Zahedan Journal of Research in Medical Sciences
Year:2009 | Volume:10 | Issue:4|Papers Count:11

Background: The similarities between periaqueductal gray matter and the nucleus cuneiformis in both ultrastructural and functional levels suggest that this nucleus may play an important role in the morphine-induced analgesia. This study was designed to determine neuronal activity and responsiveness to peripheral morphine administration in the nucleus coneiformis of rat. Materials and Methods: In this study, neural activity of cuneiform neurons in response to peripheral administration of morphine was recorded by extracellular single unit recording technique. Firing rate of neurons was recorded in four groups: intact group (n=19) to determine the spontaneous (baseline) activity, saline group (n=20), morphine group (n=39) and morphine + naloxone group (n=12), before and after drug administration.Results: Our findings showed that the firing rate in majority of cuneiform neurons decreased after morphine (3.8 mg/kg; SC) administration. Activity of neurons (n=39) in the cuneiform neurons was reduced significantly (P<0.01) after morphine injection (6.66±0.67 spike/sec) in comparison with pre-injection time (12.47±1.84 spike/sec) and the saline group (11.6±1.58 spike/sec). The firing rate and response pattern of many of neurons in response to peripheral application of morphine were reversed after naloxone injection (2 mg/kg; SC) in this nucleus.Conclusion: Based on the above findings, we suggest that the changes of activity pattern in spontaneous activity of cuneiform neurons in response to peripheral administration of morphine maybe resulted from direct action of morphine on opioid receptors in the nucleus cuneiformis. Nevertheless, the role of pain transmission and modulation pathways is still important in the antinociceptive effect of morphine as well.

Background: High frequency waves are widely used in telecommunication and cooking. The biological effects of microwaves are in great attention. It is supposed that microwaves may increase the risk of hematological problems and the age at exposure may play an important role in this process. In this study, we evaluated the hematological parameters in rats by exposing them to microwave radiation at pre and post pubertal stages.Materials and Methods: In this study, 18 adult (2 months old) and 18 immature (1 month old) male rats were involved and each group was randomly divided into two groups; the test and the control group. The rats in the test group were exposed to 2450 MHz microwaves produced by a microwave oven three times a day for 30 minutes at each time. Control groups were kept in laboratory at the same temperature and light condition. After 60 days, blood samples were taken by heart puncture and hematological parameters including Hb, MCHC, MCV, RBC and WBC counts and total number of platelets were measured. The means of hematological parameters were compared by T-test and P<0/05 considered to be was significant.Results: The results showed a significant decrease in Hb, MCHC, WBC and lymphocyte count in immature group compare to control group; while MCV, RBC and platelet count increased (P<0.05). The RBC count increased significantly in mature group compare to control group (P<0.05).Conclusion: Exposure to microwaves leakage of microwave oven significantly affected hematological parameters in immature rats while changes in matures was limited to RBC count. This effect maybe due to direct effect of microwaves on bone marrow or peripheral blood cells.

Background: Genetic factors cause about 10% of male infertility. Cystic fibrosis conductance regulator (CFTR) gene mutations are among relatively frequent causes of male infertility.Therefore, these mutations can cause Cystic fibrosis (CF), which is the most common autosomal recessive disorder, characterized by chronic lung disease, pancreatic exocrine insufficiency, and male infertility. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of CFTR gene mutations in non-obstructive azoospermia.Materials and Methods: In this study, we examined the occurrence of common CFTR gene mutations in 106 non obstructive azoospermic patients as test group and 50 fertile individuals as control group. The investigated mutations were DF508, G542X, N1303K, W1282X, R117H, also IVS-5T polymorphism, and probable mutations in exons 4, 7, 10, 11, 20 and 21 in the CFTR gene, using ARMS-PCR, PCR-RFLP and SSCP methods. Patient’s samples were collected from Yazd Research & Clinical Centre for infertility, Kowsar Infertility Centre and IVF section of Day Hospital during July 2007 till June 2008.Results: Thirteen patients (21.26%) showed 406-6T>C, A120T, I148T, DF508, 1525-18A>G G542X, L1304M mutations and IVS8-5T polymorphism. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the L1304M mutation worldwide. None of the CFTR gene mutations were observed in the control group. The allelic frequency of IVS8-5T was 3% in controls. Conclusion: The present study indicates that there is a relationship between CFTR gene mutations and developing non-obstructive azoospermia. Therefore, the couples undergoing assisted reproductive technologies such as intra cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) are advised to be screened for these gene mutations.

Background: All women at any age are at risk of breast cancer and the risk will increase by aging. Rapid diagnosis of breast cancer and prompt treatment will survive the lives of more than 90 percent of patients. There are definite documents that indicate breast self-examination is an effective method for prevention of death, but many women do not perform it regularly based on recommended screening programs.Materials and Methods: In this before-after study, 106 health liaisons of Zarandieh city were involved. All participants fulfilled a questionnaire about health beliefs and also a checklist about their tasks. Then the training program started using speech methods, group discussion, video presentation and practice program using an artificial model (mulaj). After 2 months of training, the second test was performed using the primary questionnaire. The data analysis was performed by SPSS software.Results: The Mean±SD of participants was 37±2 and their awareness about known risk factors of breast cancer was 33 percent. The rate of breast self-examination before and after training program was 19 and 60.2 percent respectively. About the components of health belief model, the mean score of sensitivity, benefits and obstacles was low before training and the mean score of threat intensity was intermediate. However, the mean score of all components increased after training program (P<0.0001). Also, the mean score of checklist before and after training program was 2.89 and 7.09 respectively (P<0.0001).Conclusion: Our designed program for health education on the basis of health belief model was effective to create an accurate behavior in breast self examination. The results of this survey showed that performing breast self examination needs positive attitude. Thus, we recommend that educational programs should be designed in such a way that can change the attitude of participants so that improvements in women health occur.

