Zahedan Journal of Research in Medical Sciences
Volume:24 Issue: 3, Jul 2022

Statins are widely used to control the level of plasma cholesterol. There is growing evidence that statins reduce the prevalence of Alzheimer disease (AD) and dementia.

The present study evaluated the effect of lovastatin treatment on neuronal responses of pyramidal cells of the CA1 region of the hippocampus in a rat model of AD.

Rats randomly separated into 4 groups (n = 10): the lesion group of nucleus basalis magnocellularis (NBM) that received destruction by an electrical method (0.5 mA, 3 seconds) and lovastatin groups [lesion + lovastatin (10, 20, and 30 mg/kg)]. An in vivo single-unit recording method was used in rats anesthetized with urethane. After 15 minutes of baseline recording from pyramidal neurons in the CA1 region of the hippocampus, intraperitoneal injections of lovastatin and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) were administered, and neuronal response to administration of lovastatin continued to be recorded for 105 minutes.

Acute injection of 30-mg/kg lovastatin excited 11 out of 17 neurons and inhibited 2 neurons. On the other hand, intraperitoneal injection of lovastatin in the highest dose resulted in increased spontaneous activity in the CA1 region of the hippocampus.

The acute use of lovastatin increases the neuronal frequency in the pyramidal neurons of the CA1 region of the hippocampus.

The emergence of antibiotic resistance and the continuing evolution of resistance even to newer drugs have always been a global challenge. In the pursuit of innovative solutions, there is growing interest in using nanomaterials with antibacterial potentials to combat this menace.

In this study, plant extract cocktail-mediated silver nanoparticles (PAgNPs) was used to stimulate the antibacterial effect of ampicillin (AMP) against multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial pathogens.

The agar well diffusion technique was used to investigate the potentials of PAgNPs in activating the antibacterial activity of AMP in MDR bacteria, including Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pnuemoniae, Micrococcus luteus, and Clostridium difficile. Plant extract cocktail-mediated silver nanoparticles were synthesized by reacting 9 mL of 1 mM of silver nitrate with 0.5 mL each of Citrus limon juice and aqueous Newbouldia laevis extract under bright sunlight for 10 minutes. Plant extract cocktail-mediated silver nanoparticles were characterized using UV-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis) and higher resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) with energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS).

Plant extract cocktail-mediated silver nanoparticles colloidal solution was reddish-brown with a 441-nm surface plasmon resonance (SPR) absorption peak. The HRTEM micrograph showed the varied shaped silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) with the average size of 23.49 ± 10.49 nm. Similarly, EDS showed a strong typical metallic silver nanocrystallites absorption peak at 3.0 keV. The PAgNPs activate the AMP activity in MDR E. coli, M. luteus, K. pnuemoniae, and C. difficile.

The present findings suggest that PAgNPs can be considered a suitable candidate for developing novel antibacterial drugs to combat the growing threat of antibiotic resistance.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) generated profound concerns in public. However, few validated scales measure COVID-related stress. We developed and psychometrically assessed a unique COVID-19 Stress Scale (CSS) in an Iranian non-clinical population. The CSS was developed to evaluate the existing stress measures, specialists' reviews, and interviews with healthy individuals. Experts provided feedback on content validity. The correlation of CSS with the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale 21 (DASS-21) was evaluated to assess convergent validity. Moreover, construct validity and reliability were assessed. Seven items were found acceptable after experts' review. The online method was used to collect information due to the dangerous conditions of COVID-19 and traffic restrictions in Iran. The scale link was shared as an invitation on the virtual social network pages for people to respond. The statistical population of this study included all Iranian people aged 18 - 60. All 755 people, including 511 females and 244 males who completed the questionnaire online, were selected as a sample. Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) showed a one-factor structure. Correlations between items were acceptable, with item-total correlations being 0.49 - 0.58. The CFA resulted in acceptable factor loadings and fit statistics. Internal consistency reliability was found as α = 0.74. Regarding convergent validity, CSS had moderate to strong correlations with the depression (r = 0.53), anxiety (r = 0.59), and stress (r = 0.64) subscales of DASS-21 (P < 0.05). The seven-item CSS demonstrated acceptable psychometric properties and can be a useful measure of research and evaluation. There is a need to test the scale's validity in a random sample and other nationalities.

