Journal of Babol University of Medical Sciences
Year:2005 | Volume:7 | Issue:4 (28)|Papers Count:21

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: some therapeutic effects of medicinal plants such as Achillea have been known for many years ago. In this investigation, the effects of methanolic extract of Achillea Wilhelmsii C. Koch on seizure induced by picrotoxin were studied in mice.METHODS: This study was performed on animals pretreated with different experimental doses of percolated extract of Achillea Wilhelmsii via intraperitoneal injection and 20 minutes after extract injections, each animal received picrotoxin 10 mg/kg for induction of generalized tonic and clonic seizure. Latency of onset and duration of seizure, death time and percent of mortality were determined.FINDINGS: The results showed that pretreatment of animals with different doses of extracts did not change the beginning time of seizure induced by picrotoxin. The duration of seizure increased (p<0.01), but the severity of seizures was milder than control group. In addition, all doses of extract lengthened the time of death (p<0.01). The mortality rate was decreased with dose of 50 and 100 mg/kg (p<0.05, p<0.01, respectively).CONCLUSIONT: The results showed that the dose of 100 mg/kg is the most effective one. The extract of Achillea Wilhelmsii decreased the severity of generalized tonic and clonic seizure induced by picrotoxin and lengthened the death time; therefore it is a suitable for continuing investigation as anticonvulsant drug.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Dextromethorphan is a NMDA receptor antagonist in the glutamatergic system. Currently, there are reports showing that the glutamatergic NMDA receptor mechanism stimulates dopamine release from several brain regions. This effect may modulate the stereotyped behaviors of dopaminergic system. The purpose of this study was to determine the interaction between dextromethorphan and stereotyped licking behavior in rats. In the present study, effects of dextromethorphan and different dopamine receptor antagonists on apomorphine-induced licking behavior were examined.METHODS: For the induction of licking, the dose of 0.5 mg/kg, s,c. of apomorphine was used. FINDINGS: Dextromethorphan (10-30 mg/kg, i.p.) dependently reduced the licking behavior. Intraperitoneal injection of dextromethorphan (15 mg/kg, ED50) potentiated the inhibitory effects of low doses of the dopamine D1 receptor antagonist, SCH 23390 (0.00625 and 0.0125 mg/kg, i.p.) and the dopamine D2 receptor antagonist, pimozide (0.5-1 mg/kg, i.p).CONCLUSIONT: these results suggest that the inhibitory effect of dextromethorphan on apomorphine induced licking behavior is mediated via a dopamine D1 receptor mechanism.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Wound repair is one of the most important purposes in physiotherapy. Use of amniotic membrane as allograft in partial thickness bums and use of ultraviolet rays in order to delay rejection of allograft have been the subject of many researches. In this study, clinical processes of rejection of amniotic membrane as allograft by UVB radiation was assessed and compared with unirradiated allografts.METHODS: This study was performed on 40 burned patients (8 males and 32 females) with mean age of 24.9 years and mean burned area of 36.3 percent. They were divided into three groups, twenty patients as case groups (in two equal subgroups), which exposed to 100 and 200 mj/cm2 UVB radiation, respectively. The third group (20 patients) was considered as control unirradiated ones. The adherence and color of allograft were recorded daily and the results were analysed by statistical Z test. FINDINGS: Allograft adherence in case groups was statistically longer than that of control group. Also, the time that the allograft was red and bright was longer in case groups. There were not significant differences between two case subgroups in adherence and color of allograft.CONCLUSION: Irradiation of UVB on allograft before grafting causes better and longer adherence and improves blood circulation and wound repair. The above findings were in agreement with findings of most studies in this field. Futher investigations with different wavelengths of UV are recommended.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Hazards of heavy metals on human health and cleaning up contaminated soils with heavy metals by microorganisms and plants are very important subject. This study was performed to evaluate the effect of additives on the availability of Pb, Cd and Zn in the soil of Amol industrial areas. METHODS: The soil after mixing by a concrete mixer was dried in the oven and then grounded and passed through polyethylene sieve with 2mm holes. The soil extraction was done by distilled water, Ca Cl2 , KNO3, ammonium citrate and EDTA in 0.25, 0.5, 1,2 and 4 molar and mixed by a shaker in 75 rpm for 10 hours. Finally, concentration of Zn, Pb and Cd as µg/gr were measured by atomic absorption spectrometry.FINDINGS: In this study, concentration of pb, Cd and Zn were 13510±1241 µg/gr, 127±16.50 µg/gr and 3000±1180 µg/gr, respectively. It has been determined that the availability