JOURNAL OF BABOL UNIVERSITY OF MEDICAL SCIENCES (JBUMS)
Year:2015 | Volume:17 | Issue:11|Papers Count:14

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Similar to other wounds, episiotomy could lead to infections and delayed recovery. Since olive oil has antibacterial and wound healing properties, this study aimed to compare the effects of cold compress with gel packs and topical olive oil on the recovery of episiotomy wounds in primigravid women.METHODS: This clinical trial was conducted on 90 primigravid women referring to the hospitals affiliated to Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Iran. Subjects were randomly allocated to two groups of cold compress with gel packs (20 minutes within 12 hours after delivery, for 10 days if necessary) and topical olive oil (twice daily, within 12 hours and 10 days after delivery). Episiotomy wound healing was evaluated using the REEDA scale within the first 12 hours postpartum, and on days 5 and 10 after delivery (IRCT:201409164529N12).FINDINGS: In this study, there was no significant difference in demographic features and other intervening variables between the two groups. However, a significant difference was observed between the study groups in terms of redness severity on the 10th day of postpartum (p=0.04). Mean of the REEDA score was 1.02±1.13 and 0.84±0.97 in the cold compress and topical olive oil groups, respectively. On day 10 after delivery, scores were determined as 0.47±0.96 and 0.2±0.5 in the cold gel pack and topical olive oil groups, respectively.CONCLUSION: According to the results of this study, topical olive oil could be used effectively for episiotomy wound healing in primigravid women.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Investigation of the relationship between joint sounds and radiographic findings could be helpful in selecting a suitable treatment for internal temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJD). This study aimed to evaluate degenerative changes, condyle position and joint effusion in patients with TMJD using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as a gold standard procedure.METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 34 patients diagnosed with TMJD via MRI. MRI images were obtained from the sagittal plane of the subjects using 5.0 Tesla Magnetic Resonance Scanner with open and closed mouth. Click sounds were divided into three categories based on the origin of the sound while opening the mouth: premature (<15 mm), intermediate (16-30 mm), and delayed (>31 mm). In addition, effusion volume, condyle-fossa relationship, swelling of the joints and degenerative changes were evaluated in the patients.FINDINGS: Regarding the condyle position in the fossa, 32 of the examined joints (47.1%) were in central position, 30 (44.1%) were in posterior position, and 6 joints (8.8%) were in the upper position. Moreover, 34 joints (70.8%) had clicks, and 14 joints (70%) had no clicks or symptoms of osteoarthritis. Following that, grade-zero and grade-one effusions accounted for the highest number of examined joints, and there was no significant relationship between effusion volume and type of clicking. In the study group with clicking joints, 10 cases (14.7%) had premature clicks, 20 (29.4%) had intermediate clicks, and 18 joints (26.5%) had delayed clicks.CONCLUSION: According to the results of this study, presence or absence of premature, intermediate and delayed clicks have no effects on condylar position in the fossa, effusion volume and occurrence of osteoarthritis in MRI.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Coronary heart disease (CHD) has a high rate of mortality in industrial countries. The progress of this disease is closely related to patients’ perception of the social support and their ability to regulate feelings. Therefore, this study was performed to determine the effect of dialectical behavior therapy on emotion regulation and perceived social support in patients with CHD..METHODS: This quasi-experimental study was performed on three patients with CHD, who referred to Fateme Zahra Cardiovascular Hospital of Sari, in the second half of the year 2013. Patients were randomly divided into two groups of test and control (n=15 for each). At the beginning of the pre-test stage, both groups filled-out Fischer and Corcoran’s perceived social support questionnaire and revised emotional processing scale of Weems and Pina. Then, the participants of the test group received six weeks of dialectical behavior therapy, once a week, for 60-90 minutes. The control group received no specific interventions. Eventually, both groups completed the questionnaires again at the post-test stage, and the results were compared afterwards.FINDINGS: The mean scores of cognitive emotion regulation components of the test and control groups in the pre-test stage were 112.7±2.5 and 113.2±2.2, respectively, and in the post-test stage they were 39.07±1.9 and 107±2.9, respectively. The mean score of perceived social support in the test and control groups, in the pre-test stage, were 24.6±4.6 and 24.7±3.5, respectively, and in the post-test stage they were 5.7±3.9 and 39±6.3, respectively. After the intervention, the mean cognitive emotion regulation score in the test group significantly reduced, as compared to the control group.CONCLUSION: The results of this study showed that dialectical behavior therapy can affect CHD patients’ perception of social support and their regulation of emotions.