Showing 51 results for Air
Agkajanzadeh M, Kiamoosavi Sm,
Volume 22, Issue 8 (3-1965)
Abstract
Persistent air leaks occur after Spontaneous pneumothorax both primary and secondary, and after lungs trauma and lung surgeries are sever problems encountered chest surgeons with. Persistent air leak causes longer patients hospitalization.
Materials and Methods: We used autologous blood pleurodesis in patients with persistent air leak for 30patients with more than 8 days air leaks, during a three years period 1377-1380 (1999-2002).
Results: The patients had 19 years up to 70 years old. Eight patients had thoracotomy and lobectomy and /or segmentectomies 6 with primary pneumothorax, 10 with secondary pneumothorax, and four with penetrated or blunt thoracic traumas. Blood was obtained from femoral or brachial veins and 70-150 mis. Injected in chest tubes. Chest bottle was first lied 80cm higher than body levels. After 24 hours repositioned in normal levels, and patients were supervised. Via chest tube we injected blood 70-100ml.for young patients, and 100-150 ml for older patients into intra pleural space. There were no clamped chest tubes. There were no pain, respiratory distress, fever, or cough in pleurodesized patients. The only patient's complaint was local pain in femoral vein or brachial vein because blood sampling and blood obtaining, although there was no local visible complication as hematoma or bleeding. After 48 hours in 24 patients air leak ceased. In six patients because persistent air leak autologous blood pleurodesis repeated, two patients after 48hours
air leak ceased, remaining four patients underwent for thoracotomies, success rate
was 86.6%.
Conclusion: According above success rate we suggest autologous blood pleurodesis in patients with persistent air leak is a reliable, effective, and no complicated procedure for persistent air leaks.
Agkajanzadeh M, Kiamoosavi Sm,
Volume 22, Issue 8 (3-1965)
Abstract
Persistent air leaks occur after Spontaneous pneumothorax both primary and secondary, and after lungs trauma and lung surgeries are sever problems encountered chest surgeons with. Persistent air leak causes longer patients hospitalization.
Materials and Methods: We used autologous blood pleurodesis in patients with persistent air leak for 30patients with more than 8 days air leaks, during a three years period 1377-1380 (1999-2002).
Results: The patients had 19 years up to 70 years old. Eight patients had thoracotomy and lobectomy and /or segmentectomies 6 with primary pneumothorax, 10 with secondary pneumothorax, and four with penetrated or blunt thoracic traumas. Blood was obtained from femoral or brachial veins and 70-150 mis. Injected in chest tubes. Chest bottle was first lied 80cm higher than body levels. After 24 hours repositioned in normal levels, and patients were supervised. Via chest tube we injected blood 70-100ml.for young patients, and 100-150 ml for older patients into intra pleural space. There were no clamped chest tubes. There were no pain, respiratory distress, fever, or cough in pleurodesized patients. The only patient's complaint was local pain in femoral vein or brachial vein because blood sampling and blood obtaining, although there was no local visible complication as hematoma or bleeding. After 48 hours in 24 patients air leak ceased. In six patients because persistent air leak autologous blood pleurodesis repeated, two patients after 48hours air leak ceased, remaining four patients underwent for thoracotomies, success rate was 86.6%.
Conclusion: According above success rate we suggest autologous blood pleurodesis in patients with persistent air leak is a reliable, effective, and no complicated procedure for persistent air leaks.
Agkajanzadeh M, Kiamoosavi Sm,
Volume 22, Issue 8 (3-1965)
Abstract
Persistent air leaks occur after Spontaneous pneumothorax both primary and secondary, and after lungs trauma and lung surgeries are sever problems encountered chest surgeons with. Persistent air leak causes longer patients hospitalization.
Materials and Methods: We used autologous blood pleurodesis in patients with persistent air leak for 30patients with more than 8 days air leaks, during a three years period 1377-1380 (1999-2002).
