[ impact of stress management training on the copping style and perceived stress in medical students]

Medical students experience a high level of stress, with potential adverse consequences on their academic performance. Stressors cannot be modified in numerous cases but students' abilities to cope with stressors should be upgraded. In this study, we investigated the effect of stress management training [As part of the Life Skills Curriculum in Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences] on perceived stress, coping style in medical college students and also persistence of the effect of training. This was a quasi-experimental study [before and after]. The sample size was 35 medical students and included all of the second semester medical students. Sampling method was census. Stress management training included four two-hour sessions for four consecutive weeks. Assessment was carried out by use of Perceived Stress Scale [PSS-14] and Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations [CISS-21] in four steps [before, immediately, 3 and 6 months after classes]. Collected data were entered into SPSS17 software and analyzed by paired t-tests., ANOVA and Tukey post hoc test. Before training, the mean value for perceived stress among students was 33.42 which decreased to 32.70, 31.50 and 29.22, after one, three and six months after training, respectively. We found significant differences in perceived stress only between the stages conducted before training and six months after training. [P-Value: 0.012]. The dominant style of copping with stress in all periods was that of problem oriented but changes in a variety of styles in different periods were not significant. In this study, reduced perceived stress can be related to the training, but the role of confounding factors should be kept in mind. Lack of change in the students' coping style after training can be attributed to short-term training and defective contents of the training. It seems that other factors such as students' level of education and compulsory training can interfere with the results of this study. Therefore, further studies are required to carry out alterations in the life skill curriculum in Kurdistan University of medical sciences

[Clinical application of hyaluronic acid gel for reconstruction of interdental papilla at the esthetic zone]

Interdental papilla reconstruction especially at the esthetic zone is among the most difficult periodontal treatments. Papilla deficiencies may occur following some periodontal surgeries and several techniques, mostly surgical and invasive, have been suggested to correct them. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the clinical application of hyaluronic acid gel for reconstruction of interdental papilla at the esthetic zone. This experimental before and after study was conducted on 11 patients with 21 interdental papilla deficiencies who met the inclusion criteria. After the induction of local anesthesia, less than 0.2 ml hyaluronic acid gel was injected at the respective areas. This procedure was repeated 3 weeks and 3 months later for all the respective areas. Photographs obtained before the treatment and 3 weeks, 3 months and 6 months after the intervention were assessed by Image J software based on image pixels. Data were extracted and changesin the interdental space at the mentioned time points were statistically analyzed using Repeated Measures ANOVA. Application of hyaluronic acid gel for reconstruction of interdental papilla was successful in a 6-month period. In the second follow up, 10% of subjects showed improvement in interdental papilla reconstruction by 50%. In the third follow up [at 6 months] 43% of samples showed 50% improvement or higher. The mentioned differences were statistically significant [P<0.05]. Application of hyaluronic acid gel is, to some extent, beneficial for reconstruction of interdental papilla at the esthetic zone and is recommended as a non-invasive technique

[ effect of assertiveness training on medical students' shyness]

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of an assertiveness training program on medical students' shyness. This study is a semi-experimental one with pretest and post-test. We used convenience sampling method. Our intervention group included 50 second semester medical students of Kurdistan University who participated in assertiveness skills training course for 4 weeks. Control group consisted of second semester students of Kermanshah University who had not passed any course on assertiveness skills training. Cheek and Briggs Shyness Questionnaire was used for evaluation of both groups. For data analysis we used analysis of covariance Experimental group included 19 men and 31 women and control group consisted of 20 men and 30 women. Both groups were similar in regard to the mean scores of the pretest. But the mean scores of the post-test in control and experimental groups showed a significant difference which indicated that life skills training could be beneficial for the students to overcome their shyness significantly [p=0.001]. The results of this study showed that training of assertiveness skills could be helpful to the university students to control their shyness. Short term training of assertiveness skills is recommended for the school and university students

[Prevalence rate of suicidal thoughts and its related factors in the medical students in Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences]

