Journal of Isfahan Medical School
Year:2013 | Volume:31 | Issue:254|Papers Count:7

Background: The most important way to diagnose Hirschsprung's disease is biopsy of rectum and its hystopathologic study by several slices (to 50 slices); detection of the disease depends on ganglion cells. Recently, there are two methods for detection of these cells; full-thickness sections and fragmented tissues. This study aimed to compare these to methods in detecting ganglion cells; which was not done before.Methods: In this cross-sectional study done in Alzahra hospital (Isfahan, Iran) during 2011-2012, 25 samples of colon wall in patients with detected carcinoma were studied. A 1-cm slice from each sample was fixed in formalin. Another 1-cm slice from each sample was crushed and fixed on filter paper in formalin. The samples were prepared by tissue processor machine and colored by Hematoxylin and Eosin method. Both groups were coded by second person and analyzed by a unique pathologist. The number of ganglion cells was determined and recorded.Findings: The mean±SD of counted ganglion cells was 33.96±11.80 in full-thickness sections and 25.64±16.90 in fragmented tissues methods. According to independent sample t-test, the difference between two methods was statistically meaningful (P=0.049).Conclusion: According to current study, fragmented tissues method is better than the full-thickness sections method in detection of ganglion cells for diagnosis of Hirschsprung's disease.

Background: Contribution of physician and patient is a social, cultural, psychological and economic matrix programmed a new over vision about occupational relation. Gender awareness has two sub-groups included gender sensitivity and gender related to ideology. This study was done to recognize the relationship of patient satisfaction and the physicians'' awareness about gender concordance.Methods: This cross-sectional study was done in general, special and high-special clinics related to Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Iran, during 2012-2013. We randomly selected 150 physicians from clinics. Gender awareness was measured by the Nijmegen Gender Awareness in Medicine Scale (N-GAMS) standardized questionnaire. In addition, 423 patients were studied for satisfaction and patient contribution by Perceived Involvement in Care Scale (PICS) standardized questionnaire. Finally the data analyzed by chi-square and Student-t and one way ANOVA tests.Findings: The mean of gender sensitivity among male physicians was higher but no statistically difference was seen. The mean of gender-role based ideology in the physicians male was statistically higher than the females. In addition, the mean of gender awareness in general physicians was lower than the specialists. The male and female patients'' satisfaction of male physicians was higher than the female physicians but the difference was not statistically significant.Conclusion: According to results of this study, the awareness of female physicians about gender concordance was higher than the males, but this founding did not have a positive effect on patient satisfaction. These results could belong to many problems such as patients overcrowding and physicians'' limited time for studying side problems, Iranian traditional ideas about physician gender and more confidence to male physicians. Applying for patient-based services is based on cultural acceptation and preparing fair chance for patients.

Background: The evaluation of the menopausal women for determining the early and late complications of menopause, preventing their occurrence by hormone-replacement therapy or alternatives, seems necessary. The present study aimed to investigate the frequency distribution and associated factors of menopausal symptoms in women referring to Alzahra Clinic of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences.Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted on 400 women randomly selected from the above 45-years-old menopausal women referring to the outpatient clinic of Alzahara Hospital in Isfahan, Iran, in 2012. The data was collected by Jones’ Standard Questionnaire during the interviews and analyzed by chi-square test.Findings: The frequency distribution of early symptoms of menopause including alopecia, axillary and pubic hair loss, tinnitus, dry and itchy skin, and mastalgia were 1%, 2%, 4%, 7% and 8%, respectively. The frequency distribution of burning hands and feet, frequency, vaginal itching, secretion and burning and decrease in breast size were less than 30%; the prevalence of headache and hot flashes were more than 54%. The frequency distribution of hypertension (a late symptom of menopause) was 44.5%.Conclusion: The results revealed that increase in age and body mass index (BMI) increased “hot flashes, headache, hypertension, decrease in breast size and frequency” and “hot flashes and hypertension”, respectively. Increase in “headache, hypertension and decrease in breast size” in illiterate women was the highest in comparison to women with higher education. “Burning hands and feet” in single women and women with physical activity was higher compared to married women and women without physical activities. Smoking women had higher “hypertension and burning hands and feet”. “Headache and decrease in breast size» were lower and “burning hands and feet» was higher in women using hormonal drugs compared to non-users.

Background: Webometrics refers to the quantitative study of science production, application, structure and technology in the cyber environment. Furthermore, webometrics is applied in ranking studies for universities and academic centers as an internationally approved mean. Our study aimed to evaluate the webometric status of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences (IUMS), Iran, and its place in the Webometrics Ranking of World Universities.Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study including all websites of Iranian universities. Census sampling was applied to cover all Iranian university websites. Then, the websites were evaluated according to the latest criteria for the international webometrics ranking methodology (Cyberometric Lab, July 2012) and their webometrics rank at international level and the changes in the rank between July 2012 and January 2013 were analyzed. The webometrics rank of IUMS was compared with other medical universities at different levels as well.Findings: From July 2012 to January 2013, IUMS webometrics rank improved 707, 5 and 2 at international, national and ministerial levels, respectively. Moreover, the IUMS rank for openness rose from 4477 to 193 (D= 4284) during the studied period. In excellence, the university rank did not change sensibly (1537 to 1538). In the same period, the rank in presence shifted from 1137 to 1091. Meanwhile, growth in website impact was negative as the university impact rank declined from 3369 to 3393.Conclusion: It seems that impact as the most influential ranking indicator fails to grow proportionately as other factors in IUMS website. This is potentially due to the content language (Farsi) which is an important barrier to easy retrieval of information by non-Farsi speakers. However, the scientific content and SEO (Search Engine Optimization) standards of the website need serious improvement.

Background: Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women. Many factors such as estrogens, nutrition, etc. play role in the incidence of this cancer. Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) are the factors recently considered as components of insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system.Methods: Studies in this field from 1987 to 2012 by using the databases of NCBI (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/) were analyzed and reviewedFindings: 1181 article had examined the effect of IGF-1 in breast cancer. 46 showed a direct association with breast cancer. 92 articles were studied relation of IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 with breast cancer, 9 of them were review articles. Of these, 30 articles were selected as the main references.Conclusion: Studies have shown that IGF-1 gene expression increases in breast cancer. IGF-1 effects in growth, proliferation and tumor genesis is mediated by IGF-1R. IGFBP3 inhibit IGF-1 effects by preventing its binding to a surface receptor (IGF-1R) and interferes with IGF-1 mitoses action. Also, in a mechanism independent on IGF, IGFBP-3 binds to specific membrane proteins and induces apoptosis and inhibits cell growth.