JOURNAL OF BABOL UNIVERSITY OF MEDICAL SCIENCES (JBUMS)
Year:2010 | Volume:12 | Issue:3 (56)|Papers Count:18

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Labor pain is considered as one of the most painful experience in women life so the reduction of pain of the active phase of labor is a very important issue. One way to reduce labor pain is acupressure. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effect of acupressure at the Sanyinjiao point (SP6) on the duration and pain of the active phase of labor in nulliparas women.METHODS: A single blind randomized clinical trial was performed on 120 eligible nulliparas women (18-35 years old) who were at the beginning of active phase of labor and referred to Shahid Akbarabadi hospital, Tehran. The women were assigned into case group (n=60) and control group (n=60) one by one. The contractions and severity of pain controlled for 30 minutes in patients, the case group received acupressure at Sanyinjiao point, for 30 min during the pain and touch of this point occurred in control group. Finally, at the end of the active phase, severity of pain (with visual analog scale from 0 to 10), and the route of delivery were noted and compared between the two groups.FINDINGS: There are significant differences between the mean duration of active phase in the control group (441.38±155.88) and case group (252.37±108.50) (p=0.0001), the kind of delivery (p=0.0001) and the severity of pain in the case group (5.87±1.77) and control group (6.79±1.52) (p = 0.003).CONCLUSION: The results of this study showed that acupressure at Sanyinjiao point (SP6) reduced the duration and severity of pain of the active phase of labor and cesarean section rates. So it's advisable to use this safe and ease way to reduce the labor pain.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Power lines and household electrical appliances (TV, computer, and hairdryer) emit extremely low-frequency magnetic field (ELF-MF) that can be damaging. As the exposure of these MF is increasing now days and important effect of MF on memory formation, in this study effects of these fields on memory consolidation and retrieval in male rats were examined.METHODS: In this experimental study, 90 male Wistar rats were divided into nine groups. Control group was trained in shuttle box (passive avoidance box). Sham group was put in turn off MF immediately after training for 4 hrs. Four test groups of memory consolidation after training were exposed on MF for 1, 4, 6 and 8 hrs respectively. The rats were exposed on MF (50 Hz, 5mT). Three test groups of memory retrieval after testing, were exposed on MF (4 hrs) for 3, 4 and 5 days respectively and were tested again 24 hrs after the last exposure. In all of groups, the time of entrance from light to dark area was measured in shuttle box as” retention latency and compared.FINDINGS: In 4 test groups of memory consolidation, between first group that was exposed on MF for 1 hr (485±76s), and control group (583±17s) difference was not significant (p<0.05) while in other groups that were exposed on MF for 4, 6, 8 hrs (303±17, 294±87, 191±72s) difference was significant (p<0.05). Between sham group (541±58) and test group that was exposed on MF for 4 hrs (303±17) difference was significant (p<0.05). The results of 3 test groups of memory retrieval showed that there was not any significant difference between before (572±37, 580±54.8 and 585±51.4) and after (563±42, 545.2±54.8 and 548.6±51.4) exposing for 3, 4 and 5 days.CONCLUSION: Acute exposure on ELF-MF can acutely prevent from memory consolidation but had no effect on memory retrieval.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Intelligence can be defined as the ability to assimilate factual knowledge, to recall either recent or remote events, to reason logically, to manipulate concepts, to translate the abstract concepts to the literal concepts and the literal concepts to the abstract concepts, to analyze and synthesize forms. Many factors affect intelligence quotient (IQ). The long-term effects of type of delivery on the intellectual development of children are still not clear. The aim of this study was to determine IQ preschool children based on type of delivery in Babol town, Iran.METHODS: A historical cohort study was conducted on 120 children aged 6-7 years of boys' and girls' private schools in Babol, Iran during 2004-2007, 60of those delivered by cesarean section (case group) and 60 spontaneous births (control group) with socioeconomic status, maternal age and parent's education status, ranking of birth, weight and age of birth matched. Detailed demographic, medical history and socioeconomic status data were collected by interviewing the mothers and then children's IQ were administered with Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scales of Intelligence (WPPSI) test by a clinical psychologist and finally the relation between children’s IQ with the type of delivery were determined and compared.FINDINGS: The mean maternal age of case group