Daneshvar Medicine: Basic and Clinical Research Journal
Year:2012 | Volume:19 | Issue:98|Papers Count:9

Background and Objective: Hyperalgesia is one of the signs of diabetes mellitus that affects the life quality of patients. Nigella sativa-derived thymoquinone exhibits antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory effects. This study was designed to investigate the antinociceptive effect of thymoquinone (TQ) in streptozotocin-diabetic rats.Materials and Methods: Rats were divided into control, high dose TQ-treated control, diabetic, sodium salicylate (SS)-treated control and diabetic, and high and low dose TQ-treated diabetic groups. TQ was administered i.p. at doses of 2.5 and 5 mg/kg one week after diabetes induction by streptozotocin for 5 weeks.Results: TQ treatment of diabetic rats reduced pain score in acute and chronic phases of the formalin test (p<0.05). Meanwhile, SS administration significantly reduced pain score only at chronic phase of the test (p<0.01). Regarding hot tail immersion test, diabetic rats showed a significant reduction in tail flick latency as compared to control ones (p<0.05) and TQ treatment of diabetic rats slightly increased this latency relative to untreated diabetics but the existing difference was not statistically significant. In addition, high-dose TQ significantly reduced serum level of MDA in diabetic group (p<0.05).Conclusion: Taken together, administration of TQ could attenuate nociceptive score in both phases of formalin test in experimental model of diabetes mellitus and has no obvious effect on thermal pain threshold and part of this effect is exerted through attenuation of lipid peroxidation in peripoheral tissues of the body.

Background and Objective: Hypertension is one of the most important issues of public health worldwide. In this regard, self-efficacy is assurances that the person will feel about certain activities. The aim of this study was to determine self- efficacy of health promoting behavior in hypertensive patients in Friedan city of Isfahan province in 2011.Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 258 cases of hypertensive patients who referred to fifteen health care centers of Friedan city that were selected in random sampling. The data collection was a standard questionnaire including demographic information with nine questions and self-efficacy with five items. Data were analyzed by SPSS-18 using the Pearson correlation, ANOVA and t-test at a=0.05.Results: Mean age of patients was 66.24±10.91 years, 120 were men (46.5 percent) and 138 were women (53.5 percent), average self-efficacy score was 61.14±11.73 (a score range of 0-100), and perceived efficacy of behaviors of regular medications (most related behaviors) was 92.25±18.13 and for weight loss (lowest related behaviors) was 28.88±25.7, respectively. In addition, 74.4% of persons have a good perceive of their self-efficacy. There were also significant differences between perceived self-efficacy and job (p =0.009), marital status (p=0.045), income status (p=0.023) and educational level (p=0.016).Conclusion: There was a good level of perceived self-efficacy related to health promotion behaviors and self-efficacy can be predicted by providing training, particularly through doctors.

Background and Objective: Coronary artery disease is one of the most prevalent causes of death. A coronary artery bypass surgery is a common treatment for this disease. In addition, renal dysfunction can lead to increased mortality and post-operative complications. This study aimed to identify the most important factors influencing the mortality of patients who suffer from coronary artery disease and to introduce a classification approach according to Classification Tree (CART) model for predicting the mortality from this disease.Materials and Methods: This research was conducted based on the information gathered from a cross-sectional study on 1390 patients (except dialysis-dependent) who undergone coronary artery bypass grafting, admitted to Cardiology ward of Shariati hospital during the years 2007-2010. The ordinary logistic regression model and a classification tree were utilized for predicting the probability of death in these patients. The SPSS version 18.0 and CART version 6.0 were used for data analysis.Results: In this study, the classification tree model (CART) resulted in an accuracy of 90%. The patients with renal insufficiency, intra-aortic balloon pump placement during and after surgery, prolonged ventilation, and perfusion time over 160 were shown as the high-risk groups, while those patients with heart ventricular post-operative complications regarded as the medium-risk group. The sensitivity and specificity indices for this model were 82% and 89%, respectively, while it was 80.4% and 88%, respectively, for logistic model.Conclusion: In the present study, the logistic and decision tree models led to nearly similar results, however, the decision tree model seemed to be more accurate. The IABP (Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump) was the most effective factor for mortality. The mortality rate due to this factor during and after surgery for all patients was 19% and 54.1%, respectively.

