Perceived Psychological Traumatic Childbirth in Iranian Mothers: Diagnostic Value of Coping Strategies

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the diagnostic value of a stress coping scale for predicting perceived psychological traumatic childbirth in mothers. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was performed on 400 new mothers (within 48 hours of childbirth). Psychological traumatic childbirth was evaluated using the 4 diagnostic criteria of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Coping was measured using Moss and Billings' Stress Coping Strategies Scale. RESULTS: The overall mean score of stress coping was 29 ± 14.2. There were 193 (43.8%) mothers that had experienced a psychological traumatic childbirth. A stress coping score ≤ 30, with a sensitivity of 90.16 (95% CI = 85.1–94.0), and a specificity of 87.44 (95% CI = 82.1–91.6), was determined as a predictor of psychological traumatic childbirth. So that among mothers with stress coping scores ≤ 30, 87% had experienced a psychological traumatic childbirth. CONCLUSION: Investigating the degree of coping with stress can be used as an accurate diagnostic tool for psychological traumatic childbirth. It is recommended that during pregnancy, problem-solving and stress management training programs be used as psychological interventions for mothers with low levels of stress control. This will ensure that they can better cope with traumatic childbirth and post-traumatic stress in the postpartum stage.

An investigation of the effects of curcumin on anxiety and depression in obese individuals: A randomized controlled trial / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effectiveness of curcumin, a natural polyphenolic compound with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, on the frequency of symptoms of anxiety and depression in obese individuals.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>In this double blind, cross-over trial, 30 obese subjects were randomized to receive either curcumin (1 g/day) or placebo for a period of 30 days. Following a wash-out interval of 2 weeks, each subject was crossed over to the alternative regimen for a further 30 days. Severity of anxiety and depression was assessed at baseline and at weeks 4, 6 and 10 of the trial using the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) scales, respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Mean BAI score was found to be significantly reduced following curcumin therapy (P=0.03). However, curcumin supplementation did not exert any significant impact on BDI scores (P=0.7).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Curcumin has a potential anti-anxiety effect in individuals with obesity.</p>

Modeling of CO and NO[x] produced by vehicles in Mashhad, 2012

Background: In large cities, the share of vehicles in air pollutants emissions is nearly 70% that is mainly due to use of fossil fuels. Environmental simulation has many advantages such as accuracy and speed of modeling. Present study was conducted to create a model of air pollution [Carbon Monoxide [CO] and Nitrogen Oxides [NO[x]]] from vehicles in fifty following years, in Mashhad

Methods: According to the collected data from license plate, traffic and transportation organizations, modeling of CO and NO[x] was performed by STELLA software. Hence, five strategies, including reduction in the number of imported vehicles and the proportion of distance traveled by vehicles, increase in the number of junked vehicles, application of Euro 4 standards instead of Euro 3 and a combination of their application, were applied in the model

Results: In the current condition, CO and NO[x] concentrations are 27,894 and 2,121, and after 50 years they would be 26,227,930 and 2,070,011 ton/year, respectively. Applying the aforementioned strategies, their concentrations were declined approximately [35% and 35%], [50% and 50%], [16% and 16%], [7% and 47%] and [75% and 85%], correspondingly

Conclusion: Developed model showed that if the present condition remains stable, air quality will be more and more undesirable in the 50 following years. However, application of the second method, reduction of the distance traveled, was the most effective strategy in reducing the amounts of ones, so it will be better that this strategy is considered in the administrative policies. Nevertheless, as far as possible all of them ought to be taken advantage of

Behavioral intervention program versus vaginal cones on stress urinary incontinence and related quality of life: a randomized clinical trial

