Journal of Advances in Medical and Biomedical Research
Volume:23 Issue: 98, 2015

The importance of β-adrenergic signals in bone formation and resorption has been well investigated. However, little is known about the role of β -adrenergic signals in osteoblastic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), which is critically important in bone physiology and pharmacology. In this study, RUNX2 and Osteocalcin gene expression were quantified in MSCs differentiated by osteoblastic differentiation medium (ODM) and Isoproterenol (ISO). In this experimental study, human mesenchymal stem cells were treated by osteoblastic differentiation medium and ISO. RNA extraction was carried out from both osteoblastic differentiation medium at 4 and 21 days of differentiation and from undifferentiated MSCs. RUNX2 and osteocalcin gene expression were quantified by quantitative Real Time-PCR. Isoproterenol decreased the expression of RUNX2 and osteocalcin genes at 4 and 21 days of osteoblastic differentiation. Statistically significant difference was found at 21 days of differentiation (P<0.05). Isoproterenol negatively affects MSC osteogenesis. These findings suggest that human mesenchymal stem cell is also a target for β-adrenergic and may provide valuable treatment option in bone diseases. References 1- Serre CM, Farlay D, Delmas PD, Chenu C. Evidence for a dense and intimate innervation of the bone tissue, including glutamate-containing fibers.

Nowadays, although umbilical cord blood is a commonly used source of hematopoietic stem cell, its low frequency of these cells is the main factor limiting its clinical application. The transplantation of hematopoietic stem cells derived from placenta tissue along with umbilical cord blood cells of the same sample may be an appropriate approach to solve this problem. In this study, we tried to mimic the niche of placenta by nano fiber scaffold in order to expand the hematopoietic stem cells derived from placenta tissue. Different stromal cells along with hematopoietic stem cells derived from placenta tissue were seeded on nano fiber scaffold produced from PLLA coated with collagen. Then, the rate of proliferation in these niches was studied. The expansion in the mimicked niche associated with 3.6 fold increase in the number of cells but the capacity of forming colonies decreased significantly (P<0.0001). Also, the percentage of hematopoietic stem cells increased. Nevertheless, the differences were not statistically significant (P>0.05). Due to a decreased capacity in forming colonies of hematopoietic stem cells derived from placenta, the expansion of stem cells from a part of placenta is not an appropriate solution and other approaches such as isolation of hematopoietic stem cells from the whole placenta tissue should be considered.

Nowadays, it has been recognized that Apelin and Omentin as the hormones secreted by adipose tissue, can be effective in regulating metabolism. The purpose of the present study was to determine the impact of 12 weeks of resistance training exercises on the Apelin, Omentin-1 levels and insulin resistance in overweight elderly women suffering from type 2 diabetes. 30 elderly obese women were selected then assigned into two groups of control (n=15) and case (n=15) based on their body fat percentage and BMI. The mean age and BMI of the participants in the case and control groups were 53.30 ± 5.88, 28.7±2/2 and 51.26± 7.12, 29.11 ± 3.6 respectively. The intervention program included resistance exercises with 50-55% 1 RM conducted increasingly, 3 times a week for 12 weeks. Blood samples were taken before the training and 24 hours after the last training session. U Mann-Whitney Test was used to analyze the data and Wilcoxon test was used at the significance level of p≤ 0/05 to compare pretest and posttest results in the groups, The results showed that there was a significant difference in glucose level (p<0.00001), but no significant difference was found between Apelin and Omentin-1 levels and insulin resistance. It is concluded that although our training exercise program changed the glucose metabolism, it cannot be considered as a potential means of evoking the level of Apelin and Omentin-1. This may be due to inadequate time and intensity of the training exercises.

Clinically significant changes in central nervous system (CNS) function are observed following brief periods of CNS blood flow interruption. Stroke patients exhibit cognitive, emotional, and electrophysiological changes during the recovery phase. Lavender belongs to the Labiatae family and is used for a variety of cosmetic and therapeutic purposes in herbal medicine. This study investigates the effect of ethanolic extract of lavender on cerebral edema in a rat stroke model. Lavender extract was injected intraperitoneally (100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg) for 20 consecutive days. 2 hours after the last dose cerebral artery ligation surgery was performed. 24 hours after the induction of ischemia, cerebral edema was assessed. Also, antioxidant capacities of plasma and brain tissue were assessed in the intact groups. This study shows that treatment of rats with ethanolic extract of lavender caused a significant decrease in brain water content compared with ischemia group. Lavender extracts increased antioxidant capacity in serum and brain tissue in the intacts compared with the control group. The results indicated that lavender extract has neuroprotective activity against cerebral ischemia and the mechanism may be related to augmentation in endogenous antioxidant defense and inhibiting oxidative stress in the rat brain.

