[Diagnostic value of physical examination for topographic detection of infratentorial lesions in patients with cerebrovascular syndromes]

The Detection of neurologic signs for topographical disorders in central nerves system can prevent unnecessary neuroimaging techniques such as MRI. This study was performed to determine the diagnostic value of physical examination for topographic detection of infratentorial lesions in patients with cerebrovascular syndromes. This descriptive study was done on 200 patients with cerebrovascular syndrome in Qaem Hospital in Mashhad, north-east Iran during 2011. Regarding to topographic physical examination, sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value and accuracy of signs of syndromes were compared to MRI as gold standard method. The accuracy of tetraparesis and crossed syndromes for localization of brain lesion in brainstem was 79% and 83%, respectively. The accuracy of hemiataxia for localization of brain lesion in ipsilateral cerebellar hemisphere was 98%. The accuracy of Wallenberg syndrome for localization of brain lesion in posterolateral medulla was 98%. Using clinical neuro-examination skills and accurate topographic physical examination can prevent unwanted MRI technique for the diagnoses of cerebrovascular syndromes

Cardiovascular disease and risk factors in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in Mashhad, Islamic Republic of Iran

The aim of this study in 2006-08 was to determine the prevalence and risk factors of CVD in an Iranian population of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. History and physical examinations were recorded and laboratory tests were performed in 752 patients attending the Mashhad Endocrine and Metabolism Research Center. The prevalence of CVD was 20.1%. CVD was significantly associated with age, duration of diabetes, hypertension, diabetic retinopathy, metabolic syndrome, renal insufficiency, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein [HDL] cholesterol, uric acid and triglycerides/HDL ratio. Using a logistic regression model, age, metabolic syndrome and HDL cholesterol were significant independent predictors of CVD. The high prevalence of CVD in Iranian patients with type 2 diabetes underscores the importance of better detection and treatment of metabolic risk factors of CVD in these patients

[Effect of a family-centered problem solving education method on self-esteem in drug-users]

Introduction: Drug addiction is amongst current crisis of the world including nuclear crisis, environmental degradation, poverty, and social crisis. Drug addiction is a major health problem in many countries worldwide. One of the most common characteristics of addicted individuals is low self-esteem. Self-esteem increases flexibility and reinforces progression of positive attitudes toward self-sufficiency. There are limited studies on non-medical treatment strategies for drug-users. The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of a family-centered problem solving education on self-esteem of drug-users

Methods: This study had a pretest-post test experimental design. First, validity and reliability [r=0.85] of the self-esteem Cooper-Smith questionnaire was confirmed. After completing the consent forms by the participant [n=60], they were randomly assigned into two equal experimental and control groups. At baseline, questionnaires were completed. The education was performed using family-centered problem solving teaching method in a two months period within eight 45-minute sessions in the intervention group. The Cooper smith self-esteem questionnaire was completed at the follow up

Results: The paired t-test showed that family-centered problem solving education method led to a significant increase [p=0.001] on the self-esteem scores in the intervention group. Although self-esteem scores of the control group increased significantly either after two months, the increase was 4.5 times more in the intervention group

Conclusion: To sum up, using the family-centered problem solving education method with family centered approach could improve the process of addiction treatment in addiction clinics

[Frequency of ABO and Rh blood groups in patients with acute leukemia]

There are some reports about probable association between acute leukemia and special blood groups. Frequency of ABO and RH blood group is different in each population. This study was done to determine frequency of ABO and Rh blood groups in patient with acute leukemia and healthy population. This case-control study was done on 214 patients [132 males, 82 females] that suffering from acute leukemia as case group and 117026 individuals healthy population who were voluntary blood donors as controls in Mashhad, Iran during 2001-07. Age, sex, ABO blood group and RH blood group were collected from hospital files for each cases. Furthermore the results of ABO and RH blood groups of controls were collected. Data were analyzed with Chi-Square, fisher test and Odd's ratio. The frequency of A, B, AB, O and RH blood groups in cases were 23.8%, 32.8%, 7.0%, 36.4% and 90.7%, respectively. The frequency of A, B, AB, O and RH blood groups in controls were 29.8%, 27.4%, 8.9%, 33.9% and 88.3%, respectively. Odds Ratio test didn't show association of ABO and RH blood groups with acute leukemia. Odds Ratio test showed association of B blood group with acute leukemia in females [OR=0.571, 95%CI: 0.358-.0908, P=0.021]. This study showed although there was not any association between ABO and RH blood groups and acute leukemia but probably females with B blood group are more susciptible toward acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Comparing the effects of hands-on and hands-off breastfeeding methods on self-efficacy in primiparous mothers

