ABSTRACT
Aim: The present study is aimed to investigate the effect of red sugar on functional constipation in children compared to figs syrup
Background: Treatment of constipation in childhood improves gastrointestinal function in the future and regular bowel habit. Red sugar is an effective ingredient in the treatment of constipation. Figs syrup is the other common natural substance used to treat constipation in children. Conducted studies on these two substances and similar herbal substances have shown their beneficial effects, but in a conducted study, it is reported that the effect of fig syrup is less than the chemical material
Methods: This Randomized Controlled Trial [RCT] Study was done in 2016. First, by performing an examination and filling out the identifying form of the patient's health status, mothers respond to the designed questionnaire. 30 children with constipation were treated with the usual drug, fig syrup, and 30 other children received red sugar. After a 4-week treatment period, the examination was conducted again and the questionnaire was filled out again. The changes following the intervention were measured and the status before and after treatment were compared as well. The analyses were performed using SPSS 20 [SPSS for Windows, SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA]
Results: In this study, there was no significant difference between effects of red sugar and fig syrup in terms of the frequency of fecal excretion, and pain at the time of excretion [p = 0.264]. However, the fig syrup was more effective in reducing the anorexia [p < 0.001] and abdominal pain compared with fig syrup [p < 0.001]. Also fig syrup was more effective in inducing diarrhea [p = 0.019]
Conclusion: In general, treatment by red sugar has been effective in improving the functional characteristics of constipation in children; and did not show any complication and toxic effects. It is easily accessible at affordable prices to resolve childhood constipation
ABSTRACT
Historically, opium was used as a potent analgesic and to treat dyspnea and cough. It is documented that opium can increase exercise tolerance and relieve breathlessness. However, its overdose can suppress respiratory centers. The purpose of this study was to evaluate effects of opium on spirometric lung volumes. The study was done on two groups of patients referred to the lung clinic of Labbafi Nejad hospital. Group A was composed of 84 patients who were smokers and group B was made up of 40 patients who were smokers and opium addicts. Patients underwent spirometry and demographic questionnaires were collected. Significant differences were noted on lung volumes between two groups. Forced Vital Capacity [FVC] was 56 +/- 4.6 % in Group A and 72 +/- 4.7 % in Group B [P < 0.001]. Difference on Forced Expiratory Volume in one second [FEV1] was also statistically significant, 53 +/- 6.6 % in Group A versus 69 +/- 4.4 % in Group B [P < 0.001]. In this study, lung volumes were considerably larger in patients who were opium addicts and smokers compared to patients who were only smokers. Further studies are warranted to confirm these results, and such confirmation may lead to better understanding about role of opioids in respiratory diseases
ABSTRACT
Generally ICU patients are in critical status and need long stay in ICU. Pulmonary rehabilitation program [PRP] is considered as an important tool to improve outcome and shorten the length of stay in ICU. The aim of this study was to investigate whether PRP can affect outcome and duration of hospitalization in ICU patients. This study was performed in medical ICU of Labafi Nejad hospital, Tehran, Iran during 2012 and 2013. All of patients who had more than one day stay in ICU were included in the study. They underwent PRP. We compared length of stay, mortality rate and number of hospitalized patients within 2 years in patients with PRP and patients without PRP. In 2012, 155 patients and in 2013, 173 patients were admitted in ICU. Admission period was 15 +/- 2.7 and 11 +/- 2.1 days, respectively [p< 0.001]. Pulmonary physiotherapy showed no effect on patients' outcome in which during 2012, 94 patients were discharged and 61 patients were died and in 2013, 98 patients were discharged and 64 patients were died [p=0.9]. Our study shows that PRP can shorten hospitalization time which can indirectly decrease hospitalization costs but there is no effect on overall survival
ABSTRACT
Evidence from several lines of investigations suggests that Toll-like receptor 4 [TLR4] is involved in atherosclerosis as a bridge between innate and acquired immunity. Percutaneous coronary intervention [PCI] can trigger inflammation through activation of human TLR4 [hTLR4] on monocytes. Hydrocortisone as an anti-inflammatory and immuno-suppressant agent has multiple mechanisms of action. In this study, we aimed at assessing the effects of hydrocortisone on monocyte expression and activity of hTLR4 in patients underwent PCI. Blood samples were taken from a total of 71 patients with chronic stable angina who were scheduled for a PCI, before the intervention. Thirty patients received 100 mg hydrocortisone prior to the procedure. Control group was composed of 41 patients underwent PCI without receiving hydrocortisone. Blood collection was repeated 2 and 4 h after PCI. The expression of hTLR4 on the surface of CD14[+] monocytes and the serum levels of TNF- alpha and IL-1 beta were measured using flowcytometry and Sandwich ELISA. Compared with controls, hydrocortisone significantly reduced monocyte expression of hTLR4 in test group [P<0.01]. In addition, it had a significant effect on reduction of serum concentrations of TNF- alpha and IL-1 beta in test group in a time-dependent manner [P<0.01]. In this study, hydrocortisone was able to reduce the hTLR4/CD14 positive monocytes and its related pro-inflammatory cytokines, thus it can decrease inflammatory responses following PCI
ABSTRACT
At present, air way support plays pivotal role in management of patients in the ICU [Intensive Care Unit] and also RCU [Respiratory Care Unit]. Ventilator weaning is an important step in the care of ICU and RCU patients. It is the gradual removal of mechanical ventilatory support. Different predictors are used for initiation of weaning. This study was designed to investigate the rapid shallow breathing index [RSBI] as a predictor for successful weaning. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 70 patients who had mechanical ventilation for more than 48 hours in a respiratory care unit in Tehran Labbafi Nejad Hospital. They were clinically stable and had the criteria for weaning from the ventilator. We measured RSBI, and then evaluated the value of RSBI for successful extubation. RSBI was calculated when patients were on spontaneous breathing mode with PSV=0 and PEEP=0 for one minute. A total of 70 patients were included in this study; 63[90%] patients had RSBI
ABSTRACT
Toll like receptors [TLRs] are well recognized players in inflammatory conditions. Among them TLR-4 is involved in chronic inflammatory processes such as formation of atherosclerotic plaques. The present study was aimed to examine the effects of percutanoeus coronary intervention [PCI] as a revascularization method on monocyte expression of hTLR-4 and on the serum levels of two proinflammatory cytokines [TNF-alpha and IL-1beta]. Blood samples were obtained from 41 patients with stable angina who were candidates for PCI. The samples were collected immediately before and 2h and 4h after PCI. The expression of hTLR-4 on CD14[+] monocytes and the serum levels of TNF-alpha and IL-1beta were measured using flowcytometry and ELISA techniques, respectively. By comparing the frequency of circulating hTLR-4[+]/CD14[+] monocytes at different time points, it was observed that PCI procedure up regulates the monocyte expression of hTLR-4 [p<0.05]. The increase in expression was associated with the elevation of the serum levels of proinflammatory cytokines [p<0.05]. There was a significant correlation between monocyte expression of hTLR-4 and serum levels of TNF-alpha and IL-1beta only before PCI. In spite of parallel increase in the serum levels of proinflammatory cytokines and the monocyte expression of hTLR-4, the correlation did not attain a significant level after PCI intervals. PCI is positively associated with an increase in the monocyte expression of hTLR-4. It is also associated with the elevation in the serum levels of proinflmmatory cytokines. These findings suggest that hTLR-4 monocyte expression may be used as a potential prognostic tool in patients with stable angina undergoing PCI.