Efficacy of mupirocin and rifampin used with standard treatment in the management of acne vulgaris

The multiple etiologic factors involved in acne make the use of various medications necessary to treat the condition. This study aimed to determine the efficacy of mupirocin and rifampin used with standard treatment in the management of acne vulgaris. In a multicenter, randomized controlled, triple-blinded study, a total of 105 acne patients, with a clinical diagnosis of moderate to severe acne, were randomized divided into three groups [35 per group], for treatment of acne. The first group was treated with standard treatment alone, the second group received mupirocin plus standard treatment and the third group received rifampin plus standard treatment. There were three study visits according to Global Acne Grading System [GAGS]: at baseline and weeks 6 and 12. The absolute changes of GAGS score from baseline to week 6 and 12 demonstrated a reduction in the mean score of GAGS in the three treatment groups [p < 0.001]. Due to the difference between GAGS score at the baseline of study, the data were adjusted using the general linear model. The findings showed that all of the treatments significantly improved acne lesions. Nevertheless, none of the treatments was shown to be more effective than the others [p = 0.9]. The three treatments were well tolerated, and no serious adverse events were reported. These findings provide evidence on the efficacy of combining mupirocin and rifampin with standard treatment in the management of acne vulgaris, although none of the treatments had superior efficacy compared with the others

Stem cell therapy in stroke: a review literature

Stroke is an important cause of death in the world and disability world-wide especially in developed countries. Following acute phase of stroke, some procedures and medical treatment such as thrombolytic agents has been recommended; nevertheless many patients have enduring deficits. Thus, there is a realistic need to develop treatment strategies for reducing neurological deficits. However, the stem cell [SC] therapy could arrange an alternative intervention for disease modifying therapy. In this article, we present a brief review of different methods of SC therapy in stroke patients and discuss the results with different cell types and routes of administration

literature review on the efficacy and safety of botulinum toxin: an injection in post-stroke spasticity

A variety of techniques for the management of spasticity have been suggested, including positioning, cryotherapy, splinting and casting, biofeedback, electrical stimulation, and medical management by pharmacological agents, Botulinum toxin A [BTA] is now the pharmacological treatment of choice in focal spasticity. BTA by blocking acetylcholine release at neuromuscular junctions accounts for its therapeutic action to relieve spasticity. A computerized search of Pub Med was carried out to find the latest result about efficacy of BTA in management of post stroke spasticity. Among 84 articles were found, frothy of them included in this review and divided to lower and upper extremity. BTA is a treatment choice in reducing tone and managing post stroke spasticity

Stroke and nutrition: a review of studies

Stroke is one of the leading causes of death and certainly the major cause of disability in the world. Diet and nutrient has an effective role in prevention and control of the risk of stroke. The aim of this study was to review the studies on the relationship between dietary intake and stroke incidence. In this study, the terms of "Fat", "cholesterol", "antioxidant", "vitamins", "salt", "potassium", "calcium", "carbohydrate", "vegetables", "fruits", "meat", "tea", "whole grains", "sugar-sweetened beverages", "Mediterranean diet", "dietary approaches to stop hypertension diet [DASH diet]", "Western diet", and "stroke" were searched in Pubmed search engine. The observational studies, cohort studies, clinical trial studies, systemic review, and meta-analysis reviews are also included in this study. The study revealed that adherence to the improvements in nutrition and diet can reduce the incidence of stroke. Higher antioxidant, vitamins, potassium, calcium, vegetables, fruits, whole grain intake, and adherence to the Mediterranean dietor DASH diet can lower stroke incidence. Adherence to Mediterranean diet or DASH diet and increasing the consumption of antioxidant, vitamins, potassium, calcium food sources, vegetables, fruits, and whole grains intake can lower the risk of stroke. Healthy diet is effective in reducing risk of stroke, however, more studies need to be carried out in this area

effect of pioglitazone on the Alzheimer's disease-induced apoptosis in human umbilical vein endothelial cells