Background and Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of three months regular aerobic exercises on levels of homocysteine, hsCRP, serum lipids (LDL, HDL, total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG)), body composition and aerobic power in middle aged healthy and inactive men.Materials and Methods: Subjects of this study in experimental group included 11 men (age: 44.73±5.03 y, height: 1.73±0.04 m, weight: 81.84±9.36 kg) and in control group included 10 men (age: 41.16±8.03 y, height: 1.73±0.07 m, weight: 78.18±14.81 kg). They performed three months (three days/week) aerobic exercise program with an intensity of their 75% to 85% of maximum heart rate. Before and after the trainings, their aerobic power, body composition and fasting levels blood variables were measured. Analysis of data was done using SPSS-15 software at a significant level of 0.05.Results: Data showed that after three months aerobic exercise in experimental group, aerobic power increased and BMI, homocysteine, hsCRP, TG and TG/HDL significantly decreased (p<0.05). Serum levels of LDL, HDL and TC, fat percent and weight in subjects of experimental group had not a significant change (p>0.05).Conclusion: Three months regular aerobic exercises through reduction of homocysteine and hsCRP as two emerging cardiovascular risk factors can be effective in reduction of coronary artery disease risk in middle aged healthy and inactive men.

Background and Objective: One of the most concerns about the use of implant treatments is bacterial leakage between the fixture and abutment at the connection. The aim of this study was to evaluate the bacterial leakage rate at the interface of ITI fixtures and ITI, DIO and OSSTEM solid abutments.Materials and Methods: Thirty ITI fixtures were divided into three groups (n=10) based on the abutment used. In the first group, 10 solid ITI abutments, in the second group, 10 solid DIO abutments, and in the third group, 10 solid OSSTEM abutments with similar length and diameter were screwed into fixtures. Fixtures and abutments were assembled and allowed to incubate in a solution of Streptococcus faecalis (SF) for 5 days. In each group, two additional fixtures and two abutments were selected and divided into two subgroups. In the negative-control subgroups, abutments were not connected to fixtures and were placed into normal saline solution. In the positive-control subgroup, abutments were not connected to fixtures but were subjected to the same bacterial solution. After disconnection of fixtures and abutments under sterile condition, abutments and fixtures were placed in 1ml of normal saline solution and were vortexed for 30 sec. Then, 0.01 ml of each vortexed solution was cultured under appropriate conditions for 2 days. The CFUs (colony forming unit) were counted and recorded for each abutment and fixture.Results: The average of CFUs for each abutment and fixture counted in the first group was 13.6 and 20, in the second group was 21.9 and 28.9, in the third group was 26.2 and 35.9, in positive control subgroup was 152.3 and 178.3, and in negative-control subgroup was 0 and 0, respectively. There were not statistically significant differences between the first and second groups but the leakage rate was statistically different between first and third groups.Conclusion: The results of the present study demonstrated that compatibility of DIO solid abutments on ITI fixtures are acceptable but it is not the case for OSSTEM solid abutments and the use of these abutments on ITI fixtures is not recommended.

Background and Objective: Due to increasing life expectancy and decreasing fertility rates, increasing numbers of older people across the world, the aging population is an important public health challenge in the current century and it needs double attention to vulnerable group. This study aimed to determine the impact of healthy lifestyle program on promotion of physical activity in elderly of Arak in 2011.Materials and Methods: This study was an interventional and quasi-experimental one (pre-post test) that carried out on 60 elderly in Arak. Samples participated in classes were on exercise for a month and included four training sessions and followed for three months. Then, information were collected by standard tools to measure daily activities (Katz) in the elderly before and three months after the intervention and data were analyzed.Results: The average age of elder was 67.61±5.02 years and the majority of them was men (60%). In terms of daily activity (Katz) indicators in the before educational intervention, 5 individuals (8%) completed dependent, 12 persons (20%) related dependence and 43 persons (71.7%) independent. After educational intervention, 6 persons (10%) related dependency, 54 persons (90%) independent for daily activity. Wilcoxon test showed a significant difference between the before and after the educational intervention (p<0.001).Conclusion: Comparison of daily activities in older adults before and after the intervention showed that continuing education is fruitful and various classes and training are necessary for these groups (that is currently neglected). Results of this study help develop appropriate healthy lifestyle educational strategies in support of the elderly.