and control group were 30.18±6.86 and 29.73±5.46 years respectively. The mean age of case group and control group were 6.83±0.52 and 6.90±0.25 years respectively that there was no significant difference. There was no significant relationship between the type of delivery with total, verbal and performance intelligence quotient. Adjusted mean and standard deviation of full-scale intelligence quotient scores, verbal and performance were 96.53±14.92, 96.87±15.4 and 92.97±13.58 for the case group and 94.07±12.53, 97.10±13.99 and 91.52±13.28 for the control group, respectively. Also no significant differences the sex and full-scale intelligence quotient scores, performance and verbal could be determined.CONCLUSION: The results showed that the type of delivery did not affect children’s intelligence quotient.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Gynecologic infections are the most common causes that women see a doctor. With regard to the high prevalence of vaginal candidiasis infections and side effects of chemical drugs and also reduction of their effectiveness against resistant strains, this study was designed to compare the effects of lavender and clotrimazole on the growth standard strains of Candida albicans in vitro conditions.METHODS: In this semi-experimental study, laboratory method of fungi cell counts by toma hemasimeter slide was used. In this method, after preparing dilution of 6x106 from standard Candida albicans S.C.a-PTCC-2657 in the liquid Saburo culture media and also add lavender essential oil, steam and clotrimazole in different dilution of (1/2, 1/4, 1/8) and putting them into incubator for 48 hours (in 4 laboratory stages), fungal cell count was done with attention to inhibition of standard Candida multiplication. The tests were repeated twice for every drugs in different dilution of (1/2, 1/4, 1/8). Samples characteristics and tests results were collected and compared.FINDINGS: The findings of this study showed that the number of fungi in test tubes which contained the lavender essential oil, lavender steam in comparison to control fungi had decreased dramatically (17x106, 0.4x106 vs 188x106, respectively). Also, the count of fungal cell in the dilution 1/2 of drugs, the lavender steam was less than lavender essential oil and clotrimazole and in dilution of 1/4 and 1/8, the lavender essential oil in comparison to lavender steam and clotrimazol had less count of fungi. The most antifungal efficacy of drugs was in the higher diluted. As among different dilutions (1/2,1/4 and 1/8), the lavender essential oil in dilution of 1/4 and 1/8, and the lavender steam in dilution of 1/8 had been the more antifungal effect. In the all above dilutions, clotrimazole had the lowest antifungal efficacy and the most fungi cell counts.CONCLUSION: The results showed that the lavender essential oil and steam had more antifungal effect and efficacy against the standard Candida albicans in comparison to clotrimazole.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Cerumen known as ear wax, regularly produced by cerumen and lipid secretary glands. Since Mazandaran province (North of Iran) has moderate and humid climate that affect the prevalence of pathogen microorganisms, this study was performed to determine the fungal flora of the ear in patients with acute otitis externa and healthy subjects.METHODS: In this case-control study, cerumens collected and cultured from 40 patients with clinically diagnosed acute otitis externa and 80 healthy subjects. After growth and diagnosis of their colonies, data was collected and two groups were compared.FINDINGS: In case group Aspergillus flavus (23.8%) and Candida spp. (16.6%), and in control group Mycelium Sterile (13.4%) and Cladosporium (12.5%) were the commonest fungi.CONCLUSION: With regard to the fact that fungal flora observed in some of the healthy peoples without any clinical symptoms of otomycosis, thus, it seems that it is necessary to pay attention to changes in standard methods in removal cerumen pathway.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Pseudoexfoliation (PXF) glaucoma is a senile disease which affects anterior segment structures of eyes. Pseudoexfoliation material has also been found in heart, lung, liver, gall bladder, cerebral meninges, skin, and blood vessels and is thought to be a systemic disorder. C- reactive protein (CRP) is an acute phase reactant found to be an important and sensitive marker of systemic inflammatory states and disorders. The purpose of this study was to determine the plasma C- reactive protein levels in pseudoexfoliation glaucoma and compare with normal population.METHODS: This case controlled study was performed on 73 cases that referred to Farabi eye hospital in Tehran. Patients were divided into two groups: 39 cases PXF glaucoma without any other ocular and systemic disorder and 34 controls, with no evidence of PXF glaucoma. In both groups, patients with blood pressure, CNS and cardiovascular diseases were excluded. Plasma CRP levels of all the study participants were determined and compared.FINDINGS: The mean age was 68.4±6.4 years in case group and was 65.3±7.2 years in control group. The mean plasma CRP level in patients was 1.85±2.52 and in normal people was 1.66±1.64. Plasma CPR levels were not different in the PXF cases with controls. There was no relationship between CRP level and the disease in male and female groups in different ages.CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that PXF may not be associated with plasma CRP levels and inflammatory causes of PXF glaucoma is debate.