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Objectives@#Psychological symptoms of menopause may impose a negative effect on the quality of life of menopausal women. Thus, the management of these symptoms can improve the quality of life and psychological health of such woman. The present study aimed to determine the effect of evening primrose on psychological symptoms in menopausal women. @*Methods@#In this triple-blind randomized clinical trial, the effect of the evening primrose oil on postmenopausal psychological symptoms was investigated. The subjects were 100 menopausal women, referred to a healthcare center in Dastena city (Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province, Iran), who were randomly assigned to two groups. The intervention group used two 1 g pearls of evening primrose oil daily. The study instruments included a sub-scale of Menopause Rating Scale (MRS). Menopause data were analyzed using an independent t-test and Friedman test by the SPSS software. P values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. @*Results@#The two groups were balanced in demographic characteristics and psychological disorder severity before the intervention. The median (interquartile range) MRS score in the intervention group before the intervention and 2 and 4 weeks after the intervention were 11 (10–12), 6 (5–7), and 3 (2–4), respectively, and in the placebo, they were 11 (9–11), 10 (9–11), and 11 (10–12). A significant reduction was observed in the intervention group compared with the placebo group 2 and 4 weeks post-intervention. @*Conclusions@#The use of evening primrose oil can decrease postmenopausal psychological symptoms.
ABSTRACT
Objectives@#Psychological symptoms of menopause may impose a negative effect on the quality of life of menopausal women. Thus, the management of these symptoms can improve the quality of life and psychological health of such woman. The present study aimed to determine the effect of evening primrose on psychological symptoms in menopausal women. @*Methods@#In this triple-blind randomized clinical trial, the effect of the evening primrose oil on postmenopausal psychological symptoms was investigated. The subjects were 100 menopausal women, referred to a healthcare center in Dastena city (Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province, Iran), who were randomly assigned to two groups. The intervention group used two 1 g pearls of evening primrose oil daily. The study instruments included a sub-scale of Menopause Rating Scale (MRS). Menopause data were analyzed using an independent t-test and Friedman test by the SPSS software. P values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. @*Results@#The two groups were balanced in demographic characteristics and psychological disorder severity before the intervention. The median (interquartile range) MRS score in the intervention group before the intervention and 2 and 4 weeks after the intervention were 11 (10–12), 6 (5–7), and 3 (2–4), respectively, and in the placebo, they were 11 (9–11), 10 (9–11), and 11 (10–12). A significant reduction was observed in the intervention group compared with the placebo group 2 and 4 weeks post-intervention. @*Conclusions@#The use of evening primrose oil can decrease postmenopausal psychological symptoms.
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Objectives: This study was conducted to determine the efficacy of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy [MBCT] on psychological symptoms and quality of life [QoL] in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus [SLE]
Methods: We conducted a randomized single-blind clinical trial in patients with SLE referred from the Imam Ali Clinic in Shahrekord, southwest Iran. The patients [46 in total in two groups of 23 each] were randomly assigned into the experimental and control groups. Both groups underwent routine medical care, and the experimental group underwent eight group sessions of MBCT in addition to routine care. The patient's QoL was assessed using the General Health Questionnaire-28 and 36-Item Short Form Health Survey before, after, and six months after intervention [follow-up]
Results: A significant difference was seen in psychological symptoms and QoL between MBCT and control groups immediately after the intervention and at follow-up [p /= 0.050]
Conclusions: MBCT contributed to decreased psychological symptoms and improved QoL in patients with SLE with a stable effect on psychological symptoms and psychological components of QoL, but an unstable effect on physical components
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Background: Lead is an industrial heavy metal that can decrease sperm motility
Objective:The aim was to investigate the protective effects of calcium against lead on motility of spermatozoa
Materials and Methods:In total 40 adult male Swiss white mice were randomly divided into 5 groups [control, lead of 1[st] wk, lead of 2[nd] wk, lead/calcium of 1Pst Pwk and lead/calcium of 2[nd] wk]. The lead groups of mice were injected by a single dose of lead acetate [200 mg/kg] intraperitoneally. Lead/calcium groups of mice were injected by a single same dose of lead acetate along with three doses of 80 mg/kg calcium chloride. The control group of mice was injected only with same volume of distilled water through the same route. Mice of 1[st] and 2[nd] wk groups were sacrificed through cervical dislocation one and two weeks after injections respectively
