Journal of Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences
Year:2011 | Volume:13 | Issue:2|Papers Count:14

Background and aim: The cross dominancy (CD) implicates as a condition that dominant eye and dominant hand are situated in opposite sides of a body.This condition can produce malformation and structural disorders in head posture and vertebral column. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between CD and structural disorders in vertebral column and head posture in students of Zahedan University of Medical Sciences.Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 300 students of Zahedan University of Medical Sciences were randomly selected and their dominant eye was determined by Miles test. Then subjects were divided into two groups (with cross dominancy and unilateral dominancy). The presence of malformations of vertebral column and head posture were determined by checker board and plumb line. The data were analyzed using descriptive and analytical (Chi square) statistical tests.Results: The results of the present study demonstrated that 76 out of 300 students (25.3%) had cross dominancy (CD).There were a significant difference between CD and scoliosis (P<0.001) or shoulder un-leveling (P=0.03) in two groups, but not between forward head posture (P=0.10) and chin deviation (P=0.22) with CD in two groups.Conclusion: The scoliosis and shoulder un-leveling had higher prevalence in CD subjects that is due to weak muscular support of vertebral column in coronal plane, but because of strong muscular support of vertebral column in sagittal plane, CD had not any considerable effect on chin deviation and forward head posture.

Background and aim: Regarding to rare psychological measurements in the country, preparing valid measurements is necessary for screening of depressive and anxiety (mixed) disorder. This research aimed to evaluate the efficacy of emotionality factor of HEXACO-PI-R on screening of depressive and anxiety disorder.Methods: In this study, 80 university students referred to the counseling center from Isfahan University and also from Isfahan Industrial University who had diagnosed as having depressive and anxiety disorder (Mixed) (based on ICD-10) and 80 normal university students were assessed using emotionality factor of HEXACO-PI-R.Results: The results showed that emotionality factor of HEXACO-PI-R is a valid inventory measurement for screening of depressive and anxiety disorder (mixed). Cut – off point of inventory was 93.5%. There was significant difference in mean score in patients and non-patients (P=0.006). Sensitivity and specificity of inventory was 93.7% and 77.5%, respectively.Conclusion: The results of discriminate analysis indicated that emotionality factor of HEXACO-PI-R was a valid screening questionnaire for depressive and anxiety disorder (mixed). Moreover, using this measurement is important for early prevention and psychological health to predict the disorders incidence in adulthood.

Background and aim: Stress is one of the most psychological disorders that can lead to many health problems, including vascular diseases of heart and brain, cancers and immunity suppression. Since it has been reported that there is a relationship between stress and skin inflammation in one hand, and inflammation and scratching on the other hand, in the present study the effect of immobilization stress has been investigated on skin scratching.Methods: In this experimental study, 26 male rats were randomly divided into control and case groups. Stress was induced in the case animals, two hours daily for five days.After inducing stress in each day, animals were observed for one hour and their scratching behavior was determined. The weight and scratching behavior were assessed before and 24 hour after the experiment. At the end of the examination, WBC counts were evaluated.Results: The mean frequency of scratching in days 1 and 2 was higher in the case group than the control group, but this difference was not found significant. However, in case group, mean frequency of scratching was significantly higher on day 3 (P<0.05), day 4 (P<0.01) and day 5 (P<0.001) compared to the control group.Conclusion: Our data showed that immobilization stress may lead to increase in skin scratching.

