ARAK MEDICAL UNIVERSITY JOURNAL (AMUJ)
Year:2003 | Volume:6 | Issue:2 (23)|Papers Count:11

Introduction: Androgenetic alopecia is a very common disease. According to some reports, up to 96% of people have some form of this disease. In this paper we compared the effect of an herbal drug composed of the urtica dioica, chamomilla, thymus vulgaris, equisetum arvense and foeniculum vulgare with 2% Minoxidil solution in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia. Materials and Methods: We evaluated 82 patients suffering from androgenetic alopecia in a double blind prospective study. We counted terminal and vellous hair in 1 square centimeter of the predetermined area of scalp before and after treatment. After 6 months of treatment, the results were evaluated. Results: According to our findings, herbal drug and Minoxidil were effective in regrowthing the hair (45% vs., 35% respectively) and there were no meaningful differences between efficiacies of these two drugs. Conclusion: Herbal drug can be used as an adjunct or as an alternative to Minoxidil for treatment of the androgenetic alopecia.

Introduction: The protein-energy malnutrition is the most prevalent cause of malnutrition and always occures in infants and children under 5 years old. According to the harmful effects of malnutrition, such as high mortality, inability of learning and decrease of mental and physical ability, reconnoite and study of malnutrition qualification is very important. Material and Methods: This analytic cross-sectional study was carried out on 811 children under 5 years old who were living in rural zone of Arak. Based on health files; clinical inspections and interview with mothers a checklist was fulfilled for every child. Data were analysed by EPI6 software. Results: In this study, none of the children had stricken with Kwashiorkor or Marasmic-Kwashiorkor. Undernourished were seen in 7.39% and Marasmus were also seen in 1.1 % of subjects. The prevalence of malnutrition was 7.5% in Wellcome, 33.55% in Waterlow-Stunting, 23.05% in Waterlow-Wasting and 30.94% in Gomez classification. There was statistically correlation between malnutririon and respiratory infection rate, milstones, birthweight, maturity and begning of helpfood (P<0.05). Conclusion: Considering the results, the most rate of malnutrition in each classification was mild. It is suggested that increasing of familial awareness is an important factor for preventing from next damages and additional treatment costs.

Introduction: Migraine is one of the widespread diseases in the word, being 15-20 percent prevalent in women, and 6 percent in men. The attacks resulting from the migraine usually range from minor to major, and even may make the patient unable to work. Its dangerous - and permanenet effects may also led to paralysis of different parts of the body. Therefore, it is necessary to do more investigations concerning diagnosis and drug treatments which can prevent the migraine attacks better. Materials and Methods: The study was a randomized controlled trial which lasted for six months. The patients have been studied through different ways including case history, checkup, electroencephalogram (EEG), computed tomography scanning, blood sampling, kidney and liver function and starting time of the treatment. Successful treatment responses to control migraine attacks using the prophylactic drugs. Valproate Sodium and Propranolol with tricyclic antidepression drugs, i.e, Amitriptyline and/or NortriptYline were studied. Results: Of 126 patients studied (31.8% were men and 68.2% women), 65.1% had normal EEG and 34.9% had abnormal EEG. The patients using Valproate Sodium with normal and abnormal EEG had successful treatment responses equal to 35% and 95.6%, respectively. Additionally, other patients using Propranolol with tricyclic antidepressant Amitriptyline and/or Nortriptyline with normal and abnormal EEGs had successful treatment responses equal to 61.9% and 28.6%, respectively. Statistically, the results were significantly different. However, there were not significant differences between interactive effects of the drugs in sexes, and sexes in EEG types. The most prevalent side effects due to Valproate Sodium and Propranolol with tricyclic antidepressant drugs, i.e., Amitriptyline and/or Nortiptyline were vertigo and exhaustation, respectively. Conclusion: This study revealed that the best treatment to prevent migraine attacks was using Valproate Sodium tablets in patients with abnormal EEGs, and using Propranolol tablets along with Amitriptyline and/or Nortriptyline for those who had normal EEG.

