Journal of Inflammatory Diseases
Year:2008 | Volume:12 | Issue:3 (48)|Papers Count:20

In this article the author explains that the real asset of the universities is the brain-ware and the academician should be supported by the officials to increase the asset.

Background: Bulk of increasing evidences indicates that the postprandial hyperglycemia is considered as a risk factor for atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease. Several different pathophysiologic mechanisms contribute to disturbances in glucose homeostasis.Objective: To evaluate the frequency of post-challenge hyperglycemia in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients with previously undiagnosed diabetes and fasting glucose concentrations of less than 126 mg/dl in Qazvin and also to determine the main cause of glucose intolerance.Methods: This analytic study was accomplished at Qazvin Metabolic Diseases Research Center in 2007. A total of 120 patients with acute coronary syndrome who met the recommended inclusion criteria were studied. An oral glucose tolerance test with sampling at minutes 0, 30 and 120 was performed for each patient. The data were statistically investigated by analysis of variance, Pearson correlation and chi-square test.Findings: Normal glucose tolerance (NGT), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), and diabetes mellitus (DM) were found in 40, 48, and 32 cases of patients, respectively. The homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) showed no substantial difference among three groups however, the insulinogenic index in IGT and DM patients was lower than those of NGT group with two-hour plasma insulin level higher in the former groups compared to the latter.Conclusion: Post-challenge hyperglycemia, caused primarily by impaired insulin initial secretion and muscle insulin resistance, is common among the ACS patients with previously undiagnosed diabetes in Qazvin. Hyperinsulinemia is a good indicator of insulin resistance in postprandial hyperglycemia. Assessing the oral glucose tolerance test of post-challenge hyperglycemia is essential in ACS patients with previously undiagnosed diabetes.

Background: The screening of infants who need to be admitted immediately following birth but without application of invasive procedures is of prime importance.Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the value of nucleated red blood cells (nRBCs) count of cord blood in predicting the need for admission to NICU or neonatal ward.Methods: This was a case-control study performed on 100 live, newly born full-term infants (70 healthy infants and 30 infants admitted to NICU or neonatal ward) at Vali-e-Asr Hospital of Zanjan (Iran) in 2005. Umbilical cord blood was collected at delivery time to measure the nRBCs count.Data were collected through questionnaires and further analyzed by SPSS using chi square and Mann-Whitney Tests.Findings: The mean nRBCs counts in admitted neonates (case group) and healthy infants (control group) failed to show a statistically significant difference however, by omitting the cases for whom negative nRBCs counts were reported, a significant difference between two groups was observed.The number of abnormal nRBCs, the mean number of abnormal nRBCs, and the number of absolute abnormal nRBCs (nRBCs>1000) in cord blood of the case group were significantly higher than those in control group. The sensitivity and specificity of nRBCs count were 33.3% and 100%, respectively.Conclusion: Although the nRBCs count alone could not be considered as an ideal screening tool for those group of neonates with clinical complications however, it seems that the nRBCs count could be a helpful diagnostic parameter in predicting a need for admission.

Background: Increased level of hemoglobin at birth is one of the essential iron storage in infants against iron deficiency anemia. Different causes could lead to decreased hemoglobin level at birth.Objective: To evaluate the association between cord blood hemoglobin and hematocrit levels and the mode of delivery (cesarean section against normal vaginal delivery).Methods: This was an analytic cross-sectional study carried out on 100 normal vaginal delivery infants and equal number of babies delivered by cesarean section infants at Tehran Najmieh Hospital during 2005. Hemoglobin and hematocrit levels were measured using cord blood samples. The data were analyzed by SPSS software using independent t test.Findings: In normal vaginal delivery infants, the mean hemoglobin content of cord blood was 15±1.7 g/dl and the mean hematocrit 46%±4.9%. Similarly, the mean hemoglobin and hematocrit levels of cord blood among cesarean section infants were 14.6±1.9 g/dl and 45.6%±5.7%, respectively. There was a positive correlation between the cord blood hemoglobin and mode of delivery.Conclusion: The levels of cord blood hemoglobin and hematocrit in cesarean section infants are lower than those in normal vaginal delivery infants hence, the former are more likely to be at risk of developing iron deficiency anemia than the recent group.

