[Comparison of essential oils composition in Iranian populations of thymus kotschyanus boiss. and hohen.]

Thymus kotschyanus Boiss. and Hohen. is an Iranian medicinal plants that grows in different areas of Iran such as Mazandaran, Gilan, Azarbayejan, Kurdistan and Tehran. The objective was to identify the essential oil content and composition in 15 Iranian populations of T. kotschyanus. The essential oils content and composition of 15 Iranian populations of T. kotschyanus were studied in a randomized complete block design [RCBD] with three replications. The aerial parts of thyme populations were harvested in the full blooming stage. The essential oils contents were obtianed by clevenger apparatus. For accurate measurement of the essential oils compounds, the oil samples analyzed by gas chromatography [GC] and gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry [GC-MS]. The results showed that the populations of T. kotschyanus had significant [p<0.01] differences in respect of essential oil contents. The highest essential oil content was found in the populations of Tehran, East Azarbayjan-I and East Azarbayjan-IV. The maximum thymol content was identified in the Kordestan-I population [40.42%] and the highest content of carvacrol was related to Kerman [33.08] and Zanjan-III [30.49%] populations, respectivily. Also, the thyme populations had significantly [p<0.01] differences in essential oil compositions except of carvacrol. Generally, 23 compounds in the essential oils were identified. The main constituents were carvacrol, thymol, borneol, 1.8-cinole, cymne [ortho[, carvacrol methyl ether, [z]caryophyllene, camphor, and linalool. Although, the populations of T. kotschyanus were planted in the same ecological and agronomical conditions, they had significant differences in terms of phytochemical traits, which probably could be due the genetic factors

[Effect of voluntary apnea on reactive oxygen species]

The reactive oxygen species [ROS] continuously are neutralized by antioxidant. Biological molecules become protected from oxidative stress under normal conditions. The production of ROS during hypoxia is reported In Vitro which is also known as reductive stress. In order to study this phenomenon at physiologic scales which occurs in routine activities, this study was conducted to evalute, the effect of voluntary apnea on serum ROS level. In this semi-experimental study, the participants were 12 healthy nonathlete men aged 21 +/- 3 years. At the end of normal depth inspiration the voluntary apnea had been started till 40 seconds. The respiratory rate and depth, heart rate and arterial oxyhemoglobine saturation percent were continuously monitored. Venous blood samples were collected at two times: [1] immediately after the apnea and [2] at the end of it and before rebreathing. The serum ROS level was measured using the standard D-ROM test. The mean and the range of breath holding time were 52.5 +/- 7.9 and 40 +/- 61.7 seconds respectively. The heart rate and the arterial oxyhemoglobine saturation percent decrease 12.75% [P<0.003] and 2.05% [P<0.001] respectively. The mean and the range of basal vs. apnea of these parameters were as follow: 93.3 +/- 3.03 and 87-107 bpm vs. 81.43 +/- 3.7 and 71-93 bmp; 97.6 +/- .16 and 97-98 percent vs. 95.6 +/- .33 and 94-97%. The serum ROS level after 40 seconds of apnea did not show significant differences. In non-athletes the voluntary apnea had no effect on serum reactive oxygen species level

[ effect of metal primer on the retention of casting posts]

Statement of Problem: Retention of dental posts is an important factor for the longevity of final restorations in endodontically treated teeth. It can be influenced by such factors as the type of post, type of cement, the bond between the cement and dentin, and also cement with post surface

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a metal primer on the retention of casting posts luted with resin cement

Methods and Material: The crowns of 30 intact canine teeth were removed at CEJ with a disc. After root canal treatment, the post space was prepared in each specimen to a depth of 12mm. The posts were casted of non-precious alloy and sandblasted. The teeth were randomly divided into two groups [n=15]. For both groups, casting posts were cemented into post spaces using panavia F2 according to the manufacturer.s instruction. The posts in group 1 were additionally pre-treated with Alloy Primer. The specimens were thermocycled and then debonded on an instron machine with a crosshead speed of 1 mm/min. The force required for dislodgement of the posts from the prepared spaces was recorded and the results were analyzed using t-test. Stereomicroscope was used to study the fracture interface in both groups

Results: The mean retention forces were 112.45 +/- 28.37 N for group 1 and 59.5 +/- 7.19 N for group 2. A statistically significant improvement in retention was found in the specimens in group 1 as compared with group 2 [p <0.05]. Stereomicroscopy showed that failure at cement-post interface was 20% in group 1 and 60% in group 2

Conclusion: Under the conditions of this study, casting posts pre-treated with metal primer provided a significantly greater retention

Relationship between identity style, identity commitment and psychological well-being in guidance girl students in Qom city

Identity is the sense of need to separation of other people who have many styles and has a very important role in adolescence. If adolescents are able to make structure of beliefs and costs for self or get this from other people and keep for them, that is named commitment. Two cases [identity style; identity commitment] can be affected by many of emotional response and satisfaction from life. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between identity styles; identity commitment and psychological well-being in girls in Qom city. Subjects were selected from the guidance school students of Qom city. They were 500 girls. Samples were chosen by cluster sampling. In this study Berzonsky's identity styles inventory [1989], Me kaminz psychological well-being inventory [2002], Pearson correlation, Z Fisher, and multivariate analysis were used for analysing the data. Significant positive relationship was found between information and normative style of identity with identity commitment and psychological well-being [p<0/01]. Significant negative relationship was observed between confuse identity style and identity commitment and psychological well -being [p<0/05]. This study was congruent with most internal and external studies as well as being consistent with the notion of relationship between identity style, identity commitment and psychological well -being in girls

Adding liver window setting to the standard abdominal CT scan protocol: is it useful?

