Comparison efficacy of topical piroxicam gel and lidocaine with intravenous pethidine in reducing pain during Eswl

ESWL is a non-invasive method of breaking stones, using acoustic shock waves. Shock waves cause temporary deep visceral pain and discomfort in entry; therefore, administration of sedatives is necessary. The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of topical lidocaine and piroxicam gel with intravenous pethidine in reducing pain during ESWL. This clinical trial study was performed on 159 patients who referred to Ayatollah Kashani Hospital in Shahrkord for ESWL in 2009. Patients were randomly divided into three-groups. For the first group, intravenous pethidine [0.5 mg/kg alone] was administered. The second group received topical piroxicam, and the third group received topical lidocaine in the area of flank for half an hour before ESWL. During the operation, those patients who had unbearable pain, received another 0.5 mg/kg of pethidine. Data was collected using MC Gill questionnaires and analyzed using the SPSS software, using parametric, nonparametric methods and Dunn's Multiple Comparisons tests. The mean of pain scores in the first group [pethidine] was 6.2 +/- 6.9 while these scores were 3.2 +/- 2 .7 and 3.9 +/- 3.1 for the second [piroxicam gel] and third group [lidocaine gel] respectively. The differences in the mean score of pain was significant in the pethidine group compared to the other groups [P <0.05]. The average pethidin consumption were 24 +/- 16 mg for the first group [pethidine], 10 +/- 13 mg for the second group [piroxicam gel], and 5 +/- 9 mg for the third group [lidocaine gel]. The mean difference was significant in pethidine treated group in comparison with other two groups [P < 0.05]. The use of topical piroxicam or lidocaine reduces pain in patients after ESWL It also reduces the need for sedative drugs

[Effect of vasectomy on sexual function in men]

Background and aim: Patients may show different sexual function following vasectomy. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of vasectomy on the sexual function in men

Methods: This clinical trial study was performed, on a total of 100 patients out of 120 patients who were voluntarily candidate for vasectomy surgery in Kashani hospital in Shahrekord, Iran from September 2006 to September 2008. The sexual functions of all candidates were evaluated using an International Index of Erectile Function [IIEF] questionnaire before and three months after the surgery. Pre and postoperative mean scores were analyzed for five domains of sexual function and data were compared with Wilcoxon test

Results: The mean age of the patients was 31.5+/-10.5 and average number of children per man was 4+/-5.6. The ages, of the children were between three months to twenty years. Our results showed that total mean score of the IIEF was 58.12 before the surgery and it was significantly changed to 63.59 after the procedure [P<0.001]. In general, 43 percent of patients improved their IIEF scores, while it was reduced in 41 percent of the patients and finally 16 percent of the candidates did not show any changes in the IIEF score following surgery. We found that from 5 sexual function domains, the candidates showed statistically significant improvement in sexual satisfaction, erectile function and orgasm

Conclusion: This study showed that vasectomy can have a positive impact on sexual function, especially on sexual satisfaction, erectile function and orgasm

[Management of blunt hepatic trauma in patients referred to Isfahan Alzahra hospital during 1998-2008]

Liver is the most commonly injured organ in blunt abdominal trauma. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment of blunt hepatic trauma would decrease morbidity and mortality rates. To achieve this goal, physicians should be aware of the prevalence, etiologies, signs and symptoms, diagnostic procedures and up-to-date management of blunt hepatic trauma. A descriptive retrospective study was conducted on all 130 patients admitted to the emergency department of Isfahan Alzahra Hospital during 1998- 2008. Data were collected from patients' medical records and analyzed using descriptive statistical methods. Out of 130 patients, 103 cases [79.2%] were male. Mean age of cases was 29.7 +/- 13.46. The most common traumatic mechanism was vehicle accidents in 100 cases [76.9%]. Sonography in association with CT scan as the most commonly used diagnostic method was obtained in 68 cases [52.3%]. Eighty-eight cases [67.7%] underwent surgery while conservative treatment was selected for the other 42 cases [32.3%]. Admission to ICU was more frequently needed in conservative treatment group [P=0.001]. The mean length of hospitalization was shorter for patients underwent surgery. Better clinical results and fewer complications in the group managed conservatively presents it as a safer and more efficient treatment method

Species identification and strain typing of candida isolates by PCR-RFLP and RAPD-PCR analysis for determining the probable sources of nosocomial infections