Alzheimer's disease [AD] is a progressive neurodegenerative disease and nowadays the role of endothelial cell [EC] injury has been proposed in pathological process in AD. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor- gamma [PPAR- gamma] agonist has anti-inflammatory properties through activation in glial cells and improves vascular function and prevent atherosclerotic disease progression. The aim of this study is evaluation of pioglitazone effects as a drug of PPAR- gamma agonist on endothelial apoptosis induced by sera from AD patients. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells [HUVECs] were treated with sera from AD patients [n = 10] and sera from controls [n = 10]. Apoptosis was identified by annexin V-propidium iodide staining and cell death detection kit. Apoptosis was evaluated after and before adding of 10 micro M pioglitazone on EC. Nitrite [NO[2]] levels were determined in the culture supernatants. Induced apoptosis by the serum of patients was inhibited markedly when pioglitazone used before treating HUVECs with the sera of AD. Also, the measurement of nitrite concentration showed significantly greater levels of dissolved NO[2]/NO[3] metabolite in the culture media of HUVECs treated by sera of AD patients [P < 0.05], while the rate of nitric oxide significantly decreased when pioglitazone exists in culture media. Further studies are justified to investigate the novel role of the PPARs in the prevention of the neuronal and endothelial damage in neurological disorder and present a new therapeutic approach for Alzheimer's patients

Effectiveness of attribution retraining on women's depression and anxiety after miscarriage

Given miscarriage psychological consequences on the women health, the aim of the present study is the survey of effectiveness rate of attributive retraining interventions on women depression and anxiety reducing after miscarriage. The present study is semi-empiric and it's made using control group, pre- and post-test execution and follow-up. Thirty-two women, who had recent experience of miscarriage, were selected among female referents to obstetricians and clinics in Esfahan city by accessible sampling and then they were placed on two groups, case and control, randomly. Case group participated in 6 weekly sessions for attributive retraining interventions and both groups completed hospital depression and anxiety questionnaire on three steps: Pre-test, post-test, and follow-up. Collected data were analyzed statistically, using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences [SPSS] software and variance by repeated measuring. Obtained results show that average post-test and follow-up scores of depression and anxiety in case group is less than average post-test scores in control group, significantly [P < 0.0005]. The findings of this research, ''Attributive Retraining Effectiveness on Women's Depression and Anxiety Reducing after Miscarriage," were confirmed

Prediction and control of stroke by data mining

Today there are abounding collected data in cases of various diseases in medical sciences. Physicians can access new findings about diseases and procedures in dealing with them by probing these data. This study was performed to predict stroke incidence. This study was carried out in Esfahan Al-Zahra and Mashhad Ghaem hospitals during 2010-2011. Information on 807 healthy and sick subjects was collected using a standard checklist that contains 50 risk factors for stroke such as history of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, smoking and alcohol consumption. For analyzing data we used data mining techniques, K-nearest neighbor and C4.5 decision tree using WEKA. The accuracy of the C4.5 decision tree algorithm and K-nearest neighbor in predicting stroke was 95.42% and 94.18%, respectively. The two algorithms, C4.5 decision tree algorithm and K-nearest neighbor, can be used in order to predict stroke in high risk groups

Evaluation of intima media thickness of carotid arteries in 40-60 years old persons with type D personality and its comparison with normal ones

In some studies, the involvement of dangerous psychological and behavioral factors in etiology and physiotherapy of vascular disturbances have been shown. In other studies, the relationship between the personality type and increase in cardiovascular disease has been demonstrated. The type D personality is defined as having two characteristics of negative affect and social inhibition. It is thought that individuals with type D personality are at increased risk of carotid artery intima-media thickening which predisposes them to vascular disease that is one of the most important factors for the stroke. In this study, we try to determine whether type D personality is a contributing factor to an increase in the intima-media of the carotid artery. This study was done in 2012 in the teaching hospital of Alzahra in Isfahan Iran. This is a case/control study which is done at Alzahra hospital in Isfahan in 2011-12. The statistical population in this study is composed of individuals who do not have any risk factors for stroke and are randomly selected among the hospital staff or the patient's family members who accompanied the patient at the hospital. They filled out a questioner that would assist in detecting type D personality. A carotid Doppler ultrasound that measures the intima media thickness in the selected individuals was performed. The information obtained from the study was evaluated by Statistical Product and Service Solutions [SPSS] software and the intima-media thicknesses were compared in two groups of patients. The average thickness of intima media in two groups, consist of placebo and patients, was 0.739 +/- 0.12 and 0.759 +/- 0.14 millimeter, respectively. There was no meaningful difference between the two groups based on t-test values [P = 0.19]. It is important to note that based on the results, 22.9% of placebos and 48.6% of individuals with type D personality presented with abnormal thickness. The difference between the two groups were meaningful based on Chi-Squared test [P = 0.001]. We conclude that type D personality increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases specially the stroke and myocardial infarction due to the higher prevalence of hormonal imbalances leading to arterial vasospasm and atherosclerotic disease. As a result, it is necessary to evaluate and treat these patients due to increased risk of atherosclerotic diseases, stoke, and myocardial infarction

effect of interpersonal psychotherapy on marriage adaptive and postpartum depression in Isfahan

