JOURNAL OF GORGAN UNIVERSITY OF MEDICAL SCIENCES
Year:2012 | Volume:13 | Issue:4 (40)|Papers Count:20

Antibiotics usage in domestic animals, as antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs) was considered from middle of 1950 onwards. Antibiotic feed additives as growth promoters have long been supplemented to animal food in very low amounts (5 to 20 ppm) to stabilize the intestinal microbial flora, improve the general performances, and prevent some specific intestinal pathogens. The widespread use of antibiotics as AGPs is playing a significant role in the emergence of resistant bacteria. The resistant bacteria in animals due to antibiotic exposure can be transmitted to human through the consumption of their products, from close or direct contact with animals, or through the environment and consequently, the increased concern about the potential for antibiotic resistant bacteria was led the European Union and the United States regulations banning the use of AGPs in animal food since 2006. Various studies always look for a suitable replacement antibiotics to substitute to preserve the valuable role of these compounds.Extensive efforts on these alternatives have been started in last decades and some of these alternatives such as probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, ionophores, acidifier, organic acids, medicinal herbs and phytogenic can be pointed out. Hence, the aim of this review is to evaluate the antibiotic replacement strategy particularly medicinal herbs and their mechanisms as new growth and health promoters.

Background and Objective: The pregnancy period is very sensitive and complicative stages of life. It has been shown that addictive drugs such as ecstasy (MDMA: Methylene Dioxy Metha Amphetamine) can interfere in this stage. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of Methylene Dioxy Metha Amphetamine administration during pregnancy on reproductive system of BALB/c mice.Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 10 and 5 female BALB/c mice were randomly selected as cases and controls, respectively. The pregnancy was induced following ovarian hyperstimulation with PMSG and hCG followed by mating with male animals. MDMA (5 mg/kg) and saline was injected intraperitoneally in day 7 and 14 of pregnancy in experimental and controls, respectively. The ovarian structure, as well as uterine tube, uterine horns and body, and vagina were studied histologically using light microscopy 27 days post delivery date. Data analyzed by using SPSS-17 and Chi-Square and Fisher exact test.Results: The rate of primary follicles was decreased from 18.42% in experimental to 33.33% in controls (P<0.05). The rate of mature follicles was significantly increased in experimental mice as compared to controls (P<0.05). The number of atretic bodies was lower in experimental than controls. The cellular alterations were observed in some portions of uterine tubes and uterine horns after ecstasy administration. However, no alterations observed in other parts of reproductive system.Conclusion: This study showed that MDMA cause some structural alterations in the uterine tubes and uterine horns, increase follicular maturation and reduction of follicular atresia in BALB/c mice.

Background and Objective: Elevated levels of inflammation markers including white blood cell, platelet, serum fibrinogen and CRP are associated with prognosis in patients with coronary artery diseases. This study was done to determine the effect of hydroalcoholic extracts of Amaranthus caudatus lon Inflammation markers level in Hypercholesterolemic Rabbits.Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 20 male Rabbits were allocated into four groups of five each: Group I Normal diet (75 days); Group II Hypercholesterolemic diet (75 days); Group III and IV Hypercholesterolemic diet (45 days) followed by Normal diet and Normal diet with hydroalcoholic extractsAmaranthus caudatus l., respectively for an additional 30 days (Regression period). Blood samples were collected from rabbits before and after 45 days and 75 days of respective diet regimen. The level of White Blood cell, platelet, serum fibrinogen and CRP were measured. Data analyzed by using SPSS-13 and one-way ANOVA test.Results: CRP in treatment group reduced from 8.14±4.5 mg/l to 17.8±4.6 mg/l in hypercholesterolemic animals (group II) (P<0.05). WBC count was 20820±8692 and 42366±17048 in treatment and hypercholesterolemic animals, respectively (P<0.05). Platelet and fibrinogen concentration was reduced in treatment group 502600±35725 and 208±24 mg/dl, respectively in comparison with hypercholesterolemic animals 638000±59774 and 299±46 mg/dl, respectively. These differences were significant (P<0.05).Conclusion: This study showed that hydroalcoholic extracts of Amaranthus caudatus l reduces inflammatory markers in hypercholesterolemic rabbits.

