Journal of Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences
Year:2012 | Volume:22 | Issue:93|Papers Count:14

Background and purpose: Menopause is associated with the cessation of ovarian activities and hypoestrogenemia causing many complications including learning and memory disorders. Recent studies have shown that these cognitive disabilities are due to the diminished neuroprotective and neurotrophic effects of estrogen and accordingly, estrogen therapy may prevent or overcome them. Since estrogen therapy has many side effects, using of other alternatives is of interest. The purpose of this study was to investigate the therapeutic effects of Vitex agnus castusa, a genus of tropical and sub-tropical flowering plants containing phytoestrogens, on learning and memory disorders in ovariectomized rats.Materials and methods: Forty two ovariectomized female Wistar rats (150 to 200g) were divided into five groups of seven as follows: control group, ovariectomy group, Vitex agnus castus extract at 8 mg/kg, Vitex agnus castus extract at 80 mg/kg, estradiol valerat at 40 mg/kg, and combination of tamoxifen (100 mg/kg) and Vitex agnus castus extract (80 mg/kg). The rats received these treatments orally for three months after ovariectomy. At the end of the therapeutic period, learning ability of the rats was measured using a shuttle box.Results: Compared to the ovariectomy group, estradiol valerat at 40 mg/kg, Vitex agnus castus extracts at 8 or 80 mg/kg and control group increased the level of the STLr factor and reverse results were observed for the TDC (Time spent in Dark Compartment) factor. However, the frequency of shock was diminished only in rats which Vitex agnus castus extracts at 80 mg/kg.Conclusion: Based on our data, Vitex agnus castus extract showed estrogen-like effects and improved memory disorder in ovariectomized female rats.

Background and purpose: Common cold is the most common viral and self-limited infection in children that is associated with high healthcare costs annual. Echinacea is commonly used for preventing and viral respiratory infections. The goal of this study was to assess Echinacea effect in improving the acute upper respiratory tract infection (URI) symptoms in children.Materials and methods: This clinical trial study performed on one hundred children aged 5 to 11 years with URI infection of pediatrics hospital in the Bandar-abbas. A complete history and physical examination were performed. Patients were assigned randomly in two groups and receive Echinacea and placebo. Echinacea group received the equivalent of 5 ml of Echinacea (root extract) per 12 hours during 10 days and control group received only analgesics and saline. Outcome measures were reducing duration and severity of symptoms and side effects at 10 days by parents or physical examination. The data were analyzed by SPSS version 16 software using descriptive, Chi-square test and T-test. Significant level was set as P<0.05.Results: In this double-blind study 100 patients enrolled, and mean age was 7.56±1.78 years.There was no significant difference in the mean duration fever, cough, rinorrhea and nasal congestion between Echinacea and control group. Any adverse effect was not observed in our study.Conclusion: The results of our study indicate Echinacea extract was not effective in duration symptoms of common cold in children but appears to be safe and without any allergic reaction. More well-designed randomized trial studies should be undertaken to assess the effects of Echinacea on treatment of children with common cold.

Background and purpose: Hypothermia after the birth has serious complications and conventional methods for warming of preterm newborns are insufficient. New guideline of neonatal resuscitation program recommended wrapping of premature newborns in polyethylene bags and because of controversies in use of different transparent membranes in studies the aim of this study is determination of effect of “ZIPKIF" food grade plastic bag on prevention of hypothermia of ≤32 week neonates as a first study in IranMaterials and methods: This was a randomized controlled trial of 40 neonates ≤32 weeks’ gestation including 2 groups. Experimental group immediately after birth wrapped in ZipKif plastic bag and control group dried according to conventional method. Axillary temperatures at the time of admission and 1 hour later were compared in two groupsResults: Mean axillary temperature in experimental group (36.58 ± 0.37) was significantly higher than control group (35.56 ± 0.86) (P=0.000). Hypothermia was significantly lower in ZipKif plastic group (P=0.000). Time of resuscitation significantly was higher in control group (P=0.017).Conclusion: wrapping preterm neonates at birth time in ZipKif plastic bag without increase the risk of hyperthermia is an effective and inexpensive method for prevention of hypothermia.

