Research in Medicine
Year:2010 | Volume:34 | Issue:4|Papers Count:12

Background: Educational systems need to modify teaching methods in order to be effective. This research was conducted to study the effects of theory-practice and practice-theory methods of anatomy teaching on student learning and satisfaction.Methods: This quasi-experimental survey was carried out on second semester students of Lorestan University. During a 6-week period students were taught the anatomy of musculoskeletal, neuro-vascular, and visceral systems according to the curriculum by two different methods; one group of students attended theory classes initially and were subsequently designated to practical sessions in the laboratory which included practicing dissection on mannequins and human bodies. The order of teaching was reversed for the second group who received practical lessons first and attended theory lectures subsequently. Satisfaction with the curriculum was gauged through a pre-designed questionnaire and the degree of learning was assessed through a written examination. Data was analyzed by SPSS software.Results: In the musculo-skeletal section, learning outcomes and satisfaction were significantly higher in the practice-theory method; while for visceral and neurovascular systems, no significant statistical differences were observed in the learning outcomes between the 2 methods. Degree of satisfaction was significantly higher with the practice-theory method for learning the visceral section but not for the neuro-vascular system.Conclusion: Practice-theory method of anatomy teaching can be an acceptable replacement for theory-practice method (usual method) in the educational system.

Background: Presence of the beta-lactamase enzyme results in microbial resistance to beta lactam and cell wall synthesis inhibitor antibiotics. This study was conducted to compare effects of Calendula officinalis extract and cephalosporines, as a cell wall synthesis inhibitor antibiotic, on bacteria isolated from patients with cellulitis.Methods: This experimental study was done on bacteria isolated from 100 patients. Calendula officinalis extract was prepared by perculation with methanol 85%. Solvent was vaporized and lyophilized. Antibacterial effects of the herb extract, cefixim, cephalexin, ceftriaxone, ceftizoxime, and cefazolin were evaluated by two methods of disc diffusion and MIC. Statistical analysis was performed by ANOVA and paired t- test.Results: Streptococcus pyogenes, Enterococcus fecalis, Staphylococcus, (MRSA) and Staphylococcus saprophiticuswere susceptible in dilutions of 1: 128 of Calendula officinalis extract. In disc diffusion, 100% of Streptococcus, Enterococcus fecalis, MRSA and 50% of Staphylococcus saprophiticus were susceptible to Calendula officinalis extract. Gram negative bacteria, includingE.coli, Proteus, Klebsiella, Serattia, and Pseudomonas were resistant.Diameter of no growth of bacteria among gram positive and negative bacteria was significantly different inCalendula officinalis extract (p<0.001).Conclusion: It seems that Calendula officinalis extract can be used in combination with antibiotics for the treatment of cellulitis.

Background: Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) disrupts young women’s normal life and activity each month. Different methods have been employed for treatment of PMS. The aim of this study was to detect the effect of Echinophora platyloba on premenstrual syndrome in students of Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences in 2008.Methods: A single-blind randomized clinical trial was performed on sixty students with PMS. They were randomly assigned to receive either the Echinophora platyloba extract or placebo; the DRSP questionnaire, (daily record of severity of problems) was used for data collection. At the end of first and second month after intervention, the severity of PMS was recorded and compared with symptoms prior to intervention in the two groups. Data was analyzed by SPSS software, P<0.05 was considered significantResults: The severity of premenstrual syndrome was similar in two groups before intervention (Score=100.8±22.1 vs. 104.3±19.5), but after the intervention, there was a significant difference in severity score between the 2 groups viz. 49.7±13.2 vs. 79.1±18.1 in the intervention vs. the control group respectively, (p=0.002).Conclusion: Echinophora platyloba extract is effective in the treatment of premenstrual syndrome.

Background: The genus Ferula (Apiaceae) is a perennial plant native to central Asia and is widespread throughout Iran, where it is used as food and also in traditional medicine. Several investigations on the Ferula species have shown analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, and anticonvulsant effects in addition to smooth muscle relaxant activity. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of Ferula persica on symptoms of morphine withdrawal and sleeping time in mice.Methods: In this study, 64 male albino mice (25-30 g) were used. Morphine was used to produce drug dependency by Marshall Method (10 doses of drug in four days). For measuring sleeping time we used the Angle method. Hydro alcoholic extract of Ferula persica (50, 100, 200 mg/kg IP) was injected to the experimental group and saline (10 ml/kg - IP) injected to the controls. The number of Jumping and amount of feces were used for assessment of classic signs of the withdrawal syndrome.Results: The results showed that the extract of Ferula persica did not significantly affect the number of jumping but it decreased the stool weight (P=0.000). Also, extract of Ferula persica significantly increased sleeping time (P=0.004).Conclusion: The extract of Ferula persica may not affect withdrawal syndrome signs but it does increase the sleeping time.

Background: Waist Circumference (WC) and Body Mass Index (BMI) are closely correlated with each other and with the expression of cardiovascular diseases risk factors (CVDRF). The objective of the present study is to compare and follow association of these two indices with CVDRF in 3-10 year-old participants of Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study in a follow-up of 6.7 years.Methods: Weight, height, WC, total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), systolic/diastolic blood pressure (S/DBP), HDL-C, LDL-C and FBS of 470 children aged 3-10 years were measured at the baseline and after 6.7 years. The association of BMI and WC with each other and with CVDRFs was assessed with Pearson's correlation coefficient test. Changes in CVDRF and WC and BMI during the study period was assessed with paired t test and adjusted relation of CVDRF with BMI, WC and a combination of both was studied with Receiver Operating characteristics (ROC). Area under curve was compared using STATA software.Results: Changes in all CVDRF and anthropometric indices was significant during the study period and WC and BMI were correlated together and all CVDRF with exceptions for DBP and FBS (P<0.03). There was no significant difference between BMI and WC in predicting CVDRF but the combination of WC and BMI was significantly better than each index on its own in predicting high LDL-c, TG and low HDL-C (P<0.001) and better than WC in predicting high TG (P<0.011).Conclusion: There was a significant correlation between BMI and WC with CVDRF; but they were not significantly different from each other. When WC and BMI are included simultaneously in a model, they act as better predictors of CVDRF.

