Intrathecal administration of naringenin improves motor dysfunction and neuropathic pain following compression spinal cord injury in rats: relevance to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities

Background@#Spinal cord injury (SCI) is one of the most debilitating disorders throughout the world, causing persistent sensory-motor dysfunction, with no effective treatment. Oxidative stress and inflammatory responses play key roles in the secondary phase of SCI. Naringenin (NAR) is a natural flavonoid with known antiinflammatory and antioxidative properties. This study aims at evaluating the effects of intrathecal NAR administration on sensory-motor disability after SCI. @*Methods@#Animals underwent a severe compression injury using an aneurysm clip. About 30 minutes after surgery, NAR was injected intrathecally at the doses of 5, 10, and 15 mM in 20 µL volumes. For the assessment of neuropathic pain and locomotor function, acetone drop, hot plate, inclined plane, and Basso, Beattie, Bresnahan tests were carried out weekly till day 28 post-SCI. Effects of NAR on matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 activity was appraised by gelatin zymography. Also, histopathological analyses and serum levels of glutathione (GSH), catalase and nitrite were measured in different groups. @*Results@#NAR reduced neuropathic pain, improved locomotor function, and also attenuated SCI-induced weight loss weekly till day 28 post-SCI. Zymography analysis showed that NAR suppressed MMP-9 activity, whereas it increased that of MMP-2, indicating its anti-neuroinflammatory effects. Also, intrathecal NAR modified oxidative stress related markers GSH, catalase, and nitrite levels. Besides, the neuroprotective effect of NAR was corroborated through increased survival of sensory and motor neurons after SCI. @*Conclusions@#These results suggest intrathecal NAR as a promising candidate for medical therapeutics for SCI-induced sensory and motor dysfunction.

Comparing the impact of topical application of human milk and chlorhexidine on cord separation time in newborns

Objectives: The best umbilical cord care after birth is a controversial issue. Aim of this research was to compare the effect of topical application of human milk and chlorhexidin on cord separation time in newborns

Methods: One hundred seventy four neonates attending from hospitals affiliated to Kashan University of Medical Sciences were included. Newborns from birth were randomized to two groups. In group mother's milk, mother will rub her own milk to cord stump two times a day. chlorhexidin [group 2] were applied to the umbilical stump every 12 hours. The time to umbilical cord separation and any discomfort such as infection, hemorrhage, and discharge and odor were documented. Data was analyzed by SPSS software. Independent Samples t-Test, x[2], Fisher were used in this study

Results: Results showed a significant statistical difference between cord separation time in two groups and the mean cord separation time in the human milk group [7.15 +/- 2.15days] was shorter than the chlorhexidin group [13.28 +/- 6.79 days]. In addition, a significant correlation was found between Signs of infection [discharge, redness, swelling and odor] in both groups

Conclusions: Topical application of breast milk on umbilical cord care leads to quick cord separation time and can be used as easy, cheep, non injury methods for umbilical cord care

Effect of Ramadan fasting during pregnancy on neonatal birth weight

Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset during Ramadan, the 9th lunar month. The duration of fasting varies from 13 to 18 hrs per day. Fasting individuals abstain from drinking liquids and eating foods. Many pregnant women and gynecologists are concerned about the possible complications associated with fasting and effects on fetal health. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of Ramadan fasting on neonatal birth weight. The current historical cohort study was performed on pregnant women attending maternity hospitals in Kashan in 2008. Two fasting and non?fasting groups were compared. Multiple pregnancies and gestational age less than 37 weeks were considered as the exclusion criteria. In fasting and nonfasting groups, age, parity, gestational age, body mass index [BMI], mother's occupation, prenatal care attendance and intended or unintended pregnancy were matched. For the statistical analysis of the data, covariance analysis and SPSS v16.0 were used. In this study, 293 cases were evaluated among whom 31.7% did notfast. In the two groups, the mean age, gestational age, parity and weight gain during pregnancy were not significantly different. The mean birth weight was 3338 g [ +/- 498 g] and 3343 g [ +/- 339 g] in fasting and non?fasting groups respectively. The results showed that the mean birth weight of the neonates in fasting and non?fasting groups was not significantly different [P=0. 931]. The results of this study indicated that there is no significant relationship between the neonatal birth weight and maternal fasting during pregnancy. Therefore we declare that fasting for pregnant women who receive prenatal care has no effects on neonatal birth weight

Association between menstrual cycle regularity and obesity-related anthropometric indices in dormitory students of Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Iran

A significant proportion of the women in reproductive ages suffer from problems such as menstrual irregularities. The aim of this study was to determine the association between menstrual cycle regularity and obesity-related anthropometric indices in students of Kashan University of Medical Sciences in 2012. This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted using a questionnaire through systematic random sampling at dormitory of Kashan University of Medical Sciences from September to October 2012. The questionnaire contained demographic questions, menstrual cycle characteristics, anthropometric measurements and Visual Analog Scale questionnaire for pain. A midwifery student measured obesity-related anthropometric measurements included waist, pelvis, thigh and mid-arm circumference, height and weight. A total of 250 students entered in the study. Mean +/- Standard deviation [SD] age of students was 21.295 +/- 1.585 years. Irregular menstruation was seen in 17 students [6.8%]. Results showed a significant statistical between menstrual cycles regularity with height [MD = -3.37, confidence interval [CI] = -6.039 to 0.703, P = 0.013], body mass index [BMI] [MD = 1.654, CI = 0.199–3.109, P = 0.026], and pelvic-to-height ratio [MD = 0.027, CI = 0.003–0.051, P = 0.023]. Mean +/- SD duration and interval of menstrual cycles were 6.564 +/- 1.3014 and 29.301 +/- 4.821 days, respectively. Based on the Pearson correlation index, menstrual intervals showed significant statistical between waist-to-thigh [P = 0.010] and arm-to-thigh [P = 0.019] ratio, but showed no correlation with other anthropometric indices. In the univariate analysis to assess the unadjusted relationships, there were significant statistical between waist-to-thigh and arm-to-thigh ratio with menstrual interval. Due to association between menstrual cycle regularity and obesity-related anthropometric indices, control of weight and BMI may lead to a reduction of menstrual irregularity

[Relation between home work and preterm labor]

Preterm birth is the main cause of neonatal mortality and morbidity; so, prevention of preterm labor is a priority in health care. This study aimed to determine relationship between house works with preterm labor. In this case-control study, 150 term pregnant women [control group] and 150 preterm pregnant women [case group] delivered in Izadi hospital in Qom were selected in 2008-2009. The data were collected using the "physical activity in pregnancy" scale. Data were analyzed using the Chi-squared test, t-test, and logistic regression. The P-value less than 0.05 was considered as significant level and the adjusted OR was reported for all variables. We used the SPSS- 16 for analyzing the data. According to the findings, there was no significant relationship between house work regarding duration and severity of activity in pregnancy with preterm labor. There was no relationship between house work in pregnancy and preterm labor. Further studies are recommended

[Quality of life in pregnant women]

To assess quality of life in pregnant women. This was a cross-sectional study of 600 pregnant women receiving prenatal care in health centers of Kashan University of Medical Science. The Short Form 36 Health Survey [SF-36] was used to assess quality of life. The lowest perceived well-being was role limitation due to physical problems 56.23 +/- 18.77 and vitality 56.40 +/- 18.07. The results indicated that women's scores on the SF-36 were correlated with age, gestational age, gravidity, education, income, wanted and unwanted pregnancy and satisfaction with life [P<0.05]. To improve guality of life in pregnant women it is important to improve background conditions for women