Research articles
Ali Rafat; Maryam Bahmanzadeh; Sara Soleimani Asl; Amaneh Mohammadi Roushandeh; Zoleikha Golipoor
Volume 20, Issue 11 , November 2018, Pages 1-8
Abstract
Background: Preconditioning has become an increasingly promising strategy and applied in cell therapy and shows multiple ther- apeutic benefits in several diseases. Some bioactive agents, such as hormones, are utilized to a develop cell therapy outcome. Mela- tonin is secreted from the pineal gland and ...
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Background: Preconditioning has become an increasingly promising strategy and applied in cell therapy and shows multiple ther- apeutic benefits in several diseases. Some bioactive agents, such as hormones, are utilized to a develop cell therapy outcome. Mela- tonin is secreted from the pineal gland and is famous for its antioxidant capability and cytoprotection potential. Evidence suggest that melatonin may play an important role in the regulation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) differentiation to osteoblasts. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of melatonin preconditioning on the differentiation of bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) to osteoblasts. Methods: This experimental study was performed at molecular genetic and embryology laboratories of Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran, from October 2015 to April 2017. The bone marrow stem cells (BMSCs) were obtained, cultured, expanded, and preconditioned with 5 μM melatonin and analyzed for their multi-potency and immunophenotypic potential at passage five. There were three groups composed of the control group BMSCs + osteogenic medium group, and melatonin-bone marrow stem cells (MT-BMSCs) group. The BMSCs and MT-BMSCs were cultivated in an osteogenic medium. After three weeks of cell survival, osteogenic capability and apoptosis were assessed in three groups. Results: Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells expressed CD44 and CD90, yet not CD45 and showed differentiation to adipocytes and osteoblast. The BMSCs were preconditioned with MT expressed metallothionein 1 (MT1) and metallothionein 2 (MT2) (P < 0.05). Group three showed lower expression of Bax gene yet higher expression of Bcl2 (P < 0.05). Group three had a high ability of osteogenic differentiation capability and reduced apoptosis. Conclusions: The current study detected that melatonin pretreatment promotes MSC survival, reduce apoptosis, and has a positive effect on osteogenic factors in vitro. The preconditioning
Review articles
Kourosh Sayehmiri; Ehsan Mohammadi
Volume 20, Issue 11 , November 2018, Pages 1-8
Abstract
Context: Sleep disorder is a crucial occupational problem for nurses that not only makes health problems for them but also affects job performance and patient’s safety. The status of sleep disorders in nurses is reported variously in Iran.Objective: This study aimed to provide an accurate, precise, ...
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Context: Sleep disorder is a crucial occupational problem for nurses that not only makes health problems for them but also affects job performance and patient’s safety. The status of sleep disorders in nurses is reported variously in Iran.Objective: This study aimed to provide an accurate, precise, and reliable estimate of sleep disorders among nurses using a meta- analysis. Methods: To find relevant studies, international (PubMed, Web of Sciences, and Scopus) and Iranian (Magiran, IranMedex, SID, Iran- Doc, and Medlib) databases were systematically searched until June 2017. Statistical analysis was performed using Stata Statistics Software version 11 (Stata Corp., College Station, TX., USA). The heterogeneity of studies was calculated using the I-square test. The analysis of data was conducted using a random-effects model. Results: Overall, 6894 subjects were enrolled from 26 reviewed studies. The pooled rate of poor sleep quality among nurses in Iran was 64% (95% CI: 55 - 73), and the average score of the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) was estimated to be 8.72 (95% CI; 7.80 - 9.65). The prevalence of daytime sleepiness was 36% (95% CI: 23 - 48). The rate of hypnotic drug consumption was 28% (95% CI: 17 - 38), the sleep latency was 30.84 minutes (95% CI: 27.98 - 33.70), and the mean sleep duration was estimated to be 6.43 hours (95% CI: 5.29 - 7.56). Conclusions: The prevalence of sleep disorders was high among Iranian nurses. It seems necessary to implement appropriatemeasures, such as optimal scheduling of work shifts, sleep hygiene education, and day rests after night shifts.
