[Effect of combination of Melatonin and All-Trans retinoic acid on maturation, fertilization and embryonic development of immature mouse oocytes]

Background and Objective: With respect to the antioxidant role of melatonin and retinoic acid, it seems to be effective both in the maturation and embryonic development. This study was done to investigate the effect of combination of melatonin and All-Trans retinoic acid [RA] on maturation, fertilization and embryonic development of immature mouse oocytes

Methods: In this experimental study, cumulus - oocyte complex [COCs] were recovered from 4-6 week old female mice NMRI and were divided into 6 maturation medium groups including control, sham, experiment 1[melatonin 100 nM, 1 and 2 microM], experiment 2 [retinoic acid 1, 2, 4, 6 microM], experiment 3 [melatonin 2 microM+RA 4 microM], experiment 4 [Mel 100nM + retinoic acid 4 microM]. The maturation rate was recorded after 24 hours of culture in a humidified atmosphere of 5% CO2 at 37°C. The matured oocytes were fertilized with sperm. Fertilization and embryonic development rates to the blastocyst stage were recorded

Results: Maturation rate in the control and sham groups were 50.6% and 49.4%, respectively. Maturation rate were 54.3%, 54.8%, 59.9% in melatonin group with concentrations of 100 nM, 1 and 2 microM, respectively. Maturation rate were 51.6%, 51%, 59% and 49.6% in t-RA group with concentrations of 1, 2, 4, 6 microM. Maturation rate were 60.4% and 54.2% in the experiment 3 and 4 groups, respectively. The maturation rates in the melatonin 2 microM, retinoic acid 4 microM and experiment 3 significantly increased in compare to control [P<0.05]. The embryonic development rate in the melatonin with 100nM concentration and 4 microM of retinoic acid increased significantly compared to controls [P<0.05]. Although, embryonic development rate in experiment 3 was higher than control, but lower in compare to melatonin 100 nM and the retinoic acid 4 microM. The embryonic development rate in experiment 4 significantly increased in compare to control [P<0.05]

Conclusion: Combination of melatonin and All-Trans retinoic acid in medium culture increase maturation rate and improved embryonic development in dose dependent manner

Effect of zinc supplementation in children with asthma: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial in northern Islamic Republic of Iran

There are conflicting reports about the benefits of zinc supplements in childhood asthma. This study examined the effect of zinc supplementation in children with asthma attending an outpatient clinic in Sari, Islamic Republic of Iran. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial over 8 weeks, 284 children on inhaled steroids were allocated to receive zinc supplements [50 mg/day] [n = 144] or placebo [n = 140]. Cases and controls had low initial serum zinc concentrations [61.8 [SD 7.3] microg/dL and 60.9 [SD 4.3] microg/dL]. After treatment, mean serum zinc level in the case group was significantly higher [129 [SD 20.4] microg/dL] than in the controls [63 [SD 8.6] microg/dL]. There were no significant differences in IgE levels before and after treatment. The case group showed significant improvements in clinical symptoms such as cough, wheezing and dyspnoea and in all spirometry parameters [FVC, FEV1 and FEV1/FVC]

[Diphtheria and tetanus immunity in placenta and two months infant]

Abstract Introduction: Maternal immunization provides potential means for protecting infants against some infections with universal application

Objective: This study was designed to determine the levels of immunity against Diphtheria and Tetanus in mothers and their two mounths old infants who reffered for vaccination, and evaluate the relation of mothers vaccination on their infants immunity and determine the ratio of mothers who didn't observe the vaccination during pregnancy

Materials and Methods: Sera were collected from 110 mother-infant pairs before DTwP vaccination and from 69 infants after receipt of three doses of DTP vaccine. Anti diphtheria, anti tetanus toxins IgG levels were measured by ELIZA. History of DT vaccination of mothers at pregnancy was recorded. The mean concentration of antibodies against diphtheria and tetanus in mother and their infants before vaccination and in infants after receipt of 3doses of DTwP vaccine were measured and compared by paired t-test

Results: Of 110 mothers, 22 [20%] did not receive dT vaccine. Of these 22 unvaccinated mothers, one [4.5%] and six [27.2%] were serologically susceptible to tetanus and diphtheria respectively. The mean concentrations of antibodies titers of unvaccinated mothers were significantly lower than vaccinated mothers. All infants acquired immunity against both infections after receipt of three doses of DTP vaccine. Infants' immune response to DTP was not affected by maternal immunization

Conclusion: Diphtheria - tetanus toxoids components of DTP vaccine were highly immunologenic, According to lack of vaccination in pregnancy, more effort must be made to increase the coverage rate of this highly immunogenic vaccine to sustain protection against diphtheria and tetanus