Hepatic lesions may be missed in the routine abdominal computed tomography [CT] scan protocol using soft tissue window setting. The ability to find these lesions is very important in the assessment of metastasis and follow-up of patients. Patients and Methods: In this study, 411 patients who underwent abdominal CT for various causes were evaluated separately by two radiologists blindly. All liver images were viewed in two different window settings, soft tissue window setting: window width [WW] of 350-400 Hounsfield unit [HU], window level [WL] of 35-50 HU, and liver window setting: WW of 150 HU, WL of 50-100 HU, at the workstation. Out of 411 patients, 181 [44%] were referred for cancer follow-up and 230 [56%] for evaluation of abdominal discomfort. Soft tissue window setting revealed no lesion in 334 [81.26%] patients, single lesion in 30 [7.31%], and multiple lesions in 47 [11.43%] patients. Liver window setting revealed no lesion in 313 [76.2%] patients, single lesion in 35 [8.5%], and multiple liver lesions in 63 [15.3%] patients. Compared to liver window, soft tissue window setting revealed 77.77% of all detectable liver lesions. Liver window showed new lesions in 22 [6.6%] of patients in whom no lesion had been found in soft tissue window setting. Therefore, liver window setting brought 5.3% increase in the diagnostic yield of CT in our series, and changed the decision for treatment in 2.4% of patients studied. Liver window setting added to the standard soft tissue setting protocol of abdominal CT at the workstation can improve the diagnosis and follow-up of patients, especially for those who have known cancer. Image review with this new setting takes a few minutes and the cost is also low; there is no added radiation exposure to patients

Role of Anxiety during pregnancy in pretem delivery

Preterm delivery has considerable social, economical and mental effects on neonate and related family. Factors predisposing to, and preventing preterm delivery are still not clearly recognized. However some studies have shown psychological factors to play some role. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of anxiety in inducing preterm delivery. In this cohort study conducted in sari [1384-85] a consecutive series of 282 pregnant women with singleton pregnancies reffered for routine prenatal care were included. Anxiety was assessed using self-administered Spielberger's state-trait anxiety questionnaire. The 75th percentile was used for anxiety scores. Mean score of state and trait anxiety of cases was 38.5 9.9 [20-74] and 41.2 9.2 [20-77] respectively. There was a meaningful statistical relationship between state anxiety and preterm delivery [P=0.02, RR=2.71] and trait anxiety and preterm delivery [P=0.009, RR= 1.59]. Further studies incorporating multiple psychosocial domains, gaining information about women's social environment, life circumstances and possible biologic pathways through which anxiety and stress operates may reinforce our understanding of the role of stress in pregnancy

Comparison between ginger and vitamin B6 efficacy in the treatment of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy

Nausea and vomiting are among the most common complication during pregnancy. The use of medication especially in the first weeks of pregnancy may cause stress in pregnant woman and their family, because of the risk of teratogenesity. We performed this study to determine the effectiveness of ginger compared to vitamin B6 for treatment of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. A total number of 80 pregnant women with nausea and vomiting before the 20th week of gestation that did not take any medication were included in this randomized, double blind clinical trial during a period of 11 months. They were randomly divided into 2 groups to take oral ginger or vitamin B6 for 4 days. All participants scored the severity of their nausea using visual analog scale and recorded the number of vomiting episodes in the previous 24 hours before treatment and during 4 consecutive days while taking the treatment. Seven days later in a follow-up visit, a five-item Likert scale was used to assess the severity of symptoms. The data were analyzed with SPSS software using t-test and Kroskal-Wallis test. Severity of nausea [P<0.001] and episodes of nausea [P<0.01] and vomiting [P<0.0001] was decreased significantly in the ginger groups [P<0.000], but comparing with vitamin B6 group it didn't have a significant difference in reducing severity of nausea and episodes of nausea as well as vomiting. Ginger was effective for treatment of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy, but its application needs further studies to determine the proper dosage and the impact of this drug on pregnant mothers and their fetus

[Knowledge attitude and practice of practitioners and midwives working at health centers of main cities of Mazandaran province about emergency contraception]

