Journal of Studies in Medical Sciences
Volume:35 Issue: 8, 2024

Type 2 diabetes is a chronic non-communicable disease that has emerged as a significant public health issue in many countries and is associated with increased cardiovascular risk factors. Physical activity is a proven intervention for the prevention, management, and treatment of type 2 diabetes. However, differences remain regarding the most effective type and intensity of exercise. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of aerobic, resistance, and combined exercises on plasma homocysteine levels and selected cardiovascular risk factors in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Forty-four individuals with type 2 diabetes, aged 30 to 55 years, participated in this study. Participants were randomly assigned to one of four groups: aerobic, resistance, combined, or control (11 participants in each group). Each training program was performed over 12 weeks, with three sessions per week. Blood samples were collected from all participants one day before and 48 hours after the final training session to measure dependent variables. Data were analyzed using paired t-tests and one-way ANOVA, with a significance level set at p<0.05.

After 12 weeks of exercise intervention, significant reductions were observed in total cholesterol (p=0.001), low-density lipoprotein (p=0.001), and homocysteine (p=0.01) levels in the combined exercise group, while high-density lipoprotein levels increased significantly (p=0.036) in this group. Additionally, homocysteine levels in the aerobic training group (p=0.038) and total cholesterol levels in the resistance training group (p=0.028) decreased significantly. No significant changes were observed in other examined parameters.

The results of this study suggest that combined exercises, through their significant impact on homocysteine reduction, lipid profile improvement, and atherogenic index optimization, can be recommended as an effective intervention for reducing cardiovascular risk factors in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Jaundice is a common condition in newborns caused by bilirubin accumulation, which can lead to severe complications, including brain damage. This study aimed to identify risk factors for severe jaundice requiring blood transfusion, as such procedures carry potential risks.

Data were reviewed for 3,266 infants admitted for jaundice at Quds Hospital in Qazvin from 2017 to 2022, of whom 49 required blood transfusions. Information was collected from medical records and maternal questionnaires.

Among the 49 infants, 66% were male, 36% were preterm, and 49% were firstborn. The most common maternal blood type was O+ (20 cases), while A+ was the most frequent blood type among infants (21 cases). Notably, 71.4% of cases involved blood type incompatibility between the infant and mother. Delivery methods included 32 vaginal births and 17 cesarean sections. G6PD deficiency was present in 18% of the infants, and 78% of parents had no familial relationship.

ABO incompatibility was the primary cause of blood transfusion (19.94%), followed by Rh incompatibility (6.1%) and G6PD deficiency (5%). These findings highlight the importance of identifying and managing risk factors for severe jaundice to minimize the need for blood transfusion and its associated risks.

Meningitis is an inflammation of the protective membranes, called meninges, that cover the brain and spinal cord. Aseptic meningitis is one of the most common diseases of childhood and infancy. Unlike bacterial meningitis, it is non-purulent, culture-negative, and often occurs due to viral infections. This study aimed to investigate the clinical manifestations and prognosis of children with aseptic meningitis.

This descriptive analytical study was performed on children aged 2 months to 18 years with aseptic meningitis who were hospitalized at Tabriz Children's Hospital over six years, from 2011 to 2016. A total of 138 patients were examined. Children with bacterial meningitis, encephalitis, systemic inflammatory, or metabolic disorders were excluded from the study. General information, including age, gender, clinical symptoms, laboratory findings, and the final status of the child, was recorded in a questionnaire, and the data were analyzed.

We evaluated 138 children diagnosed with aseptic meningitis, of whom 100 (72.5%) were male and 38 (27.5%) were female. A positive vaccination history within the last month was reported in 65.2% of the patients. Fever was observed in 94.2%, vomiting in 49.3%, and headache in 15.2%. Seizures occurred in 64.5% of the patients. On examination, 3.6% of the patients were drowsy, and 5.8% had neck stiffness. Kernig's sign was negative in all patients, while Brodzinski's sign was positive in 2.2%. Cerebrospinal fluid smears and cultures were negative in all patients, and blood cultures were positive in 0.7%.

Based on this study, fever and seizures are the most common symptoms in children with aseptic meningitis. Most of the patients had received MMR vaccination within the past month. All patients were eventually discharged without significant complications. The findings of this study can aid in the accurate diagnosis and treatment of aseptic meningitis.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common liver disease and a major public health problem worldwide. NAFLD has been steadily increasing in prevalence and is associated with serious complications such as cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, It is also linked to insulin resistance syndrome and cardiovascular diseases. In this study, the association of vaspin rs2236242 gene polymorphism with NAFLD is investigated.