To compare the efficacy of behavioral intervention program and vaginal cones on stress urinary incontinence. In this randomized clinical trial, 60 women aged 25-65 years with stress urinary incontinence were randomly divided into two groups, those who participated in a behavioral intervention program [n=30] and those who used vaginal cones [n=30]. The women in the behavioral intervention group were instructed on pelvic floor exercise and bladder control strategies. In the other group, pelvic floor exercises were performed using the vaginal cones. All participants were treated for 12 weeks and folio wed-up every 2 weeks. The subjective changes in severity of stress urinary incontinence were measured using a detection stress urinary incontinence severity questionnaire, leakage index, and a 3-day urinary diary. The objective changes were measured by pad test. For better evaluation of the effects, two questionnaires were used: Incontinence Quality of Life and King's Health Questionnaire. Among the 51 women who completed the study, 25 subjects were in the vaginal cones group and 26 participated in the behavioral intervention program. The changes in leakage rate on pad test and leakage index in the behavioral intervention program group were significantly higher than in the vaginal cones group [p=0.001 and p=0.008, respectively], but the severity of stress urinary incontinence was not significantly different between the two groups [p=0.2]. The changes in strength of the pelvic floor, Incontinence Quality of Life, and Kings Health Questionnaire scores showed no significant differences between the two groups after 12 weeks of intervention. Vaginal cones and behavioral intervention programs are both effective methods of treatment for mild to moderate stress urinary incontinence, but the behavioral intervention program is superior to vaginal cones in terms of cost-effectiveness and side effects

[Effect of nutrition education during puberty on nutritional knowledge and behavior of secondary school female students in Birjand in 2012]

Background and Aim: Growth spurt during adolescence, particularly the occurrence of menstruation in girls, increases their nutritional needs. The present study aimed at determining the effect of nutrition education on nutritional knowledge and Behavior of secondary school female students in the city of Birjand

Materials and Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, 120 second grade secondary students in Birjand in 2012 were selected through two-stage cluster sampling method and were randomly divided into intervention and control groups. Data collection tool was a questionnaire which was completed by the students both before and one month after intervention. The obtained data was analyzed by means of descriptive and analytical statistics including chi-square, independent and paired t-tests, and ANOVA at the significant level of 0.05 using SPSS software [V:16]

Results: Mean scores of nutritional knowledge in the intervention group after education increased from 21.35 +/- 4.57 to 26.66 +/- 4.4 [P>0.001] and their mean performance increased from 1.84 +/- 7.39 to 1.86 +/- 8.31 [P<0.04]. A significant difference in mean scores of knowledge between the control group and the intervention group was observed [P<0.05]. However, performance mean difference between the two groups was not significant

Conclusion: Education through lecture and asking/answering questions can significantly increase adolescents' awareness and to some extent, their nutritional performance, although more effective methods are advised to promote the situation

Application of donabedian quality-of-care framework to assess the outcomes of preconception care in Urban health centers, Mashhad, Iran in 2012

Health of mothers and children is one of the most critical public health issues around the world, and women's awareness of these problems will enable them to avoid unintended consequences. It is futile to plan for improving health care services without considering the patients' opinions. According to World Health Organization [WHO], Donabedian model is an appropriate framework for health care assessment, and pays particular attention to raising client's awareness, and satisfaction of the outcomes. This study was carried out in order to determine the quality of preconception care in health centers of Mashhad, in 2012. This descriptive study was conducted on women in their reproductive age, who received preconception care in health centers of Mashhad. The demographic and obstetric data were collected by questionnaires of preconception care, which were designed based on the outcome aspect of Donabedian model. This model consisted of a questionnaire related to the knowledge of preconception care, and one on patient's satisfaction. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 16 using statistical tests of ANOVA, Chi-square and Pearson correlation coefficient. The mean age of the participants was 26.93 +/- 5.22, and average of 6.32 +/- 4.77 years had passed since their marriage; also 67.4% had experienced 1-6 pregnancies. The mean score of patient's satisfaction was 75.56 +/- 11.84, and that of preconception care knowledge was 14.8 +/- 4.53. According to the results, it is recommended that more attention be paid to preconception health care in continuous medical education programs [CME]. Moreover, better instructions should be provided for the clients to raise their awareness in this area

Surgeon's errors in the managment of patients with Cervical Cancer

Generally, in patients with cervical cancer, careful preliminary evaluation is necessary for avoiding improper surgical procedures and making effective clinical decisions for treatment. The aim of this study was to determine surgeon errors, which necessitate a combination of surgery and radiotherapy for cervical cancer patients. In this retrospective study, medical records of all cervical cancer patients, undergoing hysterectomy at tumor clinics of Ghaem and Omid Hospitals, were collected from 1988 to 2008. In total, the medical records of 93 subjects with postoperative radiotherapy were examined. All records were assessed in terms of surgeons' errors, patients' follow-up after radiotherapy, rate of disease recurrence, and mortality rate. In addition, survival factors were recordedandassessed, and cumulative 3- and 5-year disease-free survival [DFS] rates as well as overall survival [OS] rate were determined by Kaplan-Meiertest. The overall rate of surgeons' errors was 41%. The most common surgical error was improper surgical care due to surgeon's lack of knowledge about the cervical cancer treatment. The 3-year DFS rates were 86% and 64% in cases without surgeon's error and those affected by surgeon's error, respectively. In addition, the 5-year DFS rate was 53% in the non-affected group and 47% in cases affected by surgeon's error [P=0.05]. Pre-treatment evaluation as well as proper treatment is necessary for the prevention of adverse effects, caused by inappropriate surgical interventions. It is suggested that more time and attention be allocated to the improvement of surgical outcomes

