[ effect of Valerian on the anxiety and depression symptoms of the menopause in women referred to Shahrekord medical centers]

Background: Anxiety and depression as the most common psychological disorders are associated with gynecologic problems. Women, especially in this age usually increasingly tend to be treated with some herbal compounds and nutritional supplements

Objective: The present study aims to determine the effect of Valerian on anxiety and depressive symptoms in menopausal women referred to Shahrekord medical centers

Methods: This double-blind clinical trial study was carried out on women referred to Shahrekord medical center. In present study, 48 eligible women aged 45 to 62 years have been divided randomly into two groups [29 in Valerian and 19 in placebo]. The information was completed via demographic questionnaire, Hamilton anxiety rating scale, and Beck depression inventory before and 2 months after treatment. The data were analyzed by the Mann-Whitney Tests and Wilcoxon tests using SPSS 11.5 software

Results: According to the findings of the present study, both groups were match regarding to depression and anxiety levels at the first stages of the study [P> 0.05]. After the intervention, anxiety level and depressive symptoms were decreased significantly in valerian group [P=0.001]

Conclusion: The results have shown that Valerian is effective in the treatment of anxiety and depression in menopausal women and could be considered as an alternative treatment

[Comparison of analgesic effect of valeriana officinalis and mefenamic acid on primary dysmenorrhea]

Background: Primary dysmenorrhea is a common and frequently disabling condition among women in adolescence and reproductive age. Based on results of large epidemiological studies, it is estimated that over a half of the population of young women suffers from dysmenorrhea. Some people are now seeking alternatives to conventional medicine such as herbal drugs. Objective: This study was designed to compare the analgesic effect of Valeriana officinalis with Mefenamic acid in treatment of primary dysmenorrheal

Methods: A randomized, controlled trial was undertaken among 39 female aged 16 to 42 who suffered from primary dysmenorrhea referred to gynecology clinic in Hajar hospital, Shahrekord, Iran. The participants were randomly divided into two groups: Valeriana officinalis [n=18] and Mefenamicacid [n=21]. In intervention group, the patients took350mg Valerian three times a day, and in mefenamic group, the patients took 250 mg Mefenamic three times a day for three days[for three cycles], starting from the onset of bleeding or pain. Participants were followed for three cycles. Main outcome measures was the mean of pain severity at 3 months which recorded by Visual Analogue Scale

Results: There were no significant differences in age, menstural duration, menstural interval, and pain severity score at the beginning of the study in two groups [P>0.05]. After the intervention, findings of the study revealed statistically significant reductions in mean of pain score in Valeriana officinalis [P<0.001] and Mefenamic acid [P<0.001] groups, but this reduction had not significant differences between two groups [P>0.05]

Conclusion: Results shows that valerian has positive effect on treatment of primery dysmenorrheal. More clinical trials are needed to establish the efficacy of Valeriana officinalis in primary dysmenorrheal

[ effect of agriculture activity on quality of life in chronic schizophrenic patients]

Introduction: Schizophrenia is a chronic and debilitating psychiatric disorder with pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatment. The present study aimed to determine the effect of agriculture activity on quality of life in chronic schizophrenic patients

Method: This survey was a quasi- experimental study in which 52 eligible patients with chronic schizophrenia were assigned randomly in intervention and control groups [n=26]. The study was conducted in Sina psychiatry Hospital. The intervention period was three months. The patients in control group received routine treatment. The patients in intervention group were participated in agricultural activity in addition to routine treatment. The demographic questionnaire and schizophrenia quality of life scale were completed at the beginning and the end of the study. The research data were analyzed by descriptive statistical indexes including mean, standard deviation and inferential statistical methods like Student t-test and Chi square

Results: The study groups were homogeneous in demographic variables and quality of life scores at the baseline. At the end of study, the agriculture activity group showed significant improvement by mean of quality of life [P<0.001], but there was no significant change in control group [P>0.05]

Conclusion: Regarding to the impact of agricultural activity on improving quality of life in patients with schizophrenia, it seems that this treatment method can be used as part of routine treatment for this patients

[Effect of alcoholic extract of Tanacetum parthenium on acute pain in rat]

Background: The use of medicinal plants to reduce pain is important. Tanacetum parthenium has been introduced as an analgesic agent in traditional medicine and is widely used to relieve neuropathic pain and headache

