Koomesh
Year:2004 | Volume:5 | Issue:1-2|Papers Count:15

Introduction: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAIDs) are used widely for musculoskeletal and other inflammatory conditions.Materials & Methods: In this study, the efficacy and toxic effects of Piroxicam was compared with Diclofenac and Dexamethasone in an in vitro fibrosarcoma cell culture (Wehi 964) model using cytotoxicity analysis and zymography assay. The concentration all the drugs ranged between 10 to 200mg/mlper ml of cell culture (20/000/well) and incubated overnight.Results: The results showed that these drugs produced inhibitory effects on the expression of matrix Metalloproteinase (MMPs), in which Diclofenac was the most cytotoxic. The LD50 for Diclofenac was approximately 20 mM compared to 80 mM for Piroxicam and Dexamethasone, which had LD50 of 80 mM. In addition, Diclofenac produced caused greater inhibitory effects on cell proliferation and cell death at higher concentration. These effects were found to be correlated with its inhibitory effect on MMPs expression.Conclusion: The above findings indicated that Piroxicam excess an inhibitory effect on expression of MMPs. Thus, this drug can be used in inflammatory conditions.

Introduction: The burden of psychiatric disorders in the developed countries has been identified by the screening questionnaires and standard clinical interviews at a high level, but the epidemiological studies of psychiatric disorders in Iran are brief and their numbers are few. Planning for providing essential mental health services to the people who requires to be informed about the present status of psychiatric disorders in the society. The objective of this research was to carry out the epidemiological study of the psychiatric disorders in the individuals 18 years and above in urban and rural areas of Semnan province.Materials and Methods: Two hundred eighty individuals were selected through randomized systematic and clustered sampling methods among the existing families in Semnan province. The clinical psychologist completed the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia (SADS) questionnaires.The diagnosis of the disorders was based on DSM-IV classification criteria.Results: The results of the study showed that the prevalence of psychiatric disorders in the province was 18.58%, which was 22.14% in the women, and 14.49% in the men, respectively. The anxiety and mood disorders respectively with 8.22% and 5.00% had the higher prevalence in the province. The prevalence of psychotic disorders in this study was 1.78%, neuro-cognitive disorders 2.86 percent and dissociative disorders 0.72%. In the group of mood disorders, major depression with 3.57% and in the group of anxiety disorders, phobic disorder with 2.86% had the higher prevalence.Conclusion: This study showed that 10.71% of individuals suffered from minimum one of the psychiatric disorders. The prevalence of psychiatric disorders in the province among the individuals in the age group of 41-55 years with 13.85%, individuals whose spouses had passed away 37.50%, residents of urban areas with 13.92%, individuals with diploma 14.29% and unemployed individuals 2857% that was more common more than other individuals. By considering of these findings, the responsibility of the health policy_makersand programmers is more than before in relation to preparing application and executive plans to prevent and treatment of psychiatric disorders in Semnan province for mental health.

Introduction: Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the major cause of morbidity and mortality both in industrial and developing countries. Hypercholesterolemia is the main primary contributory factor for CHD, and also there are reports that triglycerid rich lipoproleins directly or indirectly are atherogenic. In all subjects with one or more CHD risk factors in whom risk reduction is recommended non- drug therapy is a valid treatment regimen. The present study investigates the effects of ethanolic and aqueous extracts of rheum ribes (RR) of the family polygonacea on lipid concentrations in hypothyroid rabbits.Materials and methods: To induce hypothyroidism and hyperlipidemia, 0.05% (w/w) methimazol powder was given in drinking water to rabbits with 2±0.3 kg weight, throughout the experiment.Hypothyroid animals were divided into 5 groups and treated with different regimens for 18 days as following: group A was received daily 10-15 ml of distilled water (D.W) orally; group B as positive control was received 570 mg of nicotinic acid powder in D.W orally/ day; groups C and D were received daily 4 g/kg B.W orally of aqueous and ethanolic extracts respectively and finally group E was received 6 g/kg. B.W ethanolic extract in D.W/day (this group was not concidered in results). Blood samples were taken by the end of day 10 & 18 and serum cholesterol and triglycerid were determined by enzymatic routine laboratory methods.Results: Aqueous extract of RR vs D.W decreased serum cholesterol by the end of day 10 & 18 by 56.34% and 84.87% (P<0.01) respectively. Triglycerid concentration was decreased by aqueous extract by day 10 & 18 by 11.29% (NS) and 66.8% (P<0.05) respectively. Ethanolic extract when compared with D.W decried cholesterol level by 40.56% (P<0.05) and 72.27% (P<0.01) by day 10& 18 respectively.This extract also decreased triglycerid at day 10 by 34.39% (NS) and at day 18 by 79.14% (P<0.01).Nicotinic acid vs. D.W decreased serum cholesterol by day 10 & 18 by 54.7% (P<0.001) and 62.8% (P<0.05) respectively. Triglycerid reduction by nicotinic acid was 62.11% and 62.68% (P<0.05) by day 10& 18 respectively.Conclusion: These results demonstrate that both aqueous and ethanolic extracts of RR can decrease plasma lipids in hyperlipidemic rabbits and the reductions are at the rank of or greater than that of nicotinic acid. Therefore, it may suggest that rheum ribes is potentially hypolipidemic and might be used in such status for treatment of hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia to reduce CHD risk factors.

