Armaghane Danesh
Year:2012 | Volume:16 | Issue:6 (66)|Papers Count:14

Background & Aim: Skeletal muscle contraction, secondary to pain and fear, may cause a reaction in the pelvic floor muscle contraction and may result in atypical labor progress, fetal descent and rotation of head. The object of this study was to compare the effect of acupressure at two GB-21 and SP-6 points on the severity of labor pain.Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, 150 primiparous women were randomly divided into three groups of 1-Acupressure at GB-21 point, 2-Acupressure at SP-6 point and 3-control group (contact at two points). The intervention was carried out for 20 minutes at 3-4 cm dilatation of cervix. The pain severity prior to, immediately and 3 and 60 minutes after intervention were measured by Visual Analog Scale. Collected data were analysed using repeated measures analysis of variances.Results: The pain severity before intervention among three groups was not statistically significant. Nevertheless, the pain severity was reduced immediately, 30 and 60 minutes after intervention in two intervention groups at 3-4 cm dilatation as compared with the control group (P<0.001). No significant statistical difference was observed between the two case groups (P=0.93).Conclusion: Current study showed that the application of acupressure at two GB-21 and SP-6 points was effective on the reduction of the severity of labor pain. Hence, it is recommended to conduct further studies regarding the application of acupressure along with non-medicinal methods.

Background & Aim: There are multiple processes that lead to cell death after brain ischemia, such as glutamate release and inflammatory reactions. Histamine is able to suppress inflammatory reactions and glutamate release. Since histidine is precursor of histamine, this study was conducted to evaluate its neuroprotective effects on CA1 region of rat hippocampus following brain ischemia.Methods: In the present experimental study, thirty-six male Wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups as the following: control, surgical control, ischemia, and three groups which different doses (200, 500, and 1000 mg/kg) of histidine. Focal cerebral ischemia, for 60 min, was provoked by transient occlusion of the right middle cerebral artery in all groups except the two control groups, and histidine neuro-protective effects on neuronal death was evaluated in CA1 of hippocampus neurons after 7 days. The gathered data was analyzed using one-way ANOVA.Results: The results showed that the mean number of neuronal degeneration and pancellular necrosis in groups which received doses of 500 and 1000 mg/kg of histidine have significantly decreased in comparison with the ischemia group (p=0.001). This reduction in dose of 200 mg/kg of histidine was not statistically significant (p=0.05).Conclusion: Our present findings show that intraperitoneal administration of histidine before reperfusion alleviated CA1 damage.

Background & Aim: The imposed war burdened a lot of problems on the society of Iran during the past few years. In this course, veterans didn’t immune from its harmful effects. The aim of the present study was to determine the effectiveness of integrated group gestalt therapy and cognitive therapy on improvement of quality of life of veterans of city of Jahrom, Iran.Methods: The present clinical trial study was conducted on thirty veterans of Jahrom in 2010. The subjects included all the war veterans of Jahrom, 820 with 25-69 percent physical damage. Random sampling was executed and the world Health Organization life quality questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF) was given to 150 of them. Fifteen people in each group were replaced by another fifteen people. The test group received eight sessions of group consultation in Gestalt therapy and cognition therapy ways, but the control group received no therapy. The gathered data was analyzed using ANOVA test.Results: The result of this study showed that-there is a significant difference between the life quality dimensions (physical health, mental health, life environment and social relations) between the test and control group (p=0.001).Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the integrated of group counseling by gestalt therapy and cognitive therapy had an influence on increasing the veteran’s life qualifications in aspects of physical health, mental health, life environment and social relations.

