Journal of Advances in Medical and Biomedical Research
Volume:21 Issue: 86, 2013

An optimal regimen for treatment of Helicobacter pylori should have high efficacy، tolerable side effects، easy administration and should be economical. Intensive efforts are being made to identify such an optimal regimen، but there are many obstacles hindering the achievement of this goal. This study aimed at comparing the rate of HP eradication by examining quadruple regimens in dyspeptic patients. In this open-label randomized clinical trial، 270 patients with positive Urease test were randomly assigned into four groups to receive one of the following treatment protocols. (group A: omeprazole+ amoxicillin+ bismuth subcitrate+clarithromycin for 2 weeks (73 patients)، group B: omeprazole+tetracycline+bismuth subcitrate+metronidazole for 2 weeks (46 patients)، group C: omeprazole+amoxicillin+bismuth subcitrate+furazolidone for 2 weeks (64 patients)، groupD: omeprazole+amoxicillin+bismuth subcitrate+furazolidone/metronidazole interchangeably each one for one week (87 patients). Six weeks after the treatment، the compliance، eradication and complication rates were evaluated in each group. Helicobacter pylori eradication rates were، 96. 3%، 87%، 79. 7%، and 79. 3 % in groups A، B، C and D respectively (p=0. 506). The overall complication rate was 37%، 63%، 32. 8% and 28. 7% in groups A، B، C and D respectively. This rate was significantly higher in group B than other groups (p=0. 01). The compliance rate was “complete”، ‘good” or “poor”. Accordingly the compliance rate in group A was 83. 6%، 11% and 5. 5%، in group B، 87%، 6. 5% and 6. 5%، in group C. 90. 6%، 4. 7% and 4. 7%، and in group D 86. 2%، 11. 5% and 2. 3%، respectively (p=0. 683). Abdominal pain and vomiting was significantly more frequent in groups B and C compared to the other groups. The other complications were not significantly different in the groups. The rate of compliance and HP eradication was similar in quadruple regimens; however، due to difference in the rate of complications، regimens of groups A or D are recommended.

Specific differentiation processes to various cell lineages are closely associated with factors such as transcription factors، tumor suppressor elements and internal signaling pathways including vHL، Ecad، and Runx3. Epigenetics is an effective control mechanism of these factors، including several mechanisms such as methylation and acetylation. The main objective of this study was discovering the expression status of vHL، Runx3 and Ecad genes and determining the methylation patterns in the respective genes in hematopoietic cord blood stem cells. After isolating the stem cells from cord blood، expansion of the desired cells and DNA purification from the cells، in the first stage cDNA was constructed from the RNA، and PCR was performed for the genes under study. In later stages، the processed DNA from the previous stages was used for MSP reaction. After PCR using designed primers to be used in Real-Time PCR and RNA derived cDNA of stem cells، it was found that all the genes under study were expressed in CD34+ stem cells. MSP in another stage of the study showed that Ecad and Runx3 genes are partially methylated and partially expressed، and vHL gene is not methylated and is completely expressed in this stage. There is substantial agreement between gene expression and epigenetic alterations، and study of all the three genes indicates their effective role in biology and function of these stem cells in Hematopoietic stem cells.

Movement restriction is one of the most important considerations in nursing care following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). After this procedure، in order to prevent from potential vessel complications، such as hemorrhage and hematoma in femoral site، patients should have complete bed rest without flexion in hip joint for at least 8 hours. This immobility for extended period of time may lead to back pain. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of aromatherapy massage on back pain of patients undergoing PCI.

A pre-test/post-test design with one control group was used in this semi- experimental study. 76 patients under elective PCI who had the inclusion criteria of the study were selected by simple method sampling and were randomly divided into two control and experimental groups. After PCI، the patients in the control group received the conventional care of the ward including 8 hours of movement restriction. In contrast، patients in the experimental group، after bearing 8 hours of movement restriction received massage with aromatherapy solution composed of peppermint، celery and lavender essence in sweet almond oil)%1 concentration (. The back pain severity was measured by visual analog scale (VAS) in three levels (before intervention، immediately after intervention and 2 hours after intervention). The hemorrhage both in pre and post interventions and hematoma 24 hours after intervention were assessed and recorded by applying observation technique.

Severity in back pain significantly decreased in the experimental group immediately after receiving aromatherapy massage in comparison to the control group (P< 0. 0005). This effect lasted as long as 2 hours after the intervention (P< 0. 0005). In the experimental group، back pain mean changes were meaningful immediately after the intervention and prior to it (P< 0. 0005); however، the changes were not significant in the control group (P> 0. 0005). No evidence of hemorrhage or hematoma was seen in the patients. Also، 92. 1% of the experimental group expressed their overall satisfaction with the intervention.

The results showed that aromatherapy massage is a safe and effective method in diminishing back pain of patients undergoing PCI.

Silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) have long been used to treat acute and chronic wounds. Very little attention has been paid to the toxicity of this nanoparticle. In this study، the possible toxicological effects of nanosilver particles، was assessed by determining the enzyme levels of liver along with hemoglobin over the period of skin wound healing in mice. A group of 50 Balb/c mice of about 8 weeks (weighting 24. 2±3. 0 g) were randomly divided into two groups: Ag-NPs and control groups، each with 25 mice. After creating the equal wound on the back of all animals، the wound bed was treated in the Ag-NPs group with a volume of 50 microliters from the nanosilver solution (10ppm)، and in the control group with the same amount of distilled water. The experiment lasted for 21 days. On days 2، 7، 14 and 21 of the experiment the serum concentrations of alanine aminotransferase (ALT)، aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and hemoglobin were measured. Statistical analysis was performed using independent t-test. Results showed that AST، ALT and hemoglobin levels were not significantly different between Ag-NPs and the control groups. The study suggests that treatment of wounds with silver nanoparticles may not produce toxicological effects on hemoglobin and liver function in mice (Mus musculus) as indicated by measurment of serum levels of AST and ALT enzymes.

