[Comparative study of topiramate versus sodium valproate in the prevention of migraine headaches]

Migraine prevention is a major step in control and decreasing frequency of this severe and disabling type of headache. Current study was performed to determine the comparative efficacy of topiramate and sodium valproate in the management of migraine headache. In this double-blind randomized clinical trial, among patients attending to Amir-al-momenin hospital between 2006 and 2007, 285 patients [50.1%] received sodium valproate with a dose of 200 mg/day and 284 subjects [49.9%] received topiramate with a dose of 100 mg/day for one month. 262 patients [91.9%] in sodium valproate group and 266 subjects [93.7%] in topiramate group had good response to treatment [NS]. In sodium valproate group, 40 patients [14%] and in topiramate group, 41 subjects [14.4%] experienced drug adverse effects [NS]. According to lack of statistically significant differences between therapeutic efficacy and adverse effects of sodium valproate and topiramate, both modalities may be indicated upon with patient's conditions and physician's opinion

[Retentive strength comparison between a local made and an imported brand of zinc oxide-eugenol cement]

Provisional cements are used to temporarily retain provisional and permanent fixed restorations on the prepared teeth. The retentive strengths of two different local made and imported brand of zinc oxide-eugenol provisional cements were evaluated in this study. This experimental study was conducted by using 36 cylindrical amalgam cores with a width of 5.9 mm and height of 6 mm that were made by condensing amalgam in brass molds. Thirty-three cylindrical spaces with a width of 6 mm and height of 6 mm were prepared in the center of Rexillium III alloy cast rods. Cores were divided into two groups and retainers were cemented with both types of cements. The samples were stored in 100% humidity at 37°C. DARTEK testing machine was used to test samples at 0.02 cm/minute cross head speed for their retentive strength. The data were analyzed with Mann-Whitney statistical test. Mean separation force in the group of local made cement was 38.2 +/- 10.02, while it was 153.9 +/- 26.05 MPA in the imported group. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant [P<0.0005]. Based on the findings of this study the retentive strength of local made provisional cement was significantly lower than the imported one

impaired fasting glucose associated with increased risk of coronary atherosclerosis?

Impaired fasting glucose identifies individuals at high risk of progression to diabetes but the role of IFG as a coronary artery disease risk factor, independent of its progression to diabetes and its association with other coronary artery disease risk factors, is unclear. A cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate the hypothesis that impaired fasting glucose increased the likelihood of atherosclerotic plaque formation. Blood chemistry data as well as traditional coronary artery disease risk factors from 812 patients referred for coronary angiography to heart centers in Shahid- Chamran and Sina hospital, Isfahan, Iran were recorded. The population were stratified into three groups according to American Diabetes Association criteria: normal fasting glucose [n=608], impaired fasting glucose[n=92] and diabetes mellitus[n=112].We use extent, Vessel and stenosis scores to indicate the coronary artery involvement. KrusKal-Wallis test showed that the means of extent, Vessel and stenosis scores are not significantly different between three groups[P> 0.05]. Multivariate linear regression analysis, using extent score of coronary artery disease as dependent variable and traditional risk factors and impaired fasting glucose as independent variables did not show any significant difference either. Our data suggested that impaired fasting glucose is not associated with increased risk of coronary atherosclerosis

Study of p53 polymorphism at codon 72 in patients of breast cancer in Isfahan

The p53 tumor suppressor gene plays an important role in genomic stability. A common G-to-C polymorphism at codon 72 in the p53 gene has been accompanied with high risk of lung, nasopharyngeal, oral, prostate, and colorectal cancers, and may result in genetic susceptibility to breast cancer. We studied the effect of this p53 polymorphism on breast invasive ductal carcinoma development This case-control study was conducted among 51 patients with breast invasive ductal carcinoma and 51 matched controls in Isfahan. P53 codon 72 genotypes were identified using allele-specific polymerase-chain reaction [PCR]. In control samples, the genotype distribution of p53 polymorphism showed 43.2%, 52.9% and 3.9% for the Arg/Arg, Arg/Pro and Pro/Pro genotypes, respectively. In cancer group the distribution was 86.2% for Arg/Arg, 11.8% for Arg/Pro and 2% for Pro/Pro. Distribution differences in p53 codon 72 polymorphism between the cases and controls were statistically significant [P]

Evaluating semen parameters and time to pregnancy [TTP] in 234 Couples in Isfahan

Defining the lowest normal values of semen parameters, which are required for fertility, is of utmost importance in the diagnosis and management of infertile couples. These values are defined periodically by W.H.O. However, it has been emphasized that semen parameters should be determined regionally or nationally. The objective of this study was to evaluate semen parameters in fertile couples in Isfahan. Semen samples were obtained from partners of 234 pregnant women referring to gynecologists throughout Isfahan. Questionnaires, including time to pregnancy [TTP], were filled out. Semen samples were analyzed according to WHO guidelines. Results were analyzed and odds ratios were calculated by the use of SPSS statistical software and the level of significance was considered <.05%. The 10% cut-off point for the values such as volume, density, total count, motility and normal morphology, being considered as the minimum requirement for fertility, were 1ml, 45x10[6] per ml, 75x10[6] per ejaculate, 57% and 28% respectively. Semen parameters with TTP of less than 6 months were grouped according to the mentioned cut-off points and the pregnancy ratio and relative risks of pregnancy were calculated for each group. The results showed no significant differrence between the relative risks for pregnancy with respect to the cut-off points. Due to lack of information on sperm parameters in different parts of the world, regional and national evaluations of these parameters is of great value for demographic studies. Genetic characteristics and regional climate as environment, may affect sperm parameters. Isfahan, for example, is situated in a region with warm and dry climate and this may justify the low mean volume and higher concentration of sperm in the obtained samples from the subjects

[Goiter survey and urinary iodine concentration in 7-10-year-old children, Kohkilouyeh-Va-Bouyerahmad province, 2001]

Iodine deficiency disorder [IDD] is a worldwide health problem. Parts of Iran, such as Kohkilouyeh-va-Bouyerahmad, had been known as endemic areas for goiter. IDD was accepted as a priority health problem in our country and a National IDD Council was formed in 1989. This study was performed to evaluate the National IDD Council program in 2001 among 7-10-year-old children in Kohkilouyeh-va-Bouyerahmad province. In this cross sectional study, 1200 children [M/F ratio=1], aged 7-10 years, were selected and grading of goiter was performed in accordance to the WHO criteria. Urinary samples were obtained from 120 children and urinary iodine was measured using digestion method. Total prevalence of goiter was 7.7% [6.5% in girls and 8.7% in boys]. The median urinary iodine was 17.7microg/dl. 84.7% had urinary iodine of more than 10microg/dl, while 14.3% had urinary iodine levels of <5microg/dl. None of the candidates has urinary iodine of less the 21microg/dl. There was no significant difference between sexes and urban or rural areas. Results have revealed that the total prevalence of goiter has significantly decreased among children in Kohkilouyeh-va-Bouyerahmad province, meanwhile, urinary iodine concentration of children has reached to WHO approved rate. Thus, Kohkilouyeh-va-Bouyerahmad province could be classified among [iodine-deficiency-free] areas in Iran