Introduction: Glucose oxidase (GO) is an enzyme, which use in food, chemical and personal care industries as well as glucose diagnostic kits. The aim of this study was PCR-mediated amplification of GO gene from Aspergillus niger genome and cloning of it in E. coli as a basis for production of recombinant GO in Iran.Methods: A. niger (2029) was cultured in media containing peptone, glucose and malt extract in 24' C for 48-72 h. Genomic DNA was extracted by sonication and freeze-thaw in liquid nitrogen in a lysis buffer containing EDTA and SDS. GO gene was amplified with designed primers under optimized PCR condition. The PCR product was cloned in pTZ57R plasmid using InsT/AcloneTM (Fermentas) and the constructed plasmid was transformed into E. coli DH5. Map of this plasmid was confirmed by restriction analysis and named pTZ57RGO.Results: Our data showed the methods used in this study were adequate for culture and extraction of DNA from filamentous fungi such as A. niger. We showed amplified DNA fragment has expected size in agarose gel electrophoresis and also the cloned GO has a correct size after restriction analysis.Conclusion: The GO gene isolated successfully from A. niger via optimized PCR conditions and was cloned in prokaryotic host. This is the first report of isolation and cloning of GO gene in Iran that can be used for further cloning of that gene in expression vectors for production of recombinant enzyme.

Introduction: Existence of numerous statistics and sometimes contradictory from unique phenomena is one of the problems and difficulties that prevent policy makers and administrators to take the right steps and make correct decisions.Generation of numerous statistics and sometimes contradictory by relevant organizations on mortality registration has created much uncertainty among governmental administrators and decision makers. This difference between statistics shows that a type of undercount exists in information collecting system of these organizations. Sample coverage approach is one of the procedures that might enable one to remove this deficiency. This study was accomplished to estimate the number of deaths of Bushehr province in year 2000 and to correct the death undercount.Materials and Methods: First, death information was obtained from three sources: Statistics System Development Department, Health Promotion and Health Network Development Department of Ministry of Health and Medical Education, and Census Organization of Iran. Then information of each source that was based on the first name, last name, gender and residence of dead people was entered to computer. Finally, a number of software such as Access were used for obtaining common cases of sources. The data were then analyzed by SPLUS software and the following results were obtained.Results: Without considering the number of newborn deaths, the total number of death in Bushehr province was estimated at 660 cases with an estimated standard error of 5 cases. However, only 641 cases had been reported by relevant organizations. As a result, 19 cases attributed as undercounts (2.88 %) were estimated by these organizations.Conclusion: Results of this research has been shown that a type of undercount exists on mortality registration and could be obtained us an acceptable estimation for this undercount by using sample coverage approach.

