[Effects of rumen-protected conjugated linoleic acid supplementation on production responses, milk composition and blood metabolites in holstein dairy cows]

Rumen-protected conjugated linoleic acid [CLA] may increase the protein to fat ratio in milk, and potentially improve the energy balance of early lactation cows. The objective of this study was to evaluate the production performance and blood metabolite changes in Holstein cows supplemented with four different doses of CLA postpartum in early lactation. Eight multiparous Holstein cows with at least 25 kg/day milk production were randomly chosen and were included in an experimental design with four three week periods [7 days of adaptation and 14 days of treatment and sampling]. The experiment was carried out with four levels of protected CLA supplement including 0, 50, 100, and 150 g per day per cow. Blood metabolites such as cholesterol and LDL-C content decreased significantly [p<0.05], but other metabolites such as HDL-C, VLDL-C, triglyceride and BHBA did not change [p>0.05]. Milk production increased significantly [p<0.05], and 100 g/day of CLA supplemented treatment resulted in the highest production compared with the other groups. Milk fat percentage of the treated cows was reduced significantly and followed a dose-dependent response. No significant results were observed with regard to the protein content, solids-non-fat and milk density of the milk [p>0.05]. The increased milk production, and decreased blood LDL-C and cholesterol levels indicate an improvement in the physiological state of the cows. Given the enrichment of produced milk using this supplement, it is highly recommended to provide these supplements in dairy cow diets

Migraine in Iranian children; which criteria are the best diagnostic criteria?

The aim of this study was to identify the best criteria for diagnosis of migraine in our pediatric population. A total of 85 children aged below 15 years who had been referred to the Neurology Clinic of Al-Zahra Hospital with headache as their chief complaint, were enrolled. Validated questionnaires were completed by them. The patients were evaluated using five sets of diagnostic criteria including the Vahlquist, the Prensky, the International Headache Society [HIS], the IHS-Revised [IHS-R], and the Maytal criteria; the sensitivity of each set of criteria was assessed. Of the 85 children, clinically diagnosed as having migraine, 61 [72%], 73 [86%], 75 [88%], 76 [89.5%], and 76 [89.5%] met the criteria of IHS, Vahlquist, Prensky, IHS-R, and Maytal, respectively. Both the IHS-R and Maytal criteria had the highest, while the IHS criteria had the lowest sensitivity. Fifty-four children [63.5%] were positive for all five sets of criteria. The application of IHS criteria for diagnosing pediatric migraine led to a smaller percentage of children with migraine being identified. Assessment of the sensitivity of the five sets of criteria for the diagnosis of migraine revealed the inadequacies and limitations of the IHS criteria in the diagnosis of pediatric migraine

[Comparative study of the plasma Homocysteine level in patients with mild Parkinson's disease and moderate to severe Parkinson's disease]

Patients with Parkinson's disease [PD] have higher concentration of plasma homocysteine [Hcy]. Elevation of total serum Hcy level has been known as a risk factor for neurodegenerative diseases. The aim of this study was comparison of serum Hcy level between PD patients with stage =< 2.5 and PD patients with stage > 2.5 [according to modified Yohen and Yahr method], and assessing the association between the duration of disease and Hcy levels. This case - control study was done on 50 patients with Parkinson's disease in the year 2005 in Al - Zahra Hospital of Isfahan. Patients divided into two groups: control group 1 included 23 patients with mild disease [stage=<2.5]; 27 patients with sever Parkinson's [stage>2.5] were put in the case group 1. Considering the duration of the disease, also, patients were divided into case 2 [more than 4 year duration with 24 patients] and control 2 [less than 4 year duration with 26 patients] groups. Hcy level was measured in all patients and compared in different groups. Individual and laboratory data were collected in questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics and frequency distribution tables. The mean serum Hcy level in severe PD group was 24.96 micro mol/lit and in mild PD group was 25.07 micro mol/lit. There was no significant statistical difference between them. The mean serum level of Hcy, without any significant difference, in patients with duration of disease lower than 4 years was 23.51 micro mol/lit and in group with duration of more than that was 26.40 micro mol/lit. The present study showed that serum Hcy level doesn't have any relation with stage and duration of disease, and cannot be used as a predictive value for the progression of PD