Research articles
Narjes Khavasi; Mohammadhossein Somi; Ebrahim Khadem; Mohammad Hossein Ayati; Mohamadali Torbati; Seyyed Muhammad Bagher Fazljou
Volume 20, Issue 11 , November 2018, Pages 1-6
Abstract
Background: Despite a number of studies on the effects of complementary medicine products, the effects of caper fruit pickle (CFP), as Iranian traditional medicine (ITM), is not clear in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).Objectives: The current study aimed at assessing the effect of the CFP on ...
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Background: Despite a number of studies on the effects of complementary medicine products, the effects of caper fruit pickle (CFP), as Iranian traditional medicine (ITM), is not clear in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).Objectives: The current study aimed at assessing the effect of the CFP on anthropometric measures and some atherogenic indices in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Methods: A 12-week randomized, controlled, double-blind trial was conducted on 44 patients with NAFLD via block randomizationmethod assigned to either the control (n = 22) or the CFP (n = 22) groups, from March to October 2016 in Zanjan city, Iran. The CFP group received 40 - 50 g of the CFP with daily meals. Before and after the treatment, anthropometric measures, serum lipoprotein ratios, and liver enzymes were assessed. Results: After 12 weeks, weight and waist circumference significantly decreased both in the CFP (P < 0.001) and control groups (P = 0.001 and P = 0.03), respectively. Adjusted to the baseline measures, the a mean difference of alanine aminotransferase (ALT)(P = 0.04), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL.C/HDL.C) (P = 0.001), triglyceride/HDL.C (TG/HDL.C) (P < 0.001) and total cholesterol/HDL.C (TC/HDL.C) (P = 0.001) decreased more significantly in the CFP than the control group at the end of the study. Conclusions: The current study results suggested that daily consumption of the CFP for 12 weeks may potentially prevent cardio- vascular complications in patients with NAFLD. Further studies are needed to confirm the findings.
Research articles
Somayyeh Khazaeian; Nourossadat Kariman; Abbas Ebadi; Malihe Nasiri
Volume 20, Issue 11 , November 2018, Pages 1-8
Abstract
Background: Minority groups such as female heads of households are more vulnerable in terms of mental health than other groups due to accepting multiple responsibilities. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the relationship between predictive factors of mental health and its relation to the health-promoting ...
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Background: Minority groups such as female heads of households are more vulnerable in terms of mental health than other groups due to accepting multiple responsibilities. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the relationship between predictive factors of mental health and its relation to the health-promoting lifestyle in female heads of households in Zahedan, Iran. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted on 420 female heads of households from four regions of the north, south, east, and west of Zahedan selected using purposive sampling. The research tool included a demographic information form, a standard health-promoting lifestyle profile (HPLP-II), and a standard general health questionnaire (GHQ-28). Data analysis was performed using Spearman’s correlation coefficient, Chi-Square, and logistic regression tests. Results: Based on the results of the present study, a high percentage of the sample (72.4%) had mental health disorders. The most and the least impact on the prediction of health status were related to spiritual growth (OR = 0.196, CI = 0.106 - 0.360) and physical activity (OR = 0.757, CI = 0.384 - 1.491). Except for physical activity, all subscales of the health-promoting lifestyle were able to predict the mental health status (P < 0.01), but in the presence of economic and social factors, they could not predict the mental health status (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Since mental health in female heads of households is influenced by a complex system other than health-promotingbehaviors, empowering both women and community to cope with these problems and move toward health promotion seems es- sential. Moreover, the results of the current study might be used by authorities in evidence-based decision making to reduce health inequalities.
Research articles
Hormoz Ayromlou; Parisa Pourvahed; Fatemeh Jahanjoo; Homayoun Dolatkhah; Seyyed Kazem Shakouri; Neda Dolatkhah
Volume 20, Issue 11 , November 2018, Pages 1-12
Abstract
Background: Antioxidants are considered essential components in neurodegenerative disease management since they can protect cells from oxidative damage. Objectives: The current study aimed at evaluating the intake and serum level of selected antioxidants in subjects possessing mild cognitive impairment ...