Emergency contraception is a method which used after unprotected intercourse and declines the rate of unintended pregnancy. In spite of efficacy and safety of this method, its rate of use is low. Major obstacle of regular use of this method is insufficient information of the health care providers, which in turn, causes low prescription of this method and consequently insatiable practice. This research is a correlative study to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of practitioners and midwives working in health centers of the main cities of Mazandaran province about contraception. In this research 150 research units were selected using a multiple sampling method A questionnaire was used for data, collection, completed by experienced persons who at health centers. To analyze the data descriptive statistics and Chi2, T-test, regression analysis and correlation were used. The results showed that the level of knowledge of subjects were: 35/5% good, 38% medium and 26% poor. Negative correlation was seen between knowledge and age and job background but no correlation between knowledge and other factors. Also most of the subject had a positive attitude toward emergency contraception [60.7%] and 39.3% of them had a negative attitude about this method. 54.4% of subject' had a good practice and 45.6% had a bad practice. Practice showed a statistical correlation with gender and job however there was no was correlation between practice and other factors. Data indicated the necessity of regular retraining courses or workshops on family planning specially about emergency contraception to increase knowledge of research units about this method

Comparison of therapeutic effects of fennelin and mefenamic acid on primary dysmenorrhea

Dysmenorrhea is one the most common disorders in Gynecology, which occurs in 50% of women with regular menstrual cycls. There have been various treatment methods regarding this, among which the drugs with less side effects are preferred. The purpose of the present study, is to compare the effect of Fennelin and Mefenamic Acid on primary dysmenorrhea. This research is the result of an experimental study at the level of a double-blind clinical trial in 2006. In this study, 104 students with moderate to severe primary dysmenorrhea were randomly selected and assigned into 3 drug-taking groups, including Fennelin [36], Mefenamic Acid [36] and Placebo [32]. They were assigned to receive the relevant drugs in two successive menstrual cycles at the beginning of the pain. The selected subjects were asked to fill out the questionnaires regarding the severity of pain, hemorrhage and clinical problems in the first visit, during the first five hours, 48 hours and the first three days in two successive cycles. There were no significant differences between the 3 selected groups regarding the age and the characteristics of menstruation. The average age of the subjects was 20.7 +/- 0.16 and the average age of the beginning of primary dysmenorrhea was 15.11 +/- 0.26. 71.2% of subjects had moderate while 28.8% with severe dysmenorrhea. The pain severity highly decreased in Fennelin takers compared with the Placebo takers, and as the time of treatment continued, this difference increased. However, there was no significant difference between the Fennelin and Mefenamic Acid takers. The effect of Fennelin was also more than Mefenamic Acid in reducing the severity of hemorrhage. There was no significant difference between the 3 groups regarding the clinical symptoms, but there was considerable reduction in the severity of clinical problems in Fennelin takers compared with the two other groups. According to the drug-takers, Fennelin was more effective in reducing the complaints compared with Placebo; however, it had no significant difference from Mefenamic Acid. The effect of Fennelin in relieving primary dysmenorrhea is not less than Mefenamic Acid, and it can be useful in reducing the severity of pain, hemorrhage and clinical symptoms. Therefore, due to the safety of herbal drugs, it can replace the chemical drugs

Review of ten-yrs leprosy cases in Azerbaijan, northwest of Iran

Leprosy is a rare but important infectious disease caused by mycobacterium leprae. Word health organization suggested a strategy to reduce the prevalence of the disease to less than one per 10000 people. It seems that the leprosy is now in its elimination stage because during a period of ten years only few new cases were found in Iran. We studied 157 new leprosy cases that were referred to and registered in Bababaghi Center, Azerbaijan, Northwest of Iran. A total of 157 new cases, 107 [68%] males and 50 [32%] females were born in Azerbaijan with the peak age of the disease at their fourth decade. The most common form of the disease, especially in male patients, was lepromatous leprosy. Skin problems, especially eyebrow hair loss, constituted the most frequent sign of the disease. The most involved nerve was ulnar nerve. Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease that is associated with serious morbidity if left untreated. Although, leprosy is a rare disease in Iran it is important for the physicians to be aware when they visit a patient with chronic dermatitis with peripheral nerve involvement

Postpartum depression in clients at health care centers in Sari

This study was aimed to determine the prevalence and pertaining contributors of postpartum depression [PD] in clients referring to the Health Care Centers in Sari city, Iran. 422 pregnant women at their third trimester referred to ten antenatal care units from Feb. 2001 to Aug. 2002. Mothers were further followed up 6-8 weeks after childbirth. The data was collected using Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale [EPDS], short form of Spielberger's State Anxiety Inventory, General Health Questionnaire [GHQ-28] and a demographic questionnaire. According to the EPDS the prevalence of PD was 22% [n=92] during 6-8 weeks after delivery. Also, 30% of the mothers were depressed during the third trimester of pregnancy. Based on the GHQ data analysis, 37% [n=157] and 31% [n=132] of the samples were suspected to have a psychiatric morbidity in the third trimester and 6-8 weeks postpartum, respectively. There was a significant relationship between postpartum depression and stressful life events, family support, baby's health problems, perceived ability to nurse the baby, and the problems at delivery. The prevalence of depression and psychiatric disorders are higher during pregnancy and decrease postpartum