Background & aim: In Iranian traditional medicine, Crocus sativus L. has been defined as an exultant plant. The present study was undertaken to determine the effect of subchronic administration of aqueous and hydro-alcoholic extracts of Crocus sativus on mice.Methods: The effect of subchronic i.p. administration of different doses of the aqueous extract (50, 100, 200, 400 mg/kg or water) and the hydro-alcoholic extract (100, 200, 400, 800 mg/kg or water) of Crocus sativus stigma on immobility, climbing, and swimming behaviors were evaluated in the forced swimming test in mice. Fluoxetine (20 mg/kg) and imipramine (15 mg/kg) were used as reference drugs. Additionally, the effect of both plant preparations on spontaneous activity was examined. The collected data was analyzed using One-way ANOVA.Results: The aqueous extract at doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg produced a significant reduction in immobility along with an increase in climbing behavior which is similar to those which have been observed with imipramine. The hydro-alcoholic extract did not show significant effects on immobility, climbing and swimming behaviors of all studied doses, compared to control group. The aqueous extract of all studied doses and the hydro-alcoholic extract at dose of 1600 mg/kg decreased spontaneous activity.Conclusion: The results of this study suggests that the aqueous, but not hydro-alcoholic, extract of Crocus sativus stigma from Estahbanat in Fars province, in subchronic administration possess an antidepressant-like activity which may be mediated through norepinephrine system.

Background & Aim: Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL) is an endemic disease in some parts of Iran. Leishmania infantum is the agent of disease in studied areas. The aim of the present study was the characterization of visceral leishmaniasis in reservoir host (dogs) and determination of agent by molecular method in Boyer-Ahmad district, Iran.Methods: In this study 15 infected dogs with symptoms of canine visceral leishmaniasis were selected from 5 VL endemic villages of Boyer-Ahmad district in 2010. All cases were tested by DAT for evaluation of anti leishmanial antibodies. After necropsy, parasitological study was conducted by use of impression smear of liver and spleen. Nested PCR was use to detect the parasite DNA in the liver and spleen tissues.Results: From fifteen cases, fourteen dogs had antibody titer above of 1: 320 while one of the cases was seronegative. Leishmania amastigotes was seen in 13 smears of liver and spleen (13 cases). The agent of disease in 14 dogs determined as Leishmania infantum by nested PCR.Conclusion: This study confirmed that Leishmania infantum is the causative agent of canine VL in Boyer-Ahmad and the diseases pattern is similar to the rest of country.

Background & Aim: Today, the percentage of deaths due to heart diseases has increased and along with the exercise training role in reducing obesity and cardiovascular disease, soy is a useful source of food in reducing blood lipid and obesity. The present study investigated the effect of combined selective short aerobic moderate intensity exercise and soya intake on serum lipids and obesity in obese postmenopausal women.Methods: In the present quasi-experimental study conducted in 2006 on women of Urmia, Iran, 56 obese postmenopausal women were selected and randomly divided into four groups of 14 subjects as follow: exercise-soya, exercise, soya, and control group. Pre- and post protocol blood samples were collected and the level of TG (Triglyceride), tCho (Total Cholesterol), LDL-C (Low density lipoprotein), HDL-C (high density lipoprotein) were measured. Exercise training within the range of 60-70% maximum heart rate (MHR) was performed for 60 minutes, 3 sessions per week. The subjects of soya group and exercise-soya group had a 100 gram soya nut intake daily for 10 weeks. After The training course, blood samples were taken from the subjects. The collected data was analyzed using Two-way ANOVA and paired t-test.Results: Having soya along with exercise had significant impact on reduction of TG, tCho, LDL-C means (p<0.05). Body mass index and waist to hip ratio decreased significantly in exercise-soya group after 10 weeks (p<0.05).Conclusion: Based on the findings of this study, aerobic moderate intensity exercise along with soya intake, decrease obesity and serum lipids in obese postmenopausal women.

Background & Aim: Considering the evidence which show the effect of herbal medicine on renal stone treatment, the aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of Allium Jesdianum on prevention and treatment of calcium oxalate stone in rats.Methods: In the present experimental study, forty-four male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups (each group 11 rats) and then studied for 30 days. The Healthy control group only received normal water and a regular diet. The negative control group received 1% ethylene glycol in water during the study. The low dose and high dose preventive groups received 750 mg/kg and 1500 mg/kg of Allium Jesdianum with 1% ethylene glycol every day. The 24-hour urine samples of rats were collected on days 1, 15 and 30 of the study. Then, under anesthesia, blood samples were taken directly from the heart. All rats were then killed and pathology of kidneys was checked for crystals of calcium oxalates in renal tubules. Data analysis was done by the SPSS software using One-way ANOVA.Results: The number of calcium oxalate crystals in the negative control group (18.7±26.1), the low dose preventive group (5.3±8.2) and high dose preventive group (80.6±82.8) in comparison to the healthy control group were increased and this difference in the high dose preventive group and healthy control group was significant (p<0.05). Urinary oxalate in the 30th day was more in both preventive groups and negative control group in comparison to healthy control group and this diference was statistically significant (p<0.05).Conclusion: This study showed that Allium Jesdianum doesn' t have a preventive effect on the formation of renal stones, and it also increases calcium oxalate crystals in kidney of male wistar rats that need more studies.

