[Electrolyte disorders after coronary artery bypass grafting surgery and its related factors]

Introduction: coronary artery bypass grafting surgery is a common therapeutic intervention in patients with coronary artery disease. This surgery has various complications. Electrolyte disorders are among common important complications among these patients

Objective: purpose of this study was to determine the level of electrolyte disorders and related factors in patients after coronary artery bypass grafting surgery hospitalized in cardiac care units

Methods: in this descriptive cross-sectional study, 288 Coronary Artery By Pass Graft [CABG] patients admitted to educational hospital were selected by gradual sampling. Data were collected by a three part researcher made questionnaire covering demographics, past medical history and levels of sodium and potassium through patients' medical records. Statistical analyses were performed using appropriate tests [chi square test, fisher exact test and logistic regression]

Results: findings showed that 16.7% of patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting were hyponatremia, 4.9% hypernatremia, 14.2% hypokalemia and 3.8% hyperkalemia. The results also indicated that there was a significant relationship between the factors such as body mass index, history of drug use, the number of vessels involved, the number of grafts, the length of time connected to mechanical ventilation, duration of artificial heart-lung machine use, aortic clamping time, and amount of intraoperative hypothermia, hemoglobin and hematocrit and postoperative electrolyte disorders [P<0.05]. According to Logistic regression model, these factors were not associated to electrolyte abnormalities

Conclusion: the findings showed that many factors such as individual medical history and condition during surgery can affect electrolyte abnormalities after coronary artery bypass graft. Identifying these factors can be useful in planning for prevention, diagnosis and early treatment of possible complications which in turn may result in promotion of quality care

[Effects boswellia carterii gum resin fractions on intact memory and hyoscine-induced learning impairments in rats performing the morris water maze task]

In traditional medicine, a gum resin obtained from Boswellia carterii, has been used as an agent for enhancing memory and learning abilities. In the present research, the effect of fractions obtained from gum resin of Boswellia carterii was assessed on enhancement of memory in intact and on memory impairments induced in rats by hyoscine using the Morris water maze task. The ethyl acetate [0.1 mg/kg] and N-butanol [0.1 mg/kg] fractions were injected intraperitoneally to rats 1 h before training for 5 consecutive days. During the training period, four trials were carried out each day. On the 5th day of the experiment, the locomotor activity was assessed using open field test. The effect of ethyl acetate fractions was evaluated on memory impairment induced by hyoscine [0.5 mg/kg]. The ethyl acetate [0.1 mg/kg] and N-butanol [0.1 mg/kg] fractions showed significant effects in enhancing the memory ability in intact rats. This effect was much significant with ethyl acetate fraction [p<0.001]. The ethyl acetate [0.1 mg/kg] fraction reduced the deficit effect of hyoscine on memory [p<0.001]. The N-butanol and ethyl acetate fractions [0.1 g/kg] have no effect on locomotor activity. On the basis of these results, B. carterii gum resin improved intact memory and the hyoscine impaired acquisition/performance activity. This effect may be mediated via cholinergic system

[Survey on sexual satisfaction situation and some of affecting agents in postmenopausal women]

Menopause is defined as the ability of fertility to infertility and has a significant role in personality, social and cultural aspects. Menopause has a special situation in reproductive health. One of the problems during the menopause period is decreasing of sexual desire or sexual satisfaction. Sexual aspects of postmenopausal women can promote their health and quality of life. This study was conducted to determine affecting agents on sexual satisfaction of postmenopausal women referring to healthcare clinics affiliated to Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences in Tehran in 2007. In this descriptive study 270 menopause women were selected by convenience sampling method. A questionnaire was used for data collection comprising of two parts: demographic and sexual satisfaction questions. Mean age of menopause women was 52.49 +/- 4.93 years. A desirable sexual satisfaction rate was 58.9% and 66.3% had undesirable sexual satisfaction. Sexual desire dimension was associated with womens' job [P<0.05]. Sexual excitation dimension was associated with primary and intermediate education of postmenopausal women, intermediate husband's education and spouse; free job. Sexual orgasm and relaxation after coitus was associated with unmasturbation and sexual activity of their women. Total sexual satisfaction rate was associated with age of menopause [P< 0.01], primary and intermediate education of postmenopausal women [P< 0.05], primary and intermediate education of spouse and satisfaction rate from sexual activity [P< 0.01]. Although postmenopausal stage is associated with decreased level of sexual hormones and drive intimate relationship with spouse, increasing education level leading to increasing knowledge and adaptation with menopause, can elevate sexual satisfaction

[Self-treatment with drugs during gestation]