Results: Mean of the progressive motile spermatozoa of cauda epididymis in lead/calcium group of the first week was higher than the lead group of the first week and this difference was significant. There was not any significant difference among weight of testes and epididymides of all groups
Conclusion:It can be concluded that calcium can decrease the effects of lead on sperm motility
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Objectives: Perinatal asphyxia [PA] is very significant in perinatal medicine due to the involvement of the central nervous system. This study was conducted to investigate the biochemical, clinical, and paraclinical changes associated with Phenobarbital administration in neonates with PA
Methods: In this prospective, case-control study, 30 neonates with PA in two groups of 15 each [case and control] were investigated. The case group received 20 mg/kg intravenous phenobarbital within six hours of birth, and the control group did not receive phenobarbital. Serum concentrations of nitric oxide [NO] were measured at enrollment and one week after birth in the two groups. Clinical, electroencephalography, and magnetic resonance imaging findings of the two groups were compared
Results: At enrollment, the two groups did not differ in clinical severity, seizure incidence, or NO concentration. After one week, NO concentration was significantly lower in the case group [p < 0.050], but there was no significant difference in other variables between the two groups
Conclusions: Early administration of phenobarbital in term neonates with PA could protect them against encephalopathy
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Background: Time to donating blood plays a major role in a regular donor to becoming continues one. The aim of this study was to determine the effective factors on the interval between the blood donations
Methods: In a longitudinal study in 2008, 864 samples of first-time donors in Shahrekord Blood Transfusion Center, capital city of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province, Iran were selected by a systematic sampling and were followed up for five years. Among these samples, a subset of 424 donors who had at least two successful blood donations were chosen for this study and the time intervals between their donations were measured as response variable. Sex, body weight, age, marital status, education, stay and job were recorded as independent variables. Data analysis was performed based on log-normal hazard model with gamma correlated frailty. In this model, the frailties are sum of two independent components assumed a gamma distribution. The analysis was done via Bayesian approach using Markov Chain Monte Carlo algorithm by Open BUGS. Convergence was checked via Gelman-Rubin criteria using BOA program in R
Results: Age, job and education were significant on chance to donate blood [P<0.05]. The chances of blood donation for the higher-aged donors, clericals, workers, free job, students and educated donors were higher and in return, time intervals between their blood donations were shorter
Conclusions: Due to the significance effect of some variables in the log-normal correlated frailty model it is necessary to plan educational and cultural program to encourage the people with longer inter-donation intervals to donate more frequently
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Background: In medical studies, when the joint prediction about occurrence of two events should be anticipated, a statistical bivariate model is used. Due to the limitations of usual statistical models, other methods such as Artificial Neural Network [ANN] and hybrid models could be used. In this paper, we propose a hybrid Artificial Neural Network-Genetic Algorithm [ANN-GA] model to prediction the occurrence of heart block and death in myocardial infarction [Ml] patients simultaneously
Methods: For fitting and comparing the models, 263 new patients with definite diagnosis of Ml hospitalized in Cardiology Ward of Hajar Hospital, Shahrekord, Iran, from March, 2014 to March, 2016 were enrolled. Occurrence of heart block and death were employed as bivariate binary outcomes. Bivariate Logistic Regression [BLR], ANN and hybrid ANN-GA models were fitted to data. Prediction accuracy was used to compare the models. The codes were written in Matlab 2013a and Zelig package in R3.2.2
Results: The prediction accuracy of BLR, ANN and hybrid ANN-GA models was obtained 77.7%, 83.69% and 93.85% for the training and 78.48%, 84.81% and 96.2% for the test data, respectively. In both training and test data set, hybrid ANN-GA model had better accuracy
Conclusions: ANN model could be a suitable alternative for modeling and predicting bivariate binary responses when the presuppositions of statistical models are not met in actual data. In addition, usinc optimization methods, such as hybrid ANN-GA model, could improve precision of ANN model
