Yafteh
Year:2015 | Volume:16 | Issue:4 (62)|Papers Count:16

Background: Nowadays, e-Learning is considered as one of the effective media of education. Since there is a tendency to implement this project at Lorestan university of medical sciences, the current study aimed to investigate the feasibility of implementing e-Learning project at this university from the perspective of professors, students, managers and executive staff in 2012-13.Materials and Methods: The study design was descriptive and cross sectional. Using stratified random sampling, 316 students, 84 faculty members and 13 managers and staff were selected by census method. In order to collect data, Darab Multidimensional Questionnaire (DMQ) (readiness of training and technical experience, cultural readiness, readiness of equipment, readiness of communication network, readiness of regulations, readiness of human resource, readiness of management, readiness of training policies, readiness of security and readiness of support) was used. The validity and reliability of the instrument were obtained using content validity and Cronbach's alpha (0.82), respectively.Results: Readiness of training and technical experience, cultural, equipment, readiness of communication network, human resource, management, training policies, security, and support in the university is not at the desirable level; however, readiness of regulations is at the desirable level.Conclusion: There is currently no readiness required for the implementation of e-Learning project and that the relevant infrastructures should be provided to promote the current situation.

Background: Oxidative stress is involved in the pathogenesis of many diseases. Conditions of oxidative stress and antioxidant imbalance plays a major role in the occurrence and development of atherosclerosis. The main objective of this study is to evaluate serum levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) as an index of lipid peroxidation and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) after consumption of atorvastatin in coronary artery stenosis patients.Materials and Methods: This study was carried out on 75 patients with angiographically proven coronary artery stenosis. The patients with coronary artery stenosis were divided into the following 3 groups according to consumption duration of atorvastatin: 25 patients were classified statins consume less than 6 days, 27 patients taking statins for 6 to 90 days, and 23 patients taking statins for more than 90 days. The levels of serum MDA and TAC were measured by thiobarbituric acid and Benzie methods, respectively.Results: The serum TAC concentrations of patients taking statins for more than 90 days (0.83±0.101 mmol/l) were significantly increased (p=0.001) compared with patients that atorvastatin consume less than 6 days (0.686±0.076 mmol/l) while the levels of MDA decreased significantly (p<0.029),  0.472±0.112mmol/l and 0.73±0.43 mmol/l, respectively. Conclusion: In conclusion, results indicate that a significant reduction of plasma MDA levels as well as a significant enhancement of TAC in coronary artery stenosis patients with long time receiving atorvastatin contribute to the lowering oxidative stress in this patients.

Background: The survival rate of premature newborns depends on gestational age, birth weight and condition when they are hospitalized. Different scoring systems to predict mortality in newborns has been designed. The purpose of this study was to evaluate value of CRIB II scoring system in predicting mortality rate of infants with birth weights less than 1500 grams.Material and Methods: In this 8 month cross- sectional study (September 2010 to April 2010) which was conducted in the NICU of Imam Reza hospital in Kermanshah, preterm newborns with birth weight less than 1500 gr and gestational age less than 32 weeks who were admitted within 12 hours after birth in the NICU, were evaluated based on CRIB II scoring system.Results: 50 neonates out of 1360 (36.8%) survived and 86 neonates (63.2%) died. Average CRIB II score in newborn survived was 5.8±2.9 and in infants died was 9.8±2.9 (p<0.0001). Based on the AUC, the CRIB II score could predict about 0.85 (CI: 0.77-0.92) of mortality. Also based on the ROC curve cut-off point for scoring CRIB II, was 6.5.Conclusion: Our study showed that CRIB II has a high value (about %85) in predicting mortality in newborns with birth weights less than 1500 grams.

Background: The prevalence of diabetes is rising in the world. The aim of this study was to determine the possible protective effect of sodium selenite on serum lipid profile and atherogenic indexes in Alloxan-induced Type 1 diabetic rats.Materials and Methods: Forty Sprage-dawley male rats were divided into four groups randomly; group one, as control, group two, sham (control treated with sodium selenite (1mg/kg)), group three, diabetic untreated, and group four, treated with sodium selenite (1mg/kg), respectively. Diabetes was induced in the second and third groups by alloxan injection subcutaneously. After 8 weeks, animals were anaesthetized, blood samples were also collected before killing to measure the blood glucose, triglyceride, cholesterol, LDL, VLDL, HDL and serum atherogenic indexes.Results: Sdium selenite inhibited a significant decrease of BG, TG, C, LDL and VLDL. HDL level. Sodium selenite inhibited significantly serum atherogenic indexes level.Conclusion: This study showed that sodium selenite exerts beneficial effects on the BG, lipid profile and atherogenic indexes in alloxan-induced Type 1 diabetic rats.