Results: The patients had 19 years up to 70 years old. Eight patients had thoracotomy and lobectomy and /or segmentectomies 6 with primary pneumothorax, 10 with secondary pneumothorax, and four with penetrated or blunt thoracic traumas. Blood was obtained from femoral or brachial veins and 70-150 mis. Injected in chest tubes. Chest bottle was first lied 80cm higher than body levels. After 24 hours repositioned in normal levels, and patients were supervised. Via chest tube we injected blood 70-100ml.for young patients, and 100-150 ml for older patients into intra pleural space. There were no clamped chest tubes. There were no pain, respiratory distress, fever, or cough in pleurodesized patients. The only patient's complaint was local pain in femoral vein or brachial vein because blood sampling and blood obtaining, although there was no local visible complication as hematoma or bleeding. After 48 hours in 24 patients air leak ceased. In six patients because persistent air leak autologous blood pleurodesis repeated, two patients after 48hours air leak ceased, remaining four patients underwent for thoracotomies, success rate was 86.6%.
Conclusion: According above success rate we suggest autologous blood pleurodesis in patients with persistent air leak is a reliable, effective, and no complicated procedure for persistent air leaks.
Agkajanzadeh M, Kiamoosavi Sm,
Volume 22, Issue 8 (3-1965)
Abstract
Persistent air leaks occur after Spontaneous pneumothorax both primary and secondary, and after lungs trauma and lung surgeries are sever problems encountered chest surgeons with. Persistent air leak causes longer patients hospitalization.
Materials and Methods: We used autologous blood pleurodesis in patients with persistent air leak for 30patients with more than 8 days air leaks, during a three years period 1377-1380 (1999-2002).
Results: The patients had 19 years up to 70 years old. Eight patients had thoracotomy and lobectomy and /or segmentectomies 6 with primary pneumothorax, 10 with secondary pneumothorax, and four with penetrated or blunt thoracic traumas. Blood was obtained from femoral or brachial veins and 70-150 mis. Injected in chest tubes. Chest bottle was first lied 80cm higher than body levels. After 24 hours repositioned in normal levels, and patients were supervised. Via chest tube we injected blood 70-100ml.for young patients, and 100-150 ml for older patients into intra pleural space. There were no clamped chest tubes. There were no pain, respiratory distress, fever, or cough in pleurodesized patients. The only patient's complaint was local pain in femoral vein or brachial vein because blood sampling and blood obtaining, although there was no local visible complication as hematoma or bleeding. After 48 hours in 24 patients air leak ceased. In six patients because persistent air leak autologous blood pleurodesis repeated, two patients after 48hours air leak ceased, remaining four patients underwent for thoracotomies, success rate was 86.6%.
Conclusion: According above success rate we suggest autologous blood pleurodesis in patients with persistent air leak is a reliable, effective, and no complicated procedure for persistent air leaks.
J Nasl Seraji , H Kachoian ,
Volume 57, Issue 3 (6-1999)
Abstract
In this study, musculoskeletal disorders incidents have been found through NMQ. Then, with the OWAS method the results have been analysed. In this thesis, we have studied the case in two different workshops of Ballast Production Company. The jobs were classified according to static load caused by poor work posture and recommendations for reducing the hurmful load were made. The study of the questionnaire showe that there is meaningful relation between work experience and Low Back Pain (LBP) (P<3%). Meanwhile BMI (Body Mass Index) is closely related to LBP (P<2%). However a relation was found between low back and back and shoulder pain complaints during recent one year and last one week with that of the existence of the pains, respectively P<2% and P<5%. Jobs related with repair and maintenance rates the first as regards static load on the muscloskeletal system. Cooking, digging operations, driving bullodozer, operation of stone crushing device, loaders and lorries rank respectively in order.
F Khajeh Nasiri ,
Volume 58, Issue 1 (4-2000)
Abstract
In a cross-sectional survey depression prevalence of 130 nurses in Tehran Imam Khomeini hospital has been investigated by using long from test items (21 questions) of Beck depression questionnaire. Also necessary data for independent variables was collected by interview. The findings of this study indicated that depression rate of mild, moderate and severe type were 73.1%, 21.5% and 5.4%, respectively. In this study statistically significant association has been found between depression and marital status (P<0.0001), level of education (P<0.005), over time's hours at work (P<0.02) and parent's death at childhood (Before 11th age) (P<0.001).
