فصلنامه علوم پزشکی دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی
سال سی و سوم شماره 1 (پیاپی 111، بهار 1402)

B. thetaiotaomicron is introduced as a candidate for the next generation of probiotics. TLR2, 4 play an important and necessary role in activating and modulating the innate immune system after exposure to bacteria in the intestine. This study aimed to investigate the effect of B. thetaiotaomicron and its derivatives on the alteration of the tlr2 and tlr4 gene expression.

The effects of B. thetaiotaomicron, OMVs, inactive bacteria and supernatant treatments on the tlr2 and tlr4 gene expression in the STC-1 cell line were investigated using the qRT-PCR method.   

The treatment of the STC-1 cell line with live and active B. thetaiotaomicron did not have significant effect on transcription of  tlr2, 4. The OMVs of this bacterium at 50 µg/ml significantly increased the gene expression of tlr2 (p=0.01) and tlr4 (p=0.02), but at a concentration of 100 µg/ml, its effect was not significant. Inactive bacteria at MOI 10 (p=0.03) and MOI 50(p=0.003) significantly induce the transcription of both two genes. Supernatant 25% significantly increased tlr2 (p=0.038) and tlr4 (p=0.034) gene expression at the transcription level.

Our results showed that OMVs at a concentration of 50 μg/ml, inactive bacteria, and supernatant B. thetaiotaomicron play an important role in modulating immune response and can be used as a next generation postbiotics and paraprobiotic candidates for further studies to be used.

Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is known as a food flavor enhancer that can adversely affect the male reproductive system. The present study was investigated the protective effect of coenzyme Q10 (Co-Q10) against MSG-induced oxidative stress and histopathological changes in rat testicular tissue.

In this experimental study, 40 adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups including control, MSG, MSG + Q10-10 and MSG + Q10-20. MSG gavage (3 gr / kg) and Co-Q10 injection were performed at doses of 10 and 20 mg / kg (intraperitoneally) for 4 weeks. The activity of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) was determined by ELISA and malondialdehyde (MDA) by thiobarbituric acid techniques in testicular tissue. Then, histological evaluation of testicular tissue was performed in the groups.

Monosodium glutamate increased the level of lipid peroxidation along with a significant decrease in the activity of CAT, SOD and GPX enzymes in testicular tissue. Co-administration of Co-Q10 in MSG groups reduced lipid peroxidation, increased the activity of CAT, SOD and GPx enzymes. On the other hand, Co-Q10 significantly reduced MSG-induced histopathological changes in the testicular tissue of treated rats.

Co-Q10 supplementation can ameliorates MSG-induced testicular toxicity and reduce oxidative stress on testicular tissues.

The use of testosterone enanthate has increased among athletes, especially in resistance disciplines. Considering the side effects of using testosterone enanthate, it seems necessary to find alternative methods. The present study compared the independent and interactive effects of resistance training, testosterone and palm pollen extract on mRNA expression of MFN2, FISS and DRP1 genes in male rat liver.

In a experimental study, 30 male rats were divided into control groups, resistance training, date pollen extract, testosterone ethanate, consumption of date pollen extract + resistance training and testosterone etantate + resistance training. The interventions were applied based on the group name for four weeks. 48 hours after the last intervention, the liver tissue was investigated to measure the expression of MFN2, FISS and DRP1 genes.

Exercise, testosterone and date pollen, each independently, increased the expression of MFN2 gene and decreased the expression of FISS and DRP1 genes in the liver. The simultaneous use of exercise and testosterone/palm pollen strengthened the effect of independent interventions; however, the synergistic effect was observed only on liver FISS gene expression compared to independent interventions.

According to the results of the groups consuming date pollen and testosterone, it seems that the use of each of them has caused a similar pattern of change in the variables of the present study; therefore, the use of date pollen may be a natural alternative to testosterone.

High-fructose corn syrup-55 (HFCS-55) is a common sweetener in the food industry. Recently, we have investigated and published the effects of uncontrolled long-term oral ingestion of 55-HFCS compared to sucrose on primary ovarian insufficiency in female rats. This study aimed to compare the effects of short-term controlled HFCS-55 administration with sucrose and its possible effects on the uterine and ovarian tissue of female rats compared to the long-term model.

According to OECD guideline (No. 407), 15 female rats were divided into three groups. The control group received distilled water; the second group received sucrose 75%; the third group received HFCS-55; 1ml/100 g body weight, for 28 days by gavage. The pattern of energy intake, weight, behavioral changes, and indicators of biochemical and histopathology were evaluated on day 29.

There were no reports of death, or changes in energy intake, weight, and behavior. Out of lipid profile and biochemical factors, serum levels of uric acid and HDL in the HFCS-55 and sucrose groups were significantly reduced compared to the control. In the HFCS-55 group, cell apoptosis was recorded in the uterine tissue (similar to the 90-day study), and ovarian tissue congestion was reported like in the 90-day study.

