QOM UNIVERSITY OF MEDICAL SCIENCES JOURNAL
Year:2009 | Volume:3 | Issue:2|Papers Count:11

Background and Objectives: Analytical methods for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in different samples need extraction of compounds, by applying hazardous solvents. Solid phase micro-extraction (SPME) is a solvent-free equilibrium extraction method, in which proper calibration can allow quantitative determinations of VOCs at a very good sensitivity without the use of any organic solvent. VOCs are generally present in urine only at trace levels, therefore, a sensitive procedure is needed for their trace determinations. Throughout this study, headspace solid phase micro-extraction (HS-SPME) was followed by GC-FID for ethyl benzene in spiked urine was optimized.Methods: In this study, the parameters influencing SPME and gas chromatography of ethyl benzene, including extraction time, temperature, desorption temperature, desorption time, salt addition, sample pH, sample volume and sample agitation were investigated.Results: Extraction procedure was performed at 30°C for 6 min, using 0.2 gml-1 of NaCl in the sample solution. The sample volume and sample pH were optimized at 5 ml and 7 (neutral pH), respectively. Desorption of the ethyl benzene was carried out for 60 sec. at 250°C. The method was also validated with three different spiked urine samples and illustrated an appropriate reproducibility over six consecutive days as well as six within-day experiments. During this investigation, parameters of accuracy, linearity, and detection limits of the procedure were also evaluated.Conclusion: The developed method of HS- SPME-GC-FID proved to be a simple, convenient, and practical procedure, and was successfully used for measuring of ethyl benzene in spiked urine.

Background and Objectives: Silymarin, the active principle of Silybum marianum, has antifibrotic effects in hepatic fibrosis by several mechanisms. Since the pathogenesis of fibroproliferative diseases is similar, the effect of silymarin in bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis was evaluated in this study. Methods: Silymarin (50 mg/kg, i.p.) was administered two days before the bleomycin instillation (3 U/kg) and throughout the test interval in mice. After two weeks, lung tissues of mice were evaluated for fibrosis by biochemical measurement of collagen deposition and histological analysis of pathological lung changes. Data were evaluated by one-way ANOVA and Dunnett analysis. P<0.05 was considered as significant.Results: Pretreatment with Silymarin significantly (P<0.05) prevented the increase in lung collagen content and also partially inhibited the histologic changes induced by bleomycin. The wet lung weight in silymarin group was similar to that of control group and significantly lower than bleomycin group (P<0.001).Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that silymarin may prevent the collagen deposition and inflammation and may be protective in fibrogenic effects of bleomycin on lung.

Background and Objectives: This survey was conducted in order to assess the prevalence of psychiatric disorders in children of the war-wounded veterans, and to compare it with the general population of Shiraz.Methods: The present study was a cross-sectional survey on a random sample of children and adolescents of 223 veteran's (25%-70%) families between 12-20 years old. The control group consisted of students of 12-20 years of age. Diagnosis was made using semi-structured clinical interviews on the basis of DSM-IV, through K-SADS-PL.Results: Out of 223 veteran's families interviewed, 123 families had at least one child with one psychiatric disorder. Those children, 52 boys (15 %) and 71 girls (20%), suffered from at least one of the psychiatric disorders. The prevalence of depressive disorders such as dysthymia was 2.3%, major depressive disorder 8.4%, and minor depression 5.8%. The prevalence of anxiety disorders including generalized anxiety disorder was (10.1%), separation anxiety disorder (1.4%) obsessive compulsive disorder (4%), panic disorder (3.2%), post traumatic stress disorder (3.2%), social phobia (4.3%) specific phobia (2%) and agoraphobia was (1.4%).Conclusion: Although the prevalence of depressive and anxiety disorders did not significantly differ from that of control group, but more studies, and more consultative, preventive and therapeutic actions seem to be necessary for children of veterans, due to a higher prevalence of some of anxiety disorders such as generalized anxiety disorder and some depression symptoms.

Background and Objectives: Preemptive administration of gabapentin and dextromethorphan has been shown to be effective for reduction of postoperative pain; but the effect of these two drugs has not yet been compared. The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of administration of gabapentin and dextromethorphan on the postoperative pain after open prostatectomy.Methods: In a randomized clinical trial, 80 adult males with ASA class of I, II and III who were candidate for open prostatectomy under spinal anesthesia in Shahid Hasheminejad Educational Center (in Tehran) were enrolled and randomly allocated to two groups of gabapentin (n=40) and dextromethorphan (n=40). In dextromethorphan group, 60 mg of dextromethorphan syrup and in gabapentin group, 300 mg of gabapentin syrup were administered 2 hours preoperatively. During operation, the maximum height of block was determined at 5, 10 and 15 minutes after spinal anesthesia establishment. In postoperative period, at 1, 2, 12, and 24 hours, the pain intensity was measured through Visual Analogue Pain Scale (VAS); and, overall opioid consumption and the time to first analgesic request were recorded as well.Results: While the pain intensity in all the measurements was comparable between groups, at the 2nd hour, the pain was significantly lesser in gabapentin group (2.70±1.51 vs. 3.74±1.77, P=0.006). Also, the time for the first analgesic request was comparable between study groups; however, the total dose of postoperative opioid consumption was lesser in gabapentin group (45.0±39.32 vs. 64.45±32.12 mg, P=0.018). Moreover, the height of block showed no significant difference.Conclusion: Preemptive oral administration of 300 mg of gabapentin syrup in patients undergoing open prostatectomy under spinal anesthesia significantly lessens the pain intensity and the total dose of opioid consumption compared with 60 mg of dextromethorphan syrup. Meanwhile, the level of spinal anesthesia and the time for the first analgesic request were comparable between groups.

