A tentative component analysis of Norjizak: A new abused drug in Iran.

Norjizak is a new drug abused in the past few years in Iran with symptoms and complications distinct from other common forms of drug and characterized by higher rate of mortality. The present study aims to analyze the chemical components of this substance. Five samples were obtained from abusers referring from different areas of Tehran to a treatment clinic. All samples were 2 ml vials with yellowish fluid. Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) was performed first to analyze the samples semi-quantitatively and the quantitative levels of components were then explored using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). TLC revealed steroid (in form of betamethasone), heroin, codeine, morphine and thebaine in all five samples. Four samples contained acetaminophen and two samples contained caffeine. None of them contained amphetamine, benzodiazepine, tricyclic antidepressant, aspirin, barbiturates, tramadol and buprenorphine. HPLC revealed that heroin, codeine, morphine and thebaine constituted the narcotic foundation in all samples. In addition, the heroin to acetylcodeine ratio was significantly lower in three samples, which indicates their higher toxicity. The results of the present study on the chemical components of Norjizak showed that this substance is an opiate one similar to heroin and the heroin-based crack prevalent in Iran which contains betamethasone.

COMPARISON OF THE EFFECTS OF ORAL VS. PERITONSILLAR INFILTRATION OF KETAMINE IN PAIN REDUCTION AFTER TONSILLECTOMY: A RANDOMIZED CLINICAL TRIAL.

BACKGROUND: Although oral ketamine has been used in some cases to reduce pain in children, the use of this drug to reduce pain after tonsillectomy has not been studied yet. METHODS: This double-blind clinical trial was conducted in 2009 in 92 children who were aged three to nine years old, met ASA I or II criteria, and were candidate for tonsillectomy. Patients were divided randomly into two groups. Half an hour before general anesthesia, 5 mg/kg ketamine mixed in 2 cc/kg apple juice was given to the children in oral ketamine group and 2 cc/kg of apple juice alone was given to the children in the peritonsillar group. After general anesthesia and three minutes before surgery 1 cc of 0.9% normal saline in the oral group and 1cc of ketamine (0.5 mg/kg) in the peritonsillar group was injected to the tonsil bed of patients. RESULTS: There was no difference between the two groups in terms of sex, age, and weight. Duration of surgery was significantly shorter in the peritonsillar group (P < 0.001) and the severity of postoperative bleeding was significantly higher in peritonsillar group (P = 0.022). However, postoperative bleeding recurred in 25 patients (27%) and there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups. The level of pain in children six hours after surgery according to CHEOPS criteria was significantly lower in the peritonsillar group (0.9 ± 0.8) than in the oral group (2.6 ± 1) (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The finding of this study showed that, compared with the peritonsillar infiltration of ketamine, the use of oral ketamine before general anesthesia was less effective in reducing postoperative pain of tonsillectomy in children.

Benefit effect of naloxone in benzodiazepines intoxication: findings of a preliminary study.

BACKGROUND: Naloxone, as a low-priced and available drug, may be useful in improvement of signs and symptoms of benzodiazepines intoxication. The aim of this study was assessment of its effect on benzodiazepines poisoning. METHODS: In this clinical-trial study, patients with typical signs and symptoms of benzodiazepines poisoning, who were referred to a poisoning center in Tehran in 2008, were selected. After recording of patients' characteristics, supportive treatment was initiated and patients were randomly assigned to the case group with intravenous (IV) injection of two 0.4 mg naloxone ampules or to the control group. Their signs and symptoms were evaluated again 0.5 hour later. Each of diazepam, clonazepam and alperazolam drug group had 30 patients and lorazepam drug group had 26 patients, half of which patients in each drug group received naloxone. RESULTS: Most of the participants were female and the mean age was 28 years. There were no significant differences between case and control groups in age, sex, time of drug consumption, tablet counts, signs and symptoms and level of consciousness at the admission time in each drug types. After naloxone injection in case groups, all signs and symptoms significantly improved in all drug types in comparison to control groups except nystagmus. In addition, level of consciousness significantly improved in case groups in all drug types except lorazepam. CONCLUSION: Findings of the study showed that naloxone is effective in management of benzodiazepines poisoning. However, future clinical trials with greater sample size are recommended.

Diagnostic value of fingerprint patterns: an explorative study on beta-thalassemia diagnosis.

Rapid diagnosis of major beta thalassemia along with certain preventive measures is of utmost significance. The present study aims to compare the fingerprints in Major beta thalassemic patients (67) and in their parents (76 with minor thalassemia) with the normal fingerprints of control group (144). A forensic medical examiner determined fingerprint types of arch, loop, whorl and other types. Like normal individuals, loop fingerprint pattern was found to be the most common fingerprint type among thalassemic patients. However, the number of whorl fingerprints in all fingers in thalassemic patients was greater than that of normal individuals and the number of loop fingerprints was smaller (p < 0.05). Arch type fingerprint pattern was less frequent in major thalassemic patients compared to minor thalassemic ones (p < 0.05). The findings show that the number of whorl fingerprint patterns in thalassemic patients was greater than that of normal individuals, while the number of loop fingerprint patterns being smaller and the frequency of arch fingerprint pattern in patients with major thalassemia was lower than that of minor thalassemic patients. Therefore, one may choose fingerprint pattern as a simple, affordable and appropriate screening method to help detect the afflicted patients and prevent severe cases of thalassemia.