Pregnancy due to its nature is associated with some problems, which may increase the need for drugs. Drug self-treatment can cause severe complications and lack of information of mothers concerning the indications of drugs may have detrimental effects on family as well as society. This descriptive study was conducted to identify knowledge, attitude and practice of pregnant women regarding self-treatment with drugs in health care settings affiliated to Shaheed Beheshti Medical University in 2006. 180 pregnant women referring to healthcare centers were selected in 2 steps by cluster sampling method. The stage of their gestational period was not important. An information form was used for data collection. Findings showed that 98.3% of women knew the forbiddance of chemical drugs during pregnancy without prescription. 70.6% agreed chemical drug prescription by a professional. Of 180 women, 100 [55.5%] took chemical drugs during their pregnancy and 97.8% used the drugs by prescription. 11.1% took herbs by prescription while 84.2% used them without prescription and by recommendation of their acquaintances or their own views. 4.7% took herbs by suggestion of herbalists. It can be concluded that despite good knowledge of women about indications of chemical drugs, their information regarding herbs is not satisfactory. Therefore, developing appropriate educational plans in media, healthcare settings and prenatal clinics to improve their knowledge seems necessary

[Effects of crocus sativus stigma extract and its constituents, crocin and safranal, on intact memory and scopolamine- induced learning deficits in rats performing the morris water maze task]

The electrophysiological and behavioral studies have shown that saffron extract improves memory and learning skills in ethanol-induced learning behavior impairments. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the possible effects of Crocus sativus aqueous extract stigma and its constituents, safranal and crocin, on intact memory and scopolamine-induced learning deficits in rats performing the Morris water maze task. The extract and its constituents were injected intraperitoneally to rats one h before training for five consecutive days. During the training period, four trials were carried out each day. On the fifth day of the experiment, the locomotor activity was assessed using open field test. Generally, the aqueous extract [0.0025-0.56 g/kg] of stigma did not decrease the latency time to find the platform. Only a dose of 0.005 g/kg reduced the latency time during five days. Crocin [50 and 200 mg/kg] also did not change the latency time. Safranal [0.2-0.75 ml/kg] increased the time to find the platform. The effects of the extract, crocin and safranal on hyoscine-induced learning deficits were also evaluated [1 and 500 mg/kg hyoscine]. The stigma extract and crocin reduced the deficit effect of hyoscine [in low and high dose] on memory. Safranal [except a dose of 0.2 ml/kg] did not decrease the effect of hyoscine on memory. In the open field activity test, the aqueous extract, crocin and safranal reduced total activity. The co-administration of these agents with hyocine significantly compensated the reduction of locomotor activity in hyosine group alone. On the basis of these results, the Crocus sativus stigma aqueous extract, crocin and safranal did not have effect on intact memory but the extract and crocin inhibited the hyoscine impaired acquisition/performance activity. These agents can be potentially introduced as new drugs in the treatment of cognitive dysfunctions such as Alzheimer's disease

Antitussive effect of nigellla sativa in guinea pigs

Several therapeutic effects including anti-asthma and dyspnea have been described for the seeds of Nigella sativa. In previous studies the relaxant and anticholinergic [functional antagonism] effects, histamine H, inhibitory effect, and calcium channel blocking effect of Nigella sativa have been demonstrated on guinea pig tracheal chains. In the present study the antitussive effect of this plant was evaluated. The antitussive effects of aerosols of two different concentrations of aqueous and macerated extracts, one concentration of boiled extract, codeine, and saline were tested by counting the number of coughs produced due to aerosol of citric acid 10 min after exposing animal to aerosols of different solutions [n=7 for each solution]. The results showed significant reduction of cough number observed in the presence of both concentrations of aqueous and macerated extracts, boiled extract and codeine [p<0.05 to p<0.001]. The cough number observed over a period of five minutes in the presence of higher concentrations of aqueous and macerated extracts were also significantly less than those of lower concentrations [p<0.05 for aqueous and p<0.01 for macerated extracts]. In addition there was not any significant difference between cough numbers observed in the presence of all extracts with that of codeine. These results indicated an antitussive effect of Nigella sativa, which was comparable to that of codeine

Comparison of antitussive effect of nigella sativa with codeine in guinea pig

The relaxant and anticholinergic [functional antagonism] effects, histamine H1 inhibitory effect, and calcium channel blocking effect of Nigella sativa have been demonstrated on guinea pig tracheal chains. Several therapeutic effects including antiasthma and dyspnea have also been ascribed to the seeds of Nigella sativa. To evaluate the antitussive effect of this plant. The antitussive effects of aerosols of two different concentrations of aqueous and macerated extracts as well as an extract of concentrated boiled seeds, codeine, and saline were tested by counting the number of coughs produced 10 min after exposing animal to aerosols of different solutions of citric acid [n=7 for each solution]. The results showed significant reduction in the number of coughs obtained in the presence of both concentrations of aqueous and macerated extracts, boiled seeds extract and codeine [p<0.05 to p<0.001]. The cough number induced in the presence of higher concentrations of aqueous and macerated extracts were also significantly less than those with lower concentrations [p<0.05 for aqueous and p<0.01 for macerated extracts]. There was no significant difference between the number of coughs obtained in the presence of all extracts with that of codeine. These results indicate an antitussive effect of Nigella sativa comparable to that of codeine