Journal of Kerman University of Medical Sciences
Year:2014 | Volume:21 | Issue:1|Papers Count:10

Background & Aims: Iron is an essential element for correct brain function. Iron deficiency changes some behaviors such as anxiety and nociception. Recently, nano-iron, Ferric or ferro oxide (nano-Fe2O3 or Fe3O4), are used in various applications in agriculture, industry and medicine, but their effects on the heath and behavior is not clear. In this study, the effects of Fe2O3 nanoparticles on animal models of anxiety and nociception were investigated.Methods: Adult male Wistar rats (mean weight: 200-250 g) were used in 12 groups: 3 control groups (receiving saline 0.9%) and 9 groups received nano-Fe2O3 in doses of 0.2, 1 and 5 mg/kg, intraperitoneally. Elevated plus maze apparatus and hot-plate and tail-flick tests were used to evaluate anxiety and nociception, respectively. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA and post hock least significant difference (LSD) and P < 0.05 used as significant level.Results: Fe2O3 nanoparticles with dose addition increased open arm time percent (OAT%) (P<0.05). Locomotor activity, just in dose of 5 mg/kg, increased pain delay time in both hot-plate (P<0.01) and tail-flick (P<0.01) tests.Conclusion: Acute administration of Fe2O3 nanoparticle decreases anxiety behaviors in elevated plus maze and increases an acute pain threshold in both hot-plate and tail-flick tests in rats.

Background & Aims: Endothelin_1 secreted by endothelial cells has been identified as the strongest vascular constrictor. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of concurrent training on plasma concentration of endothelin_1 and its relationship with blood pressure of old women.Methods: A total of 20 menopause women (Mean age: 67.47±5.92 years, mean body length: 152.92±7.52cm, mean weight: 65.83±11.83 kg, mean BMI 28.47±4.98 kg/m2, fat percentage: 18.61±3.57, and WHR: 0.929±0.045) were selected purposefully and randomly assigned into the two groups of ten people. The experimental group did eight weeks of concurrent training in the form of three days per week each day two sessions resistance training with the intensity of 40 to 65% of one maximum repetition and with overload of 5% after each 6 sessions and aerobic training with 60 to 70% of maximum heart rate. Before and after eight weeks of exercise, the resting level of endothelin_1 and systolic and diastolic blood pressure were measured and recorded. Paired t-test was used for investigating the within group changes and independent t-test was used for investigating the between groups differences. Pearson correlation coefficient was used for investigating the relationship between endothelin_1 concentration and blood pressure. P<0.05 was considered as statistically significant level.Results: The results of this study showed that an 8-week concurrent exercise has a significant effect on decreasing endothelin_1 concentration (p=0.003), and also decreasing systolic (p=0.002) and diastolic (p=0.000) blood pressure of old women. There was a direct correlation between endothelin_1 level and systolic blood pressure (p=0.601). Nevertheless, there was no correlation between endothelin_1 level and diastolic blood pressure (r=0.352).Conclusion: Concerning the decrease of plasma endothelin_1 concentration and decrease of systolic and diastolic blood pressure following concurrent exercise, and concerning the relationship of endothelin_1 level and systolic blood pressure, it seems that one period of concurrent exercise with this intensity and volume can effect plasma endothelin_1 concentration as a risk factor for hypertension in old women.

Background & Aims: Identification of dietary patterns and food groups'' consumption can be beneficial in improving public health. This study aimed to evaluate the daily dietary pattern of households in Kermanshah, 2011.Methods: A total of 500 households in Kermanshah/Iran were selected through multi-stage cluster-sampling. Data were collected using demographic questionnaire and food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) and through face to face interview. Regression and X2 tests were applied for statistical analysis.Results: In whole, 477 households with mean family size of 4.3±1.5 person completed the study. Consumption of vegetables in 78%, fruits in 23.3%, meat in 34.7%, dairy products in 44% and grains in 25% of families were less than the recommended levels in food guide pyramid. Consumption of dairy products showed a significant positive correlation with socio-economic statues (P=0.009) and educational level of the father of family (p<0.01). Furthermore, significant correlation was seen between fruits consumption and parents educational level (p=0.002). In general, consumption of one or more food groups was less than the dietary guide line level in 40% of households, while it was acceptable in 44% and was more than the recommended level in 16% of households.Conclusion: In Spite of all efforts for modifying dietary pattern, there is still a big gap between guidelines and national dietary habits. Increasing public nutritional knowledge in regard to healthy eating is necessary and highly recommended.

Background & Aims: Access to the non-documented experiences and information is one of the valuable ways for developing pharmaceutical sciences and a basis for production of new drugs. Ethnobotany is the science of recovering endangered non-documented traditions. Protection of these traditions would be a precious guide to gain access to new drug sources. The aim of this study was to identify and introduce the ethnobotany of Joopar mountain region in Kerman province, Iran.Methods: Traditional knowledge and belifes of ethnic groups were documented using a questionnaire and by interview. Documentary studies of medical and pharmaceutical sources and identification and scientific nomination of medicinal plants were done. Ethnobotanic information of the plants was recorded and some of the plants were used for phytochemical studies.Results: The presence of 65 plant species belonging to 30 plant families was proved. Laminaceae family constituted the major flora of the region (15.85%). The most use of the plants was in gastrointestinal and respiratory disorders. From about 65 plant specices, a number of 35 speciea were tannin and flavonoid positive, 26 plants exhibited positive reaction to alkalods and 15 species exhibited positive reaction to saponins.Conclusion: Considering the originality of the region and non-documented information about the plants of this region, using our findings can design appropriate programs for developing the medicinal plants compatible with the ecological conditions of this region.

