Journal of Inflammatory Diseases
Year:2007 | Volume:11 | Issue:2 (43)|Papers Count:17

Background: Various products from celery (Apium graveolens) and dill (Anethum graveolens) were used to relieve some of liver dysfunctions in Iranian traditional medicine, yet the potential effects of these two medicinal plants on liver function have not been investigated.Objective: To investigate the effects of volatile oil of these plant seeds on some hepatic enzymes including SGPT, SGOT and ALP in rats and also to identify the active components of volatile oils of these plants by GC/MS.Methods: Following the preparation of volatile oils, rats were intraperitoneally injected by 500 and 1000 l/kg of oils and the enzyme activity was measured at 6, 24, 48, 72, 96, 120, 144 and 168 hr post-injection.Findings: GC/MS analysis showed that the D-carvon and D-limonen are the major active components in volatile oil of dill and D-limonen and myrcen of celery. Serum activity of SGPT 24h post-injection of dill essence (500  ml/kg), celery essence (500  ml/kg), dill essence (1000  ml/kg) and celery essence (1000  ml/kg) decreased by 12.85, 11.6, 13.7 and 12.6%, respectively. In the same way, the SGOT activity, under the similar conditions, decreased by 8.7, 10.5, 11.6 and 12.9%, respectively. Activity of SGPT, SGOT and ALP 168 hr post-injection of celery essence at dose of 1000 μl/kg, decreased by 21.2, 18.4 and 13.5%, respectively. Injections of dill and celery hydroalcoholic extracts at both doses caused lower enzyme activities.Conclusion: Active ingredients of dill and celery may act as an antioxidant or to decrease the production of free radicals, causing stabilization of hepatocyte membrane and decreasing the release of enzymes into the blood.

Background: Matricaria chamomilla (MC) contains flavonoids, which exert benzodiazepine-like activity and so it may be helpful in morphine withdrawal syndrome (MWS) treatment.Objective: To determine the effects of MC extract on morphine withdrawal syndrome signs in adult male mice.Methods: This was an experimental study carried out in two steps at the department of physiology, Qazvin School of medicine (Iran), in 2005. Step 1: 3 adult male mice (n=6) were originally divided into 2 groups marked as saline (control) & morphine (case) groups. The morphine group were injected by increasing doses of morphine (10, 20, 40 mg/kg, s.c), 3 times daily, for a total duration of 4 days and were further divided into 4 subgroups as morphine group and 3 MC extract groups receiving one dose of MC extract (10, 20 or 30 mg/kg I.P) at day 4, 30 min before naloxone injection.At the end of training day (4th days) all groups were injected by naloxone (5mg/kg I.P) and MWS was studied for 30 minutes. Step 2: another 30 adult male mice (n=6) were injected by saline, morphine and MC extracts as above except for morphine and naloxane which were injected as one single dose (50 mg/kg). Naloxone was injected 3hr after the last injection of morphine and the frequencies of withdrawal behaviors (jumping, climbing) were assessed later.Findings: The results of the present study showed that the acute and chronic administration of MC at doses used in our experiment significantly abolished the morphine withdrawal syndrome signs (jumping, climbing, writhing, weight loss) compared with morphine group.Conclusion: Our data suggest that the MC can attenuate the expression of withdrawal behaviors in male mice.

Background: Management of pain is one of the targets of anesthesia and intravenous block is a simple anesthetic method in reducing pain of limbs.Objective: To compare the effect of local anesthetic site in intravenous nerve block in upper limbs injury.Methods: This was a randomized double blind clinical trial performed on 100 patients in A.S.A Class I, and II with upper limbs injury referred to Rajaei Hospital, Qazvin (Iran) in 2003. Patients were divided into two groups marked as distal and proximal groups. Data were analyzed using nonparametric and chi-square tests.Findings: Following the injection, anesthesia was achieved in proximal group however, no significant difference was found between two groups, statistically. The average time for the beginning of painlessness was 4.17±0.57 min in witness group and 5.19±0.55 min in another group (p<0.001). The incidence of hematoma among two groups was similar.Conclusion: Injecting local anesthetic agent to the proximal part of the limb during intravenous nerve block is safe and as effective as distal injection.

Background: Self-medication, consumption of expired drugs and storage of medicines in unsuitable conditions causes both loss of scarce resources and health hazards.Objective: To determine the amount of home drug storage and the reasons for such attitude.Methods: This was a descriptive study conducted on 85 families in Minodar region of Qazvin (Iran) in 2006. Drugs were clustered based on OTCs, clinical application, expiration date, and storage conditions.Findings: Drug storage with no usage was seen in 82.4% out of 85 families. The frequency for distribution of the prescribed drugs was 73.1% (tablets), 98% (capsules), 75.5% (ointments), 83.1% (drops), 54% (syrups), 25% (suppositories), and 100% (ampoules). The majority of expired drugs in every single family were related to gastrointestinal drugs. Storage conditions were found to be different from one family to another, irrespective of the manufacturer’s instruction.Conclusion: Regarding the volume of home drug storage and the quality by which the drugs are stored, increasing the public’s general knowledge on drug application and storage conditions to prevent therapeutic failure and also lowering the adverse effect is necessary.