Background and purpose: Women experiences of menopause are affected with cultural norms, social factors and their knowledge. Women’s image of menopause effects on take care of themselves during this period. Emotional and mental health care is essential but this is often overlooked.So assessment of life style, experiences, quality of life in menopause can be used to provide better care to women. The present study aimed to define and describe the process of psycho-emotional challenges in post-menopausal women.Materials and methods: This article was a part of a large qualitative study performed by grounded theory. Participants were menopausal women that referring to Beheshty‚ Amin and Motahari centers in Isfahan. Purposive recruitment was performed, and continued until data saturation. A total of 15 participants were chosen. The data were collected by depth semi-structured interviews & analysis was done through steruberts.Results: The appeared core variable was "elderly sense". Psycho-emotional challenges were mainly initiative changes. The sub themes included mental problems after menopause‚ changed body image, negative and positive reactions to menopause and unprepared for menopause.Conclusion: The results showed menopausal women experience several psycho-emotional changes that most of them are related to elderly sense. This consequences show the need for management and careful planning for women’s health in this area. It seems extensive midwifery and psychology services can be use full for coordinating with menopausal changes.

Background and purpose: Aflatoxin B1 is the most important poison of aflatoxins that contaminated animal feeds by mold and is transformed to type M1 in kidney and liver after some chemical reactions and they are transmitted to human through animal milk.Materials and methods: In current study, 75 samples of pasteurized milk were collected from Mazandaran Province during spring and summer of 2011 and amount of aflatoxin M1was measured by ELISA method. T- test was used for mean comparison.Results: Results showed that aflatoxin M1in 4% samples (3.75) was non dedtected and in 37.3% samples (27.75) concentration of aflatoxin M1 was less than the limit permitted by Codex. However, 62.67% samples (47.75) had a contamination of aflatoxin M1 higher than Codex threshold level, among which 12% samples (9.75) had even higher concentration than Iran's national standard permit. The highest amount was observed in factory NO.21 (97.55 ng/l). There was no significant relation between seasons and aflatoxin.Conclusion: Due to high level of contamination observed in samples, regular monitoring of contamination in milk samples and controlling of most contaminating causes seem to be necessary.

Background and purpose: PMS is one of the most important problem in women. Recent studies confirm that people tend to use complementary treatment. Aromatherapy is one of the nonpharmacological methods for pain relief and lavandula is prevalent essences that contain Linalyl acetate as an analgesic substance. According to increase of PMS and importance of this on effect of lavandula on dimension corporal, mental and social and inasmuch as in clinical trial any intervention was not accepted.Effect of lavandula on PMS were assessed.Materials and methods: This research was a blind randomized clinical trial research on girl students of Azad University on 1386-87 was studied. After determined of PMS and depression, 90 students divided to case and control groups equally.2 drops of Lavandula oil was used One week before starting menstruation at 2 stages for 2 months continuously and severity of symptoms was evaluated before and after intervention. Data was analyzed with SPSS 17 software by T-test, X2 and Mann-Whitney.Results: Severity of symptoms before intervention in two groups was matched (p=0.086).Severity of PMS in case group, before and after intervention was significant decreased (p=0.000).Severity of PMS before and after intervention in control group was difference too. The Lavandula essence could reduce the severity of PMS. The effects of Lavandula essence were similar and greater than the placebo.Conclusion: The results indicated that Lavandula essence can reduce PMS.Therefore it can be used as complementary method in PMS, to reduce in patients require to sedative drugs and side effect of them.

Background and purpose: Multiple sclerosis (M.S) is one of the diseases of nervous system that is accompanied with destruction of neuron ways corded sheath. A side effect of this disease involves all aspects of the patient because of its weakening nature and as a result declines hope to life of the patient.Declining hope of life has a considerable role in accelerating acute diseases like multiple sclerosis (M.S).Materials and methods: This study has been done with the aim of investigating effectuality of group treatment of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) on the hope of life in patients suffering from multiple sclerosis (M.S). For this purpose, thirty patients suffering from multiple sclerosis (M.S) referring to Bou Ali SIna Hospital in Sari were chosen in frame of a semi-experimental study accompanied with control & evaluation group of pre-test and post-test and one month follow-up and they were assigned to test and witness groups randomly (n2=n2=15).The experimental groups were exposed in a treatment group of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) within three month and in a 12-session period and witness group were placed in waiting list. The tool of collecting data was Hallajian Hope to Life Test (2010).Results: The results arising from covariance showed that cognitive-behavioral therapy group will cause to increase hope to life in target group. Due to the effectuality of cognitive behavioral therapy group in increasing hope of life in patients suffering from M.S, it seems that including cognitive behavioral therapy group in the process of treatment of M.S patients, can be led to the mental health of the patients specially increasing hope of life in such patients.Conclusion: In new educational package, group treatment of cognitive behavioral therapy consisting of 12-session group treatment program which its goal is challenging and changing negative cognitions of the individuals who are suffering from anxiety disorders like stress, depression, disappointment and severe wrath. Every course includes instructions for exercise in order to attain the aims of treatment and in order to have better performance, different resources about the manner of leading treatment process in group will be available in addition to have a lot of notes. In this program, different existing findings and insights in relation to mental therapy within the last 20 years, will be mixed.

