Urinary oxalate, citrate, and gamma glutamyl transferase alterations after administration of Cynodon dactylon extract in cats

Urinary oxalate and citrate are the key factors in caox urolithiasis of cats and Gamma Glutamyl Transferase is a good test for assessment of kidney damage. Favorable effects of Cynodon dactylon on calcium oxalate stone formation have recently been proved in rats. The present study was designed to investigate the alteration of urinary oxalate, citrate, and GGT after administration of the hydroalcoholic extract of Cynodon dactylon to experimental hyperoxaluric cats. No scientific study has been done so far to demonstrate the beneficial effect of this plant in cats. 13 mature male cats were randomly divided into 3 groups: group A received standard diet and drinking water while, group B and C also received ethylene glycol at sub-toxic dose [130 mg/kg] daily for 30 days. Group C received hydroalcoholic extract of C.dactylon [400 mg/kg] from day 0 to 30, as well. Urine samples were collected on days 0, 15, and 30 and were analyzed for oxalate, citrate, and GGT levels. Urine oxalate level in group B was significantly higher than group C on days 15 and 30. Urinary citrate excretion was significantly higher in group C compared to the other groups on day 15; however, it decreased during the entire experiment in groups B and C. Urinary Gamma Glutamyl Transferase level was increased in hyperoxaluric cats and decreased in the treated group during the experiment. Based on our results, C.dactylon extract could reduce the hyperoxaluria and has beneficial effects on preventing the renal damage in cats. Such findings provide a scientific explanation for applying C.dactylon in prevention and possible treatment of CaOx kidney stones in cats and humans

evaluation of sea surface topography models based on the combination of the satellite altimetry and the global geoid models in the Persian Gulf

One of the difficulties in using absolute altitudes is the separation between the mean open sea level and geoid. Theoretically, geoid is the base level in absolute altitudes, but practically, the mean open sea level is used as a base level for absolute altitudes. The difference between these two levels is called as the sea surface topography. In this research, it is dealt the mean sea level modeling by using the observations of three altimeter satellites [i.e. Topex/Poseidon, Jason-1 and GFO] in Persian Gulf and then it is dealt with the evaluation of existing models of the sea surface topography based on the altimeter satellites data and the global geopotential geoid models [i.e. European Improved Gravity model of the Earth by New techniques, Gravity field and steady-state Ocean Circulation Explorer, Earth Gravitational Model 2008. The results of this research indicate that the sea surface topographical model resulting from the EIGEN06C geoid is the most precise model with changes range between -2.482 m and -1.511 m and mean -0.23 m

Comparative study on energy usage status and its management in Farabi Eye Hospital

Background: Hospitals use most of the energy and besides, they also can save energy. Since energy costs are of the manageable costs in the hospitals, thus it is possible to wisely interfere in this area. This study is aimed to do a comparative study on energy usage and its management in Farabi Eye Hospital. Materials and methods: This is an applied, cross-sectional and descriptive study which carried out using three-year information of energy usage in studied hospital with consideration to reformative actions in order to reduce energy use through managing it. Data were compared using internal and external benchmarking methods. Results: Since studied hospital was implemented energy use management methods, therefore, results showed a descending trend in water and gas use [according to active bed day and occupied bed rate]. Both water and gas use was reduced to 31% and 28% in 2010 in comparison with 2008 [basic year]. Although, usage rate of electricity [considering bed indices] was also decreased to 10.5% in 2009 in comparison to 2008, it had an increase trend of 5% in 2010 due to applying development and growth strategies. Moreover, if taking "number of patients" index into account, electricity use was reduced to 7% in 2010 compare to 2008. On average, in 3-year period of study, water use was 1.63 times the standard value and electricity was 13.2 and 1.44 times the standard value per active bed day and square meter infrastructure, respectively. Conclusion: Actions related to energy use management played an important role in reducing usage rate in Farabi hospital. Considering hospitals high potentials in lessening energy savings for hospital in the future