Background and Purpose: Self-efficacy is a modifiable psychological variable in sustained breastfeeding that is defined as a mother's confidence in her perceived ability for successful and exclusive breastfeeding. Therefore, the present study was conducted in order to compare the effectiveness of "Hands on" and" Hands off" methods on breastfeeding self-efficacy in primiparous mothers

Materials and Methods: In this experimental single-blind study, 124 primiparous women were randomly assigned to one of the three groups. Participants in the experimental group received one of the structured one-on-one educational sessions [i.e., hands-off or hands-on] within the first two hours of giving birth to her child. Mothers in control group received usual postpartum care. Follow-up assessments were conducted one, four, and eight weeks after the birth. Data collection was done through interview forms, examination and observation, checklist of breastfeeding status, breastfeeding self-efficacy and dailyfeeding form. The obtained data were analyzed in SPSS using one-way ANOVA, Kruskal Wallis and correlation coefficient [p<0.05 was considered as significance level and test power of 80% was estimated]

Results: Mean score of self efficacy in the first week of handsoff and hands-on groups were 59.9 +/- 4.78 and 54.59 +/- 7.55 respectively; it was 56.6+/-8.93 in the routine care participants. In the fourth week, the figure amounted to 63.28 +/- 6.63 and 58.78 +/- 9.05 respectively; also, in the routine care participants it was 56.1 +/- 9.04. But in the eighth week, the figures were 66.7 +/- 5.3 and 61.7 +/- 8.4 respectively; it was 60.9 +/- 6.2 in the routine group. A statistically significant difference was demonstrated the three between treatment durations [p=0.000]

Conclusion: The hands-off education increased breastfeeding self efficacy in the first eight weeks after birth

[Evaluation of relationship between maternal hemoglobin concentration at the first trimester and occurrence of GDM]

Early diagnose and management of GDM can decrease perinatal, neonatal and long-time infant problems. There is now accumulated evidence in the literature that high maternal Hemoglobin is associated with increased incidence of adverse pregnancy outcomes which include low birth weight and preterm labor. In the no pregnant population, an association between hemoglobin concentrations with Diabetes Mellitus has been reported before. We decided that we study relationship between maternal Hemoglobin concentration at the first trimester and occurrence of GDM. In a retrospective study sample comprised 100 women. Age, weight, parity, Hemoglobin concentration and FBS at the initial antenatal visit and GCT during 24-28 weeks are recorded. In this study 36 women had GDM and the rest were health. Age, parity and Hemoglobin concentration emerged to be significant factors in incidence of GDM. High maternal Hemoglobin [more than 13 g/dl] at the initial pregnant visit [the first 14 week] is an independent risk factor for GDM

[Comparison of flexure resistance between two rod and paste solders in base metal alloy]

Soldering is used in fixed prosthodontics, for different purposes such as connecting separate parts of the bridge, recontouring proximal and occlusal contacts and repairing casting voids. The aim of this study was to compare the flexural resistance of two rod and paste solders used in base metal alloys. Thirty rectangular specimens [1x4x30 mm] were made using super cast base alloy. The samples were sectioned into two equal parts and were placed in a soldering investment as pairs with 0.3 mm gaps between them. They were divided into 2 groups and soldered with rod solder in one group and paste solder in the other. The samples were subjected to a flexure test on a Universal Testing Machine. Statistically analysis was performed using F- and t-tests. The minimum and maximum flexural resistance was 107.2N and 301.2N for the rod- and 62.8N and 109.3N for the paste solders, respectively. The mean flexural resistance was 196.5N in the rod solder group and 89.8N in the paste solder group. A significant difference in flexural resistance was observed between the two study groups [P=0.001]. The results of this study indicated that flexural resistance of the rod solders was significantly higher than the paste solders

Efficacy of intravenous dexamethasone in treatment of acute migraine headache: a randomized clinical trial running title

Migraine is characterized by unilateral and pulsatile headache with or without aura. There are various treatments of migraine attack. One of them is intravenous [IV] Corticosteroids which is used in status migrainous. The aim of this study is comparison of the efficacy of I.V Dexamethasone with intramuscular [I.M] Methadone in improvement of migraine attacks. This study was a controlled double- blind randomized clinical trial on all patients whom referred to emergency room with diagnosis of migraine attack. The patients were randomized in four groups. Groups I and II received intravenous 8 mg Dexamethasone, while groups III and IV received intramuscular 10 mg Methadone. Thereafter all of them were evaluated after 2, 4 and 6 hours. One-hundred and eighty one patients were evaluated; 107 patients were treated with IV Dexamethasone and 74 patients with IM Methadone. One-hundred and three of 107 patients [96.2%] had complete or significant improvement whereas 63 of 74 patients [85%] whom received IM Methadone had similar improvement [P= 0.01]. Our study showed that treatment of acute migraine headache by using intravenous Dexamethasone is more effective than Methadone