Background: One of the main etiologies of maternal mortality is obstetrical hemorrhage. The first step in decreasing hemorrhage is the use of uterotonic drugs in the third stage of labor.Objective: To compare the efficacy and safety of intravenous oxytocin and intramuscular syntometrine in management of the third stage of labor.Methods: This randomized double blind clinical trial was carried out at Kosar Hospital, Qazvin (Iran) in 2005. A total of 800 women having a singleton pregnancy and vaginal delivery were randomized to receive either 1 ml of syntometrine intramuscularly, or 10 units of intravenous oxytocine following delivery of the anterior shoulder of fetus. Hemoglobin level pre- and 24 hours post-delivery, duration of third stage, need for re-administration of uterotonic drugs, need for manual removal of placenta, and unpleasant side effects including nausea, vomiting, headache and hypertension were recorded. The data were analyzed using chi-square test.Findings: Mean drop percent of hemoglobin level in oxytocin group was 3.7±2.54% and in syntometrine group 3.6±2.49% with no significant difference, statistically. There was also no statistically significant difference between the need for re-administration of uterotonic drugs, duration of third stage of labor, need for manual removal of placenta and the maternal side effect in two groups.Conclusion: Regarding the efficacy and side effects of intravenous oxytocin and intramuscular syntometrine, no difference was found.

Background: Reduction in amount of bleeding during cesarean delivery has a considerable impact on maternal health.Objective: To determine whether the method used to expand the uterine incision for caesarean delivery affects the incidence of intra-operative hemorrhage.Methods: This was a clinical, single blind trial, carried out at Kosar Hospital, Qazvin (Iran) during 2003-2004. The study population consisted of 1000 women who were randomly subjected to cesarean delivery with sharp or blunt expansion method. Demographic information, pre- and 48 hr post-operative hemoglobin and hematocrit levels were recorded. The data were further analyzed using SPSS software, chi-square pair, and t-test.Findings: Compared with the blunt group, change in mean hematocrit (4.18±2.8 versus 3.36±2.7 or 10.9% versus 8.92%, p<0.001), incidence of postpartum hemorrhage (57.6% versus 42%, p<0.005) were significantly greater in the sharp group.Conclusion: In cesarean delivery, sharply expanding of uterine incision significantly increases intraoperative blood loss.

Background: Marital satisfaction is among the factors considered to influence the improvement and goal achievement of life. Contrarily, depression can suppress motivation and activity, leading to job and family problems.Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the correlation between marital satisfaction and depression among couples in Rafsanjan (Iran).Methods: This was a descriptive-analytical study in which 300 married couples (300 men, 300 women), aged between 18-35 years, were investigated. The population study were chosen based on random multi-stage sampling during one-month trial (February to March) in 2003. The data were collected using two questionnaires, the Beck and Enrich scales to study depression and marital satisfaction, respectively. Later, using SPSS software, Pearson correlation coefficient, chi-square test, and Fisher test, the data were analyzed.Findings: The prevalence of depression in married couples was 25.7% for men and 27.7% for women. Statically, a significant difference was found between the degree of depression and sex, age, number of children, and the length of marriage. The prevalence of marital satisfaction among couples was 85.4% and 77%_for men and women, respectively. Again, a significant difference was seen between the degree of depression and marital satisfaction. In general, there was a negative relationship between depression and marital satisfaction (p<0.05).Conclusion: Based on data found in our study, more comprehensive health and nursing programs to simultaneously lowering the degree of depression and promoting the level of marital satisfaction among the couples are suggested.

Background: Epiphora and dacryocystitis following nasolacrimal duct obstruction are considered as two widely common complaints among the patients and dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) is the treatment choice for such conditions.Objective: To determine success rate of DCR with endoscopic and mechanical techniques.Methods: In this prospective analytic study 67 patients were operated during 2000-2003. Based on clinical history, results of regurgitation and irrigation tests and also dacryoscintigraphy, the patients with primary nasolacrimal duct obstruction, were operated using nasal endoscopes and mechanical instruments. Intraoperative bleeding, postoperative pain and bleeding, and periobital ecchimosis were recorded and success rate after a follow up of 6 and 12 months was determined.Findings: After a follow up of 6 and 12 months duration, success rates were 91.4% and 88.5%, respectively. Severe intraoperative bleeding was observed in 11.4% of patients and periorbital ecchimosis found in 7.1% of cases. Three days following the surgery, mild and moderate pain was seen in 32 patients whereas moderate nose bleeding observed in only 2 cases.Conclusion: Endoscopic mechanical DCR without expensive equipments and with high success rate could be substituted for external DCR.

