Journal of Birjand University of Medical Sciences
Year:2012 | Volume:19 | Issue:2 (51)|Papers Count:15

Background and Aim: Pregnancy termination before onset of labor is one of the midwifery problems. The aim of the present study was to compare extra-amniotic normal saline infusion plus hydrocortisone effect versus prostaglandin E2 suppository for cervical ripening and second- trimester pregnancy termination.Materials and Methods: This randomized clinical-trial study was performed on 50 pregnant women with gestation age of 14 to 28 weeks and Bishop’s Score£2 who required pregnancy termination for fetal indications. Half of the cases received extra-amniotic normal saline infusion plus 100 mg hydrocortisone (EASI+H) and the other half received two doses of 3mg prostaglandin E2 suppository every 4 hours. Six hours later, induction of labor was started by means of a high dose of Oxytocin according to of Alabama University Protocol for Mid-trimester Abortion. The obtained data was analyzed by using statistical methods Chi-square, Fisher and T-test.Results: There were no differences between the two groups regarding maternal age, parity, gestational age, Primary Bishop, s Score and indication of pregnancy termination. In the EASI+H group, the mean interval between initiation of labor induction and fetal expulsion was 23.04±4.47 hours and in PGE2 group was 28.65±2.87 hours (P=0.001). The success rate in the EASI+H group was 100% and in PGE2 group 80% (P=0.04). Complications such as fever, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, increase of blood pressure and need to curettage in PGE2 group were statistically and significantly more abundant.Conclusion: Extra-amniotic normal saline infusion plus hydrocortisone is an effective and safe method that is suggested for cervical ripening and second- trimester pregnancy termination.

Background and Aim: Studies have shown that probably there are compounds with protective effects on delivery channels and chorionic membranes which prevent the uterus and the embryo from bacterial contamination. The present study aimed to assess anti-bacterial properties of chorionic membranes in comparison with the effects of some common antibiotics.Materials and Methods: This study was conducted using chorionic membranes from 24 healthy pregnant women. After spreading plates by individual microbial suspensions of seven species, amniotic membranes and chorioamniotic membranes fragments were put on the plates. Besides, antibiogram disks-as positive control, and the cord tissue-as negative control were used. After 18-24 h incubation, the halo of growth around the membranes and antibiotic disks were studied.Results: Significant antibacterial effects were found as halo of lack of bacterial growth around amniotic and chorioamniotic membranes while antibacterial resistance was observed for the same strains in several cases. Most anti-bacterial effects were observed in Streptococcus pyogenes, Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus. However, mean of halo of growth inhibition was observed for streptococcus pyogenes and Staphylococcus aureus which was much more around chorioamniotic membranes than the same bacteria aroundamniotic membranes. Statistical analysis using T-test revealed a significant difference (p£0.005). Chorioamniotic membranes were significantly more than that found for amniotic membranes against Streptococcus pyogenesand Staphylococcus aureus.Conclusion: The present study confirms antibacterial effects of chorionic membranes. Therefore,, the idea of using these membranes as a valuable supplement to antibiotics in order to expedite the treatment of clinical infections and infected wounds is strongly suggestive.

Background and Aim: Statins promote the proliferation and survival of endothelial cells. Electromagnetic field, too, affects angiogenesis. In the present research, the effect of atorvastatin together with a low frequency electromagnetic field (50 Gauss) on angiogenesis of chick embryo was assessed.Materials and Methods: 98 fertilized eggs were divided into 7 equal groups in the following manner: control group and experimental ones 1) lab case, 2) atorvastatin (0.1 mm) group, 3) atorvastatin (10 mm) group, 4) electromagnetic field group, 5) atorvastatin (0.1 mm) and electromagnetic field group, 6) atorvastatin (10 mm) and electromagnetic field group. On the eighth day of incubation a gelatin sponge was placed on chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) and was soaked with 10 microliters of atorvastatin (0/1 mm) for groups 2, 5, 3, and 6); and for groups 3 and 6 ten microliter of atorvastatin (10 mm) On the 10th day the eggs of the groups 4, 5, and 6 were put under an electromagnetic field for four hours. On the twelfth day, incubation of angiogenesis and respective length of vessels in all samples was measured. The obtained data was statistically analyzed by means of SPSS software (v.16), ANOVA and Tukey test P<0.05.Results: Mean number and length of vessels in the control and experimental cases didn’t show any significant differences (p>0.05). Comparison between mean number and length of vessels in the control and group 2 showed a significant increase (p=0.001), but groups 3 and 6 was showed a significant decrease in the mean number and length of vessels compared with the controls (p<0.001). Comparison between mean length of vessels in the control and group 4 revealed a significant decrease in the average length of vessels (p=0.001).Conclusion: Synergistic effects of atorvastatin (10 mm) and electromagnetic field cause inhibition of angiogenesis in chorioallantoic membrane. Besides, electromagnetic field has an inhibitory effect on stimulatory effect of atorvastatin 0.1 mm on angiogenesis.