Hassani V, Ardehali Sh,
Volume 59, Issue 4 (8-2001)
Abstract
Post-operative sore throat is one of the most common complications and complaints of patients after general anesthesia especially in operations that need endotracheal intubations. Its causes are: size of endotracheal tube and type of its cuff, inadequate airway humidification, trauma during intubation and suctioning, high flow of inspiratory gases, surgical manipulation of airway and adjacent organs, ect. Use of instruments with less invasion to upper respiratory tract, for example, face mask and airway, LMA or CPT are methods, used for decreasing the rate of post-operative sore throat. This study was performed to compare the rate of sore throat after general anesthesia between Laryngeal Mask Airway (LMA) and Cuffed Pharyngeal Tube (CPT). From the patients, 120 ASA: PS-I cases, were selected, who were candidates for elective surgery of Orthopedics, Urology, General surgery and Gynecology in Hazrat Rasool-Akram Hospital Complex in the year 2000. Their operation were performed in supine position and did not need muscle relaxation and the patients had spontaneous breathing. Duration of surgery was less than 2 hours. The patients were randomly allocated into two groups: LMA was used for one group and CPT for others. Immediately after operation, in the recovery room and at 6, 12, 18 and 24 hours after removing the tube, the patients were asked about sore throat and the results were recorded in the related sheets. The results was 31.7 percent of patients in group LMA and 0 percent of patients in group CPT, had sore throat. There were significant difference between groups (LMA and CPT) in presentation of sore throat (P<0.001).
Gharabaghian M, Sadeghy Sa, Mir Mohammad Sadeghi Sf, Rafieyani Sa,
Volume 60, Issue 4 (7-2002)
Abstract
Background: Cuffed pharyngeal tube is a device designed for ventilation of anesthetized patients. CPT has advantages over face mask including: maintaining of face mask can be difficult and boring after several minutes and mobility of the practitioner is reduced due to involvement of hands. Mask pressure can cause soft tissue and nerve damage around the nose. Anesthetic gas leakage from the mask adds to the operation room pollution. In difficult intubation CPT can be life-saving.
Materials and Methods: In our study CPT was compared with endotracheal tube (ET) in anesthetized patients. A scoring system for evaluating ventilation of patients was designed using symmetric chest wall motion during ventilation with anesthesia bag and sensing lung compliance through it, auscultation of breathing sounds, oscilation of bag with breathing and peripheral oxygen saturation by pulse oxymetry. Respiratory complications (pulmonary aspiration, Iaryngospasm and bronchospasm, nausea and vomiting) were looked for during anesthesia.
Results: The results showed that CPT was successful as ET in ventilation of spontaneously breathing patients and incidence of respiratory complications with CPT was no more than ET. Airway resistance was significantly greater with CPT than ET (P<0.05). Patients with ET had significantly greater incidence of sore throat than with CPT (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Thus we concluded that CPT can be used for ventilation of anesthetized patients not predisposed to pulmonary aspiration and whose peak airway pressure does not exceed 20-25 CmH2O.
Agkajanzadeh M, Kiamoosavi Sm,
Volume 61, Issue 5 (8-2003)
Abstract
Persistent air leaks occur after Spontaneous pneumothorax both primary and secondary, and after lungs trauma and lung surgeries are sever problems encountered chest surgeons with. Persistent air leak causes longer patients hospitalization.
Materials and Methods: We used autologous blood pleurodesis in patients with persistent air leak for 30patients with more than 8 days air leaks, during a three years period 1377-1380 (1999-2002).
