Showing 341 results for ST
Shadkhast M, Tootian Z, Fazelipour S, Bokaii S,
Volume 61, Issue 6 (15 2003)
Abstract
Morphine is the most important alkaloid of opium family which is found as much as ten percent in opium, and is in two types the sulfate morphine and the hydrochloride morphine.
Materials and Methods: In this study morphological changes of uterus of surri mice due to oral consumption of sulfate morphine were studied. It was shown that, female surri mice following gradually increasing of morphine to water (0.1 and 0.01) mg/ml were depended to morphine. Female surri mice were classified in two age groups before puberty and depended to morphine during puberty. Each age group took morphine for 21 days. After finishing the period, the mice anesthetizing were weighted, then were anesthetizing and uterus was studied the length, width and apparent features.
Results&ConcIusion: In this study it was distinguished that length and width of uterine horn, between experimental and control groups, were significant (P< 0.01). Morphological changes such as anemia, the thinness and fragitidily walls of uterus and filiformity of uterine horns were observed.
Moghaddam M, Feizpoor H, Noroozi A, Gharibdoost M,
Volume 62, Issue 1 (12 2004)
Abstract
Background: Today, coronary artery disease is a leading cause of death and morbidity in the world and recognition of all aspects of this problem appears to be necessary and important. In recent years in addition to traditional coronary risk factors, other new risk factors are presented that can affect coronary arteries and accelerate atherosclerosis process. One of the most important of these, are infections, specially with Chlamydia pneumonia. We aimed to study this possibility that is whether correlation between infection with Chlamydia pneumonia and Acute Myocardial Infarction. (AMI).
Materials and Methods: This research is a descriptive case-control study which evaluates frequency of infection with Chlamydia pneumonia in the 100 patients with AMI and 105 patients without any history or evidence of CAD admitted in sections of CCU and surgery, in Dr. SHARIATI and SINA hospitals in 2001. For this purpose we took 5ml blood sample from all of the patients, and tested for specific anti Chlamydia pneumonia antibodies (IgG & IgM) by ELISA method.
Results: Our study showed that 38 percent of control group patients and 54 percent of patients with AMI had positive titer of anti Chlamydia pneumonia antibody and so they were infected with Chlamydia pneumonia {OR= 1.9 (95% CI: 1.34 to 2.46)} (P< 0/001).
Conclusion: This study demonstrates that, there is significant correlation between infection with Chlamydia pneumonia and occurrence of AMI so treatment of this infection could be of profit.
Jamshidi A R, Safavi E, Naji A, Sedighi N, Gharib Doost F, Saber S, Gholshahi H, Jvadi Nejad Z , Bhadorani A,
Volume 62, Issue 2 (12 2004)
Abstract
Background: Pulmonary involvement is a common and serious complication of rheumatoid arthritis. This cross sectional study sought to determine the prevalence of pulmonary disease in patients with rheumatoid arthritis on the basis of history, physical examination, chest X-ray and PFT.
Materials and Methods: 103 patients (81 Women, 22 Men) fulfilling the ACR (American College of Rheumatology) criteria for RA (Rheumatoid arthritis) were consecutively included in a cross sectional study. Detailed medical (including respiratory symptoms and the disease activity symptoms) and drug and occupational histories and smoking were obtained. All patients underwent a complete pulmonary and rheumatologic examination and conventional chest radiography. All patients underwent PFT that comprised spirometry and body plethysmography.Results for PFTs were expressed as percentage of predicted values for each individual adjusted for age, sex, and height.
Results: On the basis of history: Their mean age was 43.3 ± 2.6 years (range: 17-74) and the mean duration of the disease was 69.3 ± 15.6 months. Rheumatoid factor was positive in% 61.2. No patients were 0.5Pack/Year smoker in whole life. Prevalence of pulmonary involvement based on radiographic and pulmonary function test detected in 41 patients (39/7%). The most frequent respiratory clinical finding was dyspnea (33%), (NYHA grade I in 17.5% and NYHA grade II in 15.5%), Cough (with or without sputum) in 13.6 %, Crackle was the most sign in pulmonary examination (5.8%). Chest X-ray was abnormal in 13.3 % that the most common finding in this study was reticulonodular pattern in 20 patients (19.4 %), and pleural effusion detected in 7 patients (6.7%). PFT was abnormal in 30 patients (29.1 %). A significant decrease of FEF 25%-75% below 1.64 SD. Small airway involvements was the most abnormal finding of PFT. No relation between rheumatoid arthritis disease activity (ESR>30, Morning stiffness>30', Anemia, thrombocytosis) with pulmonary disease was seen.