Background and Objective: Hemodynamic alteration and hypotension due to spinal anesthesia can reduce tissue perfusion and increase ischemic risk, myocardial infraction, renal failures spinal damages and even deep veins thrombosis. This study was designed to compare pharmaceutical effects of ephedrine, atropine and mucosal phenilephrin on hemodynamic alteration of women during spinal anesthesia in cesarean section.Materials and Methods: This randomized clinical and double blind study was done on 90 singleton pregnant women with ASA I and II class. the subjects gone elective cesarean section and allocated into three groups. subjects were received 500 ml ringer lactate before spinal anesthesia. Subjects in group I, II and III first received 0.1 mg/kg atropine (IV) 0.01 mg/kg ephedrine and 100 mgr phenilephrin (mucosal) prior spinal anesthesia, respectively. Hemodaynamic indexes including blood pressure, heart Rate, oxygen saturation and drug side effects were determined every 5 minutes interval through the surgery. Data was analyzed by using SPSS-11.5, Chi-Square and ANOVA tests.Results: Hemodaynamic indexes were changed during study, but three medicine showed similar effect on heart Rate, blood pressure and changes of oxygen saturation (P<0.05). There was a significant differences among three groups for dosage of extra ephedrine to control of blood pressure (P<0.05). This increase dosage of extra ephedrine was 56.7%, 20% and in ephedrine, phenilephrin and atropine groups, respectively. Nosia rate was 6.7%, 50% and 46.7% in phenilephrin, atropine and ephedrine groups, respectively (P<0.05).Conclusion: This study showed that to prevent of blood pressure drop following spinal anestasia atropine, phenilephrin and ephedrine can be prescribed, but ephedrine is recommended for lowering the rate of nosia.

Background and Objective: In pathogenesis of beta major thalassemia, tissue damage is occurring due to oxidative stress. The present study was designed to evaluate the effects of vitamin E supplementation on serum Paraoxonase, SOD, GPX enzyme activity and lipid profiles in beta major thalassemia patients.Materials and Methods: In this clinical tiral study, Sixty (25 males, 35 females) beta major thalassemia patients with age ³18 years who had criterias to enter the study, were selected randomely in two groups. The patients in interventional group, vitamin E at a dose of 400 mg/day were given for three months, with no supplementations in control group. The enzyme activities of paraoxonase, SOD, GPX and lipid profiles (LDL-c, HDL-c, triglyceride, total Antixidant Capacity) were measured prior and after 3 months in both case and control groups. Data analyzed by using paired t-test.Results: Significant increases in serum levels of vitamin E, Paraoxonase activity, HDL cholesterol (P<0.001), BMI (P£0.001) and a significant reduction in GPX activity (P<0.05) were observed in cases compared to controls.Conclusion: The vitamin E supplementation may be useful in reducing oxidative stress and lipid profiles in beta major thalassemic patients.

Background and Objective: The reduction of shoe heel height can increase abdominal muscles activity. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of low shoe heel height on the trunk muscle activity in young healthy females.Materials and Methods: In this quasi- experimental (Pre-post) study, 48 healthy females were evaluated at University of social welfare and rehabilitation at 2009-2010. Females were selected in a non probability sampling manner and divided randomly into two groups. Subjects in the first group (12 females) were used low heel height shoes (less than 3.4 cm) for six months. The second group (12 female) was used standard heel shoes height (3.5-5 cm) for six months. After the end of the first step of study, females in first group were used standard heel shoes height (3.5-5 cm) for six months. The Kinsiologic Electromyography instrument was used to test the Electromyography magnitude of rectus abdominal and external oblique activity. Data was analyzed with Paired and independent T student and Kolmogorrov-Smirnov tests.Results: Muscle activity in first and second groups at external oblique was 9.72±3.15 mu and 7.87±2.47 mu and at rectus abdominal was 11.60±3.58 mu and 9.81±3.46 mu respectively. Muscle activity before and after using standard shoe heel height was significant (p<0.05).Conclusion: It seems that using lower heel shoes height increase the trunk muscle activity.

Background and Objective: Fibrinogen, an inflammatory marker as well as a fundamental part of the coagulation cascade, is suggested to play a significant role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and complications of atherothrombotic diseases. This study was carried out to assess the comparison of acute aerobic and resistance training method on plasma fibrinogen concentration in young women.Materials and Methods: This semi-experimental study was done on twenty trained volunteer women students, which was selected objectively, and availability. The subjects were randomly divided into two groups of aerobic (n=10) and resistance training (n=10). Aerobic group performed exhaustive workout program on treadmill intensity 65 to75% of Vo2max on treadmill. The resistance group completed three sets of 5-7 repetitions of six exercises at an intensity corresponding to 80% of 1RM. Following 12 to 14 hours of nightly fasting, venous blood samples (5 cc) were collected pre, immediately after exercise and after 60 min of recovery and analyzed for fibrinogen content. Participants were matched according to anthropometric measurements, age, fat percentage and Vo2max. Data tested by using independent t, repeated measures analysis of variance and post-hoc test least significant difference (LSD) (P£0.05).Results: In both the aerobic and resistance training groups, fibrinogen levels increased immediately after exercise and remained higher than baseline levels during recovery. This changes were significant only in aerobic group (P<0.05). Resistance training increased significantly the fibrinogen levels immediately after exercise than aerobic exercise (P<0.035).Conclusion: It can be concluded that the exhaustive aerobic exercise may induce slightly increase the fibrinogen levels in comparison with resistance training at intensity corresponding to 80% of 1RM.

