Researcher Bulletin of Medical Sciences
Year:2004 | Volume:9 | Issue:1 (37)|Papers Count:15

Background: Adolescent girls of today are the mothers of tomorrow, thus, adolescent period is a unique time to promote nutritional knowledge in order to improve future generation health. The present study was conducted to assess the efficacy of education on nutritional knowledge and performance of adolescent girls of district 7 in Tehran in 2003. Materials and methods: For this quasi-experimental study 145 female high school students were studied. A questionnaire containing demographic data, nutritional knowledge, and dietary pattern of before and after the education was evaluated by interview. Anthropometric indices (weight, height, and body mass index) were also determined.Results: The study population included 145 students with the mean age of 15.5±0.5 years and family size of 4.6±1.1. The mean of height, weight, BMI, and age of menarche were 158.8±5.4cm, 56.4±10.2 kg, 22.8±6.2 kg/m2, and 12.7±1.1 years, respectively. BMI<5th and BMI>95th were reported in 5.2% and 3.4% of subjects, respectively. 44% had some degree of malnutrition and only 47.4% had satisfactory anthropometric indices. Scores of nutritional knowledge of subjects have revealed that 51.1 vs. 18.9%, 45.3 vs. 42.5%, and 3.6 vs. 38.6% were respectively distributed in the poor-, moderate- and good-knowledge group before and after the education.Conclusion: Education is an effective approach to promote nutritional knowledge, thus, an interesting educative program may significantly promote nutritional knowledge among adolescent girls.

Background: Diabetes is common disorder with increasing prevalence. Magnesium is a mineral element that was reported to be active in glucose oxidation, thus, the present study was conducted to determine the association between magnesium and diabetes in Health Care Centers of Shaheed Beheshti University of Medical Sciences. Materials and methods: For this case-control study, 114 individuals with diabetes and 119 age-, sex-, and BMI-matched controls were studied. None of studied candidates have recalled the previous history of micronutrient or vitamin usage. Magnesium was determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometery. Values less than 1.6mgldl were considered as magnesium deficiency, then, their association was determined with diabetes. Results: The study population included]]4 diabetics (82 females and 32 males) with the mean age of 55.3±13.1 years and disease duration of 9±4.2 years and 119 controls (75 females and 44 males) with the mean age of 53.6±13.4 years. Magnesium deficiency did not show any significant difference between the groups. 44% of obese controls and 19.4% of obese cases had magnesium deficiency (p<0.03, OR=3.3). Magnesium level was 1.97±0.26 and 1.79±0.16 mg/dl in normal and obese controls, respectively (p<0.001). These figures were 1.99±0.2 and 1.73±0.13 mg/dl in diabetics, respectively (p<0.001). Conclusion: Although our findings could not reveal any significant difference between the diabetics and control subjects, the decreased level of magnesium in obese subjects is of great importance. Further researches in this regard are highly recommended.

Background: Regarding the prevalence of hydatid cyst in camel and also its known side effects and lack of sufficient studies in previous researches, this study has been conducted with the aim of determining the epidemiology of hydatid cyst on slaughtered camels in abattoir's Valfajer in Tehran, 2001-2002. Materials and methods: This research is a cross-sectional study that performed on lungs, liver, spleen, heart and kidneys of 216 slaughtered camels in Tehran. These organs were carefully examined for hydatid cyst. Initial data including the age, sex, cyst location and number of cysts (the intensity of infection) were recorded for each animal. Fertility or non-fertility of hydatid cyst detected on the basis of presence or absence of protoscolices, and then, the viability of protoscolices was assessed by Eosin Exclusive test. Results: Of 216 inspected carcasses, 16.7%were revealed to be infected with hydatid cyst. Infection rate had a direct relationship with age, so that the higher infection rates were observed in camels aged 10 years or more (33.3%), however, lower infection rates were found in camels aged 3 years or less (5.3%). Number of cysts ranged 1-31 in infected animals. Number of cysts showed a direct relationship with age. Lungs were the predominant site of the hydatid cyst. Lung, liver, both lungs and liver and other organs were infected in 5.5, 2.3, 7.9 and 0.9% of the cases, respectively. Fertility, sterile and calcified rates of hydatid cysts were 67.9, 17 and 15.1%, respectively. The viability of protoscolices recovered from fertile cyst in camel was 65.6%, however, the viability rate of hydatid cyst of liver was considerably higher than that of lung cyst (75.9% vs. 65.6%). Conclusion: Prevalence, fertility rate, percentage of viable protoscolices from fertile cyst and intensity of infection were high in camels that are potential danger for humans' health. More investigations are required to determine the etiologic factors, and also experimental study may help to reduce the problem.

