Decrease of microbial contamination by application of routinely glycerol and phenol solution on human cadavers

Human cadaver is imperative learning material for medical students. The cadavers expose to microbial contamination every time anatomists work with them. The microorganisms found in preparations’ cadavers could be pathogenic. Although the cadaver has supported a preservation method but does not inhibit microbial germination. The purposes of this study were evaluation the use of the routine solution to decrease potential contamination.  Samples were collected air dissection hall and cadavers' sections after drying the cadavers, and after use of routinely glycerin and phenol solution (1.5 g phenol in 100 cc glycerol), inoculated on eosin methylene blue agar (EMB), blood agar (BA), Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA), and SDA with the addition of chloramphenicol (50 mg/l in ethanol solution) (SC), in a Petri dish and incubated at 25 °C and 37 °C. After 3-5 days, the morphology was studied macroscopically and microscopically. We found Sporothrix schenckii; Streptomyces, Bacillus subtilis and Aspergillus flavus, Geotrichum candidum, on the samples of dryness cadavers and air dissection hall, respectively. But fungus and bacteria contamination was decreased after the use of glycerin and phenol solution. Based on the results of this study, it is suggested that glycerol and phenol solution can be used at least once a week to reduce microbial contamination and prevent the spread of the disease from the cadavers to students and professors

Effect of tamsulosin on testis histopathology and serum hormones in adult rats: Experimental study

Background: Tamsulosin is an inhibitory factor of alpha-adrenergic receptors that is used for relieving of the clinical symptoms and management of acute urinary retention. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of tamsulosin on the endocrine axis and testicular tissue in adult male rats. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 30 adult male Wistar rats (weighing 250-300 gr) were divided into three groups: 1) control (received distilled water), 2) experimental 1 (received 0.2 mg/kg/day tamsulosin) and 3) experimental 2 (received 0.4 mg/kg/day tamsulosin) through oral gavage for 28 days. Serum hormones level and testicular histopathology were evaluated at the end of the experiment. Results: In this study, the testicular weight decreased significantly in the experimental groups compared to the control group. A significant decrease was seen in testicular weight (p = 0.004) and the number of Leydig cells in tamsulosin-treated groups (p = 0.012). Tamsulosin improved the hormone profile in experimental groups. Also, higher dose of tamsulosin significantly changed the number of Leydig, spermatogonia cells, the thickness of germinal layer, and the diameter of the seminiferous tubules. Conclusion: Results showed that using tamsulosin, possibly reduces the testosterone concentration through adrenergic axis system and in turn has destructive effects on proliferative activity of germ cells. Key words: Tamsulosin, Seminiferous tubules, Histopathology, Rat, Testis

Kyphosis and Carrying Angle: Prevalence and correlation between anthropometric features

Introduction: Kyphosis is the spinal curve that causes the top of the back to seem abnormally rounded. Carrying angle can be measured with the upper limb being fully extended. The study aim was determining the mean and correlation between kyphosis and carrying angle with demographic factors in medical students of Guilan University of Medical Sciences. Materials and Methods: In this observational study, we assessed asymptomatic young adults in their first three years of enrollment in medical school. The participants had neither current nor a history of spinal or upper arm injuries. Kyphosis and carrying angle were measured by using the Debrunner kyphometer and goniometer, respectively. We also measured anthropometric features such as weight and height. Results: We studied 217 medical students (M/F= 1.17/1), with a mean age of 21.43±2.06. Kyphosis has a statistically significant negative correlation with height, weight, and carrying angle of both dominant and non-dominant upper limbs. We found kyphosis to be greater in female than in male participants. Carrying angle was greater in the dominant upper limb than the non-dominant upper limb. Dominant upper limb carrying angle was also positively correlated with height and weight. Conclusion: In asymptomatic young adults with no history of spinal diseases, anthropometric features such as height and weight impact kyphosis angle. It seems that kyphosis is greater in females. Severe changes in kyphosis angle may cause loss of sagittal orientation. We suggest that people at risk of kyphosis be screened in early adulthood to prevent the increase of kyphosis and its subsequent complications