Background: Amniotomy is usually used for induction or augmentation of labor and if timely applied it could influence the labor promotion.Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the time of amniotomy on labor course.Methods: This prospective randomized clinical trial was carried out at Kosar Hospital affiliated to Qazvin University of Medical Sciences (Iran) in 2005. Nulliparous women ³ 40 weeks of a singleton gestation, cephalic presentation, intact membrane, and cervical dilatation £ 1cm were selected. All women underwent cervical ripening using a foley catheter. Following spontaneously removal of the catheter, women were randomly assigned to either early or late amniotomy. While in first group amniotomy was performed immediately, it was carried out in second group at active phase following the beginning of oxytocin infusion. Duration of labor, cesarean section rate and indications, and Apgar score at 5 minutes in two groups was recorded. Data were analyzed using statistical tools including t test and chi square test.Findings: Duration of labor from the time of catheter removal to delivery in early amniotomy was longer than that of late amniotomy [12 hours and 40 minutes versus 9 hours and 40 minutes, (P=0.35)]. The rate of cesarean section was shown to be higher in early amniotomy group compared to late amniotomy group (27.3% versus 14.5% with a relative risk value of 1.88). An increase in rate of cesarean section was primarily due to dystocia (52.4% versus 16.4% and a relative risk of 1.44) however, no significant difference was found in rate of cesarean section due to others indications. Also, the difference between Apgar score at 5 minutes among two groups was shown to be insignificant, statistically (P=0.15).Conclusion: In women undergoing cervical ripening using a foley catheter, the augmentation of labor by oxytocin followed by amniotomy during active phase of labor results in shortening of duration of labor and also lower rate of cesarean section for dystocia.

Background: Folic acid is one of the most important vitamins for women at reproductive age and especially pre-conception and during pregnancy.Objective: this study was to assess the effect of education on level of knowledge regarding the role and consumption of folic acid supplement in pregnant women.Methods: This was an interventional study in which 126 pregnant women referred to health centers in Qazvin during 2006-2007 were included. Health centers were selected by cluster sampling and the study population chosen randomly. Data were collected through a two-stage interview using a questionnaire. Initially, a questionnaire was completed by interview followed by a15-minute face to face education session and further re-filling of the same questionnaire two weeks later. Data were analyzed using T test, chi square test, and Fisher’s exact test.Findings: Based on results of present study, the level of knowledge on folic acid consumption among study population was demonstrated to be good (4%), moderate (57.1%), and poor (38.9%) pre-education which changed to 57.1%, 40.5% and 2.4% post-education, respectively. There was a significant difference between the level of knowledge pre- and post-education, statistically (P<0.000). Consumption of folic acid by pregnant women was found to be around 84.1% before education which rose to 96% after education program with a statistically significant difference preand post-education (P= 0.003).Conclusion: According to data found in our study, midwifes, medics, and health care workers are recommended to follow a given educational package in which the promotion of knowledge on folic acid supplement consumption and its advantages in reproductive age particularly in pregnant women is targeted.

Background: Sexual issues are among the first important subjects in marital life and adaptation in sexual relationship is a key factor to happiness.Objective: The aim of this study was to phenomenologically assess the experienced psychological changes in women’s sexual relationship after childbirth.Methods: This was a qualitative study performed in Tabriz University in 2006 using an open and in-depth interview along with objective sampling. Volunteers were asked to express their views about their experienced psychosomatic changes in sexual relationship. Interviews were recorded and further typed and analyzed using Colizzi method.Findings: Several psychological changes including dyspareunia, tiredness, anxiety, fear and change in body image were revealed to occur after childbirth.Conclusion: As identification and removal of experienced psychological changes in women after childbirth is of prime priority, attention to sexual health should be considered as an essential component of any caring package to improve women’s troubled and difficult sexual relationship.