Background: Adequate nutritional support can reduce morbidity and mortality risk associated with underlying diseases. Due to complexity of care and severity of illnesses, the critically ill patients are more susceptible to malnourishment than other patients. The objective of this study was to determine the nutritional conditions of patients in the ICU of a general university hospital in Tehran.Materials and methods: Thirty patients with the mean age of 60.08 years who admitted to the ICU of Sina University Referral Hospital were evaluated in a cross-sectional study. The amounts of calorie and macronutrients including carbohydrate, lipid, and protein given by parenteral and/or enteral route over a 14-day period were calculated. The exact need of calorie and macronutrients of patients were also determined. In order to evaluate the physiological parameters, the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) score II applied and then mortality risk of patients was calculated.Results: The needed and received calorie was 2346±81 and 1401±81kcal, however, for protein these 2 figures were 69±2 and 42±2 gr/d, respectively. Significant differences (p<0.001) between needed and received calorie and protein were recognized. No significant difference observed between received calorie and protein between enteral and parenteral groups. Regarding mortality rate, there were no significant differences in received calorie and protein between survived and non-survived patients, In addition, no significant correlation observed between received calorie and protein and the mortality risk.Conclusion: Collective results show that substantial parts of studied patients in ICU aren"t adequately fed but it is not associated with increased mortality.

Abstract Background: Interphase is an important period of formalin test. Formalin has an effect on peripheral neuropathic pain. The present study was conducted to determine the effect of formalin test on peripheral neuropathy in rat.Materials and methods: This experimental study was carried out on 40 male Sprague Dawley rats weighing 200 - 250 g. The rats divided in 5 groups randomly: group one (control) was injected by formalin once. Group two, sciatic ligation (Chronic Constriction Injury=CCI) was performed according to the Bennet & Xie method and on days 2 and 14 after CCI, formalin was injected. Group three, (Sham surgery) was injected by formalin on days 2 and 14 after surgery. Group four, had received formalin five days prior to CCI to the same paw and then on the days 2 and 14 after CCI formalin was injected again. Group five, 5 minutes prior to formalin injection, Lidocaine (iv 28mg/kg) was injected and then five days later, CCI was performed. Then, on days 2 and 14 after CCI formalin was injected again. In all experimental groups the interphase period of formalin test was considered.Results: Results were as follows: On days 2 and 14 after CCI, group 2 has shown a significant difference with the control and Sham groups regarding the interphase period (p<0.05). Meanwhile, interphase period was revealed to be increased on day 14 as compared with the day 2 in groups 2 (p<0.01) and 5 (p<0.05). In group 4, the interphase of the second day was increased as compared to group 4 (p<0.01). Interphase of days 2 and 14 has shown no significant difference between groups 4 and 5, however, prior to CCI group 5 has shown a significantly lesser interphase (p<0.05).Conclusion: It was revealed that pre neuropathic pain influences on post neuropathic pain, so it is highly recommended to alleviate the pre operative pain.

Background: Infectious diseases are of the most important causes of mortality all around the world and according to WHO records, 49% of deaths occurring in developing countries are because of infectious diseases. Recently, the most important thing that has worried medical society and has become a serious problem is antibiotic resistance. This study has been done to determine susceptibility and sensitivity of microorganisms isolated in Khatam-al-Anbia hospital.Materials and methods: The research method was descriptive and its technique was experimental.Results: Totally, 8880 cultural specimen of different body secretions including urine, blood, stool, sputum, throat, CSF etc., were studied among which 430 were infected that were related to 632 patients (320 females and 312 males). The mean age of the patients was 57±l0 years (14-91). Urine was the most affected specimen and stool was the least. Of 430 infected specimen, 18 different microorganisms were isolated among which gram negative microbes, i.e. E coli (43%), were by far the most common. These microorganisms have shown 53% resistance to gentamycin, 48% to cotrimoxazole, and 10% to ciprofloxacin. Staphylococcous aureus was the most common gram positive cocci (16%) that showed 10% resistance to oxacillin. Conclusion: Resistance in our country, like other countries, has been shown to be increased. We have found some specimen to be resistant to vancomycin that could be due to out of control use of this antibiotic or even usage of empirical antibiotics. So it is highly recommended to prohibit unnecessary prescription of antibiotics.

Background: The rate of morbidity and mortality of pneumoncoccal infections especially bacteremia and meningitis is quite noticeable in case of remained untreated. The betalactam antibiotics are the drugs of choice to treat pneumococcal infections, however, recently emergence of beta lac tam resistant pneumococci, has necessitated more studies and development of proper strategies for treatment of such infections. In the present study, the susceptibility pattern of isolated pneumococci from hospitalized patients with meningitis and pneumonia was studied.Materials and methods: It was a descriptive study. Having completed direct microscopic exam and culture, 50 strains of pneumococci from patients hospitalized in Pediatric Center, Loghman, Jam and Al-Qadir hospitals were isolated, then, susceptibility of isolates against penicillin, chloramphenicol, erythromycin, tetracycline, rifampin, vancomycin, ofloxacin, clindamycin, trimethoprim-sulfametoxazole, cefotaxime and ceftriaxone was determined by disk diffusion method and macro tube broth dilution method, based on the NCCLS recommendations.Results: Totally, resistance of 50 isolates was as follows: trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole 65%, penicillin 44%, erythromycin 26%, tetracycline 20%, chloramphenicol 16%, clindamycin 12%, cefotaxime 8%, ofloxacin 8%, ceftriaxone 6%, rifampin 2% and vancomycin 0%. In this study, pneumococcal strains showed no resistance against vancomycin. Strains have shown to be sensitive to vancomycin, rifampin, cefteriaxone, ofloxacin, and cefotaxime.Conclusion: It is highly recommended to prescribe a combination of vancomycin and ceftriaxone or cefotaxime to treat penicillin-resistant strains (pneumococcal meningitis).