The case-control study (random sampling) was conducted on 150 participants, includes 75 participants with non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases as cases and 75 participants as normal group. Participants with a history of alcohol consumption, metabolic disorders or other liver diseases were excluded from the study. The serum vaspin and insulin were measured by ELISA kit and other variables by standard method. Determining the genotypes of rs2236242 was done using the tetra arms polymerase chain reaction. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software version 20.

There was no significant difference in vaspin levels in the patients with NAFLD compared with healthy individuals (p ≥0.05). The levels of any of the variables in healthy individuals and patients for GG, AG, and AA genotypes were not significantly different. There was no a significant relationship between rs2236242polymorphism and insulin resistance. No association was found between this polymorphism and NAFLD (p ≥0.05).

The findings showed that there is no relationship between rs2236242 polymorphism with vaspin levels, insulin resistance and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. However, limitations such as the limited sample size and the use of ultrasound affect the generalizability of the findings.

Breast cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in women, resulting from the uncontrolled growth of cells in breast tissue. This study aims to investigate the impact of copper oxide nanoparticles on the efficacy of the chemotherapeutic agents methotrexate and paclitaxel in reducing the growth of MCF-7 breast cancer cells.

In this study, MCF-7 cell lines were treated with copper oxide nanoparticles and chemotherapeutic drugs in RPMI-1640 culture medium supplemented with 10% FBS. Cells were exposed to various concentrations of copper oxide nanoparticles (1, 2, 3, 4 µmol/mL), methotrexate (10, 20, 30, 40 µmol/mL), and paclitaxel (2, 4, 6, 8 µmol/mL) for durations of 24, 48, and 72 hours. Cell viability was assessed using the MTT assay, while apoptosis was measured through Hoechst staining and flow cytometry.

The results indicated that the combination of copper oxide nanoparticles with methotrexate and paclitaxel significantly reduced cell growth compared to each drug used alone. The combination of copper oxide nanoparticles with a concentration of 40 μM methotrexate and a concentration of 8 μM paclitaxel showed the greatest reduction in cell growth, equivalent to a 70% and 75% reduction, respectively. Hoechst staining and flow cytometry indicated that the combined treatment increased cell apoptosis by 56.7%.

These findings suggest that copper oxide nanoparticles have potential as an effective agent in breast cancer treatment. The combination of these nanoparticles with methotrexate and paclitaxel may enhance therapeutic efficacy, providing new strategies to address existing challenges in cancer treatment.

Dear Editor, Learning represents "the ability to use past experiences in service of the present" (1). This concise definition emphasizes the integrated relationship between memory and learning - two processes that form the foundation of all aspects of human behavior and cognition. Memory, as a repository of past experiences, is not merely a passive storage but an active enabler of adaptive learning and problem-solving. Together, these processes underpin human interaction, creativity, and success (2). Learning comprises three main stages: acquisition, consolidation, and recall (3). Acquisition is the moment of initial learning. Consolidation, which requires gene expression and protein synthesis, leads to the formation of long-term memory. During this process, information is held in short-term memory. Recall is the stage of information retrieval, accompanied by reactivation of relevant synapses (4). These stages are interconnected; reconsolidation is essential for memory enrichment, and active retrieval can strengthen this process (5,6). Functionally, there are three main types of memory: working memory, sensory memory, and long-term memory (7,8). Working memory refers to the ability to consciously maintain and manipulate information. Sensory memory retains incoming information for a very brief period, and long-term memory is the permanent repository of life experiences. Information retrieval from long-term memory depends on factors such as meaningfulness, repetition, and the strength of sensory cues (9,10). One of the most important elements of learning in medical sciences is the formation of schemas (11). Schemas are complex networks that organize knowledge and allow the brain to connect new information with existing knowledge (12,13). This process, known as the "schema effect," demonstrates the importance of prior knowledge in learning. In contemporary medical education, innovative methods such as Problem-Based Learning (PBL) and Simulation-Based Learning (SBL) have replaced traditional methods. PBL enhances students' motivation by strengthening cognitive skills and encouraging deep learning (14). SBL provides a safe environment for practicing skills, enabling the development of clinical competencies without risk to patients (15,16). Effective learning strategies rooted in understanding cognitive neural pathways have the potential to revolutionize education. By moving away from rote memorization strategies toward strategies that prioritize long-term recall and critical thinking, educators can empower students to achieve academic success and develop lifelong learning skills. Today, lifelong learning is recognized by educators, governing bodies, accreditation organizations, and the general public as one of the most important competencies that learners should possess. Promoting lifelong learning as an ongoing, collaborative, active, broad, positive, satisfying, and applicable challenge in the medical profession and all aspects of individual life has emerged as a major global educational challenge. Generally, teaching-learning processes must be continuously reviewed to keep students interested and engaged in the classroom. In recent years, the volume of information available to students has increased, and transforming classrooms into places of active student participation has become a challenge for the teaching process. As the field of medical education continues to evolve, educators must utilize insights from neuroscience and cognitive sciences to optimize the learning experience. By understanding and applying these principles, they can empower students to transition from passive learners to active, adaptive thinkers with the ability for lifelong learning and professional excellence.