Background: Intramuscular injection of interferon beta 1a (IFN-b1a), is used for treatment of Relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS); however unknown demographic and clinical factors result in an unpredictable therapeutic response. This study was conducted to evaluate the clinical response of RRMS patients referred to Imam Hossein hospital to IFN-b1a between 2005 and 2006.Methods: This clinical trial with before and after design was performed on 63 patients. Diagnosis was based on revised McDonald criteria 2005. Basal patients’ characteristics, including early manifestations, episodes of attacks, interval between the beginning of disease and induction of treatment, and expanded disability status score (EDSS) were gathered. IFN-b1a (Biogen Company) was administered intramuscularly in a dose of 30 microgram per week for 18 months. After completion of treatment, EDSS scores and episodes of attacks were evaluatedOccurrence of less than two attacks and decreased or unchanged EDSS score within 18 months were considered as a satisfactory response to treatment. Statistical analysis was done by McNemar, Mann Whitney U, chi-square and t test.Results: Out of 63 patients between ages of 18-50 years, 30 (47.6%) were had a satisfactory response. Patients’ age has no effects on treatment response. Female sex, lower interval between early manifestation and beginning of treatment, fewer episodes and lower EDSS before treatment had positive effects on therapeutic response.Conclusion: It seems that IFN-b1a is effective in the treatment of RRMS patients, lower interval between early manifestation and beginning of treatment, lower episodes of attacks and lower EDSS before treatment.

Background: A wide range of topical and systemic therapies have been used for the treatment of Lichen planus which is a chronic inflammatory mucocutaneous disease common in middle aged individuals, particularlly females. The aim of the present study is to compare the efficacy of triamcinolone acetonide and dexamethasone in the treatment of oral lichen planus.Methods: The present study is a double blind clinical trail carried out on 20 patients with bilateral buccal mucosal lesions, so effectively the study was done on 40 buccal lesions of Lichen planus. The patients were divided randomly in to two groups, one treated with Triamcinolone and the other with dexamethasone. Therapeutic effect of each drug on the extent of the whole lesion, extent of reticular (R), erythematous (E) and ulcerative (U) regions and upon burning sensation, (according to VAS score) was measured and intra and inter group results were compared.Results: Both drugs were effective in treating burning sensation and decreasing the whole extent of lesion, extent of reticular (R), erythematous (E) and ulcerative (U) regions (P<0.0001). The difference in the therapeutic effect of the two drugs was not statistically significant (P<0.2).Conclusion: Both Triamcinolone and Dexamethasone are effective in treating Lichen Planus.

Background: Addiction to tobacco smoke is a major health problem and one of the causes of early death. The purpose of this research was to study the relationship between environmental factors and addiction to tobacco smoke in students of State universities in Iran.Methods: Undergraduate students from State Universities were selected by cluster sampling during a period of 2 academic years from 2006-2008. Data was collected according to a questionnaire designed by Ministry of Science, Research and Technology. Questions included details of demographic variables (sex, age, marital status, year of study, field of study, allocation for entrance to university, satisfaction with educational field, province of residence, practice of religion, grade-point average (GPA) in pervious term and family support.Result: Of 4433 students 30.8% smoked cigarettes and 40.3% smoked hookah with or without smoking cigarettes as well. Factors related to smoking were: living in the western provinces, bachelorhood, a positive perspective on cigarettes, male gender, having friends that smoke hookah, low grade point average, and lack of close relationship with family.Conclusion: High prevalence of addiction to tobacco in undergraduate students calls for implementation of effective preventive measures.

Background: Contact lenses may be contaminated with various bacteria that may be resistant to the usual disinfecting solutions. This study was done to determine the incidence of bacterial contamination of contact lenses before and after washing with the antiseptic solution.Methods: In this cross-sectional study 82 used contact lenses were collected from 41 volunteer students. After taking cultures from the contact lenses in laboratory, the lenses were soaked in the disinfecting solution for the minimum disinfecting period recommended by the instructions in the brochure; samples for culture were collected again.Results: Contact lenses from 14 men (34.1%) and 27 women (65.9%), (median age 22.3) were collected for sampling. 52.4% of lenses were contaminated with bacteria and in 83.7% of contaminated cases Staphylococcus aureus were isolated. After disinfection with solutions, 51.2% of lenses were remained contaminated. Efficacy of disinfecting solutions ranged between 0% to 100%.Conclusion: Finding a high rate of contamination of contact lenses and the highly variable efficacy of disinfecting solutions is alarming; quality control of disinfecting solutions seems necessary.

Background: Gastritis cystic polyposa (GCP) is a rare and peculiar polypoid lesion arising on the gastric side of the gatro-enteric anastomosis.Case report: Esophago-gastro-duodenoscopy in a 47-year-old woman without any history of gastric operation revealed a pedunculated polyp approximately 2 cm in diameter, in a background of erythematous gastric folds along the anterior wall of the fundus. Polypectomy was performed, with endoscopic impression of hyperplastic or fundic gland polyp, without any complications. Histopathological findings were consistent for gastritis cystic polyposa, (GCP). Mild Helicobacterpylori colonization was seen in gastric pits.Conclusion: GCP could occur in an unoperated stomach and treated by endoscopic polypectomy. However, removal and histopathologic confirmation of these lesions is necessary.