Journal of Kerman University of Medical Sciences
Volume:30 Issue: 1, Jan-Feb 2023

Endoscopic examination of the gastrointestinal tract through macroscopic and histopathological evaluation provides a tool to differentiate the major causes of functional dyspepsia. The distinction is not always clear. This study aimed to assess the frequency and type of the macroscopic and histopathological changes in gastrointestinal tract endoscopy in patients with symptoms of functional dyspepsia.

A cross-sectional study was performed on 97 patients aged 10–85 years who underwent gastroscopy due to functional dyspepsia symptoms. The patients had no history of weight loss, major comorbidities like diabetes or cirrhosis, non-steroidal anti- inflammatory drug (NSAID) consumption, peptic ulcer, or any other confounding causes. Biopsy specimens were taken from the stomach and duodenum for histopathological examination. The presence of Helicobacter pylori infection was established based on histopathological examination and a positive rapid urease test.

Gastric biopsies of 97 patients with functional dyspepsia were studied. In histological examination of gastric mucosal biopsies, chronic inflammation was present in 94 (96.9%), activity was seen in 47 (48.5%), glandular atrophy was seen in 3 (3.1%), and intestinal metaplasia was seen in 9 (9.2%) patients. H. pylori was identified on gastric mucosal biopsies in 46 (47.4%) patients based on sections stained with H&E and Giemsa.

According to the obtained results, it is concluded that patients with functional dyspepsia have a higher frequency of gastric mucosal inflammation and H. pylori infection.

Synbiotic contains antioxidant that has been suggested to improve oxidative stress induced by high-fat diet (HFD) consumption. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of synbiotic supplementation consisting of kepel (Stelechocarpus burahol) with the addition of Lactobacillus casei and L. plantarum on oxidative stress in HFD-fed rats.

Twenty-five Wistar rats were divided into five groups (n = 5) for eight weeks of treatment. The HFD control (HFD alone) group and three different groups supplemented with three various doses of kepel synbiotic (Syn 1.2 mL, Syn 1.8 mL, and Syn 2.4 mL) were fed HFD for the first four weeks and continued supplemented kepel synbiotic for the second four weeks. Meanwhile, the normal diet (ND) control group was given regular food alone throughout the study. The serum, liver, heart, and brain oxidative stress markers were assessed.

Kepel synbiotic supplementation consistently improved oxidative stress by decreasing malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and increasing superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity inhibition rate in serum, liver, heart, and brain in the HFD group compared to the ND group. This improvement effect occurred in a dose-dependent manner, increasing in higher kepel synbiotic doses.

Kepel synbiotics showed a beneficial effect in improving oxidative stress in the serum, liver, heart, and brain of HFD-fed rats. Supplementation of kepel synbiotic can be considered a complementary therapeutic agent in improving oxidative stress, especially due to HFD consumption.

It is expected that the expression of key enzymes of the glycolysis pathway, specially PFK-1, increases tumor cells and so enhances the function of this pathway. The p53 and HIF-1 proteins are regulators of the expression of PFK-1 and LDH enzymes. This study was performed to investigate changes in the expression of PFK-1, LDH-A, p53, and HIF-1α genes to identify metabolic changes in non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) samples. A number of 30 tumors and their adjacent normal tissue samples from surgically approved NSCLC patients were used. Total RNA from each tissue was extracted. The changes in mRNA levels of PFK-1M, LDHA, p53, and hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1α) genes were evaluated in tumor and normal tissues of all patients using the real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. Finally, statistical analysis was used to determine significant differences and the relationship between changes in mRNA levels. According to the results, there was no significant difference in the mRNA levels of these genes between tumor and normal tissues. A significant difference in the mRNA level of lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA) between adenocarcinoma (AdC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SqCC) tumor types was observed (P=0.014). Also, the difference between the mRNA level of LDHA and HIF-1α in metastatic and non-metastatic samples was significant (P=0.035 and P=0.046 respectively). Age and male gender were directly associated with an increased risk of NSCLC. The results of the present study revealed that the increase in mRNA level of PFK-1 and p53 may be involved in NSCLC initiation, and an increase in LDH-A and HIF-1a is associated with a metastatic phenotype.