Background and Objective: It is well accepted that accommodation system is characterized by steady state error in focus. Usually near addition lenses are prescribed to prepresbyopic individual for treatment of binocular motor problems such as convergence excess and accommodative disorder. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the near addition lenses in accommodative and vergence responses at three viewing distances.Materials and Methods: This semi-experimental study was done on 42 students of 17-25 years old in Zahedan, South-Eastern Iran during 2009. After correction of refractive error, phoria states with APCT and binocular and monocular lag of accommodation by MEM method with and without +2.00 lenses in three difference distances (30, 40, 50 cm) was measured. Data analyzed by ANOVA, t-student and paired t-tests.Results: There was significant difference between average of lag of accommodation and phoria at various distances, with and without lens (P<0.05). Also, there was significant difference between mean of lag in 3 fixation distance (P<0.017). There was no significant difference between average of lag of accommodation and phoria at various distances in three group of refractive error.Conclusion: Our results showed that, near addition lens reduce the lag of accommodation. It is proposed, therefore, according to near emmetropization theory addition lenses may be effective in reducing of the myopia progression.

Background and Objective: Domestic violence can place mother and fetus at risk. This issue can be prevented through education and basic knowledge. This study carried out to determine the frequency and severity of domestic violence in pregnant women referred to health centers in Arak, Iran.Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was done on 400 pregnant women referring in health centers in Arak North-West of Iran during 2009. This research was implemented through questionnaires including the demographic chracteristic aspects of physical violence, emotional, verbal and financial severity and the factors effected violence on pregnant women. Data was analyzed using Chi-Square, one way ANOVA and Tukey tests.Results: The overall prevalence of violence during pregnancy was 34.5%. For this rate, 56%, 48%, 23% and 11% were emotional violence, verbal, financial and physical violences, respectively. Marrige age (P<0.035), partnership lenght (P<0.018), family history of marriage (P<0.001), education (P<0.001), occupation of woman and husband (P<0.001) with the outbreak of violence during pregnancy were significantly associated.Conclusion: This study indicated that the frequency of domestic violence in pregnant women is high, therefore it is sugested women clinic to be established to protect pregnant women suffering from domestic violence during pregnancy.

Background and Objective: The majority of medicines are associated with some form of side effects due to high prevalence of self- medication in Iran. There is not any drug without side effects; the prevalence of self- medication in Iran's provinces is increasing. This study was done to determine the knowledge and practice among woman about self -medication based on health belief model.Materials and Methods: This cross- sectional study carried out on 385 women whom referred to health centers in Isfahan, Iran during 2008. Data were collected by a questionnaire including knowledge, practice and health belief model structures.Results: The mean score of knowledge was 82.97±13.80 and means score of perceived susceptibility 72.48±17.11, severity 71.60±14.73, benefits 68.29±17.13 and barriers 61.64±19.67.86% of women have done self-medication at least in one disease in 6 months earlier Including: cold 225 (57.6%), headache 28 (53.7%) and anemia 51 (13.2%). The main reasons for self-medication were previous experience and medicine accessibility. The main reasons to avoid self-medication was the side effects of medicine.Conclusion: Self-medication can be prevented thought increasing knowledge and education about severity of drug side effects.

Background and Objective: The prevalence of hepatitis B infection is increasing worldwide. The main way to prevent hepatitis B transmission to newborns can be through accurate detection of HBsAg positive pregnant women and implementation of standard protocol for their infants. Therefore, this study carried out to determine the frequency of HBsAg in pregnant women in Gorgan, Iran.Materials and Methods: This cross sectional study was done on 1553 pregnant women whom attended to Dezyani hospital in Gorgan, North of Iran during 2008-09. Blood samples were taken and tested for HBsAg and HBeAg using ELISA method.Results: HBsAg was found positive in 15 (1%) pregnant women. However, HBeAg were negative in all cases. Seven of these cases (46.7%) were not diagnosed before admission to the hospital for delivery and therefore had not received any immunoprophylaxis or HBIG treatment for their newborns. In contrary, six mothers and their newborns received immunoprophylaxis due to falsely diagnosed HBsAg seropositive.Conclusion: This study showed that the current protocols for dealing with HBsAg seropositivity and case finding among pregnant women in this region should be thoroughly revised. Furthermore, it is suggested that pregnant women during third trimester should be screened for HBsAg.

