Journal of Advances in Medical and Biomedical Research
Volume:26 Issue: 114, 2018

Repairing scalp scar and alopecia is a concern of surgeons. Treating it with tissue expander has indicated promising results in recent decades. This study provides a new method of using two tissue expanders simultaneously for tissue over expansion and repairing flaps’ edge with puzzle method.
This study was conducted on fifteen 5 to 34- year- old patients with scalp scar greater than 100 cm2. Two tissue expanders were used for each patient. Appropriate expansion was achieved with twice injections of 5-8 cc/cm2 (6.5 average) normal saline weekly during 80 days. In the second surgery, both tissue expanders were extracted and the scar was removed. Then, advancement and rotational flaps were prepared and the repair was carried out with puzzle method. The patients were followed up for 3-6 months.
No case of wound infection and seroma was observed. Over expansion occurred with an average of 3.3 times larger than scar size. No evidence of expander extrude, flap necrosis or recurrent scarring with more than 3 mm width were seen. New scar became totally hidden with hair. No one needed hair follicle grafting. Patient satisfaction was good to excellent.
Using multiple tissue expanders to accelerate overexpansion and repairing with puzzle (zigzag) method reduces patient referral, waiting time, new scaring and complications and leads to promising cosmetic results.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental dysfunction. The main characteristics of OCD are serious and continuous mental and functional obsessions that severely inflict patients. The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of exposure and response prevention (ERP) versus transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in reduction of anxiety symptoms and increase of global functioning in patients with OCD.
This study employed clinical trial with pre-post tests and follow-up. 20 patients with OCD who had referred to psychology and psychiatry clinic of Shahid Beheshti Hospital in Zanjan, were selected according to purposive sampling and were randomly assigned to two treatment groups. Throughout the baseline, post-treatment and follow-up (one month and two months after the treatment), the subjects were asked to complete Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) questioner. Global Assessment of functioning (GAFS) was also employed to evaluate global functioning. Eventually, the collected data was analyzed using SPSS (version 20).
The results indicated that there was no considerable differences between the two groups regarding anxiety symptoms in the post-test, but there was significant differences in global functioning between ERP and tDCS.
The findings confirmed that both ERP and tDCS methods with pharmacotherapy were considerably effective in the reduction of anxiety signs and symptoms and the increase of global functioning in patients with OCD, but the effectiveness of ERP was clinically more significant than tDCS.

People with functional ankle instability face various complications which entail quick actions via multifaceted and combined exercises. Therefore, the main objective of this semi-experimental research was to determine the effectiveness of the comprehensive combined programs on functional strength of ankle in active men with functional ankle instability.
The subjects of this research were active university men with functional ankle instability (with a mean age and standard deviation of 20.00 ± 3.72 year and mean height of 185.85 ± 8.55 cm), of whom 30 were selected and randomly assigned to experimental and control groups (15 in the control group and 15 in the experimental group ). The experimental group performed eight weeks of combined exercises, mostly neuro-muscular and strength training exercises (using red Tera band), for eight weeks and three sessions per week for one hour. The research variable was the functional strength of the ankle muscles. The instruments for collecting research data were isokinetic biodex system3, and foot ankle inability index questionnaire. To figure out the normality of inputs, Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was used and to compare groups, Covariance test was run and to attain differences within groups, paired t-test was used.
Results showed significant differences before and after the exercise program in the experimental group. However, in the control group these changes were not statistically significant.
The results of the current research showed that combined program can be effective and reliable in improving functional strength of agonist and antagonist muscles.

Generally, 75% of women experience vaginal candidiasis at least once in their lifetime. This study aimed to determine the effect of lactobacillus rhamnosus vaginal probiotic capsule on vaginal colonization and treatment results after treating vulvar and vaginal candidiasis.
This double-blind clinical trial was conducted in 58 women suffering from vulvar and vaginal candidiasis (based on swab cultures). After treating the patients with clotrimazole 2% vaginal cream, the samples were randomly assigned to probiotic (n=28) and placebo (n=30) groups. While first group took lactobacillus rhamnosus vaginal probiotic capsules twice a day for one week, the second group used vaginal placebo capsules. The patients were examined regarding swab cultures, vaginal lactobacillus colonization, vaginal pH, and clinical symptoms of vulvar and vaginal candidiasis 2-5 days before and 1 month after taking the capsules. Then, the data were fed to SPSS and analyzed using Chi-square, Fisher’s exact test, repeated measures ANOVA, and post-hoc test.
The results showed no significant difference between the two groups concerning the results of fungal culture. Moreover, despite the increase in vaginal lactobacillus colonization in the probiotic group, no significant difference was found between the two groups at different time periods (p=0.255). The results also showed no significant difference between the two groups regarding the mean change of vaginal pH at different time periods (p=0.480).
It seems that using vaginal lactobacillus rhamnosus probiotic capsules was somewhat effective in vaginal lactobacilli colonization in patients with vaginal candidiasis. However, it was not effective in pH changes and treatment results.

