Journal of Advances in Medical and Biomedical Research
Year:2004 | Volume:12 | Issue:47|Papers Count:8

Background: Methoxsalon is considered as an effective drug in controlling skin diseases. Since there have been reports concerning cellular disorders following the intake of the drug, this study was undertaken to analyze the effects of methoxsalon treatment on liver in subjects in Tehran Medical university (2003-2004). Materials and Methods: In this experimental study 40 albino rabbits (32 females & 8 males) with approximate weight of 2.5-3 Kg and 5.5-6 months old were divided into 4 groups. One group served as control and 3 others as treatment groups to investigate the effects of the drug in three different stages of pregnancy (predifferentiation stage, embryonic stage and fetal stage) . Following the copulation and successful fertilization, an oral dose of 0.6 mg/kg drug was administered to treatment groups every other day for 8 days. Fourteen weeks after birth, prenatal treated rabbits were anesthetized and were submited to light microscopic tissue preparation. Results: Hypertrophic hepatocytes with highly vaceuolated cytoplasm and degenerated nuclei were found. Conclusion: Regarding the vital importance of proper functioning of hepatocytes either during fetal stage or adulthood and in the light of harmful effects of methaxosalon on fetus, it is recommended that administration of the drug be carefully carried out. More research is also recommended.

Background: In the light of dysmenorrhea prevalence and its importance for women at reproductive age and lack of clinical research on the effects of fish oil on dysmenorrhea in our country, this study was conducted on university students over the period 2002-2003. Materials and Methods: This clinical trial (before & after treatment) was carried out on 80 single girls, who suffered from primary dysmenorrhea. Data were collected through a questionnaire including demographic factors, exercise, stress causing factors, use of pain reliever and the Mc Gill pain ruler for determination of pain. The subjects were classified into two groups based on their pain severity. The moderate group (4 grade 7) and also the severe one (8 grade 10) and the subjects with less than 4 grades were excluded from this study. All the subjects consumed fish oil capsule (1gr), b.i.d from the 15th day of menstrual cycle for 45 days continuously. The research data were collected before study, during the consumption of fish oil and two menstrual periods thereafter and were analyzed by employing Sign and McNemar statistical tests. Results: The subjects averaged 22.1 2.5 years of age. Factors affecting dysmenorrhea severity did not show significant difference before and after treatment. Severe dysmenorrhea decreased from 50 percent to 21.2 percent, (P= 0.0001). The consumption of pain reliever decreased after treatment with fish oil. Moreover, no serious side effects were observed as a result of fish oil intake. The effect of fish oil improved after 2 cycles followup, so that severe dysmenorrhea decreased from 21.2 percent to 16.8 percent. Conclusion: The consumption of fish oil (2gr daily) for 45 days decreases primary dysmenorrhea. The investigation of effects of long term consumption of fish oil (6 months) is recommended.

Background: Approximately 90% of hospitalized clients receive some type of infusion therapy. Phlebitis is a common complication of i.v. therapy. In numerous studies, application of drugs such as antiseptics, heparin, steroids and filter administration have been tested to reduce phlebitis occurence. Subsequently, the present study was carried out with the aim of efficacy of topical nitroglycerin on severity and occurence of phlebitis in 2004. Materials and Methods: This study was a randomized double - blind controlled clinical trial. The investigated units consisted of 82 patients, who were prescribed intravenous catheter. In this research, the samples were randomly divided into two equal groups: control group and experimental group. These two groups were matched according to their age and medication received .After the placement of the catheter, nitroglycerine ointment (1.5 centimeter) or placebo ointment was applied to the distal section of the injection place and every 12 hours the site of cannulation was examind for signs and severity of phlebitis and ointmet was readministerd and bandaged. This was repeated at intervals of 24, 36, 48, 60 and 72 hours. The data were collected by using checklist. The results were analyzed using T-test and X2 and relative risk was plotted. Results: The results showed that occurrence and severity of phlebitis in experimental group was significantly lower than control group after applying the ointment. (P =0.001). Moreover, the results showed that longevity of catheter was higher in treatment group than in control group. Conclusion: According to the above findings, the hypothesis of this research was approved .The results can be applied to nursing service , nursing education and nursing research .

Background: Hypertension is a serious health hazard and an important factor in disability and mortality. Regarding the importance of effective preventive and control measures, this study was carried out with the aim of determining the effect of family counseling on controlling blood pressure in women suffering from hypertension in Nimavar (a village in Zanjan province) 2004.Materials and Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted on women suffering from hypertension who were selected through convenience sampling access method. Blood pressure of all married women of the village was measured according to international league of blood pressure standard and women with blood pressures over or equal to 140/90 mmHg within three measures, entered the research. To confirm the validity of the questionnaire, we used the content validity method and to confirm the reliability we used test retest method. Then, the counseling plan was performed on patients" families for a month (almost 10 sessions for each family according to the requirements) and blood pressure of the suffering women was measured on a weekly basis. Mean blood pressures of samples were recorded a month before, during the counseling and two months after counseling. Difference in blood pressure before and after counseling was analysed using variance analysis and t-test.Results: The survey of 41 women suffering from hypertension results revealed that the mean systolic blood pressure of the patients declined from 166.3±18.2 mmHg before counseling to 141.2±12.9 mmHg after counseling. Besides, the mean diastolic blood pressure declined from 102.9±7.49 mmHg before counseling to 90±26.2 mmHg three months following counseling (P=0.0001) there was a significant difference in systolic and diastolic pressure between the first month, the second month and the third month before and after counseling (p=0.0001)Conclusion: The results indicated that family counseling could be an effective way of controlling hypertension. Thus, regarding the research society and sample size, efficacy of the procedure should be tested in urban societies using more extensive studies.