Results: The patients had 19 years up to 70 years old. Eight patients had thoracotomy and lobectomy and /or segmentectomies 6 with primary pneumothorax, 10 with secondary pneumothorax, and four with penetrated or blunt thoracic traumas. Blood was obtained from femoral or brachial veins and 70-150 mis. Injected in chest tubes. Chest bottle was first lied 80cm higher than body levels. After 24 hours repositioned in normal levels, and patients were supervised. Via chest tube we injected blood 70-100ml.for young patients, and 100-150 ml for older patients into intra pleural space. There were no clamped chest tubes. There were no pain, respiratory distress, fever, or cough in pleurodesized patients. The only patient's complaint was local pain in femoral vein or brachial vein because blood sampling and blood obtaining, although there was no local visible complication as hematoma or bleeding. After 48 hours in 24 patients air leak ceased. In six patients because persistent air leak autologous blood pleurodesis repeated, two patients after 48hours air leak ceased, remaining four patients underwent for thoracotomies, success rate was 86.6%.
Conclusion: According above success rate we suggest autologous blood pleurodesis in patients with persistent air leak is a reliable, effective, and no complicated procedure for persistent air leaks.
Kaviani H, Poor Naseh M,
Volume 63, Issue 2 (5-2005)
Abstract
Background: This Study aimed to validate the temperament and character inventory (TCI) in an Iranian sample of men and women with different ages. TCI contains subscales designed to measure seven different personality traits and characteristics.
Materials and Methods: In the first step, subjects (n=1212) completed the questionnaire. In the second step, to examine the reliability of the questionnaire, 101 randomly chosen subjects were re-tested one to two months after the first test. Also, in order to examine the validity of the questionnaire, 100 subjects were interviewed by two psychologists using a checklist based on the Cloninger&aposs biological theory of personality. The interviewers, who were blind to the subjects&apos scores on the seven subscales, rated each subject for the seven traits and characteristics on a 10-point rating scale (from 1 to 10).
Results & Conclusion: The results showed normative data for the subscales novelty seeking (NS), harm avoidance (HA), reward dependence (RD), persistence (Per), self directiveness (SD), cooperation (Co) and self transcendence (ST) for different gender and age classes. Correlations between the scores and ratings of the test and re-test revealed significant coefficients, confirming reliability for all subscales. A good internal consistency was found for each subscale. The results also showed no significant correlations higher than 0.40 among NS, HA, Per and RD the temperament subscales were independent from each other. The only significant correlation, higher than 0.40, among the character subscales was between SD and Co. Applied and clinical implication of the present findings will be discussed.
Mehrdad R, Esmaeili Javid G, Hasan Zadeh H, Sotoodeh Manesh A, Ghasemi M,
Volume 63, Issue 4 (7-2005)
Abstract
Background: This study was designed to compare low-level laser therapy (LLLT) + exercise therapy with LLLT alone and exercise therapy alone, and to determine whether laser therapy is a useful treatment modality for chronic low back pain (LBP).
Materials and Methods: This study was a double-blind placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial. Patients with chronic LBP for at least 12 weeks were included. Visual analogue scale (VAS), Modified Oswestry Disability Questionnaire (MODQ), Schober test, flexion, extension and lateral bending were used to evaluate back pain, disability score and lumbar range of motion. Irradiation was performed with GaAlAs (=810 nm, power density=226 mW/cm2) laser, two times a week, over a period of 6 weeks. Subjects were evaluated before the first treatment, at week 6 and 12 follow-up.
Results: The reduction in pain related to motion was significantly greater in the exercise + LLLT group compared with the exercise alone group (P = 0.004) but was not significant, compared with LLLT alone (P = 0.982). Disability score in LLLT + exercise therapy reduced more than the other two groups, and the difference with exercise alone group was significant (p = 0.03). Comparison of reduction of disability between LLLT alone and exercise therapy alone was not statistically significant. Improvement of lumbar range of motion in patients treated with LLLT + exercise therapy was better than the other two groups significantly, especially by Schober test and Flexion and lateral bending.
Conclusion: This study clearly shows that LLLT alone and especially LLLT combined with exercise can lead to better improvement in chronic LBP.
P Ayatollahi, S Nafissi, M Eshraghian , A Tarazi,
Volume 64, Issue 1 (3-2006)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Measuring the outcome of chronic diseases such as multiple sclerosis is an important factor in assessment of disease impact on different dimensions of quality of life and in evaluation of therapeutic interventions. The aim of this study was to perform the cross-cultural adaptation of the MSIS-29 which is a MS-specific outcome measure for Iranian patients.