Background and aim: Nowadays, thyroid exposure is a major concern in skull radiological imaging. The aim of this study was to evaluate thyroid exposure in brain CT-scan and skull X-ray, using different levels of Kvp (Kilovoltd peak) and mA, with and without thyroid shield.Methods: In this descriptive- analytic study, 350 outpatients were selected randomly. Two TLD-100 chips (Thermo Luminescence Dosimeter) were placed on the thyroid of each patient. Three levels of mA were applied in brain CT-scan (210 patients) and two levels of Kvp were used in routine skull X-rays (140 patients). The experiments were performed with and without thyroid shield. The TLDs were read and the statistical analysis was performed using student-t test.Results: During brain CT-scan, decreasing current intensity from 150 to 125 mA, significantly decreased the thyroid exposure from 101±9.38 to 82.2±8.04 mili rem (P<0.01). Using a thyroid shield extremely reduced the thyroid exposure to 29±5.83 mili rem (P<0.01). In routine skull x-rays, increasing voltage from 60 to70 Kvp, significantly decreased the thyroid exposure from 72.6±7.74 to 67±8.41 mili rem (P<0.05). Moreover, using the thyroid shield remarkably reduced the thyroid exposure to 19.6±1.82 mili rem (P<0.05). Conclusions: Using lower levels of mA in brain CT-scans and higher levels of Kvp in skull X-rays, decrease thyroid exposure. Furthermore, using thyroid shield during X-ray examinations of the skull remarkably reduces thyroid exposure.

Background and aim: Endosulfan is an organochlorine insecticide and anti-worm which has a wide range of usage in controlling insects. This toxin can be absorbed through feeding, aspirating and skin in human and animal. This study was aimed to evaluate the effect of Endosulfan on blood parameters in rat.Methods: In this experimental research, 40 male rats were divided into 5 groups as follows: Control group, didn’t receive any substance. Placebo group received normal saline and three experimental groups received 5, 10 and 20 ml/kg Endosulfan (once every 3 days, for 21 days), respectively. Rats received placebo or Endosulfan by gavages. At the end of experiments, rats were anesthetized by chloroform and blood samples were prepared from the heart and finally the blood factors were evaluated using standard methods. Data were analyzed using one way ANOVA and Danken tests.Results: The amount of monocytes significantly increased (P<0.05), however the amounts of RBC, lymphocytes and platelets significantly decreased (P<0.05), compared to the ones in control group. Conclusions: The results of this study demonstrated that long term usage of Endosulfan might have significant effects on blood factors. It can cause anemia, lymphocytopenia and thrombocytopenia.Therefore, more attention should be paied on the usage of this insecticide agent.

Background and aim: Nurses should have enough skills to solve patient' s problems in complex clinical situations. In addition, they should acquire stress intolerance skills to enable them to deal with problems in hard situations. This study was performed to assess the effect of problem solving course on Shiraz student's stress intolerance.Methods: This quasi-experimental study (with pre-test & post-test design) was performed on 43 graduate nursing students in Shiraz city.Students were asked to fill "demographic questionnaire" and "Bar On emotional quotient inventory" (to determine stress intolerance level and then the participants were randomly divided into two groups of experimental (with 20 students) and control group (with 23 students). Then, based on D' zurilla & Goldfride social problem solving method, a short problem solving course was performed for the experimental group. Finally, stress intolerance levels were measured at 3 different stages of assessment (pre, immediately & 2 month after the performance of interventional program), in the two groups.Results: Problem solving course positively affected the students' stress intolerance level immediately after the program (P<0.01).The same results were observed 2 months after the intervention (P<0.01).Conclusion: In general, problem solving course has positive effect on improvement of stress intolerance levels in nursing students. Therefore, it is recommended that same courses be added to the educational program of nursing students.

Background and aim: The postoperative pain control is performed with different methods (regional anesthesia, acupuncture, music therapy,) or drugs such as opioids, NSAIDs and Ketamine. In many researches, Metoclopramide is used for decreasing postoperative pain. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of Metoclopramide (M) and Ketamine (K) as a preemptive analgesia on postoperative pain.Methods: In a double blinded clinical trial study 86 ASA 1 and 2 patients enrolled in this study and divided into two groups of Metoclopramide (M) and Ketamine (K). Half an hour before the operation patients in group M and group K received 10 and 0.3 mg/kg, i.v. Metochlopramide and Ketamine, respectively. The pain scores and the amounts of opioid consumption in recovery room and first 24 hours and the postoperative complications such as nausea, vomiting, irritability and psychological problems were recorded. Data were analyzed using student-t test, ANOVA and Chi-square statistical analysis.Results: There was no significant difference in demographic data including weight, age, sex, duration of surgery and basic hemodynamic parameters between two groups (P>0.05). The pain score was lower in Metoclopramide group (3.98±3.04) compared to the Ketamine group (5.93±3.32) in recovery room and first 24 hours after surgery.In addition, there was a statistical difference in the frequency of drug’s side effects in group M (30.02%) and the group K (95.3%) (P<0.001). The extubation time was significantly longer in Ketamine group (5.3±0.8) than Metoclopramide group (7.4±0.7) (P<0.05).Conclusion: The results of this research showed that administration of Metochlopramide before induction of anesthesia was more effective than Ketamine for reducing postoperative pain, which suggests analgesic effects of Metoclopramide.