Blended electrospun nanofibrous mats containing black pomegranate peel extract (BPPE) were prepared using different proportions of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and polycaprolactone as the filament-forming polymers. The electrospinning process was conducted by simultaneously injecting PVP and polycaprolactone spinning solutions from two opposite sides on a rotary collector. The films were characterized in morphology, mechanical features, water vapor transmission rate, swelling properties, and drug release profile. The uniform white porous nanofibrous mats were achieved using the optimized method. As the concentration of PVP in the formula increased, the average diameter of the fibers increased, and fibers containing spindle bodies appeared. Though, the moisture content is one of the most essential issues with a wound dressing to promote the healing process, excessive water absorption by PVP produced highly erodible mats with weak tensile strength and elongation. The higher content of polycaprolactone created narrower and more uniform fibers and improved the mechanical features and water swelling properties of the blended mats. Furthermore, the nanofibrous membrane composed of a 70:30 polycaprolactone/PVP weight ratio resulted in a more sustained drug release. The favorable properties mentioned above, along with the wound healing effect of BPPE, make it an attractive candidate for application in wound dressing products.

In recent decades, non-communicable diseases have been increasing for various reasons. This study aimed to evaluate health-promoting behaviors (HPBs) and self-efficacy of health behaviors (SHEBs) in patients with ischemic stroke admitted to the neurology ward. The statistical population of this cross-sectional descriptive study included all patients with ischemic stroke during the first six months of 2019. The participants completed a demographic checklist, SHEBs questionnaire, and HPBs questionnaire. Independent t-tests, analysis of variance, and correlation coefficient were used to analyze the data. Data analysis showed that interpersonal support and stress scores were higher in men, and scores of taking responsibility, exercise, and HPBs were higher in non-natives. Stress score was higher in smokers, drug users, and people with primary education (P<0.05). Also, the physical self-efficacy of men and all dimensions of SHEBs of non-natives were higher compared to other groups (P < 0.05). There are apparent differences in HPBs and self-efficacy among stroke patients regarding gender, nativity, smoking, and substance use that should be considered to help them improve their HPBs and health self-efficacy.

Lead, one of the most important environmental pollutants, can induce a broad range of physiological dysfunction. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effect of the Melissa officinalis plant extract on biomarkers of liver and kidney function as well as serum testosterone concentration in lead-exposed male rats. We used 40 Wistar rats and divided them into 5 groups. The control group received saline (1 mL/kg) by gastric gavage and 30 minutes later received saline (1 mL/kg) through i.p injection. The lead group received saline (1 mL/kg) by gastric gavage and 30 minutes later received i.p injection of lead acetate (20 mg/kg). The treatment groups received different doses of M. officinalis alcoholic extract (20, 100, and 500 mg/kg, respectively) by gastric gavage and 30 min later received i.p injection of lead acetate (20 mg/kg). The rats were treated for 5 days and then twenty -four hours after the last injection, blood samples were collected for the measurement of urea, creatinine, uric acid, alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate transaminase (AST) and testosterone. Data analysis was performed through SPSS (version 16). Melissa extract (100 mg/kg) significantly reduced liver enzymes and kidney function markers when compared to the lead group. Treatment with Melissa extract (100 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg) significantly increased serum testosterone concentration compared to the lead group. The biochemical results of this study showed that M. officinalis may be beneficial in lead-induced liver and kidney dysfunction.

The best ovarian stimulation protocol in the case of endometrioma-related infertility is still debated. In this study, we examined the effect of two ovarian stimulation protocols on in vitro fertilization (IVF)/intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) outcome in patients with good ovarian reserve suffering from endometrioma. In a retrospective study, 101 women with endometrioma and good ovarian reserve were recruited. Women received either gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists (n=65) or GnRH antagonists (n=36) in an IVF or ICSI cycle. Clinical and chemical pregnancy rate, live birth rate, implantation rate, fertilization rate and fertilization proportion, as well as miscarriage rate, were evaluated in both groups. Chemical (25% vs. 28.6%), clinical (19.6% vs. 25%), and live birth rates (19.6% vs. 25%) as well as implantation rate (11.7% vs. 15%) were not significantly different between the two groups. Miscarriage rate, fertilization rate and fertilization proportion were similar in the two groups. GnRH antagonist protocol with the main advantages of short duration and lower cost of treatment could be applied in infertile patients with endometrioma and good ovarian reserve.