survey of tuberculosis patients in Yazd and Shiraz

Although many activities have been done to control tuberculosis in Iran but unfortunately, tuberculosis is an important public health problem in Iran like many other developing countries. In this study, tuberculosis patients who had, for their diseases, file to be recorded were evaluated in Yazd and Shiraz at the same time. This cross-sectional study was case series conducted in Yazd and Shiraz at the same time, and all the pulmonary tuberculosis patients who had file to be recorded entered into the study. We used questionnaire which recorded the patient's age,sex, occupation, nationality, smear and culture results, ESR and TB location. Totally, 136 pulmonary tuberculosis case records [32 in Yazd, 104 in Shiraz] were evaluated. Most of the patients were 51-75 years old in Yazd and 26-50 years old in Shiraz [P-value = 0.00]. Of the patients, 52.9% in Yazd were female and 63.7% in Shiraz were male [P-value =0.02]. Positive smear rate in Yazd was 68.7% and in Shiraz 69.2%. Twenty three and half percent of tuberculosis patients in Yazd and 40.8% in Shiraz were Afghan and others were Iranian [P-value =0.01]. About ESR, there was no significant difference in both sexes. Finally in both cities, 59.5% of patients had pulmonary tuberculosis and 40.8% extra pulmonary tuberculosis. The most common location of extra pulmonary tuberculosis was respectively lymph node, bone, and pleura. The rate of positive and negative smear of pulmonary tuberculosis is near the expectancy of WHO [70%], but extra pulmonary tuberculosis was more than expectancy so we suggest that diagnosis indices of extra pulmonary tuberculosis should be more considered

[Effects of Dopamine administration on anxiety in male rat]

Anxiety is a common disease in the society. Several neurotransmitters. The aim of this study was to investigate indirect effect of dopamine on anxiety in rat. In this experimental study, eight male rats were divided into control and experimental groups. The control group received saline and the tested groups received different IP doses of drugs haloperidol [dopamine receptor antagonist], SKF38393 [dopamineD1 receptor agonist] and quinpirol [dopamine D2receptor agonist]. For studying of anxiety-like and antianxiety effects Vogels conflict test and Elevate plus-maze [EP-M] test were used. Injection of different doses of haloperidol in rats could increase the number of times of passing through place of received shock by apparatus in comparison with control group in Vogels test. In EP-M test, injection of 0.04 mg/kg of haloperidol increased the number of entrance to open arm and time spent on arm comparing to the control group. Quinpirol diminished the number of times of passing through place of receiving shock in comparison with control group in Vogels test. In EP-M test in dose 1 mg/kg number of entrance to open arm and the time spent on arm decreased comparing to the control group. The findings of this study showed that by increasing the doses of haloperidol, the effect of this antagonist has been significant and diminished anxiety. The SKF38393 and Quinpirol by occupying their own dopamine receptor D1, D2 had an effect like endogenous dopamine and made the rats anxious

[Cyclooxygenase; prevention and treatment]

Cyclooxygenase [COX] is the key enzyme required for the conversion of arachidonic acid to prostaglandins. Two cycloxygenase isoforms have been identified and are referred to as COX-I and COX-2. Both enzymes are blocked by nonselective anti-inflammatory drugs [NSAID], such as indomethacin and ibuprofen. COX-I is an enzyme normally found in tissues and is involved in physiological functions, while COX-2 is an acute phase reactant associated with inflammation. Recently, COX-2 has been found to be associated with hyperalgesia, angiogenesis, cancer and Alzheimers disease. The suggestion that COX-2 is causally linked to cancer offers a new approach to extending our knowledge about the neoplastic phenomenon and improving management of human malignant diseases

[Surgical ttreatment of chest wall tumours]

Chest wall tumor is an uncommon malignancy; and incomplete diagnosis and resection and inability to reconstruction of expanded chest wall defect after resection, Causes mortality and morbidity in patients. Academic surgery provides the best choice for the patients, and surgery technique should be based on the individual characteristics. This study was done to evaluate the surgery results of chest wall tumors and to report the operated cases. The descriptive research was performed in Tehran Valiasr Hospital and Ghaem Hospital [Mashhad University of Medical Sciences] from 1995 to 2003 [9 years] and 61 patients have been evaluated in retrospective study. Individual, clinical, laboratory, treatment and complication data were gathered in a questionnaire and analyzed by descriptive statistics. 28 [45.9%] patients had primary chest wall malignancy, 4 [6.55%] patients had metastatic tumors, 10 [16.39%] patients had benign tumors, 16 [26.22%] patients had inflammatory disease and 3 [4.9%] had undiagnosed pattern. Results of our study and also review of other articles recommended that wide enblock exiscion of chest wall tumors with appropriate reconstruction is the best method of treatment