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Background: Antioxidants are considered essential components in neurodegenerative disease management since they can protect cells from oxidative damage. Objectives: The current study aimed at evaluating the intake and serum level of selected antioxidants in subjects possessing mild cognitive impairment (MCI) compared with a cognitively intact control.Methods: The current prospective, case-control study was conducted in Tabriz from December 2016 to August 2017 on a total of 45 patients with MCI as a case group and another 45 healthy subjects matched by age and gender were recruited for the control group. After completing the mini-mental state examination (MMSE-12) questionnaire, the cases with MCI were identified using the modified Peterson standard. By a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ), the common dietary intakes during the previous year were recorded and blood samples were collected.Results: Of the 90 subjects in the current study, 61% were male and 39% female, with the mean age of 68.8 ± 5.5 years. There were no significant differences between the two groups with respect to dietary intakes of vitamin C, beta-carotene, and lycopene (P = 0.079, P = 0.413, and P = 0.455, respectively). The results of the studied parameters showed that serum beta-carotene and lycopene (P = 0.004 and P = 0.044, respectively) in healthy subjects were significantly higher than those of the elderly people with MCI. There was a significant correlation between Vitamin C dietary intake and serum level and cognitive scores in MMSE-12 (r = 0.231, P = 0.028 and r = 0.224, P = 0.033, respectively) and also between serum level of lycopene and cognitive scores(r = 0.388, P = 0.000). Conclusions: The subjects with mild cognitive impairment had a significantly lower serum levels of lycopene beta-carotene antiox- idants compared with healthy subjects, and there was a positive correlation between serum level of vitamin C and lycopene and also vitamin C dietary intake and scores in the MMSE-12 test.
Research articles
Ziba Jalili; Habib Onsori
Volume 20, Issue 11 , November 2018, Pages 1-6
Abstract
Background: C-reactive protein (CRP) is an acute-phase protein that serves as an early biomarker for inflammation. It has been associated with an increased risk of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). Objectives: This research investigated the association of +1059 G>C (rs1800947) polymorphism in the CRP ...
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Background: C-reactive protein (CRP) is an acute-phase protein that serves as an early biomarker for inflammation. It has been associated with an increased risk of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). Objectives: This research investigated the association of +1059 G>C (rs1800947) polymorphism in the CRP gene with T2DM in the northwestern population of Iran.Methods: In this case-control study, genomic DNA was extracted from human subjects, involving 77 unrelated T2DM patients and 80 unrelated non-diabetic volunteers of a northwestern population of Iran. The CRP gene was analyzed by genotyping for +1059 G>C (rs1800947), allele-specific polymerase chain reaction (AS-PCR).Results: There were 24 (15.3%) CC genotypes, 126 (80.2%) CG genotypes, and seven (4.5%) GG genotypes. There was a significant rela- tionship between the CG genotype of CRP +1059 G>C gene polymorphism and T2DM (P value = 0.037, 95% CI, OR = 2.385). Conclusions: The CRP was associated with T2DM in this population. The frequency of the C allele was high in the northwestern population of Iran. The CG genotype almost doubled the risk of T2DM, which has not been reported in Iran previously. However, the primary finding of this study needs subsequent validation studies.
Research articles
Hossein Salmannezhad; Morteza Mojahedi; Abbas Ebadi; Seyyed Ali Mozaffarpur; Abbas Alipoor; Roshanak Saghebi; Ali Montazeri
Volume 20, Issue 11 , November 2018, Pages 1-9
Abstract
Background: Paying attention to individual differences in presenting health directives is the most important properties of Persian Medicine (PM). Accordingly, individuals in each society are divided into nine Mizaj groups. Access to the standard diagnostic scale is one of the research priorities of PM. ...