Background: According to the popularity of single dose antibiotic therapy for asymptomatic bacteruria, known complications of long term therapy especially in pregnancy and unrecognized effects of single dose ampicillin (a common drug in UTI), this study was performed to compare the effect of single versus 7-day dosing of ampicillin on pregnant patients referring to Shohada Tajrish hospital in 2001. Materials and methods: In this clinical trial, 89 pregnant patients who were diagnosed to have asymptomatic bacteruria were studied. In the case group (45 patients), 3gr oral ampicillin (6 capsules, 500 mg each) was administered as a single dose; the control group (44 patients) received ampicillin, 500 mg every 6 hours for 7 days. Therapeutic effect, resistant and recurrent cases were recorded and the results were analyzed with the appropriate statistical method. Results: Both groups were similar with respect to age, gestational age and gravity. Response to therapy in the single dose group was 77.8% and that of the seven day group was 84.1% (p<0.6). Recurrence rate of these groups were 17.8%and 9.1%, respectively (p< 0.3). . Conclusion: It seems as if single dose ampicillin is as effective as a 7-day dosing. We recommend using the single dose therapy for asymptomatic bacteruria in pregnant females.

Background: Regarding to the high infection rate of salmonella in foods and chickens and its known complications, and also with respect to the positive efficacy of trisodium phosphate in eradication of salmonella infection, the present study was conducted to determine the efficacy of trisodium phosphate with different concentrations on salmonella attached to chicken.Materials and methods: First a descriptive study and then an experimental study was performed on 99 chickens. Following the random sampling and totally chicken irrigation, salmonella was isolated on different media. To confirm the presence of salmonella, special serologic and biochemical tests were also achieved. Then, the effects of trisodium phosphate with concentrations of8% and 12% were assessed on minutes 1, 3, and 5.Results: Of 33 control subjects, 36.4% were revealed to be infected with salmonella. Having the chicken treated with trisodium phosphate 8%, the salmonella infection rate was 18.2% at the first minute (NS), but zero at the 3rd and 5th minutes (p<0.02). With 12% trisodium phosphate, infection rate was zero in the 5th minute (p<0.02).Conclusion: The infection of chickens with salmonella is relatively high, thus, administration of trisodium phosphate is strongly recommended to reduce the infection rate.

Background: Considering the existence of pain in different levels in post anesthesia care unit (PACU), and incapability of other therapeutic methods, and with respect to the importance of music therapy in controlling the pain without any side effects, this study was conducted to evaluate the effect of music therapy in the pain level in PACU.Materials and methods: It was a single blind controlled clinical trial. Having completed an informed consent, 80 patients were assigned in 2 different groups of case and control randomly. Cases were received self preferred favorite music but controls did not. Pain level, blood pressure, pulse rate, existence of nausea and vomiting, and the time of being in P ACU was evaluated at the time of entrance to PACU and then 30, 60 and 90 minutes later.Results: Mean age of study population was 39.4±13.3 years, of those 47 (58.8%) were male. Pain level was similar in both groups at minute zero, however, at minute 30th it was decreased in 17.5% and increased in 15.4% of the control subjects (NS), meanwhile, it was decreased in 61 % and increased in 2.6% of the cases (p<0.001). At minute 60th, 5.1% of the controls and 30.8% of cases were pain-free (p<0.005). At the 90th minute, 20.5% of controls reported decreased and 15.4% reported increased level of pain (NS), however, these figures were 64.1 % and 2.6% among cases, respectively (p<0.001).Conclusion: Our results have revealed that music therapy during the PACU period reduce the pain level after surgery.

Background: Depression is the most common psychiatric disorder. Different factors (age, sex, low socioeconomic status, ...) can influence on disorder prevalence .In adolescents, depression is misdiagnosed and cause negative effects on education, and also their social interaction. Thus, the present study was conducted on high school students of Firouzkouh to determine the prevalence of depression.Materials and methods: The study population included 308 boys and 296 girls. They were evaluated by Beck Depression Inventory and a questionnaire including demographic data and other elated questions about risk factors for depression.Results: Results have revealed that 73% of girls and 58% of boys were depressed according to the Beck test. The following factors were significantly correlated with depression: parents continuous arguments, being blamed by family members either among themselves or in presence of others, history of hospitalization, taking medications at present, restriction for relationships with friends & peers, father's education, family size and educational problems, but only in boys, smoking and substance abuse were important. There was no statistically significant relationship between depression and restrictions for going outside of home, mother's employment, physical combat by parents, chronic physical illness, father's employment & enuresis after 5 years old.Conclusion: According to the high prevalence of depression in the adolescents especially in girls, management intervention is recommended.