Materials and Methods: The Iranian adaptation process of the MSIS-29 included 5 steps. To evaluate psychometric properties of the translated version, the questionnaire was administered to a consecutive sample of 96 patients with clinically definite MS referred to our out-patient clinic. Test-retest reliability was assessed in a sub-sample consisted of 30 patients. These patients completed the questionnaire on two occasions separated by a 7-day interval. The Iranian version of the SF-36 was also administered to this sub-sample in order to evaluate the validity of translated MSIS-29.
Results: Statistical analysis indicated that the Persian version of the MSIS-29 had high internal consistency (cronbach’s alpha coefficients > 0.70) and test-retest reliability (intra-class correlation coefficients >0.70) and a good validity.
Conclusion: The Persian version of the MSIS-29 is a reliable and valid instrument for measuring MS outcome in Iranian patients. It can be used in clinical trials and cross-sectional studies.
H Khalili, S Dashti, S Seifi, M Hadjibabaie, S Shafiei,
Volume 64, Issue 2 (4-2006)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Anemia is one of the common problems in patients with chronic renal impairment. The most common cause of anemia in this patients is a decreased in erythropoietin hormone excretion, however other common cause include low life of red blood cells, loss of blood during dialysis, frequent blood sampling, uremia, iron, vitamin B12 and folic acid deficiency. Until introduction of erythropoietin in 1982, blood transfusion was an alternative for correction and maintaining hematocrit in normal range in dialyze patients. In current date, any dialyzed patient take rh-erythropoietin .
Materials and Methods: The goal of this study is to evaluate erythropoietin utilization and comparing the effectiveness of the commercial product in the Iranian drugs market. The study was performed at nephrology and dialyze ward of Immam Khomeini hospital in a one year period.
Results and Conclusion: Of the 30 patients&apos subject of study, 13 patients received eprex and 17 received epocim. Average dose of erythropoietin 2000IU was three times per week. The average plasma hemoglobin and hematocrit of patients prior to the treatment were 9.38 g/dl and 28% respectively. Increase in the hemoglobin and hematocrit in the group who received eprex was significantly higher than epocim group (p=0.001 and p=0.026 respectively). The incidents of side effects including hypertension, headache, pain at injection site, and influenza-like in eposim group were considerably higher than eprex.
M.r. Giti, S. Fotoohi, M. Farzan,
Volume 64, Issue 4 (7-2006)
Abstract
Background: Rotator cuff tendon tear injury is one of the most frequently seen orthopaedic conditions, and surgical repair of rotator cuff tears is a common procedure. The purpose of the present study was to determine the results of full-thickness rotator cuff repair and to look for predictors of outcomes.
Methods: we studied 27 patients (17 men and 10 women with a mean age of 57.7 years) who underwent open rotator cuff repair surgery for full-thickness tear between 2001 and 2005 at the Imam Khomeini Hospital and were subsequently followed-up for 6 and 12 months after surgery. The shoulder function was assessed by Constant classification and factors potentially associated with outcomes were
Results: The mean of preoperative Constant score (CS) was 45.8 ± 14.1 after 12 months, 6 patients (22.2%) had good results and 21 patients (77.8%) had excellent result according to CS. Pain relief was generally satisfactory. Using multiple regression analysis, treatment was significantly correlated preoperative CS and acromio-humeral interval (AHI) however, no correlation was found between the result of the treatment and pretreatment atrophy, tear size, acromial morphology, preoperative symptom duration and age.
Conclusion: In this study, a standard rotator cuff repair technique reduced pain severity and was associated with good results, however larger studies are necessary to define the long-term outcome of this procedure.
Noyan Ashraf M.a, Zanjani A.p.e,
Volume 64, Issue 7 (8-2006)
Abstract
Background: During general anesthesia in patients with mediastinal mass compression effect on the heart, great intra thoracic vessels, or tracheal tree can lead to decrease venous return, cardiovascular collapse or tracheal obstruction. These complications may be worsened after induction of general anesthesia or prescribing muscle relaxants.
