[Comparison of the effect of honey and diphenhydramine on cough alleviation in 2-5-year-old children with viral upper respiratory tract infection]

Viral upper respiratory tract infection and cold drugs consumption is prevalent among children. These drugs have no effect on disease improvement, but it may also have accompanied with many side effects. This study was conducted to compare the effect of honey and diphehydramine on the alleviation of cough in 2-5-year-old children with viral upper respiratory tract infection. This double-blind clinical trial study was carried out on 170 children [60 boys and 66 girls] aged 2-5 years old with viral upper respiratory tract infection who were taken to the pediatric clinic of Shariatee hospital in Bandar Abbas, Iran during 2010. Children demographic charactrastics were including age, gender, period of illness, vaccination history, weight, growth, overall health, and cardiopulmonary examinations. Patients were randomly divided into two groups of 63 children receiving honey [three times a day and the last dose an hour before bed] and diphehydramine syrup [5mg/kg/BW]. Two days later, subjects were examined again for the severity and frequency of coughs during day and night. Data were analyzed using SPSS-19, independent t-test and chi-square test. Mean +/- SD of the age of children was 45.21 +/- 11.39 and 43.98 +/- 11.95 months in honey and diphenhydramine groups, respectively. The frequency and severity of night coughs was lower in the honey group [97.4%] as compared to the diphenhydramine group [58.7%] [P<0.02]. The frequency and severity of daily coughs was lower in the honey group [84.1%] while it was lower in 58.7% of the diphenhydramine group [P<0.01]. This study showed that honey is more effective than diphenhydramine in the alleviation of cough caused by viral URTI in 2-5-year-old children

[Behavioral disorders in children with major depressive mothers]

The prevalence of behavioral disorders in children with mentally ill parents are higher compared with children of healthy parents. This study was carried out to assess the behavioral disorders in children with major depressive mothers. This case - control study was done on 50 children [6-11 years] of mothers with major depressive as case group and 50 children of healthy mothers as controls in Bandar Abbas, Iran drung 2009. With psycological interview, DSM-4-R and Beck tests, deprsion in mother were confirmed. The psycological health of control mothers were confirmed using Minnesota multiphasic personality inventory [MMPI] and questionnaire health general [QHG]. The behavior disorders of children in two groups were compared using Achenbach child behavior questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS-17, Chi-Square and student's t tests. Somatic complains, anxiety and depression, social problems, thought problems, externalization, internalization and antisocial behavior scores, were significantly higher in cases compared to controls [P<0.05]. No significant differences in isolation and attention behavior were noticed between cases and controls. Behavior disorders in children with depressive mothers are common

[Comparison of antibody level in post hepatitis B vaccination in children with 12-15 and 21-24 months age]

Infection with HBV is the most common chronic viral infection and mortality in children. Prevention of this infection with vaccination is vital. This study was done to compare the antibody level in post hepatitis B vaccination in children with 12-15 and 21-24 months age. This descriptive study was carreid out on 186 children with 12-15 [group I] and 21-24 [group II] months age who had not infected with hepatitis B infection in, Bandarabbas Iran during 2009. The parents were HbsAg negative, without immunodeficiency diseases and did not receive hepatitis vaccination, blood or blood products transfusion. Age, gender, birth weight, breast feeding duration and gestational age were recorded for each child. Hepatitis B antibody level was measured with ELISA method. Data were analyzed using SPSS-16 and student t-test. Antibody level in group I [231 mIU/ml] was significantly higher than group II [142.9 mIU/ml] [P<0.05]. There was not significant differences between males and females. Antibody level was not significantly corrolated with body weight, gestational age and breast feeding duration. Antibody level lower than 10 mIU/ml were observed in 4.34% of group I and 20.8% of group II. This differnce was significant [P<0.05]. This study showed that the protective effect of vaccination reduced after six months of final dosage

distinct autosomal recessive ocular anomaly in Chaharborj, Islamic Republic of Iran