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The role of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) especially omega-3 has been explored in many diseases. However, the profile of PUFA in depressed patients is not established. The aim of this study was to measure the amount of DHA (Docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (Eicosapentaenoic acid) in depressed and suicide group, compared to control group.METHODS: In a case-control study the amount of DHA and EPA in blood of 27 depressed patients, 32 attempted to suicide patients and 35 normal people were measured by gas-chromatography and then compared.FINDINGS: The amount of DHA in depressed and attempted to suicide patients and control group was 2.48±0.22, 2.25±0.24 and, 4.6±0.13 mg/ml, respectively (p<0.001). However, there was not significant difference between depressed and attempted to suicide patients in this regard. The amount of EPA in attempted to suicide patients (0.44±0.05 mg/ml) was less in comparison to depressed (0.84±0.20 mg/ml) or control (0.95±0.11 mg/ml) groups (p<0.001).CONCLUSION: It seems that there is a relation between the amount of DHA or EPA and attempt to suicide in depressed patients. However, in less severe depressed patients just DHA is changed, not EPA.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Despite anxiety symptoms are common among post myocardial infarction patients; the link between the coping methods and anxiety symptoms among these patients has not yet been cleared. The aim of this study was to compare coping methods among post-MI patients with and without anxiety symptoms.METHODS: One hundred consecutive patients following MI admitted to the CCU wards of the hospitals in Isfahan were selected. Data were collected by using Jalowiec coping, hospital anxiety and depression, and Norbeck social support scales. Regarding cut off point in hospital anxiety subscales the patients were divided into two groups with and without anxiety symptoms.FINDINGS: Forty two patients (42%) suffered from anxiety symptoms. Generally, significant difference was found between two groups with and without anxiety symptoms in coping styles (F= 10.213, p<0.0001). Also, the results indicated significant differences in coping styles including confrontive coping (F=24.771, p=0.0001), optimistic coping (F=21.937, p=0.0001), emotive coping (F=40.741, p=0.032), supportant coping (F=19.629, p=0.0001) and self-reliant coping (F=11.815, p=0.001).CONCLUSION: Considering the role of different factors on coping methods, study of the role of personality and cognitive variables on coping styles among post MI patients is purposed.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Every year, there are many people who suffered traumatic brain injury (TBI). They are at high risk for depression, psychological disorder and cognitive disabilities. But both patients and their families and medical teams pay more attention to their physical problems. So, the goal of this study was to assess cognitive abilities and psychosocial health of TBI persons.METHODS: This longitudinal cohort study was performed on 91 patients (18-60 years) with TBI who were hospitalized at Hefdah Sharivar hospital, Amol, Iran. They were followed up 6 and 12 months after trauma. General health, depression and cognitive abilities measured with GHQ28 (General Health Questionnaire 28), BDI (Beck Depression Inventory) and MMSE (Mini Mental Status Examination) questionnaires, and were evaluated based on severity of brain injury (GCS).FINDINGS: Mean age of the patients was 32.40±12.08 years and more patients (n=79, 86.8%) were male. Nineteen (20.9%) of them were experienced severe TBI (GCS=3-8). Sixty seven patients (73.6%) after 6 months and 61patients (67%) after 12 months were suspected to psychological disorder (cut of point=24). Only 26 (28.6%) and 29 (31.9%) of patients 6 and 12 months after injury were normal range of BDI. Correlation between severity of TBI and cognitive abilities depression and psychological health were statistically significant (p<0.05). But demographic factors did not have effective on them (p<0.05).CONCLUSION: The findings showed that impairment in mental health and cognitive ability in patients with traumatic brain injury. But it seems that there are discovered patient's psychological disorders before 12 months. So, TBI persons and their carers may need professional assistance, early treatment and rehabilitation for maintaining a reasonable psychosocial quality of life.