Conclusion: This study suggests a high prevalence of lung involvement in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.Therefore we recommend a complete investigation in patients with RA with any respiratory symptom.
Noorizadeh M, Hajati J, Hoseinali Eazad M, Moosavi Shabestari T,
Volume 62, Issue 2 (12 2004)
Abstract
Background: Role of cytokines in regulation of immune system has been the subject of studies and clinical investigations. One of these cytokines, IL-2 has been well initially introduced as T cell Growth factor (TCGF), but subsequently it appeared that IL-2 is one of the important mediators affecting growth, development and activity of T, B, NK and LAK cells. Nowadays this cytokines has extensive use in clinical and research fields of immunotherapy of cancer and infectious disease.
Materials and Methods: In this study, we used Jurcat cell line for production and partial purification of IL-2 106 cell/ml were stimulated by PHA (1 µg/ml) and PMA (10 µg/ml) at the third day of the culture and then supernatant were collected after 22 hrs.
Results & Conclusion: In order to obtain sufficient amount of IL-2 and eliminate interfacing materials, supernatants were concentrated using Amicon 10 and 30 PM filters. After concentrating, bioassay and Elisa were performed to detect the biological activity and amount of produced IL-2.
Reversed phase-HPLC was used to confirm the IL-2 identity and purification.
A.r Dorosty , M Tabatabaei ,
Volume 63, Issue 1 (5 2005)
Abstract
Background: Increase in obesity prevalence in recent years are associated to genetics as well environmental and behavioral factors. Change in dietary patterns including fatty and high density energy foods consumption have been reported to be very important. This study aimed to determine dietary factors (daily energy and macronutrient intakes, energy percentage of macronutrient, energy and macronutrient intakes per kilogram body weight, frequency of cola, natural fruit juice drinking, dairy products except cheese, tomato chips, puff, chocolate and fast food consumption and eating speed) associated to obesity in Ahwaz primary school pupils.
Materials and Methods: Using two stage cluster sampling from 35 Ahwaz primary schools, all 10-11y students who had a BMI 95th percentile of Hosseini et al. (1999) reference, were identified as obese (n=150) and 150 same age and gender pupils (having BMI<85 percentile) were studied. Data on daily energy and macronutrient intakes were collected using 24 hour recall. Frequency of cola, natural fruite juice, dairy products except cheese, tomato chips, puff, chocolate and fast food consumption were obtained by food frequency questionnaire. Eating speed was asked from the pupil mother.
Results: Results indicated that daily energy, protein and carbohydrate intakes were significantly higher in obese students (p<0.05), but daily fat intake and energy percentage of macronutrient had no significant difference between two groups (p>0.05). macronutrient intakes per kilogram body weight were significantly lower in obese group (p<0.001). obese students had significantly higher potato chips and puff consumption (p<0.05). There was no significant difference between other foods consumption (p>0.05). Obese students used to eat faster (p<0.05).
Conclusion: In conclusion, high intakes of energy, protein, carbohydrate, tomato chips and puff and high eating speed were associated to obesity in Ahwaz primary school pupils.
Khalvat A, Rostamian A,
Volume 63, Issue 4 (13 2005)
Abstract
Background: The high incidence of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), the conventional treatments and the experimental observations have shown that by taking particular foods or omitting some foods form ordinary diet, the disease symptoms of the patients reduce. The interesting point is that fasting lowers the objective and subjective indexes of disease activities in most patients who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis. The effects of a short-time fast and subsequent vegetarian diets for one year, on the rheumatoid arthritis patients were studied in this research.
Materials and Methods: 52 patients (40 females and 12 males) with definite rheumatoid arthritis, based on the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria were selected and duly studied with single blind method. 28 patients were selected after one month fasting at Ramadan. From the tenth day, a vegetarian diet was prescribed for them. This diet was continued for three moths. After three moths, the diet was changed to a combination of milk, vegetables and fruits. Two of the patients left the study at the end of Ramadan. A group of 24 non-fasting patients with ordinary food diet were selected as control group.