Comparing diagnostic accuracy of purple line with transverse diagonal of michaelis sacral to predict labor progress in nulliparous and multiparous women

One of the key aspects of maternal care is observing labor progress. Careful assessment of labor progress could provide mothers to be referred on time and could minimize the maternal and neonatal morbidity. This study aimed to compare diagnostic accuracy of purple line with transverse diagonal of Michaelis sacral rhomboid to predict labor progress in nulliparous and multiparous women who referred to Om-ol-banin Hospital, Mashhad, Iran from April to August 2012. In this double-blind diagnostic accuracy study, 350 nulliparous and multiparous women with a single pregnancy in vertex presentation and gestational age of 38-42 week who admitted in state hospitals of Mashhad were selected using convenience sampling. The transverse diagonal of the Michaelis sacral rhomboid area was measured in cervical dilatation of /= 98.5 millimeter was accompanied with normal labor progress with 86.5% sensitivity, 59.45% specificity and 79.65% validity. Transverse diagonal of the Michaelis sacral is better predictor for observing labor progress in comparison with purple line

Comparing post-traumatic stress disorder in primiparous and multiparous women with Preeclampsia

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder [PTSD] is one of the anxiety disorders which occurs in postpartum period. The prevalence of PTSD induced by preeclampsia has been already reported as 28%, however no study was found to compare PTSD in primiparous and multiparous women. This study was therefore conducted to compare PTSD in primiparous and multiparous women. This comparative descriptive study was performed on 100 pregnant women with preeclampsia including 56 primiparous and 44 multiparous women, who selected conveniently from labor wards of university hospitals in Mashhad, Iran in 2012. PTSD was diagnosed by psychiatrist and Perinatal Post-traumatic stress Questionnaire [PPQ] in 6th week postpartum. Social support was measured using modified Hopkins questionnaire in 2nd and 6th week postpartum. Data were analyzed with SPSS version16 using Spearman correlation coefficient and Mann-Whitney U test. The rate of PTSD was 24% in primiparous and 37.8% in multiparous women. There was no significant difference in relation to mean score of PTSD in primiparous and multiparous women. Mean score of social support in 2nd and 6th week postpartum was significantly higher in primiparous women [P

Relationship between personality characteristics and sleep quality in menopausal women referred to educational Gynecology clinics of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran

Postmenopausal women suffer from sleep problems due to night sweats and serotonin deficiency caused by estrogen deficiency. Considering that the cause of different reactions to menopausal symptoms including sleep disturbances has not been recognized, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between personality characteristics and sleep quality in postmenopausal women. This correlational study was carried out on 400 postmenopausal women referred to gynecology clinics of university hospitals in Mashhad, Iran in 2012 who were selected conveniently. Study tools included NEO-FFI personality characteristics questionnaire [including 60 items] and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Questionnaire. Data were analyzed with SPSS software [version 16] using Pearson and Spearman correlation coefficient and linear regression analysis. The mean age of menopausal women was 52.3 +/- 4.07 years. The mean score of menopausal age was 48.8 +/- 3.5 years and the duration of amenorrhea was 3.8 +/- 1.5 years. The highest and lowest score of personality characteristics was related to "openness to experience" and the "neuroticism", respectively. There was a direct correlation between extroversion and sleep quality [P=0.013]. Considering that extroverted women have a better quality of sleep, it is suggested that personality characteristics of women to be considered in the management protocols of sleep disturbances in post menopausal women