[Comparsion of primary enamel discoloration caused by the use of three different iron drops [An in vitro study]]

Iron deficiency anemia is the most common health problem in childhood. One way to meet this important need in the body is to add iron supplement in our diet. This supplement is known as Ferrous sulfate in Iran. Teeth blackness in children especially after taking Iron drops and the parent`s dissatisfaction is one of the most important reasons for visiting a dentist. Generally, parents have an idea that taking iron drops by the children is the cause of tooth decay, therefore they limit this vital supplement in their children`s diet. The aim of this study was to compare of primary enamel discoloration caused by the use of three different iron drops. Quantitative stage: In this first stage of the study, 60 anterior primary teeth were selected and the necessary preparation were made. The level of iron absorption in etch group and the intact one were determined by Atomic absorbtion in 248.3 nonometers long wave and resolution of 0.062ppm. Qualitative stage: In this stage, 7 teeth were put under scan electron microscope [SEM] after the primary preparation. There was no significant difference in the iron absorption on the healthy teeth, between foreign iron drop and the one produced by Mashhad school of pharmacy. But the level of absorption in Iranian Iron drop was significantly higher [P=0.01]. The absorption in etched teeth increased which might have been due to increased surface- [P=0.0001]. There was no significant difference between experimental drops in the etched teeth. Iron drops that produced by Mashhad school of pharmacy had less discoloration on the primary enamel teeth. The more increased surface because of etching, the more change in color was observed and this was most prominent in Iranian iron drop. Color discoloration increased with frequency of iron drop intake

[ one year epidemiologic study on radiolucent lesions in patients referred to radiology department of Mashhad Dental School]

Radiolucent lesions are common bony lesions and can be seen in the forms of periapical, pericoronal, interradicular and lesions not necessarily related to teeth. The purpose of this study was to determine the epidemiology of radiolucent lesions in patients who were referred to radiology department of Mashhad Dental School. In this prevalence descriptive study, panoramic radiographs of 256 patients referred to the radiology department were evaluated for one year and the frequency of their lesions were determined according to age, sex, number of lesions, site of occurrence, shape, border and effects on surrounding structures. The data were statistically analyzed using chi-square test. From 51 radiolucent lesions, the periapical granuloma was the most common lesion [45.1%] followed by periodontal disease [19.6%], radicular cyst [13.7%] dentigerous cyst [3.9%], cherubism, traumatic bone cyst, squamous cell carcinoma and central giant cell granuloma [2%]. These lesions occured predominantly at the second decade of life and most frequently in men. Three common radiolucent lesions were periapical granuloma, periodontal disease and radicular cyst. Periapical granuloma occurs predominantly in mandible while periodontal disease and radicular cyst occur in maxilla more frequently

[Evaluation of the relationship between skeletal status and radiomorphometric indices of the mandible observed in panoramic radiography in women]

Since the age-related skeletal osteopenia has attracted much attention in recent studies and also because osteoporosis is the most common metabolic bone disease and the panoramic radiography is widely used for routine examinations, the relationship between radiomorphometric indices of mandibular bone [Panoramic Mandibular Index, PMI; the height of mandibular Inferior Cortex, IC [mm] and Mandibular Cortical Index, MCI] in panoramic radiography and skeletal status in femoral neck and lumbar spine [L[2]-L[4]] was evaluated in women referring to radiology department of Mashhad dental school. In this cross sectional analytical study, radiomorphometric indices of mandibular bone of 67 women over 35 years old referring to radiology department of Mashhad dental school were recorded. Women with a history of bone metabolism affecting diseases or drugs were excluded from our study. All the cases had a panoramic radiography in their orders. All of the patients were then referred to Toos Bone Densitometry Center for bone densitometry in left femoral neck and lumbar spine [L[2]-L[4]], using DEXA[1] technique with Osteocore apparatus. The patients were divided into three categories of normal, osteopenic and osteoporotic in each skeletal region according to their T-score. The data were analyzed by ANOVA and Pearson's correlation coefficient. Comparing average of bone mineral density between C[1] and C[3] subgroups of MCI, in postmenopausal females in femoral neck, a significant difference was detected [P-Value=0.04]. The average of PMI in the three different skeletal categories, was not different according to skeletal region and menstruation status [P-Value>0.05]. The results of this study showed that the use of radiomorphometric indices of mandible [especially MCI] can help to determine skeletal status of patients but is not enough for precise evaluation of patients' skeletal status