Use and attitude on herbal medicine in a group of pregnant women in Tehran

While the use of herbal medicines is common in Tehran, there is scant data regarding various aspects of the use of such medicines during pregnancy. The frequency of the use of herbal medicines in a group of pregnant women in Tehran and their attitude to the use of such medicines were evaluated. In this cross-sectional study, 600 pregnant women were studied. A researcher-made questionnaire was used to explore the demographic and pregnancy related data, the extent of use of the herbal medicines, the subjects' sources of information and their attitude regarding such medicines. The data were analyzed using student t- and chi-square tests. Logistic regression was used to determine the predicting factors. 402 [67%] participants had used at least one type of herbal medicine during their current or previous pregnancies, with a mean of 2.71 +/- 1.94 herbs per individual. Two commonly used herbs were peppermint [32.8%] and olibanum [26.3%]. Maternal and Gestational age, family size, children number, frequency of having medical insurance and positive attitude in users were significantly higher than non-users [P values were 0.02, 0.02, 0.001, <0.001, 0.04 and <0.001 respectively]. The score of attitude was the only predictor for taking herbal medicine with the odds ratio 0.89 [95% confidence interval: 0.86-0.92] of logistic regression model for negative attitude. Considering the high frequency of herbal medicine use during pregnancy, pregnant women need appropriate sources of information about these medicines. Further, health care providers should ask pregnant women about taking herbal medicines

Relationship between the attraction of participation methods with voluntary activities among volunteers of Red Crescent society of Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad in 2010

The process of attracting volunteers' participation is different from the past due to the increasing spread of science and technology, so appropriate actions should be taken in order to properly invite people to join voluntary activities. Because this research includes attitudes and practices of volunteers in Red Crescent society of Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad in form of volunteer groups, the results can be used for designing appropriate strategies in order to continue to attract public participation. This descriptive study was done on 400 volunteers in Red Crescent society of Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad in 2010. A Likert-style questionnaire was designed by the researchers. The questionnaire was composed of 40 questions. Independent variable namely attraction of public participation included three sub-scale [face to face methods, advertising techniques and making group techniques]; and dependent variable, i.e. voluntary activities covered 4 subscales [voluntary activities of support groups, skills groups, participation and also guidance groups].Correlation between these variables was identified. The results indicated, in view of respondents, there was a significant relationship between participation in voluntary activities with methods of attracting participation by using Qui square Test [p <0.05]. The methods of participation have a high impact on voluntary activities. Public participation in voluntary activities can be provided according to each group special conditions, cultural characteristics and facilities both individually and together as a group

[Usage of autologous serum eye drops]

Tears have antimicrobial, nourishing, mechanical, and optical properties and contain components such as growth factors, fibronectin and vitamins to support proliferation, migration and differentiation of corneal and conjunctival epithelial cells. Lack of these epitheliotrophic factors, as in dry eye, can result in severe ocular surface disorders such as persistent epithelial defects. Recently, the use of autologous serum in the form of eye drops has been reported as a new treatment for severe ocular surface disorders. Serum eye drops may be produced as an unpreserved blood preparation. They are by nature non-allergenic and their biomechanical and biochemical properties are similar to normal tears. In vitro cell culture experiments showed that corneal epithelial cell morphology and function are better maintained by serum than by pharmaceutical tear substitutes. Clinical cohort studies have reported its successful use for severe dry eyes and persistent epithelial defects. However, the protocols to prepare and use autologous serum eye drops varied considerably between the studies. In addition to different biochemical properties, protocol variations may also influence the epitheliotrophic effect of the product. Before establishing the definitive role of serum eye drops in the management of severe ocular surface diseases in a large randomized controlled trial, this has to be evaluated in more detail. Based upon the literature reviewed here, two preliminary standard operating procedures for the preparation of serum eye drops are proposed

[Photorefractive keratectomy for myopia; an 8-year follow up study]

To evaluate the 8-year results of excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy [PRK] for myopia in terms of safety, stability and late complications. Of 203 myopic patients who underwent PRK with single-step method using NIDEK EC-5000 excimer laser with 5-6 mm ablation zones at Basir Eye Center, Tehran-Iran from 1996 to 1998, 179 eyes of 98 patients who completed 8 years of follow up were included in this study. Results of follow up examinations at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months and 2 and 8 years after surgery were analyzed. Treated eyes were divided into three groups according to preoperative refractive error: low [ -10.00 D] myopes. Eight years after PRK, emmetropia [within +/- 1 D] was achieved in 69.1%, 30% and 46.15% of the low, medium and high myopia groups, respectively. Although a small myopic shift occurred up to 8 years after surgery, myopic regression stabilized in all groups within 24 months and was correlated significantly to preoperative spherical equivalent refraction. Corneal haze occurred in 5% especially in medium and high myopic groups but cleared within two years in 89% of cases. Only one eye lost two lines of best spectacle-corrected visual acuity due to corneal haze. According to this study, postoperative refraction remains stable two years after PRK and most cases of corneal haze clear within two years after surgery. Therefore, PRK seems to be a safe and stable surgical procedure in myopic patients

case report of Linguatula serrata in human pharynx from shiraz, southern Iran

A case of linguatulosis due to Linguatula serrata, a zoonotic pentastomid parasite in the pharynx of a 35 year old woman from Shiraz is described. After removal of the parasites the patient was discharged without any further complaints