Daneshvar Medicine: Basic and Clinical Research Journal
Year:2011 | Volume:18 | Issue:92|Papers Count:10

Background and Objective: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common entrapment neuropathy with involvement of median nerve. Patients with this syndrome refer for pain and paresthesia in hand that leads to thenar muscles atrophy. Diagnosis of CTS is made by history, physical examination and electrophysiological study. Recently, Volar Hot Dog (VHD) sign has been proposed for diagnosis of this disease. Thus, we studied VHD as a diagnostic tool in CTS patients according to evidence based medicine.Materials and Methods: In 50 patients referred for pain and paresthesia in median nerve area in hand, a diagnosis of CTS was made by NIOSH criteria and 50 control subjects were also examined for this sign.Results: The sensitivity of VHD was 0.84, the specificity of VHD was 0.32, the accuracy of the test was 0.58 and pretest probability of the disease was 0.5 and post-test probability of the disease with a positive result was 0.55 and post-test probability of the disease with a negative result was 0.35. Meanwhile, positive likely ratio (LR+) was 1.23 and negative likely ratio (LR-) was 0.5.Conclusion: VHD sign (test) had a higher sensitivity than Hoffman-Tinel and Phalen tests with a lower specificity of the test with LR+ 1.2 and LR- 0.5 and this test is a poor to fair test for diagnosis of CTS and will be mainly valuable for screening of the syndrome.

Background and Objective: According to modern approaches to management, quality is defined as consumer’s requests. One of the first basic steps in improvement quality is recognizing consumers' perceptions and expectations. The aim of this study was to determine the quality gap in primary health care services in Neyshabour health care centers following consumers' perceptions and expectations. Materials and Methods: This analytic-descriptive study (cross-sectional) was done in 2011 and it covered 400 females that referred to Neyshabour health care centers; the study population was selected with systematic random method. Data were gathered using a research questionnaire (SERVQUAL). The data were analyzed using SPSS softwares (ver. 16).Results: It was indicated that there was a quality gap in all dimensions. Overall quality gap was (-0.64) and the largest gap was in tangibility dimension (-0.68) and the smallest gap was observed in Empathy dimension (-0.59). There was significant relation between perceptions and expectations in all dimensions (p<0.001). Conclusion: The results of this study showed that in all dimensions of quality, consumers' expectations are not granted.

Background and Objective: It is well established that carbohydrate (CHO) feeding post-exercise has an impact on hormonal and immune responses. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different types of CHO on selected hematological indices after a single session of aerobic exercise.Materials and Methods: Thirty-two non-athlete young volunteer college men (21.96±1.95 yr, 177.64 ± 5.61 cm, 75.44 ± 8.39 kg, and 23.92 ± 2.27 in BMI)  were randomly assigned into water (W)( n=8), glucose(G)(n = 8), fructose (F)(n= 8) and sucrose(S)(n =8) groups. Subjects asked to perform an aerobic exercise (one-mile running, 3 sets with 3 minutes inter-sets rest). Blood samples were obtained 30 min before, immediately after exercise and 90 min after exercise. CHO (1.5 g/kg of BW) were given immediately after the second blood sampling. Water group received an equal volume of tap water.Results: WBC counts were significantly higher only in G and F groups, but RBC, platelets counts, and HGB concentrations significantly decreased in W, G and S groups after recovery period. Neutrophil counts and HCT and lymphocyte counts were significantly higher and lower respectively in all treated groups at the end of recovery period.Conclusion: The current results indicated that S might be effective more than G and F in prevention of an exercise-induced lymphocytosis and F as a low-glycemic index and CHO had no significant impact on post-exercise WBC, platelets counts and HGB concentrations.

Background and Objective: Applying “Roy’s adaptation model" and care planning based on its principles for diabetic patients needs careful assessment. Since there has not been any study in this field, so, this study was done in order to evaluate the effect of nursing care plan based on “Roy’s adaptation model” on physiologic adaptation in type II diabetics.Materials and Methods: The study was a quasi experimental, in two before and after groups that was done in Parsian Diabetes Foundation in Mashhad in 2009. Samples were 60 diabetic patients selected non-randomly and allocated randomly into two groups. For data gathering, “Roy,s assessment form” and HgA1C test were used. In “Roy’s assessment form”, maladaptive behaviors (immobility, insomnia & etc.) and their stimulators in physiological domain were determined. Then, nursing care plan designed on obtained results and implemented for 2.5 months and a one month follow-up. Then, data repeatedly gathered and analyzed by “Chi-square test, t- test and Wilcocxon test” in SPSS17.Results: Analyzing demographic data in two groups with Chi-square test (x2) showed that they were matched (p>0.05). Comparison of HgA1c before and after intervention in case group by paired t-test showed a significant difference (p>0.05). Also, Wilcoxon test showed (p>0.05) a reduction of maladaptive behaviors in case group after intervention.Conclusion: Applying the "care plan design" based on “Roy’s adaptation model” for increasing physiological adaptation in type II diabetic patients is strongly recommended.