Background: Unstable angina is a critical phase of coronary heart disease with widely variable symptoms and prognosis. In recent years, the pathophysiological roles of platelet activation and inflammation in unstable angina have been elucidated. The main aim of this study was to evaluate the role of C-reactive protein (CRP) and neutrophil count as predictive factors for future events (in a six-month follow up) in unstable angina patients. Materials and Methods: In this cohort study subjects were 100 patients with unstable angina (class IIIB Braunwald) who were admitted to coronary care unit .At the time of admission blood sample was obtained for CRP and leukocyte count. Patients were followed up for 6 months and coronary events such as readmission, myocardial infarction, coronary angiography and coronary revascularization were investigated. To determine relation between exposure and outcome relative risk was used. Results: Fifty percent of patients were males and 50% were females. Twenty percent of the patients had readmission. Myocardial infarction occurred in 4%, coronary angiography was performed in 28%,coronary revascularization was carried out in 23% and 4% of patients died. There was a significant relation between positive CRP and coronary events (P=0.009, RR=1.8). Patients with neutrophil count higher than 70% also had significant cardiac events (P=0.007, RR= 1.95). Conclusion: This study revealed a positive relation between CRP and leukocyte count with coronary events in unstable angina patients. Thus, these factor had prognostic risk index importance. More research with higher sample number is recommended.

Background: Malaria is one of the most important parasitic diseases in Iran. Due to importantce of drug policy, monitoring of chloroquine therapeutic efficacy in uncomplicated falciparum cases was carried out in south and south-east of Iran in 2003.Materials and Methods: This discriptive study was carried out in five centers of Sistan-Baluchestan, Hormozgan and kerman provinces (south and south-east) according to the latest WHO protocol. Accordingly, 46 patients suffering from falciparum malaria were followed up for 28 days on the 1st, 2nd, 3th, 7th, 21st and 28th day following the treatment regarding the incidence of clinical symptoms and parasitemia; and their responses to treatment were classified into four groups: sensitive, early treatment failure, late clinical failure and late parasitological failure. Then , the data were statistically analyzed.Results: Six people were excluded from the research due to different reasons and the study was carried out on 46 patients. The results showed that only 26.1% of the patients were sensitive to chloroquine. 15.2% showed early treatment failure, 28.3% late clinical failure and 30.4% of them were late parasitological failure.Conclusions: Therapeatic effect of chloroquine seems little and should be investigated. Based on the above findings and probable same results in the next year, the first line drug regimen should be changed in treatment of uncomplicated falciparum malaria.

Background: Precise information about diseases and injuries is becoming increasing vital for the process of policy making in public health system. In 1993 WHO assessed the global burden of diseases. Since then, WHO member states have been engaged in the study of the burden of early mortality. The aim of this study was determing the burden of early mortality in people living in Zanjan province in 2003. Materials and Methods: In this discriptive study data were taken from the vital statistical ward in Zanjan University of Medical Sciences. We used WHO guidelines and software for estimating burden of early mortality by calculating YLL (Years of life lost due to mortality) for each disease group. Results: A total of 4199 deaths were recorded in the death registry. Of these 4118 (98%) deaths were analyzed to calculate YLL. Communicable, maternal, prenatal and nutritional disorders accounted for 75 (1.8%), non-communicable diseases for 3289 (79.9%) and injuries for 754 (18.3%) deaths. Top 5 causes of early death in men were unintentional injuries, cardiovascular diseases, malignant neoplasms, intentional injuries and congenital anomalies respectively. In women the top 5 causes were cardiovascular diseases, unintentional injuries, congenital anomalies, malignant neoplasm and respiratory diseases respectively. Years of life lost due to men mortality were 1.8 times more than years of life lost due to women mortality. Conclusion: Since Unintentional injuries, cardiovascular diseases and malignant neoplasms in both sexes are responsible for 75% of years lost due to early death considered in health system policy-making. Male early death is higher than female. The discrepancy between the two sexes in mortality risk is much larger than that seen among children.

Background: Vaccination against hepatitis B has lead to satisfactory production of anti-HBs in more than 90% of the cases. Nevertheless, numerous studies have revealed a gradual decline in anti-HBs level. This study was carried out with the aim of determining anti-HBs serum level in 7-9 year-old children in Zanjan, vaccinated through routine nationwide vaccination program.Materials and Methods: Two hundred and seventy three students were selected through random multiple staged method from 10 elementary schools in Zanjan. After getting the letter of satisfaction from parents and preparing 5 ml blood sample, serum level of anti-HBs was determined using ELISA with Radium kit. All serums were also tested for anti-HBc. Data were categorized into four groups. The first group contained no antibody (0) the second <10, the third 10-100 and the forth >100 unit/ml and serum level under 10 was considered as weak response and confidence interval was estimated. Results: In 29.5% of the samples no anti-HBs was observed. In 22.5% the amount was under 10, in 27.5% between 10 and 100 in 20.5% over 100 unit/ml anti-HBs was detected. As a matter of fact 52% of the samples were under 10 and 48% contained over 10 unit/ml anti-HBs. Level of antibody decline in boys and girls was equal. One percent of the studied children had anti HBc.Conclusions: Decline in anti-HBs serum level was obvious five years after vaccination. However, this finding dose not either recommend or reject the administration of booster dose of vaccine. This decrease dose not imply potential for infection and it is possible that the subject would be able to produce antibody against the virus in case of exposure. More research including higher sample number is recommended.