Journal of Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences
Year:2008 | Volume:10 | Issue:3|Papers Count:21

Background and aim: Tea is one of the most consumed beverages in Iran. The antimicrobial effects of tea have been confirmed on variety of microorganisms. Finding new antimicrobial agents like tea derivatives that has no side effects on the human health seems necessary. This study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial effect of black and green tea extracts on the oral streptococci and their biofilm formation that is responsible for dental plaques and dental caries.Methods: In this experimental study, after extraction of the samples with 50% methanol and re-extraction in ethyl acetate, the extracts filter sterilized (0.44µ) and stored in 4oC. Minimum inhibitory concentrations of both tea extracts were assessed by Broth dilution method and examination of cell adherence (Biofilm inhibitory concentrations) was observed on the glass slides under phase contrast microscope. Colony counts were done from the scratching of glass slides surfaces. Data were analyzed using statistical ANOVA test.Results: Phase contrast microscopy revealed extraordinary decrease in the attachment of treated microorganisms. Concentration of 1 mg/ml of black tea extract completely biofilm inhibitor and 1.5 mg/ml of green tea extract was inhibited the biofilm formation by these bacteria, too. 2.5 mg/ml of black tea and 3 mg/ml of green tea extracts had bactericidal effects on the Streptococcus mutans, S. mitis and S. sanguis.Conclusion: Both tea extracts were bactericidal to oral streptococci. The antibacterial efficiency and antibiofilm effect of black tea extract was higher than those of green tea extract.

Background and aim: Topical glycocorticoid therapy is the first choice for the treatment of eczema. Eczema is the most common inflammatory skin disease. Different degrees of itching is the outstanding feature of this disease. In this study we have tried to investigate the efficacy of herbal drug AJMT in comparison with fluocinolone acetonide on hand eczema.Methods: In this study 64 patients with hand eczema that referred to dermatology clinic, were randomly divided in two 32 patients group. One group was treated with topical fluocinolone actinide cream and the other with AJMT cream. After 2 weeks of treatment we analyzed the data with SPSS software, using Macnemar and X2 tests.Results: This study showed, there was significant statistical difference regarding to pruritus and erythema in pre and post therapy (P<0.05). The difference was not significant for other symptoms. The results of therapy in AJMT group is superior for symptoms of skin lichenification, scalliness and fissure compared to fluosinolone acetonide group.Conclusion: AJMT cream is more effective than fluosinolone acetonide in hand eczema. On the other hand due to more side effects with long usage of topical corticosteroids we prefer the AJMT cream for topical therapy on hand eczema.

Background and aim: Hydrogen peroxide is a strong oxidant which is being widely used in hairdresser places. Genotoxic effect of such substances, referred to as "interaction between gene & environment, is one of the most worrying problems of international health society. On the basis of the wide use of hydrogene peroxide, its capability on induction of chromosomal damages on polychromatic erythrocytes of bone marrow of exposed female Balb/C mice was investigated.Methods: The female Balb/C mice were used as experimental model. The mice were divided to three different groups including: control, sham-exposed & experimental groups. The experimental group was exposed to inhalation of 9% oxidant vapor, containing hydrogen peroxide, for 2 and 3.5 hours per day for 7 days. Bone marrow cells of exposed as well as control and sham-exposed mice were collected using FCS, and micronucleus assay was performed. The chromosomal aberration was investigated by scoring the micronucleus containing polychromatic erythrocytes. The data was statistically analyzed by t-test.Results: The results showed that mean No. of polychromatic erythrocytes in sham-exposed 1 and treated 1 (2 hours exposure to H2O2) were 8.87±1.01 and 5.75±3.05 respectively (P<0.05), and sham-exposed 2 and treated 2 (3.5 hours exposed to H2O2) were 8±2.36 and 42.37±4.8 respectively (P<0.01). Also increasing the exposure treatment time with H2O2 could increase the chromosomal abnormality (P<0.05).Conclusion: Results of this study revealed the genotoxic effects of inhalation of 9% H2O2 on bone marrow cells of female Balb/C mouse.