Suspension of sports activities during the covid-19 pandemic led to unhealthy lifestyles such as harmful eating habits, low physical activity levels, and mood changes.

We examined the effects of the covid-19 pandemic on the mood states, physical activity levels, and eating habits of athletes and non-athletes during the pandemic in Iran.

A total of 257 elite athletes (n = 82) and non-athletes (n = 175) (29.95 ± 9.1 years) voluntarily participated in a web-based survey. Eating disorder symptoms and physical activity levels were evaluated using the Eating Attitudes Test-26 (EAT-26) and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF). Brunel Mood Scale (BRUMS) was used to evaluate the mood status of the participants. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare differences between groups. The significance was set at P ≤ 0.05.

It was demonstrated that the physical activity levels of athletes were superior to that of the non-athlete controls (P = 0.001), but non-athletes revealed healthier dietary habits than elite athletes (P = 0.049). It was also observed that the mood status of elite athletes was not significantly different from non-athletes (P = 0.71).

As shown in the results section, athletes had more favorable levels of physical activity during the COVID-19 pandemic than their fellow non-athletes, but this superiority had no positive effect on their moods. Moreover, non-athletes had healthier dietary habits than non-athletes. 

This study compared the effect of moderate and high-intensity interval training on plasma levels of orexin-A, insulin, and insulin resistance in women with overweight or obesity.

Thirty-six women were voluntarily selected and optionally assigned into high-intensity interval training (HIIT; BMI = 29.43 ± 3.16 kg/m2, n = 12), moderate-intensity interval training (MIIT; BMI = 27.63 ± 2.82 kg/m2, n = 12), and control groups (BMI = 28.77 ± 4.28 kg/m2, n = 12). The exercise program consisted of selected high-intensity and moderate-intensity exercises with 75 - 95% and 65 - 80% of the heart rate reserve of initial fitness level for 30 - 60 minutes each session and three times a week. Plasm levels of orexin-A and other biochemical parameters were measured pre-and post‐interventions.

Following exercise interventions, plasma levels of orexin-A improved (MIIT: 23.23% vs. HIIT: 23.27%). Also, glucose (MIIT: -8.83 vs. HIIT: -6.01%), insulin (MIIT: -20.02% vs. HIIT: -25.38%), insulin resistance index (MIIT: -8.37% vs. HIIT: -3.28%), and body fat percentage (MIIT: -6.46% vs. HIIT: -7.23%) reduced in both MIIT and HIIT groups, but between-group differences were not statistically significant (P ≥ 0.05). A significant increase in the cardiorespiratory endurance of participants was observed (MIIT: 10.10 vs. HIIT: 14.83%) in both HIIT and MIIT exercise groups (P ≤ 0.05).

The findings showed that HIIT and MIIT could improve orexin and some cardio-metabolic health biomarkers in sedentary women with overweight/obesity.

Migraine is a common neurological disorder associated with periodical disability and impaired quality of life. Recent large epidemiological studies have shown high levels of concurrency between fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) and migraine.

Due to the possible relationship between migraine and FMS, we aimed to measure the effect of FMS on the severity of migraine without aura (MWO).

This is a cross-sectional study of 80 patients with MWO who were referred to Isfahan Al-Zahra Clinic of Neurology. To monitor the patients, the researcher asked them to complete the demographic data and questionnaires, including FSQ-P for diagnosis FMS, HIT-6 for the severity of migraine headache, and MSQ for measuring the quality of life, with their written consent.

Of 80 patients with MWO, 22.5% suffered from FMS. Based on our study, elderly patients with MWO were more likely to be affected by FMS. Additionally, the average quality of life score in the migraineurs with FMS was significantly lower than the migraineurs without FMS. According to our findings, the severity of migraine was not significantly different between patients with and without FMS. In addition, age (OR = 1.1, 95% CI = 1.006-1.2, P < 0.001] and quality of life (OR = 1.03, 95% CI = 1.002 - 1.07, P = 0.04) were the predictive factors for FMS in patients suffering from migraine.

The findings of this study may support that the presence of FMS had no effect on the severity of migraine; however, further studies are needed to clarify this claim.

Estrogen deficiency and increasing its reabsorption are determining factors in reducing bone density in postmenopausal women.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the response threshold of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and parathyroid hormone (PTH) to resistance training along with Calcium and vitamin D intake in postmenopausal women.