Health promoting life style and its related factors in adolescent girls

One of the main strategies for keeping health is having healthy life style. Due to important role of adolescent health in community health promotion, this study aimed to determine health promoting life style in adolescent girls of high schools and its associated factors in Mashhad, Iran. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 810 girls ranging in age from 14 to 18 years old, who were studying in high schools and selected using cluster sampling from in Mashhad, Iran in 2013. They completed a demographic questionnaire as well as Adolescent Health Promotion [AHP] scale. Data were analyzed by statistical tests of Mann-Whitney U, Kruskal-Wallis, Freedman, Wilcoxon, Spearman correlation coefficient and General linear model. The mean age of subjects was 15.51 +/- 0.98 and the mean score of life style was 63.92 +/- 12.01. The highest score of life style subscales was allocated to the spiritual growth or life-appreciation [77.66 +/- 15.56] and the least to the physical and sport activities [51.66 +/- 22.49]. There was a significant relationship between the life style score of adolescents with parents' educational level [mother P=0.024, father P=0.014]. However no significant relationship was found between adolescents' life style and their residential area and also parent's job. Among different dimensions of life style, the highest correlation was seen between spiritual growth and life style total score [P=0.01]. Based on the findings, it is necessary to prioritize implementing of healthrelated educational programs in order to changing and modification of unhealthy life style related factors, with focus on sport activities as well as health and nutrition. Also it is needed to provide special facilities to select healthy living behaviors among adolescents

Comparison of sensory-neural hearing between firefighters and office workers

Rescuer systems personnel such as firefighters have importance in health assessment. Because of stressful situation, chemicals, metals, gases and noises, they need many physical and paraclinic examination such as audiometry in periodic examinations. Comparison of sensory - neural hearing between firefighters and office workers. A cross-sectional study had been done on firefighters and office workers with use of the clinical - health issues. Data had been analyzed in SPSS 11.5 by T-test and Chi-2 with significance level of P<0.05. Mean of hearing threshold in firefighters' right ear in 4000, 6000, 8000 Hz was 16.05 +/- 8.66 dB and in office workers was 15.20 +/- 6.47 dB with t=0.786 and P=0.433 had no significant difference, this mean in firefighters' left ear was 16.17 +/- 8.12 dB and in office workers was 15.52 +/- 6.67 dB with t=0.617 and P=0.538 had no significant difference too. Mean of hearing threshold in firefighters' right ear in age 40 or less than it in 4000 Hz was 20.51 +/- 10.11 dB and in office workers was 17.50 +/- 5.28 dB with t=2.153 and P=0.033 had significant difference. Mean of hearing threshold in firefighters in all frequencies was normal, except 4000 frequency. It showed the early effect of occupational exposure on hearing

Role of pulse oximetry in detecting mild to moderate hepatopulmonary syndrome in children

Hepatopulmonary syndrome [HPS] refers to arterial hypoxemia caused by pulmonary vasodilation, which is a consequence of portal hypertension. HPS is associated with increased morbidity and mortality; thus, it is important to diagnose this entity as soon as possible for treatment to be administered. In a cross-sectional study, 40 children [6 months to 14 years old] with chronic liver disease were enrolled. In all patients, measurements of Oxygen saturation [SaO[2]] were performed with a pulse oximeter in the supine position [SPO[2]] and then in the upright position [delta SPO[2]]. Children were divided into three groups: i] those with both SPO[2]>96% and deltaSPO[2]>4%; ii] children with either SPO[2]>96% or delta SPO[2] > 4%; and iii] those with neither of these signs. Then, contrast-enhanced echocardiography [CEE] and arterial blood gas [ABG] were performed. Finally, the prevalence of mild to moderate HPS was calculated in the three groups. There were 30 patients who had neither of the two signs, of which 9 had HPS. Ten patients had one of the two signs, in whom 4 had HPS. None of the patients had both signs. The sensitivity of the pulse oximetry was 30%, specificity was 77%, positive predictive value was 38% and negative predictive value was 70%.There is a significant prevalence of HPS in cirrhotic patients which effects prognosis. Based on our study results, we have determined that pulse oximetry could not be a reliable screening procedure in mild to moderate HPS. It is recommended to use gold standard tests [echocardiography and arterial blood gasometry] for the screening and diagnosis of HPS in children.

