فصلنامه علوم پزشکی دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی
سال سی و دوم شماره 4 (پیاپی 110، زمستان 1401)

Severe acute respiratory system Cov-2 pandemic has affected the world populations for more than one year. Different incidence and severity of this viral disease among various age range and individuals with different background disease may indicate the pivotal role of host genetic factors in their prevalence and mortality rate. In this regards, present study was performed to review the most important genetic variants and factors in incidence and severity of SARS-CoV-2 based on the carried out studies in various populations.  

Databases including PubMed, PubMed Central, Google Scholar, Bing, medRxiv and COVID-19 host genetics initiative were explored using key words including gene polymorphism, gene expression, gene variant, infection risk and disease severity to find the papers regarding genetic factors association with SARS-CoV-2 and its severity.

Its seems that in addition to the HLA system variants and the genes related to interferons as well as IFITM3, ACE2, TMPRSS2, CD147, ACE and TLR7 genes are the most important genes which are involved in SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis. Investigating the association of the most important genetic variants among different populations with SARS-Cov-2 can provide the way towards more targeted therapies for this disease. Moreover, by recognizing those variants, more efficient steps can be taken in early identification of the high risk carriers of the same next generation viruses.

Physical activities are associated with increased production of reactive oxygen species. The production of reactive oxygen species is dependent of the intensity, duration and type of activity. Although the physiological amounts of reactive oxygen species are necessary to regulate cell reactions, their excessive production can cause numerous damages to the structure and function of cells and weaken physical function and endanger health. Although physical activity itself is a stimulus to increase the capacity of antioxidant defense, but in the case of intense and long exercises, the production of reactive oxygen species exceeds the capacity of antioxidant defense. In this situation, the use of exogenous antioxidant substances can be a good solution for the development of performance and physical health. Plants are abundant sources of antioxidant substances that can neutralize most active oxygen species caused by physical exercises, and then reduce inflammation and muscle damage induced by repeated muscle contractions, especially extrinsic contractions. Despite controversial findings due to differences in the methodologies of studies, their results generally confirm the effects of phytochemicals on reducing oxidative stress, inflammation, pain, muscle damage and improving physical performance. Based on these findings, it is recommended that people who undertake intense and long physical exercises should use plants containing phytochemicals in order to maintain and improve physical performance and develop health.

Cypermethrin is an insecticide that is widely used in pest control programs. Previous studies have pointed out its harmful effects on the male reproductive system. Therefore, in the present study, vitamin E and selenium were used to protect the testicles from the damage of this poison.

For this study, 42 adult male Wistar rats were prepared and divided into 6 groups as follows: Control group (without any additive substances); Cyper group (received cypermethrin by gavage at 30 mg/kg for 42 days); Cyper+Vit E group (received cypermethrin in the previous method and simultaneously receiving vitamin E at 100 mg/kg by gavage); Cyper+Se group (received cypermethrin in the mentioned method and simultaneously selenium at 0.5 mg/kg  by gavage); Cyper+Vit E+Se group (received cypermethrin, vitamin E and selenium by the above methods) and Vit E +Se group (received only vitamin E and selenium by the above mentioned methods). At the end of the course, the animals were weighed and then anesthetized to take blood to measure hormonal and oxidative stress parameters. Also, tissue slides at 5 microns thick were prepared and stained with H&E and Mallory's trichrome methods.

In the cypermethrin group, the body weight, as well as epididymal weights, testicular cell population, testosterone, LH, FSH levels and also antioxidant enzyme levels were decreased but MDA level was increased. Vitamin E or selenium administration alone could not reverse these changes, but combination of them could induce protection of testis, completely.

The combination of vitamin E and selenium has a synergistic and protective effect against tissue and oxidative damage caused by cypermethrin in the rat’testis

Pesticides are widely used around the world, especially in underdeveloped and developing countries. However, the effect of residual amounts of these compounds on the physiological processes of the body has always been discussed.

In this experimental study, 27cucumber plants were sprayed with a concentration equal to twofold recommended dose (acetamiprid (50 g/l) and dichlorvos (4 ml/l)). After 24 hours, the residual amount was obtained and to evaluate the effect of these residues, 20 mice were divided into 4 groups. The control group and groups 1, 2 and 3 that received dichlorvos,  acetamiprid, and combination of two pesticides respectively in drinking water.

The residual pesticide in cucumber was obtained for acetamiprid 1.5 mg/kg and for dichlorvos 0.5 mg/kg. Their effect indicated a significant decrease in body weight and blood albumin levels (p<0.01) and an increase in liver enzymes (aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase) and had changes in the number of testicular germ cells (p<0.05).