In Chaharborj, a village in north-eastern of the Islamic Republic of Iran, a high prevalence of congenital blindness [1.1%] has been reported. The clinical findings have not been fully described. We therefore assessed the clinical aspects of this condition in a case series of 20 congenially blind patients and 24 of their parents. All patients had been blind since birth. There was anterior segment dysgenesis and retinal non-attachment in all patients. There were no systemic anomalies. Histopathologically, there was iridocorneal adhesion, normal angle structure and retinal dysplasia. No significant difference was found in the frequency of different HLA class I alleles compared with the general population. The anomaly causing congenital blindness in these patients has components of both anterior and posterior segment dysgenesis. It appears to be a distinct entity with an autosomal recessive pattern of inheritance

[ effects of betaine on vitamin B12 production by Propionibacterium freudenreichii]

Chemical production of vitamin B12 is a complicated process. The purpose of this study, done for the first time in Iran, was to produce vitamin B12 by Propionibacterium freudenreichii and investigate the effect of adding betaine on its yield. Propionibacterium freudenreichii was added to a fermention culture medium containing filtrated soaked corn. This was followed by incubation at 30°C and, then, adding betaine at six concentrations [0, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 30 g/l]. Separation and purification were done and the presence and the amount of vitamin B[12] produced were determined by HPLC. The most effective concentration of betaine for vitamin B[12] production [318.33 Pg/ml] was 10 g/l, which had a negative effect on dry weight of the cells [22.37 g/l]. The results demonstrated that betaine could greatly stimulate vitamin B[12] biosynthesis by Propionibacterium freudenreichii and inhibit cell growth. Based on the findings of this study, betaine added to the culture medium of Propionibacterium freudenreichii at a suitable concentration could increase the yield of vitamin B[12], paving the way to a commercial, more economic method for its production

effect of intra-CA1 agmatine microinjection on water maze learning and memory in rat

Reports on agmatine are controversial showing that it may improve memory, it can deteriorate memory and some did not notice any interference with learning and memory. In the present study, the effect of directly intra-CA1 agmatine microinjection on water maze learning and memory has been assessed. The cannuls were implanted in hippocampal CA1 regions of rats in a sterotaxic frame after general anesthesia. After one week recovery period, the animals were assessed in the reference memory version of water maze. Agmatine [1, 10, 100 or 200 microg/0.5 microl] or saline were infused 20 minutes before or immediately after training. Agmatine-treated rats did not show any significant difference neither in water maze acquisition nor in consolidation task in comparison with control and sham groups. Agmatine does not affect water maze learning and memory

[ review on occupational stress among Iranian military personnel]

Generally it seems that "stress" might be considered as "absence of internal tranquility" which contains positive and/or negative aspects. Occupational stress is defined as "any harmful physical or mental response, occurs due to individual incompatibility with his/her ability" which might lead to aggressive behaviors, occupational injuries, physical diseases and even death. Some factors such as work environment and economic problems have been suggested in the literature as the related risk factors for occupational stress. Occupational stress has not been evaluated properly among Iranian military personnel. However, attention to some factors such as work environment and stress-coping strategies might be useful to reduce occupational stress among this population

Core shell methyl methacrylate chitosan nanoparticles: in vitro mucoadhesion and complement activation

Studies show that chitosan nanoparticles increase mucoadhesivity and penetration of large molecules across mucosal surface. The aim of the present study was to investigate the use of thiolated chitosan in the development of polysaccharide-coated nanoparticles in order to confer specific functionality to the system. Methyl methacrylate nanoparticles were coated with thiolated chitosan using a radical polymerization method. Thiolation was carried out using glutathione [GSH] to improve mucoadhesivity and permeation enhancing properties of chitosan. Mucoadhesion studies were carried out by calculating the amount of mucin adsorbed on nanoparticles in a specific period of time. Complement consumption was assessed in human serum [HS] by measurement of the hemolytic capacity of the complement system after contact with nanoparticles. The FT-IR and 1HNMR spectra both confirmed the synthesis and showed the conjugation of thiolated chitosan to methyl methacrylate [MMA] homopolymer. Nanoparticles were spherical having a mean diameter within the range of about 334-650 nm and their positive zeta potential values indicated the presence of the cationic polysaccharide at the nanoparticle surface. Increasing the amount of thiolated chitosan led to mucoadhesivity and complement activation. However there was not dose dependent correlation between these phenomenons and the absence of thiolated chitosan led to particles with larger size, and without ability to activate complement process. It can be concluded that nanoparticles could be used for the mucosal delivery of peptides and proteins. Results show that the thiolated chitosan had higher mucoadhesion and complement activation than unmodified chitosan

effect of platelet activating factor on the motility and acrosome reaction of ram spermatozoa

