Antidiabetic effects of aerobic exercise and bitter melon powder supplementation in type 2 diabetic females

Background: The process of diabetes control involves a mixture of dietary, pharmacological and physical exercise interventions as therapeutic methods

However there is a considerable risk of hypoglycemia incidence with synchronized supplementation of bitter melon and physical exercise and also the antihyperlipidemic effects of bitter melon was not fully elucidated

Objective: The aim was to investigate the synchronized effects of aerobic training and bitter melon powder supplementation on metabolic control in type II diabetic female patients [Age: 56.89+/-7.48 yrs. Weight: 78.75+/-5.56 kg and Height: 164.54+/-6.71 cm]

Methods: Following to baseline FBS, 2hpp, HbAlc [A[1c]], HDL, LDL, TG and TC measurements, the subject were randomized into four groups [N=12]

Control, Bitter melon, Exercise and Bitter melon-Exercise

The Bitter melon and Control groups received supplement/placebo containing capsules for eight weeks [three meals per day] with dosage of eight mg/kg.bw in a double blind order

The Exercise groups were run on a treadmill at moderate intensity, three sessions per week during this period

Results: Fasting glucose was decreased in Bitter melon, Exercise and Bitter melon-Exercise groups [P<0.05], however there were no between group differences in the amount of deceases [P>0.05]. AIC was also decreased in these three groups with sharp decreases in Bitter melon-Exercise group [P<0.05]

The 2hpp, HDL, LDL, TG and TC levels were only decreased in Exercise groups [P<0.05]

Conclusion: Bitter melon supplementation along with exercise training in accompany with other therapeutic proceedings, could provide sharper decreases in AJC level in well controlled patients as the most important index for diabetes control. However; the merely supplementation with bitter melon has no significant effect on blood lipids

[Qualitative and quantitative assessment of the essential oils of origanum vulgare and origanum majorana in Iran]

Marjoram belongs to the Lamiaceae family of plants is common in most parts of the world as a medicinal plant used. The aim of this study was to identify and compare the essential oil of two Origanum species to determine their composition is the most important. The aerial parts of two species of plants belong to Origanum genus, including Origanum vulgare L. and Origanum majorana L. in July 2013, in the beginning of flowering stage, were collected from the farm research of Medicinal Plants Institute. The aerial parts were dried in shadow condition in room and then after the essential oil content and its components were measured. The essential oils were extracted by clevenger apparatus and its constituents were determined by GC-MS. The results indicated that amount of essential oil in O. vulgare was 0.13% [v/v], and its main components were trans-caryophyllene [21.46%], germacrene D [18.99%] and [E, E-alpha] farnesene [9.12%]. While amount of essential oil in O. majorana was 1.09% [v/v], and its main components consisted of terpinolene-4-ol [23.11%], gamma-terpinene [13.94%] and alpha-terpinene [8.11%]. General differentiation between two species related to amount of component groups and their most important essential oil content. In O. vulgare, sesquiterpene hydrocarbons [69/18%] are the most amount of essential oil; while in O. majorana, monoterpene hydrocarbons [42/53%] are the major parts of essential oil

effect of combined decongestive therapy and pneumatic compression pump on lymphedema indicators in patients with breast cancer related lymphedema

Lymphedema treatment is difficult and there is no consensus on the best treatment. This study evaluated the effect of combined decongestive therapy [CDT] and pneumatic compression pump on lymphedema indicators in patients with breast cancer related lymphedema [BCRL]. Twenty one women with BCRL were enrolled. The volume difference of upper limbs, the circumference at 9 areas and shoulder joint range of motion were measured in all patients. CDT was done by an educated nurse in two phases. In first phase, CDT was accompanied by use of a compression pump for 4 weeks, 3 days per week. In second phase, CDT was performed daily without compression pump for 4 weeks by patients at home. At the end of each phase, the same primary measurements were done for patients. The mean volume difference of the upper limbs and mean difference in circumference in all areas at different phases decreased significantly. Mean flexion, extension, abduction and external rotation [in degrees] at different phases increased significantly. CDT significantly reduced mean volume and mean circumference of the affected limb, and significantly increased shoulder joint range of motion. The findings support the optimal effects of CDT in the treatment of secondary lymphedema of upper extremity

[Report of a rare manifestation of cerebral venous thrombosis]