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the analgesic effect of Tanacetum parthenium ethanolic extract on acute pain

Methods: This study was carried out on 100 male mice weighing 30-35g. Acute pain was investigated using a hot plate test with set point 48 [degree]C and cut off time of 30 seconds. In this experiment 100 mice were divided into 10 groups as follows: 1] control group; groups 2-6 received 10, 20, 30, 40 and 80 mg/kg of alcoholic extract, respectively; group 7 received 100 mg /kg ibuprofen; group 8 received 0.5 mg /kg morphine; group 9 received 0.5 mg/kg naloxone; and finally group 10 received naloxone and extract. Ethanolic extract of aerial parts was prepared by maceration method and later its analgesic effect was studied at different doses of 10, 20, 30, 40, and 80 mg/kg, i.p. The effect of ethanolic extract and fractions were compared with the analgesic effect of morphine and ibuprofen as standard analgesic drugs. Naloxone was used to study the opioid system. Data were analyzed by SPSS using Kruskal Wallis test

Findings: Results obtained from this study showed that the ethanolic extract of Tanacetum parthenium produced an analgesic effect [P<0.05] at two doses of 30 and 40 mg/kg, i.p. The analgesic effect of extract was not lower than that of morphine [10 mg/kg, i.p.], and ibuprofen [100 mg/kg] [P<0.05]. Application of naloxone showed no inhibition on analgesic effect of the extract [P<0.05]

Conclusion: The analgesic effect of Tanacetum parthenium was also comparable to that of morphine and ibuprofen, both well known for their analgesic effects. Further investigations to establish a link between the analgesic effect of Tanacetum parthenium and particular phytochemicals, are recommended

[Effect of Ginkgo biloba, risperidone and biperiden regimen in chronic schizophrenia]

Schizophrenia is a disorder characterized by a chronic recurrent course. Despite the availability of an ever-expanding range of typical and atypical antipsychotics, a substantial proportion of patients with schizophrenia show a partial or total lack of response to antipsychotic monotherapy. This study was done to evaluate the clinical effects of Ginkgo biloba as an adjunct to the Risperidone and Biperiden in the treatment of chronic schizophrenic patients. This randomized clinical trial study was carried out on 60 chronic schizophrenic patients in Sina hospital Shahrekord, Iran during 2009-10. Schizophrenia was diagnosed by DSM-IV-TR criteria. Subjects were randomly divided into intervention and control groups. Two groups were matched according to the age, sex, education, duration of illness. Patients in interventional group received Risperidone up to 6mg/day, Biperiden 4mg/day and Ginkgo biloba 240 mg/day for 12 weeks. The control group received Risperidone up to 6mg/day and Biperiden 4mg/day for 12 weeks. The scales for assessment of positive symptoms [SAPS] and assessment of negative symptoms [SANS] were recorded in prior, 6th and 12th weeks. Data analyzed by using SPSS-15 and student t-test. The mean score of positive symptoms were 55.7 +/- 2.1 and 74.4 +/- 2.3 in interventional and control groups, respectively [P<0.05] after 12 weeks. The mean score of negative symptoms were 63 +/- 1.3 and 69.3 +/- 1.8 in interventional and controls, respectivley [P<0.05] after 12 weeks. This study suggested that the use of Ginkgo biloba as an adjunct to Respridone and Biperiden was more effective than Risperidone with Biperiden regimen improving psychological condition of chronic schizophrenic patients

[ causes of formula milk consumption in the infants under 1 year old in Charmahalva Bakhtiari provins Iran, 2007]

Background and aims: In spite of the importance of breast feeding, as an exclusive manner, continuing the breast feeding is ignored frequently. So identifying the factors related to non tendency for breast feeding could be effective in planning for progress of breast feeding. This study was performed to determine the causes of formula milk consumption in infants in Charmahal va Bakhtiari province

Methods: In a descriptive-analytical study, 411 under one year old infants in Chaharmahal va Bakhtiari, Iran were selected through cluster randomized sampling. In this study a self making questionnaire was used which was consisted of some demographic information about mother and infant, diseases related to breast feeding and evaluating some factors related to tendency for using formula milk. This study conducted in 2007. The data were analyzed using chi-square and t-test