Since the incidence of nosocomial Candida infections have been increasing in parallel with the raising in the number of patients involving in predisposing factors, determining the sources and the ways of acquisition of infection is necessary as an efficient strategy for controlling the diseases. The aim of this study is identification and strain typing of Candida strains isolated from hospitals to facilitate tracing the sources of infections in hospitalized patients in addition to assess the discriminatory power of some random primers by using RAPD analysis. Samples were collected from patients who were hospitalized in oncology, intensive care unit [ICU], and organ transplants wards of the Shohadaye-Tajrish Hospital affiliated to Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran, and their environments. The yeasts were isolated on CHRO Magar Candida. Species identification was performed by PCR-amplification of ITS1-5.8SrDNA-ITS2 region followed by restriction digestion with the enzyme MspI. To determine the probable origin of Candidia infections, in case of each patient whose the clinical and relevant environmental isolates were identified as the same species, a set of eight primers namely number 1 to 8, were applied in RAPD-PCR to find out the possible homogeny or variation within the isolated strains. One hundred and four Candida strains were identified. The most common species was C. albicans [57.5%] followed by C. tropicalis [13.5%], C. glabrata [12.5%], C. parapsilosis [8.65%], C. famata [3.8%], C. krusei [1.9%], C. guilliermondii [0.96%]. and C. lusitaniae [0.96%]. While the source of infection for three patients were not determined by RAPD analysis, interpretable results from RAPD-typing of Candida species isolated from 8/18 of cases implied that the infections might originate from the exogenous sources. Moreover, according to the function of each primer, primer No. 1 was determined as a best primer for typing of Candida albicans strains. The species of yeast isolates were determined by PCR-RFLP. It was found that RAPD assay can point out the genomic variability within the Candida species. Besides, the method could show a probable relationship between acquired infections and their sources

[ efficacy of dexamethasone on post-cholecystectomy nausea and vomiting]

Nausea and vomiting are among the common complications of anesthesia and surgery with a higher incidence in laparoscopic cholecystectomy [LC]. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of pre-operative dexamethasone on the relief of postoperative nausea and vomiting following LC. This is a randomized clinical trial study. In this prospective, placebo-controlled study, 90 patients requiring laparoscopic cholecystectomy [LC] were randomly divided into two groups: the dexamethasone group [n=45] received dexamethasone [8 mg, IV] and the control group [n=45] received saline [2cc, IV] 90 minutes before the anesthesia. Signs and symptoms of nausea and vomiting were recorded every 4h for 16h in the two groups. The data were analyzed using Fisher's, Chi-square and t test. A lower feeling of nausea was seen 4h and 12h post-surgery in the dexamethasone group [P=0.02, P=004], also a lower accurance of vomithng was observed 4h post-operative in the same group compared to the control group [P=0.013]. The results suggest that pre-operative dexamethasone [8 mg, IV] application significantly reduces the incidence of post-operative nausea and vomiting

[Assessment of oral acetazolamide on postoperative pain after laparoscopic cholecystectomy]

Carbon dioxide [Co2] is used during laparoscopy for producing pneumoperttoneum. Combination of this gas with irrigation fluid in the abdomen produces carbonic acid which creates two kinds of abdominal and referred pain to right shoulder. In the present research, we have studied the effect of oral acetazolamide in reducing postoperative pain after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. This clinical trial was performed in 88 patients with cholelithiasis without any complication that were candidate for laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The patients devided randomly and equally in two groups. The experimental group received Acetazolamide [250 mg orally, 24 hours before surgery. every 8 hours] and control group recieved placebo. Abdominal and shoulder pain measured using McGill pain score by a person who was blind for both groups. Pain measurement was performed in four different times, before and after the surgery, discharge from recovery and 24 hours after surgery. Data were analyzed by using SPSS software. We observed that mean pain scores was significantly higher in acetazolamide group compared to the placebo group, 24 hours after the operation [P<0.05]. However; no significant changes were observed between groups in other times [P>0.05]. Although acetazolamide can reduce abdominal pain referred to right shoulder by reducing acidity in peritoneal irrigation fluid, but this drug can increase abdominal pain in the site of surgery with damaged tissues by producing tissue acidosis [as a side effect of drug]