Suicide is the third most common cause of death between 15 and 44 years of age. Medical students are one of the high risk groups. Suicidal ideation is regarded as a predictive factor for suicide attempt. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence rate of suicidal thoughts and its related factors among the students of Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences. In this descriptive - analytical study, 452 students with different fields of study in medical sciences were selected randomly. Using Beck Inventory [BSSI] the rate of suicidal thoughts was determined. Data were entered into SPSS V.16 software and analyzed by x[2] and logistic regression. p <0.05 was considered significant. In this study 34.3 percent of the students were male and 65.7 percent were female, with a mean age of 21.16 +/- 2.41 years. 32.7 percent of all students and 42.7percent of medical students had mild to severe suicidal thoughts. A significant relationship was observed among academic fields, residential area, performance of religious obligations, history of suicide attempts and current suicidal thoughts [p<0.01]. This study indicated a high prevalence rate of suicidal thoughts among the university students which calls for more attention by the university officials in order to take necessary measures for prevention of suicidal attempts among the students

[Detection of EHXA, STX[1] and STX[2] virulence genes in non-O157 Escherichia coli isolated from cattle and determination of antibiotic resistance profile of these isolates]

Shiga toxigenic Escherichia coli is one the most important bacteria within Bacteriacae. The bacteria infect humans and a wide spectrum of animals, resulting in dangerous consequences such as hemolytic uremic syndrome and hemorrhagic colitis. In the current study, the prevalence of hemolysin [ehxA] and Shiga toxin [stx1 and stx2] virulence genes in non-O157 Escherichia coli, isolated from cattle stool samples, was evaluated by Multiplex PCR. The animals were referred to the Large Animal Teaching Hospital of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran. The antibiotic resistance profiles of the isolates were assessed against seven usual antibiotics used in veterinary medicine. In the PCR study of 39 non-O157 Escherichia coli strains isolated from cattle stool samples, 10 samples were found positive for stx1 or stx2 genes. The prevalence of ehxA gene was zero,which is significantly lower than that mentioned in papers reporting on this issue. As expected, the prevalence rate of stx genes in cattle isolates was usual [nearly 25%]. The prevalence of stx2 was greater than the prevalence of stx1. All isolates were multiple resistant to two or more antibiotics, including ampicillin, erythromycin, polymixin-B, tetracycline, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, gentamicin and/or cephalotin

[Comparison between progesterone and GnRH supplementation on the conception rate of heat stressed dairy cattle after artificial insemination]

Heat stress causes reduced fertility and significant economic loss in dairy cattle. To override the suppressive effects of heat stress, various hormonal manipulations have been utilized. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of progesterone [in the form of CIDR] and administration of GnRH after insemination on the conception rate of heat stressed dairy cattle. All cows were inseminated at estrus and were then alternately assigned into three groups on day 5 after artificial insemination [AI]: i] GnRH group [n=44] received an IM injection of 500 micro g GnRH [GONAbreed, PARNEL, Australia,]; ii] CIDR group [n = 44] received a CIDR [EAZI-BREED, Hamilton, NZ, containing 1/9 g progesterone] which was removed after a week; and iii] control group [n = 36], which did not receive any treatment. Conception was diagnosed on day 32-39 after AI by ultrasonography. Conception rate in GnRH, CIDR and control groups were 54.5%, 54.5% and 58.3%, respectively. The results demonstrated that there was no significant difference among the three groups [p >0.05]. These treatments had had no statistically different effects on lactation, milk yield, days in milk and number of AI [p>0.05]. Conception rates within GnRH and CIDR groups in <150 and >150 days in milk subgroups were 74.4%, 40.7%, 84.6% and 41.9%, respectively and differed statistically significantly [p>0.05]. Conception rate within control and CIDR groups among <3 and >3 numbers of AI were 80%, 31.2%, 84.2% and 32%, respectively, which was statistically significant [p>0.05]. According to the results of this study, the use of GnRH and CIDR after AI did not improve conception rates of mildly heat stressed dairy cattle

[Suicide attempt and related factors in Kurdistan province]