Background: The role of nutrition on pulmonary function and also the effect of micro-nutrients on red blood cell distribution width have been documented.Objective: To determine the relationship between the lung function tests and RBC distribution width (RDW) in general population with no history of pulmonary diseases.Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted on general population of Qazvin (Iran) in 2005.A total of 160 persons from both genders aged 14 to 73 years with no respiratory disease were randomly selected. Pulmonary function was assessed using the data obtained from FEV1, and FVC by spirometry, body weight, height, total pack-years of smoking, hemoglobin concentration, and hematological indices. The data were analyzed using a linear regression model and coefficient of variation to identify the relationship between the lung volumes and hematological indices, especially the RDW.Findings: A direct relationship was found between the RDW and the pack years of smoking but with no significant difference, statistically. However, a weak and inverse relationship between both FEV1 and FVC and RDW was observed in which the difference found to be statistically significant. Also, a direct relationship between FEV1 and height and an inverse relationship between FEV1 and packyears of smoking was demonstrated. Furthermore, the mean hematological indices of study population were identified.Conclusion: Demonstration of an inverse relationship between RDW and pulmonary function is supporting of our hypothesis and raises the possibility by which the RDW may be considered as a biomarker for nutrients affecting pulmonary function. A possible reaction to the weak relationship found in our study might be attributed to the presence of confounding factors and probably the small number of participants took part in our research project.

Background: One of the complications in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is the early cardiovascular events. In recent years, lipoprotein (a) [LP (a)] is considered to be an important risk factor for cardiovascular disorders.Objective: To compare the serum LP (a) levels in patients with active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and the healthy persons.Methods: This was case-control study conducted at Imam Reza Hospital, Mashhad (Iran) in a period between the years 2003-2005. Both groups were matched for age and sex. SLE was diagnosed based on ACR criteria and also the SLEDAI standards for activity score. The LP (a) values and also other blood lipids of 30 patients with recently diagnosed SLE were compared with 30 healthy persons. The data were analyzed using SPSS.Findings: The most obvious clinical finding in patients was skin lesions (96%) and a positive ANA test as the most prominent laboratory result. The mean LP (a) in patients and the healthy persons was 32.64 and 21.64 mg/dl, respectively (p<0.015).Conclusion: Patients with SLE showed increased levels of LP (a) and other blood lipids compared with those in healthy persons. It seems that the patients with SLE are at higher risk for atherosclerosis and coronary diseases.

Health information systems (HIS) are among the modern and expensive attachments to many health applications of information and communication technology (ICT) and therefore, the decision makers around the world are under progressive pressure from the vendors, clinicians and the public for installation of such systems. To review some of important problems regarding the IT evaluation in health care and also presenting a structured account on reasons, consequences, and the possible solutions. A variety of internet sources including Google, Blackwell, Pubmed, Sciencedirect, WHO, and also the library resources of paramedical school, Tabriz (Iran). Many authors have reported problems while evaluating the application of information technology in health care. In present study, some of those problems are addressed and also a few possible solutions suggested. Considering the difficulties, three main areas of problems-the complexity of the evaluation object, the complexity of an evaluation project, and the motivation for evaluation are defined. Many evaluation problems can be covered under these three areas of problems. Evaluating information systems is notoriously difficult for many reasons, however, and despite the considerable numbers of challenges, evaluation of HIS is necessary. A broadly accepted framework for evaluation of IT in health care seems to be appropriate in addressing those problems.

Dizziness is described as having a variety of unpleasant sensations which often interfere with balance and walking. It is a common complaint by people over age 65, affecting 13-38% of elderly Americans. Dizziness may occur by many different causes which can be difficult to diagnose.Dizziness is usually related to a metabolic or even cardiovascular origin nevertheless, vertigo is an otological or neurological problem. Frequently, dizziness is not usually considered as a long lasting complication however, in almost one quarter of the elderly with this problem, it may last a year or even more. Dizziness is not usually associated with increased risk of death unless it is a sign of heart disease. However, dizziness may increase the risk of collapse and decrease the quality of life, especially if it is persistent or severe.

Kawasaki disease is an acute febrile vasculitis of childhood in which the coronary artery aneurysm is considered as a common complication. Proper treatment of kawasaki patients plays an essential role in prophylaxis against dangerous complications. The case was a boy of three and half years old with high fever, anorexia, sore throat, bilateral bulbar conjunctival injection, palpitation, unilateral cervical lymphadenopathy, strawberry tongue, cracked lips, erythema, swelling and peeling of hands and feet, abdominal pain, and dysuria treated with penicillin 6.3.3, cefixime and serum infusion. The patient, visited by different doctors, was finally hospitalized and diagnosed as having kawasaki disease. He was treated with adequte doses of IVIG and aspirin based on recommended therapy protocol. At the beginning of treatment and also 2 months after the treatment, the patient was referred to a cardiologist and found to have normal EKG, C. Xray and echo cardiography. Approximately 7 months later, the patient was re-hospitalised with cordiopulmonary arrest and died afterwards. At autopsy, giant aneurysm in LAD artery as the result of Kawasaki disease was observed. Having described the complications above, scrupulous attention in diagnosing Kawasaki disease and immediate referral of the patient to pediatric cardiologist is of prime importance.

Radiological findings of ten patients with congenital obstructive anomalies of anterior urethra (eight cases with saccular diverticula, one case with globular dilatation of entire urethra, and one case with globular dilatation of distal urethra) showed that the VCUG and retrograde urethrography were diagnostic in all of patients.