Journal of Studies in Medical Sciences
Volume:35 Issue: 9, 2024

Co-contraction can be defined as the simultaneous activation of agonist and antagonist muscles around a joint. Co-contraction plays a fundamental role in movement control during physiological motor learning-related activities. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between maximum heart rate (MHR) during an exhaustive fatigue protocol and co-contraction of the ankle joint muscles in overweight individuals compared to normal-weight individuals.

The sample consisted of two groups of 12 individuals (n=24), divided into overweight and normal-weight groups. The activity of the ankle joint muscles, including the tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius, was recorded during running using electromyography (EMG). MHR was also recorded using a Polar device. Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used to determine the correlation between variables at a significance level of 0.05.

The results indicate that changes in general and directed co-contraction of the ankle joint muscles in both phases of running did not change significantly before and after the induction of the fatigue protocol. Furthermore, no significant correlation was seen between MHR during the exhaustive fatigue protocol and changes in general and directed co-contraction in phase one and two of running
(P > 0.05).

This study revealed that MHR during exhaustive exercise does not significantly affect ankle muscle co-contraction. The lack of correlation between these two variables suggests that the neuromuscular response to fatigue may be independent of cardiovascular stress and body weight status.

Considering the systemic inflammation and disorder in the immune system with increasing age and obesity, as well as the effect of aerobic training and omega-3 in modulating inflammation and immunity, the aim of the present study was to determine the effect of aerobic training and omega-3 on the expression of IL-17 and IL-22 in visceral adipose tissue of elderly rats fed with a high-fat diet.

In this experimental study, 40 male Wistar rats (mean weight : 148.82 ± 18.24 grams) were divided into 5 groups: Normal Diet (ND), High-Fat Diet (HFD), High-Fat Diet-Training (HFDT), High-Fat Diet-Omega3 (HFDω3), and High-Fat Diet-Training-Omega3 (HFDTω3). The supplement groups received 1 g of omega-3 (per kg of body weight) orally during the intervention period. An aerobic training program, including running on a treadmill with an intensity of 50-60% oxygen consumption (VO2max), was performed 5 days a week for eight weeks. Forty-eight hours after the research protocol, gene expression levels in fat tissue were measured by the real-time PCR method.

HFD induction was associated with an increase in the expression of IL-17 and IL-22 (p = 0.0001). A significant decrease was observed in IL-17 and IL-22 in HFDT (p = 0.026 and p = 0.037, respectively), HFDω3 (p = 0.035 and p = 0.044, respectively), and HFDTω3 (p = 0.0001 and p = 0.0001, respectively) compared to HFD; and HFDTω3 compared to both HFDT (p = 0.049 and p = 0.039, respectively) and HFDω3 (p = 0.037 and p = 0.033, respectively).

Aerobic training and omega-3 consumption can reduce visceral adipose tissue IL-17 and IL-22, immune disorders, and inflammation induced by HFD in aged rats. However, the effect of combining exercise and supplementation is better.

 Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR) can increase perinatal mortality by 10 to 25 percent. Scientific evidence has shown that umbilical cord characteristics are vital markers for assessing intrauterine complications. The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between umbilical cord cross-sectional area and intrauterine growth restriction in pregnant women.

In this cross-sectional analytical study, 134 pregnant women were selected through convenience sampling. Patients underwent transabdominal ultrasonography using a Samsung W80 ultrasound device with a 3.5 MHz probe. The diameter and cross-sectional area of the umbilical cord were measured at two points (the junction of the umbilical cord to the abdomen and the free loop) during the third trimester of pregnancy. The results of fetal biometric ultrasound, including BPD, FL, HC, and AC, were also recorded. IUGR was defined as an estimated weight by ultrasound below the 10th percentile for gestational age.

Nineteen infants (14.2%) had IUGR. All biometric indices in the IUGR group were significantly lower than those in the non-IUGR group (p < 0.001). The umbilical cord diameter in the IUGR group (11.52 ± 1.26) was significantly lower than that in the non-IUGR group (14.82 ± 1.45) (p < 0.001). The umbilical cord cross-sectional area was also significantly lower in the IUGR group (125.11 ± 17.2) compared to the non-IUGR group (175.51 ± 31.41) (p < 0.001). There was a direct and significant correlation between both umbilical cord diameter and cross-sectional area with all fetal characteristics (p < 0.001).

The results of the study showed that infants with IUGR had lower biometric indices, and both the diameter and cross-sectional area of the umbilical cord were significantly smaller in these infants. These findings suggest the potential use of umbilical cord measurements as an auxiliary tool in the diagnosis or risk assessment of IUGR.

Cavernous Malformation is a benign vascular malformation that most commonly occurs in the brain and is rarely observed in the spinal epidural space. Bilateral cases of this lesion have not been reported to date, and its significance lies in understanding the clinical and diagnostic patterns of this condition. In this article, we present a 33-year-old patient with Xeroderma Pigmentosum syndrome who was diagnosed with bilateral cavernous malformation in the spinal epidural space. Unlike previous cases, this lesion appeared without vertebral body involvement and presented with unique clinical symptoms. This report is the first documented case of bilateral cavernous malformation in the spinal epidural space and can contribute to a better understanding of the etiology, diagnosis, and management of this rare lesion.