Case report: A twenty one years old female with huge anterior mediastinal mass was a candidate for right sided thoracotomy. Compression effect on the adjacent structures has been reported in chest CT scan and in echocardiography. Awake oro-tracheal intubation was performed in sitting position. Then patient positioned to left lateral decubitus for thoracotomy During surgery asystole occured. We changed the position to remove compression effect on the heart and great vessels. Fortunately these maneuvers changed asystole to sinus rhythm.
Conclusion: Decreased thoracic muscular tone and removed spontaneous ventilation after muscle relaxant may threaten patient’s life. Change of patient’s position can remove the compression effect.
Hosein Khan Z, Arbabi Sh, Ebrahim Soltani A,
Volume 65, Issue 1 (3-2008)
Abstract
Airway management is one of the most important subjects in medicine. This article reviews the history, assessment of airway prior to anesthesia, techniques and equip-ment of airway management and management of patients with anticipated and unan-ticipated difficult airways. This article covers recent literature on airway appliances and devices and their use in different circumstances. Airway assessment methods especially the recent Iranian method have been reviewed and discussed briefly in this article. On the whole the article covers the etiology of difficult airway and offers guidelines for safe practice of anesthesia in patients in whom airway is anticipated to be difficult.
Hussain Khan Z, Mirazimi F,
Volume 65, Issue 5 (8-2007)
Abstract
Background: Failed endotracheal intubation is one of the principal causes of morbidity and mortality in anesthetized patients. If the anesthetist can anticipate which patients may be more difficult to intubate, can reduce the risks of anesthesia greatly and be more prepared for any difficulties that may occur. The aim of this study was to investigate the inability of patients to protrude the lower jaw in predicting difficult intubation.
Methods: In this prospective study, we enrolled 300 patients, above 16 years of age or older, who were scheduled for elective surgery. For all of the patients, before each operation, a single anesthesiologist measured the temporomandibular mobility, which was defined as the difference between the distances, from the lower incisors to the upper incisors in a neutral position and at maximum mandibular protrusion. At the time of intubation, another anesthesiologist, blinded to the preoperative airway assessment test, performed a laryngoscopy in which the laryngoscopic view of the larynx was determined according to the Cormack and Lehane scoring system. Difficult intubation was defined as laryngoscopic views of grade III and IV.
Results: Twenty-one patients were identified as having difficult intubation. Only one patient could not be intubated. The forward movement of the mandible was significantly greater in patients with easy intubation compared to those with difficult intubation (6.42±1.95 mm vs. 3.58±1.26 mm respectively, P<0.001). The use of a cut-off point of less than 5 mm for prediction of difficult intubation showed a sensitivity of 92.86% and a specificity of 70.43%.
Conclusion: The forward movement of the mandible is significantly greater in patients with easy intubation compared those with difficult intubation Although infrequent difficulties may arise, most patients that do not have indicators of difficult intubation will be easy to intubate under anesthesia.
Zolfaghari Gh, Esmaeili Sari A, Ghasempouri S M, Faghihzadeh S,
Volume 65, Issue 5 (8-2007)
Abstract
Background: Dental amalgam, a mixture of approximately 50% mercury with silver, tin, zinc and copper in varying ratios, is a major source of mercury pollution in the general population not occupationally exposed. The toxicity of mercury is enhanced because it is so readily absorbed, with around 90-100% of mercury vapor being absorbed through the oral mucosa. The aim of the current study is to examine the mercury levels in hair and nails in subjects with amalgam fillings.
Methods: For a sample of forty university students reporting infrequent fish consump-tion, with their only known exposure to mercury from amalgam fillings, mercury levels were measured in hair and nail samples using the LECO AMA 254 Advanced Mercury Analyzer (USA), according to the ASTM standard No. D-6722 test method.
Results: Mercury concentration in hair ranged from 0.09 to 3.11 mg/kg, and in nail from zero to 1.35 mg/kg. We found that subjects with five or more amalgam fillings had significantly higher levels in their hair than subjects with zero to 5 amalgam fillings (CI 95% P=0.003). However, the number of amalgam fillings had no effect on the mercury concentration in nails in these two groups (P=0.26). There was no significant difference between the levels of mercury of males and that of females tested (P=0.26 for nail and P=0.15 for hair).