Background and Objective: Floater is defined as dark and vague spots and lines, which presents in visual fields of patients. Etiologies are various and life threatening, due to the serious complications resulted from floaters, this study was designed to assess ophthalmic disorder among patients with floater Gorgan, Iran (2009).Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study, was done on 164 patients (105 female, 59 male) with floater or photopsia in Gorgan, North of Iran during 2009. Findings of ophthalmic examination and demographic characteristics were recorded in a questionnaire for each patients.Results: The prevalency of floater was higher among patients over sixty years old.57.2% women with floater were during monopausal period. Myopia (32.9%) and cataract (32.9%) were the most associated ophthalmic diseases. Posterior vitreous detachment and retinal bleeding in patients with floater was 84.1% and 6.1%, respectively. Retinal detachment was not seen in patients.Conclusion: This study showed that posterior retinal detachment is the most frequent associated ophthalmic disorder in patients with floater. Older age, gender, myopia and cataract are considered to be the related risk factors in floater.

Background and Objective: Malnutrition in hospital increases the mortality of patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of malnutrition and related risk factors in hospitalized patients.Materials and Methods: This descriptive study was carried out on 446 patients (217 males, 229 females) during 6 months, admitted to the Taleghani hospital in Tehran, Iran during 2005. Anthropometric measurements and previous admission to hospital in previous 6 months for each patient was recorded. Mild, moderate and severe malnutrition were considered as BMI=18-20 kg/m2 and TSF, or MAMC<10th, or weight loss<5%; as BMI=16-18kg/m2 and TSF, or MAMC<5th, or weight loss 5-10% and severe as BMI<16kg/m2 and TSF, or MAMC<5th or weight loss>10% in previous 6 months respectively.Results: The prevalence rate of malnutrition as a general was 52% with following subdivision: 14%, 10% and 28% in mild, moderate and severe, respectively. The highest prevalence of malnutrition observed in gastrointestinal ward, males, those aged 18-29 year and patients with secondary and high school education. In malnourished patients, the prevalence of TSF, MAC and MAMC<5th were significantly more than of well-nourished subjects (P<0.05). Increase BMI per unit decreased the risk of malnutrition by 17% (OR: 0.83; CI: 0.79-0.87). Malnutrition was 64% higher in patients with 1³ gastrointestinal disturbances, compared with those without it and 2.1 higher in patients with 2³-hospitalized readmission, compared with subjects without readmission in previous 6 month. Odds ratio of at least one hospitalized admission in previous 6 month was 1.64 in patients with MAC<5th, compared with those with MAC 50-75th (P<0.017).Conclusion: This study showed that Malnutrition upon hospitalization is common in Tehran. BMI, gastrointestinal disturbances, and readmission were associated with malnutrition.

Background and Objective: Fish as well as other aquatic animals have become an important source of protein diets. Heavy metals due to their specific physical and chemical characteristics as well as their side effects on various ecosystems are considered as a major contaminator of marine environments. Therefore determine determination of Zinc (Zn), Copper (Cu), Cobalt (Co) and Manganese (Mn) intensity in Rutilus frisii kutum and Cyprinus carpio fishes of Caspian sea.Materials and Methods: In this descriptive study, levels of Zinc, Copper, Cobalt and Manganese were evaluated, using flame atomic absorption spectroscopy (A.S.S) technique, in tissues of two commonly consumed fish in Iran, namely Rutilus frisii kutum and Cyprinus carpio, collected from the southern coastline of the Caspian sea.Results: The mean ± SD average concentration of Zn, Cu, Co and Mn were detected as (mg g-1) dry weight of Rutilus frisii kutum’s tissues were 29.97±0.57, 9.45±0.09, 0.30±0.01 and 0.20±0.01, respectively. These values for Cyprinus carpio were detected as: 30.20±0.14, 9.14±0.07, 1.08±0.03 and 0.71±0.02, respectively.Conclusion: This study showed that, the concentration of Zn, Cu and Co in Rutilus frisii kutum, Cyprinus carpiofish tissues were higher than standard base of Brian.

Background and Objective: Fungi are widely distributed in nature and they are usually present in attomospher but other sources such as water play an important role in their ecology. This study was done to evaluate mycoflora assessment in drinking tap water in Sari, North of Iran. The tap water collected form Sari water distribution system for fungi.Materials and Methods: In this descriptive study, a volume of 100 ml of tap drinking water samples (n=60) were collected in sterile bottles. All water samples passed through sterile 0.45 micrometer filters. The filters were placed directly on Malt extract agar and incubated at 27oC for 3-7 days. Routine mycological techniques were applied to identify the grown fungi.Results: Out of 468 grown fungal colonies, eight different fungal genera were identified. The total mean cfu per 100 ml for the positive samples were 8.4. Aspergillus (37.4%) and Penicillium (27.3%) were the most common isolated fungi. Rhizopus (0.6%) had the lowest frequency. Among Aspergillus species, A. flavus had the highest frequency.Conclusion: Our result showed that various fungi were present in the tap drinking water. We propose fungi should be considered as part of the microbiological analysis parameters in drinking tap water.