Journal of Advances in Medical and Biomedical Research
Year:2005 | Volume:13 | Issue:50|Papers Count:11

Background and Objectives: Tennis elbow or lateral epicondylitis disease is caused by overuse of forearm muscle, and tension of carpi radialis brevis tendon. Since there are no accepted criteria for treatment of the disease, this study was conducted with the aim of comparative efficacy of four non-surgical treatment procedures in Shahrekord in 2003. Materials and Methods: This double blind clinical trial investigated the efficacy of four non-surgical procedures in 120 patients (4 groups of 30) with mean age of 37 as follows: 1) local corticosteroid injection (20 mg of methylprednisolone + lidocaine), 2) administration of  NSAID (500 mg of naproxen b.i.d for 2 weeks), 3) forearm supportive bands, 4) physical therapy and progressive exercise. The elbows of all patients were immobilized by cast for two weeks and they were advised to avoid repetitive arm movement for 21days. The first evaluation was carried out before treatment and the data were recorded. Overall recovery evaluation was conducted in the 1st, 3rd, 6th and 9th, months post - tr eatment through a 24-score standard and the data were analysed using SPSS version 12 software and paired t test. Results: In the first evaluation the mean calculated score was 19.04 for all groups. In post-treatment period the results were as follows: by the end of the first month he scores for 4 groups were 6, 8, 11 and 12 respectively, by the end of the 3rd month 9, 11, 8 and 8 respectively; by the end of the 6th month 9, 8, 6 and 5 respectively and by the end of the 9th months 8, 8, 5 and 3 respectively. Differences in mean score were statistically significant except the 3rd month which showed no significant difference (p=0.05). Furthermore, final score of the first month showed the highest difference in corticosteroid-treated group with pre-treatment period compared to other groups (p=0.001). By the end of the 9th month the change in final score in physical therapy group was the highest which showed a significant difference (p=0.005). Conclusion: Local injection of corticosteroid is an effective method to relieve the pain in patients suffering from tennis elbow. However, recurrence of the disease is common during a tree-month period and the results at the end of the 9th month in physical therapy and exercise group is promising. Thus, the choice nonsurgical treatment for the disease is probably the initial corticosteroid injection followed by long term physical therapy.

Background and Objectives: One of the complications arising from the consumption of Cuminum Cyminum is reproductive system disorders in humans and nimals. Since there has been no comprehensive research on the effect of this herbal medicine on spermatogenesis and production of testosterone in males, the present  study  was  carried out with the aim of determining the effect of Cuminum Cyminum alcoholic extract on spermatogensis and testosterone production in adult male wistar rats in Kazeroon in 2004. Materials and Methods: In this experimental research 50 male wistar rats were divided into 5 groups of 10. Following the bioassay LD50 (lethal dose) of the  compound was determined to be 120 mg/kg and concentrations of 30,60 and 100 mg/kg as sublethal doses were injected into peritoneum every other day for 21 days in three treatment groups. The two remaining groups received the solvent (distilled water) and no compound. The results were analysed through one-way analysis of variance and t-test. Results: The results showed that 100 mg/kg of Cuminum Cyminum alcoholic extract reduced serum testostrone level by 71.5% (P=0.05), while it had no significant effect on serum FSH and LH levels. Histological investigations of testis showed a decline of 19.7%, 48.3% and 89.5% sperm cells in doses 30, 60 and 100 mg/kg respectively. However, no adverse effect was observed owing to the injection. Conclusion: According to the research results it can be stated that Cuminum Cyminum alcoholic extract at 100 mg/kg of rats has probably caused the weakened function and reduced testosterone level and spermatogenesis through direct effect on testicular tissues. Research concerning the ultra structure studies of testis and the effect of the plant on hormone level in hypothalamus and fetus growth is recommended.