Background: Medical interventions in labor have been common in recent years. Oxytocin is amongst them which is used to speed delivery. Unfortunately the indiscriminate administration of it could lead to maternal and infant complications. The aim of this study was to compare labor outcome with oxytocin and spontaneous delivery in low risk pregnant women.Materials and Methods: In this descriptive- comparative study, 395 women with single fetus, cephalic presentation, normal delivery, in the active phase of labor were selected. 197 of the cases, as Oxytocin group, received oxytocin by physician’s order during their labor and 198 of the samples, as the second group, had spontaneous vaginal delivery. In both groups, some of the maternal and neonatal outcomes including: maternal morbidity, Apgar score at minutes one and five, admitted in neonatal intensive care unit and were studied. Data were analyzed using SPSS 16, t-test, Chi-square and Mann Whitney tests.Results: The findings showed that oxytocin significantly increased rates of episiotomy, laceration, post partum hemorrhage, hospitalization of neonate in intensive care unit and reduction of Apgar score at minutes one and five that were statistically significant (p<0.05).Conclusion: The results showed that the acceleration of delivery is not a safe method and increases the rate of maternal and infant complications. Therefore, it should be used in the case of medical necessities.

Background: The first step in controlling pollutants is to measure and analyze them, because comparing them with standards and practically controlling them will not become possible without full awareness of the qualities and quantities of pollutants. The present study was conducted to assess and determine the amount of volatile organic compounds in the air in Khorramabad, Iran. Methods and Materials: The present research is a descriptive study. On the whole, a total of 144 samples were randomly taken from the air in Khorramabad during one year. Sampling was done through an environmental sampling pump and activated carbon absorbent tubes. The sampling method the continuous random 24-hour type. The preparation of the samples and the extraction of the pollutants were carried out by solvent carbon disulfide. The samples were analyzed using Gas Chromatography – Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) device equipped with capillary columns. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS 17 and t-tests.Results: The results of the present study showed that the total concentration of the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the air of Khorramabad was 1140.9 mg/m3, which was about 7 times greater than the maximum acceptable amount set by USEPA (United States Environmental Protection Agency). Additionally, the findings of the present research indicate that, totally the mean concentration of all volatile organic compounds in different areas of the city of Khorramabad was higher than the permissible level set by EPA for breathable air. The comparison of the mean concentration of VOCs in the air in Khorramabad in the warm and cold seasons using the t-test indicated that there is a significant relationship between the concentrations of benzene and toluene and the season of the year (p<0.05). But for the other identified hydrocarbons no significant relationship was found despite the fact that they have higher concentrations during the warm season.Conclusion: Regarding the results of this study which indicated that the concentration of the VOCs in the air of Khorramabad is seven times greater than the amount set by international standards, it can be concluded that taking action to prevent the contamination of the air in Khorramabad is absolutely essential and calls for the design of an appropriate management system, proper planning, a continual monitoring system, and enhancement of the level of awareness of the people.

Background: Ziziphora tenuior is one of the traditional medicinal plants. The main active chemical compounds in this plant is Pulegone that its anti-inflammatory and its analgesic effects is well specified. In the present study, the analgesic effects of Ziziphora tenuior native of Sirjan zone (underflow) on the adult male mice was studied.Materials and Methods: In this study, after collecting leaf and twigs in Sirjan zone, The extract of Ziziphora tenuior was prepared by soaking method. Action of analgesia was evaluated using the formalin test. Hydro alcoholic extract at concentrations of 50, 100 and 150 mg per kg of body weight, was injected intraperitoneally. The control group had no treatment, and case group received drug solvent, normal saline intraperitoneally, and group 6 received morphine to rate of 0.2 mg kg. The data gathered and analyzed by SPSS 17 software and ANOVA statistical test in a significant level (P<0.05).Results: The results of this study showed that in adult male rats intraperitoneal injection of Ziziphora tenuior of Pariz zone (Sirjan) at concentrations of 50, 100 and 150 mg kg as morphine reduced the primary and secondary phases of pain which induced by formalin.Conclusion: The data showed that the medicinal herb of Ziziphora tenuior, has analgesic effects on mice and this plant should be considered in future treatments and it can be a good alternative to chemical drugs.

Background: Diabetes is a common disease that for its treatment and control different methods are recommended such as the use of natural remedies and lifestyle modification. Since the use of herbal medicines have less side effects than many chemical drugs, hence, this study aimed to investigate the effect of cinnamon extract on blood glucose, insulin and insulin resistance in diabetic rats with streptozotocin.Materials and Methods: This experimental study was conducted on 40 adult male rats, that were randomly divided into 4 groups including non diabetic control, diabetic control and two experimental groups receiving doses 60mg/kg of cinnamon extract for 3 and 6 weeks. At the end, by phlebotomizing of rats' heart, blood glucose and insulin were measured and using HOMA score insulin resistance was measured. To be normal data distribution, Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was done and data analyzed by SPSS-20 software and ANOVA and post hoc Tukey tests.Results: The results showed that in the group receiving the cinnamon extract, glycemic and insulin indexes were significantly adjusted.Conclusion: Cinnamon is probably due to have flavonoid and antioxidant compounds with antioxidant by increasing glucose uptake via the different body cells and due to reduction of oxidative stress level led to adjust glycemic and insulin indexes of blood.