Results of our study compared to the 90-day study, indicate the vulnerability of the uterine and ovarian tissues caused by fructose. The possible damage risk of HFCS-55 on the uterus and ovary of women needs further epidemiological studies.

One of the applications of molybdenum trioxide nanoparticles (MTNPs) is to use it as an antibacterial agent. The kidney is also one of the most important organs in the body to excrete waste products and regulate many blood factors. Duo to widespread use of MTNPs and the importance of the kidney, the aim of this study was to investigate this drug effect on kidney tubules.

Thirty Wistar rats were divided into a control group, a sham group (receiving normal saline) and 3 experimental groups (receiving 50, 100, and 200 mg/kgBW MTNPs). The intraperitoneal injections were carried for 35 days. At the end of the treatment, the animals were euthanized after collecting blood samples. Then, their right kidney was removed and after tissue preparation, the samples were examined by stereology to determine changes in the volume, length, and surface area of tubules and epithelium height.

The results showed that MTNPs caused significantly increases the volume of epithelium and the length and volume of the distal tubule compared to the control and sham group. Also, epithelium height and surface area of tubules and renal length in high levels of MTNPs were indicated significantly increases. These nanoparticles made changes most of stereological parameters which investigated in renal tubules and serum levels of creatinine.

Due to the widespread use of MTNPs in the industry as an antimicrobial as well as its adverse effects on renal tubules, the uncontrolled use of antimicrobial containing molybdenum trioxide should be avoided.

Meningococcal disease is an acute disease caused by the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis. The factor H binding protein (fHbp) virulence factor plays a vital role in the survival of the pathogen in the host. Single Chain Fragment Variable (scFv) antibodies are used for therapeutic and diagnostic applications. Utilizing computational study, Design, expression and affinity analysis of hybrid scFv for detecting the N. meningitidis were the main goals of this study.

In this study, by performing a series of computational analysis (Antibody and Antigen modeling and Antigen-Antibody Docking), a hybrid antibody designed. The designed antibody has a high affinity to the fHbp protein. The hybrid antibody’s nucleotide was synthesized in the expression vector pET28(+a). Afterward, the protein expression in BL21 bacteria was considered. Subsequently, the protein purification was completed using Ni-NTA resin. Finally, its affinity to fHbp protein was checked using ELISA.

VH1-VL2 form of hybrid antibody was selected with computational analysis. The SDS-PAGE and western blotting techniques were approved the expressed hybrid antibody. After purification of scFv and fHbp protein, in ELISA studies, the affinity of this scFv 7.6×10-9 M was calculated.

Based on the hybrid antibody’s proper affinity and utilizing antibody engineering and computational analysis, other forms of single-chain antibodies can be produced. These products can be used for therapeutic and diagnostic purposes, as the appropriate hybrid affinity of the scFv

Fatigue and anxiety have a bad effect on the physical and mental health of mothers and challenge the quality of child care and living conditions. This study was conducted aimed to investigate the effect of laughter therapy on the fatigue and anxiety of mothers of children admitted to the psychiatric department of Tehran Hospitals.

An experimental study with pre-test and post-test design was performed on 70 (Two groups of 35 participants) mothers of children admitted to Ali Asgar and Razi hospitals. The intervention group participated in 8 laughter therapy group sessions with an average duration of 60 minutes. Demographic information questionnaires, Fatigue Assessment Scale (FAS) and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) were used to collect data. Data analysis were done using SPSS software version 16.

In the pre-test stage, there was no significant difference in the mean of fatigue and anxiety between the two groups (p>0.05). The comparison of fatigue and anxiety of the intervention group showed that a significant differences were observed in the mean of this variables and its dimensions after the intervention (p<0.05), while there was no such significant changes in the control group regarding fatigue and anxiety and their dimensions (p<0.05). By 0.741 and 0.735 changes of fatigue and anxiety variance are explained by the independent variable, respectively.

Laughter therapy is an effective intervention to reduce fatigue and anxiety in mothers of children hospitalized in psychiatric wards. Due to the low cost, lack of complications and the possibility of implementation; it is recommended to implement this intervention in similar conditions and other vulnerable people.

Cardiovascular disease is a part of the chronic diseases that cause of the death of many people annually. It is vital to consider different psychological treatments in these patients. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of mindfulness-based therapy on chronic stress and disease perception in heart patients.

The current study was a quasi-experimental study with a pre-test-post-test design with a two-month follow-up and a control group. From among all the heart patients in West Tehran, 40 people were selected by convenience sampling and assigned in two groups (Experimental and Control). In the pre-test, post-test and follow-up stages, the participants completed Wheaton's (1991) Chronic Stress Questionnaires and Brodbent et al.'s (2006) disease Perception Questionnaires. Then the experimental group received mindfulness treatment. The data were analyzed by analysis of variance and repeated measure and with the help of SPSSV19 software.

The results illustrated that there is a significant difference between the groups in the variables of chronic stress (F=5.91) and illness perception (F=10.72) (P<0.05). In the experimental group, after the experimental intervention, a significant decrease in chronic stress and an increase in the illness perception was reported.

