Journal of Kerman University of Medical Sciences
Volume:17 Issue: 3, 2010

Breast cancer is the most common malignant neoplasm in women and has an increasing rate in both developed and developing countries. According to Iranian National Cancer Registration report, breast cancer has the first rank in women. Breast cancer is the major cause of mortality in women under 55 years old. The present study was performed to find the most probable involved genes in breast cancer. In this work, we have gavaged 10 mg DMBA solved in 0.5 ml sesame oil to the DMBA-treated SD rat strains. Before proceeding to cell culture, samples were verified in pathological and immunohistochemistry approaches, and then we performed metaphase chromosomal preparations and finally performed G-banding staining. The most common chromosomal changes were recorded and genes in affected area were determined and a genes-list by comparing genome of rat and human in chromosomal changed segments were prepared. Our data showed a wide range of numerical and structural changes in different chromosomes. We found recurrently gain in chromosomes no. 1, 3, 9 and loss in chromosomes no. 8 and 15 and also deletion in chromosomes no. 2, 5, 8, 16, 19 and addition in chromosome no. 2, 12 and 19. According to these chromosomal changes and based on bio-informatics studies we predicted that the DAB2, KLF4, HSPA8, CDKN2A, CALB2, HPR, CHFR, ALDH2, AQP3, ABCA1, ALDOB, ASH2L, LSM1, FGFR1, HSPA8, ZFHX3 and SFRP1 are probably involved in the development of breast cancer.

Imipenem is a member of Carbapenem with stability against most β-lactamases. It is of particular use in the treatment of infections associated with drug resistant gram negative bacteria harboring ESBL and AmpC genes. The aim of this study was to determine the imipenem resistance in gram negative bacteria causing nosocomial infections and the presence of metallo-β-lactamases (MBLS) in resistant isolates.

Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of imipenem was determined for 276 multiple drug resistant gram negative bacteria by agar dilution method. Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Klebsiella pneumoniae ATCC 700603 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853 were used as standard strains. Disk diffusion method with disks containing imipenem and imipenem+10µl EDTA (0.5 M) was used for determination of the presence of metallo-β-lactamases. Zone diameter ≥7mm of imipenem tested in combination with EDTA versus imipenem alone was considered as MBL positive.

From a total of 276 β-lactamase producing isolates including K. pneumoniae (n=38), E. coli (n=169) and P.aeruginosa (n=69), 3 isolates with MIC=32µg/ml were found to be resistant to Imipenem. From these isolates, one strain of K. pneumoniae and one strain of P.aeruginosa isolates were determined to be MBL producers by phenotypic method.

According to the presence of metallo β- lactamases in bacterial strain in the region, resistance to this valuable therapeutic agent is not unexpected.

In most cases, drugs used for the treatment of cancer are not effective or have unpleasant side-effects. This has forced scientists to find more effective drugs with less toxicity. Artemisia is an important medicinal plant in the world and anti-tumoral activity of some Artemisia species has been reported. This study was designed for evaluation of anti-tumoral effect of methanol extract isolated from Artemisia annua on different cancer cell lines. Methanol extract of Artemisia annua was prepared. Cultivated gastric (AGS), cervix (Hela), colon (HT-29) and breast (MCF-7) cancer cell lines and normal fibroblast cells (L929) were incubated with different concentrations of methanol extract for 72 hours and cell growth inhibition was determined using MTT assay. Results of MTT assay showed strong and dose-dependent inhibition of cancer cell growth by methanol extract of Artemisia annua. This extract caused a significant decrease in proliferation of tested cancer cell lines and had less toxicity on normal cells. Since the results suggest anti- tumoral activity of Artemisia annua, isolation of effective compound/s of this extract and evaluation of its/their effects on tumor-bearing animal models are suggested.

Disorders caused by iodine, with a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations are among the main health - nutritional issues of our community and health priorities. Kerman province was one of the areas with high prevalence of endemic goiter before iodination programs. Since control and monitoring of programs of iodine deficiency elimination in our country is done every 5 years, this study was done to determine any improvement in the prevalence of endemic goiter in Kerman. In a descriptive cross - sectional study through random sampling, 5380 students in Kerman were investigated for goiter prevalence through clinical examination and graded by World Health Organization classification. Then their serum levels of TSH, T3, T4 and urinary iodine were measured. The overall percentage of goiter in both boys and girls was 34.8%. The mean urinary iodine was 213.7µg/l with no significant difference between boys (212.07±122.65µg/l) and girls (212.60±107.11µg/l). Mean T4 was 8.7µg/l, with no significant difference between girls (8.8±1.9µg/l) and boys (8.6±1.8µg/l). Mean TSH was 2.6, and it was 2.9±1.7µg/l in girls and 2.3±1.2µg/l in boys (P=0.001). Mean T3 was 159.3, with no significant difference between two sexes (162.4±31.3µg/l in girls and 156.9±33.2µg/l in boys). It can be concluded that in comparison with the results of national studies in 1995 and 2001, the percentage of the Goiter had decreased significantly in Kerman students and urinary iodine has reached to the World Health Organization recommended level

