Scientific Journal of Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences
Year:2006 | Volume:11 | Issue:1 (Serial number 39)|Papers Count:12

Background and Aim: Diabetes mellitus (especially type I) is accompanied with disturbances in learning, memory, and cognitive skills in the human beings and experimental animals. Considering the potential nootropic effect of the medicinal plant Hypericum perforatum (HP), therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the effect of long term oral administration of HP aerial part on learning and memory in diabetic rats by use of passive avoidance test.Materials and Methods: In this study, male Wistar diabetic rats were randomly divided into control, HP-treated control, diabetic, and HP-treated diabetic groups. HP treatment continued for 1 to 2 months. For induction of diabetes a single dose of streptozotocin 60mg/kg was injected i.p. Serum glucose level-was determined before the study and at the 4th and 8th weeks after the experiment. In addition, for evaluation of learning and memory, initial latency (IL) and step-through latency (STL) were determined after 1 and 2 months using passive avoidance test.Results: One- and two-month administration of HP aerial part at a weight ratio of 1/15 did not show any significant hypoglycemic effect in treated control and diabetic groups. Furthermore, there was a significant increase (p<0.05) in IL in diabetic and HP-treated diabetic groups after two months as compared to control group. In this respect, there was no significant difference between diabetic and HP-treated diabetic groups. In addition, STL significantly increased in HP-treated control group after 1 (p<0.05) and 2 (p<0.05) months in comparison with control group. on the other hand, STL significantly decreased (p<0.05) in diabetic group and significantly increased (p<0.05) in HP-treated diabetic group as compared to control group after two months.Conclusion: In summary, long term oral administration of HP aerial part could enhance the recall capability of stored information in control and diabetic animals.

Background and Aim: Acne vulgaris is one of the most common skin problems and affects nearly all adolescents and adults at some time in their lives. Different antibiotics have been used for the treatment of acne vulgaris. In our study the therapeutic effects of zinc versus tetracycline, in the treatment of acne vulgaris was evaluated.Materials and Methods: In this clinical trial study 82 acne patients, after registration of their characteristics and physical examination, were divided into two groups based on block randomization method. Zinc sulfate with a daily dose of 220 mg (equivalent to 50 mg elemental zinc) and tetracycline hydrochloride with a daily dose of one grams (250 mg every six hours) were prescribed for the intervention and control group respectively, for 12 weeks.Chi-square and T test were used for the analysis of the results.Results: There were no significant relationship between the two groups, concerning clinical symptoms and serum zinc level. Also after three months of therapy, the rate of improvement in the two groups was rate of improvement in the two groups statistically was similar.Conclusion: zinc seems to be as effective as tetracycline in the treatment of acne vulgaris.

Background and Aim: In traditional medicine of west of Iran, Falcaria vulgaris (Ghazzayaghi) were used for many purposes such as treatment of skin ulcer and gastric disorders. The extract of falcaria vulgaris showed prominent protective effect on gastric mucosa against ethanol adverse effects in our pervious study. The aim of this study is to evaluate the protective effect of hydroalcoholic extract of F. vulgaris on aspirin-induced gastric ulcer in rat.Materials and Methods: 24 young male rats (NMRI strain), with the weights of 180- 230 gr divided into four groups (6 Rats/group):Case group, received 150mg falcaria vulgaris extract /kg/day,Control negative group, received 1ccDW /kg/day,Control positive groups received 5 mg omeprazole /kg/day,ASA solvent groups received 150 mg falcaria vulgaris extract /kg/day,Gavage of the above mentioned doses continued for 14 days. Animals were deprived of food from day ten for 48 hour and the three first groups received ASA (200 mg/kg/day) in1cc solvent (carboxymethyl cellulose) orally for 3 days (12-14) and the last group received only ASA. Solvent 3 hours after the last dose, Animals were killed and their stomachs were dissected. Based on the size of ulcers and their mean number, the microscopic ulcer-index and cure rate were assessed for every stomach by use of stereomicroscope and graticule. In order to study ulcer formation and its healing, microscopic slides from the lesions were prepared. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA and Tukey test.Results: F. vulgaris extract (150 mg/kg/day) significantly (p<0.01) decreased stomach ulcer index and also increased cure rate to 91.73%, and 90.25% in comparison to negative control and positive control groups respectively. Histologic survey confirms macroscopic findings.Conclusion: F. vulgaris extract has significant beneficial effects on the healing of aspirin induced gastric ulcer.

Background and Aim: The effect of beta INF on multiple sclerosis has been reviewed in some studies but it is partially effective and some of its complications are unknown. This study was performed to evaluate Avonex efficacy in reducing relaps and attacks in the patients with Multiple sclerosis in Sanandaj.Materials and Methods: This was a before-after study from 1380 to 1382, encompassing 42 patients with multiple sclerosis who had received Avonex for 3 years. Data collected, were analyzed by means of SPSS. Win, x2 and paired T-tests. Results: Mean age of the patients was 34.85±13.73 years and most patients (42.8%) were between 30-39 years of age. 83.4% of patients were female and 16.6% of them were male (ratio 5/1). The mean number of attacks in the patients before treatment with Avonex was 1.8±1.29, while after treatment it declined to 0.71±1.04. which is statistically significant (p<0.01).Conclusion: Results of this study suggest that Avonex reduce recurrences and attacks of MS in the patients.