Background and Aim: Production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) increases during oxidative stress conditions, which stimulates diabetes, inflammatory reactions, rheumatism and anemia. Some antioxidant properties of turmeric rhizome powder (TRP) were revealed by previous researchers. The present study was conducted to evaluate the influence of TRP on decreasing effects of oxidative stress resulted from heat stress in broiler chickens.Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, two-hundred-sixty-four 1-day-old broilers were divided into 3 dietary treatments. The dietary treatments involved 0 (control), 0.4 and 0.8% turmeric rhizome powder (cases). In order to create oxidative stress, the ambient temperature was daily raised from 21 to 33oc for 5 hours (11 a.m-4 p.m) throughout the 28th-42nd days. Blood lipids, Glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and Tiobarbituric acid reaction score (TBARS) were determined at the end of the experiment.Results: The results revealed that total cholesterol and triglyceride were not affected. The 0.4 TRP diet decreased blood LDL (46.7±3.01) compared to basal group (52.0±2.17). HDL increased in broilers fed 0.8% TRP (74.0±3.87) compared to chickens with basal diet (63.7±2.98). Enzyme activity of GPx improved in broilers fed TRP diets (225.9±11.52) as compared to chickens with basal diet (183.1±8.52); however, the TRP diet did not affect enzyme activity of SOD (P>0.05). The TBARS index decreased in broilers fed TRP (0.76±0.0052 in basalvs.0.490.0032 in 0.8% TRP).Conclusion: The major bioactive component of TRP is Curcumin that can improve the antioxidant properties under oxidative stress and high ambient temperature.

Background and Aim: Diabetes is a metabolic disorder resulting from defects in insulin secretion or function. Walnut is a nutrient used in traditional medicine to treat diabetes. In the current study, anti-diabetic effects of the Hydroalcoholic extract of walnut male flowers on diabetogenized rats by using Streptozocin were evaluated.Materials and Methods: Seventy two adult male Wistar rats weighing 200-225 g each were randomly selected and divided into three main groups, i.e. control, diabetic, and non-diabetic (intact) The control group included 8 rats (n=8). The diabetic and non-diabetic groups covered 32 rats each. Each of these groups were divided into four 8 rats including the control, diabetic, experimental 1, 2, and 3 which received 2, 4, or 6 g/kg of the extract per day for 15 days, respectively. The three diabetic groups were each treated with the above doses of the extract, and the fourth group received no treatment. Diabetes was induced in diabetic rats through intraperitoneal injection of 60 mg/kg of Streptozotocin. At the end, blood samples were taken from the experimental and control groups and the serum levels of insulin and glucose were measured.Results: A significant reduction in blood sugar (P£0.001) and increase of insulin (P£0.01) in diabetics receiving Hydroalcoholic extract of male flowers walnut was observed compared with non-diabetic ones.Conclusion: Hydroalcoholic extract of male Walnut flowers, due to increasing insulin, causes reduction of blood sugar.

Background and Aim: Discharge of industrial wastewater containing hexavalent chromium into the environment can have harmful effects to the types of organisms. Therefore, chromium must be removed using an effective method before being discharged into the environment. The purpose of the present study was to examine hexavalent chromium removal using Peganum harmala granular seeds (PGS).Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, removal of hexavalent chromium was performed using PGS considering changes in time, pH, adsorbent dose, initial concentration of chromium, and mixing speed. Experiments were performed in batch reactor in flasks on Shaker. For chromium VI determining UV/VIS Spectrophotometer T80+at a wavelength of 540 nm was used. The obtained data was analyzed by means of n Excel software.Results: It was found that the most removal of hexavalent chromium occurred in pH equal to 1.5 and optimum adsorbent dose was 10 grams per liter. Because of the limited active sites of the absorbent material, with an increase in the initial concentration of chromium, removal outcome decreased with increasing of contact time and mixing speed.Conclusion: PGS can remove hexavalent chromium from aqueous solution effectively.

Background and Aim: Coping ways with stress in coronary heart disease patients can lead to significant changes in the levels of biomarkers IL-b1 and cortisol. Thus, the aim of the present study was to examine the relationship between coping ways with stress and level of IL-b1 and cortisol in coronary heart disease patients.Materials and Methods: The statistical population covered all patients with CHD who referred to Tehran Shahid Rajaie Heart Hospital.44 patients with CHD admitted to different wards of the hospital were selected as eligible cases. In the present study, Lazarus and Folkman questionnaires and Human IL-b1 kits manufactured by Austrian Bender Med System Manufacturing Co and cortisol kits (made by IBL Manufacturing Co, Germany), employing ELISA method of measurement were used.Results: It was found that there was a significant positive correlation between emotional focused coping ways with biomarkers IL-b1 and cortisol (P=0.001). But, a significant negative correlation was observed between problem focused coping ways and biomarkers IL-b1 and cortisol (P=0.001). Moreover, between 8 ways of coping with stress only predictive positive re-evaluation had a significant relationship with IL-b1 and Cortisol.Conclusion: An increase in the use of problem focused coping ways including positive re-evaluation way can reduce levels of IL-b1 and cortisol.