Candidiasis is one of the most important and common agents of vulvovaginitis in women. Various clinical manifestations of candidiasis in patients may be associated with different species of Candida. The present study was designed to accurately determine Candida species isolates from patients using culture methods and molecular analysis. In this cross-sectional analytical study, 350 patients with suspected vulvovaginal diseases who manifested various clinical symptoms were entered. Vaginal specimens from the patients were collected. Direct microscopy, primary and specific cultures using SDA, CRA and CMA media, germ tube test, as well as DNA based techniques targeting ITS1-5S-ITS2 fragment, were used for diagnosis and identification of Candida species. 165 out of 350 patients (47.14%) were positive with Candida species including 71.5% recurrent candidiasis and 28.5% acute candidiasis. Characterization of the isolates in the specific sub-cultures and by PCR-RFLP resulted in identification of six different species consisted of Candida albicans (60.6%), C. dubliniensis (3.6%), C. glabrata (23%), C. krusei (10.9%), C. parapsilosis (0.6%) and C. tropicalis (1.2%). In the group consisting of 100 patients with C. albicans, 44% and 56% presented severe and mild to moderate clinical vulvovaginitis, respectively. In patients with non albicans candidiasis, 61.5% showed severe and 38.5% showed mild to moderate vulvovaginitis, significantly different from those of the former group (P =0.028). The results indicated significant involvement of some risk factors (i.e. diabetes and antibiotic consumption) in clinically different vaginal infections (P<0.0001) The study showed a high prevalence of candida infection in patients with vulvovaginitis in Southeast of Iran, involving several species, mostly C. albicans and C. glabrata. Considering the increasing prevalence of non-albicans species among these patients, precise determination of causative Candida species with more reliable methods such as molecular techniques are recommended.

Patients with hypothyroidism require thyroid hormone replacement. Many studies have shown that bone density reduction is caused by suppressive doses of levothyroxine, but there are contradictory results regarding the effect of levothyroxine replacement dose (non suppressive). The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of replacement doses of levothyroxine on bone mineral density in premenopausal females with primary hypothyroidism. In this analytic case - control study, 55 females aged 30 to 50 years with primary hypothyroidism who received levothyroxine for at least two years, with TSH of 0.1 to 4.5 over their follow ups underwent densitometry using DXA method in spine and hip and then were compared with 55 subjects in the control group. The mean differences in bone mineral density and Z-score of total femur zone, neck of femur and lumbar spine zone were significant in control and case groups. There were no significant correlations between the duration and dose and bone density in femur zone (neck and total) and lumbar spine. Likewise, there was no significant correlation between TSH and bone density in total femur zone and lumbar spine; however, the difference was significant in femur neck zone, but not at the level of osteoporosis and osteopenia. This study indicates that taking levothyroxine even with replacement dose (TSH within the normal range) can result in prominent changes in bone density, although it is not clinically significant.

Cerebrovascular accident (CVA) is a severe debilitating neurological condition in adults. This study sought to assess the effect of observation and mimicking functional activities on weight distribution and dynamic balance index improvement in lower limbs of hemiparetic patients based on mirror neuron theory. This clinical trial was performed on 36 males and females aged 45-60 years who suffered ischemic CVA for the first time. Subjects were randomly divided into 3 groups as follows: viewers of functional film, viewers of non-functional (symbol) film and the control group (not watching any film). The physiotherapy treatments in all groups were similar. Weight percentage distribution was not significant. The values prior to and after dynamic balance index were statistically significant in all 3 groups. Significant differences were found between group 1 and the other 2 groups in terms of balance index percentage change (level 6). Observation and imitation of action along with rehabilitation exercises and functional activities had a positive effect on the improvement of balance Index in post-stroke patients.

Klebsiella pneumoniae is one of the most important causative agents both in form of hospital acquired and community-acquired infections. This bacterium is one of the most prevalent pathogens that is isolated from hospitals and is associated with high mortality rates. The uprising trend of multi drug resistance among Klebsiella pneumoniae has limited the treatment options. The objective of this study was to detect Metallo-beta-Lactamases, Extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) and outer membrane porins among Klebsiella pneumoniae strains isolated from hospitalized patients in Taleghani and Mofid hospitals. This cross-sectional study was performed on 100 Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates from 2012 to 2013. Antibiotic susceptibility tests were performed via Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion and Broth Microdilution methods according to CLSI guidelines. Metallo-beta-Lactamases, Extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) producing strains were detected by phenotypic confirmatory test and Combination Disk Diffusion Test (CDDT), respectively. The blaAIM, blaSPM, blaDIM, blaIMP, blaVIM، blaTEM، blaSHV and blaCTX-M genes were detected using PCR and sequencing method. The outer membrane porins including OmpK35 and OmpK36 were analysed throughSDS-PAGE, PCR and sequencing methods. Out of 100 K. pneumoniae isolates, 48 (48%) and 3 (3%) were ESBL and MBL positive, respectively. The presence of blaTEM-1, blaSHV and blaCTX-M-15 was detected in 24 (50%), 30 (62. 5%) and 28 (58. 33%) isolates respectively, while other genes were not detected. Outer Membrane Porins, OmpK35, was detected among 30 (62. 5%) of 48 ESBL-producing isolates while OmpK36 was found in 35 (72. 91%) of 48 ESBL-producing isolates. In this study, Fosfomycin and Tigecycline were more effective than other antibiotics. The high prevalence of ESBL-producing K. pneumoniae detected in this study is of great concern which requires infection control measures including antibacterial management and rapid detection of beta-lactamases-producing isolates.

