Is pulmonary function test insensitive to possible pulmonary complications after tangential radiotherapy of breast cancer?

Pulmonary complications of radiation to breast are inevitable, while its incidence and severity are not clear. One of the methods to assess pulmonary complications is spirometry. The influence of radiotherapy on pulmonary function test and the factors affecting it have been assessed in this study. Breast cancer patients with stage II and III [based on TNM staging], underwent six courses of chemotherapy, and the total mastectomy was included in this study. Smokers, chronic pulmonary patients, cardiac patients, and those who suffered from anatomic chest malformations were excluded. Sample size was 75 and data collection was conducted by the spirometer device. The total tumor dose varied between 4800 to 5040 cGy with fraction of 180 or 200 cGy. Spirometry was performed before and 3 months after radiotherapy; the patients were examined at the same time by a specialist for respiratory complications. The measured parameters were FEV 1[Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second] and FVC [Forced Vital capacity] which were normalized by age and sex. The average age of the patients was 45.6 +/- 7.92 .Average length and widths of tangential fields were determined 18.2 +/- 1.8 and 6.7 +/- 1.37 respectively. Average central lung distance was measured 2 +/- 1.07 cm. The mean of FEV1% prior to and following radiotherapy was measured 74.9 +/- 15.59 and 78.86 +/- 12.55 respectively [p=0.09].The mean of FVC% before and after radiation treatment was measured 72.17 +/- 14.26 and 74.6 +/- 11.36 [p=0.07]. No abnormal signs were observed in the patients after radiotherapy. It seems that three months is a short period for appearance of pulmonary changes after radiotherapy with cobalt machine. Moreover, minimizing CLD through planning might lower the probability of pneumonitis due to radiation

[Effect of soybeans on hot flashes in postmenopausal women]

Hot flashes are common and discomfortable signs of menopause that present with blazing sweatiness, sense of hotness, tachycardia and agitation. Hot flashes cause disturbances in daily activity and quality of night sleep. In spite of the effect of Hormone Replacement Therapy [HRT] on hot flashes, nowadays, there are diverse opinions about HRT and the reason is that it has chronic complications. In addition, the acceptance of HRT by Iranian women is very low. Study of numerous texts has shown that isofliavone in soybean is a phytoestrogen that could be effective in control of hot flashes. The purpose of the study is to examine the changes in time periods of hot flashes in response to consumption of 74 mg Isoflavone/day present in 60 grams soybeans in menopausal women. This study was a clinical trial with before and after design that included 31 postmenopausal women. The participants were assessed with respect to daily hot flashes at baseline and after one, two and three months of intervention. Participants consumed daily 60 grams soybeans for 3 months. Blood samples were taken at the start and end of intervention for determining levels of gonadotropins and estradiol. Data was analyzed by SPSS software. There was a decrease in time period of hot flashes from baseline of 5.88 +/- 2.61 to 3.45 +/- 1.82 after one month, 2.73 +/- 1.57 after two months and 2.16 +/- 1.48 after three months of consumption of soybeans [P<0.001]. There was decrease in levels of FSH, LH and estradiol after 3 months, but this decrease was not significant, except in the case of estradiol. In line with various studies proposing the use of soybeans in the form of concentrate, drink or capsule, this study suggests that consumption of soybeans [60 gr daily] as snacks may be a safe and effective method for controlling hot flashes in postmenopausal women

Effect of ice massage on hoku point for reduction of labor pain

One the most anxious moments for mothers and families is labor pain and various methods for its relief have an effect on labor management, patient satisfaction and labor outcome. Both pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods are used to relieve labor pain, but in recently years, researchers have focused their attention to non-pharmacological methods for reduction of labor pain. Acupressure is one of the pain relieving methods that can be used for labor pain, but there have been few studies to date. The purpose of this research was to determine the effect of Hoku point ice massage on labor pain. Participants of this clinical trial study were 60 pregnant women having the inclusive criteria. Participants were randomly divided to two groups of thirty, each. [Control Group=only touch of Hoku point, Case group= ice massage of Huko point]. This procedure was done for thirty minutes. Labor pain of subjects was measured by visual analog scale before and after the procedure. There was no statistical difference between the gestational age, parity and age of the two groups. Results showed that reduction of labor pain by ice massage of Huko point was statistically significant [P<0.001]. Acupressure is a noninvasive, simple and cheap method of relieving pain and our study confirms its effect on reduction of labor pain. This method is therefore applicable in delivery rooms