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Immunoglobulin A nephropathy [IgAN] with nephrotic syndrome is an uncommon form of IgAN. Clinical and morphological characteristics of proteinuria in IgAN, especially when is in nephrotic range have not yet been fully examined. This study was aimed to correlate morphologic variables of the Oxford classification, and various clinical data with proteinuria in IgAN patients. We also aimed to demonstrate the significance of prevention of proteinuria as one of the important factors in progression of this disease. In an observational study conducted on IgAN patients, total of 114 biopsies were entered in the study. IgAN was diagnosed by light and immunofluorescence study. Of 114 patients 70.2% were male. Mean age of patients was 37.7 +/- 13.6 years. The mean of proteinuria was 1742 +/- 1324 mg/day. Also mean of serum creatinine [Cr] was 1.6 +/- 1.5 mg/dL. Of 114 patients, 11[9.6%] had nephrotic range proteinuria. In this study, there was a positive correlation between proteinuria and serum Cr, peri-glomerular fibrosis or interstitial fibrosis. There was a positive association between proteinuria and totally sclerotic glomeruli too. There was also a positive association between the amount of fibrous crescents and the level of proteinuria. Nephrotic proteinuria could just be seen in male patients. Also, nephrotic syndrome had a positive association with the number of crescents. Our findings firstly support the prognostic value of crescent due to its association with proteinuria and secondly imply the importance of treatment of proteinuria to prevent progression of IgAN
Subject(s)
Humans , Female , Male , Glomerulonephritis, IGA/pathology , Proteinuria/prevention & control , Fluorescent Antibody Technique , Nephrotic Syndrome/pathology , AssociationABSTRACT
The effect of fluid and food restrictions on biochemical substances relating to the renal and bone function of pregnant women is not well defined. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of fluid and food restriction on the following substances in pregnant fasting women during Ramadan: blood urea nitrogen [BUN], creatinine [Cr], calcium [Ca], phosphorus [P], and alkaline phosphates [ALP]. Thirty fasting pregnant women voluntarily participated in this prospective descriptive study. The serum levels of BUN, Cr, P, and ALP were measured at the baseline, and on the 7th, 14th, and 28th days of Ramadan; the measurements were also performed 2 weeks after this month. The statistical significance was defined as P<0.05 and the analyses were performed using SPSS version 11.5. As to the results of the present study, the weight and body mass index [BMI] of women didn't change during the experiment. BUN and Cr increased significantly by the 2nd week of Ramadan; however, no differences were observed between BUN and Cr values at the end of Ramadan and two weeks after it [P>0.05]; also, Cr didn't change during Ramadan and 2 weeks after it [P>0.05]. Moreover, no differences in P and ALP levels were noticed between the end of Ramadan and two weeks after it [P>0.05]. According to this study, there is no sufficient evidence regarding the adverse effects of Ramadan fasting on biochemical substances relating to the renal and bone function of pregnant fasting women
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There is a limited knowledge about the morphological features of IgA nephropathy [IgAN]in the middle east region. The objective of this study was to evaluate the spectrum of histopathological findings in IgAN patients at our laboratory. At this work, an observational study reported which was conducted on IgAN patients using the Oxford-MEST classification system. In this survey, of 102 patients 71.6% were male. The mean age of the patients was 37.7 +/- 13.6 years. Morphologic variables of MEST classification was as follows; M1: 90.2%, E: 32%, S: 67% also, T in grads I and II were in 30% and 19% respectively, while 51% were in grade zero. A significant difference was observed in segmental glomerulosclerosis [P=0.003] and interstitial fibrosis/tubular atrophy frequency distribution [P=0.045], between males and females. Furthermore, it was found that mesangial hypercellularity was more prevalent in yonger patients. Moreover, there was a significant correlation between serum creatinine and crescents [P<0.001]. There was also significant correlation of serum creatinine with segmental glomerulosclerosis [P<0.001]. Higher prevalence of segmental glomerulosclerosis and interstitial fibrosis/tubular atrophy, as the two of, four variables of Oxford-MEST classification of IgAN in male patients further attests that male gender is a risk factor in this disease. In this study the significant correlation between serum creatinine and crescent was in an agreement with previous studies and suggests for the probable accomodation of extracapillary proliferation as a new variable in MEST system
