Feyz Medical Sciences Journal
Year:2008 | Volume:12 | Issue:1 (SERIAL 45)|Papers Count:17

Background: Gonadotropins are routinely used in animals and humans to induce multiple ovulations and increase the number of available oocytes in some fertilization techniques such as IVF (In Vitro Fertilization). This study was performed to assess the effects of HMG & r-FSH on development of ovarian follicles of mouse Balb/c.Materials and Methods: In this experimental study 60 immature (21 days old) female Balb/c mice were allocated into 4 groups: 1- Control group, without injection, 2- Sham or exposed group, with normal saline injection, 3- HMG group received 7.5 IU/ml HMG, and 4- r-FSH group received 7.5 IU/ml r-FSH. After 48 hours, the animals were sacrificed and their ovaries removed for histological studies. The average follicles quantity, and also the size and weight of the ovaries were analyzed using Kolmogorov-Smirnov and uni factor variance analytic tests, respectively.Results: Data showed that using r-FSH significantly (p<0.05) increased the size, but not the weight of ovaries and different types of follicles (p>0.05). Also using HMG significantly increased the weight of ovaries and number of primary antral follicles (p<0.05) but not the size of ovaries and primary, secondary and growing follicles (p>0.05).Conclusion: HMG & r-FSH did not have significant effects on primary development of ovarian follicles but HMG affect the late stage development of ovarian follicles.

Background: Small Intestine mucosal integrity, function and barrier are defective after severe burn and because of the bacterial translocation it will end up to sepsis and death. Due to positive effects of L-arginine in wound healing during burns, the purpose of this study was to assess the effects of L-arginine to prevent the morphometric changes in small intestine of burned rats. Materials and Methods: Twenty-four mature male rats weighting 250-270g have used in three groups. Control group (n=8), burned group (n=8) and burn with L-arginine (100 mg/kg intra peritoneal on 1, 3 and 5 days after burn). For burning induction, after general anesthesia and shaving, a selected area of the back region (5×3.5cm) was exposed to boiling water for 8 seconds in order to produce the wet burns. On the 7th day after burn specimens from the first part of small intestine were obtained. After fixation and staining the samples with Hematoxiline and Eosin villi height, small intestine diameter and its lumen diameter, muscular layer thickness, and crypt depth were measured. Results: Villi height, crypt depth of small intestine mucosal was significantly decreased in burned group compared with other groups. The structure of the small intestine in L-arginine group was similar to control (normal) group. Conclusion: The results showed that L-arginine prevented from villi atrophy and also morphometric changes of small intestine mucosal and prevented pathological changes during burn.

Background: Magnetic fields in human environment can affect on learning and memory. This study was conducted on evaluation the effect of short time exposure to 2 and 8 MT magnetic fields on rat consolidation of spatial memory. Materials and Methods: Thirty-six male Wistar rats (3-4 month old, 235±15g) were randomly allocated in three groups (sham and exposed to 2 and 8 MT magnetic fields). Animals were given 8 trials (one training session) at 2 blocks, with 3 minutes interval between the blocks for one day in Morris Water Maze. Immediately after training, head exposure was performed by a 50 Hz, 2 or 8 MT magnetic fields for 20 minutes. Forty eight hours after training and exposure to magnetic field, animals were given a 60 seconds probe trial.Results: Animals exposed to 8 MT but not to 2 MT magnetic fields spend significantly less time in the platform quadrant during 60 seconds probe trial and had different swimming patterns so that they showed fewer tendencies for finding the platform. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that short time exposure to 50 Hz, 8 MT but not 2 MT magnetic fields can impair consolidation phase of spatial memory.

Background: Interferon producing cells have an important role in controlling HIV. The interferon producing cell count was evaluated in order to study the possibility of immune modulating qualification of HGV co-infection in HIV patients’ safety.Materials and Methods: This descriptive study was performed on 83 HIV positive patients with CD4+ cell count >400 to evaluate the interferon producing cell count. These 83 patients were categorized in 4 groups based on their current infection status. Patients infected with HCV and HGV (HGV+/HCV+), patients infected with HGV but not with HCV (HGV-C+/HCV-), patients infected with HCV but not with HGV (HGV-/HCV+) and patients not infected by HGV and HCV (HGV-/HCV-). Interferon producing cell analysis was performed by flow cytometric method and the presence of -HGV RNA by using RT-PCR and PCR-Elisa.Results: Interferon producing cell count in HGV co-infected individuals revealed a wider range of numbers; however there was no significant difference in the interferon producing cells count between HIV infected patients with and without HGV co-infection.Conclusion: HGV/HCV co-infection doesn't have an effective role on increasing of production or rotation of interferon producing cell in HIV infected patients with relatively intact immune system.

