[ relationship between risk factors and primary symptoms of acute coronary syndrome in below and above 65 years old]

Acute coronary syndrome is health threatening and a major cause of mortality among elderly people. Recognizing factors associated with symptoms of acute coronary syndrome are important in the reduction of consequences of delayed diagnosis of symptoms. This study proposes to determine factors associated with early symptoms among elderly people with ACS. In this cross sectional study, data collecting instrument included a checklist of early symptoms of acute coronary syndrome. The early symptoms of 446 patients with diagnosis of ACS were assessed in eight hospitals in Tehran-Iran, 2006. Symptoms were categorized as typical and atypical. Correlation between demographic and risk factors with age group and early symptoms were assessed using the chi-square test. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine factors related to early symptoms acute coronary syndrome. Elderly patients and younger ones showed a statistically significant difference in chest symptoms, arm pain, jaw or neck pain and dyspnea [P<0.001]. Palpitation was the most common reported symptom in patients over 65 years [38.19%] and younger than 65 years [37.08%]. Multivariate logistic regression showed that elderly patients with a history of hypertension [P=0.002, OR=0.43], smoking [P= 0.019, OR=0.51], and obesity [P=0.011, OR=0.69] had less chance to experience the early symptoms compared to younger patients, respectively. Obesity, hypertension and smoking are risk factors which lower the initial symptoms of acute coronary syndrome in the elderly .Nurses and physicians should pay a careful attention to history taking of the elderly suspected to acute coronary syndrome.

[Protective effect of aqueous extract of rhuscoriaria l. fruit on catalase enzyme activity and histopathology of liver in alloxan-induced diabetic rats]

Complications in diabetes mellitus are associated with free radicals and oxidative stress. The human body copes with these complications through antioxidant defense mechanisms. This study aimes at assessing the effect of aqueous extract of sumac [Rhus coriaria L.] fruit on catalase [CAT] enzyme activity and the histopathological changes of liver in diabetic rats. In this study, 30 adult male Wistar rats, with average weight 180-230g were divided randomly into 5 groups of 6 rats. Physiological serum was injected to control rat group with the same volume of injection material. The second group of rats, became intraperitonally diabetic by injecting 120mg/kgbw dose of Alloxan monohydrate. The third, fourth and fifth groups of rats in addition to the same treatment of the second group, were fed aqueous extract of Rhus coriaria respectively, 50, 100 and 250mg/kgbw doses for 4 weeks. At the end of treatment, the role of extract on CAT enzyme activity was assessed. The serial sections of liver were prepared and stained with H and E for microscopic investigations. Data were analyzed using the test one way ANOVA and Tukey test. Significant level [p<0.05] was considered. CAT enzyme activity decreased in diabetic group significantly [p<0.05]. Moreover, CAT enzyme activity in group treated with extract [250mg/kgbw] was significantly different as compared to diabetic group [p<0.05]. Also those treated with extract, [250mg/kgbw] indicated a significant improve in side-effects of diabetes mellitus on liver tissue in diabetic rats. These results show that Sumac can be effective in decreasing diabetic complications and it can be used as an antioxidant and food supplement in diabetic patients

Effectiveness of training classes for food-handlers and food operators on improving their knowledge and practice of personal hygiene in the workplace at health training centers in Shiraz, Fars province

Pervious studies have shown that food-handlers personal hygiene plays a major role in food contamination and food poisoning prevention. By law, all food handlers must attend training courses specified for these professions in order to satisfy practical amendment of food, drink, cosmetics and health materials. In this study we evaluated the effect and outcome of a personal hygiene training course offered by health training centers in the city of Shiraz in 2006. In this study 58 subjects were evaluated. The data collection methods were observation and questionnaires. Fifteen questions in the abstraction tool were based upon the practical amendment of food, drink, cosmetics and health materials in Article 13 and related role regulations. Analytical methods of statistical implementation were conducted by SPSS package. Analytical results indicated 96.4% of the subjects were directly involved in food preparation. Results revealed that knowledge of the subjects' personal hygiene was significantly better before and after training session. However, no difference was observed on practice comparing before and after training. Evaluation of the effect and outcome of the personal hygiene training course, offered by health training centers in Shiraz, Fars province, before and after the training session, did not have the desired improvement in personal hygiene during food preparation. Therefore, changes are necessary in practical implementation of personal hygiene and food preparation as well as enforcement of health laws found in Article 13. In addition, training session materials at health training centers need to include more information regarding consequences of diseases caused by poor hygiene and food preparation to improve outcomes and to protect the public from food related diseases

[ survey of administration of cherries ethanolic extract on the serum levels of lipids of diabetic rats]

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder in the endocrine system resulting from a defect in insulin secretion, insulin action or both. It is the most common endocrine disorder and by the year 2010, it is estimated that more than 200 million people worldwide will have DM and 300 million will subsequently have the disease by 2025. Tart cherry [Rosaceae] are packed with powerful plant pigments called anthocyanins-which give cherries their dark red color-and it's these compounds one of richest antioxidant sources, lower blood sugar and insulin levels. Adding cherries to the diet also lower the animals' total cholesterol levels and triglycerides. The present study was designed to investigate the effect of Cherries Ethanolic Extract on the Serum Levels of Lipids on Alloxan induced diabetic rats. In this study 36 Male Wistar rats, body weight of 150-200 gr were divided into 6 groups. Diabetes was induced by intra peritoneal injection of 120 mg/kg Alloxan. The duration of the cherries treatment was 30 days. Treatment with extracts of cherries resulted in a significant reduction in triglyceride, LDL, as well as increase in HDL level. Extracts from this plant useful in controlling blood lipids levels. Cherries appear to aid in diabetes control and in reducing the complications of disease

Effect of spironolactone on heart rate variability [HRV] in diabetic patients

Diabetes mellitus is the most common metabolic and endocrine disease. Depressed Heart Rate Variability [HRV] is an early warning sign of diabetic neuropathy. In numerous studies, spironolactone improved HRV and decreased mortality in Congestive Heart Failure [CHF]. This study was performed to assess the effect of spironolactone on HRV in diabetic patients. This prospective, randomized, double-blind clinical trial was performed on 62 diabetic patients with autonomic neuropathy at Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Center. Baseline HRV was measured with time domain and frequency domain methods using a Valiance system manufactured by US Biomedical Systems Inc. [2000]. The patients were then randomly placed in case and control groups. The control group was given placebo and the case group was given 25mg spironolactone twice daily for two months. HRV was measured at the end of this period and data were analyzed using SPSS. HRV before and after medication was compared with t-test, paired t-test, Wilcoxon test, and Mann-Whitney test. Twenty-nine patients in the control group and thirty-three patients in the case group were assessed. HRV was measured before and after the study. T-test and Mann-Whitney test revealed no significant difference between HRV in the two groups. Paired t-test and Wilcoxon test did not show any significant difference of HRV within the two groups. In this study, spironolactone did not improve HRV in diabetic patients