Results: In the patients subject of study (with the average age of 39+14.5) and average 36 months disease, after four weeks of fasting under vegetarian diet, significant improvement was found in many of their disease indexes based on ACR criteria, such as joint pain and joint swelling, length of morning stiffness and responds to a health evaluation questionnaires. These suitable effects have still remained the same after one year. With respect to the findings, it is concluded that fasting and a changed diet had left significant effects on all calculated indexes. Although short time fasting had suitable effects in most patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, almost in all cases, the disease recurred when the patient returned to his/her ordinary food diet.
Conclusion: The results of the study show that the patient’s improvement can continue through selecting a type of food diet and based on a regulated diet, the rheumatoid arthritis activities decrease. It is suggested to set a tolerable food diet for the rheumatoid arthritis patients and those foods, which involve in the disease, should be omitted or at least, balanced.
M.t Khorsi Ashtiani, Gh.a Dashti Khavidaki , S.h Samimi Ardestani,
Volume 64, Issue 1 (30 2006)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Total laryngectomy following laryngeal cancer has many sequelae , that loss of voice is the most important of them. Tracheoesophageal puncture (TEP) and prosthesis insertion has evolved into the most widely used and accepted technique for vocal rehabilitation.
Materials and Methods: 10 patients that underwent TEP in Amir Alam and Imam Khomeini hospitals from Feb. 2002 through Nov. 2003 were included in this study. Prosthesis insertion in 4 patients is primary and in 6 patients is secondary and all patients are men.
Results: The age of patients was between 50 to 70. 90% of patients had history of cigarette smoking and 10% of them had history of drinking alcohol. Salivary leakage was seen in 30% of patients that was improved with conservative management. Fluency of speech in 30% of patients and intelligibility of speech & voice quality in 40% of patients is good.
Conclusion: We could conclude that TEP has less complication & better speech results of other vocal rehabilitation methods. Carefully selection of patients & size of prosthesis has important role in results of TEP.
M Amiridavan, S.m Sonbolestan, S.a Kholvvat, Sh Nemati ,
Volume 64, Issue 1 (30 2006)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SSNHL) is an emergency situation, and is one of the most controversial subjects in domain of otolaryngology. In this article, we have analyzed some Epidemiologic Characteristics, clinical features, audiological Characteristics, and other findings in routine serological tests and MRI of 48 cases with SSNHL ,who came or were referred to us in the past 2 years. Study design: Cross sectional.
Materials and Methods: In 48 patients with chief complaint of SSNHL, from June 2003 to Feb. 2005, who were admitted in clinic of otolaryngology- in Kashani Hospital -Isfahan- Iran, physical examination and history taking, audiological evaluation, MRI,and serological tests were performed in a similar way , and data were analyzed by SPSS software.
Results: From 48 cases(M:28 ,F:20) with mean age of 40.9(+/-15.9) years, left ear was involved in 26 cases (54.1%) ,and right ear in 19 cases (39.5%) ,and in 3 cases (6.3%),both sides were involved. The severity of hearing loss was “subjectively” HIGH in 78% of patients, and the mean threshold of hearing had been calculated as 69 dB. The most common pattern in pure tone audiometry curves ,was ‘flat pattern’(75%) ,and then ,’down sloping pattern’(16%).The most adjunctive clinical symptom was “tinnitus”(in 78.7%), and 40% of patients had “true vertigo”. 44.4% of our patients had some evidences of upper respiratory tract infections (URIs) during recent 2 weeks. Positive family history, smoking, alcohol intake ,oral contraceptive and ototoxic drugs consumption were uncommon. 24% of cases (11 of 39) had increased ESR, and 100% of 39 patients had negative VDRL. Diabetes mellitus was the most common underlying disease (in 6 cases).From 20 patients ,who were succeeded to perform brain and ear MRI, 2 cases had tumor in internal auditory canal and cerebellopontine angle.
Conclusion: SSNHL has some limitations in being studied histopathologically or in the form of clinical trials, and in nearly all of its aspects there are some mysteries to be cleared. Our ‘Iranian’ patients demonstrated some special characteristics.
H Moradi-Shahrebabak, A.r Dorosti-Motlagh, M Hoseini , H Sadrzadeh,
Volume 64, Issue 1 (30 2006)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Prevalence of malnutrition is high in under-5 years old children and mother’s nutritional knowledge, attitude, practice(KAP) is associated to nutritional status of children and lack of nutritional knowledge and their poor practices can be considered of prominent causes of children malnutrition. This study carried out to assess the nutritional knowledge, attitude and practice of mothers.