 Colorectal cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors in humans. Probiotics affect the balance of beneficial and harmful bacteria in the intestine, shifting this balance in favor of increasing the population of beneficial bacteria and providing health benefits. Therefore, the aim of the present study is to investigate the effect of indigenous probiotics on the expression of anti-cancer genes Bax and Bcl-2 in HT-29 cancer cells using the real-time PCR method.

In this study, after culturing HT-29 cancer cells and treating them with probiotic extract, RNA extraction and cDNA synthesis were performed. Real-time PCR was performed using primers specific to the anti-cancer genes Bax and Bcl-2 in a Corbett device. The MTT assay was also performed to investigate the toxicity of the native probiotic extract.

The MTT assay showed that increasing the concentration of the studied extract caused a dose-dependent decrease in cell viability. The IC50 value for the probiotic extract was calculated to be 300 µg/mL. Additionally, the expression levels of Bax and Bcl-2 genes in cells treated with Lactococcus rhamnosus cell-free supernatant were 1.344 and 1.447, respectively, indicating an increase in the expression of these two genes. (The expression level of the Bax gene increased by 1.344-fold, and the expression level of the Bcl-2 gene increased by 1.447-fold in the treatment group compared to the control group (p < 0.05). It is necessary to mention the p-value.)

Considering the low toxicity of the probiotic extract in the MTT assay and the increase in the expression of Bax and Bcl-2 genes, it seems that probiotics can be used as therapeutic supplements in the prevention and treatment of gastrointestinal cancers. These findings indicate that indigenous probiotics can be used as a novel therapeutic strategy with high efficacy and low side effects for the treatment and prevention of colon cancer.

Organ transplant recipients require not only physical care but also psychological support, as the success of transplantation depends not only on clinical considerations but also on emotional support. Given the influence of patients' emotions on the acceptance or rejection of the transplanted organ and the role of addressing psychological issues in patient survival and graft retention, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between feelings toward the transplanted organ and its function.

This correlational study involved 245 kidney and liver transplant recipients at Imam Reza (AS) Educational and Therapeutic Center. Data were collected using two questionnaires: the Feelings Toward the Transplanted Organ Scale and the Basel Assessment of Adherence to Immunosuppressive Medications Scale. Convenience sampling was used, and the data were analyzed using SPSS version 21 after collection.

The mean and standard deviation of the total score for the Feelings Toward the Transplanted Organ Scale were 26.12 ± 26.69, and for adherence to the medication regimen, it was 1.01 ± 1.93. There was a positive and direct correlation between the total feelings score and its subscales with medication adherence (P < 0.01, r = 0.25).

Given the direct relationship between feelings toward the transplanted organ and adherence to the medication regimen, fostering positive feelings toward the organ and addressing patients' physical concerns can have a positive impact on their adherence and reduce the risk of transplant rejection due to non-compliance with medication.

BK virus (BKV), which often remains latent in the body after initial infection, can reactivate in patients with immune deficiencies or suppression, leading to kidney dysfunction, nephropathy, and occasionally the loss of transplanted kidneys. There is very limited information regarding the incidence of BKV viremia as a significant risk factor for nephropathy in patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis. This cross-sectional study investigated the frequency of viremia and potential risk factors affecting active BKV infection in hemodialysis patients

The study was conducted on 150 hemodialysis patients undergoing dialysis at Taleghani Hospital in Urmia. BKV viremia was assessed in patient plasma samples using the semi-nested PCR technique.

Among the 150 dialysis patients, 84 (55.7%) were male and 66 (44.3%) were female. The mean age was 56 ± 9.15 years. The average duration of dialysis for the studied patients was 32.7 ± 7.6 months. BKV viremia was detected in 54 patients (36%). No significant correlation was found between viremia frequency and variables such as age, gender, or duration of dialysis.

This is the first study to examine BKV viremia using PCR in hemodialysis patients in Urmia and indicates a high prevalence of active infection in over one-third of the dialysis patients at this center. Given the significant role of BKV viremia in nephropathy pathogenesis, it is essential to develop guidelines for incorporating screening tests for BK virus in chronic kidney disease patients and those eligible for transplantation.

 COVID-19 infection is associated with multiple cardiovascular complications that can impact mortality in patients admitted to intensive care units. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between NT-pro BNP levels and in-hospital outcomes (discharge or death) and changes in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in COVID-19 patients admitted to intensive care units.

 A cross-sectional study was conducted on 56 patients with PCR-confirmed COVID-19 and radiological evidence. Patients with a history of previous cardiovascular disease were excluded from the study. NT-pro BNP levels were measured within the first 24 hours of admission, and their association with LVEF and hospital outcomes was analyzed.

The mean NT-Pro BNP protein level in discharged COVID-19 patients was 1997.04 ± 456.72 Pg/mL, and in deceased patients was 4417.17 ± 1657.67 Pg/mL (P = 0.04).Discussion and

The results of this study showed that elevated NT-pro BNP levels can be used as a predictive marker to identify patients at risk of death in intensive care units. Further studies are recommended to determine the clinical certainty of this indicator.