Background: Glycemic index (GI) describes the variation of blood glucose concentration compared with a standard food after a meal. The purpose of this study is to determine the GI of specific pasta (Salam Macaron, produced at Kashan, Iran) and compare this index in men and women.Materials and Methods: To determine the GI, a measured portion of food containing 50 g carbohydrates which was taken by 14 healthy volunteers (7 men and 7 women) after an overnight fasting was selected. B-glucose curves were drawn in time of 0, 30, 60, 90, 120 min after the meal. The GI was calculated by dividing the incremental area under the curve for tested food per same index for standard food (same amount of glucose) and multiplying by 100. Each food was tested 3 times for every volunteer so that 3 GI’s were obtained and their average was calculated. Paired T Test and T Student were used to analyze the data.Results: The mean value of pasta GI was 51 ± 14.14 in the whole group of 14 volunteers. No significant difference was seen between the GI in men and women.Conclusion: Salam Macaron is in upper limit of low GI foods. This pasta may be an appropriate part of diets intended to improve control of blood glucose levels and management of diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease.

Background: Restriction of patients to bed after coronary angiography to minimize the complications is accompanied by low back pain, which as a stress cause increases in heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP). The purpose of this study is to assess the effect of changing patients’ position on heart rate, average arterial pressure, hemorrhage and haematoma formation. Materials and Methods: Using a semi-experimental method and convenient sampling, patients were assigned randomly to experimental (35 subject) and control (36 subject) groups. The experimental group was managed with modified positioning while the control group with routine protocol. HR, BP, bleeding and haematoma were measured in different time intervals after angiography. Results: The experimental group had significantly lower heart rate and blood pressure in about 6 to 8 hours after angiography (P<0.05). The new method for patient positioning produced no significant increase in hemorrhage and haematoma when compared with control group. Conclusion: Modified positioning after coronary angiography is practical and associated with stability of heart rate and blood pressure, and without increase in hemorrhage and haematoma chances.

Background: Selenium is known as an antioxidant and immunomodulator trace element. Recently, the role of selenium deficiency in Behcet disease is discussed. This study performed to evaluate the correlation between serum selenium level and Behcet disease.Materials and Methods: This case control study was performed on 46 healthy and 46 patients matched for age and ethnicity at Behcet clinic of Shariati hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences. Serum selenium was measured by atomic absorption spectrometry and compared with the average of serum selenium levels in both case and control groups and analyzed by T-test.Results: Serum selenium level (mean ± SD) in patients (66.4 ± 15.38) was significantly (p<0.0005) lower than healthy (86.87 ± 17.18) group. Considering Global Physician Assessment, there was no significant difference between active (66.57 ± 15.21) and non-active (65.83 ± 14.75) patients, but a significant increase in selenium level was seen in patients with ocular involvement (p<0.001). Conclusion: Serum selenium level in Behcet patients was lower than healthy control group and in ocular involved patients was higher than non-active patients. According to our results selenium may be a predicting factor for exacerbation or activation of disease and we recommend further studies to evaluate the precise relationship between selenium and Behcet.

Background: Migraine is a pulsatile, unilateral headache usually with nausea, vomiting, photophobia and fatigue. Considering the prevalence of Migraine headache and the suggested role of allergens in its appearance, the relationship between serum level of IgE and Migraine headache was scrutinized in this study.Materials and Methods: Fifty known cases of Migraine headache and 100 control cases were selected from the patients referred to neurology clinic of Shahid Beheshti Hospital and private neurology clinic. Demographic data including age, sex, and family history of headache were recorded and matched in both groups. Two cubic centimeters (cc) of venous blood obtained from each case and tested for serum level of IgE with Eliza. Data analyzed with Chi-Square Test, T test, CI, and OR Tests.Results: Out of 50 Migraine patients 35 (70%) were female and 15 (30%) male, and of 100 control group 70 (70%) female and 30 (30%) male. Most of the patients were in age range of 31-45 years old (34%), and so the control group was selected from the same range. Mean serum IgE level in Migraine patients was 109.55 ± 77.32 IU/ML and in control group 83.38 ± 54.8 IU/ML and in all controls and cases it was 92.1 ± 64.14 IU/ML. The difference was statistically significant (p<0.05). There was no difference in age between the groups. The difference in family history between case and control groups was significant (p<0.05), and the difference in serum IgE level was also significant between case and control groups with and without positive family history (p<0.05). There was no meaningful difference between other variables.Conclusion: Based on the differences of IgE serum level between Migraine headache patients and normal cases there may be a cause and effect relationship which must be further evaluated. This may be helpful in prophylaxis and treatment of Migraine

