ABSTRACT
Background and Objective: After chronic stress, brain volume and weight reduces and in turn, adrenal weight and volume increases. This study was performed to determine the effect of chronic stress and memantine administration within amygdala on the alterations of brain's volume and weight ratio to volume and weight of the adrenal gland on male mice
Methods: In this experimental study, bi- or unilateral amygdala cannulation was preformed stereotaxically. A week after recovery, animals were received different doses of memantine [1, 0.5, and 0.1 microg/mouse], five min before stress induction. Electric foot shock induced to animals for seven consecutive days. At the end of the seventh day, animals were sacrificed and their brain and adrenal glands were fixed in formalin 4%. The volume and weight was determined by mercury immersion and accurate balance respectively
Results: Stress non- significantly reduced brain's volume ratio to volume of the adrenal gland and brain's weight ratio to weight of the adrenal gland. Memantine administration within amygdala inhibited stress effect. Memantine administration in low and medium doses within right and left amygdala significantly increased brain's volume and weight ratio to volume and weight of the adrenal gland [P<0.05]
Conclusion: Memantine dose and side dependently inhibits the effect of induced stress in male mice. Also, unilateral memantine administration within the left and right amygdala was more effective
ABSTRACT
Fanconi anemia is the most prevalent inherited aplastic anemia. Diagnosis based solely on the recognition of clinical symptoms is not reliable. This study was done to determine chromosomal aberrations in patients suspected with the risk of Fanconi anemia in the Eastern Azarbaijan province- Iran. This descriptive study was conducted on 20 patients in the Eastern Azarbaijan province-Iran. The cytogenetic method was used to determine type and number of chromosomal disorders. Nine eight and nine patients had co-morbid anemia, platelet deficiency and 9 patients had hand and finger deformities, respectively. Using cytogenetic method, Fanconi anemia was confirmed in 5 [25%] of the cases. The percentage of mitotic abnormalities in the chromosomes without administration of mitomycin C varied between 5-30% in the cultures of the 5 affected and between 0-4% in the 15 unaffected patients with the administration of mitomycin C, the percentages were increased up to 35-78% and 0-20% in affected and unaffected patients, respectively. Fanconi anemia is confirmed precisely in 25% of suspected patients using cytogenetic method
Subject(s)
Humans , Chromosome Aberrations , Cytogenetic Analysis , MitomycinABSTRACT
Background and aim: MRI [Magnetic Resonance Imaging] is one of the best diagnostic techniques in medicine. During an MRI examination, three types of field are employed to produce images. Various experimental studies have been performed about effects of each single type of field, but only few studies are available on their combination to generate MRI. The main objective of this research was to study the effects of MRI on the sex hormones and other fertility parameters in adult male rats
Methods: In this experimental study, 40 adult male Wistar rats [220+/- 10 g] were randomly divided into two protocols. Each protocol contained two groups of exposed [10 rats] and control [10 rats] rats. Exposed groups were placed in MRI for 25 minutes. After MRI, the animals of the first protocol were placed in the holder and scrotal skin temperatures were measured by the thermometer. These animals were anaesthetized and serum samples were obtained and stored. Then, the testes were cut and weighed. After 96 hours, these experiments were repeated for the animals of second protocol
Results: Our results for the first protocol [after MRI] indicated that there were no significant effects on the testes weight, scrotal skin temperatures and serum levels of LH in the exposed rats. However, the serum level of testosterone was significantly reduced [P<0.001] and serum level of FSH was increased [P<0.001]. Regarding the second protocol [96 hours after MRI], significant increase was observed for FSH, just in the exposed rats, which was similar to the first protocol [P=0.04]
Conclusions: Our results suggest that MRI causes dysfunction in the secretion of some sex hormones in the adult male rats
ABSTRACT
Background and aim: Encountering clinical environments as an inseparable part of studying medicine could bring about tension and anxiety for medical students. Early clinical exposure has been suggested to decrease these stresses and to motivate students for a better attitude and awareness. This study was performed to determine the effect of a short-term period of exposing to clinical environment on medical students' attitude toward medical education and their educational function