In the present study, 17 postmenopausal women (50 - 60 years old) in Zahedan were randomly selected and divided into two groups, exercise + supplement (n = 9) and control (n = 8). The exercise + supplement group received 1,500 mg of Calcium and 600 IU daily of vitamin D. Each of them performed resistance training movements in three sets with eight repetitions, with an intensity of 55% 1RM in the first week to 65% 1RM in the fourth week for three sessions/week during four weeks. Sampling was performed before the first training session and 24 hours after the last session from the first to fourth weeks. Data were analyzed with repeated-measures analysis of variance using SPSS software version 19 (P≤0.05).

The results showed that Calcium and vitamin D supplementation and resistance training significantly affected PTH (P = 0.004) and ALP (P = 0.02) levels. Also, it was shown that the ALP response started in the second week (P = 0.001), while the PTH response started in the third week (P = 0.001).

According to the findings of the present study, it can be said that in postmenopausal women, the threshold for the response of ALP to resistance training and Calcium and vitamin D intake is the second week and the threshold for the response to PTH is the third week.

High-intensity exercise is one of the effective factors in hematologic changes.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of a single session of CrossFit exercise on platelets (Plts), red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs), hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Hct), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) in professional male athletes.

Thirty-two male athletes were selected as subjects (with mean age 26.9 ± 4.7 years, height 177 ± 5 cm, weight 80.7 ± 6.4 kg). The CrossFit exercise session consisted of running for 400 meters, three-stage deadlifting, pull-up (30 repetitions), 30 kg kettlebell swinging, and throwing 20 sand balls. Blood sampling and CBC tests were used to measure hematologic indices. The biochemistry auto analyzer also was used to measure lactate as a witness variable. In addition, ANOVA with repeated measures and Bonferroni post hoc tests were used to examine the differences between variables in resting position, post-exercise, and after correction for the volume of plasma lost.

The results of the present study showed a significant increase in lactate, Plts, and WBCs (P < 0.0001). However, there were significant decreases in RBCs, Hct, Hb, MCV, MCH, and MCHC (P < 0.0001).

A single session of CrossFit exercise causes disorder in hematologic responses of professional male athletes. So, it is recommended to have enough time to recover after this type of exercise.

Generally, it is agreed that all women who previously had a cesarean section should be attempted for normal vaginal delivery. Of course, post-cesarean normal vaginal delivery is associated with potential risks and is sometimes clinically indicative of recurrent cesarean section.

This study aimed to evaluate the success and complications of vaginal birth after a cesarean section in pregnant women referred to Ali Ibn Abi Talib Hospital in Zahedan in 2016 - 17.

The present descriptive-analytical study was carried out after the approval of the Student Ethics Committee by visiting the archive of Ali Ibn Abi Talib Hospital in Zahedan to review the hospital records of women admitted to the gynecological ward for vaginal birth after a cesarean section. The researcher abstracted data into predetermined checklists. Finally, SPSS software was used for data analysis.

In this study, 176 patients were evaluated. The mean gestational age was 37.64±3.13 weeks. The success rate of vaginal birth after one cesarean section was 92% (162 patients), and the failure rate was 8% (14 patients). Also, the complications of vaginal birth after cesarean section were transfusion (n = 4, 2.3%), cervical rupture (n = 3, 1.7%), neonatal death (n = 4, 1.7%), and uterine rupture (n = 1, 6%) (P = 0.0).

In the present study, the success rate of vaginal birth after one cesarean section was 92% (162 patients), and the failure rate was 8% (14 patients). Complications included blood transfusion with 2.3%, cervical rupture with 1.7%, infant mortality with 1.7%, and uterine rupture with 0.6%.

Ovarian vein thrombosis usually presents within 7 days after delivery. Clinically, patients appear very ill, and their accompanying symptoms include back pain, fever, and abdominal pain. In these patients, the right ovarian vein is more probable (80% vs 6%).

A 24-year-old pregnant woman with fetal death (13 - 14 weeks of gestational age) received 600 µg of misoprostol every 12 hours 2 days after the abortion. She had right and left lower quadrant pain. In ultrasound, left ovarian thrombosis was reported, and abdominal computed tomography (CT) confirmed the diagnosis of ovarian vein thrombosis. Blood analysis of antiphospholipid syndrome was normal.

Ovarian vein thrombosis has irreparable and significant side effects; thus, it is important to accurately diagnose it and check its radiographic findings.