Background: Considering the high prevalence of postpartum depression (PPD), its serious problems for mother, child and family; and the importance of identification of its risk factors this study has been carried out to evaluate the relationship between the method of delivery and PPD.Materials and Methods: This analytical case control study with goal based sampling included 460 women referred to Kashan health care centers in 2-3 first months after their delivery during 2005-2006. They allocated to 2 equal groups of depressed (case) and normal (control) one per Beck depression test. Gender and gravida were matched in 2 groups. Data analyzed with Chi-Square test, T-test, OR, and CI.Results: There was no significant relationship between the method of delivery and PPD (OR=1.28). In case group the rate of Cesarean section was 46.1% and in control group 52.2%. In this subject, there was significant relationship between husbands job and PPD (p=0.047). There was no significant relationship between mother education and her job, number of her children and unplanned pregnancy with PPD.Conclusions: There was no relationship between the method of delivery and PPD. There was less PPD in women whose husbands had a staffing job. It is recommended to do more study on this subject.

Background: Many studies have been performed on validity of different methods for Amblyopia screening and this one was designed to assess the reliability of the TNO test for that purpose.Materials and Methods: This is a diagnostic value study. Visual acuity and stereo acuity of 100 patients with Amblyopia caused by refractive errors, strabismus with wide angle, or micro strabismus were measured and compared with the stereo acuity of 300 normal students using TNO test. Statistical analysis carried out to determine sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic value. Then, positive and negative predictive values were calculated by considering 120 seconds of arc stereopsis as the cut off point.Results: Ninety five percent of students had good stereopsis (120 second of arc or better). Patients group showed limited stereopsis. The most common cause of amblyopia in patients group was refractive errors (62%). The most defective stereopsis was clearly associated with wide angle strabismus. In this study TNO test had missed (underestimated) 8% of cases with Amblyopia and had 5% over referral rate but had sufficient power to detect patients with moderate to severe Amblyopia. Its sensitivity and specificity were 85.9% and 97.2% respectively.Conclusion: TNO test seems to be useful for screening purposes of Amblyopia. It is reliable and can be performed without having special skills. Lack of monocular clues, also, increases its value.

Background: Proper care for urinary catheters have a key role in prevention of urinary tract infections, however the quality of this care has rarely been studied. This study conducted on assessment the quality of catheter care in University Hospitals in Kashan.Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 377 hospitalized patients in Naghavi, Shahid Beheshti and Shabih-khani hospitals of Kashan University of Medical Sciences, in 2005. The questionnaire prepared with a literature review and validated by content validity method. Data analysis performed using descriptive statistics.Results: From 377 cases, 61.8% were women and 38.2% men. Forty six patients were observed and other 331 presented their opinions about the quality of catheter care by filling out the questionnaire. Most patients were catheterized in surgical units. The main purpose of catheterization was the necessity to be in bed. In general, the quality of care was at moderate level per patient’s openion while it was weak on the base of observed cases. Patient education obtained the lowest scores. The quality of care was also at moderate level during the catheterization phase.Conclusion: The quality of catheter care was at moderate to weak level. The hospital management systems are responsible to conduct continuing education programmes to update the knowledge and skills of health care providers.