The Effectiveness of the Anteroom (Vestibule) Area on Hospital Infection Control and Health Staff Safety: A Systematic Review

The emergence of SARS-CoV2 in 2019 showed again that the world's healthcare system is not fully equipped and well-designed for preventing the transmission of nosocomial respiratory infections. One of the great tools for preventing the spread of infectious organisms in hospitals is the anteroom. Several articles have investigated the role of the anteroom in disease control but the lack of a comprehensive study in this field prompted us to provide more in-depth information to fill this gap. Also, this study aimed to assess the necessity to construct an anteroom area for hospital staff members at the entrance of each ward of the hospital, and specify the equipment and facilities which make the anteroom more efficient. Articles were identified through searches of Scopus, Web of Sciences, PubMed, and Embase for studies published in English until May 2020 reporting data on the effect of the anteroom (vestibule) area in controlling hospital infections. Data from eligible articles were extracted and presented according to PRISMA's evidence-based data evaluation search strategy. Also, details around the review aims and methods were registered with the PROSPERO. From the database, 209 articles were identified, of which 25 studies met the study criteria. Most studies demonstrated that an anteroom significantly enhances practical system efficiency. The results showed that the equipment such as ventilation system, high-efficiency particulate absorption filter, hand dispensers, alcohol-based disinfection, sink, mirror, transparent panel, UVC disinfection, and zone for PPE change, and parameters like temperature, door type, pressure, and size of the anteroom are factors that are effective on the safety of the hospital environment. Studies demonstrated that providing an anteroom for changing clothing and storing equipment may be useful in reducing the transmission of airborne infections in hospitals. Since the transmission route of SARS-CoV2 is common with other respiratory infectious agents, it can be concluded that a well-designed anteroom could potentially decrease the risk of SARS-CoV2 transmission during hospitalization as well.publishedVersio

The Role of Pre-Pregnancy Body Mass Index (BMI) in Predicting Maternal Serum Leptin

Background: The key role of leptin is regulation of appetite and body lipid and pregnancy is a condition associated with overeating, reduction in heating and adaptation of lipid cells, culminating in increased body fat mass. So, this study was conducted to examine the relationship between changes in pre-pregnancy BMI and leptin. Methods: This Longitudinal study was conducted on 45 women in the first trimester of pregnancy using a longitudinal approach and convenience sampling method in Tehran city in 2015. The mothers in terms of pre-pregnancy BMI were divided into two groups: group A (n=22 with normal BMI) and group B (n=23 with high BMI), with maternal serum leptin being taken in 6-12 weeks and 15-20 weeks of pregnancy and measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The statistical data were analyzed by SPSS V.21 using Kolmogorov Smirnov, independent t-test, two-sample Chi square, Mann-Whitney, Regression, Pearson and Landa tests with P.V<0.05. Results: The mean age of mothers in the present study was 27.47±5.55 years with a minimum age of 19 and a maximum age of 37 years. The mean plasma leptin of the first and second trimesters of pregnancy was significantly higher in the high BMI group than in the normal group. The correlation showed that the first trimester leptin and changes in leptin levels of pregnancy with pre-pregnancy BMI were significantly higher in the normal group (P=0.04 and P=0.003). Conclusions: BMI before and during pregnancy can be a predictor of maternal serum leptin in pregnancy weight gain. &nbsp

The Role of Pre-Pregnancy Body Mass Index (BMI) in Predicting Maternal Serum Leptin

