فصلنامه یافته
سال بیست و چهارم شماره 1 (پیاپی 91، بهار 1401)

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the most prevalent infections in patients referred to hospitals. Escherichia coli (E. coli) is the leading cause of UTI. Emerging and spreading infection by aminoglycoside resistant isolates is a healthcare concern worldwide. The present study aimed to investigate the antibiotic resistance patterns and prevalence of aminoglycoside acetyltransferases genes in E. coli isolated from UTI.

A total of 110 non-duplicate isolates were collected from patients referred to Amiralmomenin Hospital, Zabol, Iran, from September 2019 to April 2021. Antibiotic resistance profiles were determined using the Kirby-Bauer test according to guidelines of Clinical Laboratory Standard Institutes (CLSI). The prevalence of aminoglycoside acetyltransferases genes (aac (3)-Ia, aac (6)-Ia, and aac (2)-Ia) was determined by PCR.

In this study, 90% of isolates were susceptible to meropenem and gentamycin. Also, the highest resistance of isolates was against ampicillin with 90% and cephalothin with 60%. Eight (7%) and 5 (4.5%) of isolates were aac (3)-Ia and aac (6)-Ia positive, respectively.

Prescribing ampicillin and cephalothin should be restricted due to their high resistance. Based on the findings of the present study, the prevalence of aac (3)-Ia and aac (6)-Ia genes was not at a high level, however, constant monitoring must be conducted to control the spread of infection by drug-resistance isolates.

Cell therapy is one of the most challenging methods in the healing of burn wounds in the world. The present study aimed to determine the effect of collagen hydrogel with adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells on burn wound healing in an animal model.

The present study was experimentally performed on 24 Wistar rats. Burn wounds were created on the skin of rats. Then, the rats were divided into a control group treated with normal saline and a group treated with collagen hydrogel with adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells. The healing process of burn wounds was quantitatively and qualitatively evaluated at intervals of every seven days for 21 days. The obtained data were analyzed in the form of burn wound healing parameters using one-way ANOVA.

The wound area was traced on days 7, 14, and 21 in the treatment group which was significantly smaller than that in the control group, indicating a faster wound healing in the treatment group compared to the control one  (P>0/05).

Mesenchymal stem cells transferred by hydrogel to the wound site rapidly heal burn wounds; therefore, evaluating the use of this dressing in the healing of burn wounds is important in clinical cases.

Trampoline rebound is one of the recent interesting exercises. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of six weeks of trampoline rebound exercises on cardiovascular indices, body mass index, and lipid profile of obese and overweight women.

The statistical population of the present quasi-experimental study consisted of 20 obese and overweight women in Zahedan ( (BMI) ≤27.5 kg/m2), and randomly assigned to two groups of exercise (n=10) and control (n=10). The subjects participated in four 90-min sessions of rebound trampoline exercises for six weeks using a trampoline mat. Physiological, BMI, and lipid parameters were measured in two stages of pre-test and post-test. Data were analyzed in SPSS software (version 21) using independent and dependent t-test, as well as an ANCOVA test. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

The results demonstrated a significant decrease in post-test values ​​of LDL (from 92.90±1.52 to 73.10±3.81), cholesterol (from 182.10±1.96 to 166.30±6.32), triglyceride (from 108.30±1.33 to 95.30±5.35), and body mass index (29.44±1.07 to 27.38±1.02), as well as a significant increase in HDL (from 59.60±2.75 to 77.00± 3.09) and Vo2max (from 45.50±1.31 to 57.80±1.31) in posttest of the training group, compared to their pre-test (P<0.05). Furthermore, there were the same changes in these parameters in the exercise group, compared to the post-test values ​​of the control group (P<0.05).

As evidenced by the results of this study, six weeks of trampoline rebound training had beneficial effects on controlling lipid profile, cardiovascular indices, and body mass index of obese and overweight women. This training protocol is suggested to improve these indicators in the same groups with obesity and overweight, especially for the variety of exercises.

Coxiella burnetii is an obligate intracellular microorganism that causes Q fever in humans and animals. A high risk for obstetric complications has been reported among women infected with Coxiella burnetii. The present study aimed to assess the seroprevalence of C.burnetii infection among rural pregnant women in Khorramabad.

In this cross-sectional study, a total of 184 serum samples were collected randomly from pregnant women who were referred to clinical laboratories and health centers in Khorramabad, Iran, from December 2016 to June 2017. A commercial IFA kit was used to detect the specific antibodies against phase II human C. burnetii in serum samples.

In this study, 89 (48.4%) serum samples had Coxiella antibodies. No significant relationship was observed between the variables of this study. Serological results based on the sampling month demonstrated that the most positive cases were observed in December (83.3%) which was statistically significant (P<0.001).

The present study demonstrated a high seroprevalence of C. burnetii infection among pregnant women in Khorramabad. Since Q fever is a dangerous factor in pregnant women, the Ministry of Health and Medical Education should take appropriate policy to raise the awareness of people at risk, especially those who have frequent contact with livestock.

Menopause is a clinically significant period of time characterized by changes in ovarian hormone, vasomotor symptoms, and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). One of the main causes of heart attacks is changes and imbalance of the homeostasis system. Sedentary lifestyle and aging also have adverse effects on the homeostasis system. One of the treatment methods that has been used for many years in the treatment of many diseases is Iranian-Islamic medicine. Therefore, in this study, the effect of cupping and aerobic exercise on LDL, HDL and fibrinogen was investigated

A total of 30 inactive postmenopausal women with an age range of 50 to 65 participated in this quasi-experimental study. Participants were randomly divided into three groups: aerobic exercise, cupping therapy, and control group. Aerobic exercises with an intensity of 50 to 75% of heart rate reserve were performed three times a week for 6 weeks and the cupping group was cupped in the third week. Blood samples were taken to measure fibrinogen, LDL, and HDL before the start of the training period and 48 hours after the end of the last training session. Then, an analysis of covariance was used for intergroup comparisons. Also, the pre- and post-test were analyzed using paired t-test at a significance level of <0.05.

