نشریه دانشگاه علوم پزشکی بیرجند
سال بیستم شماره 2 (پیاپی 55، تابستان 1392)

Atherosclerosis is the main factor of mortality in cardiovascular patients. Pathogenesis dependence of atherosclerosis on the increase of low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) has been proved. Since using of existing chemical medicines for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases causes several side-effects، this has led to more tendency to using of herbs. According to some traditional medicinal references، Harmala seeds can be used as lowering blood lipids agents. The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Harmala seeds on blood lipid profiles. In this experimental study 18 Wistar rats with the average weight of 300 g were used. The rats were randomly divided into three groups، i. e. two experimental and one control group. The experimental groups I and II were respectively gavaged 3cc liquid containing 100mg/kg body weight (bw) of aqueous and ethanolic extract of Harmala seeds for 30 days; and group III، as a negative control، received an equal volume of distilled water for the same period. At the end، after deep anesthesia of the subjects with ether، the amount of blood lipids such as triglyceride (TG)، total cholesterol (TC)، LDL، and HDL were measured using test kits and the amount of VLDL cholesterol، too، was mathematically calculated. The obtained data was analyzed by means of SPSS software (v: 11. 5)، ANOVA and Tukey tests at the significant level P<0. 05. The findings showed that mean levels of LDL cholesterol in groups I، II، and control was 36. 8±4. 3، 35. 8±4. 3 and 44. 3±4. 6، respectively. Comparatively، the difference between experimental group I and the control (P=0. 025) and also between group II and the control (P=0. 012) were statistically significant. The other tested blood lipids in the experimental groups and the control group did not show a significant difference. It was found that consumption of Harmala seed can significantly reduce LDL cholesterol and the ethanolic extract of the herb is more effective than the aqueous one.

Long-term consumption of many drugs followed by reduction of their effectiveness has necessitated performing research on new analgesics. Thus، the present study was conducted to evaluate the analgesic effects of mentha longifolia and morphine in mice using writhing and hot plate tests. In this experimental study، 70 male rats were divided into 7 equal groups. The groups included the control، three experimental groups receiving 400، 800، or 1600 mg/kg of mentha extract and three experimental groups which received 2، 4، or 8 mg/kg of morphine. In order to measure pain، the two acceptable tests، writhing and hot plate tests، were applied. Pain scores were measured at 0، 15، 30، 45 or 60 min after administration of algogenic stimulus. It was found that in hot plate test، only the dose of 1600mg/kg of Mentha extract after 60 minutes was significantly able to exert an analgesic effect (P<0. 05). In wrighting test، mentha extract at different doses significantly reduced the number and time of wrightes in the rats، comparable to morphine (P<0. 05). It seems that all doses of mentha extract in wrighting test have analgesic effects which indicate chronic pain inhibition of mentha hydroalcholic extract.

Adiponectin is an important protective factor in pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease and it has been reported that testosterone has a potential anti-diabetic role in men. Furthermore، cortisol is an anti-stress catabolic hormone. The purpose of this study was to survey effect of strength training on serum levels of adiponectin، testosterone، and cortisol in sedentary lean men. In a semi-experimental study، sedentary lean men were randomly placed at two groups: strength training and control. Strength training protocol consisted of twelve weeks weight training (3 sessions per week، 10 stations، 3 sets 8-12 repetitions in each station، intensity 60-80% of one repetition maximum، rest between sets 1 min and between stations 2 min، duration of main training 20-40 min per each session). Data analyzed by SPSS16 software. Independent- and paired-samples T tests were used for analyzing data. Statistical significance was accepted at P<0. 05. In training group (n=9، 20. 9±3. 6 yr، 60. 1 ± 4. 3 kg، 18. 7±2. 2 %، 18. 4±2. 1 kg/m2)، body weight، body mass index and maximal oxygen uptake were increased (P=0. 020، P=0. 011، P=0. 042، respectively)، whereas no significant change in body fat percent was observed (P=0. 244). Also، strength training had no significant effect on serum adiponectin (14. 1±1. 9 vs. 13. 7±2. 5 µg/ml) and cortisol (166. 4±45. 3 vs. 159. 2±51. 6 ng/ml) concentrations (p=0. 278 and p=0. 377، respectively)، but serum testosterone concentration (6. 9±1. 7 vs. 8. 1±1. 9 ng/ml) was increased (p=0. 025). While in control group (n=10، 21. 5±3. 2 yr، 61. 5±4. 2 kg، 19. 5±2. 7 %، 18. 4±2. 3 kg/m2)، none of measured variables showed significant changes (P>0. 05). Performing a period of strength training can improve body weight، body mass index، and cardio respiratory function of sedentary lean men، while it results in no significant change in body fat percent. Also، since testosterone has anti-diabetic role، strength training can be useful through increasing testosterone levels in sedentary lean men. It doesn’t appear that twelve weeks strength training has effect on circulating levels of adiponectin and cortisol in sedentary lean men.