Straight sinus thrombosis can lead to bilateral thalamus infarct, and if it is not diagnosed on time, death of the patient will ensue. Bilateral thalamus infarct usually presents by loss of consciousness, memory disorders, vertical gaze palsy and psychological disturbances. Our patient was a 28-year old female who had history of fasting for 2 months and prolonged use of contraceptive pills, who referred to emergency department with loss of consciousness, weakness, and a history of severe headache, nausea, vomiting and hypophonic speech from 4 days ago. 10 hours prior to admission she developed disturbances of consciousness. Non contrast computed tomography scan of brain revealed a hyper dense area within the straight sinus and a hyper dense area in the body and posterior horn of right lateral ventricle which was indicative of hemorrhage. MRI and MRV revealed extensive thrombosis in the straight sinus which had led to acute bilateral ischemia in thalami. Anticoagulants, acetazolemide and phenytoin started for the patient for 5 weeks. When she regained her consciousness completely and there was no lateralizing sign, she was discharged from the hospital. Cerebral venous thrombosis can present with protean clinical manifestations in different age groups which may lead to misdiagnosis. Considering history, thinking of this diagnosis and availability of appropriate Para clinical facilities can decrease diagnostic errors

[Prevalence of postpartum depression and its relation to some psychosocial factors in mothers referred to health centers of Kashan during 2007-8]

Postpartum depression is a serious problem that may have negative effects on mother and family mental health. Considering that several theories have been proposed to explain the epidemiologic and demographic factors associated with the postpartum depression, the aim of this study was to identify the factors related to postpartum depression in Kashan. In this cross-sectional study, 50% of all health centers in Kashan were randomly selected during 2007-8. All of 204 mothers referred during 2-3 months of postpartum with minimum literacy [primary education] showed willingness to complete the questionnaire which included two parts: demographic and psychosocial questions and BDI [Beck Depression Inventory]. Data were analyzed using Chi-square test, CI, OR, and logistic regression. Seventy-seven [37.7%] out of 204 mothers referred to Kashan health centers experienced postpartum depression [0.31-0.44]. There was a statistically significant relationship between seven demographic and psychosocial factors and postpartum depression, in logistic regression [P<0.001], three factors [husband's appropriate behavior, intimate relationship with family, and no prior history of depression] were remained in the model. The findings indicated that the mentioned factors can reduce the incidence of postpartum depression. According to the results, factors including husband's appropriate behavior, intimate relationship with family and no prior history of depression may reduce the incidence of postpartum depression

Primary breast mucormycosis, a case report

Mucormycosis is a rare fungal infection caused by organisms of the order Mucorales often occurring in diabetics or immunologically compromised patients. To date, only one case of primary mucormycosis of breast has been reported in the English literature. We describe a further case of mucormycosis that was localized to the breast in a patient with no underlying disease and was successfully treated with a simple mastectomy and intravenous antifungal therapy

Portal vein thrombosis: an unusual complication after laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Postoperative portal vein thrombosis is a rare complication which occurs most often after hepatobiliary surgery. To date, few cases following laparoscopic cholecystectomy have been reported. In this paper we present a case of portal vein thrombosis diagnosed with abdominal CT scan on the seventh day following laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The patient was administered therapeutic intravenous heparin with resolution of symptoms

[ effect of group discussion method on the self-image of teenaged thalassaemic patients]

Major thalassaemia, which is a chronic, and everlasting illness may has permanent effect on self-image of these patients, which most of them in our country are under 18 years old. These effect in self-image of may cause psychosocial problems such as unpleasant image for threat, isolation, etc. Therefore this study was carried out to investigate the effect of group discussion on intellectual image of 11-18 year old patient with major thalassemia in the city of Shahrekord. In a quasi experiment, 35 teenagers [13-19 years old] with major thalassaemia referred to thalassaemia ward of Hajar Shahrekord hospital were selected none-randomly. Their intellectual images of selected patients were collected with questionairs. The patients were first divided into groups of 8-12 individuals, and participated in-group discussion sessions twice a week, for 8 weeks. The collected questionairs were analyzed using x[2] and ANOVA tests just and one month after intervention. Our results showed that self-image marks were 180.1 +/- 7.66 and 187.9 +/- 5.9 before and after intervention, respectively. This was equal to 187.83 +/- 5.6 [p<0.001], after one month of intervention. There were significant relationship before and after intervention in psychological self and adaptation self of both male and female groups, but there were no significant relationship in scope of social self, sexual self as well as familial self [p<0.001]. Using of group discussion method causes intellectual image improvement in thalassaemic teenagers, and is suggested as a health measures for chronic mentally ill patients such as people with thalassaemia