[Neuroleptic malignant syndrome: predisposing factors, symptomatoly, treatments and complications]

Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome [NMS] is an acute and dangerous syndrome which usually arise as a side-effect of Neuroleptic drugs. Its high mortality rate, acute course and the current controversies about the best treatment method indicates the necessity of further investigation on its clinical features, predisposing factors and effective therapeutic methods. Retrospectively in a 4-year period, we studied patients hospitalized with NMS applying a 7-section questionnaire assessing: drug historys, the underlying psychiatric disorder, clinical signs and symptoms, laboratory findings, treatment methods and their outcomes, and duration of hospital stay. Rigidity and impaired consciousness were the most common clinical findings. Haloperidol, perphenazine and risperidone were the most common antisychotics used before the NMS onset. Mood disorders, schizophrenia, and mental retardation were the most frequent underlying disorders. The most common prescriptions for treatment of NMS were bromocriptine, fluid and electrolytes therapy, and amantadine. In diagnosing the NMS, impaired consciousness, especially when being accompanied by rigidity and fever, may be a more sensitive criteria than it is currently believed. Bromocriptin and fluid and electrolyte replacement therapy among many other treatment methods, and also interventions for prevention of NMS complications may play important roles in reducing its mortality rate

effect of health education based on health belief model on preventive actions of smoking in grade one, middle school students

World health organization has proclaimed the prevalence of smoking among 15 years old European region students, more than 24 percent. The cigarette smoking indicator in our country among over 15 years old individuals is 11.9 percent and in the province under survey is 15.6 percent. This research has been performed in order to study the effect of health education program based on health belief model [H.B.M] on preventive actions of smoking in middle school students. This is a quasi-experimental study, done on 248 students of grade one in middle schools of Boukan city [119 boys and 129 girls] that were randomly divided into experimental and control groups. Data collection tool was a questionnaire including 77 questions based on health belief model [perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefits and perceived barriers to smoking, and cues to action] and preventive actions of smoking. After data collection in the first stage, action was taken with regard to educational intervention and then in the second stage [after the intervention], data was collected again. Data was analyzed using T test. Results showed that the mean score of all parts of health belief model in experimental group [except for perceived barriers] after educational intervention compared to before intervention was increased significantly and also the mean score of all parts of HBM after intervention was significantly increased in experimental group compared to control group. The results of this survey show that by increasing the score of health belief model parts; including, perceived susceptibility, perceived severity and perceived benefits, adopting preventive actions of smoking also increases. Therefore, the results of this survey confirm the efficiency of health belief model in adopting preventive actions of smoking

[ effect of physical activity on spontaneous electroencephalographic activity in rat]

Exercise and physical activity are important factors for human health. It has been reported that exercise can be considerably useful in the treatment of psychological diseases. In the present study the effect of running on Spontaneous electroencephalographic activity [EEG] of rats was investigated. Male wistar rats weighting 190-250 gr were selected and divided into control and exercise groups. The animals of exercise group were run on treadmill [I hour a day] for duration of two weeks. Then the animals in both groups were anesthetized with urethane and EEGs of them were recorded. In the exercise group alpha, beta and theta waves significantly increased and delta waves deceased in comparison to the control group. In the present study high frequency- low voltage waves increased and low frequency-high voltage waves decreased in the exercise group. This provides further support to the earlier supposition that increase in high frequency- low voltage waves represent promotion of consciousness. It seems that exercise could increase alertness

[ effect of renin-angiotensin system on morphine tendency in Rats]

