Pars Journal of Medical Sciences
Year:2013 | Volume:10 | Issue:4|Papers Count:12

Introduction: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is one of the most common neurologic disorders. It appears that in addition to the common risk factors, there may be other factors, such as serum level of trace elements, which affect the development or course of the disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the serum levels of iron, zinc and copper in patients with MS and compare them with the control group.Materials and Methods: In this study, serum levels of iron, zinc and copper were determined in 25 patients with MS and compared with those of 25 healthy individuals matched with age and sex. Data were analyzed in SPSS, version17 using statistical descriptive methods (mean- percentage, SD) and t-test.Results: In this study, there were 9 males in the case and control groups and the rest were female. The mean age of the patients was 28±3.44 years for men and 24±2.55 years for women. Mean serum iron levels were significantly elevated in MS patients (127.04±34.67) compared to these levels in the control group (103.95±33.81). Mean serum zinc levels were significantly decreased in MS patients (10.92±2.114) as compared to these levels in the control group (14.05±3.2). Also, mean serum copper levels were significantly decreased in MS patients (88.58±19.56) compared to the levels in the control group (110.37±37.1).Conclusion: The findings of this study show that serum levels of Iron, Zinc and Copper in patients with MS are different from those in normal population.

Introduction: Aloe Vera or yellow Sabr is a durable plant belonging to Sousanian family. This plant has a strange potential to treat scars and burns. Aloe Vera leaf has antimicrobial and anticancer attributes. This study is designed to assess the probable effects of Aloe Vera sap on progesterone, estrogen and gonadotropin in female rats.Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 40 female rats with the mean weight of 180±20 gr were divided into five groups of control, sham, and intervention groups 1, 2, and 3. The control group did not receive any drug. The sham group only received 2 ml distilled water. Intervention groups received 50, 100 and 200 mg/ kg hidroalcoholic extract of Aloe Vera during 10 days orally (equal to 2 sexual cycles). Finally, the rats were anesthetized using ether and blood samples were taken through their ventricles. Blood serum was extracted and the serum concentration of estrogen, progesterone, luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) was measured using immunoassay. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA.Results: The mean serum level of estrogen was significantly higher in intervention groups 2 (100 mg) and 3 (200 mg) compared to the control group (P<0.05). No significant difference was found between the intervention groups and control group for serum level of progesterone, LH and FSH.Conclusion: Given these findings, the Aloe Vera sap may have favorable effects on estrogen synthesis due to its phytoestrogen components such as beta sitosterol, and can increase the estrogen level.

Introduction: Measuring the quality of life in chronic diseases such as end stage renal disease (ESRD) today is considered as a favorite standard in the medical world. This study was conducted aiming at determining health- related quality of life in dialysis patients in Jahrom.Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional descriptive study conducted on 52 patients under hemodialysis treatment referred to dialysis center in Motahari hospital of Jahrom city in the year 2010. Data were collected using a questionnaire including 2 parts: demographic variables and SF36. Descriptive and analytical statistics (Mean and Standard Deviation, in-depent t-test, One-Way ANOVA) were used to analyze the data in SPSS-15. Probability values less than 0.05 were considered as significant.Result:  The results showed that the mean age of the study group was 56.48±15.38. 46.2% were female and 53.8% male. The mean score of the quality of life (QOL) of the study patients was 50.38±15.80. The  The lowest scores were recorded for physical functioning (37.49±27.90) and the the highest scores belonged to mental health (61.51±19.52). The results showed a significant difference between the mean of QOL and independent variables of age, marriage, and sex. (P=.026, P=.012, P=.001). There was no significant difference between the mean of QOL and family income, educational level, background diseases, number of children, and duration of dialysis treatment.Conclusion: The results showed large variations in the dimensions of life in end stage renal disease as the result of hemodialysis.  , Family and health care team members can use factors influencing the patients’ quality of life in order to provide care and support programs for patients to help them cope with the illness and improve their quality of life.