Methods: In an interventional study performed as pre-test/post-test, 43 first year medical students were encountered clinical environments in rounds, operating rooms and emergency ward. Students' attitude was assessed by a questionnaire using Likret scale. We compared students' function in specific lessons and result of comprehensive basic examination with previous entrance students as an external control group
Results: Significant differences were found in the student's attitude before and after the course [P<0.01]. Results showed a significant increase in the student's attitude toward importance of the patients' history and physical exam versus para-clinical exams. In addition, their attitude about therapeutic stuff duties in all levels. The rules between physician and patient, patients rights in hospital, diagnosis and therapeutic management, different steps of medical education and merging basic and clinical sciences, simple physical exam and assistance management were increased significantly after the course. No significant difference was observed in the students' educational function in any items
Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, we found a positive effect of early clinical exposure on attitude of first year medical students. Therefore, we suggest that early clinical exposure be added to educational curriculum for medical students
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Background and aims: The main objective of immunization by hepatitis B vaccine is to generate adequate concentration of anti hepatitis B antibody [HBsAB] in the serum. This study was aimed to determine the effectiveness of hepatitis B vaccination campaign in 18 years old students in Chaharmahal va Bakhtiari province
Methods: In a cross- sectional study, 360 students with 18 years old [born in 1989] and have taken 3 doses of hepatitis vaccine in national vaccination campaign in 2007, were selected by cluster sampling. This study was performed in 2008 in Chaharmahal va Bakhtiari province in the central of I.R of Iran. The level of hepatitis B antibody was detected by quantitative ELIZA method using Dialab Kit. The collected data was analyzed using SPSS 16.0 software by X[2] and t-test
Results: Of 360 students, 164[45%] cases were male and 174 [48/3%] cases were from urban areas. Just 349 students [96/95%] have acceptable immunization responses, [In those anti hepatitis B antibodies were more than 20 IU/ml]. There was no significant relationship between the level of antibody and variables such as: sex, born places, smoking, contact history, previous disease and Hejamat [P>0.05]
Conclusion: Considering the results of the present study and previous researches from others countries, we can emphasize that the mass vaccination has been effective in those 18 years old students and we can be sure that the vaccination has been performed perfectly in Chaharmahal va Bakhtiari province
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Painful arch of shoulder is treated using both surgical and non-surgical methods. In the latter one, steroidal and non-steroidal analgesic drugs and/or physiotherapy are used. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of corticosteroid injection and physiotherapy in the treatment of disease. In this double-blinded clinical trial, 124 patients who referred to Shahrekord Kashani hospital and suffered from shoulder pain or with having limitation in its movement were considered as the patients with painful arch of shoulder. They were divided in two equal groups of 62. In the first group, 40 mg of prednisolone was locally injected in the painful site. The second one was subjected to ten sessions of physiotherapy for two weeks. The outcomes of these treatments were assessed using a questionnaire including shoulder disability and the amount of pain in the patients, 2, 6, and 11 weeks after the treatment. Data were analyzed using statistical analysis [X[2], t and repeated measures ANOVA]. The mean age of the patients was 42.3 +/- 9.5 years. The two groups were age and sex matched. The pain was relapsed in one patient of the first and 3 patients of the second group. Pain and shoulder disability were significantly decreased in the two groups [P<0.05]. The amount of shoulder disability and pain in the group received corticosteroid was less than that in the group subjected to physiotherapy [P<0.05]. Base on the results, injection of corticosteroid is more effective than using of physiotherapy in treatment of painful arch of shoulder. This cures pain and shoulder disability of the patients faster
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Double-Blind Method , Treatment Outcome , Pain Measurement , Physical Therapy Specialty , InjectionsABSTRACT