Suicide is one of the most important community health problems which is related to many different factors in different communities. This was a case-control study and patients with suicide attempt admitted in Sanandaj hospitals were regarded as the case group. Control group was selected and matched for age. Data were introduced into SSPS 12.0 software and were analyzed by means of x2 test. Suicide attempt was more frequent in females [71.1%], in those with age of 20-24 years [31.1%] and in those with high school education [56.1%]. There was a significant relationship between number of family members and life events with suicide attempt [P=0.01, P<0.05 respectively]. No significant relationship was found between suicide attempt and marital status. The most common ways for suicide attempt were by using drugs and poisons. 6.7% of patients attempted suicide by selfburning. Self-burning was more frequent in married women and had 100% mortality. High frequency of suicide attempts in young women calls for attention to mental health in this group. Preventing suicide attempts by self-burning, particularly in married women indicates the importance of public education as well as reassessing marital condition, and family life training and education about handling interpersonal problems within families

Prevalence of substance abuse in medical students of Kurdistan University

Substance abuse is one of the most prevalent problems in young adults. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence rate of substance abuse among Kurdistan university students. This was a cross sectional and descriptive analytic study. The sampling method was census and sample size included all students of Kurdistan University [1186 student] in 2007. The data were collected and recorded in a questionnaire for each subject. Data were introduced into SPSS software and analyzed by mean of Chi Square test. The results of this study indicated the percentage of students who reported usage of substance one or more times in their lives as following: alcohol 17.1, cannabis 4.7%, opium 4.8%, heroin 0.7%, ecstasy 2.7, and other substances 5.2. Ongoing abuse of different substances was assessed as following: alcohol 1.1%, cannabis 0.1%, opium 0.1%, heroin 0.1%, ecstasy 0.1%, other substances 0.2. There was a correlation between substance abuse and male gender [p<0.001], age [p<0.001], living with friends [p<0.001], and being medical student [p<0.01]. There was no correlation between substance abuse and marriage and father education. All substances, except for opium, had been offered to the medical students for the first time by their friends. Curiosity was the most common motivation for cannabis and opium use and pleasure was the most common reason for alcohol, heroin and ecstasy use. The mean age of first use for different substances was 18.6, 18.3, 19.5, 20.3, and 20.2 years for alcohol, opium, heroin, ecstasy, and cannabis. Substance use among Kurdistan university students was similar to other universities of Iran. Although substance abuse by female students was much lower than male ones in Kurdistan University, it was higher in comparison to the results of studies in other universities

[Comparative efficacy of addermint [mentha spicata], phenylbutazone and dam cream in cattle acute mastitis]

Mastitis as a widely spread health problem does not only cause the largest economic disease-related losses in dairy farms, but also is responsible for the extended use of antibiotics in these enterprises. As this disease is considered multifactorial, development of new infection depends both on the presence of mastitis pathogens and a series of additional factors that act concomitantly. Therefore, for treatment and prevention of mastitis, determination of these factors is necessary. Antibiotic therapy is the common choice to control acute mastitis, but it is necessary to look for new options like immune modulators to better work out this problem and support the treatments. The current study was to evaluate the use of softener cream with Mentha spicata [Addermint[R]] therapy as a supportive treatment in management of acute mastitis in Holstein cattle. In a large dairy farm, 120 clinical cases [Class II acute Mastitis] were divided into three groups [A, B and C]. All of the animals had received an antibacterial therapy including 50ml of oxytetracycline 5% IV and one tube of Tetranebalone[R] intramamary infusion every 12 hours. Addermint[R], Phenylbutazone or Dam cream[R] liniments were used on external skin of udders in A, B and C groups every 8 hours, respectively. Milk samples were taken from each cow prior to the treatment and were cultured on blood and MacConkey agar media. The genuses of isolated bacteria were determined microscopically and by results of biochemical reactions. Daily inspection of milk and udder were recorded. The withdrawal time of treated cows was 3 days and recurrent cases were recorded for the following 30 days. The results of this study showed that, E. coli had the highest incidence in positive cultures [n=46] followed by Staphylococcus spp. [n=19] in 72.5% of positive cultures. No bacterium was isolated in 27.5% of cultures. Bacillus spp. [n=12], Streptococcus spp. [n=3], Klebsiella spp. [n=4] and Corynebacterium spp. [n=3] were isolated in 10%, 2.5%, 3.5% and 2.5% of cultures, respectively. The recovery times were 26.7, 26.9 and 44.9 hrs. In A, B and C groups, respectively. The recurrence percentiles were 32.5%, 42.5% and 45% in A, B and C groups, respectively. Our results showed that softener cream [Adder mint] usage is more effective than phenylbutazone and Dam cream in supporting the antibiotic treatment. It reduced the treatment period, withdrawal time and recurrence, dramatically

