Feyz Medical Sciences Journal
Year:2010 | Volume:13 | Issue:4 (SERIAL 52)|Papers Count:15

Background: Vitamin D receptors have been presented in the areas involved in learning and memory. This study was done to assess the effect of the vitamin D deficiency and calcitriol supplementation on spatial learning and memory. Materials and Methods: Twenty seven male rats were divided into three groups (n=9 for each): receiving normal (Control), diminished vitamin D (C-D) and calcitriol supplement (C+D) regimens for 45 days. The animals were introduced to the Morris water maze (MWM) trials (4trials/day for 5 consecutive days). The delay in finding and distance passed to reach the target platform were measured as spatial learning. The probe test was performed on the 5th day of experiment.Results: The C-D group needed a longer time to reach the platform than the control and C+D animals (P<0.0001), demonstrating that vitamin D deficiency negatively affected the maze learning. On the other hand, calcitriol supplementation did not significantly influence the spatial learning. The probe trial was not affected by either vitamin D deficiency or calcitriol supplementation. Conclusion: Although vitamin D deficiency deteriorates the maze learning it dose not affect the spatial memory consolidation. Also, calcitriol supplementation for 45 days is not effective in cognitive phenomena.

Background: Noise induced hearing loss (NIHL) is one of the most important occupational diseases worldwide. NIHL has been found to be potentiated by some of air pollutants. Exposure to noise plus carbon monoxide is common in occupational and environmental settings. This study was performed to evaluate the effect of noise and carbon monoxide exposure simultaneously on rabbits' hearing system by Auditory Brain stem Response (ABR) assessment.Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 24 male adult white rabbits were divided to four groups: control group, noise exposure group, noise plus carbon monoxide exposure group and carbon monoxide exposure group. Auditory Brain stem Responses of the four groups were determined: before exposure, 1 hour after exposure and 14 days after exposure by click and tone burst stimulus. Results: The latency mean time of V wave in the ABR test for the group exposed to noise plus carbon monoxide, 1 hour after exposure at 1, 2, 4 and 8 KHz frequency were respectively 5.43±0.08, 5.50±0.07, 5.71±0.07 and 5.75±0.07 millisecond. These values were significantly more than the same values in the other groups. Conclusion: NIHL may be potentiated by carbon monoxide in the simultaneous exposure. Thus, it seems occupational and environmental exposure to noise plus carbon monoxide may increases hearing loss risk.

Background: Addiction to opioid drugs is considered as a problem throughout the world. Addiction can be studied concerning: social, medical and psychological aspects. The social aspect of addiction is quite important. For example, the negative result of addiction test is a requirement for marriage and job by law. On the other hand, frauds in addiction tests have been reported (such as displacement of urine from bladder, alkalization or acidification of urine and taking of diuretics or oral contraceptives). Materials and Methods: In the present study, two different chronic morphine administration protocols (tolerance and dependency models) were applied. Estrogen and progesterone were given prior and simultaneously with morphine. After the last injection of morphine, urine samples were taken every 6 h for 24 h. Then morphine was quantitatively detected by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Data analysis was performed using two-way ANOVA and repeated measures ANOVA test followed by Student-Newman-Keuls test. Conjugated morphine was measured by the subtraction of free part of morphine from the total one in the urine samples.Results: Our results indicated that prior administration of estrogen and progesterone increased the metabolism of morphine 6 and 12 h after the last injection, while no significant change was detected after 18 and 24 h. Conclusion: In summary, it can be concluded that estrogen and progesterone transiently affect the metabolism of morphine. Thus, the effect of the sex hormones on morphine metabolism is not clinically important.

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis is one of the most common autoimmune diseases. Early diagnosis can prevent side effects and disability. Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody is a specific marker to diagnose rheumatoid arthritis. This study was carried out to evaluate the efficacy of anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide in comparison with rheumatoid factor in rheumatoid arthritis patients referred to Behshti Hospital of Kashan city during 2006-7.Materials and Methods: This diagnostic value study was done on 98 randomly selected rheumatoid arthritis patients and 75 patients with other rheumatic diseases. In this study rheumatoid factor titer>35 IU/ml and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide>6.25 IU/ml were considered positive.Results: Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide compared to rheumatoid factor had a higher sensitivity (73.5% vs. 69.4%), specificity (88% vs. 84%), positive predictive value (88.9% vs. 85%), and negative predictive value (71.7% vs. 67.7%) for rheumatoid arthritis. The use of rheumatoid factor and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide test together increased the specificity and positive predictive value for diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis to 93.3% and 92.4%, respectively. The mean anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide showed a significant difference in Rheumatoid arthritis (46.8 IU/ml) in comparison to non rheumatoid arthritis patients (5.3 IU/ml).Conclusion: Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide had a better diagnostic value when compared to rheumatoid factor for detection of rheumatoid arthritis. Also combined use of rheumatoid factor and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide had a higher specificity and positive predictive value than each alone for the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis.

