JOURNAL OF RAFSANJAN UNIVERSITY OF MEDICAL SCIENCES AND HEALTH SERVICES
Year:2006 | Volume:5 | Issue:1|Papers Count:10

Background and Objective: Dysmenorrhea is a painful menstruation, usually cramping in nature and centered in the lower abdomen. About 60% of menstruating adolescence were reported to have some degrees of dysmenorrhea and 14% regularly missed school Materials and Methods: This semi-experimental single-blinded study was conducted to compare the effects of fennel and mefenamic acid on the severity of pain in primary dismenorrhea. The assessment was performed on 110 volunteers at high school age (Kerman province 1381).Samples were categorized into two groups which received either fennel or mefenamic acid. Results: Regarding the age of menarch and beginning of dysmenorrhea, there was no significant statistical difference between these two groups. The number of cases who were completely or partially cured, were 44 (80 %and 40 (73%) in fennel and mefenamic acid groups, respectively. At the end of the treatment, 44 subjects (80%) in fennel group and 34(62%) subjects in mefenamic acid group needed no rest Conclusion: Totally, there was no significant statistical difference between these two groups. However, due to safety of herbal drugs, chemical agents can be replaced with herbal drugs.  

Background and Objective: 131 I radionuclide has been widely used for treatment of thyroid cancer and hyperactivity. In this regard the accurate calculation of absorbed dose in thyroid gland and other organs is important. Materials and Methods: In this study, according to MIRD method, MCNP code was used for calculation of absorbed dose of 131I radioactive sources in any thyroid with specific mass and size. Results: The results of two different geometries; spherical and cylindrical shapes for each lobe of thyroid were compared. The results show when the thyroid mass increase from 20gr to 70gr, the absorbed dose per one disintegration increases 4.2%.Conclusion:  These results firstly indicate that instead of using the total mass of thyroid in iodine therapy, it would be better to use the calculated active mass of thyroid. Secondly, the variation of absorbed dose per disintegration of 131 I should be considered for the measurement of source activity in treatment of thyroid hyperactivity or cancer.      

Background and Objective: Previous studies have reported a significant difference between the effects of low and high dose rate gamma rays. The goal of current study was to determine the dose for enhancing the rate of budding of Triticum aestivum cv Arvand seeds.Materials and Methods5355:  seeds with similar phenotype were provided and exposed to gamma rays produced by a CO-60 machine installed in Tabriz Imam Khomeyni Hospital (Theraton-1000, Field Size=10×10cm, SSD=80cm and Dose Rate=155cGy/min). Then, seeds were exposed in 6 groups (one control group and 5 groups with daily doses of 0, 100, 250, 500 and 750 cGy respectively for 9 days). 75 seeds from each group were daily counted, sterilized and then transferred to petry dishes. Budding seeds were daily counted and coleoptile length, number of roots and length of roots were measured for each seed in each petry dish after 5 days. Statistical analysis was performed using MSTATC in Random Complete Blocks Design.Results: Our data showed that the optimum dose for maximum budding was 500 cGy per 4 days. Also, we observed that using 500cGy in 4 days was useful for geographical places with short-time growth seasons.Conclusion: Regarding our results, we recommend using 250 cGy per 4 days that is more economical than 500cGy per 4 days. Meanwhile, all examined doses showed a significant decrease in the number of budding seeds after 7th day. This can be due to the destructive effects of gamma rays on the budding seeds. We hope our findings help farmers produce crops with high yields.      

Background and Objective: Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is the most common cause of inherited mental retardation. Patients are identified with different levels of mental disabilities, elongated ears, prominent foreheads and chins, enlarged testes, large skull and obesity. This syndrom is generally associated with a break on X chromosome (Xq27.3), which can be observed in cultured chromosomes in specific culture media at metaphase stage. Prevalence rates of FXS in different ethnic groups have been estimated to be about one per 1500 in males and one per 2500 in females. The aim of this study was to determine FXS prevalence in moderate mental retarded students of Zohreh Shamsaei School in Rafsangan city. Materials and Methods: Fifty two students with moderate mental retardation (IQ=55-75) who were clinically suspicious to have FXS were screened for fragile X chromosome by using cytogenetic methods. Blood samples were collected and cultured in specific culture media. G-Banding method was used for karyotyping.Results: Patients consisted of 37 males (71.2%) and 15 females (28.8%) with mean age of 12.7 years (ranged 7-17 years) and mean IQ 65.3) ranged 55-74). 8.1% of male students and 6.6% of female students were found to have fragile X site at Xq27.3 (in total 7.7%). The frequencies of fragile X-positive cells in males and females were 8-52% and 12-27%, respectively. Conclusion: The frequency of fragile X positive cases found in this study is equal to that is reported by other investigators who studied the frequency of fragile X syndrome in preselected patients.      

Background and Objective: Narcotic addiction as a serious health problem in communities has economical and social effects as well as health and hygienic complications. Viral infection such as B and C hepatitis and HIV may be transmitted by addicted persons. Identification and education of these patients is very important and this survey was carried out for determination of the prevalence of these infections in addicted persons.Material and Methods: This descriptive study was conducted on 180 self referred addicted persons who were selected through convenience non-probably sampling out patient clinic in Rafsanjan. After taking consent of patients, serum samples were checked for HIV, B and C hepatitis by ELISA and Western blot tests. For data analysis, chi square and fisher tests were used.Results: The results of this study suggest that the mean of subject's age was 29.3±5.3 years (%95.5 male and 4.5%female), %17.21 IV drug abusers. The rate of Viral infection was %11.7 (21 subjects); including 11 persons who were IV drug abusers this deference was statistically significant) p>0.0001 (HIV test was positive in 3 persons (%1/66) and all of them were IV drug abusers. HCV in 13 persons was positive that 5 persons were IV drug abusers. HBV markers were detected in 5 persons (2.7%) including 3 IV drug abusers.Conclusion: The findings of this study revealed that there was a high rate of viral infection in addicted persons especially in IV drug abusers. This suggests the need for more attention and education for preventing the occurrence of these problems.      