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Background: Paying attention to individual differences in presenting health directives is the most important properties of Persian Medicine (PM). Accordingly, individuals in each society are divided into nine Mizaj groups. Access to the standard diagnostic scale is one of the research priorities of PM. Objectives: The present study aimed at designing a preliminary self-administered Mizaj questionnaire, and assessed its reliability and validity. Materials and methods: For this exploratory sequential study, Mizaj identification indices were extracted using PM references, andpeople and PM experts’ interviews. The preliminary questionnaire was designed and the validity and reliability of the questionnaire were evaluated using weighted Kappa statistics (> 0.4), ICC and ROC curve, and determining the sensitivity and specificity of cut-off points. Results: Overall, 15 PM experts, and 221 volunteers participated in various stages of this study. Among 119 designed questions for 30 Mizaj identification indices, 60 items had acceptable reliability. The final questionnaire containing 20 items was extracted after the validity assessment. The sensitivity and specificity of this questionnaire at the specified cut-off points were 71% and 68% for warmness, 63% and 71% for temperance in warmness-coldness, 80% and 57% for coldness, 74% and 58% for wetness, 71% and 69% fortemperance in wetness-dryness, and 78% and 85% for dryness, respectively. Conclusions: This is the first standard Mizaj identification questionnaire, which includes more dimensions of Mizaj identification and can be used for individuals aged 20 to 60 years old. This questionnaire is recommended for Mizaj identification researches and as a supplementary diagnostic scale for clinical activities of Persian Medicine practitioners.
Research articles
Zahra Zanjani; Hamid Yaghubi; Mohammad Reza Shaeiri; Ladan Fata; Mohammad Gholami Fesharaki
Volume 20, Issue 11 , November 2018, Pages 1-6
Abstract
Background: Early studies showed that disgust contributes to developing the contamination obsessive-compulsive disorder (C- OCD) and fear of contamination. Despite considering disgust to explain the fear of contamination as a symptom of C-OCD, there are few studies on the mediating role of information ...
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Background: Early studies showed that disgust contributes to developing the contamination obsessive-compulsive disorder (C- OCD) and fear of contamination. Despite considering disgust to explain the fear of contamination as a symptom of C-OCD, there are few studies on the mediating role of information processing bias (IPB) in the relationship between disgust propensity (DP) and the fear of contamination. Objectives: The current study aimed at exploring the mediating role of IPB between DP and fear of contamination. Methods: The current descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 386 students selected by cluster sampling method. The em- ployed tools were disgust propensity and sensitivity scale-revised (DPSS-R), the Padua inventory (PI), obsessive beliefs questionnaire(OBQ), and spatial cueing task. Data were analyzed with Amos-22 software. Bootstrap methods were used to analyze the mediating role. Results: Results of the structural equation modeling (SEM) indicated that the proposed model had a good fitness [GFI (goodness of fit index), TLI (the Tucker-Lewis index), and CFI (comparative fit index) > 0.95 and RMSEA (root mean square error of approximation) = 0.03]. The results showed that the relationship between DP and fear of contamination was mediated by IPB. Conclusions: Results indicated the impact of disgust propensity on fear of contamination through information processing. These findings emphasized that information processing is essential to explain C-OCD.
Research articles
Sevda Gholizadeh Shamasbi; Parvin Dehghan; Sakineh Mohammad-Alizadeh Charandabi; Akbar Aliasgarzadeh; Mojgan Mirghafourvand
Volume 20, Issue 11 , November 2018, Pages 1-9
Abstract
Background: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes, and obesity can acceler- ate this trend. Objectives: This study aimed at determining the effect of prebiotics on anthropometric indices in patients with this syndrome. Methods: This controlled clinical ...