Background: Noise exposure and subsequent hearing loss are important problems in metal industry. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of noise induced hearing loss (NIHL) and other risk factors associated with industrial noise exposure among metal workers in a metal factory in Arak.Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 743 metal workers who were exposed to noise were involved. The environment noise was measured using both sound level meter according to standards presented by national association of occupational health of Iran and ACGIH and ANSI. Audiometry was used to assess the hearing loss in each worker according to ISO-85 standard.Results: Of 1191 station points that sound pressure level was measured there, 224 points (18%) were above the permissible level of 85 dB. In 967 points (82%), sound pressure level was in precaution range (65<SPL<85). The sound pressure levels in all stations in compact-air units were above the permissible level. The results of audiometry tests indicated that the greatest prevalence of hearing loss was found in workers in sheeting, assembling and welding units (10%, 8.1%, and 7.3% respectively). The greatest NIHL were found in workers between 41 to 50 years old and in workers who had a history of 21-30 years working. The multivariate analysis showed that severity of noise, age, history of working and days of working in the week were risk factors for NIHL (P<0.05). Conclusion: Our findings indicated that the prevalence of noise induced hearing loss was high among workers of a metal factory in Arak.

Background: Many teeth that are affected with irreversible pulpal lesions can remain with endodontic treatment and keep their function in dental system for years. The most important factor in endodontic therapy is related to chemical and mechanical preparation. Since the most unsuccessful endodontic therapy in mandibular incisor results from unclean root canal, especially the lingual canal, so we performed this study to determine the anatomical and morphological features of root canal in mandibular incisors.Materials and Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study that carried out in-vitro, 340 extracted human mandibular incisors were gathered from Zahedan dental clinics and the access cavity was prepared. Then all the teeth were decalcified and colored with ink. Then they were examined by light microscopy.Results:T hirty four percent of mandibular incisors had one canal and 66% had two canals. The canal type based on Weine classification was: 34% type I, 34% type II, 11% type III and 21% type IV.Conclusion: This study showed that most of mandibular incisors have two canals. So we recommend dentists to examine mandibular incisors carefully while preparing the access cavity.

Background: Rapid growth of technology and synthesis of thousands of new chemical compounds along with rapid growth of population have lead to production of industrial and hazardous wastes. Unfortunately in Iran, the industrial wastes are not managed suitably and efficiently; also there is not exact data about the rate of hazardous waste production. So, this study was performed to quantify and qualify the rate of hazardous waste production in Sistan and Baluchestan province.Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was performed in active industrial units in Sistan and Baluchestan province in 2007 to determine the quantity and the quality of hazardous wastes. The required information was collected using a questionnaire and inspecting and sampling from liquid and solid wastes of active industrial units in the region. The concentration of heavy metals in hazardous wastes was measured by atomic absorption methods. Also, the quantity of hospital wastes were determined based on the rate of produced wastes per each active bed.Results: The results of this study showed that the major part of hazardous wastes is in solid form (3400 ton per year) and is produced by active industrial units (more than 80%) which have no suitable place for collection and storage of wastes. Also, the total liquid waste production was 820 m3/year and the amount of daily hospital waste production was 5549 kg. Conclusion: According to our findings, it is necessary to establish a suitable and efficient management system to protect environment from hazardous waste products. Also, considering a suitable site for final disposal of waste products is useful to prevent dispersion of waste materials.

Background: Simultaneous knee ligament injury with femoral shaft fracture happens not infrequently. Such injuries may be missed on initial evaluation of the broken limb. In this study we report the prevalence of knee ligament injury in a group of isolated femoral fractures.Materials and Methods: A total of 125 patients with isolated femoral fractures entered to this study and followed for 24 months. After fixation of their fractures, all patients underwent a thorough examination of knee ligaments in the operating room.Results: Among these 123 cases 75.1% were male. Mean age was 26.2 years. There were 39 patients (31.2%) with simultaneous ligamentous injury. The types of ligamentous injury were as follow: medial collateral ligament (18), posterior cruciate ligament (12), lateral collateral ligament (6), and anterior cruciate ligament (3).Conclusion: Based on the above findings, it is recommended to have a high index of suspicion for co-existence of knee injuries in ipsilateral fracture of femoral shaft.

Disseminated tuberculosis (DTB) refers to the concurrent involvement of at least two nonadjacent organs or sites of the body, or involvement of the blood or bone marrow by tuberculosis.Splenic invasion in TB can occur in either disseminated form or miliray tuberculosis. Occurrence of hypersplenism in TB is very rare. In this article, a case of DTB with hypersplenism is presented.A 23 years old man citizen of Kashan was admitted complaining of fever, night sweats, anorexia, headache, weakness, shortness of breath and early satiety since 10 days ago. He was well until 9 months ago, when early satiety developed for the first time. Physical examination and ultrasonography of the abdomen revealed huge splenomegaly. The results of his blood tests showed pancytopenia but the X-ray and CT-scan of his chest were normal. Abdominal CT-scan revealed a mild hepatomegaly, huge splenomegaly, para-aortic, retroperitoneal and left inguinal lymphadenopathy. The patient underwent splenectomy. Pathologic examination of his liver, spleen and lymph node biopsies revealed caseous necrosis and granuloma formation due to TB. Finally, he was classified as a tuberculosis patient. After beginning the anti-tuberculosis treatment, all of his signs and symptoms disappeared. At the present time, his general condition is very good and he has no problem.Huge splenomegaly and hypersplenism may occur during DTB. DTB can mimic lymphoma, so it should be considered in differential diagnosis of a huge spleen.