of Zn with different additives and with distilled water was more than the availability of Pb and Cd. Mean concentration of Pb by EDTA, ammonium citrate and potassium nitrate were 2110 µg/gr, 1025 µg/gr and 195 µg/gr, respectively. Mean concentrations of Cd by these additives were 83 µg/gr, 71 µg/gr and 56 µg/gr respectively and mean concentrations of Zn were 7894 µg/gr, 4982 µg/gr and 2744 µg/gr. The best concentration of Zn and Cd was obtained by KNO3 in two morality and by EDTA and ammonium citrate in 1 molarity. Furthermore, the best concentration of Pb was obtained by EDTA and ammonium citrate in one molarity and by KNO3 was obtained in more than one molarity.CONCLUSION: Using chemical additives such as EDTA and ammonium citrate are effective to increase availability of heavy metals.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: In infertility without suffering tubal factor, IUI is the choice therapeutic method. Some studies recommended double IUI for every cycle. Since double IUI needs more laboratory materials and more expenses, so in this study it was tried to evaluate pregnancy rate in infertile couples after single and double IUI.METHODS: This clinical trial study was performed on infertile couples referred to Fatemeh Alzahra or Babol Clinic hospital for IUI cycles. Patients divided into two groups. In the first group, 36 hours after HCG injection, IUI was done as a single protocol and in the other group; IUI was done 24 & 72 hours after HCG injection as double protocol. Then data were analyzed by fishers exact test.FINDINGS: Two hundred and fifteen women participated in our study and their mean age was 26.02±5.5 and the mean (±SD) duration of infertility was 3.73 (±2.75) years. In the first group, pregnancy rate was 16.9% and in second group it was 19.6% without any significant difference between two groups. Also, there was no significant difference between groups in pregnancy rate with different etiology of infertility.CONCLUSION: Some studies recommended that double IUI is more successful than single IUI But present findings suggest that there is no difference in pregnancy rate between single IUI and double IUI.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Different menopausal manifestations may be due to low level of sex hormones. Considering the important side effects of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) provides more attention to the other modalities of treatment like phytoestrogens. So, this study was done to compare the therapeutic effect of soy protein with hormone therapy in decreasing of menopausal manifestations. METHODS: In this trial, 73 women, recently entered to menopausal state was studied in three groups for 4 months. The first group was 20 women, who underwent HRT. The second and third groups, each one including 24 & 29 women respectively, were treated by 60 gr and 100gr of soya per day. Some of the menopausal manifestations, consisting: sleep disorder, hot flush, recent memory loss, vaginal mucosal maturation index (MI), dysparonia and mean arterial blood Pressure was evaluated before and after treatment. FINDINGS: Four and nine patients from second and third group have respectively dropped out of study due to discontinuation of therapy. After therapy, hot flush improved 55%, 60% and 65% in HRT, soya 60 gr and soya 100 gr groups, respectively. Also sleep disorder improved by 40%, 50%, and 60% at the same groups, respectively. Increasing memory was seen by 60%, 40% and 65% in first, second and third groups. Vaginal MI improved 90% in first, 80% in second and 55% in third groups. Dysparonia decreased 45%, 25% and 50% in first, second, third groups, respectively.Mean arterial pressure decreased 5.6 mmHg in HRT, 1.3 mmHg in soya 60gr and 2.4 mmhg in soya 100gr groups. All findings were significant after therapy by all modalities (p<0.05). But there was no significant difference between different modalities of treatments.CONCLUSION: The result of the study showed, soya with a little difference, like HRT could improve menopausal symptoms, and its effect increases dose dependently. So considering the HRT dangers, soybeans could be a suitable treatment substitute for relief of menopausal symptoms.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Severe cases of vernal keratoconjunctivitis can reduce visual acuity due to corneal involvement. This study was performed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of low- dose topical mitomycin- c in patients with severe vernal keratoconjunctivitis refractory (SVKC) to conventional treatment. METHODS: This clinical trial was performed on 36 refractory cases of SVKC. All of the patients were using corticosteroid and mast cell stabilizer before they entered this study but their symptoms and signs were persistent.Topical mitomycin - c 0.01% was used in both eyes of 18 patients for 14 days. The other patients (18 cases) were used saline normal drop. The symptoms and signs were checked on the day of enrollment and were compared at the end of first and second weeks. All of the patients were following up 4 week post treatment for required additional medication.FINDINGS: There was a significant decrease in all the symptoms and signs after 2 weeks of treatment. Only papillary reaction was persistent despite treatment in 14 cases. Drug toxicity was observed in two eyes manifesting as punctuate keratitis. None of the patients required any other medication during the 4 weeks post treatment.CONCLUSION: Short-term, low-dose mitomycin-c may be considered in the acute exacerbation periods of patients with SVKC refractory to conventional treatment.