Background: The key role of leptin is regulation of appetite and body lipid and pregnancy is a condition associated with overeating, reduction in heating and adaptation of lipid cells, culminating in increased body fat mass. So, this study was conducted to examine the relationship between changes in pre-pregnancy BMI and leptin. Methods: This Longitudinal study was conducted on 45 women in the first trimester of pregnancy using a longitudinal approach and convenience sampling method in Tehran city in 2015. The mothers in terms of pre-pregnancy BMI were divided into two groups: group A (n=22 with normal BMI) and group B (n=23 with high BMI), with maternal serum leptin being taken in 6-12 weeks and 15-20 weeks of pregnancy and measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The statistical data were analyzed by SPSS V.21 using Kolmogorov Smirnov, independent t-test, two-sample Chi square, Mann-Whitney, Regression, Pearson and Landa tests with P.V<0.05. Results: The mean age of mothers in the present study was 27.47±5.55 years with a minimum age of 19 and a maximum age of 37 years. The mean plasma leptin of the first and second trimesters of pregnancy was significantly higher in the high BMI group than in the normal group. The correlation showed that the first trimester leptin and changes in leptin levels of pregnancy with pre-pregnancy BMI were significantly higher in the normal group (P=0.04 and P=0.003). Conclusions: BMI before and during pregnancy can be a predictor of maternal serum leptin in pregnancy weight gain. &nbsp

Comparative study of virtual and traditional teaching methods on the theoretical course of ECG in medical students of emergency department

Introduction: The emergency ward is one of the most important parts of the hospital, where people's activities can have many effects on the performance of other wards of the hospital and the satisfaction of patients. Changing lifestyle and transformation of cyberspace into one of the pillars of modern life has had a great impact on learning and teaching methods. To compare the level of theoretical emergency learning in medical students with two virtual and traditional methods. Materials and Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted on 88 medical students who started their emergency rotation in two hospitals of Guilan University of Medical sciences in 2021. Both groups participated in the same exam before and after the basics of electrocardiogram (ECG), normal ECG, types of blocks, diagnosis of MI and arrhythmias education. After collecting the information from the questionnaires, the data analysis was performed via SPSS software with a significant P<0.05. Results: Out of 88 students, 56.8% were female, and 43.2% were male. The mean and median knowledge score before and after education was statistically significant in two groups (P<0.001). The virtual group represented a higher average score of knowledge than the traditional group. The student’ grade point average affected the result of the score after education (P=0.019, β =0.234). Conclusion: The use of virtual education methods in combination with traditional methods might help to improve the learning process and knowledge of medical students in emergency department

Ginseng alleviates folliculogenesis disorders via induction of cell proliferation and downregulation of apoptotic markers in nicotine-treated mice

Abstract Background Ginseng is a powerful phytoestrogen with high antioxidant properties. Objective This study aimed to evaluate the effect of Panax Ginseng (PG) on folliculogenesis, proliferation, and apoptosis in the ovary impaired by nicotine. Methods Forty adult mice were divided into five groups. Control, sham, and nicotine groups, and co-treated groups of nicotine and ginseng in doses of 0.5 and 1 g/kg. Folliculogenesis was assessed via histopathology and serum evaluation of estradiol, progesterone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH) by ELISA. Lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzyme activities both in homogenate tissue and serum were assayed by colorimetric analysis. Apoptotic markers of cytochrome c (Cyt c), Bax, and Bcl-2 were evaluated by RT-PCR. Proliferative index was studied by the Ki-67 immunostaining procedure. Results In comparison to the control or sham groups, nicotine significantly reduced the levels of FSH, LH, and estradiol hormones. An insignificant reduction was observed in the progesterone hormone. Nicotine reduced all healthy follicle numbers, except primordial (P = 0.001). Malondialdehyde (MDA) was increased in tissue and serum in the nicotine group (P = 0.01). Serum catalase (CAT) and enzymatic activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) both were reduced in tissue and the serum, in the nicotine group. Nicotine induced a reduction in the proliferative indexes of granulosa and theca cells in pre-antral and antral follicles (P = 0.001). However, its effect on the proliferative index of stroma cells was not significant. Apoptotic markers were elevated in the nicotine group (P = 0.001). Co-treatment with ginseng elevated all sex hormones, increased healthy follicles, and reduced tissue or serum lipid peroxidation, compared with the nicotine group (p < 0.05). Co-Treatment with ginseng also reduced the expression of apoptotic markers and increased the proliferative indexes in granulosa and theca cells in pre-antral and antral follicles and also in stroma cells, in comparison to the nicotine group (P = 0.001). All above-mentioned alterations following treatment with ginseng were remarkable, especially in the dose of 1 g/kg. Conclusion This study showed ginseng protects folliculogenesis via alteration of hypothalamic- pituitary–gonadal (HPG) axis, induction of proliferation in ovarian somatic cells, reduction of lipid peroxidation, and downregulation of apoptotic markers in the mouse ovary, treated with nicotine