Up-regulation of ribosome biogenesis encodes the factors related to carcinogenesis. It has been shown that the nucleus diameter and number of nucleoli increase from normal mucosa to oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). The relationship between nuclear parameters and lymph node involvement in OSCC has not been established, yet. The aim of this study was to evaluate the nuclear parameters comprising nucleoli count and nucleus: nucleoli ratio in relation to regional lymph node involvement in OSCC. Thirty-four formalin-fixed, paraffin embedded sections from different histopathologic grades of OSCC were stained with methyl green-pyronin. Mean number of nucleoli and nucleus: nucleoli ratio were calculated in 100 tumor cells from 10 random selected fields and compared based on lymph node involvement. Nucleoli count in cases with metastasis to regional lymph nodes was not significantly different from that in cases without regional lymph nodes involvement (P = 0.29). The difference of nucleus: nucleoli ratio in cases with and without lymph nodes involvement were not significant (P=0.52). No significant correlation was found between the nucleoli count and lymph node involvement (r=0.08, P=0.78). The correlation between nucleus: nucleoli ratio and lymph node involvement was significant (r=0.58, P=0.02). The nucleus: nucleoli ratio of tumoral cells in OSCC was correlated to lymph node involvement. Based on the results, nucleus: nucleoli ratio can potentially be a useful tool to determine the lymph node involvement in OSCC.

 Angiomyolipoma (AML) is the most common benign renal mesenchymal neoplasm. This is a report of a 36-year-old female patient with AML with the involvement of the inferior vena cava (IVC) who was admitted to our hospital. The patient complained of mild right flank pain. CT scan results showed a hypo-dense mass with 47 × 72 mm dimensions at the right kidney›s lower pole suggesting renal AML. In MRI with contrast, venous thrombosis was detected in the right renal vein and IVC. Right radical nephrectomy and IVC thrombectomy were successfully conducted. Renal AML was confirmed by pathological findings, and the presence of tumor thrombosis was approved in the right renal vein and IVC. Although AML is generally benign and vascular invasion is a rare finding in this condition, imaging studies (including CT scans) should always be considered to determine the extent of vascular involvement and choose an appropriate therapeutic plan, including nephrectomy and thrombectomy in case of vascular involvement. Despite its benign nature, it should be considered that AML can invade venous structures in the kidneys. Early imaging studies and therapeutic interventions are necessary for obtaining the best outcome.

Oral candidiasis is one of the most common infections in diabetic patients that may occur due to a decrease in salivary flow rate, alterations in the salivary composition, or both. This study aimed to investigate the effect of diabetic and non-diabetic saliva on Candida albicans adherence to the acrylic resin disc specimens, regardless of saliva volume.

In this case-control study, the population consisted of 26 subjects in 2 groups (13 diabetic patients and 13 non-diabetic patients). In both groups, unstimulated whole saliva was collected. It was investigated for pH, salivary flow rate, and adhesion of C. albicans to polymethylmethacrylate disc. After preparing the polymethylmethacrylate discs, the samples were stored in diabetic saliva, non-diabetic saliva, and distilled water (negative control group) for 60 minutes at 37oC. Then they were immersed in the yeast suspensions containing C. albicans and stained with gram stain. Yeast cells were counted using a light microscope.

The pH of unstimulated whole saliva in diabetic patients was significantly lower than in the control group. There was no significant difference between the flow rates of saliva in the two groups. Findings indicated that the adhesion of C. albicans to resin in diabetic saliva was higher than in non-diabetic saliva.

This study showed the same amount of salivary flow rate in diabetic and non-diabetic individuals, lower pH, and higher Candida adherence to heat polymerization acrylic resin in the diabetic group.