Background: Drug abuse has a high co-morbidity with mental disorders. This study investigated the personality trait of IV drug abusers to clarify the importance of psychological intervention.Materials and Methods: All IV heroin abusers of Kashan prison (73 cases) were enrolled to this cross sectional study in 2006, and their demographic data and MMPI test were recorded and evaluated. The results were statistically analyzed using Fisher Exact Test. Results : Six of 73 of abusers were excluded from this study for their invalid test results. Out of 67 cases 17 (25.38%) did not have any disorder and 50 (74.62%) were suffering from abnormal personality traits based on MMPI profile. The mean age of participants was 29.86 ± 6.41. Forty three (64.18%) were under 30, and 24 (35.82%) were above 30 years old. Thirty five were single and 32 married. There was a significant relationship between abnormal personality traits and educational level (PV<0.001, OR=10.1). Prominent personality traits were anti-sociality in 12 (24%), depression in 10 (20%), hypomania in 7 (14%), hypochondria in 5 (10%), hysteria in 5 (10%), anxiety in 4 (8%), paranoid in 4 (8%), and schizoid in 3 (6%).Conclusion: Anti-sociality and depression are the frequent traits among IV drug abusers. Younger victims are at higher risk. Also, low educational level can predict abnormal personality trait. Therefore, multimodal treatment interventions, especially psychotherapy have a great role on treatment of these patients.

Background: Coagulation factor XIII is a transglutaminase with a tetrameric structure which consists of two identical pre enzyme subunits (FXIIIA) and two carrier protein subunits (FXIIIB). FXIII Val34Leu polymorphism has a high prevalence in Caucasians. The prevalence of FXIII Val34Leu polymorphism in Iranian patients was investigated in this study by PCR-RFLP method.Materials and Methods: In this descriptive study blood samples of 213 patients referred to the central laboratory of IBTO were assessed by DNA extraction and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Then the genotypes of this polymorphism were identified by RFLP method in the presence of restricted enzyme. Data analyzed by SPSS 11.5 software and X2 Test.Results: The prevalence of Val34Leu polymorphism was 24.4% (22.06% heterozygote and 2.34% homozygote and 13.07% of Leu allele frequency). No relationship was seen between the polymorphism and sex.Conclusion: The high prevalence of FXIII Val34Leu polymorphism in Iranian thrombotic patients in comparison with reports from other Asian countries confirms the ethnic heterogenecity of this polymorphism which is not influenced by sex.

Background: Prolonged bottle and breast feeding may result in Early Childhood Caries (ECC). The clinical appearance of teeth in ECC in the children is typical and follows a definitive pattern. The goal of this study was to investigate the prevalence of ECC and its dependent factors in Hamadan Kindergarten’s children in 2006.Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional descriptive study, ECC data were collected using questionnaires from 414 children with age range of 2-6 years by a dentist. The relationship between early childhood caries and bottle or breast feeding, period of feeding, use of sweetening materials, frequency of feeding at night, and first time brushing were recorded. Data were analyzed with T-test and Chi- square test.Results: The prevalence of ECC was 31.7%. The most affected teeth were left maxillary incisors (28.01%) and least affected left lower canine (0%). There was a meaningful correlation between breast feeding and ECC. There was no correlation between ECC and age, sex, first time brushing, feeding period, use of sweetening materials, bottle feeding and feeding at night.Conclusion: The prevalence of ECC was high in the studied population and there was a relationship between breast feeding and it's duration with ECC.

Background: Self care in diabetic patients is very important not only from hygienic views, but also from society’s economical aspects. The goal of this study is assessment of knowledge of diabetic patients about self-care, in those referring to Kashan Diabetes Center.Materials and Methods: This descriptive- analytic study is conducted on 300 of 1400 diabetic patients who had medical records in Kashan Diabetes Center, with the use of random sampling method. Data were collected by completion of questionnaire containing demographic information, patients’ self care (considering three aspects: observation, function and family function), Foot care and patient knowledge level. To determine the relationship between self care and studied variants statistical tests x2, T test, sideway analytic variance test, OR, and CI were used.Results: Out of 300 patients, 214 (71.3%) were women and 86 (28.7%) were men, with a diabetes duration of 10.6 ± 6.5 years. Self care situation had a meaningful relationship with the patients’ education and diabetes duration. The longer the diabetes duration, the better was the level of self care. So, even the uneducated people had a well self-care. The type of treatment and marital status had relationship only with legs self care.Conclusion: Based on the results of this study and the discrepancy in some demographic characteristics of patients with different dimension of self-care and knowledge, it is recommended that the education in diabetes center should be more practical and emphasize on behavioral changes, altering attitude, and feeling of self sufficiency.