Regarding high prevalence and injurious consequences of postpartum depression, the aim of the present work is the study of the effect rate of interpersonal psychotherapy on marriage adaptive and postpartum in women. The present study is semi-empiric, and included control group and pre- and post-test groups. Thirty-two women suffering from postpartum depression were selected from among female referents to counseling centers and clinics in Esfahan city by purposive sampling and were placed in two groups [control and test] randomly case group participated in a 10-weeks marriage interpersonal psychotherapy meetings. Beck II depression questionnaire and marriage adaptive scale were completed by two groups at pre-test and post-test steps. Collected data were analyzed using SPSS software and multivariable covariance analysis. The scores of average of depression and marriage adaptive post-test in test group was significantly less than that in the control group [P < 0.0005]. The findings of this research confirm marriage interpersonal psychotherapy on the depression recovery and the increasing marriage satisfaction of women suffering from postpartum depression

B vitamins and antioxidants intake is negatively correlated with risk of stroke in Iran

Stroke is a leading cause of death in developed countries. However, current therapeutic strategies for stroke have been largely unsuccessful. Several studies have reported important benefits on reducing the risk of stroke and improving the post-stroke-associated functional declines in patients who ate foods rich in micronutrients, including B vitamins. Folic acid, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12 are all cofactors in homocysteine metabolism. Growing interest has been paid to hyperhomocyste inemia as a risk factor for stroke. Experimental studies suggest that oxidative stress plays an important role in the pathogenesis of ischemic cerebral injury, and higher intake of antioxidants has been associated with a lower risk of stroke in large population studies. The aim of this study was to examine whether the dietary intake of B vitamins and antioxidants in patients with stroke were comparatively worse than those in patients without stroke. In this case control study, 69 stroke patients [46 male, age = 56 +/- 18 years and 23 female, age = 52 +/- 7 years] admitted to Azzahra hospital between April 2009 and May 2010 were matched for age and sex with 60 patients [30 male and 30 female] from the same hospital who were not affected with acute cerebrovascular diseases and did not have a history of stroke. Dietary intake was assessed with a validated self-administered food frequency questionnaire [FFQ]. FFQ was collected conducting face-to-face interview with one of the patients' close relatives. Food intakes, translated into nutrient data, were compared between the two groups and with the recommended values. Intake of folic acid in men with stroke and vitamin B12 in women with stroke was significantly lower than that in the patients without stroke [P < 0.05], but there was no significant difference between the two groups in the level of antioxidant consumption in women and men [P > 0.05]. Our findings suggest that increased folic acid, vitamin B12, and vitamin E, C intake may be associated with decreased risk of stroke

Dietary intake of different carbohydrates among incident stroke patients during previous year

Stroke is a leading cause of preventable morbidity and mortality in the United States. Numerous studies have shown that dietary carbohydrates play an important role in stroke incident. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the association between dietary intake of carbohydrate and its types and stroke incidence among Iranian adults. A case-control study was performed among 46 men [5618] and 23 women [527] admitted to the Al Zahra hospital with stroke and 60 healthy people were chosen in control group. Dietary intake was measured by food frequency questionnaire [FFQ] including 168 items. Food processor software [version 2] was used to analyze data. Anthropometric indices of male and female patients were [BMI: 297.5], [Waist: 11215] and [BMI: 25.53.5], [Waist: 925] respectively. Energy intake and carbohydrate consumption of patients in both genders was higher than the healthy subjects which was statistically significant among men [P < 0.05]. Across different carbohydrate sources, refined carbohydrates consumption was higher among patients in both gender rather than the healthy subjects While, the healthy people had a higher whole grain consumption. High carbohydrate intake specially refined sources with high glycemic index [GI] and glycemic load [GL] is associated with increased risk of stroke. Hence, dietary intake requires improvement to provide protection from life threatening outcomes

Dairy consumption and stroke risk

Stroke is one of the most common causes of life-threatening disabilities and death around the world. Mortality rate is going to be doubled by 2030 in the Middle East countries. Prevention is a cost-effective approach to decrease risk of stroke. The present study assessed the relationship between dairy intake and stroke risk. This hospital-based case-control study was directed in a University hospital. The common food consumption of 129 men and women was assessed with food frequency questionnaire [FFQ]. The relationship between fermented and non fermented dairy intake and stroke were assessed between two patient groups. Total of dairy intake were lower in patients with stroke than control group [13.36 vs 19.61% in men and 11.14 vs 15.02% in women]. Similar relationships were observed between fermented and non fermented dairy intake and stroke in both genders. Lower dairy consumption can increase stroke risk in men and women