Introduction: Coffee is a diuretic plant, cause vascular expansion and reduce free radical oxygen. There is evidence that show its effects on kidney. Low dose of coffee reduces blood urea and cratinine but its overdose may lead to glomeruloschelrosis. In this study, the effect of high dose of coffee on rat kidney was evaluated by stereologicalmethod. Materials and Methods: In an experimental study, 48 Sprgue-Dawley rats 230-250 gr were selected and divided randomly into 4 groups. The control group was fed with only tap water and the experimental groups were fed with different doses of aqueous extracts of coffee (0.25, 0.5, 0.125 gr/kg) twice daily. After 48 hours, the animals were deeply anesthetized and right kidneys were removed. The 5p,m slides were prepared and stained with Hematoxyline- Eosin. From each kidney, 15-17 glomeruli were selected and means of glumerular volume were estimated, according to Cavalieri principle and point counting methods. Results: Our findings revealed that low dose of coffee extraction were led to increase in glomerular volume, out higher doses decreased these volumes. These results were significantly different form control group (p<0.05). Conclusion: It seems that decrease in glomerular volume leads glomeruloschlorosis and reduction of glomerular filtration rate. However, there should be more investigation such as urea and creatinine measurement to clarify the exact mechanisms.

Introduction: In developing countries there are various researchable health subjects. However due to low budjet of research programs in these countries, priority setting of research designs have a special importance. Materials and Methods: In a descriptive cross-sectional study, a questionnaire consisting of 100 questions was designed. 363 health personl and 302 non-health specialists participated in this study. Questionnaire was coded and analysed by EPI 6 software. Results: Our results demonstrated that all of the cities of Markazi province had similar problems, but the amount of people contributions in health activities has altered their health awareness. Furthermore, health problems in view of people and specialists are different. People stated health problems as global difficulties while specialists had detailed viewpoints. Conclusion: This study showed that it is necessary to guide practical researches based on determined health priorities.

Introduction: Production of free radicals and reactive oxygen species is an integral part of aerobic metabolism. Disturbance of the balance between the production of free radicals and antioxidant system against them produces oxidative stress. Paraquat toxicity is induction of oxidative stress. However, the aim of our study was to evaluate oxidative stress in blood samples of workers in a pesticide factory formulating paraquat. Materials and Methods: In this study we measured lipid peroxidation (LPO) with thiobarbituric assay (TEARS), total antioxident power (FRAP) and SH groups between workers in pesticide factories (case group) and health subjects (control group). Results: Oxidative stress was significantly higher (p<0.001) in LPO, significantly lower (p<0.001) in TEARS and significantly lower (p<0.001) in SH groups in the case group compared to control group. Conclusion: It is concluded that chronic exposure of workers in their workplace to paraquat producess oxidative stress that could be prevented by well known nutritional antioxidant supplements.

Introduction: Considering the importance of hydatid cyst and its pathophysiological effects on the human body, we attempt to propose a method for killing of hydatid cyst protoscoleces in vitro condition using low voltage direct electrical current. Materials and Methods: After collecting hydatid cyst from infected organs of slaughtered animals, their protoscoleces was cultured in four separated media of hydatid consisting of fluid, RPMI, normal saline and Tris buffer. The protoscoleces with the same media were transferred to an electrolysis device, and then various sets of electric current density were applied. For measuring the survival rate of protoscoleces, the flame cells movement as well as Eosin staining was used as standard techniques. Results: Our findings indicated that the survival rate of protoscoleces in hydatid fluid was dependent on the electric current density and the time of the applied current. III this regard, the highest survival rate of 86.3% was observed when electric current density of 42.96 mA/cm2 was applied for one minute; while the survival rate of 0% was observed when an electric current density of 63.5 mA/cm2 was applied for one minute. In the RPMI, normal saline and Tris buffer media, similar results were obtained. Conclusion: Low voltage of direct current can be used in destroying of protoscoleces during surgery on different body organs without any injury to host tissue and any relapse of the infection.

Introduction: Children play an important role in the future of every country. In under developed countries like Iran, because of cultural and economic poverty, most children have malnutrition which will be result in physical and psychological growth disorders. In as much as zinc is one of the most important and essential elements in metabolism of different substances and human growth, this study was conducted to determine the effect of zinc supplementation on percentile weight of children with growth disorders. Materials and Methods: In order to investigate the effect of zinc sulfate syrup on increasing the weight and percentile weight of children, a double-blind clinical trial was conducted in 70 children aging 9 to 36 months. The subjects lacked any associated disease - by laboratory testing. Thirty-five children consume zinc sulfate syrup 0.6% for three months (case group) and other consume daily placebo for the same time and dose (control group). The increase of weight percentile of children was measured in three times with the interval of one month. Results: Our findings showed that during three months, the average amount of increasing in weight percentile was 4.5% and 3.7%, respectively. T test showed that the comparison of increasing in weight percentile between two groups was not significant. Conclusion: This investigation revealed that zinc supplementation had not any remarkable effects on increasing of weight and weight percentile of children with growth disorders.