Wrist flexion and thumb-in-palm deformity is the most common involvement of hand in children with Cerebral Palsy (CP) that limit the ability of functional activity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the immediate and long- term effect of kinesio taping on fine dexterity in children with spastic CP.
In this double blind randomized clinical trial, 36 children with spastic CP (4-14 yrs old), who had wrist flexion and thumb-in-palm deformity, were randomly divided into two groups. In both groups, Kinesio tape was applied over dorsal aspect of forearm, wrist and thumb (the control group received kinesio tape without tension as a placebo,). The fine dexterity of two groups was evaluated using Nine Hole Peg Test at five intervals: prior to taping, immediately, 30 minutes and 2 days after taping and 2 days after tape removal. Repeated measures ANOVA was used for data analysis.
The results exhibited significant differences between two groups in terms of fine dexterity mean (P Kinesio taping is effective in improving fine dexterity immediately after taping and this effect remains stable over time.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the most important causes of nosocomial infections. This study was planned to produce a new antimicrobial complex (ceftazidime loaded EDTA) and assess its release kinetic and antimicrobial effects on P. aeruginosa.
The loading of ceftazidime on EDTA was performed and confirmed by FT-IR spectroscopy. The evaluation of drug release was performed by using dialyze method at 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24, 48, 72 and 96 h after ceftazidime loading on EDTA. The antimicrobial effect of the new drug on P. aeruginosa was investigated by macrodilution and well diffusion methods.
FT-IR spectroscopy demonstrated ceftazidime loading on EDTA about 26.01 mol%. Evaluation of ceftazidime release indicated a gradual rise in drug release up to 8 h reaching 96% after 72 h. Well diffusion assay demonstrated an enhanced antimicrobial effect of ceftazidime after loading on EDTA in comparison with ceftazidime alone. MIC and MBC of ceftazidime alone determined 2 and 4 µg/ml, respectively. MIC of the new antimicrobial complex was 0.5 µg/ml and its MBC was 1 µg/ml signifying the enhancement effect of EDTA on antibacterial activity of ceftazidime.
Our results showed that EDTA is potentially advantageous in controlling the release of ceftazidime as well as enhancing its antimicrobial effect against P. aeruginosa.

Metabolic syndrome encompasses a series of metabolic disorders associated with increased cardiovascular risk. Currently, some studies are performed on the effects of physical activity as an alternative treatment for metabolic syndrome. To this end, the present study was set to assess the probable effects of continuous and interval aerobic trainings on metabolic syndrome among the elderly men.
60 eligible elderly men were selected and assigned to three groups of: continuous training, interval training and the control. The initial blood samples were taken to record cardiovascular risk factors. After 48 hours, the subjects in the experimental group performed pre-designed training for 6 weeks and 3 sessions per week and the control group continued their daily activities. At the end of the training, further blood samples were taken again. The data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA, Scheffe post hoc and dependent t-test.
Findings of this study revealed that after six weeks of continuous aerobic exercise training, systolic blood pressure, blood sugar and triglycerides significantly decreased. However, waist circumference and HDL did not show any significant change. The findings of this study showed significant changes in blood sugar, triglycerides and HDL in the interval training group. However, blood pressure and waist circumference did not indicate any significant changes.
According to the findings of this research, it can be asserted that both methods of aerobic training positively affect blood glucose and triglyceride signifying that interval aerobic exercise plays a major role in increasing HDL, while continuous aerobic exercise reduces systolic blood pressure.

Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) is a toxic agent leading to hepatotoxicity. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Agrimonia eupatoria leaf hydroalcoholic extract (AEE) on carbon tetrachloride induced rat liver.
In this study, 42 male rats were randomly allocated to 6 groups: the control group receiving normal saline, 2ml/kg, ip and the sham group receiving olive oil, 2ml/kg, ip, the CCl4 induced group receiving carbon tetrachloride/olive oil (1:1), 2ml/kg, single dose, ip. The treated groups (1, 2 and 3) were induced by carbon tetrachloride 1:1 with olive oil, 2ml/kg, single dose, ip and after two hours underwent treatment by 200 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg and 800 mg/kg AEE/day for 96 hrs, ip. Then, the blood samples were collected from their heart directly and subsequently serum levels of the liver enzymes were measured. The microscopic studies of liver tissue were performed. The data were analyzed with ANOVA and Tukey tests.
The results of this study showed that the serum levels of liver enzymes significantly increased in the group receiving CCl4 compared to the control group. Meanwhile, treatment by AEE significantly decreased the serum levels of liver enzymes in treated groups compared to the group receiving CCl4 (P Carbon tetrachloride can bring about necrosis and inflammation effects on the liver tissue. AEE can decrease toxic effects of carbon tetrachloride in the liver tissue by reducing the serum levels of liver enzymes.

