Journal of Advances in Medical and Biomedical Research
Year:2004 | Volume:12 | Issue:46|Papers Count:10

Background: Tolerance and dependency are two main problems that have limited morphine administration. There are several reports concerning the role of some of these factors in the occurrence of tolerance and dependency. However, the precise mechanism of tolerance is not known yet. It has been suggested that corticosteroid drugs may be involved in morphine-induced tolerance and dependency. The aim of this study was determination of effects of corticosteroids (Hydrocortisone) on modification of morphine-induced symptoms in physiology research center of Semnan in 2003.Materials and Methods: In this experimental study 30 male albino mice (weighing 25-30 gr) were divided into one control and two case groups. Morphine was used to produce drug dependency by marshall method. As the animals daily received three doses of morphine (50, 50, 75 mg/kg) in three consecutive days. On the fourth day 90 minutes after injection of 50 mg morphine hydrocortisone was injected into experimental groups (5 and 10 mg/kg subcutaneously) and the same volume of vehicle was injected into control group. After 20 minutes (2mg/kg) Naloxan was injected subcutaneously to cause withdrawal syndrome. To evaluate withdrawal syndrome number of jumps, weight loss (evacuation) and latency period were used and the data were analyzed by T-test. Results: The results indicated that hydrocortisone (5 and 10 mg/kg) significantly decreased withdrawal syndrome (P<0.01). Conclusion: Above findings indicated that secreted steroids from cortex of adrenal probably had important role in modification of withdrawal syndrome. In order to ascertain the function of neurotransmitter systems and other related factors more research is recommended.

Background: There have been few reports concerning the effect of co-trimoxazole on Spermatogenesis. However, no reports have been available on the effect of the drug on sexual behavior. The aim of this research was determination of the effect of co-trimoxazole on sexual behavior of adult male rats in 2003. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study 50 withstar rats weighing 200 - 220 gr were selected and divided into 5 groups of ten. Three experimental groups received co-trimoxazole of 30,60 and 120 mg/kg, while the sham group received propylene glycol as solvent. The control group received nothing. The drug was injected subcutaneously for 14 days and during this period the parameters related to sexual behavior were surveyed. At the end of this period histological specimens were prepared and examined by light microscope. Results: The results seem to indicate that there are significant differences among control group and mount latency, intermission latency, post-ejaculatory interval and ejaculatory latency in experimental groups (P<0.05). Mount frequency and intercopulatory interval decreased in experimental groups. Histologic survey of testicles revealed that co-trimoxazole of 120 mg/kg dosage causes a decline in spermatozoa density in somniferous tubules, and sertoli cells. However, no change was caused in arrangement and number of leydig cells. Conclusions: Based on this research and other reports co-trimoxazole gives rise to a decline in sexual motivation and function. Moreover, co-trimoxazole causes a direct reduction in spermatozoa and sertoli cells.

Background: Anatomic incontinence is the most common urinary stress incontinence. Since the type of operation is effective in continuation rate of cure and regarding contraversies in success rate of different operations, this study was conducted to compare two techniques of vaginal and suprapubic on continuation of cure in Fatemiieh hospital in Hamedan (2000-2001). Materials and Methods: In a randomized clinical trial 36 urinary stress incontinent women with positive Q tip test were included in random surgery with one of the two methods. Every 3 months follow-up to maximum of 24 months was done regarding recurrence and continuation of cure. Life table and log rank test were used. Results: Median of follow-up in suprapubic and vaginal groups were 9 and 12 months respectively. Seventeen cases of recurrence (47.3%) including 6 in suprapubic and 11 in vaginal group were seen. Median of cure continuation rate up to 21 months was 23% in suprapubic and 29% in vaginal group. Log Rank test revealed no significant difference. Conclusion: Cure continuation rate up to 21 months is low and nearly similar in two methods. As a result, more studies are recommended.

Background: Heavy metals such as lead and zinc are introduced to different ecosystems through industrial human activities and have inhibitory and toxic effects on microorganisms. This study was carried out to identify the effects of lead and zinc on soil microbial community through IC50 determination in 2003. Materials and Methods: In the first step of this study, 28 soil samples containing microbial community were exposed to 3 different concentrations of lead and zinc for 8 months. One flask was prepared in the same conditions without the addition of the above mentioned metals as a control sample. After 8 months the bacterial community was isolated from the soils. Each extracted bacterial community was contaminated with 10 different concentrations of zinc and lead in separate tubes (0.5 to 45 mmole/Kg soil). After 6 weeks, the number of bacteria was determined by plate count method and dehydrogenase activity was measured. The dose - response curves were drawn by non-linear regression method. IC50s of treatments were determined upon drawn curves. Results: The Logistic model was used to plot dose- response curves. In all treatments, IC50 increased with the increment of the concentration of heavy metals in the adaptation period. In control treatments IC50 of lead in CFU and dehydrogenase activity tests were 18.4 and 14.3 (mmol/Kg) respectively and IC50 of zinc was 8.85 and 8.06 (mmol/Kg) respectively. Conclusion: From this study it is concluded that the adaptation period increases the IC50 of lead and zinc in soil bacterial communities that were contaminated with lead and zinc. Zinc is more poisonous than lead and has adverse inhibitory effects on soil microbial community. Approximate concentration of 1 and 0.5 mmol/Kg for lead and zinc respectively as threshold tolerance concentrations should be considered in compilation of standard drafts.