Background and Aim: Strategies to manage resistance to insecticides have usually been designed when resistance has already been developed. However, if the likelihood of resistance development to novel insecticides can be predicted before their use, it should be possible to establish an effective resistance management program. The current study was designed to investigate the effect of fipronil against permethrin sensitive and permethrin resistant strains of Blattella germanica (L.) for effective control of this pest in Iran in the future.Materials & Methods: In order to conduct this study eleven feral German cockroach strains were collected from infested student dormitories of Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Sanatee Sharif, Tarbiat Modares and Tehran Universities and also residential Saman Apartments, and two infested hospitals in Tehran. Their sensitivity to permethrin and fipronil were compared with that of a standard susceptible strain. Tests were conducted on newly emerged adult males (ultimately 21 years old) by topical application.Results: LD50'S of permethrin and fipronil for the susceptible strain were 0.43µg and 0.96 ng respectively. The resistance of feral strains to permethrin was 8.6 to 17.7 times as much as that of the susceptible strain. According to this investigation all strains are resistant to permethrin, whereas resistance rates of the strains from Bustan- 10, Zanjan Fatemiyeh dormitories and residential Saman Apartments were 2 to 2.6 times more than that of the susceptible strain. Other strains were completely susceptible to fipronil.Conclusion: According to the results of this study and considering ever-increasing infestation of human habitations by German cockroach and the resistance to insecticides; fipronil especially its toxic bait formulations can be regarded as the appropriate candidate to control this pest in Iran.

Background and Aim: Intrauterine insemination (IUI) after ovulation induction is one of the infertility treatment methods that is used before more invasive assisted reproductive techniques (ART) because of its simplicity and low expenditures. This procedure is performed in different kinds of sub-fertility such as those related to male factors, cervical factors and unexplained infertility. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship of sperm parameters with IVI success.Materials and Methods: In this cross sectional descriptive analytical study, 223 infertile couples who had undergone 413 IDI cycles were studied. Sampling method was census and based on available medical records of the patients in 2004. Number of IVI cycle and sperm parameters of the patients were reviewed. Semen analysis was done on the basis of NAFA-ESHRE guide manual (2001); data were collected and then analyzed statistically by means of X2, T and Fisher exact tests. p<0.05 was considered significant.Results: Pregnancy rate was 7.7% for every IVI cycle and 14.3% for every couple. Those who had progressive sperm (grade 3 and 4) in their first semen analysis, had more pregnancy rate (19.8% vs. 8.9%) (p=0.016). Those with 15% and more morphologically normal sperm had higher pregnancy rate (18.3%), but, in other subjects with less than 15%, the pregnancy rate declined to 9.8% (p=0.143). In the study of sperm count after washing, the pregnancy rate in the wives of the men with total sperm count of more than 20 million was 16%, while total sperm count of less than 20 million, led to a pregnancy rate of 3.4% (p=0.054).Conclusion: According to our study the existence of progressive sperms (grade 3 and 4) in semen analysis before washing, is one of the most important factors in prediction of IUI success.

Background and Aim: Spoligotyping was applied to investigate the prevalence of all genotype in M. tuberculosis isolates. The associated risk factors among patients with different nationalities residing in Iran were also determined. Materials and Methods: In this analytic cross-sectional study a total of 439 patients that referred to the NRITLD, the referral tuberculosis center in Iran; have been registered during March 21st, 2003 to March 21st 2004.The isolated Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains have been characterized by performing susceptibility tests against four first-line antituberculosis drugs and were then subjected to spoligotyping characterization. T-test and chi-square were used for analysis of the data. Results: Spoligotyping of M. tuberculosis strains resulted in 140 different patterns that divided into 9 clades. One hundred twenty two (87.1%) of these spoligotype isolates were unique and reported for the first time. The remaining 18 (12.8%) spoligotype patterns were previously reported from other geographical regions of the world. Haarlem family was most prevalent than other genotype. Interestingly, 6.3% of the strains belonged to the Beijing family. The MDR (multi drug resistance), double and triple resistance were seen in group I of evolutionary scenario. Antibiotic resistances were higher in those isolated from the Afghani patients (p<0.001). The other risk factors such as sex and age were also contributing factors to the diseases state.Conclusion: The results showed that multi drug-resistance was more prevalent in bacteria isolated from Afghani TB patients residing in Iran. In addition, spread of M. tuberculosis strains belonging to the Beijing family among Iranian patients has to be considered seriously. It is also important to undertake studies to identify which factors are the most significant to consider in tuberculosis control program.