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Background: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes, and obesity can acceler- ate this trend. Objectives: This study aimed at determining the effect of prebiotics on anthropometric indices in patients with this syndrome. Methods: This controlled clinical trial was conducted with 62 women from 18- to 45-year-old in the city of Tabriz, Iran, during years 2016 to 2017. Participants were assigned to prebiotic and control groups, using the random blocks method. The intervention group had a daily intake of 20 g of resistant Dextrin, dissolved in a glass of water for three months, and the placebo group had a daily intake of 20 g of Maltodextrin, dissolved in a glass of water for three months. Participants’ Body Mass Index (BMI), weight, waist circumference, and hip circumference were measured before, and three and six months after the intervention. Results: There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of baseline values (P > 0.05). Three months after the intervention, mean (SD) waist circumference, hip circumference, weight, and BMI was 78.11 (9.7), 100.85 (7.7), 65.31 (10.9), and 24.41 (4.2) in the prebiotic group and 86.54 (12.3), 108.72 (10.7), 73.25 (14.7), and 27.73 (5.7) in the control group, respectively. Six months afterthe intervention, mean (SD) anthropometric indices was 78.11 (7.9), 101.45 (7.2), 65.70 (10.3), and 24.54 (3.9) in the prebiotic group and 86.4 (12.6), 108.54 (10.8), 73.8 (14.7), and 27.65 (5.5) in the control group, respectively. According to the Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) test, and with controlled baseline values, all anthropometric indices were significantly lower in the prebiotic group compared to the control group at three (P < 0.001) and six months (P < 0.001).Conclusions: This study confirmed the positive and significant effects of prebiotics in reducing anthropometric indices, three and six months after the intervention in women with PCOS.
Research articles
Mahmoud Moghaddam Dorafshani; Mohammad Reza Nikravesh; Mahdi Jalali; Mohammad Soukhtanloo
Volume 20, Issue 11 , November 2018, Pages 1-8
Abstract
Background: Liver cells or hepatocytes facilitate different hepatic functions. The liver reportedly accounts for up to 500 separate functions, alongside other systems and organs. The high consumption of the food containing high levels of nitrate in the commu- nity and the presence of this harmful substance ...
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Background: Liver cells or hepatocytes facilitate different hepatic functions. The liver reportedly accounts for up to 500 separate functions, alongside other systems and organs. The high consumption of the food containing high levels of nitrate in the commu- nity and the presence of this harmful substance in water endanger the health of many people. N-nitroso compounds, as potential free radicals, can damage the tissues through oxidative stress. Objectives: The current study was targeted toward examining the impact of drinking water nitrate and vitamin C on hepatic en- zymes and oxidative markers in rats. Methods: The present experimental study was performed on 49 rats in Mashhad, Iran, during 2017 - 2018. The subjects were as- signed into seven groups. Group one received water without nitrates (control) while groups two, three, and four received different concentration of nitrates (10, 45, 200 mg/L). Groups five, six, and seven received the same concentration of nitrates and vitamin C (20 mg/100g body weight). After 91 days, blood samples were obtained to determine hepatic enzymes (namely, ALT/SGPT: alanine aminotransferase, AST/SGOT: aspartate aminotransferase, and ALP: alkaline phosphatase). Furthermore, an autopsy was carried out to examine the liver tissue regarding the markers of oxidation (namely, MDA: Malondialdehyde, SOD: Superoxide-dismutase, CAT: Catalase enzyme, and GSH: Glutathione), according to the protocol. Results: The results revealed a significant elevation in ALP (P = 0.034), AST (P = 0.018), and ALT (155.14 ± 25.67, 92 ± 17.72, P = 0.000), compared to those in the control group. In addition, the fourth group demonstrated a significant enhancement in MDA level, col- lated to the group one (P = 0.44), while there was a significant drop in CAT (P = 0.025), SOD (P = 0.002), and GSH levels (P = 0.000). Furthermore, use of vitamin C led to a significant drop in the levels of ALP, AST, ALT, and MDA, as well as a significant elevation in GSH, SOD, and CAT in the seventh group in comparison to the fourth group (P < 0.05). Conclusions: As the findings indicated, drinking water nitrate and Vitamin C exerted a non-significant effect on the doses of nitrate (10 and 45 mg/L). Nonetheless, a nitrate dose of 200 mg/L had a significant impact on ALT, ALP, AST, and oxidative stress indicators leading to hepatic diseases.
Hamid Safarpour
Volume 20, Issue 11 , November 2018, Pages 1-2