Background and Objectives: The differentiation of neural cells from embryonic stem cells is influenced by several factors. Amniotic epithelial cells (AECs) share many of the same characteristics as embryonic stem cells, and therefore, those factors may similarly affect the derivation of neural cells from AECs. In this study, we examined the differentiation of neural cells in vitro from AECs using the expression of b-tubulin III marker, after AECs treatment with retinoic acid (RA), and the impact of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). We also studied whether blocking bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling the use of its antagonist, noggin, affects the derivation of neural cells from AECs.Methods: AECs were isolated from fresh human amniotic membrane and aggregated for 5 days in bacteriological dishes. The dissociated cells were transferred to adherent culture dishes and treated with noggin and bFGF for 7 days. In some cultures, bFGF was removed and RA was added and the cultures were allowed to differentiate for 21 days. Analysis of AECs derived neural cells was performed at the b-tubulin III expression levels by immunocitochemistry.Results: All cultures treated with noggin showed the higher levels of b-tubulin III expression than noggin free cultures. Combined treatment with bFGF and RA showed the highest level of b-tubulin III in all treatment groups with or without noggin. bFGF withdrawal did not promote expression of b-tubulin III, while its maintenance increased the expression of b-tubulin III. Conclusions: These results show the capability of AECs to express neural cell marker and this potential is affected by some factors including noggin, bFGF, RA.

Background and Objectives: The meaning of menopause and women experience of this transitional stage are related to cultural norms, social factors and one's knowledge of menopause. Women’s image of menopasuse affects self-care and follow-ups during this stage. Among them is consideration of sexuality which is often ignored. The aim of this study was to discover menopausal complications in Iranian women. Methods: 14 women in menopausal stage were interviewed about their clinical experience. The interviews were transcribed and then analyzed using Van Manen’s phenomenology technique. Result: Data analysis showed that one of the women's most important clinical experiences of menopause which they can deliberately express was the start of a new stage. Since, according to those women, changes in their life style were being made in comparison with earlier stages, one of the most important problems that escaped unobserved was sexual challenges which started at this stage.Conclusion: The findings this study reveal women's beliefs about their sex life. This can be used as a basis for education and offering guidelines in order to increase their quality of life.

Background and Objectives: Episiotomy is one of the most commonly performed procedures in obstetrics; approximately 33%of women giving birth vaginally in 2000 had episiotomy, but the best technique of episiotomy and its clinical benefits remain largely unknown. The aim of this study was to determine episiotomy prevalence and its clinical complications in women with vaginal delivery in teaching hospitals in Tehran during 3 months after child birth.Methods: This descriptive study was conducted on 510 primiparous women in teaching hospitals in Tehran. The Data were collected using interviews 1, 10, 40 and 90 days after delivery and after recorded in special forms.Results: Episiotomy was performed in 97.3 % of primiparous women who gave birth vaginally.32.3 % of women had midline episiotomy and 67.7 % had mediolateral episiotomy. Episiotomy complications included: perineal pain reported by 96.4 % at one, 63 % after 10 days, 25 % after 40days, and 12 % at three months after birth. Dyspareunia on 10, 40 the day and 3 months after delivery was reported to be 100 %, 66 %and 31.2 %, respectively. Conclusion: The prevalence of Episiotomy is higher here in Iran than that of any other country and prevalence of mediolatral episiotomy is higher than median episiotomy in Iran despite its difficulties. Therefore, it seems logical that the prevalence of its complications (preneal pain and dyspareunia) is also higher in Iranian women.

Background and Objectives: Mixed germ cell tumors of the ovary, uncommon but aggressive tumors are seen most often in young women or adolescent girls, and are generally curable if found and treated early. Use of chemotherapy after initial surgery has dramatically improved the prognosis for many females with these tumors. This study reports a case of successful pregnancy in a patient with malignant ovarian mixed germ cell tumor.Case Report: The patient was an 18-year old nulliparous woman who had pelvic pain, menstruation delay, right Adnex mass and positive B-HCG. She was found to have a malignant mixed germ cell tumor comprising of both embryonal carcinoma and immature teratoma. Treatment consisted of salpingo-oophorectomy with adjunctive chemotherapy. In view of malignant germ cell tumors occurring almost exclusively in young females, preservation of their ovarian function and fertility was an important issue. The present study, confirmed that normal gonadal function and fertility are possible after conservative surgery for ovarian germ cell malignancies, even with adjuvant chemotherapy.

Background and Objectives: Pseudotumor cerebri is defined by the increase of intracranial pressure. It has different atiologies but, many of its causes are idiopathic and typically present on young obese females. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis was normal in this case study and there was no evidence of intracranial mass, venous sinus thrombosis, or obstruction in CSF stream.In this study, we have reported a case of Pseudotumor cerebri presented 7 years after a successful kidney transplant, under treatment by Cyclosporine, Methylprednisolon and Azathioprine(AZT).Case Report: The patient was a 17-year old obese female with a body mass index of 30kg/m2 having Pseudotumor cerebri 7 years after a successful kidney transplant. Brain imaging like CT scan & MRA (Magnetic Resonance Angiography) were normal. CSF analysis was normal, but the increase in CSF pressure had been detected. Repetitive lumber punctures were performed with simultaneous Acetazolamid administration. But her headaches were treated even after the continuation of Cyclosporine and Methylprednisolon, anemia, and renal failure. For patients with kidney transplant and headaches, it is necessary to rule out Pseudotumor cerebri as a differential diagnosis. Neurotoxicity of Cyclosporine is not rare and we have to pay close attention to neurologic side effect of this drug as well. After diagnosing Pseudotumor cerebri in such patients, it is necessary to limit the progression of symptoms and avoid the decrease in patient 's visual acuity.