Effects of psycho-education on quality of life in patients with irritable bowel syndrome

Presentations of Irritable Bowel Syndrome [IBS] is influenced by numerous cultural, racial and social factors. Some evidences indicate that psycho-education can potentially improve the Quality Of Life [QOL] in these patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of psycho-education on the QOL in a sample of Iranian patients with IBS. This clinical trial was conducted on 44 patients who were randomly assigned to an experiment group and a control one. The two groups were matched for age, sex, level of education, job status and level of stress. The control group received only drug therapy while the case group participated in a three-session educational program as well. The content of educations included information about anatomy of the intestines, pathopysiology of IBS and potential causes of symptom aggravation, as well as stress manage-ment and problem solving skills training. The QOL Short Form scale for IBS patients [IBS QOL-SF36] were administerd to both groups before the first and one month after the last session of psycho-education. Data were analysed using T-student and Chi-square tests running SPSS-10 software. The mean age of the control and the case group was 33.5 +/- 8 and 37.5 +/- 10 years respectively. Most of the patients in both groups were female, married and urban resident, with no significant differences in this regards. There was also no significant difference between the two groups regarding the mean scores of IBS-QOL-SF36. In the short term follow up psycho-education was not effective in improving the QOL in patients with IBS. A long-term evaluation as well as a large sample size is needed for more reliable conclusions

Knowledge and practices of health care workers and medical students towards universal precautions in hospitals in Mazandaran Province

This study investigated knowledge of and practices towards universal precautions among 540 health care workers and medical students in 2 university hospitals in Mazandaran Province, Islamic Republic of Iran. Only 65.8% and 90.0% staff in the 2 hospitals and 53.5% of medical students had heard about universal precautions. Overall, there was a low understanding of precautions, except concerning disposal of sharps, contact with vaginal fluid, use of mask and gown or cleaning spilled blood. Health workers had difficulty distinguishing between deep body fluids and body secretions that are not considered infectious. Good practices were reported regarding hand- washing, disposal of needles, and glove, mask and gown usage

Assessment the diagnostic validity and the relationship between urinary fsh and serum fsh in menopausic and non-menopausic women

Background and purpose: FSH [Follicle stimulating Hormone] is a glycopeptid hormone released from anterior pituitary and is associated with ovarian function. Due to its daily and monthly cyclicity, successive sampling is used for certainty. Because of the kydney intervention in gradual releasing FSH, random and morning urinary sample was considered in menopausic and non-menopausic women

Methods and Materials: 50 woman with ages 35-60 years old participated in the study. The participants had not ured oral contraceptives, had normal renal function and were admitted for hysterectomy, due to benign illnesses, at Imam Khomeini Hospital in Sari, Iran. Frequcut sampling and random blood sample were taken a day before surgery by research aids blind to the participants menopausal status. FSH was measured through radio immunoassay and its correlation [gold standard] was obtained with each urinary sample in both groups. Sensitivity and specificity was studied

Results: Out of 47 cases admitted, 37 cases were monmenopausic with FSH less than 20 mlu/ml and 10 cases were menopausic with FSH more than 40 mlu/ml; 3 cases were ruled out because their FSH levels were not ascertained. FSh correlation with random and morning urinary samples were 31% and 84% respectiviely in nou-monopausic cases. In the second group, 68% and 77% were observed respectively. The sensitivity and specifity in random urine sample were 100% and 97% respectively; while in morning samples, they were both 100%

Conclusion: According to the findings, high correlations were observed between serum FSH and morning sample in menopausic cases, as well as with random sample. Also because of the satisfactory specificity and sensitivity of FSH measurement with urine samples, it is possible to replace floquent sampling with one morning sample in pathological and physiological instances. This method is non- invasive, simple and cheap

[ effects of garlic topical gel [5%] in the treatment of alopecia areata]

Alopecia areata is the rapid onset of total hair loss in a sharply defined round area. No definite cause is known for this disease but stress is an effective factor. Different treatments are available but no cure is yet known. The purpose of this study is to determine the efficacy of garlic gel in treatment of alopecia areata. The method of study is placebo controlled. The study was performed during summer 2004-5. The subjects were recruited from dermatology clinics in the city of Sari, according to inclusion criteria. They were randomly divided into 4 blocks and received gel and placebo. Garlic gel was used twice dayly with topical corticosteroid. The results were compared together after 3 months. The data were analyzed by ANOVA and Tuky-test using SPSS program. Twenty patients were given the garlic gel and placebo was administered to the other 20 patients. The average age of the patients [55% male] was 24 _ 15. Scalp was the most common affected area in patients [72.5%] and majority of them had one patch [70%]. Positive familial history was noted in 22.5% of the patients and 25% of them had the atopic. Stress was observed in 35% of the patients. There was no difference in decreasing the size of patches in the first two months, between the two groups. However, the increase in the number of hair between the two groups were significant in the third month[P<0.05]. The garlic gel can stimulate hair growth in patients with Alopecia areata. Therefor this effective and low cost treatment is recommended particularly for limited forms of the disease

