[Sleep quality in Iranian drivers recognized as responsible for severe road accidents]

The driver's Sleepiness is an important risk factor for road accidents leading to death or disability. Little is known about sleep quality in Iranian drivers. This study was aimed to assess the sleep quality in those Iranian drivers recognized as responsible for a recent road accident in which at least one of the car occupants had been severely injured or killed. In a cross-sectional study, 453 Iranian drivers were assessed within the first 24 hours after severe road accidents. After getting completed the informed consent forms and demographic questionnaires, we used Symptom Check List-90-Revised [SCL-90-R] and Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index [PSQI] for screening psychiatric problems and sleep quality impairments, respectively. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistical methods and multivariate linear regression analysis through SPSS-10 software. Mean [ +/- SD] nocturnal sleep duration of drivers was found to be 6.3 +/- 2.8 [median: 6]. Based on PSQI, a total number of 263 drivers [73.5%] were poor sleepers. PSQI was correlated with a GSI more than 0.81 according to SCL-90-R, having used drugs which can affect the sleep, and a history of similar previous accident[s]. Retired individuals had a better sleep quality. Our study showed that sleep problems, especially early morning awakening, frequent need to lavatory during night, early insomnia and feeling too warm or cold, are common among Iranian drivers with severe road accidents

Comparison of the effect of sugarfree orbit chewing gum and natural turpentine on salivary flow rate and pH

Medications, systemic diseases, head and neck radiotherapy and mental stress reduce the salivary flow rate and dispose one to dental caries and oral disease. There are different ways to compensate reduction of salivary flow rate such as sour c and ies, lemon, special stimulating sprays or lacques and chewing gums. Many factories such as Wrigly factory producing chewing gums claim to reduce caries rate by increasing salivary flow pH and after chewing their product. The purpose of this research was to compare the effect of sugarfree Orbit chewing gum and natural turpentine on the salivary flow rate and pH. This single blind r and omized clinical trial was accomplished on 16 dental students of Shaheed Beheshti University in 1383 using a cross - over method. The samples were selected by simple non - r and omized method divided into two groups, A and B each including eight persons. The saliva of all samples were collected 5 minutes after eating 2 sweet biscuits by active method during 10 minutes. Then the volume of collected saliva was measured and immediately the pH was determined by a calibrated pH meter. After 72h wash out period, on the 3rd day two biscuits were given to all of the samples and after 5 minutes 14 grams of sugarfree Orbit gum was given to samples of group B, the amount of saliva collected during 10 minutes measured, and the pH was resigtered. Again, after 72 h washed out period, on the 3rd day, two biscuits were given to all of the samples and after 5 minutes 14 grams of sugarfree Orbit was given to members of group B and equal amount of Turpentine to members of group A during 10 minutes of chewing. The amount of saliva and its pH was measured and registered again. The data were analyzed with sphericity and Friedman tests. The mean saliva flow rate after having the biscuits, chewing the gum and Turpentine was 5.0 +/- 0.8 ml, 15.8 +/- 1.0 ml, 13.7 +/- 1.3 ml, respectively. The difference among three groups was statistically significant [P<0.005]. The mean salivary pH at the beginning was 5.8 +/- 0.6 and after using gum and turpentine turned to 7.4 +/- 0.5 and 7.1 +/- 0.3. All of these amounts had a statistically significant difference [P<0.001]. Sugarfree Orbit chewing gum causes increase of saliva flow rate and its pH. Therefore, preventing the mouth diseases, caused by Xerostomia and teeth diseases

[Frequency of obsessive-compulsive disorder in schizophrenic patients according to structural clinical interview [SCID]]

The life time prevalence of schizophrenia is estimated about 1%-1.5% in United States and various studies have shown that between 7.8-46.6% of these patients suffer from OCD. The differences in these statistics are partly due to the assessment and treatment methods. The purpose of this study was to measure the frequency of OCD in hospitalized schizophrenic patients. The study was cross-sectional. 96 inpatients [56 men and 40 women] with DSM-IV schizophrenia diagnostic criteria were selected from Iran Psychiatry Hospital by simple non-random sampling. The age range of the patients were 17-73 with a mean age of 35 +/- 12.6. The majority of patients [88.5%] suffered from paranoid schizophrenia. 47 patients [49%] were diagnosed to have obsessive-compulsive symptoms on interview. The mean age of schizophrenia onset was 24.7 +/- 8.8 and the mean age of OCD onset in schizophrenic patients was 20.2 +/- 6.7. In 8 [17%], the two disorders were began simultaneously and in 20 [20.8%], schizophrenia was started earlier. Obsessive-compulsive symptoms are completely prevalent in schizophrenia. The co morbidity of these two clinical entities has both etiological and therapeutic importance

Hydatid disease of the submandibular gland

Echinococcosis is a tissue infection of the human caused by the larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus or E. multilocularis. Hydatid cyst of the head and neck region is uncommon and involvement of the salivary glands, especially the submandibular gland, is very rare. In this article, a case of submandibular gland hydatid cyst is reported in a patient who presented with swelling of this area of 5 months' duration. Examination revealed a soft, nontender, mobile mass measuring 7x5 cm. Chest x-ray and abdominal ultrasonography were normal. Excision of the mass was performed and pathologic examination revealed a hydatid cyst of the submandibular gland