Background and Objective: Functional instability of the lumbar spine is one of the most common disorders that occur as a consequence of the weakness of lumbar paravertebral muscles. This type of instability can progressively produce low back pain and inability in daily living activities. To treat this type of low back pain, different methods of treatment and therapeutic exercises have been proposed, including stability exercises and medical training therapy (MTT). The aim of this study was to compare the two above-mentioned treatment methods on reducing clinical signs and symptoms of lumbar instability.Materials and Methods: In this survey, fifty patients with chronic lumbar instability and pain were selected and treated with either medical training or stability exercises. Thirty patients had stability exercises in their daily activities and twenty patients were treated using MTT protocol. Clinical signs and symptoms were evaluated before and after treatment sessions. Results: This study showed that there was no significant difference between our two experimental groups before and after treatment sessions in all evaluated parameters (p< 05.0) In addition a significant improvement in evaluated signs and symptoms was observed in both experimental groups. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that stability exercise and MTT can reduce pain and other symptoms with a similar effect in patients suffering from functional lumbar instability.  

Background and Objective: Lead toxicity remains a significant public health problem, since blood levels as low as 10 μg/ml have been shown to cause significant impairment of cardiovascular, cognitive and behavioral functions in human. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of lead pollution on cardiovascular function in people living around a lead mine in Ravar.Materials and Methods: First the lead concentration in water and plant samples in adiacent areas was measured. Thirty men aged 26±5yr who were living in contaminated areas were selected by a questionnaire (case group), and their blood samples were collected. EKG was performed and records were compared with those of the unexposed control individuals. Results: The results showed a high concentration of lead in water, plants and blood samples. The systolic and diastolic blood pressure as well as the heart rate were significantly higher than those of the control group (p<0.05). Conclusion: This study indicates that lead compounds in Feyz-Abad area can enter the biological cycle and human body. The high lead levels in exposed subjects can affect the cardiovascular system and alter BP and CR.    

Background and Objective: Tannery industries effluent contain 100-1000 mg/L Cr+3 and due to changing to Cr+6 its direct disposal into environment is potentiqlly hazardous and threaten the health of humans through contaminating to the environment. In the recent years, many studies have been carried out concerning the removal of heavy metals from synthetic effluent using fungi and algae. The aim of this study as a basic and applied, investigation is to assess the possibility of the growth of Aspergillus niger in tannery effluent and its role in removal of Chromium from these industrial wastes. Materials and Methods: Firstly the chemical quality of tannery effluent was assessed through measuring Cr+3 , total organic Carbon (TOC), total kadjeldal Nitrogen (TKN), Phosphate and pH (based on the latest standard methods for examinations of water and waste water). The ratio of carbon to nitrogen was adjusted to the optimal rate (C/N=10) prior to inoculation of 0.04-0.24% (dry weight) of A.niger into the effluent samples contained 122.5-1102.5mg/L of initial chromium. The samples were placed in a shaking incubator at 30°C, 150 rpm for 24 h. The rate of fungi biomass growth, the ratio of the grown fungi biomass to the chromium concentration and the percentage of chromium removal were then determined. Results: Findings of this experiment showed that the rate of fungi growth was increased in effluent that was initially contained 122.5 -1102.5 mg/L of Cr+3 . However, effluent containing more than 1102.5 mg/L was able to stop the fungi growth. The best values of chromium removal (93.4 % was observed at the initial concentration of 245mg/L (dry weight). Also the rate of biomass growth and the ratio of grown biomass to the chromium concentration were 0.4407 % and 18 mg/mg Cr+3  respectively. Conclusion: A.niger has an optimal growth in the tannery effluent at the chromium concentration of 122.5–245 mg/L. Analysis of variance showed that the initial concentration of chromium in effluent and/or the amount of inocalm have a significant effect on the rate of biomass growth and chromium removal efficiency (p>0.001).The chromium removal efficiency and the ratio of fungi biomass to chromium concentration decreases when the concentration of chromium is higher than 245mg/L.    

Background and Objective: Cryotherapy has long been introduced as a common method for preventing and reducing edema caused by traumatic injuries. Many studies have been conducted regarding other effects of cold such as its effects on muscle strength which provided controversial results over the past decades. The aim of this study is to investigate whether cold is capable of changing the muscle strength. Materials and Methods: The research was conducted on 30 volunteers with the mean age of 22 years. In a standard situation, the volunteers were asked to make their maximum grip force. Cold was applied over their anterior forearm using an ice pack for 15 minutes. The maximum grip force was measured before and within 0 to 120 minutes after cold application. Results: The strength of the anterior forearm muscles decreased rapidly after cold application. The maximum reduction of muscle strength, in average 18%, was observed after 10 minutes. This was followed by a gradual increase of grip force. After 120 minutes the force was increased to about 5% above the baseline force that was before cold application. ‍Conclusions: Regarding the slight increase in the muscle strength and its long delay, cryotherapy of muscles cannot be considered as a practical method in rehabilitation of patients. However, this method would be of great importance for athletes.