Background and Objective: With respect to epilepsy prevalence and the fact that some of the patients remain refractory to available antiepileptic drugs, design of suitable drugs, without unwanted side effects is necessary. The use of plant extracts to treat diseases is proposed as a therapeutic modality. Lavandula officinalis (L. officinalis), commonly known as ustukhuddoos, has been used for a long time in traditional medicine for some of nervous disorders like epilepsy. The aim of this investigation was to provide a scientific basis for traditional use of L. officinalis in epilepsy.Materials and Methods: A total of 60 male NMRI mice weighing 25 to 30 g were randomly divided into six groups including: 1. PTZ, 2. positive control (PTZ and valproate 150 mg/kg, as an anticonvulsant drug), 3 to 5. mice received L. officinalis extract at three doses of 200, 400 and 800 mg/kg, and 6. mixed group which received L. officinalis (200 mg/kg) and valproate (100 mg/kg) i.p. All groups were kindled by 11 injections of PTZ (35 mg/kg) with an interval of 48 h. In the 12th  injection, all groups were tested for PTZ challenge dose (75 mg/kg). The phases of seizure (0-6), threshold and duration of second and fifth phases were observed for 30 min after PTZ injection.Results: Data analysis showed that L. officinalis could reduce intensity and duration of seizures. In addition, there was no phase 5 following L. officinalis treatment. Anti-epileptic effect in mix group was not more than the L. officinalis group.Conclusion: Antiepileptic effect of chronic administration of L. officinalis was established and it was more effective at a dose of 200 mg/kg than doses of 400 and 800 mg/kg. Meanwhile, L. officinalis could reduce seizure phases better than valproic acid.

Background and Objective: Adolescence is a critical period that underlies lifestyle in later periods of life. The aim of this study was evaluation of the impact of a model based intervention on lifestyle among adolescents.Materials and Methods: A group randomized clinical trial for assessing the effect of educational intervention on 365 adolescents (192 females and 173 males) was designed. Adolescent life style questionnaire (ALQ) and a demographic scale were used for data collection. Data were collected before and two weeks after the intervention with regard to PRECEDE PROCEED model. Statistical tests such as Chi 2, independent and paired t-test were used by SPSS software version 17 for data analysis.Results: The mean age of adolescents was 15.77 years (SD=0.74) years. A significant increment in lifestyle score was obtained between before and after intervention among intervention groups (p<0.01). The standard mean of physical activity among males and the standard mean of social support among females were higher than the other gender.Conclusion: The findings suggest that an educational intervention based on PRECEDE PROCEED model may be effective for lifestyle improvement among adolescents. In light of these findings, necessity of gender-based healthy life style education among adolescents should be considered further.

Background and Objective: Studies showed that Aloe vera extract can influence reproductive functions in animals. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of immobilization stress and Aloe vera extract on serum LH, FSH and testosterone levels in male rats.Materials and Methods: In this study, male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 9 groups including control, Aloe vera extract receiving, Aloe vera extract and normal saline receiving, acutely or chronically immobilized, acutely or chronically immobilized and normal saline receiving and acutely or chronically immobilized and Aloe vera extract receiving animals of 5 in each group. Chronic immobilization was exerted 2h/day for 3 weeks and acute immobilization was exerted 8h/day for one week. Aloe vera extract (625 mg/kg/body weight) was taken by gavage feeding. Finally, blood samples were collected using cardiac puncture method. Following serum collection, LH, FSH and testosterone levels were measured by radioimmunoassay method. Data were compared between groups using ANOVA.Results: Serum LH or testosterone level significantly decreased in chronically or acutely immobilized rats compared to control animals (p<0.001); however, LH or testosterone serum level did not significantly change in Aloe vera extract receiving and acutely or chronically immobilized Aloe vera extract receiving animals compared with control rats.Conclusion: Our findings showed that immobilization stress reduces serum level of LH and testosterone; however, intake of Aloe vera can withstand against.