Platelet activating factor [PAF] is a novel signaling phospholipids that in addition to platelet activation has many biological properties. The acrosome reaction, as an essential step in mammalian fertilization, can occur in response to several agents such as PAF. Therefore, the present study aimed to assess the effect of PAF on the motility and acrosome reaction of ram spermatozoa. Semen was collected from 18 fertile rams and incubated with four levels of PAF [10[-7], 10[-8], 10[-9] and 10[-10] mol] at 37°C for 15, 30, 60 or 120 min. Sperm motility and acrosome reaction were analyzed at varying levels of PAF with different incubation periods. With increasing PAF concentration, acrosome reaction was enhanced, while sperm motility was reduced [P<0.001]. As the period of incubation increased, there was a gradual decrease in sperm motility and increase in acrosome reaction percentages. There were high correlation between PAF concentrations and incubation times on induction of acrosome reaction [R[2] = 0.86] and reduction in sperm motility [R[2] = 0.82]. In addition, it was found that a PAF level of 10[-9] and incubation time for 30 min is the best optimum for inducing acrosome reaction in ram spermatozoa without drastically decreases in sperm motility. The present study optimized for the first time the concentration and incubation time of PAF for induction of acrosome reaction in fresh ram spermatozoa

Genetic variations of avian Pasteurella multocida as demonstrated by 16S-23S rRNA gene sequences comparison

Pasteurella multocida is known as an important heterogenic bacterial agent causes some severe diseases such as fowl cholera in poultry and haemorrhagic septicaemia in cattle and buffalo. A polymerase chain reaction [PCR] assay was developed using primers derived from conserved part of 16S-23S rRNA gene. The PCR amplified a fragment size of 0.7 kb using DNA from nine avian P. multocida isolates. Sequence alignment of the 16S-23S rRNA genes [ITS] revealed a considerable heterogenicity among the isolates. The percentage of similarity varied from 83.3 to 100% among the isolates. An interesting finding from this study was the presence of an inserted sequence [seven nucleotides] in the 16S-23S rRNA region in 55% of the isolates. According to phylogenic analysis based on ITS sequence alignment, the P. multocida isolates classified into 2 distinct clusters. The virulence of isolates in cluster II were higher than those in cluster I. Ribotyping of P. multocida by using 16S-23S rRNA gene PCR sequencing could be used as a marker in epidemiologic studies

[ survey on stress and ways of coping with stress in 3-year old children in Qazvin]

Studying problems and daily hassles in young children can provide models and frames for stress and also the ways stress could be coped with. To recognize and classify the stress and the ways of coping with 3- year old children in Qazvin. The present study was basic in nature, and developmental. The study population consisted of 115, 3-year old children of Qazvin. Assessment instrument was a problem check list and demographic questions along with the main test, which included 4 pictorial stories in 4 stages. Results were interpreted both qualitatively and quantitatively. Although the children used simple and ordinary responses, they also could use problem solving methods. Children's inappropriate and wrong responses could be considered as predisposing element of later disorders an important subject to study, yet has gained little attention. The children's coping responses were frequently classified as non-effective however these are called positive responses spent upon developmental ones and proposed in the frame of adaptive strategies. Finding a suitable model for stress and coping with children requires more thorough investigations

[Sensitivity and characteristic of urinary bladder cancer in comparison with cytology in transitional bladder carcinoma cell]

Introduction: Bladder Cancer is one of the most common urologic malignancies. The risk of recurrence in the same place or a new growth elsewhere in the urothelium, with the same stage or higher, is always with the bladder cancer patient. Therefore, a close follow-up and surveillance is of fundamental importance. Cystoscopy is limited in its ability to discover early urothelial changes. Urine cytology does not have enough sensitivity

Objective: The aim of our study is to compare the sensitivity and specificity of urinary tumor marker Urinary Bladder Cancer- Linked Immunosorbent Assay [UBC-ELISA] with urine cytology in the diagnosis of transitional cell cancer of the bladder

