Journal of Advances in Medical and Biomedical Research
Year:2002 | Volume:10 | Issue:38|Papers Count:10

Background: Regarding the prevalence of atherosclerosis and its complications and the role of hyperlipidemia in cardiovascular disease, this survey was designed to determine the effects of garden cress on plasma lipids. Materials and Methods: This cross-over experimental study was carried out on 35 subjects with triglyceride levels less than 400 mg/dl. They were divided into two groups: in group one 50 gr garden cress was given daily for 3 weeks and the control group did not receive any treatment. After a one-week wash-out period, plasma lipids were measured in both groups. Then, the two groups were switched with each other regarding their treatment and the same experiments were carried out.Results: 35 subjects with mean age of 41.7±6.9 years were studied, and the choleseterol level changed from 193±3.6 mg/dl to 200±27.9 mg/dl (P<0.001) in control group and from 202± 28.9 mg/dl to 170±29.2 mg/dl in case group (P<0.001). The changes in TG and HDL cholesterol levels were not significant. LDL cholesterol decreased from 136±31.6 mg/dl to 109± 31.4 mg/dl in case group (P<0.001) and increased from 127.5±33.9 to 139± 32.9 mg/dl in control group.Conclusion: Garden cress (50gr/daily) can be effective in hypercholesteremia because it decreases cholesterol and LDL-Cholesterol levels. 

Background: Urinary stones are widely prevalent and proteus mirabilis (P.M.) as an urease positive bacterium has frequently been reported. However, the epidemiological features and the association of this organism with urinary stone have not sufficiently been studied in Iran. This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of P.M. in patients with urinary stones who referred to the Urology Sections of Tehran and Zahedan Universities of Medical Sciences.Materials & Methods: This case-control study was conducted on 300 urine samples from patients with urinary stones as study group and the same number of samples from subjects without urinary stones and infection as control group. All the samples were cultured on Mc Cankey and urinary PH was measured with pH paper. The data were analyzed statistically and odd's ratio was calculated.Results: In 600 cultures, proteus mirabilis was detected in 14% of cases and in 3.3% of control group (P<0.0001 and O.R. 4.7). The number of the patients with pH>6 was five times more than those in control group.Conclusion: Proteus mirabilis is an agent that causes alkaline urine and may enhance formation of stones. Further studies using prospective methods in order to overcome the problem are recommended.

Background: Chronic renal failure leads to several functional disturbances in the regulation of body fluid composition, excretion, and metabolism which is known as uremic syndrome. There are reports of chronic renal disturbances following adenine containing food regimens in animals. In this study, the effect of intraperitoneal injection of soluble adenine on chemical composition of serum and urine osmolality was investigated.Materials and Methods: In this experimental study different concentrations of soluble adenine were injected to Sprague-Dawly rats from days 2 to 16 after birth. Factors such as serum and urine osmolality, urine volume and serum chemical factors such as glucose, urea, creatinine, sodium, potassium and body weight were measured after the injection of adenine up to 140 days.Results: Serum osmolality, urea and creatinine increased after adenine injections, while body weight, urine osmolality and urine volume decreased. Meanwhile, the concentration of serum glucose, sodium and potassium did not show any significant changes.Conclusion: Adenine induces an imbalance in many chemical factors of serum in chronic renal failure. Further studies on the effect of adenine reduction in diet on uremic syndrome are recommended.

Background: Breast cancer is one of the most common malignancies of females. Multiple prognostic factors have been determined for this cancer. In order to determine the relationship between ABO blood groups and prognosis of primary breast cancer, this study was conducted in three teaching-hospitals in Tehran from 1994 until 2000.Materials and methods: This study was carried out on 200 patients with breast cancer in a case-control method. Tumor size less than 2.5cm without lymph node involvement was classified as good prognosis in 100 subjects and tumor size greater than 2.5cm with lymph node metastasis was classified as poor prognosis in 100 patients. 1000 healthily subjects were selected as the second control group. Then, the data were analyzed statistically and odds ratio and confidence interval were estimated.Results: Blood group distribution in normal population and patients with breast cancer does not have any statistical difference. Patients with AB and B blood groups had increased the chance for poor prognosis of breast cancer. The prevalence of B and AB blood groups in patients with poor prognosis breast cancer was higher than those with good prognosis cancer (45% VS. 31%, and O.R: 1.8).Conclusion: There is a relationship between the antigen of blood group B and bad prognosis of breast cancer. To confirm this claim, some prospective studies are recommended. 