Background and purpose: Todays one of the most common anorectal problems is hemorrhoid. Minor symptom of disease can be treated by medical treatment but at high grade disease we should consider surgery. Although conventional surgery is standard operation for hemorrhoid, it is associated with some complication. Many technique were designed to overcome these problems. One of these procedures is Ligasure hemorrhoidectomy that this study was done to compare it with conventional hemorrhoidectomy.Materials and methods: This was a randomized cilinical trial study of 60 patients with third degree or four-degree hemorrhoid that was divided into two groups randomly. Operative time, bleeding, postoperative pains, rate of wound healing were recorded.Results: we randomized 60 patients, 30 to Ligasure and 30 to conventional. There were no differences in patients demographic datas. Operative time, bleeding, pain at second postoperative day in Ligasure group was less than the conventional. There was no difference in rate of healing, pain at first day postoperation and complications.Conclusion: Ligasure hemorrhoidectomies is a safe and feasible procedure and in comparison with conventional hemorrhoidectomy cause more pain control and satisfaction.

Background and purpose: Information has the main role in helping, supporting and increasing of health and social care of the people, particularly in the 21st century information society. From the beginning of human civilization, information and its use was considered as one of the major phenomenon.Access to information and its dissemination for the planning of health and social care is essential. While, information always is not available according to the needs of blind people, Public libraries, and information centers are introduced in order to meet the information needs, culture, and promotion of knowledge. This study was designed and conducted to investigate health information needs of blind people in Iran.Materials and methods: This study is a descriptive-Analytic method. In this study, 384 blind people 252 (65.6%) male, and 132 (34.4%) female were selected by multi clustering method from 10 provinces of Iran. Their health information needs were collected in the researcher- based questionnaire. It concludes three sections (13 personal demographic items, and 16 statements about health information, information sources with 15 statements) and thorough structured interview, and then data were analyzed by statistical tests.Results: There is no significant difference between health information needs of blind people and gender, age, marital, level of education, job, treatment process, family history due to blindness, time of blindness, province of living, and style of living). There is significant difference between health information needs of blind people and treatment, type of blindness and residence place (city, village).Conclusion: The results of this study could help the administrators and librarians in planning for selection, collection, and organization of health information and their dissemination to the public libraries and information centers. In order to update the format of health information based on their needs and to meet health information needs of blind people, it could help in effective and efficient.

Background and purpose: Nickel is one of the heavy metals that originates from various industries such as plating and dyeing and leads to many environmental problems, thus, it is important to remove it. The aim of this study was to assess the photocatalytic process by silica and zirconia nanoparticles in nickel removal.Materials and methods: In this applied-fundamental study after construcring photoreactor, the performance of silica and zirconia nanoparticles in the removal of nickel were studied by changing variables such as the amount of nanoparticles (0.5-2.5 g/L), pH (3, 7, 11), nickel concentration and exposure time of UV (15-75 min). After assessing the synthetic wastewater (n=50) real wastewater (n=10) samples were evaluated according to the resultant optimum conditions. Nickel adsorption isotherm was determined. SPSS was used to analyze the data.Results: Nickel was removed completely under optimum condittions (pH=11), 1g/L zirconia, 0.5g/L silica with exposure time of 30min and 5mg/L synthetic nickel. Removal efficiency of nickel in concentrations of 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 mg/L at pH=11 and 1g/L zirconia nanoparticles was 100, 91, 88, 87.5 and 84%, respectively and with 0.5g/L dose of silica nanoparticles was 100, 100, 90.90 and 87%, respectively. According to the coefficient of determination (R2), Freundlich isotherm for zirconia nanoparticle (R2=0.883) and the Langmuir model for silica (R2=0.949) were found to be more relevant.Conclusion: Increase in the amount of nanoparticles, UV exposure and pH increased the efficacy of photocatalytic process in nickel removal through production of hydroxyl radicals. Nickel concentration reduced the process efficiency due to inhibition of the reaction of holes (h+) and hydroxyl radicals. Efficiency of photocatalytic process in removal of nickel from a real wastewater due to the presence of other substances (cyanide and zinc) was far less compared to the synthetic solutions.According to nickel removal efficiency from real wastewater (49.6% and 56% by zirconia nanoparticles and silica, respectively) photocatalytic processes was able to remove about 50% nickel from actual wastewater.