Background and Objective:  Pain and sickness are undeniable facts in the material life. This study was aimed to evaluate Imam Sadjad's points of view about sickness. We would like to know if sickness can be an enjoyable or disgusting phenomenon. Materials and Methods:  With respect to the objectives of our study, research material comprised of Imam Sadjad trainings and Sahife Sajadieh worships. Therefore, we used the consistent method of evaluation as a qualification evaluation.Results: Regarding this study and evaluation of Sahife Sajadieh in this context, we obtained the following results:1- Sickness condition should be considered on the basis of theology. 2- Prevention of sickness is a rational, scholarly and sedative job.3- Patient can provide a basic context for treatment by sickness acceptance. 4- In the sickness philosophy outlook, sickness thanksgiving has a suitable locality. 5- Religious belief affords cheerfulness and satisfaction to the human, even in sickness condition. 6- Self-control toward sickness has special effects and blessing in the temporal and heavenly life. 7- A faithful and wise human use both prevention and treatment methods in the serious condition.Conclusion: Mankind is able to gain sickness enjoyment in the gleam of sickness philosophy in order to reach the health and relaxation. Of course, this rule and regulation are related to physical sickness and evaluation and therapy of mental disease need another research plan.

Background and Objective: Nesfatin-1 is a 82-amino acid peptide recently discovered in the brain which is derived from nucleobindin2 (NUCB), a protein that is highly conserved across mammalian species. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of endurance training with and without Magnolia officinalis extract on resting level of liver nesfatin-1, glycogen and TAC in male rats.Materials and Methods: Twenty eight adult male Wistar rats (6–8 weeks old, 128–154 g) were used for this study. Animals were randomly divided into four groups including: saline-control, magnolia-control, saline-training and magnolia-training. The training group was exercised for 6 weeks (at 25 m/min, 0% grade, for 60 min/day, 5 days/week). The extract was orally administered for 4 weeks. Rats were sacrificed 72 h after the last session of exercise under a 4-h fasting.Results: Liver nesfatin-1 concentration was significantly higher in magnolia-training group when compared with the saline-training group and this increase was accompanied by a significantly higher liver of glycogen content in magnolia-training group when compared with magnolia-control and saline-training groups. Liver TAC concentration in the magnolia-training group was also significantly higher than the other groups. Conclusion: There was a significant and positive correlation between liver glycogen and nesfatin-1, indicating an effect of liver glycogen changes on liver nesfatin-1 concentration and a possible role of nesfatin-1 in energy homeostasis and Magnolia officinalis extract supplementation with endurance training can improve liver antioxidant capacity.

Background and Objective: Using dendritic cells (DCs) loaded with tumor antigens as a therapeutic strategy against tumors has been proposed. In order to increase the efficacy of DCs, a variety of factors such as TLR ligand molecules and bacterial products are used. In this study, the protein components of the bacteria Listeria monocytogeneses (LM) for induction of dendritic cell maturation were used.Materials and Methods:  Bone marrow cells of Balb/c mice in the presence of IL-4 and GM-CSF were cultured for 5 days. On day 5, tumor lysate and then protein components or total extract of LM was added to immature DCs. In order to survey the maturation status of DCs, on day 7, the expression of CD80, CD86 AND MHC-II on the cell surface was evaluated. After induction of tumors in mice using WEHI-164 cell line, 106 mature dendritic cells subcutaneously injected. Tumor growth rate, survival rate and cytotoxic activity of spleen cells were evaluated in the studied groups.Results: In mice vaccinated with protein components matured-DCs, delayed tumor growth rate and increased survival were seen. In addition, in these mice, the cytotoxic activity of spleen cells was higher compared to other groups. In all groups receiving protein components or total extract mature-DCs, increased cytotoxic activity and decreased tumor growth rate were seen compared to controls.Conclusion: Listeria monocytogenes protein components compared to total extract have higher ability to increase the efficacy of DCs for tumor immunotherapy in mouse model.

Background and Objective: Nowadays in our new world, it is not possible to path the sophisticated ways by old methods. In various counties, developed and under development, due to increased level of medical education, new procedures and models have been employed. The aim of this study was an observation of the general medical education in Shahed University.Materials and Methods: The study was a cross-sectional one and performed on general medical students in 1387 in basic science, physiopathology, and also stagers, interns and educators of faculty of medicine in Shahed University. A total sample case of 83 were randomly selected and data were collected by filling in forms. Finally, the SPSS software was used for statistical analysis.Results: This study was performed on 83 students and University educators. Over 50% were unmarried and female. Meanwhile, 13.3% of students were in basic science, 26.5% were in physiopathology, 31.3% were externs and 10.8% were interns. The average sample age was 24 years with a range of 18-61. In addition, about 100% of the cases expressed positive reply to varying the present medical education and thought that the change is a must and should be performed.Conclusion: The results showed that the majority believed in necessity of amendment in medical educational procedures and their viewpoints is that health advancement in the society is not possible without this amendment.

Background and Objective: To evaluate interaction of salvigenin with DNA and the molecular mechanism of its anti-cancer effect.Materials and Methods: Salvigenin from Tanacetum canescens and DNA from calf thymus were isolated and purified. Then, salvigenin interaction with DNA in Tris buffer (0.05 M, pH equal to 4.7 and the temperature at 25 oC) was studied by different methods.Results and Conclusion: DNA absorption spectra in the presence of various concentrations of each of these ligands showed that the DNA with salvigenin has interaction and complex formation and the absorption wave length at 260 nm increased. Under the effect of changes in DNA uptake ligand showed structural changes. Also, using information obtained from the suppression with ethidium bromide of DNA complex by ligand skachard, above analysis indicated that the mechanism of suppression of publication is through non-competitive inhibition and it means that connecting mechanism of salvigenin is non-intercalated with DNA and probably through connection small grooves.