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Preterm birth is a major contributor to perinatal mortality and morbidity and affects approximately six to seven percent of births in developed countries. The aim of this study was to compare the tocolytic effects of nifedipine and magnesium sulfate in arresting preterm labor. METHODS: This clinical trial study was performed on 60 women with singleton pregnancies at 23-36 weeks in preterm labor (regular uterine contractions<10 min and cervical dilatation apart despite bed rest, 50 mg pethidine and 500 cc bolus ringer lactate serum). They received either oral nifedipine or intravenous magnesium sulfate.FINDINGS: Both drugs had similar tocolytic effect, Also they had similar side effects, but in the first hour, mother pulse rate increased significantly in nifedipine group (103.3±6.65 beats per minutes and 78.9±1.99 beats per minutes) (p=0.02). Nifedipine has significantly shown faster effects than magnesium sulfate (0.63±0.24 hrs versus 4.88± 3.44 hrs) (p<0.025).CONCLUSIONON: Oral nifedipine with the same efficacy and faster effect could be a suitable and convenient alternative option to intravenous magnesium sulfate in arresting preterm labor.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Nowadays for diagnosis of cancerous and precancerous lesions, immunohistochemistry method and cellular markers can use besides common staining, which in current conditions of these methods since the cost of these ways are expensive, we should search for the ways of easier and cheaper diagnostic test such as silver nitrate staining, for inspection of nucleolar organizer regions. METHODS: Silver nitrate staining was carried out for nucleolar organizer regions in 30 paraffin- embedded oral squamous cell carcinoma, 30 paraffin embeded oral dysplasia. One hundred nuclei were counted randomly for AgNORs dot with x l00 magnifications. Thirty samples of normal oral epithelium were selected from normal margins of the same tumors.FINDINGS: The mean (±SD) number of the dots in normal oral epithelium was 1.54 (±0.22), in oral dysphasia was 2.46 (±0.51) and in oral squamous cell carcinoma was 3.34 (±0.67). There was a statistically significant relationship between different groups (p=0.000). There was no considerable usefulness in evaluation of sensitivity and specify of this method of staining for normal oral epithelium. About oral dysplasia estimated that sensitivity was 70% but specify was 50% and about oral SCC, sensitivity was 90% and specify was 75%.CONCLUSION: AgNORs count is a useful method for detecting of oral squamous cell carcinoma, oral dysplasia and normal oral epithelium. Also, it seems that with regard to high sensitivity and specify of this method in O-SCC, it can be used as a reliable aid beside the common methods.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Low birth weight (LBW) infants are susceptible to many diseases such as sepsis, growth & developmental disorders, and most of them need special care. This study was carried out to determine the effects of discharge planning for mothers on growth and developmental indicators in low birth weight infants in Amirkola hospital.METHODS: In this study, 55 LBW infants and their mothers were randomly selected and divided into 2 groups with the random allocation technique (29 in control group and 26 in test group). It was used a questionnaire including family demographic characteristics, information related to health condition of newborn, growth indicators (weight, height and head circumference) and developmental indexes (reflexes). Discharge planning was performed in test group considering mother's learning needs, while the participants in the control group received usual services from nursing staff. Infants after discharge from hospital were taken to outpatient every month until three months in order to control growth and development indexes. Repeated measurement ANOVA was used to compare the growth indexes in two groups and Mann-Whitney U-test used to assess reflexes. FINDINGS: According to the results, there was a significant difference between two groups in weight, length and head circumference indexes (p<0.0001). No differences were seen between two groups in moro, sucking, grasping reflexes. There was a clinically significant difference between two groups. CONCLUSION: On the basis of the results it could be claimed that discharge planning has a positive effect in continuity of care from hospital to home and preventive complication of prematurity and development of low birth weight infants.