Introduction: This study was designed to compare the efficacy of ultrasound and laser treatment for mild to moderate idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS).Materials and Methods: Ninety hands in 50 consecutive patients with CTS confirmed by electromyography participated randomly in two experimental groups, ultrasound therapy and low level laser therapy (LLLT). Intervention in each group included 15 daily treatment sessions (5 sessions/week). Ultrasound treatment (1 MHz, 1.0 W/cm2, pulse 1:4, 15 min/session) applied to the area over the carpal tunnel of one wrist and LLLT (9 joules, 830NM infrared laser at five points) applied to other wrist.Measurements were performed before and after treatment and also after 4 weeks follow up and included pain assessment by visual analogue scale; electroneugraphic measurement (motor and sensory latency, motor and sensory action potential amplitude), pinch and grip strength.Results: Improvement was significantly more pronounced in ultrasound group than in LLLT group for variables; motor latency and motor action potential amplitude (P<0.0001); sensory latency (P<0.001); sensory action potential amplitude (P<005), hand grip strength (P<0.01), finger pinch strength (P<0.0001) and pain relief (P<0.000I), with sustained effects after follow up period.Conclusion: Results indicate both ultrasound and laser were effective, but ultrasound was better than laser. Since some effective results were seen due to the laser therapy, further investigation is needed to investigate the effects of combination of these treatments in patients with mild to moderate CTS.

Introduction: The goal of this study was to compare of fine motor development in urban and rural preschool children.Materials and Methods: Ninety-seven normal pre-school children participated in this study (n=97), including 57 urban and 40 rural children, (n1=57, n2=40). To assess fine motor skills 6 evaluation methods were used, the assessments were: scissoring a direct line and a curve, moderate movement tests, coloring in by pencils, difficult fine motor test and dotting. For analysis of data t test was used to determine significant differences between the two groups (urban and rural).Results: In the two assessment methods, difficult fine motor test and dotting, there was significant differences between the two groups; showing rural children had more success in doing the tasks.In the other four evaluation methods, there were no significant differences between the two groups. Conclusion: Rural children had more success to carry out fine motor skills when compared to urban children, requiring revision of educational pre-school programme especially in the field of motor skills.

Introduction: To evaluate the long-term immunity and immunologic memory provided by universal hepatitis B vaccination program at birth, and to evaluate the booster effects of different dosages of hepatitis B vaccine on children, who lost protective antibody titers to hepatitis B surface antigen (HBs- Ag), this study was conducted.Methods: community-based sero-epidemiologic study was done on 453 healthy 10.5 years old Iranian children, one decade after implementation of a mass hepatitis B vaccination program. A booster vaccination with different dosages was given for children who did not have protective level of anti-hepatitis B surface antigen antibody (anti-HBs). Quantitative serologic responses to different dosages of vaccine were compared using X2 statistical test.Results: A total of 42% children (191 of 453) children had low concentration (<10IU/L) of anti HBs antibody, 18.5% (84 of 453) were susceptible (antibody titer <2IU/L). 87.2% of 165 nonprotected-boostered vaccines showed immunologic memory to different doses of booster, and developed protective antibody titer two weeks later. The differences between pre- (3.48 ±3.39; mean±SD) and post- (153±163.84) vaccination antibody titers were significant (p=0.000). Antibody titers achieved by different doses of vaccine had significant proportion to vaccine doses. No hepatitis B infection markers were detected in those children who were not sero-protected and did not respond to booster dose of vaccination.Conclusion: According to these findings, universal hepatitis B vaccination program at birth provides adequate protection against hepatitis B virus infection at least for 10 years. It might suggest that booster vaccination is not recommended, but further follow-up studies at adulthood age group are recommended.

Introduction: Today, diagnostic ultrasound imaging is utilized immensely, vast utilization of this method in clinic necessitate the implementation of a quality control program for diminishing diagnostic errors.Materials and Methods: In this study, by using the test object and proposed performance protocol, Seventy nine real time ultrasound systems have been evaluated in different hospitals in Tehran.The ultrasound systems were selected have evaluated randomly and evaluated in aspect of quality control essential parameters.Results: The results were compared to AAPM (American Association of Physicists in Medicine) recommended values. The data showed that of total tested equipments 20.3% in dead zone, 64.6% in depth measurements, 54.4% in horizontal measurements, 19.0% in axial resolution, 12.7% in lateral resolution, 20.2% in focusing number and 30.4% in uniformity had no performance as compared to AAPM recommended values.Conclusions: These results showed that the maximum error was related to lateral and depth measurements and least error was related to lateral resolution. The presence of these considerable errors highlighted the necessity of performing a comprehensive quality control program routinely for real-time diagnostic ultrasound imaging equipments.

