IRANIAN SOUTH MEDICAL JOURNAL (ISMJ)
Year:2014 | Volume:16 | Issue:6|Papers Count:10

Background: Neck pain is a medical and public problem with a prevalence of 9-18 percent in general population. Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is a regional pain syndrome that is characterized with muscular tender and triggers points. Laser therapy and acupuncture are two methods applied in the treatment of MPS. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of acupuncture and low level laser in cervical MPS treatment.Material and Methods: In a randomized clinical trial study, during a 15-month period, 60 patients with CMPs, referred to physical medicine and rehabilitation clinic, were divided into three groups; Gr1 underwent acupuncture plus drugs, Gr2 laser therapy plus drugs and Gr3 only medication. Pain severity using visual analogue scale (VAS), Range of motion (ROM) with goniometry, palpation sensitivity with finger compression and daily function with neck questionnaire were assessed before, immediately after and two months after treatment. The obtained data were analyzed using statistical software SPSS version 16.Results: Sixty patients of CMPs were included in this study. In acupuncture group, 5 male and 15 female (mean age of 38.8±6.36), in laser group, 6 male and 14 female (mean age of 37.7±5.64) and in control group, 8 male and 12 female (mean age of 37.6±5.17) were evaluated. There was significant difference in majority of parameters in two treatment groups compared to control group. But neck ROM in left lateral bending and VAS score, showed better improvement in acupuncture group than the other 2 groups (P<0.001). Nevertheless two months afterwards, no significant difference was detected between laser and acupuncture groups.Conclusion: This study demonstrated that both acupuncture and laser therapy along with exercise and drugs are more effective than routine and only medication treatments in management of CMPs. However, with respect to myofascial pain pathology, acupuncture, at least in short term has more beneficial effects in pain improvement and neck range of motion than laser or medical therapy alone.

Background: Current diagnostic methods for detecting Helicobacter pylori infection include rapid urease test (RUT), urea breath test (UBT), histology, culture, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). RUT is the most commonly method to diagnoseHelicobacter pylori infection because of its simple, rapid and accurate characters. The aim of this study is evaluation of rapid urease test compared with PCR for diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori.Material and Methods: In this study 94 patients with dyspeptic symptoms attending the endoscopy suite of gastroenterology section of the Firouzgar University Hospital, Tehran, Iran, were enrolled. Patient’s antrum biopsy specimens were collected at endoscopy for the rapid urease test and PCR. Data was recorded on a data sheet and analyzed using SPSS version 19.0. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of RUT was compared against PCR. The gold standard test for the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection was PCR.Results: Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of RUT respectively were 97.2%, 89.2%, 81.4% and 98%.Conclusion: RUT has high sensitivity and specificity for detection of Helicobacter pylori infection.

Background: After pain is one of the complications occurring during postpartum, this requires an appropriate analgesic to relieve the pain. The current study was designed to study and compare the analgesic effects of Menstrogol and Mefenamic acid on postpartum pain.Material and Methods: This study was a randomized single-blinded controlled clinical trial in which pregnant mothers having normal vaginal delivery and suffering from postpartum pain were studied.Volunteer (consented) pregnant women were randomly entered into two study groups of Menstrogol (containing 500 mg of dried extracts of celery, saffron and anise) and Mefenamic acid (250 mg) oral capsules. Using the visual analogue scale (VAS), after pain was determined during the first 2 hours after delivery and patients received drugs if a pain score≥4 was expressed by patients. These women were administered 3-4 doses of drugs per day (every 6-8 hours). Severity and duration of pain were measured and recorded before and 1 hour after dosage administration. Data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS version 13).Results: Results revealed that Mefenamic acid and Menstrogol both are effective in reducing the severity of postpartum pain (p<0.05). Comparison analyses showed that Menstrogol could not only result in a higher reduction in the pain and its severity in postpartum women but also its effect began faster than Mefenamic acid. In addition, incidence rate of adverse reactions was lower in the Menstrogol group compared to Mefenamic acid group (p<0.05).Conclusion: Our results show that Menstrogol is an effective and safe alternative for Mefenamic acid in women suffering from post partum pain. This is a confirmation for effectiveness of herbal medicines in contrast to chemical drugs.

Background: Vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy has important implications for the mother and infant. Adequate vitamin D concentrations during pregnancy are necessary to neonatal calcium homeostasis, bone maturation and mineralization. This study was designed to evaluate serum 25-OH vitamin D concentration in Bushehrian mothers and effect of vitamin D deficiency on pregnancy outcomes.Material and Methods: One hundred full-term pregnant women were recruited from a university hospital in Bushehr port, in spring & summer 2012. Maternal blood samples were collected on the day of delivery.Serum was assayed for 25-hydroxy vitamin D, calcium, phosphors and PTH. Vitamin D concentration of less than 20 ng/ml was considered as hypovitaminosis D.Results: Prevalence of vitamin D Deficiency was 76%. A significant direct correlation was seen between maternal serum calcium and birth weight of neonates (r=-0.31, P=0.002). Mean serum level of vitamin D in mothers aged less than 30 years was significantly higher in comparison to less than 30 years mothers.(P=0.24, 95% CI=0.02-0.32). A significant direct correlation was seen between serum vitamin D level and parathormone (r=-0.33, P=0.001).Conclusion: Consideration of adequate calcium and vitamin D intake during pregnancy is essential.Furthermore, it seems it is necessary to reconsider recommendation for vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy.