According to the results, mindfulness intervention has led to a reduction of chronic stress and an increase in disease perception in heart patients. Therefore, the knowledge of counselors, psychologists, cardiologists and clinical and health professionals about these variables can help in reducing chronic stress and increasing disease perception in heart patients.

The present study aimed to compare the effectiveness of logo therapy (LT) with mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) on life expectancy and psychological well-being of patients with corona virus.

This study was a semi-experimental with a pretest-posttest control group design. The population of this study consisted of all people with corona virus in Tabriz who had referred to the medical clinics of this city in 2021. 45 people were selected by purposive sampling method, and randomly divided into three groups (15 people each). Members of both experimental groups received their treatment in 8 sessions of 1.5 hours; however, the control group did not receive any treatment. Analysis was done through repeated measures analysis of variance & Bonferroni post hoc test.

In the pre-test, the mean and standard deviation of LT for life expectancy was 15.13±3.09 and for psychological well-being 46.73±5.98, in MBCT for life expectancy 14.80±2.39 and for psychological well-being it was 45.87±5.05, and in the control group it was 13.73±2.65 for life expectancy and 46.60±6.55 for psychological well-being (p>0.05). Both treatments compared to the control group, increased life expectancy and psychological well-being in patient after the test (p<0.001). In the follow-up phase, the effect of these two treatments on life expectancy and psychological well-being was lasting (p<0.001). The effect of these two treatments at posttest and follow-up was not different (p>0.05).

LT and MBCT can potentially increase life expectancy and psychological well-being of patients with corona virus.

The second stage of labor requires high energy. Childbirth fatigue is an unpleasant experience for mothers. Therefore, this study investigated the effect of second stage delivery management on maternity experience and maternal fatigue in primiparous women.

This single blind experimental study was accomplished on 60 qualified women in Mobini Hospital, Sabzevar. Individuals were divided into one of two groups based on the mother's desire. In the pushing active group, with the onset of contractions, mother breathes deeply and then holds the breath and push ten seconds. In the pushing spontaneous group, the mother does not actively push with the onset of contraction (Unless the pressure and force that is involuntary caused by the pressure of the fetus and pelvic floor dilatation) until the three centimeters of fetal head appear in the vaginal entrance. Then the mothers were taken to the delivery bed. The maternal fatigue and labor experience checklist were completed one hour after delivery. Data were analyzed with SPSS software version 16 by t test and chi-square.

In the pushing spontaneous group, postpartum fatigue was less (p=0.01) and mothers reported a more pleasant feeling of delivery than mothers pushing active group (p=0.001). Apgar score did not differ between two groups.

Pushing spontaneous method was associated with fewer fatigue, and provides a more pleasant experience for delivery to the mother; therefore, it is advisable to use this method in the second stage of delivery.

Human parechoviruses (HPeV) are rapidly evolving picornaviruses that may cause sepsis-/meningitis-like illness in infants. The present study aimed to evaluate the occurrence and quantity of human parechovirus in 160 cerebrospinal fluid samples of children under 5 years old with meningitis and meningoencephalitis hospitalized at Karaj Imam Ali Hospital.

160 CSF samples were collected during September 2019 to October 2020 in karaj province, Iran from hospitalized children with meningitis and meningoencephalitis. They were subject to detect HPeV using consensus primers targeted to their 5′UTR s.

Out of 160 samples of cerebrospinal fluid, two samples (1.25%) were positive for human parechovirus. The maximum viral load of HPeV was 5.6 × 106 copies / ml in December and in a 3.5 years old female patient and the minimum viral load was 3.2 × 104 copies / ml in February in a 4.5 years old female patient.

In this study for the first time, the presence of human parecovirus in the cerebrospinal fluid samples of children under 5 years of age with meningitis and meningoencephalitis hospitalized in Imam Ali Karaj Hospital reported. Two samples out of 160 cerebrospinal fluid samples were positive. It indicates the relationship between human parechovirus and neurological disorders

Evaluation of growth and development is necessary for having a healthy childhood and rapid and timely identification of at-risk children in order to prevent the adverse effects of developmental disorders, since growth and development may differ in semester and preterm children under the influence of environmental and social conditions, this study aimed to compare the growth and development of children in the first year of life.

In this retrospective cohort study, 252 twenty-month-old infants were evaluated. The exposure group consisted of 125 twenty-month-old infants who were born as late preterm (33-37 weeks) and 127 term infants were their cohort. The main outcome was weight, height, and 2-month-old at intervals. The second outcome was evolutionary status at 12 months of age based on ASQ questionnaire.

The mean age of mothers in the term group was 5.62 ± 32.02 years and in the exposure group was 5.61 ± 31.68 years. Weight and height increased with age in both groups, and there was a significant difference between the two groups (p=0.01) in each age stage. Developmentally, both groups did not show a significant difference at 12-month.

The physical growth of newborns can continue under the influence of prematurity until one year of age, but they did not show any difference in developmental between term and preterm infants except in the field of fine movements.