Post operative nausea and vomiting (PONV) are unpleasant feelings which frequently occur after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of dexamethasone and propofol in prevention of PONV in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. 60 patients with ASA status 1-2, who had undergone laparoscopic cholecystectomy with similar general anesthesia were selected and were randomly assigned to one of the three groups (20 patients in each group). Group I received 0.5 mg/kg propofol (i.v), group II received 8 mg dexamethasone (i.v) and group III received normal salin 9.0% (i.v) as placebo, following the completion of surgery, 1 and 24 hours after the surgery patients with 0-2 level of consciousness were questioned about the presence of nausea and vomiting. Over 1 to 24 hours after the surgery, PONV in the dexamethasone group was significantly less than the other groups. Also the incidence of PONV in the Propofol group was lower compared to Placebo group. A single dose of dexamethasone after surgery is effective in prevention of PONV in laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Also the incidence of PONV can be effectively reduced with Propofol.

diseases and emphasis on using nondrug treatments, this study was performed to assess the effect of wheat germ on lipid profile reduction among hyperlipidemia and normolipidomia students. 108 volunteer students in the age range of 21.33±2.15 years old (74 normolipidemics, 34 hyperlipidemics) were entered to the study. In addition to their typical diet, these students were asked to take a 30- gram wheat germ in their daily diet for 4 weeks. Hyperlipidemia and normolipidomia participants were determined based on National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel 3 (NCEPATP3) guidelines. Anthropometric and metabolic measurements, calorie and mineral intakes, before and after the intervention were taken and analyzed using paired t-test (SPSS version 19). In the wheat germ group, total cholesterol, triglycerides and VLDL (p=0.001) significantly reduced to 10.5, 19 and 20%, respectively. Also parameters of HDL-C/TC (p=0.004) and systolic blood pressure (p=0.046) significantly increased (in both groups) and decreased (in hyper lipidemic group), respectively. In addition, total cholesterol level decreased significantly (p=0.003) in normolipidemic students. There was no statistically significant change in other parameters. Due to significant decrease in triglycerides in hyperlipidemic group and total cholesterol levels in both groups, consumption of wheat germ, as a nondrug treatment, for prevention of cardiovascular diseases and dyslipidemia is suggested.

Overweight and obesity are the major health problems in the world. Increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity in children and adolescents is very important due to the effect on blood lipids composition and cardiovascular diseases. The purpose of this study was to investigate the blood lipids status and its association with body mass index among adolescents in Qazvin city, Iran. In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 318 individuals aged 10 to 18 years in Minoodar City of Qazvin were selected using cluster randomized design. Demographic, anthropometric and biochemical data were collected. Data were analyzed using t-test and ANOVA. The results showed that 9.7% of the participant adolescents were underweight, 15.7% were overweight and 4.8% were obese. The prevalence of hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia and elevated LDL cholesterol were 19.6%, 11.3% and 12.9%, respectively, and HDL cholesterol levels were lower than the recommended amount in 23% of the subjects. There was a significant correlation between the level of blood triglyceride and body mass index (P = 0.02). The overweight and obese adolescents had higher concentrations of blood triglycerides compared to the adolescents with optimal weight. Therefore, it seems that weight control is an effective way to reduce blood lipid metabolism disorders in adolescents.

The aim of present study was to investigation the effectiveness of hope therapy base on groups to increase the components of Self-esteem and Psychological health in depressed people. The method of this study was semi-experimental with pretest -posttest design with control group. The sample consisted of 40 female high school students in Khorramabad city. Initially the Beck Depression Inventory was used randomly for 730 students. Then 40 subjects from population who were in abnormal level, according to criteria of clinical cut of point, (one standard deviation above the mean) were selected and structured clinical interview was administrated. Of these, 20 subjects were selected randomly for experimental group and 20 of them to the control group. The Hope Therapy administrated 8 sessions that each session lasted 90 minutes; every week, one session. After completing sessions, post-test was administrated on experimental and control groups. Based on the results of the analysis of covariance, there was a significant difference between the mean score in the posttest of experimental group and control group. (p<0.001). Hope therapy base on group therapy lead to increase the self- esteem and psychological health. So, it is appropriate to improve the life quality of depressed people, providing of educational services and hope promoting programs be accomplished with appropriate methods, such as learning base on problem solving with active engagement of peoples in discussions with a processed program.