Background: The present study investigates the effect of different concentrations of air pollutants (PM10, O3. H2S) on the function of lung. Materials & Methods: Arak and Khomain cities were divided into 10 and 5 regions, respectively. A sample of air pollutants (PM10, O3 .H2S) was measured by PSI (pollution standard index) machine randomly from spring to winter. Two random samples consisting of 1069 non-smoker residents of the two cities (522 from Khomain and 547 from Arak) were selected. Regression test mode were used to analyze data.Results: PSI in the cities Arak and Khomain was 101.83±14.54 and 89.17±18.58, respectively. Predicted values of FVC, FEVI, FEF 25-75%, MEF 50%, and PEF in Arak were 10.2%, 11.7%, 35.5%, 30.9%, and 40% abnormal, respectively. These values in Khomain were 8.8%, 11.3%, 35.4%, 33.9%, and 40.6% abnormal, respectively. The concentrations of H2S in both cities were above the standard values. There was no significant relationship between the concentrations of O3, H2S, PM10 and vital capacity. However, there was a considerable correlation between the mean of FEF, FEF 25– 75%, and concentration of O3 at P<0.001 and P=0.016 level of significance, respectively. In Arak the correlation observed between FVC and concentration of O3 was not significant. In Khomain a negative correlation was observed between VC with H2S and PM10 on one hand and FVC with H2S and PM10 on the other.Conclusion: The main pollutants in Arak were PM10 and in Khomain were H2S and O3. Measuring these pollutants throughout the year is necessary.

Background: The aim of family planning is to prevent unwanted pregnancy. Using safe and effective contraceptive methods is necessary to achieve this goal. This study was conducted to determine the most causes of high application of unsafe contraception methods in Kashan city using a regression model. Materials and Methods: In a case control study 261 married women referring to health centers and using unsafe contraceptive methods (condom and withdrawal) were selected randomly. Also 261 women using safe methods (hormonal, ligation and intrauterine device) were selected as control group. Using multistage (cluster and simple random) sampling we collected data including age, job, educational level of women and their spouse, marriage duration, number of children, age of the last child and satisfaction about gender of children. The data were analyzed using Chi square and t-Student test in univariate step and then binary logistic regression at multivariate model.Results: women's job and level of education, men's age and level of education, duration of marriage and number of children were statistically associated with unsafe contraception application. In the final regression model, women's job (OR=2.241) and age (OR=1.725), duration of marriage (OR=1.074), number of children (OR=0.341) and age of the last child (OR=1.544) were the most important determinants of unsafe contraception. Conclusion: To decrease the application of unsafe methods it is suggested that educational programs should be reinforced for women who have a job, less than 3 children, longer marriage and are older than 35 years old and their last child is older.

Background: Preliminary clinical studies have suggested that gabapentin may produce analgesia and reduce the need for opioids in postoperative patients. The aim of the present study was to investigate the opioid-sparing and analgesic effects of gabapentin administered during the first 24h after surgery. Materials & Methods: In a randomized, single-blind study 196 patients assigned to two groups receiving gabapentin (n=102) or placebo (n=94). Oral gabapentin 1200 mg or placebo, 2h before surgery, followed by oral gabapentin 600 mg or placebo 8, 16 and 24 h after the initial dose. Patients requesting analgesia received it with pethidine at dose of 25 mg (iv). Total pethidine consumption for each patient was recorded from zero to 24h postoperatively. Pain was assessed on a visual analogue scale (VAS), and vomiting, dizziness and somnolence were assessed. Results: Gabapentin reduced total pethidine consumption (P<0.001) and postoperative pain as well (P<0.001). It was associated with a significant increase in somnolence (P=0.007) and dizziness (P=0.019), however, no significant difference in vomiting (P=0.075) was observed.Conclusion: A total dose of 3000 mg gabapentin before and during the first 24h after surgery, reduces pain score and pethidine consumption, and increases the incidence of somnolence and dizziness.

Background: Metabolic syndrome or X syndrome is a combination of disorders such as: central obesity, hypertension, increased blood glucose and impaired blood lipids. Metabolic syndrome increases risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, dislipidemia and some cancers. This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in students of Kashan University of Medical Sciences in 2008.Materials & Methods: This study is a cross-sectional survey carried out on 221 students in an age range of 19-27 years. Metabolic syndrome was defined having at least three of the Third Report of the Adult Treatment Panel (ATP III) criteria as the following: triglycerides ³150 mg/dL; high blood pressure (systolic blood pressure³130 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure ³ 85 mmHg); fasting glucose≥110 mg/dL; waist circumference³102 cm in men and ³ 88 cm in women and HDL<40 mg/dL in men and<50 in female.Results: Approximatry 30.8% of subjects had one component of metabolic syndrome. The most prevalent metabolic syndrome components had high blood pressure (16.7%) and low HDL (26.2%). Conclusion: The results show that the important metabolic syndrome risk factors among students are high diastolic blood pressure and low HDL.