Some changes in newborns growth indices are related to several risk factors; though, a distinct etiology is unknown. Due to the available evidence about highly concentrated levels of lead in our province particularly in comparison to non-contaminated regions, this study was designed to evaluate the relationship between lead levels of umbilical cord blood and newborns birth weight variations in Zanjan, Iran.
300 newborns were enrolled in this case-control study in Zanjan province. Cord blood samples were obtained from 150 low birth weight (LBW) infants (birth weight lower than 2500 gr) as the case group, and 150 normal weight infants (weight= 2500-4000 gr.) as the control group. The blood lead level was measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The collected data were analyzed using independent t-test.
Umbilical cord blood lead level was significantly high in LBW newborns (79.17±37.10 mg/L) in comparison with the control group (73.4±42.9 mg/L). there was not this type of relationship(raised mean level of umbilical cord blood lead in LBW newborns compared to normal weight newborns)in newborn groups who distributed based on mother’s age and education level variables but there was significant statistical differences in mean level of lead in both these groups in according with gender variable.
High blood level of lead in cord blood samples can potentially be considered as one of the reasons for LBW.

Due to the numerous side effects of synthetic analgesics, attention has been paid to find new analgesic agents with fewer side effects. This study aimed to evaluate the analgesic properties of Satureja bachtiarica essential oil in mice.
In this study, eighty male NMRI mice were randomly assigned to 5 groups including a control group, groups receiving Satureja bachtiarica essential oil at doses of 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg and a group that received morphine at a dose of 10 mg/kg. After intraperitoneal injection of morphine and essential oil, pain response was determined using hot plate and tail immersion tests.
In the hot plate test, 100 mg/kg of Satureja bachtiarica essential oil showed significant analgesic effect compared with the control group but, 50 and 25 mg/kg doses of essential oil did not show any significant effect. Intraperitoneal injection of Satureja bachtiarica essential oil at a dose of 100 mg/kg increased resistance to the hot water at 0, 2, 4 and 6 minutes after the beginning of the tail immersion test (P The results of this study showed the analgesic effect of Satureja bachtiarica essential oil on mice.

Due to the numerous side effects of synthetic analgesics, attention has been paid to find new analgesic agents with fewer side effects. This study aimed to evaluate the analgesic properties of Satureja bachtiarica essential oil in mice.
In this study, eighty male NMRI mice were randomly assigned to 5 groups including a control group, groups receiving Satureja bachtiarica essential oil at doses of 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg and a group that received morphine at a dose of 10 mg/kg. After intraperitoneal injection of morphine and essential oil, pain response was determined using hot plate and tail immersion tests.
In the hot plate test, 100 mg/kg of Satureja bachtiarica essential oil showed significant analgesic effect compared with the control group but, 50 and 25 mg/kg doses of essential oil did not show any significant effect. Intraperitoneal injection of Satureja bachtiarica essential oil at a dose of 100 mg/kg increased resistance to the hot water at 0, 2, 4 and 6 minutes after the beginning of the tail immersion test (P The results of this study showed the analgesic effect of Satureja bachtiarica essential oil on mice.

Papillon-Lefèvre syndrome is an extremely rare autosomal recessive condition. It is characterized by severe destruction of the periodontium and hyperkeratotic skin lesions on palms, soles, knees, elbows and in some cases calcification of the Dura. The features usually appear together between the ages of 2 and 4 years. Severe periodontal destruction leads to the early shedding of primary and permanent dentition.
A 4-year-old male child was referred to our private clinic with a chief complaint of pain and mobility of the teeth and difficulty in mastication. He had severe mobility in molar teeth. Erythematous keratotic plaques in palms and soles were revealed. According to clinical, radiographic features and pathologic findings, the patient was diagnosed as Papillon-Lefèvre syndrome occurring for the first time in Zanjan. He received periodontal and dermatological treatments.
Papillon-Lefèvre syndrome affects the quality of life at a very young age. Since the patient features are common to periodontics and dermatologists, full awareness of how to diagnose and manage these feature seems crucial for both fields. Early diagnosis of PLS improves prognosis and quality of life in these patients.