Materials and Methods: Voided urine samples were collected from 73 patients with active or history of bladder cancer, prior to cystoscopy at Urmia and Tehran universities urology sections, from March 2004 until March 2005. Ninety-eight volunteers were sampled as controls. Fresh samples were processed and frozen. UBC-ELISA and urine cytology were done during next 3 months period

Results: UBC and cytology sensitivity and specificity were 70%, 97% and 30%, 98% respectively. Positive and negative predictive values were 93%, 86% and 87%, 74% respectively. Accuracy of UBC was 87% as compared with urine cytology, which was 75%. There was no statistically significant relationship between UBC and grade or stage of the tumors [p= 0.11/ p= 0.28]. A statistically significant relationship was demonstrated between urine cytology and grade or stage of the tumors [p= 0.01/ p= 0.001]. Both tests had a statistically significant relationship to the size of the tumor if the cut-off was at 3 centimeters [p= 0.003/ p= 0.006]

Conclusion: Our study shows that the UBC test is much more sensitive than urinary cytology, but the specificity is not very different. Since UBC is less expensive and is an objective test, it can be used instead of urine cytology in the diagnosis and follow-up of transitional cell cancers of the bladder

Blood glucose and body mass index of patients on clozapine and conventional antipsychotics

To evaluate blood glucose and body weight in patients treated with clozapine and conventional antipsychotic. Forty-three patients with schizophrenia [36 males and 7 females] on clozapine were compared with 41 patients [33 males and 8 females] treated with conventional antipsychotics, regarding their fasting blood glucose [FBS], 2 hours post-prandial glucose [2HPPG] and body mass index [BMI]. Data were analyzed using Hest and the chi-square. Of the patients on clozapine, 2 had high FBS, 6 had high 2HPPG, and 5 were diagnosed with diabetes, which was significantly different from the group on conventional antipsychotic. Moreover, comparing the BMIs, the patients on clozapine had higher weights than the conventional treatment group. Clozapine may play a role in high blood glucose of some of the patients

Determining anatomic thyroid indices of adult population in city of Isfahan

The aim of this study was to determine the normal anatomic indices of thyroid glands in adult population of Isfahan. In this descriptive study, 250 postmortem thyroid glands were examined. During autopsy, the thyroid glands were excised carefully and the weight and volume of glands and their lobes were measured. Then all portions were examined visually with a magnifying glass looking for gross pathologic lesions. The specimen was also examined by palpation and homogenous glands were selected for the study.The data were analyzed using SPSS software and independent T-Test and ANOVA, and divided into four distinct age groups [19-29, 30-39, 40-49 and 50-64 years old] in both sex groups. In this postmortem project, the thyroid glands of 152 men and 29 women were studied. Total mean thyroid weight and volume were 15.5 +/- 5 gr and 15.8 +/- 5 ml respectively [Table 1 and Fig. 1].Mean thyroid right lobe length, width and thickness were 4.4 +/- 0/8 cm, 2.5 +/- 0.5cm and 1.2±0.3cm respectively, the same parameters for left lobe were 4.3 +/- 0/8 cm, 2.3 +/- 0.5cm, and 1.2±0.3cm, respectively. Mean thyroid weight were higher in men comparing with women [p<0/05], except in 40-49 age group. Mean thyroid volume and weight tend to increase with age in men [p<0.05] but not in women [Table 2 and Fig. 2]. The results of our study seem to be similar with those countries in which iodine deficiency has been compensated. Because of presence of differences between the results of autopsy study and those of sonography study, these two different studies should be repeated synonymously in our country until we reach a standard basis for thyroid anatomic indexes which could be applied in next therapeutic iodine supplementary programs

[Effects of progesterone on the number of CA3 hippocampus pyramidal neurons in chemical kindling in male rats]