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Family structure plays an important role in self-concept development of family members. Despite this, our information about relationship between self concept and power as ability of influence on behaviors of family members and cohesion as emotional relationship of family members in Iranian society is insufficient. The purpose of this study was to detect the relationship between students self-concept and their perception of cohesion and power structure in family.METHODS: This cross sectional study performed at Shiraz nursing school. Samples consisted of 130 nursing students selected by purposeful sampling. The self-concept of students was measured using 80 items Coopersmith self-concept inventory, maximum and minimum possible score on the scale is +80 and -80. Various aspects of relationship including cohesion and power in typical and ideal situation have 16 scores. Data were collected daily over a 2 week period using Family System Test (FAST), to measure perceptions of family members about power and cohesion in typical and ideal family due to place schematic figure on the board.FINDINGS: There was a positive and significant relationship between the students' self-concept and their perception of cohesion between student-father (r=0.67), student-mother (r=0.38), and father-mother (r =0.4) in real family (p=0.0001). However, there was a reverse and significant correlation between the students' self-concept and their perception of power between father and mother in the family (r=-0.26, p=0.003). There was a statistically significant difference between real (10.15±84) and ideal family (10.46±42) regarding to the students' perception of family cohesion and power (p£0.0001).CONCLUSION: These findings revealed that students' self-concept rate, had a significant direct correlation with their perception of family cohesion and power. So this issue should be considering in family and parents education programs.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Lichen planus is an immunologically mediated disease that causes degeneration of keratinocytes in the oral mucosa. Lichenoid lesions are a group of lesions with different etiologic factors and similar clinical and histopathological features. This study was done for evaluation of clinical and histopathological findings and the frequency of idiopathic lichen planus among patients with oral lichenoid lesions who referred to Babol dental faculty.METHODS: This cross-sectional study was performed on the 26 patients affected by oral lichenoid lesions who referred to oral disease department of Babol dental faculty, Babol, Iran during 2007-2009. All patients were examined about some determinants such as age, sex, skin lesion affecting, systemic disease, drug usage, kind and location of lesions.FINDINGS: The mean age of the patients was 42.8±12.4. 30.8% (8 cases) of population were men and 69.2% (18 cases) were women. Fourth, fifth and sixth decades were the most commonly affected decades. 46.2% (12) of patients had systemic disease and 3 (11.5%) of patients had a skin lesion. Fourteen (53.8%) of patients use drug for systemic disease. Nineteen (73%) of patients reported exact time for duration of lesions. The most common affected area was buccal mucosa and the most common lesion that reported was reticular type. Four (15.4%) of patients showed dysplasia on their oral lesions.CONCLUSION: Due to higher incidence of oral lichenoid lesions in 30 year old to 60 year old women, clinical examination of oral mucosa must be considered in middle aged women. Also considerable percentage of dysplastic changes in oral lichenoid lesions reveals that these patients must be followed up.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Chediak-higashi syndrome (CHS) is a rare disorder with multiorgan involvement and autosomal recessive inheritance. Clinical signs and symptoms include occulo-cutaneous albinism, bleeding tendency due to platelet dysfunction and recurrent bacterial infections. The aim of this report was to introduce a case with suitable prevention and treatment.CASE: A 21 month-old girl was admitted to Abo-Ali Sina hospital because of fever and vomiting. She had been admitted three times with lower respiratory infection at 14th day, 1st month and 18th month of age and improved in every hospital admission. Clinical examination showed multiple hypo pigmentation in face and extremity. Iris was bluish and her hair was silver like color without strabismus and nystagmus. There was hepatosplenomegaly. Chediak- higashi syndrome was diagnosed on the basis of clinical signs and symptoms, ultrasonography and positive related diagnostic tests for CHS. The patient was treated with prophylactic antibiotic, vitamin C and referred to BM transplant center in Tehran for definite treatment.CONCLUSION: Chediak-higashi syndrome is a rare primary immune deficiency syndrome which could have a favorable outcome with early diagnosis and treatment.