Internal Medicine Today
Year:2015 | Volume:21 | Issue:3|Papers Count:13

Aims: Anxiety is a common phenomenon in cardiovascular diseases and its control is very important. This study aimed to investigate the effect of guided imagery on anxiety in hospitalized patients with acute coronary syndrome in the cardiac intensive care unit.Materials & Methods: In this clinical trial in 2014, 50 patients with acute coronary syndrome in the cardiac intensive care unit of 22 Bahman Hospital in Gonabad City, Iran, were selected by convenience sampling method and were randomly divided into two control and experimental groups. At first, all the samples completed the Spielberger State Anxiety Inventory questionnaire and Visual Analog Scale of anxiety. In addition to usual care, experimental group listened to the CD of guided imagery 2 times a day, morning and night for 16 minutes and the control group received only routine care. At the end, the mentioned questionnaires were filled again and the data were analyzed in SPSS 14.5 software by independent T-test, Chi-square and Fisher exact tests.Findings: The mean of pretest and posttest scores of total anxiety and hidden anxiety in the experimental group decreased significantly compare with the control group (p<0.05), but mean score decreasing of the pretest and posttest of clear anxiety in the experimental group was not significant compare with the control group (p>0.05).Conclusion: Guided imagery can reduce the total anxiety and hidden anxiety of heart patients with acute coronary syndrome hospitalized in cardiac intensive care unit.

Aims: According to the worldwide development of antibiotic resistance in recent years, the tendency of using herbal medicine has grown and plants derived antibacterial substances have found many applications in controlling microorganisms. Thyme (Zataria multiflora Boiss.) is one of the medicinal herbs which its pharmaceutical and antibacterial effects have been a matter of research and debate in recent years. This research aimed to study antibacterial effects of Zataria multiflora Boiss. essence against 8 standard pathogenic bacterial species.Materials & Methods: In this experimental study, the essential oil was extracted by steam distillation using Clevenger apparatus. Using broth microdilution testing, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of thyme essential oil were determined against 8 standard pathogenic bacterial species. Each exam was repeated three times. The results were analyzed by SPSS 16 software using one-way ANOVA and Tukey statistical tests.Findings: The average of MIC for Zataria multiflora Boiss. essential oil showed a significant difference among 8 different bacterial species (p<0.001). The highest growth inhibitory effect was found against Bacillus cereus and the least one was against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. There was no significant difference among the averages of MBCs (p=0.073).Conclusion: Zataria multiflora Boiss. essential oil has significant antibacterial effect.

Aims: Melatonin modulates the function of nervous system and its secretion is dependent to circadian rhythms and visual signals. The melatonin receptors are founded in many areas of the brain. During critical period of the brain development, the structure of mammals’ brain is intensely affected by peripheral sensory signals. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of interaction of age and visual deprivation during critical period of brain development on melatonin receptors expression in rats’ hippocampus.Materials & Methods: This experimental study was carried on 2 groups (n=36) of male Wistar rats kept in standard 12 hour light/dark condition (Light Reared-LR) or in complete darkness (Dark Reared-DR). The rats of each groups, were introduced into the experiments at 2, 4 and 6 weeks old of age. Expression of mRNA of both melatonin receptors, MT1 and MT2, in the hippocampus was evaluated by RT-PCR and using Western Blot technique, protein expression of those receptors was investigated. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA with Tukey post hoc tests.Findings: The relative expression of mRNA and protein of MT1 and MT2 receptors increased about 36% in the LR animals from 2 to 6 weeks old of age (p<0.001). The visual deprivation caused a decrease of 35% and 50% in expression of MT1 and MT2 from 2 to 6 weeks old of age, respectively (p<0.001 for both comparison).Conclusion: The relative expression of both melatonin receptors in rats’ hippocampus increases across aging during critical period of brain development and visual deprivation reverses the pattern of melatonin receptors expression.

