[ effect of carbenoxolone on morphine-induced withdrawal symptoms in rats]

The exact mechanisms of morphine dependence and withdrawal syndrome remain unclear. Many studies have been performed to find a drug for prevention of withdrawal syndrome. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of carbenoxolone [a gap junction inhibitor] on morphine withdrawal syndrome in male rats. In this experimental study, adult male Sprague Dawley rats with weights between 225 and 275 g were selected randomly and divided into 8 groups. Each group consisted of 8 rats. In order to induce dependency, morphine was injected subcutaneously for nine days [1[st] day: 5mg/kg, 2[nd] and 3[rd] days: 10 mg/kg, 4[th] and 5[th] days: 15 mg/kg, 6[th] and 7[th] days: 20 mg/kg, 8[th] and 9[th] days: 25 mg/kg]. On the ninth day only the morning dose of morphine was injected, then control group and treatment groups received IP injection of saline [1 ml/kg] and IP injection of carbenoxolone [5, 25, 50, 100 mg/kg] respectively. After 30 min all groups received IP injection of naloxone [4 mg/kg] and the withdrawal signs including: jumping, rearing, genital grooming, abdominal writhing, body grooming and wet dog shake, were recorded for 60 minutes. Our results showed that carbenoxolone not only decreased all withdrawal signs, but also reduced the total withdrawal scores, significantly. In conclusion we found that carbenoxolone as a gap junction inhibitor was effective in decreasing the symptoms of morphine withdrawal syndrome.

[Correlation between drug use, alcohol, smoking and psychiatric drugs with the academic progress in university students in Bam city]

Addiction is a modern social issue, especially in countries like Iran. One of the side effects of substance abuse, it is its negative impact on the academic performance of students. The aim of this study was to determine the correlation between drug use, alcohol, smoking and psychiatric drugs with the academic progress in university students in Bam city. In this descriptive-correlational study, 760 students of Islamic Azad University, School of Nursing and the Payamenoor were randomly selected in bam city. Data were collected by questionnaire "Drug Use Questionnaire" that consisted of two parts. The first part included 5 questions about demographic characteristics and the second part consisted of 12 questions on smoking, psychiatric drugs, alcohol and drugs. Validity of the questionnaire was measured by content validly [by asking 10 experts people] and reliability coefficient of the questionnaire was 88.0. Collected data was analyzed by the software SPSS/17. The drug use in students in psychiatric drugs was 13.8%, in alcohol was10.8%, in drugs this value was 9.9% and finally in tobacco was5.7%. Average score for the previous semester and final semester of students with use cigarettes, alcohol, drugs and psychiatric medications than other students were significantly lower [P <0.001]. Usage of smoking, alcohol, drugs and psychiatric medications in the students was significant. Employing these drugs has negative effects on students' achievement. Therefore, university is authorized for prevention and treatment of students. This certainly will lead to a much healthier society

[Survey the relationship between urinary tract infections and nursing interventions in elderly who are resident in Kahrizak nursing home]

Urinary tract infection is one of the most common infections in elderly people in nursing homes and hospitals. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between urinary tract infections and nursing interventions in elderly residents in Kahrizak nursing home. This descriptive- analytical study was done on 256 elderly men and women with an average age 76.03 +/- 8/32 in 2010. Sampling was done through simple random among elderly above 60 years old who were resident in Kahrizak nursing home. Data were collected through a questionnaire which is made by researcher and urine culture. For data analysis, SPSS 17, the chi-square and fisher's exact test were used. The significant level of P<0.05 was considered. 34% [87 patients] of elderly were diagnosed with urinary tract infections. 74.3% elderly men and 46.9% of elderly women who had the foley catheter had positive urine culture [P=0.001]. The prevalence of UTI in elderly people who washed the area around of catheter with water and antiseptic solution were respectively 47.2% and 35.5% which was statistically significant [P=0.042]. The results of this study indicated that the prevalence of UTI in elderly who were received standard nursing care was less than from those who didn't receive these interventions, whereas by the accomplishment of standard nursing care, the frequency of UTI in elderly can be reduced.

[ effect of donepezil on morphine-induced withdrawal syndrome in rats]

Long-term exposure to opiates induces physical and psychological dependency. Despite a large number of studies on this subject, cellular mechanism involved in this phenomenon is not yet exactly clear. In this study, we investigated the effects of donepezil, an acetylcholine esterase inhibitor, on morphin-induced withdrawal symptoms in rats. In this experimental study,6 groups of male Sprague Dawly rats weighting between 225 and 300 g, received 10 mg/kg, ip morphine/ day in addition to 1 ml/kg,ip saline or 0.5, 1 and 1.5 mg/kg, ip donepezil. In order to induce dependency, morphine was administered subcutaneously every 12 hours for nine days. On the ninth day, 30 minutes after the last dose of morphine, control groups received 1 ml/kg, ip saline and experimental groups received ip donepezil. After 30 min, naloxone [4 mg/kg, ip] were administered for all groups and the withdrawal symptoms including: jumping, rearing, genital grooming, abdomen writhing, body grooming and wet dog shake, were recorded for 60 minutes. Our results showed that donepezil decreased withdrawal symptoms, also it could attenuate the total withdrawal score, significantly. The results of this study showed that donepezil as an acetylcholine esterase inhibitor, could decrease withdrawal symptoms in rats