Background: Identification of Nocardia spp. in routine medical laboratories is based on phenotypic methods that is often time- consuming. The objective of this study was to diagnose Nocardia agents by PCR technique in BAL samples of patients with suspected tuberculosis admitted to hospitals in Tehran.Materials and Methods: In this study,  116BAL samples of patients admitted in Baqiyatallah, Imam Khomeini and Shariati hospitals were collected within 8 months. Nocardia DNA was extracted by phenol-chloroform protocol. In Duplex PCR, primers NG1 and NG2 were used to amplify a Nocardia genus- specific 598-bp fragment of 16S rRNA gene. BetF and BetR primers were used as housekeeping gene to amplify 204-bp fragment. Gel-purified PCR products were sequenced.Results: Using Duplex PCR,  7(%6.03) samples were positive for Nocardia spp. Sequencing results showed that the species identified were N. cyriacigeorgica (6 case) and N. otitidiscaviarum (1 case).Conclusion: In the present study, DNA extracted from Nocardia Spp. in BAL specimens by manual method during minimum time which had not previous record in Iran. The study also was carried out on patients with suspected tuberculosis which restricted work has already been done on them. In this study, N. cyriacigeorgica was dominant species that has been introduced during recent years, which should be considered in clinical laboratories and research centers.

Background: Iron deficiency anemia is the most common hematological disease in children and adolescents and like other chronic diseases affects patient's quality of life. The present study has been done in order to investigate the effect of family centered empowerment model on the quality of life of adolescent girls with iron deficiency anemia.Materials and Methods: The present semiexperimental practical research was performed by choosing 60 adolescent girls with iron deficiency anemia in test and control groups through random sampling. The research tools included the questionnaires of demographic information and the adolescent quality of life (KIDSCREEN-52). The family centered empowerment model was implemented in test group and the post test was carried out 1.5 month after the end of intervention.Results: Before the intervention independent t-test showed that there was no significant difference in the quality of life in adolescent girls between case and control groups (P=0.473) While, after the intervention independent t-test showed a significant difference between the two groups from viewpoint of mean scores of life quality (P=0.000). Also, the paired t-test showed a significant difference before and after intervention in case group from view point of scores of the quality of life (P=0.000) While, this difference was not significant in control group (P=0.085).Conclusion: The findings showed that the family centered empowerment model was effective on increasing the quality of life in adolescent girls with iron deficiency anemia.

Background: Patients with end-stage renal failure, consider recurrent fistula cannulation pain as the most severe stress, resulted from the treatment process, and a major concern of their life. Nurses as one of the main targets of their actions, have a duty to relieve the pain. Accordingly, this study was conducted to determine the effectiveness of two topical piroxicam and EMLA on fistula cannulation pain intensity in hemodialysis patients.Materials and Methods: This clinical trial study was conducted on 75 patients referred to dialysis ward in Khorramabad Shohada hospital in 2013. Patients were randomly divided into three groups: group A (piroxicam), group B (EMLA) and group C (placebo). Data collection tools included demographic information, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and a checklist for possible side effects of the drugs. Pain intensity during fistula cannulation was measured in the three groups on two occasions, before and after the intervention. The collected data were then analyzed using Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests and SPSS19 software.Results: The median pain intensity before and after the intervention in the three groups, was significantly different (p<0.001). The highest median pain intensity reduction was in the EMLA, piroxicam and placebo groups respectively. In addition, a short term side effect (blanching) in 16% of the subjects was detected in EMLA group.Conclusion: The results showed that EMLA cream was more effective than piroxicam gel in reducing the pain intensity of fistula cannulation in dialysis patients. Therefore, our study recommends to use EMLA cream as an easy method with ability to work by patients, to reduction pain during fistula cannulation in hemodialysis patients.

Background: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is the most common demyelinating disease. An autoimmune basis has been confirmed for pathogenesis of MS, and studies have shown that sex hormones such as testosterone may play a role in the disease mechanism. The purpose of this study was to survey these changes in MS patients.Materials and Methods: 31 MS patients were included in this cross-sectional study and matched with 60 healthy coses as control group. The serum testosterone level of both groups were randomly determined in follicular and luteal phases. Then the testosterone hormone levels and their correlation with the disease were studied.Results: In this study, testestrone level in patients was 0.461±0.3 ng/ml in the follicular phase compared to controls with mean level of 0.82±0.4 ng/ml (pv=0.011). Mean testestrone level in female patients was 0.58±0.7 ng /ml in the luteal phase compared to controls with mean level of 0.88±0.3 ng/ml (pv=0.03). Patients with MS had significantly lower testosterone, in the follicular and luteal phase, but no relation with the disease was observed.Conclusion: Testestrone has a positive relation with MS. Further studies to determine the cause of relation and effect of endocrine system on MS pathogenesis and treatment are suggested.