Introduction: Prenatal care is a kind of comprehensive care program in pregnancy period that must begin in preconception. This cares have excellent effect on pregnancy outcomes and mothers and newborns' health promotion. By considering these effects more studies have been carried out for inventing and spreading provider centers of prenatal cares. There is more information about the quantity spreading of prenatal care but there isn't enough information about its quality performance. This approach was conducted to assess the quality of prenatal care (pre-conception and pregnancy) on the existing care standards in Semnan health centers.Materials and Methods: This descriptive study was performed on 95 women who delivered from March 2002 through September 2002 and their prenatal cares were received by Semnan health centers. The measurement device was a checklist consisting of four sections that used confirming validity and reliability. Data collection was carried out healthy files and telephonic interview. In this study was six indicators were used to evaluate the quality of pre-natal care.Results: Only 11.6% of women received preconception counseling; 46% of them benefited their prenatal care in the first trimester of pregnancy, the mean of care numbers was 9 times. Prenatal care include of 49.5% via history information, 19.55% midwifery examinations, 47.2% in physical examinations and 72.2% in laboratory tests which were presented in the first prenatal care visit. On average, 87.3% of women received recommended components of prenatal care in subsequent visits and 46.4% of educations cases were presented.Conclusion: this study showed that the qualities of prenatal cares was not completely desirable in health centers, therefore effective steps must be taken to improve the quality of prenatal cares.

Introduction: Nosocomial Pneumonia (NP) is an infection of lung parenchyma that could happen at least 48 hours after admission in hospital. After urinary tract infection, it is the second most common nosocomial infection and is most common in Intensive Care Dnits (ICD).Incidence of NP in ICD is about 10-20%.Materials and Methods: 402 patients evaluated in EMDad and Fatemieh hospitals. Variables were age, gender, depressed level of consciousness, mechanical ventilation, nasogastric tube, thoraco-abdominal surgery and medical or surgical ICD patients visited daily. Criteria of NP were fever after 48 houres, leukocytosis, increase in pulmonary secretion and chest X-ray findings. Logistic Regression was used for analysis data.Results: 9.2% (CI 95%; 6.4-12.0%) of patients developed NP. In patients with mechanical ventilation and depressed level of consciousness, incidence was 7.6 times and 2.7 times more than others, respectively. There was no relationship between NP and other variables.Conclusion: Mechanical ventilation and unconsciousness are important risk factors for NP. Thus, these patients require more and better cares. Furthermore, intervention should be avoided if patients require mechanical ventilation meticulous aseptic care for respirator equipments and suctioning is needed.

Introductions: Intrauterine insemination with or without super ovulation has been proposed for the treatment of certain reproductive problems, Including male Sub Fertility, poor cervical mucus, presence of anti-sperm antibodies, minimal or mild endometriosis, and ovulation disorders refractory to previous attempts for ovulation and unexplained in fertility. To compare the pregnancy rates achieved by IUI in this center with other centers.Material and Methods: A descriptive study in 88 cycles of 75 infertile couples during 2 years (2001 - 2003). 67 cycles stimulated with HMG+ CC and 21 cycles with CC alone. The patients divided to 4 groups according to cause of infertility; G1: anovulatory, G2: male, G3: anovulatory + male and G4: unexplained.Results: Pregnancy rate was 16% per patient and 13.6% per cycle of 12 pregnancies, 6 were Term deliveries, 2 ongoing, 2 abortions, 1 IUFD, 1 pre-term and 1 Twin Pregnancy. This study didn't show a statistical significant difference between HMG+ CC and CC cycles (P>0.85) and no differences existed between pregnancy rates in different causes of infertility. (0.1 < P < 0.2).Conclusion: As in 67 cycles, HMG+CC has been used to stimulate the ovulation and the mean of using BMG has been 10, so this method can be used for the people who didn't have any suitable response to CC and also for the people due to having OHSS, fear to use HMG. And consequently, the consumption rate (HMG) can be reduced.