Materials and Methods: In this study a group of 632 mothers who had at least one child aged 6-36 month old referred to Kerman health centers were selected to evaluate their nutritional KAP. The data were collected using questionnaires and face-to-face interviews with the mothers and from children health care records. The KAP questionnaires were completed and scores were rated as: optimum, relatively optimum and poor for subjects that achieved 80% – 100%, 60% – 80% and < 60% of high scores respectively.
Results: The findings of this study indicated that 40/2%, 73/6% and 26/9% of mothers had respectively optimum knowledge, attitude and practice. A statistically significant association was found between mother education and maternal nutritional knowledge, attitude and practice. And family income had a statistically significant association with knowledge and not with practice and attitude. There was no association between mother age and knowledge, attitude, practice. And was found a significant positive association between knowledge, attitude, practice.
Conclusion: Education of mothers concerning nutritional requirements of children make them possible to benefit a proper nutritional program.
N Nokhostin-Ansari, M.r Hadian, H Bagheri, S Naghdi, Sh Jalaei , T. Khosravian-Arab,
Volume 64, Issue 2 (30 2006)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Spasticity is a velocity-dependent increase in tonic stretch reflexes (muscle tone) with exaggerated tendon jerks, resulting from hyperexcitability of the stretch reflex. The measurement of spasticity is necessary to determine the effect of treatments. The Modified Ashworth Scale is the most widely used method for assessing muscle spasticity in clinical practice and research. The purpose of this study was to investigate the interrater reliability of Modified Ashworth Scale in hemiplegic patients.
Materials and Methods: Thirty subjects (16 males, 14 females) with a mean age of 59.40 (SD =14.013) recruited. Shoulder adductor , elbow flexor , wrist dorsiflexor , hip adductor , knee extensor and ankle plantarflexor on the hemiplegic side were tested by two physiotherapists.
Results: In the upper limb, the interrater reliability for shoulder adductor and elbow flexor muscles was fair (0.372 and 0.369, respectively). The reliability for the wrist flexors was good (0.612). The difference in Kappa value for the proximal muscle (shoulder adductor 0.372) and the distal muscle (wrist flexor 0.612) was significant (²X=33.87, df=1, p<0.05). In the lower limb, the reliability for the hip adductor was fair (0.350), but for the knee extensor and ankle plantar flexor was moderate (0.518 and 0.542, respectively). The Kappa value for the proximal muscle (hip adductor: 0.350) and distal muscle (ankle plantar flexor0.542) had no significant difference (²X =1.35, df=1, p >0.05). The mean value for the upper limb (0.505) and the lower limb (0,.516) was not significantly different (²X=0.1407, df=1, p>0.05).
Conclusion: The interrater reliability of Modified Ashworth Scale was not good . The limb, upper or lower, had no significant effect on the reliability. In the upper limb, the reliability for the proximal and distal muscle was significantly different. However. The difference in the lower limb was not significant.When using the scale, one should consider it&aposs limitation.
Sh. Askarpour, M. Mollaeian, H. Sarmast Shooshtari,
Volume 64, Issue 4 (1 2006)
Abstract
Background: Non-palpable undescended testis (NUDT) is one of the problems encountered in pediatric surgery. As studies show, about 30-40 % of NUDT is associated with intraabdominal testis (IAT), in the case of IAT various surgical techniques have been presented for example multistage orchiopexy, orchiopexy by microvascular anastomosis orchiopexy by transaction of spermatic vessels at two stages, hormonal manipulation, in which there is no definitive success and there are several associated complications. Orchiopexy in one stage by transaction of spermatic vessels of the base of vas artery is a suitable method.
Methods: This study is descriptive and prospective and was performed in Bahrami and Tehran children hospital from 2000-2001 on intraabdominal undescended testis. The patients were followed for at least 2 years.
Results: From 31 patients, 70.9% were over 4 years old, 93.5% were hospitalized over 3 days, and operation time in 64.5% was lower than 3 hours. The most common early complication was vomiting (16.1%) and the most common late complication was wound infection (6.5%). There was a %80/6 chance of testicular anomaly. In follow up period, there was no decreasing in testicular size.
Conclusion: One stage orchiopexy by spermatic vessel transaction is a safe technique with high success rate and low complication rate with acceptable increase in operation time and hospital stay. Based on our experience, we recommend this technique for non-palpable undescended testis.