Background and aim: The intrauterine device (IUD) is the most widely used reversible method of contraception in the world. One of the most common side effects of intrauterine device is increasing of menstrual blood loss, which may cause discontinuation and iron – deficiency anemia. BY considering the effects of IUD type on menstrual bleeding this study was conducted to compare the side effects of T Cu 380A and Cu safe300 IUDs including bleeding, pain on during 3-month period in clients referring to family planning center of Shahrekord Hajar hospital.Methods: This study was a randomized single–blind clinical trial, during which 70 candidates applied for IUD were randomly placed in two groups of IUD T Cu 380A and Cu safe300. The major side effects were recorded in the following 1,2,3 months. The comparisons were made using t-test, Mann-Whitney, Chi-Square and Wilcoxon tests by SPSS soft ware.Results: Menstrual bleeding and dysmenorrheal was more commonly occurred during the 3 month of implantation in both groups but bleeding and pain was significantly lower in Cu safe300 group than the other group.Conclusion: With regard in this study showed menstrual blood loss and dysmenorrheal in the 3 months after IUD insertion a in Cu safe300 users were less than T Cu380A users therefore recommending to be possible this kind IUD to distribute in the health centers.

Background and aim: In addition to lung mechanics measurements, many physiological factors also have impact on weaning of critically ill patients, but are often overlooked. Hyperglycemia is common in critically ill patients. The purpose of this study was to assess the utility of hypoalbuminaemia or hyperglycemia as predictors for need ventilator and weaning success in critically ill patients.Methods: A single center, descriptive- analytical trial was done on 600 patient’s  ³16 years old admitted for 3 or more days to intensive care unit. Patients were classified into five different groups based on the cause of respiratory failure. The following parameters were recorded: serum albumin and glucose concentration; Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation III score; need ventilator, ventilation days, and fluid balance.Results: The initial mean serum glucose concentration was 9.3±0.2 mmol/l and the initial mean serum albumin concentration was 30.2±0.02 (0.2 g/dl) g/l. Although the circulating albumin concentration was significantly lower and serum glucose concentration was significantly higher in ICU nonsurvivors than in ICU survivors, albumin (r=-0.031, P>0.05) and blood glucose concentration (r=0.050, P>0.01) on ICU admission were not a predictor of the length of time spent receiving mechanical ventilation. Patients with serum albumin concentration less than 30.3 (3.03 g/dl) g/l were one and two tenth times more likely to need ventilator than normoalbuminemic patients (relative risk 1.2, 95 % confidence interval 1.06 to 1.31). The risk of need to mechanical ventilation did not raise with blood glucose concentration more than 11 mmol/l (200 mg/dl).Conclusion: These findings suggest that albumin or blood glucose may be an index of the metabolic status of the patient, which could be important in determining the need ventilator and wean ability of the patients who are mechanically ventilated for prolonged periods of time.

Background and aim: Thalassemia is the most common hereditary chronic anemia in human. It causes terrible effects on psychological health condition of family members, especially mothers. Due to the advantages and a very few side effects of group therapy, the current study aimed at determining the effects of group therapy on mental health condition of the thalassemic patients’ mothers.Methods: A clinical trial was conducted on 60 mothers of thalassemic patients in Hajar hospital of Shahrekord medical university and Seieed Al Shohada hospital in Farsan. At the beginning of the study all mothers were administered a demographic and mental health questionnaire (GHQ28) and among those who scored higher than 23, were randomly designated to the experimental and control groups. In the treatment period of the study the participants in the experimental group attended 8 weekly sessions of group therapy. Data were analyzed using ANOVA, t-test, paired t-test, and Pearson Correlation.Results: Before the experiment there was no significant difference between the two groups of subjects in both questionnaires in all dimensions (P>0.05). After the treatment period a significant difference was observed between the two groups in all dimensions of mental health (P<0.05). The results also showed that there was no correlation between demographic variables and mental health conditions.Conclusion: The results of this study showed that group therapy has a considerable positive effect on recovery and improvement of mental health of mothers of the chronic patients, like thalassemia in all dimensions.

Background and aim: The thickening of alveolar basement membrane is found in autopsies, along with microvascular pathologies, in type 1 and 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). To detect the function and permeability of alveolar basement membrane carbon monoxide diffusion capacity (DLCO) can be used. The aim of this study was to determine alveolar basement membrane damage using this method.Methods: In this descriptive and analytical study, fifty five women and 15 men, nonsmoking, type 2 DM cases, without any lung and / or heart disease who had neither anemia nor renal failure and no respiratory symptoms, made up the patients group. They were compared with 55 female and 15 male healthy cases who had the same characteristics as the diabetes cases. For all of the cases who had normal spirometry, DLCO were measured by single- breath method. Data were analyzed using t-student test.Results: The amounts of measured DLCO in the patients with diabetes and in the control group were 9.65±2.4 and 9.1±1.79 milimlo/min/kilopascal, respectively (P>0.05). Also, there was no significant relationship between the volume corrected transfer factor in the patients and the control group.Conclusion: DLCO was not reduced in patients with diabetes without complication who had no clinical respiratory symptoms. We can use DLCO as indicator of microangiopathy in diabetic patients.