Background: Insomnia is a distressing and disabling condition affecting not only many people's quality of life and work but also their psychosocial conditions. Therefore, this research has done to survey insomnia prevalence among 18 years old people and over in Kashan city in 2008.Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional research has performed done in Kashan using randomized sampling (N=1155). The research tools contain demographic characteristics questionnaire and insomnia questionnaire based on DSM-IV criteria including difficult falling asleep, staying asleep and daytime sleepiness. Its validity was confirmed by five psychiatrists; the reliability of this questionnaire with test-retest method was 99%. The data were analyzed via Chi square, Fisher exact test and OR, CI.Results: Of 1155 persons, 684 (59.2) had insomnia problem. Insomnia problem is extremely prevalent among those who were between 41 to 65 years old (266 of persons 67.9) and women (387 of persons 56.5). This study showed that there was a significant relationship between insomnia problem and mental disorder history [P<0/0001, OR=2.24], sleep disorder in family history [P<0/0001, OR=4.67] and drinking caffeine before sleep [P<0/001, OR=1.64].Conclusion: According to this study, most people studied suffer from insomnia problem, particularly women and middle aged people. Since insomnia can be a risk factor for onset of depression and anxiety disorders, and increases direct and indirect medical costs among other consequences it is necessary to prepare an exact schedule for resolving this problem and improving sleep quality.

Background: Hydatidosis is one of the most prevalent zoonotic diseases worldwide caused by the metacestode form of Echinococcus granulosus. The diagnosis of cystic echinococcusis is difficult; using the clinical features of the disease and serological methods help to determine the specific antibody response. Due to medical and economical importance of this disease, the aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of the human hydatidosis among adults in Kashan, a central region of Iran, in 2008.Materials and Methods: In a cross-sectional study, 361 serum samples were randomly collected from adult cases referring to the city and rural health centers of Kashan. All the sera in different age groups were examined using ELISA and IFA tests. Results: The age Mean±SD in this study was 33.4±9.7 years. Only 11 cases (3.05 %) using both ELISA and IFA were positive for hydatidosis and the other cases were negative by two methods. The infection rate among males and females was 3.7% and 2.3%, respectively. There was no significant association between hydatidosis, sex and residency. Conclusion: According to the results, the rate of hydatidosis prevalence in this region was high justifying control programs of hydatidosis.

Background: Meckel's diverticulum is the most common anomaly of the intestine. It is usually asymptomatic but could also be symptomatic with complications such as bleeding, intestinal obstruction, and inflammation. Case Report: Two weeks after gangrenous appendectomy of a 44 years old man in Shahid Beheshti Hospital in Kashan city, Iran, he complained of abdominal pain, nausea, bilious vomiting and constipation. Considering him as a suspicious case of intestinal obstruction, we performed laparatomy in which torsion of 10 cm. length of Meckel's diverticulum was confirmed.Conclusion: Since the complications of Meckel's diverticulum are rane in adults, this diagnosis is supposed to be considered as one of the probable reasons of acute abdomen surgery. Although, the common place of Meckel's diverticulum is at 40-60 cm away from ileal operculum, it is recommended to assess ileum at a 100 cm distance from it.

Background: Chronic hepatitis B is among the prevalent causes of chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis. The aim of this article is to discuss the indications for treatment, available drugs, and identify drug resistance or intolerance and primary treatment failure in chronic hepatitis B.Materials and Methods: A summary of epidemiology, natural course and treatment options of chronic hepatitis B is presented in this paper according to AASLD practical guidelines for treatment of hepatitis B (2009). On the basis of serum HBV DNA, alanin aminotransferase and HBe Ag level as well as the liver histological findings the natural course of chronic hepatitis B is divided into four phases: immune tolerance, immune clearance, inactive carrier state and relapse. These phases indicate the patient's immune system activation against the virus and the leading histological liver damage.Results: Patients in immune tolerance and inactive carrier state phases do not need treatment and should only be followed up; while those in immune clearance and relapse phases do need treatment. Selection of PEG IFN or nucleoside analogues should be based on the presence of cirrhosis, viral load and genotype, drug resistance and also the patient's preference. Drug intolerance or resistance can lead to relapse and drug should be stopped or changed in these occasions.Conclusion: Due to the rapid increase of information about chronic hepatitis B treatment and generation of new antiviral medicines, the guidelines for treatment are changing rapidly.Appropriate early treatment decreases mortality and morbidity rate caused by liver disease.