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: A clinical trial cannot be adequately interpreted without information about the methods used in the design of the study and the analysis of the results. The goal of this study was to assess the quality of published clinical trials in the Iranian medical journals.METHODS: In this cross sectional study, all 227 randomized clinical trials published in the 25 Iranian Medical Journals were surveyed. In these trials, the methods of randomization, determination of sample size, blinding and ethical issues were examined.FINDINGS: Results showed that only 14 (6.2%) out of 227 published clinical trials reported the sample size calculations. The information about the type of randomization and the methods of blinding were reported in 3 (1.3%) and 113 (49.8%) respectively. Of these figures, 27(11.9%) were single-blind and 86 (37.9%) double-blind. One hundred ninety three (85%) of the trials reported the statistical methods used. Finally, the issue of the informed consent was reported in 92 (40.5%) trials.CONCLUSION: Published clinical trials are poorly designed and reported in Iranian medical journals. Therefore, it is recommended that editors, reviewers and authors should improve the standards of reporting clinical trials using a standard protocol.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Seizure could occur in early stroke phase, which leads to clinical deterioration of the patients.METHODS: In this prospective clinical study, consecutive 1000 patients with first ischemic stroke admitted in Valie-Asr hospital, Khorasan during 2000-2003. Diagnosis of stroke and early seizure was performed by neurologist. Topography of the ischemic lesions was detected by topographic maps of cerebrovascular territories in brain CT scan. FINDINGS: 6.1% of the patients had seizure within first week of stroke. Partial seizures with or without secondary generalization consisted 60% of these early seizures. Within middle cerebral artery territory infarctions ischemic lesions with cortical involvement were 2.43 times more preponderant to early seizures (p=0.003). Frequency of early seizure was not significantly related to diffuse extension of the ischemic lesions within middle cerebral artery territory infarctions.CONCLUSIONE: early seizure is an infrequent complication of ischemic stroke which is more frequent in infarctions with cortical involvement.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the prescribing pattern of general practitioners (GPs) in Kerman province of Iran during one year.METHODS: The total 45384 prescriptions which were issued in one year (2003) by GPs in Kerman province were analyzed for the sex and age of the patients, drug name and number of drugs/ prescription, drug category, percent of generic and brand name, and route of administration.FINDINGS: The results of this study showed that 41.7% of the patients were male (mean age 29.8 year) and 58.3% were female (mean age 31.5 year). The mean number of drugs per each prescription was 3.43 overall. Most of the drugs (97.2%) were prescribed by generic name. The most frequently prescribed drugs were antibiotics (33.95%), sedative/hypnotics (19.56%), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs 19.2%) and corticosteroids (11.17%). About 42.4% of the patients received an injection. Penicillins (25.43%), cephalosporin's (7.66%), and amino glycosides (0.86%) were the most frequently prescribed drugs among antibiotics.CONCLUSION: The results of this study showed inappropriate prescription of antibiotics, NSAIDs, corticosteroids and injection drugs by general practitioners in Kerman province. Therefore, intervention methods should be chosen to change the physician's prescribing pattern behavior.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Parasitic infections, particularly of intestinal protozoan are very important for hygienic and medical points of views specially in the north of Iran in different ages and professional groups. The aim of this study was to determine intestinal parasitic infection in cattle breeders from rural areas of Babol town. METHODS: In this descriptive study, stool samples were collected from 181 persons who were in contact with cattle (sheep and cows), lasted for one years. Samples were taken from each person under study and examined. Data were collected and analyzed by Chi-square and T-test statistically.FINDINGS: This study indicated that the highest rate of infection was observed in persons aged 41-60 years and 62.4% of the cases were man. Rate of contamination to 13 species parasites in total samples were 57 (31.5%). Highest rates of infection in infected persons were B. hominis and E. coli and G. lamblia. Rate of infection in both sexes to intestinal parasites especially intestinal protozoans in infected persons was different. Highest rate of infection to intestinal parasites was observed in illiterate persons. CONCLUSION: Infection with different types of pathogenic and non pathogenic protozoan, particularly to blastocystosis and giardiasis indicating the significance of these infections for the health of the cattle breeders in rural regions of North of Iran. At present attention must be paid to protozoan as infection agent, which is having significant role in intestinal disorder.