Background and Objectives: of nursing staff have revealed that the managers can influence their personnel and enhance job satisfaction, commitment, responsibitity, efficiency, and service  quality by impressive behavior. The goal of this study is to evaluate managerial skills retraining of manager nurses on empowerment of nursing staff in Tehran in 2004. Materials and Methods: This quasi- experimental study was carried out on 111 nursing staff. Before intervention empowerment of nursing staff was evaluated through the questionnaire whose validity and reliability had been confirmed in advance. Then the retraining program was performed for the whole nursing managers (n=20) of the hospital for 3 consecutive months. The managers were advised to use their learning in decision making policy and behavior during the training period and one month after the completion of the training, and consulting team accompanied them through the whole process. One month after completion of training period empowerment of the staff was investigated again. The data were classified and analysed through descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation) and analytical statistics (paired t-test and analysis of regression). Results: Seventy three percent (73%) of the nursing staff had moderate ability before intervention and seventy four (74%) had moderate ability after intervention.  Mean ability of the staff increased from 96.5 18 before intervention to 106.9 16.1 after intervention. Paired t-test indicated a significant difference in ability before and after intervention (P=0.001). Multiple step by step regression analysis showed that precursors of staff empowerment before and after intervention were morale change and healthy environment perception. Conclusion: The Study revealed that behavior change in managers led to increased skills of nursing staff. It seems that retraining programs consisting of leadership and management skills result in organizational and mental empowerment of nursing staff and improve their professional performance.

Background and Objectives: Stroke is the third leading cause of death in developed countries. It can also lead to a variety of neurological defects. Regarding the significance of  rehabilitation in diminishing the complications, the present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of rehabilitation on life quality of patients suffering from stroke in Sahrekord in 2004. Materials and Methods: This two-step quasi - experimental study (before and after) was carried out on 30 inpatients suffering from stroke who had been selected by simple sampling and were qualified to enter the research. The data were collected using the four - domain life quality questionnaire (physical - Mentalgeneral health and social performance) before and after intervention. To analyse the data descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation) and analytical statistics (Paired t-test, wilcoxon and independent t-test) were used. Results: The results revealed that mean score of life quality in physical, mental, and social performance, and general health domains improved significantly following  the rehabilitation measures (P=0.05). Moreover, the overall life quality increased significantly after rehabilitation compared to the period before (P=0.05). Conclusion: Rehabilitation affects different aspects f life quality positively. Establishment and strengthening the rehabilitation, educational and supportive centers  provides the patients with better access to these measures and might be a step forward to their independence.

Background and Objectives: Nosocomial infections as a major present-century health problem inflicts great loss of life and high costs on the inpatients. With regard to high frequency of nosocomial infections and their importance this study was conducted with the aim of determining the incidence of nosocomial infections in intensive care unit (ICU) of Shafiieh hospital in zanjan during the years 2003 to 2004. Materials and Methods: This descriptive study was carried out on 150 ICU patients who had urethral catheter and were qualified to enter the research (no infection at hospitalization time and the need for Foley catheter). For all research cases urine culture was performed on arrival at the unit and every 48 - 72 hours until discharge, and demographic characteristics questionnaire and disease severity evaluation questionnaire (APACHE II) were completed. To evaluate the validity of data collecting tool content validity method and to evaluate the reliability of APACHE II inter observer reliability were used. For reliability of urine culture results all specimens were tested in the same laboratory by the same person through the same technique. The data were analysed with the help of descrptive and analytical statistics (χ2 test and t-test). The incidence frequency rate of nosocomial UTI, common microorganisms, and the association of disease severity, bed time, gender, and age with infection incidence were determined. Results: The incidence frequency rate of nosocomial UTI in hospital's ICU was found to be 25%. The most common microorganisms causing nosocomial UTI were: E.coli (50%) staphylococcus (17.5%), Klebsiella (7.5%), fungal infections (5%) and Entrobacter (2.5%). There was a significant difference in females between period of urethral catheter use, period of bedtime and occurance of urinary infection (p=0.05). No significant difference was observed between age and nosocomial UTI. Conclusion: According to research findings there was a significant association between females bed time and the length of urethral catheter use with  infection ncidence. Implementation of preventive policy such as application of catheter only in urgent cases, using aseptic methods in treatment and nursing, separation  of the patients having catheter, and employment of infection control plan are recommended.