Ovarian and steroid hormones have long and short-term effects of brain. Progesterone has functional and structural effect on Hippocampus neurons. In epilepsyprobably the number of brain neurons can reduce due to cell mortality. Therefore, in this study effect of progesterone were evaluated on the number of CA3 Hippocampus neurons. In this experimental study, 45 Male wistar rats were divided into 5 groups. 5 rats selected as an intact group. Group1 [control] were received, 50-mg/kg- pentylenetetrazd [PTZ]i.p. for kindling. Group 2 received PTZ sesom oil [i.p][vehicle], 30 min before, groups 3 and 4 received 25 and 50 mg/kg progesterone [i.p] 30 min before receiving PTZ. PTZ injected every 48 h and the rate of mortality, seizure stage and duration of V phase were calculated during in min after PTZ injection. If animal reach to phase 5, for three times they were considered as kindled rats and anesthetized by ether for histological study. Their brain were perfuse for fixation by formaldehyde [10%]. and after passage and blocking, 10 micron slices prepared and stained with HandE and Cresyl violet methods. Then CA3 neurons were counted with morphometric lens per mm[2]. The results were shown that injection of 25 and 50mg/kg progesterone reduced duration of phase V from 175.2 S in sham to 123.1 S and 113.1 S respectively, [p<0.05 and p0.01]. PTZ reduced the number of CA3 neurons form 178.3 +/- 8 in intact animals to 123.2 +/- 14.2 in control [p<0.05]. The mean number of neurons in 25 and 50 mg/kg progesterone were 137.3 +/- 10.5 and 145 +/- 8.5 respectively. The number of CA3 neuron in 50mg/kg progesterone group had significant difference compared to control group [p<0.05].The results of this study showed that, neuron mortality due to PTZ, reduced in progesterone receiving group compared to control. It seem that there is correlation between neuron mortality and phase 5 duration in progesterone receiving group

Evaluation of side effects, morbidity and mortality rate in patients with acute inferior infarction following the intravenous use of nitroglycerin

Different methods are being used for treatment of acute inferior myocardial [MI] infarction. Intravenous nitroglycerin is one of these methods although with some side effects especially when reperfusion of the artery is impossible. This research was performed to determine the side effects, mortality and morbidity rate associated with the use of this drug in hospitals. This is an existing data study, which was carried out on 1080 patients with inferior MI who were hospitalized in Kashan Shahid Beheshti Hospital. The patients were treated with or without intravenous nitroglycerin during 8 years from 1994-2001. One hundred eighty eight patients with isolated acute inferior MI with no electrocardiographic sign of right ventricular MI or MI of other parts without any history of MI were chosen. Out of 188 patients, 112 patients were treated with intravenous nitroglycerin [TNG[+]] and 76 patients treated without this drug [TNG[-]]. The age range of patients was between 25 to 85 years old [59.84 +/- 10.82] and with a sex distribution of 40 women and 148 men. The mean value of hospitalization period among the TNG[+] group was significantly more than the control group [P= 0.046]. The rate of hospital mortality and morbidity in patients treated with intravenous nitroglycerin was less than the TNG[-] group, although statistically insignificant. The reduction of blood pressure in TNG+ patients was significantly more than the TNG- group [P=0.027]. Sinus bradycardia in patients treated with TNG was significantly less than the TNGgroup [P= 0.037]. Sinus tachycardia in group treated with TNG was more than the TNG-group, however, no statistically significant difference seen [P= 0.434]. There was no statistical difference between two groups when the signs of other types of dysrhythmia were compared. Regarding the observation of more side effects among the patients with acute inferior MI treated with intravenous TNG, more caution is needed when this type of therapy is administered

Nursing and midwifery baccalaureate students' approaches to study and learning at Fatemeh School of Nursing, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences

Background: current knowledge suggests that students approach their study in surface, deep or strategic manners. The knowledge of students' approaches to study, and the factors that affect their choice are important for curriculum planners as well as nurse and midwife educators

Purpose: the aim of this study was to investigate the approaches to study of nursing and midwifery baccalaureate students at Fatemeh School of Nursing, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences using the Approaches and Study Skills Inventory for Students

Methods: a questionnaire containing a number of questions regarding the demographic characteristics and the validated Persian translation of the inventory was administered to all nursing and midwifery students

Results: a significantly higher numbers of students adopted deep approach. There was a significant negative correlation between the stage of study and the use of surface approach by midwifery students. Moreover. There was a significantly positive correlation between the level of interest in the field of study and the use of strategic approach for nursing and midwifery students. The grade point averages of nursing students were positively correlated with their use of deep or strategic approaches

Conclusion: this study showed the majority of nursing and midwifery students were using deep approach to learning. It also showed that in higher years these students tended to use deep or strategic approach. Moreover, it demonstrated that there was a positive correlation between students' levels of interest or grade point averages and the adoption of deep or strategic approaches