Comparative assessment of anatomic and machine frankfort plane to true horizontal plane in new digital radiographs

Contemporary cephalometric analysis in orthodontics is based on comparison between craniofacial portions and reference planes. One of these planes is Frankfort Horizontal [FH] Plane that can be made by anatomic portion or machine portion. The aim of this study was to determine and compare the angle between Anatomic Frankfort Horizontal plane [AFH] and True Horizontal [TH] with the angle formed by Machine Frankfort Horizontal plane [MFH] and TH. Materials. In this Analytical-descriptive study, digital lateral cephalograms were taken in Natural Head Position from 50 orthodontic patients with the minimum age of 14 and class I malocclusion [Viazis analysis on Onyx Ceph software was employed to confirm the class I malocclusion]. Then on each cephalogram, two FH planes were constructed using machine and anatomic portions. Then the angle between each FH plane and TH plane was measured and recorded. Finally, the data were analyzed by paired Mest [a=0.05]. Machine Frankfort Horizontal plane [MFH] and Anatomic Frankfort Horizontal plane [AFH] showed significant differences of-5,66 and -1.58 degrees with True Horizontal plane [TH] respectively [P<0.001]. For cephalometric evaluation in orthodontic patients if the Frankfurt plane be used, it is better to use anatomical portion, because the difference between the Anatomic Frankfort Horizontal plane [AFH] and True Horizontal plane [TH] is significantly less than the difference between the Machine Frankfort Horizontal plane [MFH] and True Horizontal plane [TH]

Effects of combined sonodynamic and photodynamic therapies on a colon carcinoma tumor model

Although photodynamic therapy is considered as a noninvasive method, most photosensitizers are susceptible to ultrasound. Therefore, it is expected that the combination of two activation methods might have a synergistic effect. This probable effect has been investigated in this study. This study was conducted on colon carcinoma tumor in Balb/c mice. The tumors were induced by subcutaneous injection of CT26 cells. Ultrasound and light irradiations were performed on tumors 24 hr after injection of liposomal Zn [Il]-phthalocyanine. The treatment efficacy was evaluated using daily measurement of the tumor dimensions. Ten days post treatment, relative tumor volumes of all groups were significantly reduced in comparison with the main control group. The best response was observed when one of the two treatment methods had been applied. The longest doubling time of tumor was related to the treatment group namely photodynamic, sonodynamic and combination technique, while the shortest belonged to the control group. This study showed that liposomal Zn phthalocyanine is both photosensitizer and sonosensitizer. Photodynamic and sonodynamic therapies can be efficient in retarding tumor growth rate. In this study, the combination of two methods didn't show any improvement in therapeutic outcomes. It is predicted that latest results are related to the treatments sequence and could be optimized in the future

[ relationship between anemia and severity of fatigue and quality of life in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy]

Anemia is a common problem among patients with cancer, particularly among those undergoing chemotherapy. The purpose of this study was to determine the association between hemoglobin levels and severity of fatigue and quality of life in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. This is a descriptive-correlative study that utilized a purposeful sampling. One hundred twenty one outpatients with cancer participated in this study. Data collected by interview. The instruments used included the sample selection and demographic data form, Fatigue Severity Scale, European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire [EORTC QLQ-C30]. Hemoglobin level was reviewed from medical records. Grading of anemia based on hemoglobin level according to the National Cancer Institute classification. Prevalence of anemia in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy was 63.6 percent; 57 percent had mild anemia and 6.4 percent had moderate to severe anemia. There were significant differences between mean score of severity of fatigue [p<0.001] and quality of life [p=0.003] in relation to hemoglobin level. There found negative significant correlation between hemoglobin levels and quality of life or severity of fatigue [p<0.001]. Anemia is prevalent among cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. During chemotherapy, decreased hemoglobin levels are associated with increased fatigue and reduced quality of life. Nurses can help by appropriate intervention and patient's education about self care intervention to reduce anemia and fatigue and also improve quality of life

Short-term outcomes of collagen crosslinking for early keratoconus

To assess the efficacy of collagen crosslinking with riboflavin and ultraviolet A [UVA] radiation for treatment of early keratoconus. Thirty-one eyes of 22 patients with early keratoconus were included in this study. All patients underwent slit lamp examination and assessment of uncorrected visual acuity [UCVA], best spectacle-corrected visual acuity [BSCVA], intraocular pressure, corneal topography and pachymetry. Collagen crosslinking was performed without epithelial removal. Riboflavin was applied to the cornea every 3 minutes 30 minutes before UVA irradiation and every 5 minutes thereafter. Patients were re-assessed 1, 3, and 6 months after treatment. Postoperatively, UCVA increased by 2 Snellen lines and BSCVA was improved by 1.7 Snellen lines [P < 0.001]. Spherical equivalent refractive error was reduced by 0.55 D, and maximum and mean K values were decreased by 0.65 D and 0.51 D respectively [P < 0.05 for all comparisons]. Evidence of regression was present in 71% of treated eyes. Collagen crosslinking demonstrated significant improvement in vision with reduction in corneal power and spherical equivalent refractive error in eyes with early keratoconus