Background and aim: Helicobacter pylori is a common bacterial pathogens in human. The organism is associated with development of acute and chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer diseases, and gastric cancer. The prevalence of Helicobacter pylori in children ranges from 10% to more than 80%. High prevalence occurs in developing countries. This aimed to determine the frequency and risk factors of Helicobacter pylori in children of 6 years old from Shahrekord in 2006.Methods: In this descriptive and analytical study, a total of 215 stool samples from children selected none randomly at age of 6 years. Infection was determined based on antigen immunoassay in stool using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. (Diaper kit, Italy). Data were analyzed using X2 and Regression Logistic tests.Results: According the results, 50 of 215 (23.3%) children, were positive for the H.pylori. There were no significant differences between the prevalence of H.pylori infection and sex, smoking of parent, abdominal pain growth of children, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, peptic ulcer in parents and history of breast milk (P>0.05). But there was a significant relationship between the prevalence of H.pylori infection and history of stomach cancer in their family and level of education in their parents (P<0.05).Conclusion: Less than a quarter of the children studied tested positive for H.pylori. Thus, the promosion of health services should be considered.

Background and aim: Atherosclerosis is one of the most common causes of death throughout the world. In this study, anti-atherosclerotic effect of combination extracts of Hypericum and Amaranth on hypercholesterolemic rabbits was compared with that of lovastatin.Methods: Twenty adult male Newzeland rabbits were randomly divided into four groups of five and were fed for 60 days as follows: basic diet, high cholesterol, high cholesterol along with combination Hypericum and Amaranth (HA) extract (75 mg/kg) and high cholesterol along with lovastatin (10 mg/kg). Blood samples were taken at the beginning, one month later and at the end of the study in order to measure their serum factors. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and Danken tests.Results: The extract and lovastatin decreased the levels malondialdehyde (MDA) and apolipoprotein B (apoB), apoB/apoA and increased the levels apolipoprotein A (apoA) in rabbits compared to high cholesterol group (P<0.05).Conclusion: The extract by decreasing cardiovascular risk factors especially apoB that is one of the most important risk factors of cardiovascular diseases, prevent progression of atherosclerosis. The extract is more effective in decreasing the level of cardiovascular risk factors than Lovastatin in hypercholesterolemic rabbits.

Background and aim: Episiotomy is a perineal incision which is the commonest surgical incision in midwifery field. This wound like others need to be cared. Nowadays, using alternative and complementary methods like essential oils which are named aromatherapy have been established as a deserving stance. Essential oils such as lavender compounded of many substances like terponents, mono terponents and linalool which are antimicrobial and pain killer. It seems this substance is very suitable for washing of wounds. So, this research carried out compare the essential oils of lavender in comparison to povidon iodine in repairing of episiotomy.Methods: This studying is randomized control trial which is carried out in 120 women allocated in Povidon Iodine and lavender essential oil groups. At first lavender essential oil 1.5% (stoeches acae) was prepared by Barij Essence Pharmaceutical Company in distillation method with Olive oil carrier. After Child bearing to the educated women about episiotomy care, was proposed to wash wound in sitzbath by Povidon Iodine in one group and with lavender essential oil in another group. After 5th day incision was assessed. The data were analyzed by SPSS soft ware, t-test and c2.Results: Data showed that the redness in 5th day reduced significantly (P<0.05). But, rate of edema increased significantly in lavender group (P<0.001). There is no difference between two groups for infection, pain, dehiscence.Conclusion: It seems that lavender essential oil is on appropriate alternative instead of Povidon Iodine, because it reduced redness and it doesn’t increase infection and dehiscence.