Introduction: Cancer patients are susceptible to severe parasitic infections particularly Strongyloides stercoralis (S.s) infection. Accordingly, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of parasitic infections with highlighting Strongyloides stercoralis infections in 139 cancer patients admitted to oncology ward of Imam Khomeini hospital of Sari during 2009.Material and Methods: In this descriptive and cross-sectional study, fecal samples (n=139) were collected from different cancer patients. After completing the questionnaires, the samples were examined by direct smear and formalin ether sedimentation methods.Results: In this study, of 139 patients with different types of cancer 53.9 % (n=75) and 46.1% (n=64) were male and female, respectively. In the stool exam, two cases (1.4%) infected with Rhabditiform larvae of S.s were detected while both of them were affected with Multiple Myeloma cancer.Conclusion: This study showed that in endemic areas, three times stool examination by formalin-ether technique for detecting Strongyloides stercoralis must be requested before chemotherapy in cancer patients.

Introduction: Nowadays using herbal products as an alternative or supplement to contraceptive synthetic drugs is common. There are reports of anti-estrogenic effects of nettle resulting in sterility in mammals. We asked if hydro-alcoholic extract of the nettle root (Urtica diocia) could alter serum concentrations of hormones; gandotropins and testosterone, in adult male rats.Materials and Methods: 80 adult male rats were randomly divided into 8 groups of 10.  Three groups received 300, 600 and 1000 mg/ kg body weight of hydro-alcoholic extract of nettle root intraperitoneally for 3 days to lethal dose.In remaing groups, one as control, another as sham, and three others received  75, 150, 300 mg/kg body weight for 20 days. The rats were then sacrificed and FSH and LH serum concentrations were determined by ELISA.Results: The nettle extract increased LH significantly (P<0.05), whereas the effect on FSH was variable and nonsignificant. The extract tended to increase testosterone serum concentration but did not reach significant level.Conclusion: Hydro-alcoholic extract of nettle root has a positive effect on LH hormone at the dose of 300 mg/kg body weight.

Introduction: One of the basic needs of human is sleep. Research has shown that poor quality of sleep is the 3rd problem in the elderly people, being one of their most common complaints and reason to refer to doctors. The objective of this survey is to study the frequency of sleep disorder and how to deal with it.Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 360 people aged 60 or older, using a self-made structured questionnaire and interview. The data entered into SPSS, version 11.5.  Descriptive and analytical statistics such as Chi square and Fisher exact tests were used to analyze the data.Results: In this survey, the mean age of the subjects was 67.7±7.33; 70.3% suffered sleep disorder and 81.81% of them had primary insomnia. Sleep disorder showed a significant relationship whit marital status, gender, residency, education and employment. In this survey, 94.5% (239 men) that had sleep disorder used at least one of the non- pharmacological methods and7.5 percent of them used pharmacological methods to cope with sleep disorders.Conclusion: Considering the fact that most of the elderly people used one of the non-pharmacological methods to cope with sleep disorders but still the prevalence of sleep disorders is high, we can conclude that it can be the result of their inappropriate use. Therefore, we recommend that the health care staff should focus on educating the elderly people on how to use the non- pharmacological methods.

Introduction: Today, every teacher applies some methods for better learning of students, so different educational methods have been invented. One of the traditional methods is quiz. In this method, the teacher asks some questions about the previous lesson in the beginning of the lecture. Therefore, the students are obliged to read the lectures during the course of their study. The present study is conducted to evaluate the effect of this method on the score of the final exam in students in physiopathology course, in Jahrom University of Medical Sciences.Materials and Methods: In this self-control trial study, 32 students were enrolled. The lectures were divided into two groups: in the first group quizzes were done in the beginning of every lecture and in second group no quiz was done. At last, the mean scores of the final exam were compared between these two groups using t-test.Results: The mean score of the final exam in the first group (with quiz) was 78.12±8.35 and in second group (without quiz) it was 81.10±13.05 (p=0.11).Conclusion: The results of this research showed that quizzes during the course of study have no effect on the final score of the students. For evaluation of this effect, more research is warranted.