R. Ghaznavi, M. Kadkhodaee, H. Khastar, M.zahmatkesh,
Volume 64, Issue 5 (1 2006)
Abstract
Background: In recent publications, several mechanisms have been implicated in gentamicin (GM) nephrotoxicity. Reactive oxygen species have been proposed as one of the causative factors of the drug renal side effects. This study was designed to evaluate the protective effects of the antioxidant vitamins against GM-mediated nephropathy in insitu isolated rat kidneys.
Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to one of the following groups of seven rats: Group 1 (control) was tyrode perfused kidneys. Group 2 (GM), 200µg/ml gentamicin was added to the perfusate. Group 3 (GM + Vit C), the same as group 2 but vitamin C (200 mg/L) was added to the drinking water for 3 days and 100 mg/L to the perfusate. Group 4 (GM + Vit E), the same as group 2 but vitamin E (100 mg/100 g BW, ip) was injected 12 h before experiments. Group 5 (GM + Vit C + Vit E) the same as group 2 but Vit E and C were co-administered (same as Group 3 & 4). Urinary N-acetyle-B-D-glucosaminidas (NAG) and renal cortex superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels were measured and tissue histological evaluations were performed.
Results: Gentamicin caused a significant nephrotoxicity demonstrated by increase in urinary NAG. Decline in SOD contents were observed comparing to controls. Vit C or Vit E inhibited the gentamicin-induced increased releases of NAG into urine but did not show a significant effect on the SOD levels.
Conclusion: Co-administration of VitC&E significantly prevented the GM nephrotoxicity demonstrating by preservation of SOD levels and prevention of increase in urinary enzyme activities. Histological studies of renal tissues provided additional evidences for protective effects of antioxidant vitamins. We concluded that moderate doses of Vit C & E have protective effects in gentamicin nephrotoxicity and co-administration of these vitamins have additional beneficial effects.
A Hadadi, M. Rasoolinejad, S. Davoudi, M. Nikdel, M. Rasteh ,
Volume 64, Issue 5 (1 2006)
Abstract
Background: Pulmonary TB is still the most common form of the tuberculosis in HIV infected patients with different presentations according to the degree of immunosuppression. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of HIV infection on the clinical, laboratory and radiological presentation of tuberculosis.
Methods: We compared 80 HIV negative pulmonary TB patients with 40 HIV positive pulmonary TB patients during 1999-2005 in a teaching hospital of Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Iran.
Results: Tuberculosis was more common in men in both groups. The mean age of HIV positive patients was lower than HIV negatives (35.95+/-10.4 versus 46.95+/-20.39, P =0.002). Weight loss and chronic cough were significantly more frequent in HIV negative patients (76.3% vs. 45% p<0.001 and 93.8% vs. 80%, P<0.05 respectively), whereas fatigue were more prominent in HIV positives (45% vs. 21.3%, P< 0.001). Cavitations and infiltrations were reported in the CXR of HIV/TB patients less than HIV negative patients (OR=0.21, 95% CI: 0.05-0.97, P= 0.01 and OR=0.27%, 95% CI: 0.09-0.75%, P =0.02 respectively). Primary involvement pattern was observed more than secondary involvement in HIV/TB group (OR=3.95, 95% CI: 1.73-9.03, P =0.001). The laboratory findings in HIV/TB patients were as follows: more negative PPD skin (75% vs. 50%) tests, higher ESR (86.5% vs. 63.7%), lower mean Hb (10.6 vs. 12.4) and lower mean leukocyte (6545 vs. 9195) and lymphocyte count (1281 vs. 1838). In all of the above mentioned findings the differences between two groups were significant. Fourthy Seven% of patients had Lymphocyte count less than 1200 which means they were in AIDS stage.
Conclusion: Immune system suppression in HIV can alter the clinical, laboratory and radiological features of tuberculosis. It is crucial to consider tuberculosis in differential diagnosis of every HIV patients with respiratory symptoms.
M. R. Pourmand, S. Foster,
Volume 64, Issue 6 (3 2006)
Abstract
Background: Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis are major human pathogens of increasing importance due to the spread of antibiotic resistance. Novel potential targets for therapeutic antibodies are products of staphylococcal genes expressed during human infection. Previously, the secreted and surface-exposed proteins among seroreactive antigens have been discovered. Furthermore, approximately 60 immunogenic proteins were identified and have shown that bacterial surface display is uniquely suited to assess the value of the antigenic epitope.