Results: In this study, %51.6 of mothers were from rural areas and most of them [%59.7] were between 20-30 years of age. Generally about %76.1 of infants were using formula milk after 6 months. Our Results showed that most of the mothers and infants did not demonstrate any disease related to breast feeding. There was a significant difference between rural and urban infants, educational level of mother, age, and the kind of feeding [P<0.05]. Inadequacy of mother milk was the most [%43.1] important reason of using formula milk

Conclusion: This study showed the limited knowledge of the mothers and health care personnel about the breast feeding and it is needed to continue educating the mothers during their pregnancy period and afterward

[Comparison of the effects of gum chewing with those of early initiation of oral feeding and routine regimen on recovery of bowel function in primiparous women after cesarean section]

Ileuses is one of the most common problems after abdominal surgery including cesarean section [CS] which leads to inability to start feeding. Several studies have been performed on the effects of liquid diet in the postoperative period on the recovery of bowel movement but there has been no perfect study on the effect of gum chewing on this subject. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of early oral feeding with liquid diet on the recovery of bowel movements with that of gum chewing in primiparous women after [CS] in Hajar Hospital in Shahrekord in 2007. In this randomized clinical trial, 180 patients scheduled for elective cesarean section were randomly divided into three groups: gum-chewing group [n=30], early feeding group [n=30] and control group [n=30] postoperatively. The patients in the gum-chewing group chewed postoperatively sugar free gum four times daily, each time for 15 minutes, as soon as they recovered from anesthesia. In the early oral feeding group the women received a liquid diet within six hours after surgery, and control group received routine post operative dietary regimen. Data were analyzed by x[2], paired and independent t tests and one way ANOVA. p<0.05 was considered significant. recovery of bowel movements in the gum chewing and early oral feeding groups was significantly faster than that of control group and was faster in gum chewing group in comparison to early oral feeding group [P<0.05]. Gum chewing after CS is safe, inexpensive and beneficial which is well tolerated by the patients and associated with rapid resumption of intestinal function and rapid recovery of the patients after cesarean-section

[ effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Zizipus vulgaris L. on burn healing]

Traditionally, burn wound healing activities have been claimed for Zizipus vulgaris L, but there is not any evidence in literature for this effect of the plant. Therefore, this work was carried out to investigate the effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Zizipus vulgaris L. on burn healing. In an experimental study burn wounds were made by placing a hot plate with a surface area of 1.5 cm[2] for 10s on the back of animals. 40 mice were designated in 4 groups. Animal were treated with vehicle or test substance two times per day for 21 days. The first group received nothing, second group Vaseline. Third and fourth group 1% and 10% Jujba ointment two times/day, respectively. Percent of burn wounds healing and total time required for complete healing were evaluated. Results showed that 1% dose of Jujuba extracts had significant burn wound healing compared to control group [P<0.01]. Zizipus vulgaris L. has considerable healing effect on burn wounds and its usage might be beneficial in these patients

[Effect of medicinal smokes on some nosocomial infection factors]

Bacterial resistance to antibiotics is a main problem in the treatment of infectious diseases. Thus, searching for alternative drug is essential in Iran and particularly Chaharmahal va bakhtiari province. People use medicinal smokes such as donkey dung and Peganum harmala seed smokes for treatment of infectious diseases. Therefore, this study was aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial property of donkey dung and Peganum harmala seed smokes on Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeroginosa. In this interventional and laboratory study, groups of Peganum harmala seed smoke and donkey dung were considered as case groups and antibiotic disks as positive control group. Pseudomonas aeroginosa and Staphylococcus aureus were cultured in suitable medium [Blood Agar, EMB and Mueller-Hinton agar]. Antibiogram blank disks were fumigated separately with Peganum harmala seed and female donkey dung smoke then placed on microbial plate with sterile methods. Following 48 hours incubation at 37°C, the zone of growth inhibition evaluated by measuring the zone around the disks. Fumigation process was done in special chest that designed for this research. We repeated fumigation each 20 minutes for 24 times. Data about measuring the zone of growth inhibition were analyzed by using and mean statistic exam. Staphylococcus aureus was sensitive to Peganum harmala seed, and fdonkey dung smokes and Pseudomonas aeroginosa was sensitive to female donkey dung smoke. Staphylococcus aureus was resistant to cloxacilllin and Pseudomonas aeroginosa was sensitive only to erythromycin and ciprofloxacin. The increasing time of fumigation in sensitive cases enhanced antimicrobial effects and the zone of growth inhibition. Antimicrobial effects of donkey dung smokes on resistance pathogens such as Pseudomonas aeroginosa, Staphylococcus aureus revealed the necessity of performing expanded research about composition and property of this smoke