Corneal crosslinking for keratoconus in Iranian patients: outcomes at 1 year following treatment

A retrospective, nonrandomized, single-center clinical study was designed to evaluate the outcomes of corneal collagen crosslinking [CXL] for progressive keratoconus in Iranian patients 12 months after CXL. This study was carried out at Navid Didegan Eye Center, a private clinic, Mashhad, Iran. Ninety-two eyes of 53 subjects with progressive keratoconus were evaluated in this study. All eyes completed 1-year follow-up. The outcome measures were uncorrected visual acuity [UCVA], best spectacle-corrected visual acuity [BSCVA], sphere and cylinder refraction, keratometry, and corneal thickness. Comparison of baseline and 1-year postoperative data is reported in this study. The Wilcoxon signed-ranked and Student's t-tests were used for statistical analyses. P < 0.05 was statistically significant. The mean age was 21.5 +/- 3.4 years [range, 16 -30 years]. Thirty-one [58.5%] of the subjects were men and 22 [41.5%] were women. Mean baseline UCVA and BSCVA were 0.61 +/- 0.31 and 0.06 +/- 0.12 logarithm of minimal angle of resolution [logMAR], respectively. One year postoperatively UCVA was 0.31 +/- 0.25 logMAR and BSCVA was 0.0 +/- 0.01 logMAR. UCVA and BSCVA were statistically higher postoperatively [P < 0.001, both parameters]. The mean astigmatism decreased by 0.78 +/- 1.49 diopter [D] with significant variation during the follow-up period [P < 0.001]. Mean baseline simulated keratometry [SIM K] was 46.94 +/- 2.37 D and decreased to 46.0 +/- 2.33 D on year postoperatively [P < 0.001]. Corneal CXL seems to be efficient in stabilization of progressive keratoconus progression in Iranian patients at 1 year of follow up

Tissue PCR diagnosis of patients suspicious for tuberculous pleurisy

This study planned to assess the value of PCR IS6110 assay in tissue specimens of needle pleural biopsy in patients suspicious to pleural tuberculosis. Sixty eight patients with lymphocytic exudative pleural effusion underwent pleural biopsy. Tissue samples were sent for pathologic examination and PCR IS6110 assay. The results of PCR reported as positive/ negative and assessed according to the current gold standard pathologic diagnosis. Twenty nine patients had tuberculous and 12 had malignant pleural involvement, respectively. The remaining 27 samples were reported as non-specific pleurisy. Results of PCR were positive in 35 out of 68 total subjects and in 19 out of 29 TB patients. Sensitivity and specificity of PCR were calculated as 67.9% and 62.5%, respectively. An acceptable sensitivity and specificity for PCR examination of pleural tissue can serves it as a useful adjunct in undergoing needle pleural biopsy for possibility of tuberculosis

Relative electropermeability and electric pulse effectiveness in human breast adenoeareinoma: an in vitro study

This study was carried out in order to evaluate the effects of electrochemotherapy, electrical pulses and chemotherapeutic drugs on the killing of cancerous cells and their probable synergistic effects. Electrochemotherapy treatments conducted on MCF-7 cell line derived from human breast adenocarcinoma tumor using four chemotherapeutic drugs including bleomycin, cisplatin, adriamycin and cyclophosphamide and six electrical doses. Cell survival assayed using MTT method, 72 hrs after the treatment; also the killing effects of each drug and electric dose determined. Finally, "Relative Pulse Effectiveness" and "Relative Electropermeability Effectiveness" calculated. All electrical doses decreased cell survival, significantly for bleomycin and cisplatin, however, they were only, significant in high concentration of cyclophosphamide and adriamycin. For the applied drugs, "Relative Electropermeability Effectiveness" was more than one [1.00], except for adriamycin. It seems that for the diffusion of molecules into cells, application of high duration electric pulses is more efficient for high molecular weight drugs while for low molecular weight drugs, strong pulses are more effective. In intermediate molecular weight, there is no difference between increasing the pulse strength and/or duration to achieve additional electropermeability. Electropermeability effect of different electric doses and electrochemotherapy efficiency can be evaluated by "REE" and "RPE", respectively