Pap smear is an appropriate method in prevention and reducing mortalities of cervical cancer. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of an educational intervention on the frequency of pap smear test among women. This study was a quasi-experimental and interventional one among 120 women (60 as the intervention group، and 60 in the control group) referred to two of the health centers of Hamadan in 2011. All the subjects were followed up for three months. Participants responded to a standard self-report questionnaire. The obtained data was analyzed using SPSS software (V: 16)، and P<0. 05 was taken as the significant level. After the educational program a significant improvement in the average response to perceived barriers to undergoing Pap smear test (P=0. 001) and perceived severity of cervical cancer complications (P=0. 001) were found among intervention group. In addition، after intervention the rate of doing Pap smear test significantly increased among both groups (P=0. 013). Doing Pap smear test increased among the cases and confirmed the effectiveness of this health educational program for women.

Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis) and Teucrium (Teucrium polium) are used in traditional medicine as anti-diabetic herbs. The present study examined the effects of TP and aloe vera extracts on some metabolites like glucose، total cholesterol، LDL، HDL، VLDL and triglycerides in streptozotocin-induced diabetic Wistar rats. In this experimental research، forty rats were randomly divided into five equal groups. Trials in the study included the control group، diabetics (50 mg/kg STZ)، diabetics+extract of Aloe vera (300mg/kg)، diabetics+Teucrium (300mg/kg)، and diabetics+glibenclamide (5mg/kg). All solutions were given orally for 14 days. Blood samples of the rats were derived from their hearts on the 15th day of the experiment and their serum was isolated. Blood glucose in diabetic rats significantly reduced by aloe vera and Teucrium extracts (P≤0. 05). It was found that concentration of total cholesterol، HDL، VLDL and triglycerides in rats receiving Aloe vera and Teucrium extracts and glibenclamide was significantly lower than diabetic rats (P≤0. 05). Aloe vera and Teucrium were more effective than glibenclamide in reducing blood cholesterol levels. Compared with Aloe vera and glibenclamidettreatment with Teucrium had less effect on serum triglycerides. Serum insulin levels in diabetic animals receiving the herbs extracts significantly increased in comparison with diabetic rats. The use of Aloe vera and Teucrium extracts improve insulin secretion and reduce blood glucose and LDL

Children with low self-esteem are ready to suffering from depression and depression effects on life quality and educational function Thus، the present research was done with the aim of a happiness training program effectiveness in decreasing depression symptoms، its dimensions، and self esteem of children. A quasi- experimental study with a control and a training group، covering pre-testing and post-testing، was conducted on 30 elementary school students of the first educational division of Isfahan city in 2012. The subjects had the appropriate properties of the research and were randomly selected using purposive method based on the criteria. and Interventions included 5 weekly 60 minute group sessions teaching happiness to children and 7 weekly 40 minute group sessions for mothers. In order to assess the children’s depression and self-esteem، CDI and RSS were applied pre and post-intervention ally The obtained data was analysed SPSS software (V: 16) employing descriptive statistics and one-variable co-variance at the significant level ……………….. . Happiness training programs had significant effects on the decreasing of total depression symptoms، negative mood،، interpersonal problems، anhedonia، negative self-esteem، and children’s self-esteem of the experimental group (P<0. 05). But، the programs were not significantly effective in frustration (P>0. 05). Interactive effect of gender and group membership on self-esteem and depression was not significant، too. Happiness teaching programs can decrease depression symptoms n and increase children’s self-esteem. Therefore، it is necessary to take these programs into account while employing other depression treatments.