The mechanism of drug dependence and tolerance have not been known exactly and several neurotransmitters are involved. The rennin angiotensin system can be effective on reward system and can be interacted wiith different neurotransmitters in the brain. It is possible that the rennin angiotensin system have interaction with opioid system because it has been shown that angiotensin II and ACE inhibitors have analgesic, anticonvulsant and antidepression effects and in some cases they could antagonize morphine effect. In the present study the effect of angiotensin II and captopril on morphine self administration was evaluated in rats. Male wistar rats [250-300 gr] were used. First they have trained to receive small pellets with pressing active lever in self administration apparatus. Then jugular vein was canullated and an stainless style cannula was inserted in the brain right ventricle and fixed with dental sement. after recovery the animals were placed in the self administration apparatus for 11 days and 2 hours in a day. [The first 6 days were with food restriction and the later 5 days were without food rectriction]. The animals received 0.1 ml of morphine and small pellets in first 6 days and only 0.1 ml of morphine in the later 5 days with pressing active lever. the animals received no food morphine with pressing the passive lever. Finally the number of active and passible lever pressing in each group and the number of active pressing among different groups was compared which had been recorded by computer. number of active passive level pressed was significantly different in morphine group [p< 0.01, p< 0.001]. Number of active level pressed in morphine group was significantly higher than that saline group in the final three days [p< 0.05, p<0.001]. In captopril group there was not significant difference between active and passive lever pressed number in the last 5 days and number of active lever pressed was significantly lower than that morphine group [p< 0.05, p< 0.001]. Angiotensin II could not cause any significant change in the number of lever pressed, With consideration that captopril can reduce endogenous opioid degradation it probably could reduce morphine tendency in this way. In The other hand captopril can interact with dopamine, serotonin, substance p, acetylcholine or nitric oxide in the different brain regions and morphine tendence that it needs more investigations

study of self-esteem and some factors influencing it among students passing their last study year from different majors in shahid sadoughi medical sciences university in Yazd City, Iran

Human attempt to recognize and regard himself has been an established fact confirmed by historical documents and also by contemporary psychology and many psychologists have considered it very seriously. Recognizing values, needs, human goals and the most important one, self-esteem, has especial importance. This study was conducted among 200 students [151 girls and 49 boys] in 15 majors selected by simple randomization method to study the factor of self-esteem and its attributive factors in the students who passed their last study year in Shahid Sadoughi Medical Sciences University in Yazd City, Iran. The data collecting method was Izeng's standard questionnaire consisting of 30 questions in which the total of grades were also 30. The average grade was 21 while the individuals getting more than 21 grade called the good self-esteem owners and the ones getting less than 21 were those having emotional instability and inferiority complex. The resulted findings showed that the age, occupational satisfaction level, major, educational level and students' mothers' educational level influence the students' self-esteem. In this study, the highest achieved self-esteem grade was about 29.5, the least one was 3.5 and the average grade was 20.72. In respect of the major, the maximum self-esteem grade secured by 16/6 midwifery students [24] and the minimum was shown in family health major students. It is necessary to conduct the plans to increase students' self-esteem so that the positive changes, for instance, making attempts to achieve more success, tendency to be more healthy and so on may be created in them

[ frequency of site and number of cerebrovascular lesions in diabetic patients with thrombotic stroke in Ali-Ebn-Abitaleb hospital in Rafsanjan in the years 2003-2004]

Diabetes, is an important risk factor for crebrovascular lesions. Studies obviously demonstrate a higher prevalence, worse prognosis, more relapses and complications and higher mortality rate due to stroke in diabetic patients. This risk is independent from other risk factors, and various studies such as topography of stroke lesions conducted on diabetic patients showed controversial results. This study was conducted to compare the prevalence of location and the number of thrombotic stroke lesions in diabetic and nondiabetic patients in Rafsanjan, Iran. This cross - sectional study was conducted on patients suffering from thrombotic stroke, through the convenience nonrandom sampling. Sixty diabetic cases and 60 nondiabetic controls matched for demographic factors and risk factors of stroke, the MRI images of study participants were analyzed by using EPI6 software. 56.7% of samples were female and the average age of patients was 67.5 years. The majortly of samples [66.7%] had history of hypertension. All together 99 vascular lesions in diabetic patients and 118 vascular lesions in nondiabetic patients were observed. The number of lesions had been increased by increasing patients' age significantly. In diabetic patients parietal lobe, occipital lobe and brain stem and in nondiabetic patients parietal, frontal and temporal lobes were the most frequent location of lesions respectively. The majority of these patients [70%] had more than two vascular lesions. The number and the site of cerebrovascular lesions showed no significant difference between diabetic and nondiabetic patients. There was no significant difference between diabetic and nondiabetic patients concerning the number and site of cerebrovascular lesions. However, trombotic stroke in diabetic patients with hypertension had a specific clinical pattern, with a low progress but a sudden appearance and high rate of morbidity and mortality. It can be concluded that stroke in these patients should be diagnosed and treated rapidly