[Comparison of prednisolone and acyclovir alone and in combination in bell's palsy treatment]

Bell's palsy is the most common type of seventh nerve palsy. Acyclovir has been recommended for treatment of the patients, since some evidences show that herpes virus has a role in this disease. Thus, this study was performed to determine the effect of acyclovir on Bell's palsy and to compare it with typical treatment i.e, prednisolone. We also investigated whether combination therapy with these two agents can cause faster improvement and alleviate the complications of the disease. This study was a clinical trial and three groups of 26 patients suffering from Bell's Palsy were included. The patients were randomely assigned to receive prednisolone, acyclovir, prednisolone - acyclovir and the data were analyzed by Kruskal - Wallis test, at the end point. This study showed that improvement ratio in patients who received prednisolone, acyclovir, and prednisolone - acyclovir were 69.23%, 65.38% and 80.76%, respectively. Staistical analysis showed that in the patients received combined prednisolone - acyclovir, the course of treatment was shorter and the response to treatment was faster than the other groups. This study showed that combined prednisolone - acyclovir therapy is more effective and can cause a faster improvement in Bell's palsy patients. Also in certain disease such as diabetes which prescription of prednisolone has limitations it is possible to use acyclovir as a substitution

[Comparative assessment of diagnostic value of electrodiagnostic methods and radiologic evaluations in patients with clinical signs of cervical radiculopathy]

Cervical radiculopathy is one of the most common diseases that must be diagnosed early and properly to prevent its serious side effects. For this purpose different paraclinical methods such as MRI, X-ray, EMG, NCV and SSEP are used. Each of these methods has its limitations and some of them are expensive or invassive. The aim of this study was to compare the electrodiagnostic and radiologic methods in diagnosis of cervical radiculopathy. In this study 36 patients [22 Female, l4 Male] with complaint of cervical pain radiated to upper limbs were evaluated. The evaluation included EMG, NCV, MRI, X-ray and SSEP. Exclusion criteria were fracture dislocation and infection of bone joints or soft tissues .MRI and X-ray were performed in MRI centers of Isfahan, Sepahan and Alzahra hospital in Isfahan city. MRI was graded on severity of 1 to 3. EMG, NCV and SSEP were performed in electrodiagnostic center of Alzahra hospital by one professional technician. Results were compared with text books and analyzed by SPSS software. Sensitivity of SSEP was 28.6% and specifity was 100%. Partial agreement between SSEP and MRI existed in moderate and severe cervical involvements [P = 0.005]. Frequencies of abnormalities were: EMG 50%, NCV 5.6%, X-ray 33.3% and MRI 77.8%. This study shows that SSEP has lower value than EMG in diagnosis of cervical radiculopathy. Also in a patient with cervical radiculopathy, cervical MRI and EMG of upper limbs are necessary. SSEP abnormalities in the presence of moderate and severe MRI changes such as myelopathy, are more valuable. Therefore, SSEP in cervical radiculopathy is recommended before surgery

[Study of relative distribution of depression and anxiety in suffering from migraine and Tension Type Headache and comparison with those who are not suffering from headache]

It has been proved that most of chronic headaches are accompanied with psychological and moral affairs. This study was aimed at evaluating the prevalence of depression and anxiety in patients having migraine and tension headaches and compared to similar people who are not suffering from headaches. This case- control study assessed one hundred and twenty five patients who were suffering from Migraine and tension headache by International Headache Societay [IHS] criteria that to Ishanan medical - training clinics and one hundred and twenty five control group have been studied in, terms of depression and anxiety. Beck Depression Inventory [BDI] and Catel Anxiety Inventory [CAI] were used in this study and the results have been analysed by chi-square, t-test statistical surveys using SPSS statistical software. The Moderate depression in case groups was 2.35 times of control group [P=0.001].Moderote Anxiety in case group was 2.67 time of control group [P=0.001],and sever anxiets was 207 times of control group [P=0.002]. In case group the rate of anxiety and depression was more noticeable [P<0001]. In regard to significant correlation between migraine and Tension Type Headache [TTH] with Anyiet and Depression evaluation of psychological aspect of these patients is necessary for quick treatment and avoids to chronicity of headache and reduce remedical costs