Comparative study of minimal invasive cholecystectomy versus laparoscopic cholecystectomy

A total of 133 patients complaining of gallbladder disease was operated upon; 75 patients for minimal invasive cholecystectomy [MIC] [incision 5 cm] and 58 patients for laparoscopic cholecystectomy [LC]. The study relied on US examination. The severity of GB disease, requirements of analgesia, hospital stay, conversion and complication rates were compared in both groups. It was found that MIC was comparable with LC in terms of postoperative analgesia and significantly less operative time. MIC could be easily performed in the developing countries where facilities for LC may not be available. Although, LC has a simple postoperative course and has the advantage of full abdominal exploration, there are still other contraindications to it as the absolute refusal of the patient, hemorrhagic syndrome or massive cirrhosis and fistula between the liver and gut. MIC is preferred as it represents a safe, inexpensive method for treating non-complicated gallstones, especially in the developing countries

Colonic pouches after surgery for rectal carcinoma

There is little dout about the excellent early functional outcome obtained after colonic pouch analanastomosis. the improvement in the functional outcome at 2 years following complete rectal excision with colonic J- pouch anal anastomosis has been frequently reported. The aim of this to evaluate the clinical, the function and the oncologic results of low and ultralow anterior resection of the rectum for carcinoma with or without creation of a pouch. Forty patients in the Surgical Oncology Unit in Mansoura University Hospital, under low or ultralow anterior resection for rectal carcinoma located between 4-11 cm from the anal verge. twenty patients were randomized for restoration of continuity by coloanal anastomosis, and the remaining 20 patient underwent colonic J-pouch anal anastomosis. All patient underwent a complete metastatic and oncologic workup, abdominal ultrasound, pelviabdominal CT, barium studies and colonoscopy. As regards the functional outcome, about 90% of the patient with pouch were good continence but only 80% in the other-group. Uregency was 5% in the pouch group and 45% in the other group. Frequency of tool was 2- day and 4- day in both, groups respectively. As regards the recurrence of the disease the creation of the pouch does not affect the oncologic results. Colonic J-pouch anal anastomosis is an oncologically safe procedure and an optimum means of reconstruction after rectal excision for carcinoma of the low and mid rectum, if distal safety of at least 2-cm could be ascertained. The superior functional outcome after colonic pouch anal anastomosis could achieved and maintained

Action of pheynlmagnesium bromide on 4, 5, 6-trisubstituted pyridazin-3 [2H] -ones

BADDAR et al. studied the action of Grignard reagents on 6-aryl[1,2] and 6-methyl [3] pyridazln-3 [2H]-ones and reported that the reaction proceeds mainly by 1,4-addition to the C=-C-C=N system to give 4-suhstituted-4, 5 dihydropyridazin-3 [2H]-ones which, in most cases, undergo dehydrogenation to 4-substituted pyridazin-3[2H]-ones. In the present investigation the effect of introducing substituents in both 4-and 5-positions in the pyridazinone nucleus on the mode of addition of the Grignard reagent is studied. Some compounds of this type are now prepared by the base-catalysed condensation of 6-aryl-4, 5-dihydro-5-phen,ylpyridazin-3[2H]-ones [1] with formaldehyde and benzaldehyde to give the trisubstituled pyridazin-3 [2H]-ones [3]. These products are formed through aprototropic rearrangement of the originally formed product [2]. Similar results were previously reported for the reaction of aldehydes with 6-aryl-4,5 dihydropyri-dazin-3 [2H]ones [4,5]

Synthesis of some indole derivatives of expected biological activity

Many of indole derivatives were known to have marked biological activity Indole acetic acid, e.g. and many of its derivatives [auxins] are plant-growth hormones. In the present study we investigated the synthesis of some indole acetic acid derivatives and their reaction with hydrazine hydrate to give 4,5-dihydropyridazin-3[2H]-ones