[Blood level anti-HBS due to HB vaccine in health care personnel of Shahid Sadoughi Hospital-Yazd]

Objective: about 3% of the Iranian general population are carriers of hepatitis B virus, and about 15% of infected persons will be prone to chronic hepatitis and get cirrhosis and liver carcinoma. Up to now no therapeutic regimen has been introduced to eradicate completely this infection

Material and Method: this cross-sectional study was performed on 204 health care personnel of Shahid Sadoughi Hospital [Yazd]. At first, a questionnaire including information about sex, age, vaccination, etc was completed. Anti-HBs were examined by Radim [ELISA method]

Results: from 204 subjects, 162 persons were female. The mean age of studied cases was 32.38 +/- 8.86 years. The mean titer of anti-HBs was 255.2+/- 300.6 mlU/ml, and with consideration of Anti-HBs = 10 mlU/ml as a cut-off value, 88.8% of subjects were immunized against hepatitis B

Conclusion: according to the results and decrease of immunity in health care personnel after years, it is suggested that the Anti-HBs titer should be examined one month after vaccination and be controlled every 5-10 years, and then booster vaccine be injected after reducing Anti-HBs titer to below protective level

[ comparasion study of the serum level of immunoglobulins in addicted to opium subjects and their extract with non-addicated healthy]

Addiction threatens the foundation of society and families. Addiction also causes a lot of material and spritual losses. The addicted people are suceptible to infections with low resistance against disease. The aim of this project is to investigate the immunoglobin serum level in the opium addicted and compare it with people whome addict to anything including cigarette. In this study 5 cc of blood was taken from each of 150 addicts and 150 healthy people of the same age and sex. Their blood serums were then seperated and their immunoglobulin M, immunoglobulin G and immunoglobulin A were determined by SRID method Mean SD of IgM in healthy and addicted subjects were 123 +/- 32.85 mg/dl and 109.5 +/- 47.28 mg/dl, respectively [P<0.05]. Mean +/- SD of IgG in healthy and addicted subjects were 1008 +/- 354.38 mg/dl and 1307.2 +/- 291.07 mg/dl respectively [P<0.05]. We conclude that the average amounts of IgG, IgM are lower significantly in addict's compare to healthy results from the other studies in other countries has a good correlation with the finding from present research

Efficacy of recombinant hepatitis B Vaccine in children

This study was carried out to determine the serum concentrations of anti-hepatitis B virus antibody [Anti-HBs] in 1-4 years old being vaccinated against hepatitis B. By drawing 2ml of venous blood from 175 children admitted for unrelated reasons to Yazd central medical laboratory and using a 3rd -generation ELISA test, the serum level of anti-HBs was quantitated. A questionnaire was used for obtaining data about age, sex, birth weight, current weight, schedule of previous hepatitis B vaccination, history of pathologic neonatal jaundice, and any serious health problem during childhood. In 170 of the cases [97.1%] the Anti-HBs concentration was above 10m IU/mL, routinely regarded as protective. No significant difference was observed concerning the various ages of subjects and their sexes, but anti-HBs levels were meaningfully lower in low-birth weight neonates [P-value<0.01], in children with history of pathologic neonatal jaundice [P-value =0.002] and in those having a previous serious disease [P-value=0.006]. The overall efficacy of vaccine is good, but in children who had had low-birth weight, pathologic neonatal jaundice, or any serious disease, careful follow-up must be carried out to ensure that protective levels of Anti-HBs are achieved after vaccination

Regression of metastatic neuroblastoma to ganglioneuroma

The spontaneous regression of neuroblastoma to ganglioneuroma is a rare occurrence. Reviewing the literature, we found no more than 12 cases reported-"2'9'10'14'15 We report a case of metastatic neuroblastoma of multifocal skeletal and soft tissue areas with gross deformities which regressed to ganglioneuroma, with good prognosis