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Inconsistent findings have been reported regarding the concentration of serum omentin in patients undergoing hemodialysis and healthy individuals. Omentin is correlated with several cardiovascular risk factors such as obesity, metabolic syndrome, atherosclerosis and inflammation. This study aimed to compare serum omentin concentration between hemodialysis patients and healthy subjects and determine its correlation with cardiovascular risk factors.METHODS: This case-control study was conducted on 85 subjects divided into two groups of hemodialysis (n=55) and control (n=30). Serum omentin concentration and C-reactive protein (CRP) level were measured using ELISA and immunoturbidimetric method, respectively. Required data including age, cardiovascular risk factors, duration of dialysis, body mass index and history of cardiovascular diseases were collected via interviews and blood sampling and compared between groups.FINDINGS: In this study, mean age of subjects in hemodialysis and control groups was 50.81±13.39 and 49.70±9.32 years, respectively (age range: 19-80 years). Serum omentin concentration was significantly higher in patients undergoing hemodialysis compared to control subjects (2.15±1.46 vs. 0.78±0.07 mg/ml, respectively) (p=0.0001). In addition, systolic blood pressure, blood glucose, creatinine and CRP were significantly higher in hemodialysis patients compared to control subjects, while levels of cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, high-density lipoprotein and hemoglobin were significantly lower. Also, a significant positive correlation was observed between serum omentin and creatinine in all studied subjects (p=0.001, r=0.397). However, this correlation was not significant in patients undergoing hemodialysis. A positive correlation was found between serum omentin and blood glucose in the study population (p=0.001, r=0.590), and this correlation was less significant in hemodialysis patients (p=0.045 r=-244). Moreover, a significant negative correlation was observed between serum levels of omentin and triglyceride in hemodialysis patients (p=0.012, r=-244). No correlations were found between serum omentin and factors such as CRP, albumin, obesity and history of cardiovascular diseases or diabetes. CONCLUSION: According to the results of this study, omentin concentration has a significant increase in patients undergoing hemodialysis compared to healthy subjects. In addition, serum omentin in these patients is positively correlated with a number of cardiovascular risk factors.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Filtration in radiology devices plays a pivotal role in weakening of soft X-ray photons and reduction of absorbed radiation dose by patients. This study aimed to evaluate the filtration rate of radiology devices at public hospitals affiliated to Babol University of Medical Sciences, Iran.METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, we used the DIAVOLT device to measure the level of radiology filtration. DIAVOLT was placed under the X-ray tube and exposed to radiation by applying multiple potential differences to the radiology device. After radiation, output potential differences were measured and recorded. FINDINGS: This study was performed at Ayatollah Rohani, Shahid Beheshti and Yahyanejad hospitals located in Mazandaran, Iran. Potential differences of 50-80 kilo-volts (kV) were applied to radiology devices, and output voltage of the DIAVOLT device was observed to be compatible with input potential at the standard error rate of ±5. In Amirkola Children’s Hospital, level of filtration was 0.5 mm, while it was estimated at 2.5 aluminum mm in other hospitals. In addition, applied input time to the DIAVOLT device was compatible with output time. In Shahid Rajaee Hospital of Babolsar city, rate of input potential was higher than the output potential in the DIAVOLT device, which diverted from the standard level; however, filtration degree was adequate. CONCLUSION: According to the results of this study, kV examinations were accurate at all the hospitals affiliated to Babol University of Medical Sciences. Therefore, it could be concluded that rate of filtration is adequate in the radiology devices used in these health centers.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Some ill or premature neonates require special care nursery and maintenance of environmental conditions through incubator. Incubator electric system exposes the premature infants to electromagnetic radiation. Given the fact that magnetic radiation is one of the causative agents of leukemia in children, in this study, we aimed to evaluate the intensity of the magnetic field generated by incubators.METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, we measured the intensity of magnetic field produced by 17 incubators utilized in our neonatal intensive care units (NICU), using a teslameter. In each of the incubators, five points were determined to measure the intensity of the magnetic field. Measurements were performed twice (during two weeks between 10 and 12 am), in both horizontal and vertical directions.FINDINGS: The mean intensity of the magnetic field measured at all points inside the incubators was 0.2±0.03 mT. The intensity of magnetic field at a point inside the incubators (0.27±0.03 mT), measured in both horizontal and vertical directions, was significantly different from a point outside the incubators (p<0.04).CONCLUSION: At some points inside the incubators, the intensity of magnetic field increases by switching the heater on. Hence, minimizing the length of neonatal incubation period is recommended.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is one of the most effective methods in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. CABG can be a source of stress in candidate patients. Training and education can reduce the induced stress and its devastating physical and psychological side-effects. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the impact of peer education on stress management in CABG candidates.METHODS: In this clinical trial, 100 CABG candidates, admitted to Mazandaran Cardiac Center, were selected and randomly divided into intervention and control groups. The control group was routinely trained, while peer education, in addition to routine training, was applied in the intervention group in a one-hour meeting the day before the surgery. In order to record patients' personal and medical information, a researcher-made checklist was used. Also, for stress evaluation, DASS-21 questionnaire was applied the day before and one hour before the surgery (IRCT: 2014102619677N1).FINDINGS: In terms of stress score, no significant difference was observed between the intervention (8.48±1.11) and control (8.86±1.29) groups before the intervention. However, after the intervention (one hour before the surgery), the mean stress score in the intervention group (4.70±0.93) was lower than the control group (9.92±1.88) (p<0.001).CONCLUSION: Based on the findings, peer education could reduce the level of stress in CABG candidates. Therefore, this method is recommended for reducing stress in these patients.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Stress and lack of social support during pregnancy are associated with adverse consequences such as miscarriage, nausea, vomiting, preeclampsia, preterm delivery, low birth weight and different types of mental illnesses. This study, therefore, aimed to determine the role of social support in prediction of stress during pregnancy.METHODS: This cross-sectional study was performed on 210 pregnant women aging 18-40 years, who referred to two teaching hospitals of Babol in 2013. The subjects filled out demographic profile checklist, Pregnancy Experience Scale (PES) and Social Support Questionnaire (SSQ) in the first, second and third trimesters of pregnancy. The data were analyzed.FINDINGS: The mean score of social support in the pregnant women was 12.87±4.18 (range: 0-25). The highest level of social support in the three trimesters of pregnancy was received from family. The mean overall support in the first trimester was significantly higher than the second and third trimesters (4.50±13.48 vs. 3.83±12.25 and 4.06±12.87, respectively) (p<0.05). Approximately a third of women had experienced stress during pregnancy. Most of the unpleasant experiences occurred in the third trimester of pregnancy. The obtained results demonstrated that social support had a significant positive relationship with pleasant experiences and a significant negative relationship with unpleasant experiences and stress during pregnancy. Social support predicted 50% of the variance in stress scores during pregnancy. The strongest negative predictor of stress during pregnancy was family support (b=-0.470) followed by support from friends and neighbors, and subjects’ perception of support (p<0.05).CONCLUSION: Considering the negative relationship between stress during pregnancy and support from family, friends, and neighbors, women’s health care professionals should implement effective strategies to promote the level of social support during pregnancy.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder in reproductive-age women. The assessment of uterine and ovarian artery resistance indices (RI) can provide additional information on pathophysiology of the syndrome, and can be applied as a diagnosis criterion in suspected cases of PCOS. This study aims to compare the parameters of uterine artery blood flow and ovarian stromal artery in PCOS patients and healthy women.METHODS: This cross-sectional study was performed on 20 women with PCOS (PCOS group) and 20 healthy women (control group). In the initial evaluations, age, body mass index, levels of follicle stimulating and luteinizing hormones, as well as severity of hirsutism and acne were recorded. Then, ovarian volume, uterine and ovarian artery RI and the rate of vascularization of ovarian stromal arteries were measured and compared with each other using Grayscale and color Doppler sonography (CDS).FINDINGS: Uterine artery RI on both sides in the PCOS patients (0.94) was significantly higher than the healthy women (0.86) (p<0.001). Ovarian artery RI on both sides in the PCOS group (0.65) was lower than the control group (0.71) (p<0.001). The rate of vascularization of ovarian stromal arteries was higher in the PCOS patients (45%), as compared to the healthy women (0%) (p<0.001).CONCLUSION: According to the CDS findings, ovarian stromal and uterine blood flow parameters were significantly different in the PCOS and control groups.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Population of stray dogs, cases of animal bite injuries, and incidence of human rabies have increased in most of the provinces of Iran. Therefore, we call to attention controlling these conditions and investigating their various aspects. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the epidemiological patterns of animal bite injuries in victims aged under 18 years in Babol, Iran, during 2010-14.METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, data on animal bite injuries occurring in the population aged under 18 years during 2010-14, were extracted from the rabies registration office of Babol health center. The demographics, type of animal, and time and clinical patterns of all the cases were investigated.FINDINGS: The mean age of the victims was 11.24±4.64 years. Male to female ratio was 82:4, 598 (82.8%) of the animal bite victims were male, and 528 (73.1%) cases were bitten in rural areas. In both genders, most of the cases were dog bite victims (521 [87.1%] male, and 100 [80.6%] female). The number of animal bite cases in ages under 18 years has increased from 82.5 to 123.1 cases per one hundred thousand population. CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicated that most of the cases were victims of dog bite injuries, and animal bite mostly happened in rural areas.