Intakes of vegetables and fruits are negatively correlated with risk of stroke in Iran

Stroke is a leading cause of death. Current therapeutic strategies have been unsuccessful. Several studies have reported benefits on reducing stroke risk and improving the post stroke associated functional declines in patients who ate foods rich in fruits and vegetables. Their potential protective effects may be due to their antioxidants, calcium, potassium, riboflavine, peridoxin, riboflavin contents. Folic acid, peridoxin, and riboflavin are all cofactors in hyperhomocysteinemia as a stroke risk factor. Studies suggest that oxidative stress plays important roles in pathogenesis of ischemic cerebral injury and higher intake of antioxidants has been associated with a lower stroke risk. The aim of this study was to examine if the dietary intake of vegetables and fruits in patients with stroke were comparatively worse than those in patients without stroke. In this case control study, 93 stroke patients admitted to Alzahra hospital were matched for age and sex with 60 patients who were not affected with acute cerebrovascular diseases and did not have a history of stroke. Dietary intake was assessed with a validated food frequency questionnaire. Food intakes were compared between two groups and with recommended value. Mean daily intake of vegetable and fruits was more in male with stroke than male without stroke as well as calorie intake from vegetables and fruit was higher in male with stroke. Mean daily intake of vegetable and fruits were lower in women with stroke than women without stroke as well as calorie intake from vegetables and fruit was lower in women with stroke. Our findings suggest that increased vegetable and fruits intake may be associated with decreased risk of stroke

Neuroprotective effects of erythropoietin in acute ischemic stroke

Ischemic brain strokes consist two-thirds of strokes and their complications bear a lot of disability for patient and society. In this study, we seek for effect of Erythropoietin on ischemic brain stroke's outcomes according to National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale [NIHSS] changes. This study is a RCT [randomized clinical trial]. All patients with focal neurologic deficit with primary suspicion of brain stroke undergone neuroimaging evaluations. After confirmation of new ischemic brain stroke, the patients with inclusion criteria's randomized into two groups of cases and controls. NIHSS was defined for each patient and all patients received a routine treatment protocol. Erythropoietin 16,000 IU as a bolus intravenous dose was given to case patients as soon as neuroimaging study confirmed new ischemic stroke and continued as 8000 IU each 12 h up to total dose of 56,000 IU during 3 days. Patients re-evaluated at days 14 and 28 and NIHSS was assessed by another neurologist blinded to patient's group. Finally, NIHSS changes of both groups compared with each other's. Evaluations revealed that in days14 and 28 during follow-up, Erythropoietin was effective in NIHSS [P= 0.0001]. This effect was of value in level of consciousness Commands [P= 0.024], facial palsy [P= 0.003], motor arm [P= 0.0001], motor leg [P= 0.0001], sensory [P= 0.009], and best language [P= 0.023]. Administration of high-dose erythropoietin in first 24 h can be effective on reduction of ischemic stroke complication. A larger scale clinical trial is warranted

association between serum vitamin D levels with general and abdominal obesity among patients with migraine

Obesity is a common health problem around the world. Studies have shown inverse relationship between serum vitamin D levels with obesity among patients and healthy population. The aim of this present study is to examine the relationship between serum vitamin D levels with general and abdominal obesity among migraine patients. The present study is a cross-sectional and 66 migraine patients aged 19-61 years were included for analysis. Partial correlation was performed to assess association between serum 25-OH-D with general and abdominal obesity. Adjustments were performed for age, sex, and education. No relationship was found between serum levels of vitamin D with general and abdominal obesity. However, a significant association was shown between waist circumferences [WC] with body mass index [BMI]. Serum levels of 25-OH-D were not associated with WC and BMI. Furthermore, after adjustment for confounder variables, no association was observed

Investigating the anxiety level in Iranian medical residents in 2010-2011

University entrance is accompanied by major changes in social relationship, rules, and expectations that lead to psychological disorders in susceptible students. The goal of this research is to study the anxiety rate in Iranian medical residents in 2010-2011. This study is a cross-sectional, descriptive study. It contains 370 medical residents from the 1[st] year to the 4[th] year of medical universities in Isfahan, Gilan, Zahedan, Sanandaj, and Kashan. The stratified sampling method proportionate to volume of participants is used in this study. The information is collected based on researchers' questioners and Zung self-rating anxiety scale and analyzed with the use of SPSS software version 16, addition to descriptive and analytic tests [Pearson, one way analysis of variance, t-test]. Meaningful level is regarded as P