Liver disorders and reduced reproductive potential in male mice can be attributed to the addition of pesticides to their drinking water. Monitoring programs to evaluate the presence of residual pesticides in food should be done continuously and special attention should be paid to the management of consumption of these pesticides.

Although acute renal injury (AKI) is a consequence of renal ischemia-reperfusion (RIR), RIR-induced oxidative damage also affects distant organs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of gallic acid (GA) on oxidative stress parameters and neuronal density in the brain hippocampus following RIR.

48 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups, including control, ischemia/reperfusion+normal saline (RIR+Saline), and ischemia/reperfusion+GA groups at doses of 100 mg/kg (RIR+GA100) and 200 mg/kg (RIR+GA200). Animals in all groups except control underwent unilateral nephrectomy (right). The treatments were performed for 14 days and then, the left kidney was ischemized for 45 minutes. After 72 hours, hippocampal activity levels of catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were evaluated. Finally, neuronal density was measured in CA1 and CA3 regions of the hippocampus.

A significant decrease in CAT, GPx and TAC and an increase in MDA was observed in RIR + Saline group compared to the control group, which was associated with a significant decrease in neuronal density in CA1/CA3 (p<0.05). While in the GA-treated groups, along with a significant increase in CAT, GPx and TAC and a decrease in MDA in the hippocampus, showed a significant increase in neuronal density of CA1/CA3 regions compared to the RIR+Saline group (p˂0.05).

GA pretreatment can ameliorate oxidative damage and neuronal death in the brain hippocampus of rats with RIR-induced acute renal damage.

Cerebral ischemia/ reperfusion leads to programmed cell death or planned apoptosis. Hippocampus is a very sensitive tissue to cerebral ischemia. Propofol is an anesthesia that recently the use of this drug as a neuroprotective has been considered. In this study, the effect of propofol on CA2 and CA3 areas of the hippocampus following ischemia was investigated.

24 Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups, including: control ischemia, experimental and vehicle. The experimental group received 40 mg/ kg of propofol and the vehicle group received 1 ml normal saline 1 hour before ischemia intraperitoneally. The ischemic model was performed by bilateral closure of the common carotid arteries for 20 minutes then reperfusion was done. 4 days later, all rats were sacrificed and the hippocampal tissue was examined by Nissl staining method. Data were analyzed using SPSS-25 statistical software by one-way ANOVA and TUKEY test. p<0.05 was considered as Significant.

Ischemia/ reperfusion for 20 minutes caused degeneration of pyramidal cells in CA2 and CA3 hippocampus and these neurons showed a significant decrease compared to the control group, but propofol injection inhibited the decrease in the number of viable cells in these two areas.

Propofol can be used as an effective agent in preventing or reducing the complications of stroke alone or with other drugs.

In addition to physical problems, attention should also be paid to the psychological problems of patients with cardiac diseases. This study aimed to compare the efficacy of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) and short-term solution-focused therapy (SSFT) on psychological well-being and sense of mental coherence in patients with heart disease.

The method of this study was semi-experimental with pre-test, post-test and follow up with the control group. The population of this study consisted of all female students with heart disease studying in the second secondary school of Jolfa City in the academic year 2021-2022. In total, 45 female students were selected by purposive sampling method, who were randomly divided into three groups (Each group 15 people). Members of both experimental groups received their treatment, respectively, in 8 and 6 sessions of 1.5 hours; however, the control group did not receive any treatment. Measuring instruments were Ryff's psychological well-being (1980) and Flensberg's sense of coherence (2006) questionnaires. Analysis was done by repeated measures analysis of variance and Bonferroni post hoc test.

In the pre-test, mean and standard deviation of psychological well-being score and sense of mental coherence were not significantly different in the experimentals and control groups (p>0.05). Both treatments increased psychological well-being and sense of mental coherence in patient after the test, compared to the control group (p<0.001). In the follow-up phase, the effect of these two treatments was lasting (p<0.001). The effect of these two treatments on psychological well-being and sense of mental coherence at posttest and follow-up was not different (p>0.05).

It seems that these two therapies can increase the acceptance of the disease in heart patients, so they can probably be considered as a useful treatment strategy to improve the mental status of heart patients

Trabecular Bone Score (TBS) is an index of bone microarchitecture that provides additional skeletal information to areal Bone Mineral Density (aBMD). Recently TBS data has been used to optimize the Fracture Risk Assessment Tool (FRAX) predictive value. Aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical value of TBS on FRAX algorithm.

545 postmenopausal women (mean age 61.64±7.94 years) indicated for bone densitometry were tested for aBMD and TBS. 96 women was diagnosed as osteoporotic and 140 osteopenic women were identified. FRAX and TBS adjusted FRAX (FRAX-TBS) were calculated and compared.