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Premenstrual syndrome [PMS] is a condition characterized by a number of behavioral, psychological and physical symptoms recurring cyclically during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. The uncertainty in the pathogenesis of PMS has led to many treatment protocols being suggested as possible therapies. The present study was carried out to compare the effects of echinophora-platyloba and fennel extracts on the PMS against placebo in students of Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences in 2008. In this single-blind randomized clinical trial, 90 students with moderate to severe PMS enrolled in the study and were randomely divided into three equal groups. The first group received echinophora-platyloba extract, the second group received fennel extracts and the third group received placebo. The severity of PMS was measured by Daily Record of Severity of Problems [DRSP] questionnaire at the end of the first and second menstrual cycles before the intervention and the results were compared with them after the intervention. Data was analyzed using Dunn, Kruskal Wallis, and Pearson correlation tests by SPSS [v. 11.5] and p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. There were not any significant differences in the means of premenstrual syndrome scores before the intervention among the three groups [100.8 +/- 22.1 in echinophora-platyloba group, 101.3 +/- 27.1 in fennel group and 104.3 +/- 19.5 in placebo group, p>0.05], but the differences were significant after the intervention [49.7 +/- 23.2 in echinophora-platyloba group, 64.4 +/- 27.5 in fennel group and 79.1 +/- 28.1 in placebo group, respectively, p<0.001]. No significant differences were seen between the echinophora-platyloba and fennel groups. The echinophora-platyloba and fennel extracts could reduce the severity of PMS. The effects of echinophora-platyloba and fennel were similar and greater than the placebo. Administration of the extracts of these herbs is suggested for relieving the signs and symptoms of PMS
Subject(s)
Humans , Female , Adolescent , Adult , Foeniculum , Plant Extracts , Placebos , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
Diabetic nephropathy is the most prevalent cause of end-stage renal disease. Besides factors such as angiotensin II, cytokines, and vascular endothelial growth factor, uric acid may play a role as the underlying cause of diabetic nephropathy. We evaluated allopurinol effects on proteinuria in diabetic patients with nephropathy. In a double-blinded randomized controlled trial on 40 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and diabetic nephropathy [proteinuria, at least 500 mg/24 h and a serum creatinine level less than 3 mg/dL], allopurinol [100 mg/d] was compared with placebo. Administration of antihypertensive and renoprotective drugs [angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers continued for both groups, without changes in dosage. Proteinuria was compared at baseline and 2 and 4 months between the two groups. Each group consisted of 9 men and 11 women. There were no difference between two groups regarding age, body mass index, duration of diabetes mellitus, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, serum potassium, and urine volume. Serum levels of uric acid [P=.02] and 24-hour urine protein [P=.049] were significantly lower in the patients on allopurinol, after 4 months of receiving allopurinol, compared with the control group. Low-dose allopurinol can reduce severity of proteinuria after 4 months of drug administration, which is probably due to decreasing the serum level of uric acid. Thus, allopurinol can be administered as an adjuvant cost-effective therapy for patients with diabetic nephropathy
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Proteinuria/drug therapy , Diabetic Nephropathies/prevention & control , Double-Blind Method , Diabetes Complications/prevention & control , Uric Acid/blood , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2ABSTRACT
There are many advantages of breast milk for infants. The impact of Ramadan fasting of breast-feeding mothers on their exclusively breast-fed infants' growth is still not clear. The objective of this study is to determine the impact of maternal Ramadan fasting on growth parameters of exclusively breast-fed infants. This cohort study was conducted during Ramadan and five months after Ramadan on 116 healthy, exclusively breast-fed infants aged 15 days to 6 months. 36 infants, whose mothers fasted throughout Ramadan [case group] and 80 infants, whose mothers did not fast [control group], were enrolled in the study. All infants underwent periodic physical examinations, twice in Ramadan, 3 times in the second month and twice monthly in the next 4 months. The data analyses were done using a repeated measure analysis of variance. Statistical significance was defined as P<0.05. Analyses were performed using SPSS statistical package and repeated measures ANOVA. All growth parameters increased during the study period [P< 0.05], rate of increase being the same for both groups [P>0.05]. There is obvious increasing trend for all growth parameters; this trend depends on age and is almost similar for both groups. Ramadan fasting by breast-feeding mothers did not adversely affect the growth parameters of exclusively breast-fed infants in short-term