The aim of educational evaluation is to improve learning and create a suitable situation for academic staff. The present study was performed to assess the viewpoints of BUMS teachers and students regarding the evaluation plan and the effect of it on educational development. The present study was a cross-sectional and descriptive-analytical one. It was performed in the second half of the academic year 2008-9 in Birjand University of Medical Sciences. The study sample included 79 faculty members and 321 paramedical and nursing students. Their opinions were separately studied using two questionnaires for students and faculty members. Content validity and reliability of the two questionnaires employed were confirmed by respective specialists. The gathered data was analyzed by means of SPSS software (V: 16) and Chi-square at the significant level α≤0. 05. It was found that 76 % of faculty members believed that evaluation had some positive effects leading to the betterment of the process of teaching. But، %74. 7 of them believed that some changes in the process should take place. Besides، %69. 9 of the faculty members thought that the questionnaires were irresponsibly and carelessly filled out by the students. On the other hand، %59. 5 of the students believed that the results of the evaluation were not considerably taken into account. They believed that evaluation forms were not suitable evaluative means for teaching. The results of the present study showed that most of faculty members and students are not optimistic about evaluation plan. Therefore، assuring students and teachers of the effectiveness of evaluation regarding the improvement of educational condition will result in more responsibility in students and more motivation in their teachers.

Studies in the recent decade indicate that a high percent of cis and trans –fatty acids and omega 6 in man’s food sources increase the incidence of cardiovascular and atherosclerosis diseases One of animal protein sources used in human diet is the camel meat. Therefore، fatty acid profiles of the camel hump and meat in Birjand and Nehbandan cities، as two main camel meat sources of the South Khorasan province، were evaluated.

In this descriptive-analytical study، 5 samples of local camels were randomly selected، and after being slaughtered، five samples of their respective thigh meat، fillet<، and hump fat were collected and frozen at 80oc. Then، the oils were separated and methylated. After this، the type of each fatty acid was designated in comparison with retention time at the internal standard peak. Finally، the obtained data was analysed using SAS statistical software.

It was found that the amount of lauric، meristic، meristoleic، palemitoleic ''cis and trans''، oleic، linoleic، linolenic، eicosaenoeic، eicosatrienoic، arashidonic، eicosapentaenoic، docosapentaenoic acids SFA، and MUFA of Omega 6 were not significantly different in the two cities، nor in the hump and meat of camels in the two places. The amount of palmitic، strearic، conjugated linoleic acid، eicosamonoenoic، eicosadienoic and docosahexaenoic acids were significantly different between hump and types of meat mentioned in different areas of the province; i. e. the amount of trans fatty acids was less in the hump، but totally more in Nehbandan compared to Birjand (P<0. 05).

Although there is no difference in the total amount of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids derived from the camel meat or hump in the two areas، the amount was less in the hump of the camel; and also lower in Birjand. Therefore، it is probable that the camel''s products in Birjand have a better quality regarding the incidence of atherosclerosis.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is an endemic disease in different areas of Iran. During past years، the disease was sporadic in Birjand. But، it seems that during recent five years a stable focal leishmaniasis has been developed in the area. The present study was designed to determine the species of Leishmania parasites in cutaneous lesions of patients residing in the city of Birjand. In this cross-sectional study، 80 samples of microscopically-positive slides of cutaneous lesions، belonging to suspected CL patients during the past five years، were examined. The variable kinetoplastic regions of the DNA of leishmania and ribosomal Internal Transcribed Subunit 1 (ITS1) of the parasite were multiplied by means of PCR procedure. Then، All PCR products of ITS1 were digested with HaeIII for species identification. PCR-RFLP profile of ITS1 rDNA was able to identify species of leishmania in all 80 microscopically-positive (100%) slides and 13 out of 30 (43. 3%) microscopically-negative ones. But only 46 samples (57. 5%) were identified by means of KDNA PCR. Among the the all subjects، 8 patients (10%) had leishmania major and 72 (90%) had been infected with leishmania tropica. PCR-RFLP of ITS1 rDNA of leishmania is recommended to diagnose infection with CL agents، because of its high sensitivity.