Background and Aim: Congenital hypothyroidism (CH) is among the most common endocrine disorders in children and a preventable cause of mental retardation. The present study was performed to determine the prevalence and related risk factors of hypothyroidism in neonates in South Khorasan.Materials and Methods: This descriptive-retrospective study was conducted on the data collected through the Neonatal CH Screening Project in South Khorasan during four years (March 2006-March 2010). Neonates whose TSH of the heel blood was ³5 mU/L were recalled and if the serum TSH was ³10 mU/L they were accounted as hypothyroid cases. Finally, SPSS software was used to analyze the obtained data.Results: From 38987 neonates, 1248 cases (3.21%) were recalled and serum TSH of 71 neonates was ³10 mU/L which was a symptom of hypothyroidism. In the initial screening of hypothyroidism in neonates TSH of the heel blood in 45% was found to be 5-10 mU/L, in 20% it was 10-19.9, and in 35% it was ³20. Prevalence of the disease was 1 in 549 living births. Hypothyroidism in boys was 6% more than girls.98.6% of the sick neonates’ mothers did not have hypothyroidism 50.7 % of the cases lived in city.Conclusion: Regarding the significance of the disease in developing mental retardation, it is necessary to persuade parents to have their neonates take part in neonatal hypothyroidism screening plan.

Background and Aim: Occupational stress is a major problem in industrial societies. Its relationship with various diseases is increasing, but it probably has vast socio-economic consequences manifested in the form of absenteeism, labour turnover, loss of productivity and disability pension costs. The present study aimed at determining stress in the staff of a tyre factory.Materials and Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was done on 196 members of staff from various sections of a tire factory in 2008 through proportional classification and randomized sampling.Data was collected by means of Coudron two questionnaires “demographic” and “standardized job stress”. The obtained data was analyzed by using SPSS software (v: 11.5), chi-square test, and Pearson’s correlation coefficient P≤ 0.05.Results: It was found that 49.5% of the staff had severe job stress..Severe job stress was 55.8% in the production unit (No=53), 50% in the administrative unit (No=16) and 40.6% the backing unit (No=28). There was a significant relationship between variables income and adequate sleep on one hand and level of job stress on the other (P<0.001).However, no significant relationship was observed between job stress and age, marital status, education, working record, and exercise.Conclusion: Based on the results of the current study, more than half of the employees suffered from job stress. Compared with employees in other industrialized countries, Iranian employees appeared to have much higher prevalence of stress. Therefore, more studies are required to reduce the amount of stress and its consequences.

Background and Aim: Urinary tract infection is one of the most prevalent bacterial infections in childhood, which due to an inapproto determine the common bacteria and their antibiotic susceptibility in children with urinary tract infection.Materials and Methods: This descriptive-analytical and prospective study was done in 2009-2010 on urine samples of all children under 13 years who had been referred to Emmam-Reza hospital laboratory in Birjand and had positive urine culture. Sex and age of children, kind of isolated bacteria in urine culture, susceptibility and resistance of these bacteria to current antibiotics were studied. The obtained data was analyzed by means of SPSS using Fisher exact-test.Results: One hundred children (84 girls and 16 boys) with positive urine culture were studied. The most common age of urinary tract infection was under two years. In all ages the rate of urinary tract infection in females was more than males. E.coli was the most common cause in both sexes. There was a significant relationship between kind of microorganism and age of infection (P=0.001). The most prevalent cause of urinary tract infection in all ages was E.coli (75%), infection by Proteus was 11%, and other microorganism caused 14% of the cases. E.coli had the most susceptibility to ceftriaxone and ceftazidime and the most resistance to cephalexin and co-trimoxazol. Not taking the type of microorganism into consideration, the most sensitive antibiotics were ceftazidime, ceftriaxone, cefexim and nalidixic acid; and the most resistance was against co-trimoxasol and cefalexin.Conclusion: Regarding the results, it is recommended to use cefexime and nalidixic acid for outpatient treatment of urinary infection, and ceftazidime and ceftriaxon for inpatient treatment. Selecting of antibiotics for urinary infection therapy should be based on the local prevalence of pathogenic bacteria and antibiotic sensitivities rather than on a universal guideline.

Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) is a hereditary disease. Recurrent peritonitis is one of the chief manifestations of FMF. Peritonitis attacks are often indistinguishable from those of abdominal surgery and may lead to one or more surgical procedures before diagnosis of FMF. Meningitis in patients with FMF is rare.The present report is on a 28-year-old man with recurrent attacks of peritonitis who had 2 abdominal surgeries and one attack of meningitis. Clinical diagnosis of FMF based on clinical history was made. After colchicine therapy, during 3 years follow up, just two mild attacks of abdominal pain but no further recurrence of meningitis was observed. Therefore, definite diagnosis of FMF was made according to Tel- Hashomer criteria.Based on the present case study, we propose threepoints.The first is that each abdominal attack of FMF patients may lead to an unnecessary laparotomy prior to diagnosis of FMF. The second is that FMF patients can present with mild abdominal pain while they are receiving colchicine, and the third is that meningitis should be considered as an unusual manifestation of FMF with excellent response to colchicine therapy.