Background: Benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene (BTEX) are volatile organic compounds which their physical and chemical characteristics are similar. Evaporation of BTEX from gasoline in petrol station into the air causes gasoline station attendants expose to them. A new extraction method of volatile organic compounds is solid phase micro extraction (SPME). The aim of this study is to optimize extraction conditions of BTEX from air samples and then determination of gasoline station air contamination with BTEX in Yazd.Material and Methods: In this study air samples were collected using Tedlar bags and then extracted and analyzed with SPME fiber and gas chromatography equipped with a flame ionization detector.Results: Our results indicate that PDMS/CAR has the best peak area in comparison with two other fibers The Optimized extraction and desorption times are estimated 3 and 1 minutes, respectively Mean concentration of benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene and xylene in gas station’s air were 1932±807, 667±405, 148±89, 340±216 mg/m3 respectively.Conclusion: Benzene mean concentration is above threshold limit value (0.5PPM). Whereas, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene mean concentration are lower than threshold limit values.

Background: In recent two past decades prevalence of Type II diabetes has increased dramatically. Despite its financial costs, one of its consequence outcomes is decreasing quality of life of Diabetic patients. So it seems to be more useful to evaluate the influential personal and also environmental factors on patient’s quality of life. The purpose of this study was to assess effects of personal and environmental factors on Health Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) of Iranian type II diabetic patients.Material and Methods: We worked on some parts of data form a national cross sectional study conducted in 2006. Sampling technique was random cluster sampling. Data collection method was face to face interview based on EQ-5D questionnaire. Interview form, also measured personal factors include: gender, age, duration of diseases from diagnosis, educational and family economic status. We collected our environmental factors such as literacy rate, urbanization rate, number of medical clinics and endocrinologists from latest national census, 1385. For data analysis we used multilevel regression analysis by Ml-win software.Results: Available data were analyses for 3472 diabetic patients. Gender, age, duration of disease, economic status and educational level in personal level and urbanization rate as an environmental factor were statistically significant factors in relation with health related quality of life.Conclusion: Based on study results, gender, and age, duration of illness, family economic and educational status of patients and the rate of urbanization effect on the HRQoL of type II diabetic patients.

Background: Diabetes is a serious problem and self- management is effective factor for diabetes control.Personality trait is one of the important factors in diabetes self- management. In this study, purpose was determination of effective personality traits in self- management.Material and Methods: In this cross sectional study, data were collected from a convenience sample of 396 diabetic patients, using self- management and Big five personality Scales. For data analysis, multiple linear regression models were used.Results: Among five personality traits, the most effective traits in self- management were conscientiousness, openness, and extraversion (R2=32%). Conscientiousness and openness were significant predictors for all of self- management aspects. Extraversion was effective factors in self regulation, self- integration, and following treatment.Conclusion: The education for diabetic patients with neuroticism and agreeableness traits is necessary and Patients with conscientiousness, openness, and extraversion traits can be used as model in educational process.

Background: Acute viral infections such as cytomegalovirus, Rubella, Herpes simplex and varicella zoster virus in pregnant women can cause congenital infection with increased risk of developing congenital anomalies and morbidity. We aimed to identify young women susceptible to these viral infections in Bushehr.Materials and Methods: In 2009, 180 female were randomly selected from high schools and college students who were been assisted in marriage consulting clinics. In this cross sectional study, IgG antibodies against varicella zoster virus (VZV), Herpes simplex virus I, II (HSV I, II), Rubella & cytomegalovirus (CMV) were determined by indirect enzyme immunoassay (ELISA) technique.Results: Mean age of the participants was 18.72 years old. %99.4 and %95 of sera were positive for cytomegalovirus & Rubella respectively and also Antibodies against VZV & HSV were detected in %74.5 & %69.4 of samples. There were no significant correlation between antibody seropositivity and education level, living places (rural or urban) and occupation. (P<0.05).Conclusion: Although, The findings of this study indicated that high prevalence rate of VZV & HSV 1, 2 in child bearing age women, but 1.3-1.4 of them, are still susceptible to these infections, so routine screening of these viruses is suggested in antenatal care.

Background: Rapid development of shrimp aquaculture has resulted in widespread use of antibiotics for preventing and curing diseases. In aquaculture, particularly shrimp hatcheries antibiotics are routinely used at therapeutic levels to treat disease and at sub-therapeutic levels as prophylactic agents to increase feed efficiency. Antibiotic residues in the environment are likely to lead to the development and maintenance of antibiotic resistance in microbial populations. The aim of this study was determine of antibiotic resistance to two shrimp pathogens Vibrio harveyi, V.alginolyticus, that they are agents of mortality in shrimp hatcheries.Material and Methods: After isolation and detection (by biochemical tests) of two species of bacterial pathogens from three hatcheries of Bushehr province, bacterial strains were tested for sensitivity to antibiotics including erythromycin, streptomycin, oxytetracyclin, and trimethoprim by disk diffusion method.Results: Results showed that all isolated bacteria Vibrio harveyi from three hatcheries were sensitive to oxytetracyclin and trimethoprim, but to streptomycin were resistant, and to erythromycin in hatcheries A, B, C was intermediate, resistance, sensitive respectively. Bacteria Vibrio alginolyticus isolated from three hatcheries were resistant to streptomycin. But they isolated from a hatchery to the other antibiotics erythromycin, oxytetracyclin and trimethoprim were resistant, intermediate and intermediate, respectively.Also they isolated from B hatchery were resistant, sensitive and sensitive to erythromycin, oxytetracyclin and trimethoprim, respectively And from C hatchery were intermediate, sensitive and sensitive to antibiotics, respectively.Conclusion: Isolated bacteria showed the most resistance to streptomycin and erythromycin respectively.These antibiotics is used frequently in medicine and veterinary, with entrance of human and animal' s bacteria resistance via waste and fluid water to the sea, maybe transferred the resistant plasmid from resistant bacteria to Vibrio spp.