Background and aim: The health condition of nurses as caregivers influences the quality of care received by patients. To reach the maximum performance, nurses themselves need be health. Nurses, because of the nature of their career confront many types of stresses in their work environment and they are among people that are prone sleep disorder because of working in morning, evening, night and especially, rotation shifts. The aim of this study is comparison of the general health and sleep quality of nurses in two groups of without shift and with shift working in IUMS- 2006.Methods: It was a descriptive - analytical study. The setting was hospitals affiliated to IUMS. Five hundreds and twenty nurses were recruited using stratified random sampling. To survey the general health and sleep quality of nurses General Health Questionnaire - 28 and Pitsberg Sleep Quality Index tools were used.Results: Chi – Square test indicatod that there was a significant difference between general health of without shift and with shift workers, so that general health of without shift workers was better than rotation shift ones. The sleep quality of without shift nurses was also better than rotation shift ones (r=0.692, P<0.001). There was a direct correlation between general health state and sleep quality (P<0.001).Conclusion: Based of the finding of this study, appropriate and efficient managmant and careful planning of working shifts is suggest to reduce sleep disturbances in nurses. Promotion of nurse’s quality of sleep can promote their general health and eventually promotes the quality care of patients.

Background and aim: Wheat is one of the most common and important cereals with the highest cultivation rate in Iran, which highly is susceptible to contaminate with fungi particularly aflatoxinogen fungi. Using the resistant wheat lines for cultivation can be useful in controlling of wheat and food contamination to aflatoxin. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the susceptibility of the wheat، which introduced by agricultural research centre for cultivation in Yazd, against contamination with Aspergillus flavus aflatoxinogen fungi.Methods: In the current experimental study ten lines of wheat, which introduced by Yazd agricultural research centre for cultivation in Yazd province were used for an In vitro evaluation of their susceptibility to contamination with 1×103 conidia of Aspergillus flavus. After 48 hours the final conidia of fungus on the wheat were counted and data analyzed using Kruskal-wallis, Pearson correlation and other statistical tests.Results and conclusion: Kavir, Rhosan and Shiraz wheat samples with the mean counting of 118500, 152500, and 122000 CFU/ml (colony forming units) of Aspergillus conidia، known as the most three resistant wheat strain respectively in this study. Sistan and Akbari wheat strains with the mean561500 and 460500 CFU/ml showed the highest susceptibility rate to contamination with Aspergillus flavus conidia (P<0.001). There wasn't seen any statistical significant correlation between the protein percent of wheat lines with their susceptibility to Aspergillus flavus (P>0.05).Conclusion: However proper storage of wheat can prevent growth of microorganisms, cultivation of the resistant wheat lines can produce the resistant products and help for controlling and prevention of contamination with fungi.

Background and aim: Toxoplasma gondii, the cause of Toxoplasmosis, is an obligate intracellular coccidian parasite that infects virtually all species of warm blooded animals, including human being. House cats, as the final hosts, are one of the main sources of infection in human. In order to determine Toxoplasmosis in house cat owners and compare the results with infection in individuals who do not have the history of keeping this animal, the present study was conducted.Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study, 120 house cat owners referring to Shahrekord Azad University Small Animal Clinic in early 1384 to the end of fall were selected randomly and serum samples collected and examined for anti- Toxoplasma antibodies through ELISA. The results were then analyzed by Instate software program, Chi square test and Fisher’s exact test.Results: Totally, 35 samples (13 from people in contact and 22 from people without any contact with house cats) had anti- Toxoplasma IgG. However, none of the samples showed anti-parasite IgM antibodies. Infection in men was %34.17 and in women %19.51. The statistical analysis of the results did not show any significant relationship between being infected and having the history of owning house cats and between age and infection (P>0.05).Conclusion: According to the above mentioned results, the following points could be considered. It is recommended to test house cat owners or those planning to own house cats for the existence of anti-toxoplasma antibodies, and in case of the lack of immunity, to offer necessary training to prevent the infection. Training of house cat owners and informing them of various ways of transmission. The examination of the infections in house cats and prevention of these infections.

Background and aim: Kawasaki syndrome is an acute, sometimes fatal vasculitis of young children. The ethiology of the illness is unknown, but its clinical and epidemiologic features are most consistent with an infectious cause. We treated a 9-month-old infant with diagnosis of bacterial meningitis. He received wide spectrum antibiotics. He was clinically improved but in 8th day of admission he again developed pharyngitis, diarrhea and high grade fever. He has had raising of erythrocyte sedimentations rate (ESR) and thrombocytosis. According to these clinical manifestation with impression of atypical Kawasaki disease, treatment was started for him and after 24 hours his fever subsided and other clinical signs relieved.Conclusion: On the basis of this case report in the course of bacterial meningitis if the patient developed elevated ESR and fever, Kawasaki syndrome with the other complications of meningitis should be considered.