Aerobic exercise and cupping showed a significant decrease in fibrinogen (P = 0.04) and LDL (P = 0.001) and an increase in LDH (P = 0.003). Paired t-test results showed a significant decrease in fibrinogen, LDL and HDL post-test compared to pre-intervention post-test.

Cupping therapy and aerobic physical activity are effective factors in reducing the levels of fibrinogen and LDL and increasing HDL in postmenopausal women. According to the results, exercise may have better effects on decreasing fibrinogen and blood lipids, as the most important risk factors for cardiovascular disease and atherosclerosis, compared to cupping therapy.

Considering the importance of maintaining and promoting the health of the elderly, it is necessary to examine their hormonal responses during physical fitness exercises. This study aimed to investigate the effect of two combined training methods with and without blood flow restriction on some physical fitness (muscle strength and muscle endurance), anabolic (testosterone), and catabolic (cortisol) factors.

The present research was quasi-experimental with a pretest-posttest design. A total of 24 elderly men with no history of training participated in this study voluntarily. They were divided randomly into two experimental groups and one control group. Measurement included the 30-second sit-up test, the sit-up test with 50% of one-repetition maximum (to the point of fatigue), testosterone level, and cortisol level. In the group with blood flow restriction, both upper thighs were closed with cuffs and the exercise was performed with the intensity of 20-30% of 1RM, to the point of fatigue. In the training group without restriction, the same movements were performed with an intensity of 65- 80% of 1RM, to the point of fatigue. The covariance test and Bonferroni post hoc test were used to analyze the data.

The results showed that training with blood flow restriction had a significant effect on increasing muscle strength and muscle endurance similar to that caused by high-intensity training without blood flow restriction. Moreover, the results of the study on the effect of exercise with and without vascular occlusion on testosterone and cortisol levels showed that both training methods had similar effects on increasing testosterone levels and decreasing serum cortisol levels in older men.

Since heavy weight training is difficult and risky for the elderly, they can effectively practice low-intensity resistance exercises with blood flow restriction. Eventually, the study of other hormonal and neuromuscular mechanisms involved in the effectiveness of these exercises will expand knowledge in this field of study.

Regardless of significant progress in the field of health around the world, intestinal parasitic infections are still considered one of the health and economic problems in various societies, including Iran. This study was performed to investigate the prevalence of intestinal parasites among individuals who referred to the central laboratory, Boroujerd, Iran, to apply for a health card.

This cross-sectional study was conducted in the first half of 2020. The samples (n=1,098) were selected from health card applicants in Boroujerd city using the convenience sampling method. The data collected through a questionnaire, the results of medical examinations, and the significance or non-significance of such variables as age, gender, and occupation with the results of tests that used direct methods (i.e., Lugol and normal saline) and formalin ether to diagnose intestinal parasites, were recorded and analyzed in SPSS 16 software using the Chi-square test.

The results showed that the prevalence of intestinal parasites (both pathogenic and non-pathogenic) was 8.7%. Moreover, the prevalence of infection was estimated at 9.1% in men and 5.8% in women. Intestinal protozoan infections were reported for Blastocystis hominis (61.1%), Endolimax nana (7.3%), Idamoeba botscheli (7.3%), Entamoeba coli (2.5%), Giardia lamblia (4.2%), Entamoeba histolytica (1.1%), and the helminths parasites Hymnolepis nana (1.1%). Among people with parasites, the highest percentages were related to pizza and sandwich (fast food) jobs (14.3%) and bakery 8%.

Infection of intestinal parasites, especially protozoa, was more than worm infections. The results of this study showed the high prevalence of B. hominis. Since the transmission of this parasite is through the fecal-oral route, it is necessary to implement programs to improve food preparation and production environments, as well as providing healthy food and water, observing personal and public health, and monitoring and enforcing health laws by health center inspectors.

Neuropathic pain is one of the most important consequences of nerve damage, manifesting itself as various demonstrations, including hyperalgesia and allodynia. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of concomitant use of Epalrestat and Sitagliptin on pain reduction in the chronic constriction injury (CCI) model in rats through anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.

The present study was conducted on a total of 50 male rats that were randomly assigned to five groups: sham, CCI, CCI+Epalrestat(100 mg/kg, IP injection, for 14 days), CCI+Sitagliptin(10 mg/kg, IP injection, for 14 days), and CCI+Epalrestat(100 mg/kg)+Sitagliptin(10 mg/kg). Rats underwent behavioral tests on days 4, 7, and 14 after the surgery. After 14 days, the spinal cord was collected to measure anti-inflammatory and antioxidant tissue concentrations.

The results of this study demonstrated that simultaneous injection of these two drugs in group 5 had the most neuroprotective effect, compared to that in groups 3 and 4. The results of dynamic responses to mechanical stimulation on the 14th day illustrated that there was no significant difference in groups 3 and 4 . Nonetheless, in Group 5, a significant difference was detected in all factors. The results pointed out that the combined use of Epalrestat and Sitagliptin decreased the levels of Tumor necrosis factor, Interleukin 6, and MDA, and also increased the level of glutathione peroxidase

As evidenced by the obtained results, the concomitant use of Epalrestat and Sitagliptin can be considered effective and safe for the treatment of neuropathic pain with strong inhibition of inflammatory factors and oxidative stress.