Background and aim: Development Coordination Disorder (DCD) is occurred when the growth of motor skills delays or some difficulties emerge in performing coordinated movements that is led to the incidence of problems resulting inability to perform in daily tasks. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of the selective rhythmic movements on hand - foot coordination of children with DCD.Methods: In this quasi experimental study, from a total of 475 girl children (6-11 years old) from Shahrekord city (Iran) 30 girl children were selected by the DSD questionnaire and Motor Observation Questionnaire for teachers.Lincolen-Osertsky Motor Proficiency Test was used to measure the dependent variables including hand- foot coordination. At first, subjects participated in pretest and then they were randomly divided into control and experimental groups. Selective Rhythmic Movements were performed by experimental group for eight weeks; three sessions per week and 45 minutes per- session. At the end of the period, both groups participated in the post test. The data were analyzed using independent study t- test.Results: Results showed that at pre-test conditions no significant difference was seen for the means of hand-foot coordination between experimental group vs. control group (P>0.05), but significant difference was observed between groups for post test values (P<0.01).Conclusion: This study showed that selective rhythmic movements are led to hand- foot coordination improvement in DCD children.

Background and aim: Positive psychology includes the study of positive subjective experiences, such as: well being and happiness, positive individual traits, such as hope and forgiveness and interpersonal strengths, such as altruism and sense of accepting the community. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of hope enhancing training on level of behavioral strengths in dysthymic patients.Methods: In an experimental study 40 patients with dysthymic disorder were randomly selected and assigned to two experimental and control groups. At first, the Values in Action Inventory of Strengths (VIA- IS) test was performed on them as the pre- test. Then the experimental group received 6 sessions of hope enhancing training. The control group did not receive any training. At the end of the training, the (VIA- IS) was again performed on all subjects as the post- test.Results: The results of analysis of data showed that after hope enhancing training, the means of the characters strengths of the training group were significantly higher than control group (P<0.001).Conclusion: Hope enhancing training is an effective intervention to improve strengths of Forgiveness, Self regulation, Modesty and Humility and prudence.

Background and aim: Escherichia coli O157: H7 is now recognized as an important cause of diarrhea, hemorrhagia colitis and hemolytic-uremic syndrome worldwide. Meat contaminated with animal feces is probably the major source of the E. coli O157: H7. In this study, we investigated the prevalence of E. coli O157: H7 in meat samples of sheep in Isfahan from August 2008 to January 2010.Methods: A total of 148 sheep carcasses in Isfahan slaughterhouse were assessed for E. coli O157: H7 using the standard cultural and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods. Bacteriological examinations were performed by using Triptone Soya Broth containing Novobiocin (TSB-n) as an enrichment media and then sorbitol MacConkey agar plates supplemented with Cefixime and Tellurite (CT-SMAC) a selective plating media. Suspected colonies of E. coli O157: H7, identified by bacteriological methods, were tested by PCR.Results: Using cultural method, 43 (29.1%) and 10 (6.8%) samples were positive for E. coli and E. coli O157: H7, respectively.Only 5 sorobitol negative E. coli strains were identified as E. coli O157: H7, using polymerase chain reaction. The seasonal prevalence of E. coli O157: H7 in samples were 0-9.7% and it was at its highest level in Spring and Summer.Conclusion: These results indicate that sheep can be a reservoir for E. coli O157: H7 and sheep meat may serve as a vehicle for the pathogen transmission to human.