Mean score of TBS was 1.29± 0.09. A strong positive correlation was observed between FRAX and FRAX-TBS in predicting the risk of major osteoporotic fracture (r=0.836, p< 0.0001), and hip fracture (r=0.922, p< 0.0001). aBMD adjusted FRAX and FRAX-TBS was assessed in all sample and the osteopenic group. There was significant difference in number of cases need to treatment based on FRAX and FRAX-TBS.

This study showed significant clinical benefit for TBS and adding TBS data to FRAX for decision making in the treatment.

The risk of musculoskeletal disorders due to various work factors such as ergonomic factors in truck drivers is considerable. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of ergonomic risk factors on the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders in truck drivers.

This cross-sectional was a descriptive-analytical study that was performed on 200 professional truck drivers by two-stage cluster sampling. The ergonomics and safety of drivers’ questionnaire including demographic characteristics, working conditions (stress and job satisfaction), pain in nine areas of the body in the last 12 months based on body map were used. The central indicators and Spearman non-parametric statistical tests were used to analyze the data.

The mean (±standard deviation) age of drivers was 47.5±9years, who drove an average of 10.66 hours in 24 hours. 99.5% of drivers complained of low back pain, of which 40% were mild and 59.5% were severe. Also, 59.5% reported severe pain in the knee area. The relationship between pain in the elbow and foot with moving and carrying of loads as well as neck and wrist pain with hand and arm movements was significant (p<0005). No significant relationship was found between pain in nine areas of the body and job satisfaction.

Ergonomic risk factors play an important role in the occurrence of musculoskeletal pain in drivers, which requires special training and attention to this occupational group along with preventive and therapeutic measures.

People's physical health is one of the most important goals of any society. Meanwhile, the physical health of students, as the future builders of a society, is of particular importance. The present study was conducted with the aim of evaluating the physical health of students of Islamic Azad University of Medical Sciences, Tehran branch.

This descriptive survey was a practical study which done on 1101 new students of Tehran Azad University of Medical Sciences. Sampling method was census. Data analysis was done by Pearson's test using SPSS statistical software (version 18). The validity was confirmed by experts' opinion and Cronbach's alpha was obtained as 0.83 to confirm the reliability.

The mean scores of the health-oriented lifestyle, by examining its dimensions, i.e., daily mobility in life, improper nutrition, smoking and alcohol use, attention to environmental health and unhealthy eating and exercise, were different based on the gender of people. So that women have more health-oriented lifestyles than men, and gender as a social position in the society for an individual was influential in choosing the type of lifestyle.

Health-oriented and healthy lifestyle is a guide to prevent health problems and guarantee the highest level of health for the individual. The physical health of students and their lifestyle will be important factors in determining their status and future.

Pain management of surgical patients is an important part of postoperative care. This issue is associated with various challenges in drug-addicted patients. The aim of this study was to determine the challenges of pain management after orthopedic surgery in drug-addicted patients from the patient's point of view and to determine the relationship between the variables.

In this descriptive study that was conducted in Akhtar Hospital in Tehran in 2021, 105 patients participated with the available sampling method. The data collection tool was a researcher-made questionnaire which included the patient's demographic information and 16 statements about effective factors in pain management of drug-addicted patients. SPSS26 software, parametric independent t-tests, analysis of variance and Pearson's correlation coefficient were used for data analysis and the significance level of the tests was considered less than 0.05.

From their point of view, "the low amount of painkillers" and "the ineffectiveness of painkillers" were the most important factors in their inadequate pain control, and other challenges in pain management were of little importance in optimal pain control of patients.

Pain in drug-addicted patients is not properly controlled after orthopedic surgery, and there are unrecognized challenges that require further investigation.

Clinical education is one of the effective strategies for achieving clinical competence in nursing students. It has been found that clinical training with peer assisted learning method engages students in clinical teaching and learning and improves their psychomotor skills as well. The goal of this study was the evaluation of nursing students’ satisfaction with peer group clinical teaching method.

This quasi experimental study has been carried out on 71 internship and trainee students whom were randomly selected in two intervention and control groups in hospitals related to Islamic Azad University of medical sciences. The trainee students were trained by internship students in intervention group, while control group were taught by instructors. At the end of course, satisfaction questionnaire was completed by all students in both groups. The validity and reliability of the questionnaire were confirmed by content validity and test-re- test respectively. Data analysis were done by SPSS-ver16 softwarw. P<0.05 was considered as significant.

The data analysis showed that the mean and standard deviation of satisfaction score in both internship (76.16± 12.62) and trainee (76.33±13.96) students in intervention group was significantly higher than control group (66.85±15.48 in internship and 65.25±16.23 in trainee) (p=0.001).

Peer assisted learning method increases the student satisfaction and could be used as a part of educational program.