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Regarding the role of lice in the transmission of different diseases, and also as an important agent of determining the hygiene level in the society. This study was performed to assess the prevalence of pediculosis in primary school students of Babol in 2003-2004. METHODS: In this study, from 15500 primary school students in Babol, 2300 ones (girl and boy) were assessed. Cluster sampling was done in girl and boy school. Data was collected by questionnaire containing personal and family characteristics. FINDINGS: Findings showed that 51 students (%2.2) were infected to pediculosis (head lice or nit) and only in two samples live head lice were found. Prevalence of infestation was significantly higher in girls (%3.48) than boys (%0.96) (p<0.000). Prevalence of pediculosis in students had a significant correlation with fathers' education (p<0.005) and number of children in family (p=0.018).CONCLUSIONT: he results showed that the prevalence of pediculosis in students of Babol was almost low. Since the father's educational level of students who were infested to pediculosis was lower than other educational level of other students' fathers, so it is recommended that necessary actions be taken to promote public knowledge in order to control and prevent pediculosis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: In this study, relationship between computerized tomography (CT) scan findings with signs, symptoms and Glascow coma scale (GCS) of head injured patients were studied. METHODS: In this descriptive study, 373 CT scan of 312 patients were studied that among them, 290 patients were hospitalized and 22 patients were treated as OPD cases. CT scan findings, GCS changes and clinical findings were assessed.FINDINGS: Sixty two percent of the patients had mild head injury, 38% had moderate to severe head injury, and 42% of patients with mild head injury had normal CT scan. There was a significant relationship between CT scan findings, clinical findings and GCS (p=0.001): two-third of patients with mild head injury had normal CT scan and one-third had brain edema. 53% of patients with severe head injury had brain edema and 28% had intracranial hematoma. 84% of patients with focal neurological deficit had extraaxial hematoma and 41% of unconscious patients had intracranial hematoma.CONCLUSION: As most of CT scan finding in patients with mild head injuries was brain edema, it seems not necessary for scanning in this group. Patients with the low GCS and severe head injury had the abnormal CT scans. So it must be chosen the patients according to clinical findings.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The association of malignant neoplasms arising in seborrheic keratosis has been previously proved. This study reports two cases of malignant neoplasms arising in seborrheic keratosis.CASES: The first case was a 79-year-old female who presented with a black nodule, recently became larger on her scalp. Histological examination revealed an irritated seborrheic keratosis transformation to a basal cell carcinoma in its periphery, extended the underlying dermis. The second one was a 76-year-old female with an ulcerated nodule arising in a pigmented lesion on her thigh. Histological examination of the nodule revealed squamous cell carcinoma arising in seborrheic keratosis.CONCLUSION: Both cases presented a rare development of malignant change in seborrheic keratosis. Recent growth, an ulceration or nodule formation are signs of malignant changes and these lesions should be biopsied and examined histologically.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Peptic ulcer is relatively common and in 2% of patients may present with sudden perforation without previous history of peptic ulcer disease. Early diagnosis and management can save the patient. CASE: A 79-year-old man was presented to emergency room with gross hematuria and clot uninary retention. A 3-4 cm vegetative mass was in left lateral wall of bladder in cystoscopy. Under spinal anesthesia, transurethral resection was performed without any complication. The day after surgery, patient had developed generalized abdominal pain and guarding and hematuria with urinary retention. Emergency abdominal sonography revealed free fluid in pelvis with possible bladder perforation. Laparatomy was performed and there was no bladder perforation except a little extra and intra peritoneal clear fluid. With a cystostomy tube and two intra and extra peritoneal drains laparatomy was closed. Two days after the second surgery, liquid diet was started for patient, but it was associated with fecal oderous leakage from the drains. After consultation with general surgeons with diagnosis of trauma to rectum or lieum again laparatomy was performed. In re-exploration there was a perforation in stomach (anterior aspect of pylores), so it was repaired and a few days later with normal general condition patient was discharged.CONCLUSION: Although peptic ulcer disease is relatively common. Its perforation with association of other surgeries in these patients is very rare and can mimic the complication of T.U.R.B.T. So close observation of patients and proper management can save the patients.