Age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) is one of the common retina disorders that can lead to loss of vision by increase in age. In this study, the efficacy of a non-invasive ultrasound technique for the evaluation of alastic properties of eye in the diagnosis of ARMD has been evaluated. For estimation of the elastic modulus of eye, spatial loading system designed and constructed. Then an external stress (2614±146 Pascal) less than intraocular pressure of eye was applied to 10 eyes belonged to ARMD patients and 25 eyes belonged to age-matched control subjects. Ultrasound images of B-mode, A-mode and RF signals were taken before and after applying stress and saved in the computer by multimedia board. The scans were aligned vertically and placed at the temporal edge of the macula. After image processing the elastic properties were compared in the two groups. Relative changes of eye axial length, posterior wall thickness and retina-choroid were measured by ultrasound images. Based on applied stress, elastic modulus of eye axial length, posterior wall thickness and retina-choroid were estimated. Independent paired t-test analysis was used for comparison of the two groups. There was a significant difference (P<0.05) in the eye axial length elastic modulus between the ARMD group (109100±37017 Pa) and control group (63920±36212 Pa). There was also significant difference (P<0.001) in elastic modulus of ocular posterior wall thickness between the ARMD group (58911±15884 Pa) and control group (21154±13116 Pa). While, there was no significant difference in retina-choroid complex axial elastic modulus between the ARMD group (17700±3675 Pa) and control group (20175± 4956 Pa). It is concluded that elastic modulus of eye axial length and posterior wall thickness can be used for differential diagnosis of eyes with ARMD.

Grip strength plays a fundamental role in many daily activities of upper extremities. Reduced grip strength is common in patients with some musculoskeletal disorders in upper extremities. Kinesio taping of the forearm area might help to facilitate muscle contraction through stimulating the skin mechanoreceptors and consequently increasing sensory feedbacks around the taped area. This study aimed to find the best place and time for kinesio taping of the forearm in increasing hand grip strength. Using a simple non-randomized sampling method, 40 healthy subjects (20 males and 20 females) were recruited in this interventional study. First, the flexor, extensor and flexor/extensor muscle groups of the forearm were taped with a 50% stretched and I-shaped technique. A grip-meter device (MIE, UK) was used to measure the grip strength every half an hour during 2 hours and then the tape was removed from the skin. Changes of the hand grip strength before and after the taping were recorded and analyzed using Repeated Measure and One-Way ANOVA. Mean age of participants was 22.3±2 years. Hand grip strength of males increased from 38.33±6.5 to 42.4±7.3 kg (P<0.05) and in females it increased from 19.3±4.5 to 23.5±4.3 kg (P<0.05). In addition, taping on the extensor region increased hand grip strength more than when it was used on the flexor or flexor/extensor regions (P<0.05). Furthermore, male subjects reached to the maximum hand grip strength (10.8% increase in force) in half an hour after taping while females reached to this point (23.9% increase in force) 1.5 hour after taping Kinesio taping technique seemed to be effective in increasing hand grip strength of healthy individuals and the best region for tape application is the extensor region of the forearm. Although in females increase of hand grip strength occurs later than males, the rate of this increase is higher.

Since previous studies on complications resulting from exposure to electromagnetic fields emitted by mobile phones are based only on self- reported symptoms, this study was performed to find the capability of users in recognition of real/ sham microwave exposure and probable alterations of vital signs after microwave exposure. In a two- step screening, from 700 students in Shiraz University of Medical Sciences and Shiraz University, 20 ones diagnosed as hypersensitive who had no significant exposure to other EMF sources, were selected and exposed twice to real and sham radiations each for 10 minutes and their self- reported symptoms were recorded. Then in the last stage their vital signs were recorded by connecting them to ICU monitoring devices. Only problem in concentration and low back pain were associated with mobile phone use (P<0.05). Furthermore, there was a significant association between the location of mobile phone during talk and the overall score of the intensity of the symptoms (P<0.001). Only 5 students (25%) could discriminate the real /sham exposures. No statistically significant changes in means of vital signs in real/sham exposures were observed. Our findings clearly confirm the results obtained in other provocative studies. These data also indicate the possible role of psychological factors in electromagnetic hypersensitivity

Excessive stress in addition to causing physical and psychological problems in General Practitioners (GPs), can lead to decreased quality of patient care. This research aimed to find the frequency of burnout in general practitioners of Kerman city. This descriptive analytic study was carried out on 150 GPS in Kerman city in 2009. Data gathering was done by Maslach questionnaire. Data analysis was done by using t test, ANOVA, and Chi-square or Fisher test. In whole, 94.7% of the participants had high level of depersonalization (DP), 27.3% showed medium to high range of emotional exhaustion (EE) and 73. 7% reported medium to high range of personal accomplishment (PA). There were higher levels of EE and DP among male GPs (P<0.05). Marital status and work experience had no significant relationships with the level of burnout. DP and EE were seen more in those working in the hospital (P<0.05). There's a high frequency of burnout syndrome in Kerman general practitioners, particularly on DP subscale. Quick interventions in health policy in order to find the related factors, control and prevent this issue are highly required.

Aggressive angiomyxoma (AA) is a slow growing soft tissue tumor that preferentially involves the vulval and perineal regions. It is characterized by frequent local recurrences but only two reports of metastasized cases have been reported so far.This is a case report of a 32-year-old woman referred with the complain of a painful mass in the right labia major since a few months ago. Gynecologic examination revealed a mobile and painful mass measuring 3x2cm in the inferior side of right labia major. The tumor was excised and pathology report revealed aggressive angiomyxoma.After a few months due to the tumor recurrence, the patient underwent another surgical operation and the previous pathology report was confirmed. Post operative follow up revealed no distant metastasis.