Background: Regarding the rapid development in technology of mobile communication and increasing growth in number of users, the radiation of these waves has become as one of the concerns of today’s society.Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the potential changes in auditory system of rabbit following exposure to microwave.Methods: This was an experimental study carried out at two auditory centers of Tarbiat Modaress University and Iran University of Medical Sciences in Tehran (Iran) in 2005. White Newsealand male rabbits were the experimental animals used in our study and the Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) as the method to evaluate the possible changes following exposure to radiation. The latency time of the fifth wave of ABR was measured and recorded pre- and post-exposure using two stimuli (Click and Tone burst) at different frequencies and two intensities of 70 and 100 dB.Findings: The latency time of wave V was increased for different frequencies used in our experiment. An increase of more than 0.2 ms was noticed especially at two frequencies of 2000 & 8000 Hz. Statistical analysis of results was indicative of no significant change between latency times of wave V (ms) pre- and post-exposure.Conclusion: The results of audiometry provided evidences regarding the effect of microwave radiation at the levels produced by mobile phones on rabbit’s auditory system. Our data suggest the prudent use of mobile phones.

Background: Investigating the chronic radiation effects in radiotherapy workers requires consideration of those parameters in which any small changes could result in profound effect on biological system. In this regard, body trace elements are believed to have important roles.Objective: To assess the biological effect of occupational exposure on blood trace elements concentrations.Methods: This was a case–control study performed at Isfahan University of Medical Sciences in 2006. Fifty radiotherapy workers were selected as case group and an equal number of hospital staff with similar social class and no radiation exposure as control group. Blood samples were collected from all members of two groups followed by determination of serum content of trace elements including copper, iron, zinc and magnesium. The data were analyzed using variance and regression tests.Findings: The mean concentrations of copper, iron, zinc and magnesium in technician group were 1.026±0.287, 1.052±0.185, 0.768±0.143, 21.112±1.272 and in control group 0.903±0.208, 1.00±0.134, 0.872±0.156, and 21.105±1.372, respectively. Values obtained for copper in technicians group were found to be higher than those of control group (p<0.02). Zinc concentration was shown to be significantly lower in female technicians (p<0.03) than in males. No significant difference was found for magnesium or iron between two study groups.Conclusion: Based on data found in present study, the likelihood of the idea that chronic exposure to radiation could affect the concentration of body trace element is highlighted.

Background: Thyme is a perennial plant from Lamiaceae family and an important medicinal plant worldwide. Thymus daenensis is distributed in Iran and used as a traditional medicine.Objective: Identification of Thymus daenesis components cultivated in Qazvin.Methods: Aerial parts of Thymus daenensis were collected from a research farm (Qazvin Agriculture and Natural Resources Research Center) at flowering stage in 1385. The essential oil was initially prepared by hydro-distillation technique followed by GC and GC/MS for determination of chemical compositions.Findings: The ratio of aromatic components to its dry weight in essential oil of Thymus daenensis cultivated in Qazvin was measured at 2.8±0.1% (w/w). Twenty four components were identified.The main constituents of the essential oil were thymol (74.61%), p-cymene (4.6%), g-terpinene (4.48%) carvacrol methyl ether (4.27%), 1.8 cineol (1.64%), borneol (1.61%), and carvacerol (1.40%).Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the Thymus daenensis essential oil is rich in monoterpene phenols, especially thymol.