Methods: Using a bioinformatic analysis, a novel gene family was identified in Staphylococcus aureus and S. epidermidis. NCBI (National Center for Biotechnology Information) BLAST and TIGR search were used for identification of the loci on Staphylococcal genomes.
Results: The members of nine gene family from S. aureus based on a conserved C-terminal domain following an N-terminal domain which varies in sequence and length. Further Blast P searches for paralogues revealed the novel Sca gene family in S. epidermidis has also highly conserved 110 amino acid C-terminal domain. Thus the Sca family has a conserved domain across different genera.
Conclusion: Further studies to determine the role of the conserved Sca domain in ligand binding and demonstration of conserved epitope may establish the domain as a credible target for cross species vaccination.
Daryani E.b.n , Jafari Sepehr A.h, Tajik Rostami M, Bashasti M,
Volume 64, Issue 7 (9 2006)
Abstract
A high percent of patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) experience non intestinal symptoms. Many studies demonstrated that hepatobiliary disorders are the most common. Corresponding disorders consist of primary sclerosing cholangitis, non alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), biliary stones, pericholangitis, autoimmune hepatitis, liver amyloidosis, liver abscess, liver granuloma, hepatocellular carcinoma and primary biliary cirrhosis. However most studies concentrate on identifying primary sclerosing cholangitis, the most dreadful complication of IBD, other disorders like NASH and biliary stones are common and because of the similarity of symptoms to the primary disease may be ignored. In this article we review these disorders.
Sedighi S, Mohagheghi M, Memari F, Jahangir R, Mousavi Jarrahi A, Montazeri A, Sedighi Z, Mostaghimi M Tehrani, Zanganeh M,
Volume 64, Issue 7 (9 2006)
Abstract
Background: This prospective phase III study was designed to compare the activity of two combinations chemotherapy drugs in advanced gastric adenocarcinoma
Methods: In a double blinded clinical trial, From Jan. 2002 to Jan. 2005, ninety patients with advanced gastric adenocarcinoma were randomly assigned to 1) Cisplatin and continuous infusion of 5FU and Epirubicin (ECF), and 2) Cisplatin and continuous infusion of 5FU with Docetaxel (TCF). Reduction in tumor mass, overall survival (OS), time to progression (TTP), and safety were measured outcome.
Results: About 90% of patients had stage III or IV disease and the most common sites of tumor spread were peritoneal surfaces, liver and Paraaortic lymph nodes in either group. The objective clinical response rate (more than 50% decreases in tumor mass) was 38% and 43% in ECF and TCF group respectively. Global quality of life increased (p=0 002) and symptoms of pain and insomnia decreased after chemotherapy. Patients in TCF had more grade one or two skin reactions, neuropathy and diarrhea. Fourteen patients underwent surgery. Complete microscopic (R0) resection had done in two of ECF and six of TCF tumors (p=0.015). Two cases in TCF group showed complete pathologic response. Median TTP was nine months and 10 months in ECF and TCF group respectively. Median OS was 12 months in both groups.
Conclusion: Although there wasn’t statistically significant difference regarded to clinical response or survival between two groups, TCF showed more complete pathologic response.
Jamshidi A.r , Gharib Doost F, Larijani B, Forouzesh Nia S M,
Volume 64, Issue 7 (9 2006)
Abstract
Background: Scleroderma is an important chronic disease with unknown ethiology and two subtypes: limited type: Skin involvement limited to distal of extremity and face. Diffuse type: Skin involvement is both distal and proximal of extremity, face and thrunk. Thyroid dysfunction is a main problem in these patients but there is no published data of Iranian scleroderma patients
Methods: This is a cross-sectional study to determine the prevalence of hypothyroidism (clinical, subclinical and autoimmune) in patients with scleroderma 125 patients with scleroderma selected and T3, T4, TSH Anti Tpo Ab and Anti TG Ab measured in them.
Results: 33 patients with scleroderma had hypothyroidism. (%26/4). Two patients with scleroderma had hyperthyroidism. (%1/6). %12/8 had clinical hypothyroidism. And %13/6 had subclinical hypothyroidism, %33/3 of patients with subclinical hypothyroidism and positive autoantibody had limited type. Where as %66/6 of patients with subclinical hypothyroidism and autoantibody had diffuse type, %28/5 of patients with clinical hypothyroidism and positive auto anti body had limited type. Where as %71/4 of patients with clinical hypothyroidism and auto anti body had diffuse type. All of patients with hyper thyroidism had diffuse type and autoantibody positive.
