Zahedan Journal of Research in Medical Sciences
Volume:11 Issue: 1, 2009

The use of low-frequency electrical stimulation (LFS) as a therapy for epilepsy is currently being studied in experimental animals and patients with epilepsy. In the present study, we investigated the role of serine/threonine protein phosphatases in the inhibitory effects of LFS on perforant path kindling acquisition. Sixty four male Wistar rats were stimulated by perforant path stimulation in a rapid kindling manner (6 stimulations per day). The LFS (1 Hz) was applied immediately after termination of each kindling stimulation. The FK506 (1µM; i.c.v.), a serine/threonine protein phosphatase PP2B inhibitor and okadaic acid (1µM;i.c.v.), a serine/threonine protein phosphatases PP1/2A inhibitor, were daily microinjected into the left ventricle 10 min before starting the stimulation protocol. A two-way ANOVA was done to compare the seizure parameters of different groups. The effect of LFS on behavioral seizure scores was analyzed using the nonparametric Kruskal–Wallis and Mann–Whitney U tests. P value less than 0.05 was considered as the level of significance. Appling LFS immediately after kindling stimulation significantly retarded the kindling acquisition and delayed the expression of different kindled seizure stages. In addition, LFS significantly reduced the increment of daily after-discharge duration during kindling development. (P<0.001) Microinjection of neither FK506 nor okadaic acid had significant effect on the antiepileptogenic effect of LFS on kindling parameters. Our findings showed that activation of PP1/2A and PP2B, which play a critical role in LFS, induced down-regulation of synaptic strength, had no role in mediating the inhibitory effects of LFS on perforant path kindled seizures.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) describes a common clinico-pathological condition characterized by significant lipid deposition in the hepatocytes in patients without history of excessive alcohol ingestion. The objective of this study was to assess the clinical and paraclinical features and risk factors of NAFLD patients in comparison with healthy population. In this case-control study, 102 patients with NAFLD were compared with 102 controls in East Azerbaijan province. The diagnosis of NAFLD was provided by liver ultrasonography to confirm the presence of steatohepatitis. Liver function tests, lipid profile, blood sugar, body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference were measured in all participants. The statistical analysis was performed using chi-square, t tests and logistic regression model and P<0.05 was considered significant. This study consists of 102 patients (56 men and 46 women) and 102 controls (43 men and 59 women). The mean ± SD of age of the patients was 42.53 10.70 years and 45.46 13.51 years for controls. The mean SD of BMI was 30.51 4.69 in patient group and 26.48 4.40 in control group (P<0.0005). The 9.8 percent of patients were underweight, 41.17 percent were in normal range and 49.01 percent were obese. The central obesity was seen in 59.8 percent of patients and 30.7 percent of controls (P<0.05). The incidence of some characteristics in patients and controls were as follow respectively: hypertriglyceridemia (63.7% vs. 20.2%), hypercholesterolemia (20.2% vs. 9.8%), hypertension (47.6% vs. 10.8%), diabetes (21.4% vs 2.3%), and elevated ALT (46.6% vs 0.9%). Elevated AST level was more common in the NAFLD group (37.9%) compared to control group (2.9%) (P<0.0005). Hypertension, grade of BMI and hypertriglyceridemia were recognized as independent predictors. NAFLD has similar characteristics in our population compared to other parts of the world. Hypertension high, grades of BMI and hypertriglyceridemia are suggested as useful indicators for screening of NAFLD in our population.

Labor pain is the worst pain experience during women's life. The management of labor pain is amongst the leading goals of maternity care. Unrelieved labor pain may adversely affect both mother and the neonate. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of Hoku point ice massage on pain intensity in primiparous women during labor. A randomized controlled trial was conducted on 60 primiparous women who were expected to have normal childbirth in Hajar Hospital of Shahrekord. All participants were randomly assigned in two groups (n = 30): ice massage (treatment) and sand bag group (control). The severity of the basal pain was measured at the beginning of active phase (4 cm cervical dilation) based on Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Then, after two groups received intervention, the severity of the labor pain in 4, 6, 8 and 10 cm cervical dilation was measured. In the case group, the crushed ice twisted in a terry bag was rocked on the web of skin between thumb and forefinger. The massage was carried out in Hoku point throughout three contractions. The sand bag tactile massage in Hoku point was served in the control group. The data were analyzed using SPSS software and descriptive analysis using Mann- Whitney, x2, paired and independent t tests and P<0.05 was considered significant. After completion of intervention, the pain intensity in the treatment group was significantly less than the control group) P<0.001). Also, mean duration of active phase of labor in treatment group was significantly less than the control group (P<0.05). In the treatment group, the difference between the mean of the pain pre and post intervention was significant just in 4, 6 and 8 cervical dilation (P<0.001). Regarding the ice massage as a cost-effective and noninvasive nursing intervention and considering high satisfaction of patients, we recommend this safe and easy-to-use technique for alleviation of the labor pain.

Abnormal hyperglycemia is a common finding in early phase of acute myocardial infarction that is named as stress hyperglycemia. In this study we have evaluated primary blood sugar of non-diabetic patients with acute myocardial infarction at the time of admission to compare the early complications between patients with high or normal blood sugar. We aimed to find any relation between primary blood sugar and post MI complication rate. One hundred non-diabetic patients with acute myocardial infarction who were referred to heart emergency ward of Imam Reza Hospital (Mashhad, Iran) were included in this study. According to primary blood glucose level, 50 patients with blood glucose > 126 mg/dl were compared with 50 patients with normal blood glucose level. All patients were evaluated during hospitalization and daily clinical examinations laboratory tests, and routine non-invasive assessments were done. The results were analyzed by SPSS software and the level of signification difference was described as p<0.05. Sinus tachycardia, atrial fibrillation, bundle branch block, ventricular extrasystole, prolonged PR-interval and heart failure according to Klip classification and also according to echocardiographic index (EF<50) were statistically significant and more common in hyperglycemic patients (P<0.05). Thromboembolic and mechanical complications (papillary muscle dysfunction), pericarditis, phlebitis and angina were also more common in hyperglycemic group although the differences were not significant statistically. It seems that high rate of early complications in non-diabetic patients with acute myocardial infarction is directly related to primary hyperglycemia (stress hyperglycemia).