Background: Anxiety is a common disorder attacking many people in the society and often accompanied by physiological sensations such as tachycardia, chest pain, shortness of breath, insensitivity, and so on.Objective: The purpose of present study was to characterize the putative anxiolytic-like effects of valepotriates (dichloromethane extracts of valerian) using the elevated plus maze (EPM) in rats.Materials and Methods: This was an experimental study carried out at Biology Department of Azad Islamic University in Karaj (Iran) in 2006. Valepotriates was dissolved in DMSO and orally administered at different doses to adult male Wistar rats, 0.5, 1.5 and 3 hours before behavioral evaluation in an EPM. Control rats were treated with an equal volume of DMSO. Data were evaluated using SPSS and variance analysis.Findings: Single treatment with valepotriates at two concentrations of 0.1, and 0.2 g/kg caused a statically significant increased time-spent and arm entries into open arms of EPM compared to control group (p<0.05). However, animal’s locomotor activity found to be unchanged.Conclusion: Based on our data, it seems that valepotriates to have a potential as an effective anxiolytic agent.

Back ground: Retinal detachment denotes separation of the sensory retina from the underlying retinal pigment epithelium. The most common type of retinal determent is the rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. Scleral buckling is the most well-known and effective surgical technique.Objective: To evaluate the characteristics of patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, predisposing factors and surgical results of scleral buckling at eye center of Qazvin University of Medical Sciences.Methods: This was a descriptive analytical study carried out on existing data of 118 patients with clinical diagnosis of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment with minimum follow up of 3 months in 2004. All patients were examined using SLM and indirect ophthalmoscopy. Data on demographic characteristics and surgical outcomes were collected and further analyzed, statistically. Success in scleral buckling procedure was defined as attachment of retina by a single procedure and failure in cases with need for more than one course of action.Findings: A total of 118 eyes from 118 patients (76 males and 42 females) aged 12-81 with a mean age of 53.75+17.4 were studied. The mean follow up duration was 11.5 months. Success rate of operation in patients with PVR A&B was 96% and with PVR A.B. and C1 pre-operation 92.2%. Extent of detachment, longer duration of retinal detachment, aging, and PVR c1 were shown to have adverse effects on results of surgery.Conclusion: Scleral buckling is an appropriate surgical procedure to correct rhegmatogenous retinal detachment however, many factors such as extent of retinal detachment PVR c1, aging, and longer duration of retinal detachment influence the success rate of operation.

Background: Sinusitis is the inflammation of mucous membrane of maxillary sinus. The prevalence of maxillary sinusitis varies from one society to another based on the etiology. Sinusitis occurs secondary to dental origin in 10% of patients. Maxillary sinusitis can arise when the sinus membrane is violated following extraction of teeth, facial trauma, and maxillary osteotomies.Objective: To determine the frequency of maxillary sinusitis in patients referred to Qods Hospital in Qazvin (2003-2005).Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study in which the demographic information including age, sex, symptoms, sinus involvement and the type of treatment were obtained and analyzed using SPSS statistical software.Findings: The results showed that the frequency of maxillary sinusitis was 86.95% (40 patients). Of 46 patients, 60.9% (28) were males and 39.1% (18) females. The male/female ratio was 1.5 to 1. The mean age of patients was 10.3±10.5 years with an age range of 2-56. The right maxillary sinus was the one frequently involved compared to other sinuses (27 cases, 58.69%). The left maxillary sinus in 3 cases (6.5%), both right and left maxillary sinuses in 10 cases (21.74%), and the frontal sinus in 5 cases (10.86%) were involved. In one patient, no sinus involvement was observed.Antibiotic therapy was given to 89.1% (41) of patients and in 10.9% (5) of cases a combination of medical therapy and surgery established. Fever, postnasal discharge, cough, pain were observed as the most common symptoms in 56.5, 47.8, 43.55, and 43.5% of patients, respectively.Conclusion: Considering the high frequency of maxillary sinusitis (86.95%) found in our study, the destructive outcomes of maxillary sinusitis and the treatment costs could be lowered if attempts are made to promote the knowledge of dentists and also establishing a logical relationship between ENT specialists and the dentists.