[DFNB59 gene mutations screening in non syndromic deaf subjects in Chaharmahal va Bakhtiari province]

The incidence of pre-lingual deafness is about 1 in 1000 neonates from which more than 60% of cases are inherited. Deafness is a heterogeneous disorder and may be due to genetic or environmental cause or both. Mutations in the DFNB59 gene encoding pejvakin protein has been very recently shown to cause neural deafness. In the present study, we have conducted type and frequency of the DFNB59 gene mutations in a cohort of 100 non syndromic deaf subjects in Chaharmahal va Bakhtiari province. In this descriptive-lab based study we investigated the frequency of DFNB59 gene mutations in the entire coding exons of the gene. DNA was extracted from the peripheral blood samples following the standard phenol chloroform procedure. DFNB59 gene mutations were investigated using PCR-SSCP/ Heteroduplex Analysis [HA]. The results of PCRSSCP/HA were confirmed by sequencing of exon 7, nested PCR and PCR-RFLP of 3 known DFNB59 mutations. Altogether 3 different gene polymorphisms [793C>G, 793C>T and 874G>A] and one mutation [988delG] were detected in 7, 5, 2 and 1 subjects respectively. Based on our data from the present study and previous study, we conclude that DFNB59 gene mutations have a very low contribution to deafness in patients in Chaharmahal va Bakhtiari province and are not of great clinical importance in this region

[Assessment of the quality of life of children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes: child and Parental views]

Improvement of the quality of life [Qol] in addition to controlling symptoms of the disease in children and adolescents with chronic illness such as diabetes mellitus is important. Problems such as diabetes are not only recognized by the physician and nurses but also by the patients. The impact of the diabetes and its complications on Qol is still unknown. The number of studies on Qol of diabetic patients is limited. The aim of this study was to carry out a comparative assessment of the views of children and adolescents with type I diabetes on the Qol. In this historical cohort study the views of the children and adolescents with type I diabetes, and the views of their parents were assessed. A questionnaire on pediatric quality of life including children's and parents' views was used to collect data in four sections of physical [8 items], emotional [5items], social [5 items], and school performance [5items]. Data were analyzed by inferential statistics, independent t-test, Mann-Whitney test and spearman correlation. The results of this study showed no significant difference between the mean scores of Qol of diabetic children and control group, but there was a significant difference between two groups in physical aspect of Qol in diabetic children and control subjects. Parents' views showed that parents of children with diabetes were more worried than those of controls. There was a significant difference between scores of total quality of life in its physical, emotional and social aspects between parents of the diabetic children and parents of the control group [p=0.001]. This study showed that views of the children and adolescents with type I diabetes were different from those of control group in regard to physical aspect. Also the views of parents of children and adolescents with type I diabetes were different from those of control group concerning quality of life in particular, emotional and physical aspects. Therefore we recommend in addition to providing medical care, programs for improvement of the level of mental health of these patients and their families be designed

effect of short time telephone follow-up on physical conditions and quality of life in patients after pacemaker implantation

Cardiac arrhythmia is one of the most common cardio-vascular diseases. Pacemaker as one of the curative methods in treating patients with arrhythmia can reduce most of their problems. In spite of its benefits, it may cause some physical and psychological problems and affect on patients quality of life. Thus, following up is necessary for these patients. Telephone follow up may be useful as a cheap and effective method for this purpose. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of telephone follow up by nurse on the quality of life in patients with pacemaker. In this clinical-trial study, 60 patients with pacemaker were divided into two groups. Case group was followed up by telephone and control group was followed up by routine procedure. The quality of life [QOL] was assessed using AQOL and sf-36 questionnaires for duration of one month. Data were analyzed using independent and paired-t tests. No significant difference was found between case and control group for the quality of life scores before starting the study. At the end of the study, mean quality of life scores was significantly higher in case group compared to the control group. Paired t-test also showed a significant difference between the mean of quality of life scores in case group before and after the study [P<0.001]. Telephone following-up can be used as a cheap and effective method for improving the quality of life in patients with pacemaker after discharge

Detection of mutations in exons 5-8 of the P53 gene in gastric cancer samples using PCR-SSCP in Chaharmahal va Bakhtiari province, 2006-2007