Background: Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer among women throughout the world that can be treated easily in case of early diagnosis. Since the determination of risk factors could be effective in early diagnosis and consequent treatment, this study was carried out to determine some risk factors of breast cancer. Materials and Methods: This case- control study was carried out on 102 cases (referring to Motahari clinic) and 278 control (selected randomly out of 985 women who were healthy according to mammography in population based on screening study in Shiraz). Data were collected through interview and questionnaires and importance of different factors was evaluated through odd's ratio. Results: Unstandardized risk factors increasing the potency of breast cancer significantly according to correlation intensity were: age, parity (zero), Socioeconomic status, age at first full-term pregnancy, marital status, lack of breast feeding (P=0.05). Menarche and menopause were no significant risk factors. While after standardization of socioeconomic status and marriage age their relationship with breast cancer remained significant, though breast feeding lost its protective effect. Conclusion: Since there is no screening program using mammography, as routine in Iran, along with educational development we suggest performance of screening at least in above mentioned high risk groups. In order to clarify other risk factors more research is recommended.

Background: Diabetes is considered a major health problem due to its high prevalence and related severe complications. In this study, the incidence of type 2 diabetes has been investigated in 25-70 year old asymptomatic women referring to Isfahan Endocrine & Metabolism Research Center from 1996 to 2002. Materials and Methods: Using selective sampling method, 500 asymptomatic women aged 25-70 were enrolled in the study. Oral glucose tolerance test was performed for all subjects at the beginning and every year thereafter. Results: The means of the weight and age at the onset of diabetes were 70.6±13 kg and 52.9±13.4 years, respectively. Twenty subjects were diagnosed to be diabetic during the course of the study. The incidence of diabetes was 15.7, 11.4, 11.3 and 31.25 cases per 1000 person-year in 25-34, 34-44, 45-64 and > 65 years age groups, respectively. Impaired glucose tolerance was detected in 73 women, as well as impaired fasting glucose which was present in 18 subjects. Conclusion: It seems that the incidence of type 2 diabetes in studied women is 1/4 to 1/3 compared to that of Mexican American women the same age group, but it equals the incidence of type 2 diabetes in non-Hispanic white American women. More research consisting of bigger sample size is recommended.

Background: Hydatidosis is one of the most important parasitic zoonosis, which is endemic in Iran like many other countries. However, no comprehensive data are available about its prevalence rate, especially in Zanjan. Awareness of epidemiological aspects of the disease is of great value in prevention and control of the infection. In this regard the present study was carried out for seroepidemiology of human hydatidosis in Zanjan (Islam-Abad area). Materials and Methods: A total of 2367 serum samples out of 1000 families were collected from over 2 years of age, population of Islam-Abad through randomized clustered method during 2002. Hydatid fluid antigen was prepared from sheep livers and lungs infected with hydatid cysts. Using this antigen, all serum samples were tested by indirect ELISA. Data were analyzed by T-test and Chi- Square. Results: Out of 2367 tested sera, 71(3%) samples were positive. Positive rate among age groups was not statistically different, as the highest rate belonged to 10-19 and 20-29 years old with 3.6% and 3.3%, respectively. Infection rate was low at the ages over 50 years old. Positive rate in males and females were 2.7% and 3.2%, respectively. Moreover, no correlation was seen between positive rate and education of the population. Conclusion: Regarding remarkable prevalence of positive cases among this population like other regions of country, prevention and control of the disease should be considered as one of the health priorities in this area. Moreover, for identification of transmission routes and infection sources, more studies are recommended.

Background: Blood malignancies are among important blood diseases. To determine the epidemiology of blood malignancies a descriptive study was carried out in Zanjan Beheshti hospital from 1993 to 2000. Materials and Methods: Over a period of 8 years patients with blood malignancies were diagnosed by laboratory methods using existing data in their files. Hematological indices such as CBC, Hb, Hct, study of blood smear were carried out for all patients and bone marrow aspiration was conducted for suspected patients. The type of malignancy was diagnosed by morphological findings, cytochemical staining and flow cytometry. Results: The results showed that out of 184 patients, 68 (37%) were ALL, 47 (25.5%) AML, 23(12.5%) CML, 23 (12.5%) CLL, 14 (7.6%) multiple myeloma. The most prevalent types of all were L1 and L2 ,M3, M4 and M2 respectively. In all types of blood malignancies the men outnumbered the women. The most common clinical symptoms in acute leukemic patients were weakness (75%) and fever (62.5%) and in CML cases abdominal pain (57.1%). In labratory finding concerning acute leukemic patients, 49.4% had blood cell count under 10000. Conclusion: Above findings are somehow different from other studies in terms of prevalent leukemic patient type and demographic characteristics. Complementary studies concerning the present differences are recommended.