Myocardial infarction [MI] is a common and dangerous disorder that threat people life and affects their quality of life. The aim of this study was to assess quality of life in patients with MI were referring to Shahrekord Hagar hospital. In this descriptive and analytical study, 150 patients who suffered from MI, were selected as sample from CCU patients in Shahrekord Hagar hospital. Via interview and referring to patients files data were collected using two sectional questionnaire that included demographic characteristic and standard questionnaire [SF36]. Data were analyzed using Chi-square test. Mean age of the patients was 55.7 +/- 10.5 and quality of life in majority of subjects under investigation was fairly favorite [53%]. Quality of life in majority of samples in general status [62%], social and occupational [65%] or sleep [61%] status was favorite. However, physical activity in 62% of samples was unfavorite. There was a meaningful correlation between period of diseases and quality of life [P<0.05]. But there was no relation between other demographic variations such as: age, gender and marital status, occupational or economical status and the quality of life. Also there is a meaningful relation between general status, social status, sleep status or physical activity with quality of life [P<0.05]. Medical staffs, especially nurses should pay attention to all dimensions of quality of life in planning care in MI patients. Because unacceptable attention to all these dimensions may cause disturbance in patients' quality of life
Subject(s)
Humans , Quality of Life , Surveys and Questionnaires , Coronary Care Units , Sleep , Nursing Staff, Hospital , Nursing Service, Hospital , Patient CareABSTRACT
The effects of Crocus sativus [Saffron] on the euphoric properties of morphine have not yet been studied. In the present study, the effects of water extract of C. sativus stigma on the acquisition and expression of morphine-induced Conditioned Place Preference [CPP] in male N-MARI mice [weighted 20-25 g] were investigated. This experimental study was conducted on 136 male mice that were divided into 17 groups [n=8/group]. In a pilot study, different doses of morphine [1, 2, 4 and 8 mg/kg] and C. sativus extract [10, 50 and 100 mg/kg] were injected to the animals, to evaluate the drugs ability in induction of place preference. In the second phase of the experiments, the extract of the C. sativus was administered during or after induction of morphine CPP. Then, CPP were tested in the animals. One-way analysis of variance [ANOVA] was performed for statistical procedure. Administration of morphine [1, 2, 4 and 8 mg/kg], increased the required time in the compartment paired with morphine [i.e. CPP] that was significant [p<0.001] for those animals that received 4 and 8 mg/kg of morphine. Administration of the plant extract [50 mg/kg] also produced a significant CPP [p<0.01] compared with control group. Injection of the same dose of the extract before morphine [8 mg/kg] administration, caused a decrease in the time spent in drug-paired side only in dose of 100 mg/kg of the extract [p<0.05]. In addition, injection of the plant extract in the test days to the animals, which reveived morphine [8 mg/kg] in the conditioning days, enhanced the expression of morphine CPP in the animals, that was statisticaly significant for the extract at the concentration of 50 mg/kg [p<0.05]. It could be concluded that injection of the extract of C. sativus can inhibit the acquisition but enhanced the expression of morphine-induced CPP. In addition, the extract can produce CPP by itself
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The natural history of ocular lesions in Behcet's disease is toward severe loss of vision/blindness in few years, whereas cytotoxic drugs have changed the outcome. Several open labeled cohort studies showed pulse cyclophosphamide [PCP] to be the best choice. Since one third of these patients are resistant to PCP it is important to know how much improve ment one can expect from the responders. To address this question, we selected patients who improved or maintained their baseline visual acuity after treatment. From a cohort of 528 patients [1056 eyes], 753 eyes were selected. At the beginning of the study PCP was given for one month as 0.75 to 1 g in perfusion, and then followed every 2 to 3 months. Prednisolone was also given as 0.5 mg/kg/daily and then tapered upon controlling inflammation. The mean +/- SD number of pulses was 11.5 +/- 8.5/month with follow-up of 20.6 +/- 19.8 months. Different disease activity indices such as visual acuity, posterior uveitis, retinal vasculitis, total inflammatory activity index [TIAI], total adjusted disease activity index [TADAI] were calculated at baseline and at last evaluation. The mean visual acuity improved from 2.4 to 4.4. The mean indices for posterior uveitis, retinal vasculitis, TIAI and TADAI improved from 2.2 to 1, 2.7 to 1.4, 19.3 to 9, and 27.2 to 20.5 respectively. The P value was less than 0.001 for all comparisons. Pulse cyclophosphamide is able to improve ocular lesions of Behcet's disease; therefore it may be used as a first choice, especially in retinal vasculitis