Background and aim: Using new technologies has been emphasized in higher education in recent years. It seems that applying these technologies is helpful for teaching and learning experimental histology.However, the effect of changing the educational methods on student’s learning has been questioned for a long time. In this study, the effect of classical education (using slide presentation of schematic histological photos) and new method of using microscope monitoring on final experimental histology scores has been compared in medical students.Methods: This experimental study was performed on 36 medical students who had selected histology course.Students were randomly divided into two groups. First group was thought by old method of slide presentation and second group was thought with new method of microscope monitoring. After finishing the educational course, one similar exam was taken from both groups and the student’s scores were compared using student-t test in SPSS software (ver.11.5).Results: Based on the results of this study, the students’ scores in the microscope monitoring group was 14.32±2.39 compared to the slide presentation group which was 13.18±2.18. Data analysis showed that there was no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05).Conclusion: Findings of this study demonstrated that using two different educational methods of slide presentation or microscope monitoring may not have significant effect on student's scores in their final exam.

Background and aim: Cardiovascular diseases are noncontiguous diseases which are caused by various factors. One of the most important of these factors is an unhealthy lifestyle. In Iran this disease has been one of the problems of this late decade and in other words, in comparison with the 10 main causes of death in 2009, it has been the most prevalent death factor in Kashan. The main purpose of this research, considering this problem, was investigating the encountering rate of cardiovascular risk factors in Kashan.Methods: This descriptive study was based on 336 clients who were selected through cluster sampling in health-care clinics in Kashan. The data was gathered through filling out questionnaires. These questionnaires consisted of five separate parts on information about: demographic, disease background, nutrition, smoking and physical activity. The research data was analyzed using Chi-square test.Results: BMI mean among the samples was 25.69. The common and main risk factor among these people include: consuming fried food (%97.9), low consumption of fish (%90.8), low consumption of grain (%79.8), low consumption of egg (%75.3), high consumption of meat (%69./3), high consumption of sweet or candy (%67.9), eating fatty food (%66.7) and with little physical activity (%66.4). There are significant relationships between life style and gender (P=0.016) and education (P=0.019), also physical activity and job (P=0.013).Conclusion: According to the obtained results in this study, the client’s life styles were not in an appropriate condition. So there is a need to pay more attention to inform people to reduce the amount of fried food, meat, fatty food and sweet and increase the balanced amounts of fish, grain and cereal, egg, fruit, vegetable in their diets. It is also recommended that they should increase body activities and decrease smoking.

Background and aim: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infects the majority of human population in their life time and triggers strong immune responses from all arms of the immune system. However the cellular immune response is the major mechanism by which CMV replication is controlled. CMV-specific CD4+ T cells have a substantial role in maintenance of CMV-specific CD8+ T cell response. The aim of the study was an overview of CD4+T cell response to CMV in healthy donors and patients with hematological malignancies.Methods: In this review, abstract or full text articles related to CMV-specific CD4+ T cell response, published during 1990 until 2010, were collected from the Medline. The Persian articles were searched through the Iran Medex database and used if they were appropriate.Results: In chronic infection, the CMV-specific CD4+ T cells secrete interferon-gamma (IFN-g), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a) and interleukin-2 (IL-2). CMV-specific CD4+ response increases with age and the response has been up to 32% with intracellular cytokine detection technique. The cells have also lower activation threshold. The CMV-specific CD4+ T cell response increases and comprises up to 47% of whole CD4+ compartment in patients who received hematopoietic stem cells transplants. It was up to 44% in chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients and broad phenotyping alterations have also been observed in relation to CMV-seropositivity.Conclusion: Considering the high level of CMV-specific CD4+ T cell response, the viral replication can be controlled and the reactivation can be prevented. Because of the possibility of intracellular cytokine, it is now possible to determine the phenotype of the cells. Therefore, CMV has served as an excellent model for effectors-memory phenotype studies and could be a possible tool in the way to achieve immunotherapy.