Background and Aim: Successful development and implantation of cryo-preserved embryos depend on suitable culture medium, cytokines, growth factors and genomic expression. Epidermal growth factor and its receptor have important roles on embryonic development and implantation. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of EGF on preimplantation development and to detect mRNA for the EGF receptor in vitrified mouse embryo.Materials and Methods: 8 to 16 celled mouse embryos were collected from super-ovulated NMRI mice 56 to 64 h after RCG injection and divided into 4 groups: two control groups were cultured in MEM-a (control 1) and MEM-α+EGF (10 ng/ml) as control 2. The experimental groups were vitrified immediately after collection and then cultured for 96h in MEM-a and M-α+EGF (l0 ng/ml) respectively. Expression of EGFR in hatched and hatching blastocysts was studied too. Following RT, PCR nested primers were designed to optimize the specificity.Results: The results showed that blastocyst formation and hatching rates were significantly lower in vitrified embryos and degeneration rate was significantly higher in these groups. Blastocyst formation, hatching and degeneration rates were not significantly different in control group 1 compared to control group 2 and also in expo group 1 in comparison with exp. group 2. 96 hours after culture, mRNA expression of EGFR was detected in embryos in the four groups.Conclusion: In conclusion addition of EGF (10 ng/ml) to a complex medium like (MEM-a) doesn't have any stimulatory effect on embryonic development of vitrified and non-vitrified embryos. Vitrification did not prevent EGFR expression after 96h of culturing, but it seems that addition of EGF to the medium stimulates EGFR expression in mouse blastocysts.

Background Aim: Diet regimen and nutritional therapy are suitable methods to reduce weight in obese people. The aim of this study is to determine the effect of yoghurt on weight reduction and BMI in overweight people.Materials and Methods: 32 overweight people in an interventional study were divided into to groups by block randomization, experimental group included 17 and control group 15 people. Before the beginning of study; the weights and heights of the subjects of the two groups were measured. The weight and BMI were measured in experimental group after 12 weeks again. Alterations of body weight and BMI in experimental group and control group were evaluated by means of SPSS software, Mann-whitney U and T-tests. p<0.05 was regarded significant.Results: At the beginning of the study; weight, .height and BMI of the people in the two groups had no significant difference but after yoghurt intake, experimental group, achieved more weight reduction than control group which was statistically significant (p<0.05). Although reduction of BMI was not significant statistically in both groups; reduction of BMI in experimental group was more than that of control group.Conclusion: Taking two servings of the yoghurt is effective in weight reduction in the obese and overweight people.

Background and Aim: Occupational exhaustion is one of the essential factors influencing performance quality of staff and has been reported in social workers, policemen, doctors, nurses and individuales having stressful jobs. As the occupational exhaustion may affect the quality of the services of the health care organizations. This study has been designed to investigate the level of occupational exhaustion in the nurses and midwives who work in the health and care units of Semnan University of Medical Sciences (SUMS).Methods and Materials: This is a descriptive cross sectional study which measured the demographic data and OE level of all nurses and midwives of SUMS. A standard questionnaire (Maslage and Jackson, 1981) was used to measure the OE level in three different fields including: 1) emotional exhaustion, 2) depersonalization 3) personal promotion.Results: The findings of this study showed that increasing daily work-hours to over 8 hours/day may influence significantly initiation of the emotional exhaustion in nurses and midwives (p<0.05). A significant reverse relation was detected between the experience period and emotional exhaustion, so the people with less experience period showed higher emotional exhaustion (p<0.05). A higher level of emotional exhaustion was also observed in staff working in rotational shifts (p<0.05). Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that the emotional exhaustion is the most important sequel of occupational exhaustion, which has been observed among the SUMS staff. Paying attention to the development of communicative skills, controlling the contributing factors such as work-hours/day and sensible work programs may decrease the emotional exhaustion and so improve the quality of the services of the health care organizations.

Background and Aim: Leech bite is a rare cause of 01, respiratory and genital bleeding. leech salivatory secretions contains strong anticoagulant and vasodilator substanses among them Hirudin is the most important and promotes local bleeding by thrombin inhibition and other mechanisms. Usually leeches may be swallowed by drinking stagnant or even mountain stream water and then enter the mouth and nostrils. Ingested leeches in most frequently attach to the mucosa of nose or nasopharynx leading to epistaxis and respiratory distress, but rarely, they may attach to trachea, bronchi or oesophagus and give rise to haematemesis, haemoptysis and severe respiratory distress.Case Report: A 7 years old girl, lived in one of the Kurdistans villages admitted in Tohid hospital urgency unit with epistaxis and haemoptysis. After taking medical diagnostic measures the cause of bleeding turned out to be leech attachment to her nasopharynx. Leech was removed by means of surgical forceps. Bleeding was stopped and she was discharged.Conclusion: Leech bite should be considered as a rare cause of 01, respiratory and genital bleeding in regions where people drink stagnant or stream water. People living in such rural regions need more education concerning leech bite and use of suitable water.