Background & Aim: Aging is a biological process influenced by biological, physiological, social and environmental factors. This study was conducted to determine the health status of elderly people resident in Yasouj, Iran.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Yasouj during 2008. A number of 428 people, aged over 60, were selected based on cluster and random sampling. A researcher made questionnaire, based on existing literatures and current studies, was designed in four domains known as activities of daily living (ADL), physical health, psycho-spiritual health and status of socioeconomic. Its content validity, face validity and reliability were reviewed and confirmed. The collected data was analyzed by the SPSS software version 17 using descriptive statistics such as frequency, tables, the central and dispersion statistical indicators as well as inferential statistics like independent t-test with considering a=0.5.Results: In this study, the total mean scores of four domains of health were 106.63 ± 6.49 (range 82-134), which has 99 percent of their health status were totally described as moderate. Based on four areas of health status, the mean score of activities of daily living, physical health, psychospiritual health and socio-economic status were 23.72 ± 4 (range 16-34), 25.40 ± 3.21 (range 13-34), 34.03 ± 4.71 (range 14-46) and 23.71 ± 4.20 with range of 15-37, respectively. Compared mean scores of activities of daily living and psycho-spiritual health showed significant statistical differences according to age groups and sex variables.Conclusion: Health status of the majority of elderly people in this study was moderate which require further attention and holistic support from the family, community, and health authorities in the field.

Background & Aim: The aim of this study was to compare the maladjustment indicators using Machover Draw-A-Person Test (DAP) and behavioral disorders between orphan and normal children aged 6-11 in Tehran and Shemiranat district, Tehran province, Iran 2010.Methods: The present study was a case-control study. The sample included 84 children aged 6-11 years old. Forty two children were orphan (22 boys and 20 girls) and other 42 were non orphan (22 boys and 20 girls). They were enrolled by use of accessible sampling and were assessed by Machover Draw-A-Person Test and Ratter’s behavior disorder scale (teachers form). Their behavior was scored by their teachers. The data was analyzed by the use of descriptive statistics and inferential statistics (independent t, analysis of variance)Results: Results of this study showed that maladjustment indicator of DAP in orphan children (Mean=6.43 ± 3.35) is more than non orphan children (4.50 ±2.48) and the difference was statistically significant (p<0.004). Moreover, behavioral disorders in orphan children (Mean=15.81 ± 11.16) is more than non orphans (Mean=6.40 ± 6.14) this difference was also statistically significant.(p<0.0001)Conclusion: The present study revealed that the maladjustment indicator of DAP and behavioral disorders in orphans is more than non orphan children.

Background & Aim: Successful family relationships and marital satisfaction largely depends on couples’ awareness of their marital or parental roles. Marital relations training could provide adaptation with expected roles for both husband and wife. The main objective of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of life skills training on marital satisfaction in married women.Methods: The present quasi-experimental study which was carried out in 2010 examined fifty married women in Dogonbadan, Iran.The Enrich Marital Satisfaction Questionnaire and related demographic data which was collected prior and one year after training, were used for the study. T-test was used for data analysis.Results: The mean age, average number of children, and the average length of marriage were 35, 1.8, and 10.36 years respectively. The average of all scores was significantly different in pretest and post test (p<0.002). Also, the scores of personality objects (p<0.05), marital relationships (p<0.001), conflict resolution (p<0.001), and financial and economic monitoring (p<0.001) were significantly different. The differences in mean scores of subscales in relationship with relatives and friends, leisure activities, and marriage and children were not statistically significant.Conclusion: The results showed that marital skills' training is effective in improving the marital status and satisfaction, and also improved the quality of life among married couples.