Background and Objectives: Violence against women and its social, political and health outcomes has been considered as one of the most important issues in women research domain during the past decades. Regarding the lack of sufficient data in this field, the present study was conducted to investigate the frequency of mental and physical violence against women and its contributory factors in Islam Abad region, Zanjan in 2003. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study were carried out on 300 families selected by random sampling. The questionaire was prepared through valid standards. To evaluate reliability, alpha coefficient and to determine validity face validity were used. After training the community health volunteers of population centers, the questionnaires were delivered to the families and completed by married women of the families. The results were analysed through descriptive and analytical tests (analysis of variance, correlation and regression) Results: Frequency of violence (mental and physical) against women is approximately 26%. The results  income-wife income-marriage satisfaction - job stress - personality type and behavior of husband (p=0.001). Conclusion: Extension of dialog and discussion within the family, reduction of tension and its management, applying educational measures to convince the men to change their violent  conduct, empowerment of the girls and women and reforming the defective economic, social and cultural structure and ultimately education of social and individual rights can prevent or decline violence.

Background and Objectives: Toxocara canis is the most common intestinal nematode of dogs and the chief cause of visceral larva migrans (VLM/Toxocariasis) in man particularly children. Regarding the high prevalence of the parasite in dogs, parasite-infested park soil of the area and lack of background data, the present study was carried out to determine the seroprevalence of the disease in children under the age of ten in urban and rural areas of Hamadan in 2002. Materials and Methods: This descriptive study was implemented on 544 children under the age of ten (408 children in urban and 136 children in rural areas) through cluster random sampling. After taking blood samples of 2-2.5 ml testing by ELISA with Toxocara canis excretory-secretory antigens were used to determine the positive cases. For evaluation of results Index Positivity (I.P) was used and the samples with I.P above 1.1 were considered positive. The results were analysed through descriptive statistics and χ2 test. Results: Seroprevalence of the disease was found to be 5.3%.In 19 people (3.5%) amount of antibody was at medium range and in 496 people (91.2%) it was negative. Of 29 positive children 14 people (5.3%) were males and 15 people (5.6%) were females. In addition, 23 people (5.6%) were urban residents and 6 people (4.4%) were rural residents. Of 29 above mentioned children 3 people (5.7%) were in the age group of 1-3 years, 14 (5.3%) in 4-6 years and 12 (5.3%) in 7-9 years. Association of age groups with infection was not significant statistically. Conclusion: Despite the fact that the positive titer of ELISA is not an appropriate index for diagnosis of non symptomatic toxocariasis in areas with low prevalence, the present study reaffirms the considerable prevalence of toxocariasis as a public health problem.

Background and Objectives: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy as a non- invasive method in surgery is becoming common leading to brilliant results and reduction of costs. Numerous studies have investigated this method with different results. Regarding the establishment of this surgery method in Zanjan and lack of accurate data concerning the results the present study was conducted to evaluate the results of laparoscopic cholecystectomy in Zanjan during 2002-2004. Materials and Methods: This descriptive study was carried out on 79 patients suffering from biliary colic who had been selected through simple sampling. The patients underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy and the results were investigated through indices: post operation complication rate, bed time, duration of surgery, mean peroral feeding start and conversion to open operation rate. The data were analysed through descriptive statistics. Results: The following results were obtained: mean bed time 20 hours and 40 minutes, mean time of surgery 34 minutes, mean peroral feeding start time 10.5 hours, post operation complication rate 2.5% and conversion to open operation rate 5%. Conclusion: The results of the present study are in accordance with the previous studies though the conversion to open operation rate is slightly higher. Regarding the results obtained from the research, extension of laparoscopic cholecystectomy is highly recommended in Zanjan.