Conclusion: It seems hypothyroidism has an increased prevalence in patients with scleroderma and we suggest that thyroid function test must be done in primary evaluation of these patients
Gharegozl Ki, Abbasi Siar F, Kolahi A.a, Bolhari J, Zaman Gh, Keyhanidoost Zt, Poortaherian P,
Volume 64, Issue 8 (13 2006)
Abstract
Background: Despite advances in medical science and modern technology, epilepsy remains as a stigmatized condition and negative public attitude toward epilepsy is a common phenomenon especially in developing countries such as Iran. It is the major factor causing serious social discrimination against people with epilepsy which in turn may be more devastating than the disorder itself. Thorough understanding of the knowledge and attitudes toward epilepsy is essential to modify these negative attitudes.
Methods: We conducted a face-to-face questionnaire interview survey in crowd locations of Tehran in August, 2004-April 2005. A total of 1079 persons all more than 15 years old were asked to fill the questionnaire.
Results: Eighty eight percent of respondents had heard about epilepsy before, 42.2% of them knew one person with epilepsy. However, out of responses about the causes of epilepsy, 52/4% said it was caused by brain damage, 26.4% said it was an inherited disease,, 14.3% said it was due to fever, 34.8% believed stress as the cause of it and1.1% said evil spirits was the cause. 56.9% considered pregnancy to be appropriate for epileptics. 94% believed children with epilepsy could go to school and have normal education.
Conclusion: According to this survey, public knowledge and attitudes about epilepsy in study population is not satisfactory. It is suggested that additional efforts must be made to increase the knowledge of the general population through education programs especially among school children.
Bakhtiari M, Mahmoudi R, Sobhani A , Akbari M, Barbarestani M, Pasbakhsh P. , Sargolzaei Aval F, Hedayatpoor A,
Volume 64, Issue 9 (1 2006)
Abstract
Background: Freezing and thawing induce a number of insults to the sperm cells, such as low motility and low fertilization capability. For evaluation of hyaluronan (HA) supplementation on sperm characteristics, we investigated the effect of hyaluronan (HA) on mouse sperm before freezing and after thawing.
Methods: For this purpose we removed cauda epididimes from 24 male mice with aseptic method and freezed the semen in 1.8ml cryotubes with %18 raffinose and %3 skim milk cryoprotectant solution.We had 4 groups: group 1(fresh control) group 2(freeze control) group 3(supplemented 750 µg/ml HA to sperm before freezing) and group 4(supplemented 750 µg/ml HA to sperm after thawing). Fertility rate evaluated after routine IVF by counting two-cell stage embryos.
Results: HA supplementation (750µg/ml) after thawing improved fertilization capability parameters but supplementation before freezing had no effect on mentioned characteristic.
Conclusion: Acording to data of present study the hyaluronan supplemen- tation (750µg/ml) after thawing has the greatest effect on the fertility rate of sperms.
Khalvat A, Rostamian A, Najafizadeh R,
Volume 64, Issue 9 (1 2006)
Abstract
Background: Mechanical low back pain (L.B.P) is most common in middle-aged people especially in developing countries and the symptom compromises routine life activities of the patients. Disk herniation is the most frequent cause of LBP. The less costly way for diagnosing the cause of LBP is performing a careful physical examinations. This study aimed to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of clinical diagnosis of the cause of Discal Sciatic Neuralgia at Construction Labors in comparison to MRI as the gold standard.
Methods: In a descriptive- analytic study 60 middle-aged professional construction workers were evaluated. Their age range was 25-45 years old and all of them had the complaint of mechanical LBP. Medical history was taken and all cases under went a cautious physical examination. The presence of disk herniation between L4-L5 orL5-S1 was recorded according to clinical signs and symptoms. Lumbosacral MRI was performed for all cases and the results were compared to clinical data.
Results: The clinical diagnosis of presence and severity of pathology was confirmed by MRI in all stages of discopathy in L5-S1 and L4-L5 vertebrae (sensitivity= 100%).
Conclusion: This study showed that careful physical examinations will be sufficient for the sciatic neuralgia diagnosis and even the staging of disk herniation can be performed clinically. Requesting MRI as an expensive procedure is not recommended for diagnosis of Discal sciatic neuralgia because of feasibility of the cost effective way of precise physical examination.