Peracetic acid (Percidin) is a chemical compound that shows antimicrobial activity due to its high oxidizing potential. This study was designed to evaluate the efficiency of antibacterial activity of Percidin and its spectrum by disc diffusion and microdilution methods. Standard strains and isolated bacteria from clinical specimens in the north of Iran were used in this work. Different dilutions of percidine and discs were prepared. Disc diffusion test was done and inhibition zone was measured. Finally, MIC and MBC was determined by microdilution methods. Our results demonstrated highest susceptibility of Staphylococcus aureus strains that were sensitive and resistant to methiciline. Lower level of susceptibility to percidin was seen for Bacillus licheniformis. Inhibition zone for gram negative bacteria was between 34 and 45 mm. Almost both MIC and MBC for gram positive bacteria was 2µg/ml and maximum amount obtained in Mycobacterium smegmatis and Entrococcus fecalis with 4µg/ml and 8µg/ml simultaneously. The MIC was 4µg/ml in gram negative bacteria. The analysis of percidin antibacterial activity against different types of bacteria shows its wide antibacterial spectrum that covers gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria including standard and clinical isolated strains. The coincidence of most of the MIC and the MBC indicates the bactericidal activity for Percidin. In brief, this work describes a broad-spectrum antibacterial activity of Percidin and suggests use of this compound as a strong disinfectant in hospitals and elimination of bacteria from medical equipments.

Gastric cancer remains as one of the leading causes of death worldwide. In patients with gastric cancer, the survival rate after diagnosis is relatively low. The present study aimed to evaluate the impact of demographic factors in estimation of survival rate in patients with gastric cancer in order to develop updated documents in these patients. All gastric cancer patients registered in Fars cancer registry from 2001-2006 were entered in the study. Vital status of the patients was asked by telephone contact. Survival rates were estimated using Kaplan-Meier method and compared by Log-rank test. All calculations were performed using STATA (v.8) software. The p value<0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Four hundred forty two gastric cancer patients were registered in this period. Mean and median of survival time was 26.5 ±2.3 and 12.60 months, respectively. A statistically significant difference was seen in survival rates between age groups and type of first treatment. Also, no significant variation was observed in estimation of survival function between other factors (P>0.05). Our results showed that the survival rates of gastric cancer patients in our study were relatively low. Late diagnosis and delayed therapy are important reasons for low survival in these patients. Therefore, improving public education about primary symptoms of gastric cancer by media is recommended.

Internet is a neutral tool on its own. However, excessive use of internet poses the risk of being addicted to it. This study was performed to investigate the association between general health and internet addiction. In this descriptive study a total number of 375 students (189 female and 186 male) were randomly selected from Sistan and Baluchestan University between 2007 to 2008. Using the internet addiction test (IAT), the students were divided into two groups: ordinary users and addicted users of internet. The general health questionnaire (GHQ) was used to compare these two groups. The SPSS software and t test were used to analyze the data and P<0.01 was significant. The general health of internet-addicted users in comparison with ordinary users was at a higher risk (P<0.01). But the difference between two groups in general health and disorders of social function were not statistically significant. Depression and anxiety were common in internet addicted users and it was correlated to the amount of time that they were allocating to it.

One of the great challenges in the treatment of infectious diseases is the resistance of pathogenic bacteria against antibiotics, and Shigella is among the bacteria against which antibiotic resistance is broadly observed in different parts of the world. The object of this study is to determine Shigella antibiotic resistance pattern against the antibiotics such as Ampicillin, Amoxicillin, Trimethoprim– sulfamethoxazol, Chloramphenicol, Nalidixic acid, Ciprofloxacin and Ceftriaxone. In this cross-sectional study, a total of 147 Shigella strains were collected from the diarrheic patients referred to different medical centers of Zahedan and were examined by biochemical tests and serotyping, and their antibiotic resistance pattern were determined by standard Kirby-bauer method. Of the147 studied Shigella strains102 S.flexneri (69.4%), 32 S.dysenteriae (21.8 %),11 S.boydii (7.5%), and 2 S.sonnei (1.36%) were confirmed.The isolated strains show resistance to Ampicillin (99.3%), co-trimoxazol (57.1%), chloramphenicol (52%) and Nalidixic acid (1.3%), but there was no resistance against Ciprofloxacin and Ceftriaxone. According to the findings, it is suggested that antibiotics should not be used without laboratory testing (antibiogram) and further studies needs to be done by using other antibiotics.

Renal involvement is common in patients with bacterial endocarditis. Very rarely, patients may present with an extensive glomerular epithelial crescent formation with a rapid deterioration in renal function. We report a 9-years old female patient with endocarditis and crescentic glomerulonephritis with impaired renal function. We tried a brief course of corticosteroid therapy and appropriate antibiotic due to hypocomplementemia. Appropriate antibiotic therapy is essential to eradicate the infection. A brief course of corticosteroid therapy may be helpful in those with deteriorating renal function. Plasmapheresis may be useful in those with persistent hypocomplementemia.