Conclusion: The mercury amount in hair was 1.5 times as much as that of the nail samples, may be due to the differences in the chemical compounds, particularly those with sulfur, or the deposition of those compounds that would be affected by blood circulation during formation of hair and nails. Although the amounts of mercury found in this study were below the WHO maximum acceptable level of 6 mg/kg for mercury in human hair, the levels were sufficient to warrant the use of other dental materials such as composites in order to decrease the overall rate of exposure to mercury.
Golmohammadi T, Ansari M, Nikzamir A, Safary R, Elahi S,
Volume 65, Issue 8 (11-2007)
Abstract
Background: Lead poisoning has proven to be one of the most important environmental health problems among developing countries with both direct and indirect effects on human life. Lead is known to cross the blood-brain barrier and placenta, and accumulates in soft and hard tissues. Lead can be excreted in urine, stool, milk, sweat, nails and saliva. During pregnancy and lactation, lead is released from bones into the blood along with Ca2+. The toxic effects of lead on various human tissues have been studied extensively, but few studies have addressed its impact on fetal development during pregnancy. Blood levels of lead are higher in people living in lead-polluted regions. It has been reported that Tehran (central and southern parts) is the most problematic city in terms of lead poisoning.
Methods: From 86 sets of mothers and newborns in a non-polluted area of rural Rasht, Iran, we examined specimens of maternal blood, cord blood and colostrum (86×3=258) and specimens from 85 sets of mothers and newborns in a polluted area of Tehran, Iran (85×3=255) for lead levels using atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS) and analyzed the results by t-test, SPSS, and linear regression.
Results: The mean blood lead concentrations of mothers, cord blood of newborns and colostrum were 7.6±4.1, 5.9±3 and 4.2±2.5 μg/dl, respectively, in the non-polluted area and 9.1±8.4, 6.5±5.2 and 5.8±5.5 μg/dl, respectively, in the polluted area. The mean weights of the newborns in non-polluted and polluted areas were 3.2±0.5 kg and 3.2±4.5 kg, respectively.
Conclusions: Our data revealed an association between mean concentrations in blood lead of mothers and newborns and between mean concentrations of colostrum lead and newborn blood lead in both areas (p=0.01). There was no association between mean blood lead concentration of mothers with the weight of their newborns (p=0.89).
Raji B, Jalali S.m, Noyan Ashraf M.a, Sharifi M, Peyravi Sereshke H,
Volume 65, Issue 9 (12-2007)
Abstract
Background: Acupuncture is one of the most effective methods of alleviating pain in different situations including chronic and acute pain management. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of acupuncture in the reduction of post-operative pain after hernia repair.
Methods: In this placebo-controlled, double-blinded clinical trial, we enrolled 60 male patients aged 30 to 60 years old with an ASA physical status of I or II undergoing elective inguinal hernia repair under general anesthesia in Imam Khomeini Hospital, Tehran, Iran. All patients experienced standard anesthetic and surgical procedures. After completion of the operation and while the patients were still under general anesthesia, they were randomly assigned to two groups: acupuncture (with stimulation of GV2, GV4 and SP6 points with sterile acupuncture needles), and control (with sham acupuncture stimulation). After termination of anesthesia, during the first six hours, the pain intensity was evaluated hourly. Pethidine (25 mg) was administered for the patients when necessary. Pain intensity and pethidine use were recorded and compared between the two groups.
Results: The mean age of two groups did not differ. Pain intensity was significantly lower in the acupuncture group between the second and fifth postoperative hours. Moreover, pethidine use was significantly lower in the acupuncture group versus the control group during the first six hours after surgery (12.07±7.5 mg vs. 12.91±6.5 mg, respectively p=0.0001).
Conclusion: The application of acupuncture in patients is associated with a marked decrease in pain after inguinal hernia repair and does not have any serious complications. Acupuncture is strongly recommended for all post-operative patients.