Background: Hyperemesis gravidarum is one of the most problematic events in the first trimester of pregnancy which is observed in 80% cases of pregnancy. This study was conducted to compare the effectiveness of Promethazin and vitamin B6 in improving the symptoms of pregnancy hyperemesis.Materials and Methods: This experimental study was carried out on 45 patients who had been hospitalized for improving their hyperemesis. They were divided into two groups who were matched based on their pregnancy condition: one group received 50 mg interamuscular promethazin daily and the other group received 100g interamuscular vitamin B6 daily. Then, the results were analyzed statistically by χ2 test.Results: The number of the responses to treatment with promethazin was statistically higher than that of the patients who received vitamin B6 (80% VS. 40% P < 0.01).Conclusion: Promethazin is more effective than vitamin B6 in the treatment of hyperemesis gravidarum. More extensive studies in this regard are recommended. 

Background: Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is one of the most common enzymopathies affecting about 400 million people world-wide. Using biochemical methods, many different types of G6PD enzyme have been reported from all over the world. Due to difficulty in identifying the G6PD variants using biochemical methods, we used molecular techniques to study mediterranean mutation in G6PD deficient individuals who referred to clinics in Tehran.Materials and Methods: This is a descriptive study which was carried out on 64 cases deficient in G6PD screened by fluorescent spot test. DNA was extracted from peripheral blood and PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) amplified using specific primers followed by MboII digestion.Results: This investigation was carried out on 64 individuals comprised of 58 males and 6 females less than 16 years old. Mediterranean types of mutation were found in 47(73.4%) cases. The frequency in males and females were 74.1% and 66.7% respectively. Seventeen (26.6%) cases had non-mediterranean types of mutation.Conclusion: Our results are compatible with those reported from neighboring countries. Characterization of unknown mutations is highly recommended.

Background: Addiction propagation in our society led to the establishment of addiction cessation clinics in 28 provinces in 1999. Recognition of factors related to addiction cessation is important and can help to improve the function of these clinics as well. This study was performed to determine effectual factors related to embarking on addiction cessation. Materials and Methods: This descriptive study was performed on all the subjects who voluntarily referred to the Bojnord Behzisti addiction cessation clinics. Related factors were divided into four categories including familial, economic, social, and individual factors. The internal validity of the questionnaire was evaluated and ascertained. Results: 32 addicted clients were eligibly studied. 59% of them were male aged 37±9.3 years, and 37.5% of them had a history of addiction in at least one of their family members. Mean age at which the addiction had started was 20±7.7 years and the mean of the duration of addiction was 17±9.9 years. The most important factors for quitting stated by clients were fear of disgrace, loss of job, and tendency towards crimes. The duration of addiction or embarking on addiction quitting were significantly longer in families with other addicted members.Conclusion: Social backgrounds are the most important factors related to addiction cessation. We suggest experimental studies in order to recognize the benefits that can be achieved by reinforcing these backgrounds. 

Background: Measuring perception of the population about their health in order to evaluate the usefulness of health care is important. To ascertain the reliability and validity of the Persian version of SF-36 health questionnaire, this study was conducted on the staff of Shiraz Medical School in 2001.Materials and Methods: In this descriptive study, we used alpha Cronbach's coefficient for reliability, one way ANOV A, Spearman's correlation coefficient, and linear regression for validity.Results: Of some 134 questionnaires distributed, 112 ones (83.6%) were sent back. The responses rate was 83.6%. SF-36 was internally consistent as Cronbach's-Alpha coefficient was 0.87 which was more than the least recommended of 0.85. The construct validity of SF-36 was acceptable as the scores of physical component score and physical functioning decreased significantly with increasing age. Also, these two scores were less in married people. The correlation between physical and mental component scores and eight scales were acceptable.Conclusion: The reliability and validity of the translated SF-36 were acceptably high. The translated SF-36 questionnaire is recommended for the assessment of population's health status due to its speed and simpleness. However, the choices regarding physical and psychological health seem to need reform. In the end, more studies with greater sample size to uncover other facts are strongly recommended.