Background: Iran is the most dangerous region in the world due to high consumption and confiscation of narcotic substances and also the growth of addiction. The recognition of affecting factors on addiction requires a qualitative study on high risk people in which even the hidden aspects of addiction pathology could be investigated.Objective: To identify the viewpoint of high school students towards affecting factors on addiction tendency.Methods: This was a qualitative study performed in 2005 using brain storming in problem finding workshops on 352 students in 9 high schools, selected in stratified randomized sampling model in Kerman. The data were conceptually analyzed considering words, phrases and concepts.Findings: The most frequent fields were Finance (20.1%), Family (19.1%) and Relationships (14.8%) among those phrases like youth high pocket money of rich family, contraband commerce as an easy job and abuse of children in drug consignment were new concepts cited in relation to earlier fields. Categories such as Knowledge, Attitudes, Multimedia and Education were found in 8.9, 8.9, 7.9, 6, and 5.7 % of declarations, respectively. Positive attitudes, faulty knowledge of therapeutic use of opium, gathering session of noble youths and university entrance exam were among the recorded phrases cited in recent categories. Other categories were seen in less than 5% of phrases.Conclusion: Considering the economic and social distortion due to the change of values, social status and personality patterns, the capacity building in augmentation of personal, social and cultural protective factors in whole population in field by addressing the internal stratus of values and attitudes are proposed.

Background: A 57-year-old Iranian woman with a 4-day history of fever, malaise, and disorientation is presented. Signs of meningeal irritation were evident on examination. The patient’s medical history was remarkable for diabetes mellitus, and hypertension with several admissions to hospital. Ampicilin, ceftriaxon, and vancomycin were administered for possible bacterial meningitis. A brain CT scan without contrast was unremarkable. Analysis of CSF revealed compatible values for bacterial meningitis. Culture of urine and CSF samples led to isolation of E. coli. The patient's clinical condition showed no improvement after 3 days. Four days following hospitalization, re-culture of CSF sample again produced positive result for E. coli. Using disk diffusion method, the isolate was found to be resistant to ceftriaxone and imipenem but sensitive to ciprofloxacin. Ceftriaxone was replaced by IV ciprofloxacin plus ceftazidime. The results of repeated analyses of CSF were indicative of clinical improvement with negative result for CSF culture. Ciprofloxacin and ceftazidime were continued for a total of 21 days. The patient remained asymptomatic with no recurrence.

Cryptosporidiosis is associated with diarrheal illness worldwide. In this study to determine prevalence of infection of this parasite was studied in the children with diarrhea coming to Qods children’s hospital of Qazvin during 2003. In this cross sectional study all of children coming with diarrhea (1000 cases) were examined in 2003. Every case gave 3 stool speciments. These speciments prepared by formalin-Ether method and smears were stained by zeihl-Neelsen modified, then were studied by 10X, 100X power under a microscope and results were analyzed with SPSS.Prevalence of cryptosporidiosis was 0.3%. There were 803 cases (80.3%) from 1000 cases without tissue reaction. The most infection were among cases with tissue reaction (1.5%) and the least was among cases without tissue reaction (0%) and this difference was significant (P=0.008).Low prevalence of cryptosporidiosis in Qazvin can present such as a positive health index. In addition our study suggests every cases of diarrhea with positive tissue reaction in their stool exams should be studied for cryptosporidium protozoa.

Nowadays, increasingly changing environment of both governmental and private organizations entailes the need applying strategic planning to face the changes. This report describes the progress of the first strategic planning of QUMS for the year 2007. Documents, evidence reviews and FGDs were applied in data collection.The data interpretation revealed that 49% of the goals were attained. Meanwhile 83% of the reports of the sub-systems were evidence - based. During the monitoring the programs.The lack of budget, and human resource together with lack of inter-departmental cooperations were the main obstacles to accomplish the goals.In conclusion, regarding to the first year of the experience the progress seems to be successful.