Gastric cancer is the second cause of cancer death world wide. Genetic factors including oncogens and tumor suppressor genes are always contributed in progression of this cancer. The P53 tumor suppressor gene has a broad role in the cell such as programmed cell death and stop cell replicating damaged DNA. Mutations in the P53 gene, which are frequently seen in human gastric cancer, impair its tumor suppression function. The aim of this study was to determine the P53 gene mutations in gastric cancer specimens in Chaharmahal va Bakhtiari Province. In this descriptive-lab based study, we investigated the P53 gene mutations in exons 5-8 in 38 paraffin embedded gastric cancer specimens. DNA was extracted following the standard phenol chloroform protocol. The P53 gene mutations were determined using PCR-SSCP procedure. Band shifts were detected in all positive controls examined. However, no shifted band was detected in samples from gastric cancer patients tested. The results of this study demonstrated that association between P53 gene mutations and gastric cancer is very low in Chaharmahal va Bakhtiari province. However, we have examined a limited number of 38 gastric samples and more samples are needed to be investigated to unravel the contribution of P53 gene mutations leading to gastric cancer in this province

frequency of hearing loss etiology among deaf students in Chaharmahal va Bakhtiari province, Iran, 2008-2009

Hearing loss is the most common sensory disorder in human and has a profound economic and social impact in the modern world. The etiology of deafness can be due to genetic or non-genetic causes in origin. Genetics etiology of hearing loss is classified into syndromic and nonsyndromic. The aim of this study was to determine the etiology of deafness in deaf students in Chaharmahal va Bakhtiari province, Iran. Altogether, 265 patients with mild to profound hearing loss were contributed in this descriptive study. The subjects were deaf pupils from the schools of Chaharmahal va Bakhtiari province. Age of the students was between 6 and 22 years. Medical history, pedigree information and demographic data were collected using a questionnaire. Each patient underwent general and otoscopic examinations and also pure-tone audiometery. Otoacoustic emissions, as well as auditory brainstem response testing were performed in patients suspected to neural hearing loss. Consanguineous marriages were detected in 67.2% of deaf families, from which first cousins marriage was the most common with the rate of 78.1% of overall consanguinity. Our study revealed that up to 98.8% of genetic deafness cases were in autosomal recessive mode. We found sensorineural hearing loss as a predominant type of deafness in 97.8% of the population studied. Moreover, hearing loss with genetic in origin was found as the most frequent deafness etiology with a rate of 60.8% and then acquired and idiopathic hearing loss are in next step, respectively. We found syndromic etiology in 4.2% of the students and ophthalmic problems were the most dysfunction accompanied with hearing loss. This data highlight the importance of consanguine marriage in the studied population. We found a very high rate [67.2%] of consanguine marriage, which can be the main cause of congenital deafness

[Comparison of the effects of lecture and booklet methods on awareness and attention of parents of children with Thalassemia major]

Thalassemia is one of the most important genetic diseases in Iran. Warning of their parents about their children's disease prevents the related problems and reduces its complications. This study was aimed at comparing the influence of lecture and booklet methods on enhancement of awareness and attentions of parents of children with Thalassemia major. In this interventional study, a total of 90 parents of children with Thalassemia who referred to Hajar hospital for medical treatments, were selected using simple sampling and were randomly divided in three groups of 30 parents. The parents in lecture group attended for seasons of lecture for 30 min. each with 3 weeks interval. A booklet with the same contents as the lecture group was given to the booklet group without any intervention. A questionnaire was designed to gather some information about the disease from parents of all three groups. To determine the statistical relationships, student t-test, Spearman's correlation and of ANOVA tests were used. No significant differences were found among the three groups tested in terms of the mean age, gender, level of education, job, number of affected children, and age of the children. The results showed that the mean of knowledge before and after the education in the lecture group was 10.53 +/- 4.37 and 16.5 +/- 4.73 [P<0.05] and in the booklet group was 10.7 +/- 3.06 and 14.6 +/- 2.7 [P<0.05], respectively. There was no significant difference between lecture and booklet groups based education. After the education, the knowledge in the two groups was significantly more than that in control group [P<0.05]. The results showed that lecture and booklet methods have positive effects on increasing of the parent's knowledge about the disease. Thus, providing of the booklet for the parents, particularly in the region with high prevalence of the disease, is recommended