Today, Lactococcus lactis bacteria play a key role as a probiotic in the treatment and prevention of cancer. Additionally, bacteriocins-producing strains of Lactococcus lactis are able to inhibit the growth of a wide range of bacteria, especially antibiotic-resistant strains. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of probiotic lysate of Lactococcus lactis (+NIS) on the expression of anti-apoptotic genes in renal cancer cell lines.

After isolating and examining 60 strains of Proteus mirabilis through diagnostic and biochemical tests, Multiplex PCR was performed to identify anti-apoptotic genes in renal cancer cell lines. After culturing and preparing the supernatant of nisin-producing Lactococcus lactis (PTCC1336), its activity was examined by plating on agar. Using Real-Time PCR, the expression of AcrB gene in Proteus mirabilis strains treated with supernatant was examined.

After the cytotoxicity studies of this supernatant, the relative expression of bcl-2 and bax genes in kidney cancer cells was studied. Nisin prepared for Proteus mirabilis strains had a slight inhibitory effect due to its mobility and virulence factors. MTT assay analysis showed that the cell survival rate in treated cancer cells decreased significantly with the passage of time and increased concentration of Lactococcus lactis cell-free supernatant. Among the 60 Proteus mirabilis samples, 37 samples had the AcrA gene, 59 samples had the AcrB gene, and 58 samples had the Urea gene. According to the analysis of MTT test data, the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) for this supernatant was calculated to be 202.8 μg/ml after 72 hours.

The results showed a 52.86% decrease in bcl-2 gene expression and a 60.21% increase in bax gene expression in treated cancer cells compared to the control group. Cytotoxicity studies in this research showed that with an IC50 of 202.8 μg/ml, the supernatant was able to suppress the proliferation of renal cell carcinoma (ACHN). The study demonstrated that probiotic lysate Lactococcus lactis (+NIS) affected genes related to apoptosis in renal cancer cells. These lysates were able to reduce bcl-2 gene expression and increase bax gene expression, indicating the induction of apoptosis in cancer cells.

Renal glomerular disease is the most common cause of chronic renal failure and end-stage renal disease in humans, and it is also one of the most significant causes of mortality and morbidity. A kidney biopsy is performed to diagnose kidney diseases. A renal biopsy can be helpful in reaching a diagnosis based on histopathological findings and can also provide valuable information about clinical symptoms and outcomes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of various kidney diseases based on histopathological findings in kidney biopsies referred to the Pathology Department of Urmia Imam Khomeini Hospital.

In this descriptive-analytical study, 969 kidney biopsy specimens from patients with various kidney diseases and a history of kidney transplantation, collected from March 2013 to March 2018, were reviewed and included in the study. Information on demographic variables was extracted from all reports. The chi-square test (or Fisher's exact test if necessary) was used to compare the frequency of histopathological findings by gender or age groups. Data analysis was performed using SPSS 17 software, and a significance level of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

The results showed that glomerular diseases, with 523 patients (54%), and then transplant complications, with 171 patients (17.6%), had the highest frequency among histopathological findings. Among the clinical and paraclinical findings from the patients' history, rising creatinine levels had the highest prevalence, with 340 patients (35.1%), followed by proteinuria in 256 patients (26.4%). The results also showed that glomerular diseases had the highest frequency in all four age groups.

Glomerular diseases are the most common diagnosis among kidney diseases. A rise in creatinine levels is the most common condition among the underlying issues of kidney diseases. The spectrum of kidney diseases varies with patients' age and gender.