Introduction: Diabetes is a metabolic disorder that can be followed by a decrease in insulin secretion. Exercise is an important factor in the control of diabetes and is also effective on the immune system. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of exercise intensity on the number of immune cells in the peripheral blood of diabetic rats.Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 28 white female Wistar rats with average weight of 260±20 and age of 80 days were randomly divided into four groups with seven subjects: control, diabetic without exercise, diabetic with electric shock and diabetic with maximum exercise. After four weeks of running on a treadmill, the blood samples were collected and sent to the laboratory so as to determine the number of immune system cells in blood.Results: White blood cell counts in diabetic rats with maximum exercise showed that the lymphocyte count was increased significantly (P£0.05) as compared with control and diabetic rats without exercise but the monocyte and neutrophil counts were decreased significantly (P£0.05). Also, the eosinophil counts in diabetic rats with maximum exercise did not decrease significantly (P£0.05) compared with diabetic rats without exercise.Conclusion: The results showed an increase in the lymphocytes count and a decrease in the monocytes and neutrophil counts of diabetic rats with maximum exercise compared with diabetic rats without exercise; the most and the least frequent cells were lymphocytes and eosinophil, respectively in diabetic rats with maximum exercise.

Introduction: Increased level of indirect bilirubin causes neurologic symptoms. Some of these symptoms may be subclinical starting with decreased feeding and dehydration. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence of prerenal azotemia in neonates with jaundice and determine its relationship with other variables.Materials and Methods: In a cross-sectional study, 199 neonates admitted with hyperbilirubinemia were included. They had no other complaints. Data about gestational age, age at the onset of jaundice and age of admission were recorded. At the time of admission, blood samples for measurement of BUN, Cr, and bilirubin level were collected. Neonates with prerenal azotemia were detected. Correlation between azotemia, level of bilirubin and other variables was evaluated.Results: Mean gestational age of the neonates in the present study was 38.2±1.8 weeks. 58.7% of them were male and 10.9% were premature. Mean age at the onset of jaundice and age at the time of admission were 4.2±2.9 and 6.1±3.5 days, respectively. Mean bilirubin level at the time of admission was 17.5±3.1 mg/dl. Based on BUN level at the time of admission, 10.7% of the neonates had prerenal azotemia. There was a significant correlation between age at the onset of jaundice and age of admission, bilirubin level and BUN level and prevalence of azotemia.Conclusion: Neonates with hyperbilirubinemia may have subclinical symptoms and low appetite causing dehydration. We suggest evaluating the neonates with high bilirubin level for hydration status and possibility of prerenal azotemia especially in younger neonates.

Introduction: Anxiety disorders are the most common psychiatric diseases in need of allocating high levels of health care services.  This study aims to compare the effectiveness of drug therapy and relaxation on anxiety reduction and epinephrine and norepinephrine levels in patients with generalized anxiety disorder.Materials and Methods: This study was conducted on 30 patients with generalized anxiety disorder. Participants were divided into three groups consisting of 10 patients and categorized as relaxation, drug therapy and combination therapy groups. Furthermore, another group involving 10 healthy individuals was formed as the control group. Instruments included Beck Anxiety and Depression Inventory and Hamilton’s Rating Scale. To measure the levels of epinephrine and norepinephrine in the body, a 24-hour urine test was performed. Data were analyzed through Pearson correlation test, paired t-test, one-way-ANOVA and Tukey test.Results: The results showed that relaxation therapy, drug therapy and combination therapy are significantly effective in reducing anxiety levels. But there were not significant differences between the three methods. In addition, there was a significant relationship between levels of epinephrine and norepinephrine and anxiety, and between treatment methods and reduction in the amount of epinephrine and norepinephrine.Conclusion: The results indicated that methods of relaxation and drug therapy and combination of them are effective on reduction of anxiety and epinephrine and norepinephrine levels in the body. So, relaxation can be used instead of anti-anxiety drugs having side effects on the body.