Aims: Kelussia odoratissima is a plant from Umbelliferae family that has nutritional and pharmacological properties. The antispasmodic effect of this plant has been mentioned in Iranian traditional medicine. The aim of study was to assess the effect of alcoholic extract of Kelussia odoratissima on uterus contractions of adult rats.Materials & Methods: In this experimental study, 16 adult female Wistar rats were studied and were randomly divided into two groups (each consisted of 8 rats); receiver of Tyrod solution (first group) and receiver of Dejalon solution (second group) groups. A 10-15mm sample of uterus smooth muscle were placed in an organ bath containing Tyrod or Dejalon solution (10ml), and contractions were recorded with Isometric method after inducing with KCl and Oxytocin. The 0.125, 0.25 and 0.5mg/ml final concentrations of the alcoholic extract of Kelussia odoratissima was added to the organ bath. Data were statistically analyzed by SPSS 17 software using repeated measures ANOVA.Findings: The alcoholic extract of Kelussia odoratissima significantly decreased the KCl-induced (p<0.001) and Oxytocin-induced (p<0.002) contractions in a concentration dependent manner.Conclusion: The alcoholic extract of Kelussia odoratissima inhibits the contractions of adult rat uterus in a concentration dependent manner.

Aims: Nowadays, the prevalence of obesity is increasing, not only in developed but also in developing countries. Using an alternative meal in a day is one of the most popular diets. The objective of the current research was to investigate the level of weight loss by using a cereal diet for breakfast.Materials & Methods: In this interventional study which was done in February 2013, 120 obese and overweight patients, who were referred to the Tehran Municipal Health House, randomly assigned to control and experimental groups. 30 to 45 grams of cereal with one glass of milk were prescribed for experimental group for breakfast and dinner and the control group had their regular diet. All samples were weighed, after 14 days period of study under the control of nutrition experts. The obtained data were analyzed by Mann-Whitney U and independent T tests.Findings: Mean weight of both groups was decreased after the intervention. The decreasing was significant in experimental and non-significant in control group. Mean difference of decreasing in Body Mass Index (p=0.005) and weight (p=0.078) parameters was significant and in waist (p=0.63) and hips (p=0.55) sizes was non-significant between two groups.Conclusion: Using breakfast cereals is effective in reducing weight in obese patients without any side effects.

Aims: Physical exercise has anti-inflammatory effects. Interleukin-18 is an inflammatory cytokine and C-reactive protein is an acute phase protein. The purpose of this study was to determine the response of circulating levels of Interleukin-18 and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein to endurance and resistance training in inactive lean men.Materials & Methods: In a semi-expetrimental trial study in 2011 in Boukan and Saghez Cities, Iran, 28 sedentary lean men were purposefully chosen and randomly placed at 3 groups; endurance training, resistance training and control. Height, weight, body mass index, body fat percent, maximal oxygen consumption, serum levels of Interleukin-18, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (after12h fasting) were assessed prior to and after the training. Endurance training and resistance training were accomplished for 12 weeks. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey ad hoc tests.Findings: Serum levels of Interleukin-18 (p=0.098) and high-sensitivity Creactive protein (p=0.11) were similar in three groups before the training. Also, no significant differences were observed in serum levels of Interleukin-18 (p=0.159) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (p=0.19) among the groups after the training.Conclusion: The circulating levels of Interleukin-18 and high-sensitivity Creactive protein do not change following 12 weeks of endurance and resistance training in inactive lean men.

Aims: Magnetic resonance venography based on susceptibility weighted imaging (SWI) utilizes deoxygenated hemoglobin in veins as an intrinsic contrast medium. Magnetic susceptibility difference between deoxygenated hemoglobin, oxygenated hemoglobin and parenchyma lead to an excellent venous contrast. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the different magnetic resonance imaging sequences and susceptibility weighted imaging in the visualization of sinus venous thrombosis.Materials & Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed in Shafa Medical Imaging Center in Isfahan City, Iran, from August 2013 to September 2014 and 12 patients with sinus venous thrombosis were analyzed using MRI, SWI, and Phase contrast-magnetic resonance venography (PC-MRV).Findings: In all patients, sub-acute superior sagittal sinus, transverse and sigmoid sinuses thrombosis was most successfully detected during the susceptibility weighted imaging. In only one case, the sub-acute left transverse and sigmoid sinuses and left jugular vein of thrombosis was discernible with T1W. In 6 patients, sinus venous thrombosis was discernible with T2W in the sub-acute stage. PC-MRV showed the acute and sub-acute sinus venous thrombosis in all patients.Conclusion: Susceptibility weighted imaging has a high diagnostic value for detecting sub-acute superior sagittal sinus, transverse and sigmoid sinuses thrombosis.