Lethal effect of high temperatures on the eggs of fasciola hepatica

Fasciolosis is a cosmopolitan parasitic disease with considerable economic and public health importance. Fasciola hepatica is the major cause of fasciolosis in man and domestic animals. Although remarkable research works have been done around the optimum temperature and time required for miracidial development, little is known about the exact susceptibility of Fasciola hepatica eggs to high temperatures. In the present study, Fasciola hepatica eggs were initially incubated at 40°C, 45°C, and 50°C for various times [1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 h], followed by incubation at 28°C for 16 days. Miracidial formation was subsequently investigated on the 16th day of incubation. Even though the rate of miracidial formation in the control group was 52%, in the eggs incubated at 40°C for 1, 3, and 5 h, the miracidial formations were 51.4%, 42.4% and 39.9%, respectively, and these values in the group incubated at 45°C were 46%, 42.5% and 33.7%, as well. However, in the case of incubation at 50°C for 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 h, these values were recorded as 1.96%, 0.57%, 0.07%, 0.00% and 0.00%, respectively. The results indicated that the eggs were susceptible to high temperatures and incubation of the eggs at 50°C for 4 h was enough to significantly inactivate the eggs and prevent miracidial formation [P<0.001]. However, using the livestock faeces as fertilizer in many rural areas may lead to the contamination of pasture. According to the findings of this study, in the areas with a high prevalence rate of Fasciola hepatica, manure storage for a sufficient time or heating the livestock manure before use as fertilizer is strongly recommended

Molecular characterization of cyclophilin protein gene in skin normal microflora: malassezia furfur

Malassezia are dimorphic, lipid-dependent yeasts, which are responsible for causing several cutaneous and systemic conditions. Although cyclophilins [CyPs] are highly conserved cytosolic proteins that catalyze the peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerazation reaction before protein folding process, it has been suggestive of an allergen in a few numbers of fungi such as Aspergillus fumigatus and Malassezia species. Allergenic cyclophilins are IgE-binding components, which have been characterized in other species of Malassezia; and are considered as Mala s 6 in Malassezia sympodialis. In the present study we tried to identify the molecular characterization of cyclophilin gene in M. furfur. Pairs of oligonucleotide primers were designed from highly conserved regions of the gene counterparts in other fungi. The primers were then applied to amplify the primer-specific DNA fragment. Afterward, PCR product fragments were sequenced to be used in further analysis. About 573 nucleotides, encoding a polypeptide of 190 amino acids, have been sequenced. Sequence comparison was performed in Gene Bank, both for the nucleotides and their deduced amino acid sequence. It revealed a significant homology with cyclophilin genes and proteins of other eukaryotic cells. The amino acid sequence of the encoded protein was about 86% identical to the sequence of cyclophilin protein from other fungi. The molecular characterization of cyclophilin gene may open the way to disclosure of the functional characteristics of cyclophilin and is a fundamental step for understanding the molecular basis of its pathogenesis in AEDS disease

[ effect of microwave on micronucleus induction and nuclear division index changes on Balb/c mice lymphocytes

Biological effects of microwave radiation on living creatures have been the focus of many investigations over the last decade and the influence of different wave parameters such as frequency, power, exposure time, and modulation has been elucidated. The main purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of microwave radiation on alterations of micronucleus induction and nuclear divisions index under different conditions. A total of 48 Balb/c mice divided in eight groups [7 as cases and 1 as control] were exposed to microwave generator while restrained in specially designed Plexiglas chamber. Later, the frequency of micronucleus in binucleated lymphocytes and NDI was evaluated using micronucleus assay on mouse lymphocytes. Microwave radiation conditions [frequency, power, modulation and exposure time] showed no significant effect on frequency of micronucleus, however, the nuclear division index was significantly decreased under such conditions. Based on data found in our study, the microwave radiation as we used during the present work, caused significant effect on nuclear division index in mouse lymphocytes

Abattoirial survey on seasonal infection of sheep with tape worms in shiraz area

Little information is available about the seasonal infection rate of ruminants with tape worms in different areas of Iran. In the present study the seasonal incidence of intestinal tape worms was investigated in sheep slaughtered in Shiraz abattoir. From all 3165 investigated sheep, 148 animals [4.68%] were found to be infected with one or more tape worms. The highest infection rate was observed in summer [6.02%], spring [5.95%], autumn [4.06%] and winter [2.86%], respectively. The highest and lowest infection rate with different species of tape worms was observed as follow: Moniezia expansa: spring and winter, Moniezia benedeni: summer and winter, Thysaniezia giardi: summer and autumn, Avitellina centripunctata: winter and spring and Stilesia globipunctata: autumn and spring

Cross reactivity between ES and somatic antigens of Fasciola spp in enzyme linked immunosorbent assay

Excretory-secretory [ES] and somatic antigens of Fasciola hepatica and Fasciola gigantica were prepared from freshly collected flukes. Laboratory bred rabbits were immunized with antigens for preparation of antisera. ES antigens of both species showed strong positive reaction with antisera raised against ES and somatic antigens of parasite. Somatic antigens of both species also showed strong positive reaction with antisera raised against somatic and ES antigens of parasite. In homologous combination of antigens and antisera higher enzyme linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA] values was observed in comparison with heterologous combination, so it was concluded that ES and somatic antigens of Fasciola spp have strong cross reaction with each other but the antigenic materials of ES and somatic products of parasite are not completely the same