Salmonellosis is one of the most common digestive diseases in the world. Salmonellosis is caused by varieties of salmonella serotypes and there are concerns about the contamination of poultry and its products by this microorganism. Given that the carcasses of poultry، as a major source of infection with this microorganism، determine the frequency and the rate of this type of bacterial contamination، they are considered a criterion in the assessment of the health status of respective poultry farms and their potential health hazards to consumers. The present study aimed at determining prevalence of salmonella contamination of poultry carcasses in Birjand industrial slaughterhouses in 2012. Immediately after poultry slaughtering، 550 samples were randomly taken from different slaughterhouses. Salmonella spp were isolated from suspected positive cultures. Then، they were identified and confirmed by means of biochemical and serological tests. Based on the results of bacteriological tests، out of a total of 250 samples taken from the poultry slaughtered before putting in boiling water، 8 cases (3. 2%) were positive for Salmonella contamination. Serotyping results revealed that all isolates belonged to Salmonella infantis serotype. Among a total of 300 samples taken from the cases after being placed in boiling water، only one sample (0. 3%) was positive for Salmonella infantis. The results indicate that there is a relatively low prevalence of salmonella contamination in the poultry farms in the South Khorasan. Furthermore، lack of diversity in salmonella isolates reveals good health control and low levels of microbial transmission into poultry farms of this area. The outbreak of Salmonella infantis is uniformly consistent with the global spread of this serotype. Differences in the frequency of positive samples before and after placing the carcasses in boiling water may reveal the role of boiling process in reducing salmonella contamination of slaughtered poultry.

Biological vectors of malaria are only anopheles mosquitoes. Since the vector control without identifying them and understanding their biology is not possible، the present study was designed to identify anopheles fauna in different areas of Qayenat city and their internal or external shelters. Larvae، pupae، and adults of anopheles mosquitoes were collected from their internal and external shelters in rural areas in plains and mountainous spots in Qayenat city during a cross-sectional and descriptive study between April 2010 and October 2011. This was done either singularly or collectively through taking samples of the larvae from various inhabitats through scooping. The caught samples were transferred to laboratory in order to determine their type using the valid key to identify adult anopheles and larvae in Iran (Shahgvdyan). A total of 2165 samples including 1711 larvae and 454 adults were collected from different parts of Qayenat city. After identification and validation of the samples 4 species of Anopheles were diagnosed. The samples were superpictus، multicolor، sacharovi، and turkhodai with the percent 72. 2%، 27. 9%، 0. 44%، and 0. 44%; respectively. Most abundant Anopheles were reported to exist in the months of July and August. Regarding the high frequency of superpictus anopheles in the area and its condition، it is necessary to make essential provision for a comprehensive program to control malaria In order to prevent outbreaks of the epidemic in suitable seasons of the year.

The classical clinical triad of retinitis pigmentosa is arteriolar attenuation، retinal bone- spicule pigmentation and waxy optic disc pallor. A 33 year old female patient is introduced here. She had unilateral posterior subcapsular cataract، heterochromic iris، and uveitis. The patient also suffered night blindness، had a family history of low vision، and reduced visual acuity in her right eye. After the best correction، visual acuity was: OD=20/200 and OS=20/20 (with-1. 5 spher-0. 50cyl x 170). Anterior segment examination revealed trace cell with diffused moderate keratic precipitate and heterochoromia with posterior subcapsular cataract. But the examination revealed a normal condition in the left eye. Both eyes had characteristic retinal changes of retinitis pigmentosa. Retinitis pigmentosa can be associated with Fuch’s- like uveitis sporadically; but Fuch’s heterochromic uveitis of affected pedigree was not found.