Background and purpose: Leptospirosis is the most widespread zoonosis in the world which is endemic in Mazandaran province. Eary diagnosis of leptospirosis based on clinical & laboratory findings is relatively difficult due to lack of characteristic pathogonomic feature. General physicians are the first line of patients admition. The main porpose of our study was evaluation of knowledge of general physicians about leptospirosis in Mazandaran province.Materials and methods: In a coss sectional study, we evaluated knowledge of 400 general physicians about leptospirosis. A total of 281 persons (70.25%) were male and 119 (29.75%) were female. They answered a questionnaire containing 15 questionsResults: The awareness level of 66% of GPs was good. There is not a significant relation age, sex of these persons with their knowledge about eptospirosis. The best awareness of them was about routs of transmission and prevention of leptospirosisConclusion: As many general physicians in our province have no efficient knowledge of leptospirosis, therefore it is necessary to carry out frequent re-educating programs.

Background and purpose: The use of intraoral direct digital radiography has been possible only the past two decades. Controlled laboratory and clinical studies are needed to determine whether the new digital system changes the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis than the conventional methods.Purpose of this study is compare the diagnostic accuracy for the detection of approximal caries of three CCD-based digital systems.Materials and methods: seventy eight surfaces in thirty nine extract unrestored posterior teeth were radiographed under standard condition using three CCD systems, Planmecadixi 2 image receptor with Dimaxis 2.4.1 (Helsinki, Finland) software, Progeny dental image receptor with Cygnus media 3.0 (USA) software and RVGai Trophy image receptor with Trophy windows access (Eastman Kodak, France).The images were assessed by three observers. True caries existence and depth determined by histological examination. Diagnostic accuracy of the systems was validated by using Kappa agreement coefficient.Results: for approximal carries, no significant differences were found in diagnostic accuracy between three CCD systems Conclusion: the diagnostic accuracy of digital CCD systems is comparable with each other. The existence and depth of the lesion had no significant effect on the performance of the imaging modality.Planmeca performed consistently better than others and Progeny performed consistently better than Trophy, but the differences were not significant.

Background and purpose: One of the factors affecting quality of life is health and illness.Including diseases that affect quality of life is tuberculosis. This study was done in order to evaluated quality of life patients with pulmonary tuberculosis during treatment courseMaterials and methods: This study is a cross-sectional study that was done in 1390 on 50 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis covered by health centers in Zahedan during three stage of treatment (beginning of treatment, end of attack stage, end of maintenance phase). Samples were chosen to participate in the study by accessible sampling. TBQOL-Version 2 was used to data collection. Data were analyzed by correlation coefficient, independent t, and ANOVA tests.Results: The majority of subjects (68%) were Female with mean age of 58.60 ± 17.50 years.Results showed that the mean overall quality of life scores of 66.6 at the beginning of treatment to 92.4 at the end of attack stage and 102.5 in the end of maintenance phase is increased (maximum score was 120).Also finding showed significant increases in quality of life scores in physical, psychological, functional, environment and spiritual dimensions during three stages of treatment but significant increases in mean score on the social and family health were not observedConclusion: In addition, treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis control disease and reduce of symptoms, it can promote quality of life patients particularly in physical, psychological, functional, environment and spiritual dimensions. Thus the importance of complete treatment for tuberculosis should be emphasized more than before.