A Preliminary Study of Microsatellite Instability Analysis in Different Genotypes of P53 Codon 72 in Breast Invasive Ductal Carcinomas

Background:The polymorphic variants at codon 72 of the p53 gene, encoding either proline or arginine at residue 72,produce marked change in the structure of p53.From the evidence that the DNAmismatch repair system and p53 interact to maintain genomic integrity, we hypothesized that the codon 72 variation may influence the   prevalence of microsatellite instability;a feature of malignancies associated with mismatch repair deficiency in breast invasive ductal carcinoma.Methods:TP53 codon 72 genotypes were detected by PCR using specific primer pairs for amplifying the Proline or the Arginine Alleles. Then, the frequencies of microsatellite instability (MSI) were analyzed in three genotypes of P53 codon 72 using   genomic DNAs from 120 specimens of breast ductal carcinomas by testing the   BAT-26 marker .Results:From 120 specimens, 73(60.8%) was Arg/Arg, 31(25.8%) Arg/Pro and 16(13.3%) Pro/Pro.MSI analysis revealed that 24.2% of the tumors (29 patients)was microsatellite instability-positive and 75.8% 91 patients) was microsatellite instability   -negative.The frequency of microsatellite instability in the Arginine/Arginine,Arginine/ Proline and Proline/Proline genotypes were 14 (19.2%), 12 (38.7%) and 3(18.8%) respectively. A significant difference in distribution of MSI was found for the Arginine/ Proline genotype compared with (grouped) Arginine/Arginine and Proline/   Proline genotypes (P=0.028).Conclusion: Our findings suggested that breast invasive ductal carcinomas arising in individuals with p53 codon 72 heterozygosity (Arginine/Proline)may be preferentially   prone to microsatellite instability more than other genotypes

Oxytocin can decrease germ cells apoptotic index in testis under acute ischemia reperfusion in a rat model

Background: Ischemia reperfusion (IR) is the main pathology of torsion of testis and it is a common urologic emergency. There is some evidence that shows oxytocin (OT) plays role in ischemia reperfusion. Objective: To evaluate this hypothesis that OT can decrease germ cell apoptotic index in testis under acute ischemia reperfusion in a rat model. Materials and Methods: 20 adult rats were randomly divided into four groups: Control, IR, OT and IR+ OT (OTA). Testicular ischemia was achieved by 720° torsion of the left testis for 2 hr. Then, torsion was removed and reperfusion was performed. Immediately after induction of reperfusion 0.03 µg/kg OT were administered intraperitoneally to the IR+ OT. Three hours after surgery left testis was removed and evaluations were made by Johnson’s score, ELISA, immunohistochemistry and histomorphometry for study of maturity of spermatogenesis, endocrine profiles, apoptosis and quantitative studies, respectively. Results: The results showed in addition tissue edema and congestion, a significant reduced in Johnson’s score were detected in IR group in comparison with controls (p=0.01), and apoptotic index increased significantly (p=0.001). Administration of OT in OT+IR group, increased Johnson’s score but it was not statistically significant. Germinal epithelium thickness was increased significantly (p=0.03), although apoptotic index decreased significantly in comparison with the IR group (p=0.04). However there was not significant difference in serum levels of testosterone, FSH and LH in none of groups (p=0.07). Conclusion: These results suggested that OT can decrease apoptotic index and improves complication of acute ischemic reperfusion in testis in a rat model