Application and preventive maintenance of neurology medical equipment in Isfahan Alzahra hospital

Nowadays Medical equipment plays an important role in the treatment and in the medical education. Using outdated preventive maintenance [PM] system may cause problems in the cutting edge medical equipment, Nervous system disease's equipment [In diagnosis and treatment] which are crucial for every medical center. Based on above facts we focused on nervous system treat units' equipment and informed the supervisors and their colleagues about the latest equipment maintenance status and promoted methodical and correct method to be used for medical equipment maintenance. This research is an analytical descriptive and has been done on the base information from a particular time to past. We gathered our required information of 2009 from Alzahra Medical Center. We divided this research info 2 main phases. In the first phase, we picked out Neurosurgery and Neourology diseases medical equipment [diagnosis and therapy equipment] and in the second phase, we need to implement a methodical PM for every equipment. Research has shown that there are 19 nervous system equipment in Alzahra Medical center, categorized in diagnostic [13 pcs], therapeutic [4 pcs] and diagnostic therapeutic [2 pcs]. As we declare in methods part of this research, we categorized medical equipment in Food and Drug Administration [FDA] segmentation. Capital-scarce equipment: Magnetic resonance imaging, Eco Doppler, Kamalaarak ultrasonic surgical aspirator, Stereotactic, computed tomography-scan, euroendoscope/vital-scarce equipment: Coblation, Sonoco, vaterjet/ scarce equipment: Transcranial color Doppler, electroencephalogram, electromyography, surgical microscope. Survey of application and preventive maintenance of neurology medical equipment in Isfahan Alzahra hospital show there is no P.M system. Implementing a complete P.M system for this medical center is crucial to preventing cause problems for these medical equipment and decreasing maintenance costs and gaining uptime. Researchers of this article have tried to provide PM, use of texts, web and experts

Preliminary investigation of economics issues in hospitalized patients with stroke

The study of economics is important in Iranian stroke patients, because it is one of the costly diseases that could be linked to disability, mortality, and morbidity. The aim of this preliminary study was to investigate total treatment costs of hospitalized patients with stroke. A cross-sectional study of 24 patients conducted to Isfahan Neurosciences Research Centre was carried out between April 1, 2012 and September 31, 2012. Demographic [sex, age] and economic variables [Raise tariffs, accumulated surplus, the total amount, of patients', patients' paid, and home insurance contribution] were extracted from the patients' profiles. All information recorded and processed using Excel. The mean age of patients was 71 years [ranged; 40-93 years old]. Preliminary analysis of available costs issues could be described as: Raise tariffs [mean: 3500256 Rial, ranged: 504460-9775455 Rial], accumulated surplus [mean: 565578 Rial, ranged: 56700-2343664 Rial], the total amount [mean: 4045556 Rial, ranged: 715460-12219119 Rial], of patients' [mean: 756037 Rial, ranged: 0-8365447 Rial], patients' paid [mean: 1307762 Rial, ranged: 45300-9193000 Rial], and home insurance contribution [mean: 3070713 Rial, ranged 0-8887907 Rial]. The cost disparity within this study after stroke could be mainly connected to variations in duration of hospital stay. Inspecting agenda towards this direction could reduce the economic cost of stroke significantly. Therefore, further assessment correlated to attain strategies in order to reduce costs associated to patients' paid and home insurance contribution could be much more advantageous

[Relationship of specialty select and education place with internship students anxiety in 2010]

Background and Objectives: Selection of specialty field to continue education is such a great challenge for general physicians that can create stress in their personal life. The purpose of this study is survey of relationship of specialty select and education place with internship students anxiety in 2010

Methods: This descriptive and cross-sectional study was performed on a total of 370 medical residents selected through stratified sampling from Isfahan, Guilan, Zahedan, Sanandaj and Kashan Universities of Medical Sciences, Iran. Data were collected through demographic features questionnaire and Zung anxiety self-evaluation questionnaire

Results : More than 92% of residents did not have anxiety and were in normal condition. From all, 168 [45.4%] had selected their specialty field based on just their personal interests, 55 [14.9%] based on external factors, and 147 [39.74%] based on both internal and external factors. In regard to the place of study, 220 residents [59.5%] were studying in their first three preferred cities and there was a significant relationship between anxiety and place of education [P < 0.05]

Conclusion: Since academic satisfaction and success of medical residents is highly dependent on studying in their favorite specialty field and place, administrative programming by officials and planners is highly required for omitting barriers in selecting field and place of education