Background and Aims: Scaphoid fractures are the most common fractures of the wrist. This study compared the outcomes of two surgical internal fixation techniques, using either Herbert screws (HS group) or multiple pins (MP group), in the treatment of scaphoid fractures.Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 41 patients (23 in HS and 18 in MP groups) with unilateral scaphoid fractures from September 2009 to September 2011. All patients were followed-up two weeks post-surgery, every month for six months, and then every year after one year. Degree of fracture healing, measured level of pain using Visual Analog Scale (VAS), range of motion, hand grip strength of affected limb vs. healthy limb, Quick DASH score (QD) and also Mayo Modified Wrist Score (MMWS) were recorded. In December 2012, all patients presented to the Orthopedic Clinic for their final follow-up visit where all data was recorded once more.Results: Mean patient follow-up time was 24.34±8.70 months (range: 11-34). Mean scaphoid fracture healing times for the HS and MP group were 14.61±3.88 and 14.39±4.27 weeks, respectively. No statistically significant difference was found between both groups after comparing mean levels of pain using VAS, ROM of wrist during flexion and extension, hand grip strength expressed as percentage of normal, QD, and MMWS. The level of patients'' content using VAS was 9.5 for HS and 9.0 for MP groups.Conclusion: The use of multiple pins for the internal fixation of scaphoid fractures proves to be a viable treatment option compared to Herbert Screws, due to decreased cost and increased availability.

Background & Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of Cone-beam Computerized Tomography (CBCT) linear measurements in dry mandibles by comparing them with direct measurements.Methods: Two human dry mandibles were used in this study. Thirteen sites were selected on each mandible. Specimens were scanned by CBCT and linear measurements were made using Planmeca Romexis 2.3.0.R software. Mandibles were cut into sections at marked locations and the same distances were measured by a digital caliper. Differences between two methods were assessed using paired t- test.Results: The mean differences for bone height, bone width and the crest-canal distance between CBCT and digital caliper measurements were -0.47±1 mm, -0.14±0.78 mm and 0.00±0.76 mm respectively. The differences were only, significant for bone height measurements (P<0.05). There was a high carreltion between the result of CBCT and gold standard.Conclusion: The results of this in-vitro study on mandible indicate that, although there is a statistically significant difference for bone height measurements between the two methods, the difference is not significant in clinical applications. Thus, CBCT was shown to be a useful technique for preoperative dental implant planning.

Background & Aims: The purpose of the present research was to compare the bone mineral density (BMD) of lumbar spine between athletic and non-athletic premenopausal women.Methods: Fifteen female athletes (runner) with the mean age of 33.80 ± 4.81 years, mean height of 164.13 ± 5.31 cm, mean weight of 57.33 ± 4.22 kg, and mean body mass index (BMI) of 21.41 ± 2.21 kg/m2 and 15 female non-athletes with yhe mean age of 36.73 ± 5.02 years, mean height of 161.20 ± 4.17 cm, mean weight of 68.00 ± 10.67 kg, and mean BMI of 26.78 ± 4.34 kg/m2 at the premenopausal age (30-45 years) were participated. The BMD of lumbar spines were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). The collected data were analyzed through t-test statistical methods.Results: Based on T-score and Z-score criteria, all of athletes had normal bone tissue while, 13.3 percent of non-athletes were osteopenic. Moreover, the BMD of lumbar in athletes was significantly more than non-athletes. Furthermore, in the lumbar spine region, significant differences observed between the T-score and Z-score values for both athletes and non athletes.Conclusion: It seems likely that running can increase the BMD of lumbar in premenopausal women; therefore, it can play an important role in preventing osteoporosis as an effective non-medicine method.

Background & Aims: There are limited information about prevalence of smoking, drug abuse and its associated factors amongst Iranian students. The present study aimed to determine prevalence of smoking and drug abuse amongst male high school students in Ilam and the role of associated psychological and social factors.Method: Overall, 1000 male high school students were recruited using a multi-stage sampling method. A self-administered questionnaire was used for data gathering. Chi-square test and logistic regression model were used for univariate, multivariate and interactions analyses.Results: Mean age of students was 16.2 years. The prevalence of experimenter and regular smokers were 11.4% (95% CI: 9.3% -13.4%) and 1.3% (95% CI: 0.5%-2.0%) respectively. Prevalence rates of alcohol, opium, Tramadol, Hashish, Ecstasy and methamphetamine abuses were 11.1% (9.1%-13.0%), 2.8% (1.7%-3.8%), 7.6% (5.9%-9.2%), 3.3% (2.1%-4.4%), 2.7% (1.6%-3.7%), and 2.1% (1.1%-3.0%) respectively. The logistic regression model showed a significant relationship between having a smoker friend (AOR: 1.99), self-injury (AOR: 2.35), peer pressure (AOR: 2.37) and Tramadol abuse (AOR: 3.00) and different stages of smoking. None of the considered interactions had significant effect.Conclusions: Although, prevalence of smoking in Ilam high school students was less than the corresponding reports from other provinces in Iran, drugs abuse followed the same pattern as the other provinces. In addition, psychosocial variables had an important role in adolescents smoking.