sex and age at the provincial level as standard.

The elderly death rate varies from 40 to 72% in the provinces of the country. It shows the difference in the situation of the country's provinces in the epidemiological transition. The share of causes of death in the provinces varies by sex. In less developed provinces, premature death is more common for men.

The provinces of Iran have different climatic, developmental and demographic conditions, which has led to different occurrence of health conditions in them. There is a need to develop appropriate health policies at the provincial and regional levels in the country as the population enters the aging phase and the prevalence of chronic diseases among the elderly.

Considering the role of childbirth satisfaction on mood in the postpartum period and its possible role on breastfeeding self-efficacy, the present study was conducted to determine the relationship between childbirth satisfaction and lactation self-efficacy in women referred to comprehensive health centers in Kashan .

This descriptive cross-sectional study was performed on 300 mothers in 4-8 weeks after childbirth in health centers. To collect data, a checklist of demographic and obstetric characteristics, revised maternity satisfaction scale and short breastfeeding self-efficacy scale were used. Data were analyzed using SPSS software and t-test and analysis of variance, Pearson correlation coefficient and linear multiple regression.

The mean score of breastfeeding self-efficacy of women was 46.75±10.75 and the mean score of their satisfaction with childbirth was 23.58±4.90. Pearson correlation test showed that women's satisfaction with childbirth had no significant relationship with their breastfeeding self- efficacy (r=-0.005, p=0.932). The results of linear regression showed that the variables of increasing family income, positive breastfeeding experience, no infant formula consumption, more frequent breastfeeding and less time interval between delivery and first breastfeeding can predict the efficiency of breastfeeding women.

The results of the present study showed that there was no correlation between delivery satisfaction and breastfeeding self-efficacy. Factors such as optimal support at delivery, previous history of breastfeeding, and short intervals between delivery and lactation had a predominant effect on delivery satisfaction. It is recommended to focus on these factors to improve breastfeeding self-efficacy.

As health and financial resources become more complex and limited in health care organizations, outsourcing and proper management become more important. This article aimed to determine the effective factors and design a model for outsourcing management of non-clinical services in public hospitals.

In the results, this research is one of the applied studies. A 28-item questionnaire was used to collect data which the variables were extracted from comparative studies of selected countries. The validity of the structure was evaluated by experts and the Cronbach's alpha coefficient was determined to be 0.85. The study population included health system policymakers, outsourcing experts, and managers of public hospitals. For sampling, the stratified method is used and data analysis is performed using IBM SPSS and LISREL software.

According to the final model, 6 main and effective factors on outsourcing management were identified, which included planning, decision making, performance management, contract, communication and knowledge management, in orderly. Planning factors with coefficients of 0.94 had the most impact and knowledge management had the least impact with a coefficient of 0.34 on the outsourcing management of non-clinical services in Iranian hospitals.

Based on the resulting model, there are various factors in effective management that dimensions related to planning and decision making are of special importance and need to be more considered when outsourcing non-clinical services in public hospitals

There are a few options for lowering   intraocular pressure (IOP): medical treatment, laser therapy, and surgery. Although SLT is a safe treatment of glaucoma, some parameters may be affected by the SLT. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of SLT on anterior segment parameters and macular thickness in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and ocular hypertension (OHT).

56 eyes with newly diagnosed or uncontrolled POAG and OHT were enrolled. All the patients treated with SLT: 360˚. IOP, anterior segment parameters, and macular thickness in 5 zones were measured before and 1, 3, 6 months after SLT, and data were compared between both groups at different times.

IOP decreased significantly in both groups (P<0.05). There was an increase in macular thickness in the first and 3rd months after SLT. On the 6th month after SLT, all the measures except the temporal zone in the POAG group were back to pre-SLT measures. The central corneal thickness also increased in the first month but decreased in the 3rd and 6th months after SLT. Anterior chamber depth and volume also significantly decreased in both groups (p-value: (P<0.05) Anterior chamber angle also increased mild but not significant during the follow-up (P>0.05).

Although the selective laser trabeculoplasty is safe it may affect some parameters of the anterior segmen.

Imbalance in serum electrolytes seems to play an important role in the development of febrile seizures. This study aimed to evaluate the serum levels of glucose, sodium, calcium, and magnesium in children with febrile seizures admitted to hospitals affiliated to Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences from March 2008 to March 2019.

In this retrospective study, the medical records of all patients who met the inclusion criteria during the study period were reviewed. Demographic and clinical data of patients, as well as serum levels of sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and glucose were extracted and evaluated.

A total of 300 children were enrolled according to the research criteria. 264 patients (88%) had simple seizures and 36 patients (12%) had complex seizures. The mean serum levels of sodium, calcium, potassium, glucose, and magnesium in the patients were in the normal range. On the other hand, there was no statistically significant difference between serum levels in the two groups of simple and complex seizures. Based on the regression analysis, the history of febrile seizures could predict the occurrence of complex seizures (OR=4.5, P=0.00, 95%CI: 2.06-10.11)

Serum levels of sodium, calcium, potassium, glucose, and magnesium did not affect the incidence of seizures in the patients. On the other hand, due to the high risk of complex seizures in patients with a history of febrile seizures, the necessary measures can be taken to manage the disease.