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

[Measurement of biochemical components of liver Hydatid cyst fluids in human, sheep, goat, cattle and camel; Mazandaran; 2004]

Different strains of Echinococcus Granulesus have been found in endemic areas of Iran. This variation has a significant aspect in the field of medical parasitology and veterinary and also in epidemiology, pathology, control and prevention of Hydatid cyst infection. Morphology, epidemiology and biochemical studies can be carried out to determine Hydatid cyst strains in human and animal origins as host. This study was done to measure different biochemical compositions of liver Hydatid cyst fluids in human, sheep, goat, cattle and camel in 2004.In a cross sectional-analytical study, 112 samples of Hydatid fluids were collected from the liver cysts of different hosts: 16 sheeps, 64 catties, 12 goats and 10 camels in slaughter houses of Sari and Ghaemshahr and 10 human in Imam hospital. All cyst fluids were centrifuged at 4500 rpm at 4°C for 45 minutes and the supernatants were analyzed for various biochemical parameters.Quantitative differences were observed in the levels of Sodium, Glucose, Urea, Alanin Aminotransferase [AST] in liver cystic fluids obtained from different hosts, although these differences were not statistically insignificant. However, differences in the levels of Potassium, Calcium, Triglycerides, Cholesterol, Uric acid, Creatinin, Albumin, Gamma Glutamyl Transferase, Aspartat Aminotransferase [AST] and Creatinine Phosphokinase [CPK] in different Hydatid cyst fluids were statistically significant [P<0.05].Differences in biochemical composition of different Hydatid cyst fluids suggest the possible existence of more than one strain of Echinococcus Granulosus in human and other intermediate domestic animal hosts in Mazandaran

[Epidemiological aspects of low back pain in nurses]

Among all occupation, the highest rate of musculoskeletal injuries especially back pain is seen in nurses. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of back injuries in nursing personnel and to study how individual and occupational characteristics affect it. Following ethical approval, 1226 nurses were randomly selected from 13 hospitals in Mazandaran province in the north of Iran. Data were gathered by questionnaires included individual and occupational characteristics, prevalence of back pain, probable causes and its effects on nursing activities. Point, one month, 6 month, one year and lifetime prevalence of LBP [Low back pain] in nurses reported 51.5%, 56.3%, 58.9%, 59.6% and 62%, respectively. Lifting heavy things was the most common cause of back injury [30.4%]. Prolonged standing and rest were found to be the significant aggravating and relieving factors, respectively [57.6% and 59.2%]. Absence from work because of LBP during the last month was reported 33.7% of the sample. There was a significant correlation between the type of ward and LBP [P<0.001], the highest prevalence of LBP was in emergency ward and the lowest one was in NICU and urology ward. There was also a reverse correlation between job satisfaction and prevalence of LBP in nurses [P<0.001]. The results demonstrate that the magnitude of LBP amongst nursing personnel appears to be high and associated with some occupational and individual characteristics. Therefore, more resources should be allocated to prevent such an injury in nursing profession

[Hydatid cyst components effect in prevention of hymenolepis nana infection in rat]

Background and Objective: Regarding prospective effects and cross immunity between some species of parasites, obtained antigens of a parasite can be used to prevent other parasitic diseases and adjuvant of this effect can be increased. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of hydatid cyst components in prevention of H. Nana in rat

Methods: 40 rats with the same sex and age were selected after gaining confidence in nonexistence of any parasitic disease. They were divided into 2 groups and each group were divided into 4 subgroups. In one group, antigen of fluid, protoscolex, germinal layer were injected respectively and in the other group, these antigenic materials were used with an adjuvant. Control group was considered for both groups. The immunization was performed by multiple injection. One week after injection of antigenic materials, H. Nana eggs were received orally by rats. After observation of H. Nana in stool of rats in control group, blood sample was taken from all rats. Different biochemical tests and immunological and parasitological tests were performed on sera and stool samples, respectively

Findings: Different protein measurements especially gammaglobulin indicated that membrane of hydatid cyst had the strongest antigenic effect in comparison to 2 other parts of cyst and hydatid cyst fluid showed the weakest one

Conclusion: Stool test in control group and exposing egg showed that this group was infected. It was not seen any exposing egg in rats that immunized with different hydatid cyst components. Statistical and biochemical results demonstrated that this effect increased by using adjuvant with different hydatid cyst components and its results showed that immune effect would be increased after injection of adjuvant