Aims: Neck pain is a common disorder among computer users that can reduce the personal yield. So the prevention of it is an important matter in computer users. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of a period of exercise therapy and an ergonomic intervention on chronic neck pain and disability among computer users.Materials & Methods: In this quasi-experimental cross-sectional study in 2012, 30 female computer users of Lorestan University of Medical Sciences with at least 6 months experience of neck pain were selected purposefully by a demographic questionnaire. Subjects were located in experimental (n=15) and control (n=15) groups. The experimental group received therapeutic exercises and ergonomic intervention for two months but control group received no therapeutic intervention. The rate of neck pain and disability was measured by chronic neck pain and disability index questionnaire before and after of exercise therapy and ergonomic intervention. Data were analyzed by independent T test and Pearson correlation coefficient in SPSS 16 software.Findings: There were significant differences between mean of chronic neck pain and disability scores of the two groups (p<0.05). But there were no significant relationships between neck pain, disability and the subjects’ work experience.Conclusion: Exercise therapy along with ergonomic intervention is useful for treatment of chronic neck pain.

Aims: Type 2 diabetes is a metabolic disorder that affects the quality of life and mental health of the patients. There are different recommendations about doing effective exercise for diabetic patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of two aerobic trainings and a detraining period on quality of life and mental health in women with type 2 diabetes.Materials & Methods: In this Semi-experimental research in 2011 in Sabzevar City, Iran, 33 women with type 2 diabetes in 40-60 years age range were selected purposefully and were divided into 3 groups each contain 11 samples; control, daily 5-week aerobic exercise and every other day 10-week aerobic exercise. Aerobic training was conduct with an intensity of 60-70% of maximum heart rate for 30-60min per session. The research instruments were the Quality of Life and Mental Health questionnaires. Data analyses were done in SPSS 18 software by repeated measures ANOVA, one-way ANOVA and Tukey post hoc tests.Findings: There were significant differences between quality of life (p=0.002) and mental health (p=0.04) of training groups and control group, but two training groups were not significantly different. There were also significant differences in physical (p=0.004) and psychosocial (p=0.004) domains of quality of life between the three groups at 5- and 10-weeks after the start of the exercises.Conclusion: Daily 5-week and every other day 10-week aerobic exercises improves mental health and quality of life in women with type 2 diabetes, but the benefits are not maintained after 2 months of detraining.

Aims: Hypertension is one of the most common chronic diseases all around the world and majority of hypertensive patients suffer from hypertension problems due to lack of treatment adherence. The current study aimed to investigate the effect of motivational interviewing on adherence to treatment in patients with hypertension and its comparison with standard cares.Materials & Methods: This randomized clinical trial was done during February to October 2014. In total, 140 of hypertensive patients were selected using multi-stage cluster sampling method from two urban health centers located in Gorgan City, Iran, with regards to the inclusion criteria and allocated randomly into two groups; motivational interviewing (70 participants) and control (70 participants). Data collecting instruments were demographic questionnaire (personal information, laboratory indices and clinical symptoms), general selfefficacy scale and treatment adherence questionnaire of patients with hypertension. Data were analyzed in SPSS 18 software using paired T and Independent T tests.Findings: Motivational interviewing increased total score and the mean score of all dimensions of the adherence questionnaire (except for weight control and stress reduction) (p<0.05). After 6 month, systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure also decreased significantly in the motivational interviewing group (p<0.05).Conclusion: Motivational interviewing is likely beneficial to improve and promote medication adherence and blood pressure control in patients with hypertension.