Epilepsy is the most common neurological disorder after stroke. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Heracleum persicum on pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) - induced seizure in mice. In this study، 30 male mice were divided into five groups. 30 minutes after IP administration with different doses of extract (75،150، 300، 600mg/kg)، PTZ (80 mg/kg) was injected to animals and they were instantly transferred to a special cage. Consequently، the convulsive behaviors of the mice were recorded by a camera as long as 20 minutes and the data were converted into seconds to be considered for analysis. The results indicated that hydroalcoholic extract of Heracleum persicum has a significant effect on threshold tonic seizure in doses of 150 mg/kg، 300mg/kg and 600 mg/kg. In clonic phase، threshold increased slightly with an increase in doses of extract. In tonic-clonic phase، threshold increase was significant only in doses of 150 mg/kg and 900 mg/kg. This extract significantly decreased seizure duration time both in tonic and tonic-clonic phases upon dose increasing. The results of the present study imply that injection of hydro-alcoholic extracts of Heracleum persicum led to anticonvulsant activity. This extract augmented the onset of different seizure phases while reduced duration of tonic and tonic-clonic phases.

Stroke is the third most common cause of death in industrialized countries after cardiovascular diseases and cancer. Despite numerous defenses، the brain is vulnerable to oxidative stress resulting from ischemia and reperfusion. Due to the relationship between olive oil consumption and low cardiovascular mortality and morbidity، this study was accomplished to investigate the relationship between dietary virgin olive oil (VOO) on brain lipids and formation of brain edema in rat stroke models.

In this experimental study 60 Wistar rats were divided into five groups. First and second groups (control and sham) received distilled water، while all three treatment groups received oral VOO for 30 days (0. 25، 0. 5 and 0. 75 ml/kg/day respectively). Two hours after the last dose، each main group was subdivided into two additional groups of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) for the assessment of neuropathology (brain edema) and intact group for brain lipid analysis. Data were analyzed using one way Anova LSD tests and Pearson correlation.

Pretreatment by VOO increased the brain cholesterol ester and cholesterol levels in doses of 0. 5 and 0. 75 ml/kg/day. VOO in all three doses increased the brain triglyceride levels (p<0. 05). Oral administration of VOO in doses of 0. 5 and 0. 75 reduced brain edema in mice.

Results suggest that VOO may be taken as a valuable alternative for the pretreatment of ischemia via inducing some changes in lipid profile and decreasing brain edema.

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) complicates 3-5% of all pregnancies. Glucose Challenge Test (GCT) is a universal screening test for GDM between 24-28 of gestation. Plasma glucose is measured 1 hr after ingestion of 50g glucose load. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship of plasma lipids in 13-23 weeks of pregnancy with abnormal GCT (Glucose Challenge Test). This prospective longitudinal study was carried out during 2010-2011. The subjects comprised 575 pregnant women aged 18-35 years old who had referred to two health centers (Kosar and Shahid Soleymani) in Shahr rey –Tehran. The subjects were followed until their 24-28 weeks of gestation. Maternal plasma lipid concentrations were measured at 13-23 weeks of gestation and then all participants were screened at 24-28 weeks of gestation with GCT. A value over 140mg/dl in GCT was considered positive. Logistic Regression analyses confirmed that triglyceride (TG) concentration (OR=1. 005، 95% CI= 1. 001-1. 010) associated with abnormal GCT. No evidence of association was found between GCT risk and plasma concentrations of other lipids (i. e.، total cholesterol، high-density lipoprotein and low-density lipoprotein). In ROC curve analysis، the TG cut-off point in abnormal GCT was 142. 5 mg/dl (with 61. 3% sensitivity، 60. 1% specificity، 73% PPV and 74. 63% NPV). The findings of this study imply that TG level at 13-23 weeks of pregnancy can be considered as a predictor factor for abnormal GCT.

People with social anxiety lack enough self-assertiveness. The main goal of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of eclectic intervention approaches such as cognitive restructuring، cognitive coping skills and role playing on social anxiety and self-assertiveness among female students of the University of Isfahan. This experimental study was fulfilled with two experimental and control groups. The target sample comprised 32 students who were selected by several stages of cluster sampling out of 287 students of University of Isfahan. Initially، 2 questionnaires consisting of social anxiety and self-assertiveness scale were distributed among the students. Then، students with social anxiety and low scores in self-assertiveness scale were randomly selected and assigned into experimental and control groups. Subsequently، 10 sessions of eclectic intervention in the spring of 2012 were implemented for the experimental group. Social anxiety scale and self-assertiveness scale were completed in 3 stages: pre-test، post- test and follow-up for one month. Results of covariance analysis revealed significant differences concerning social anxiety in experimental and control groups throughout post-test and follow-up stages and significant differences regarding self-assertiveness in experimental and control groups in post-test and follow-up stages. Findings of this study suggest that eclectic intervention (Cognitive Restructuring، Cognitive coping skills and Role playing Approaches) can be exploited as a beneficial approach to increase self-assertiveness and decrease social anxiety in students.

Adhesion bands comprise the most important unpleasant consequences of pelvic surgeries. Green tea (Camellia sinensis)، due to its anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects and prevention of production and accumulation of collagen seems to be beneficial in this event. Therefore، the present study was designed to elicit the effect of alcoholic extract of green tea on intra-abdominal adhesions.

In this experimental study 30 healthy male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to two equal groups; one group taking green tea (A) and the other group taking normal saline (B). After anesthesia، their abdominal wall was opened، three longitudinal and transverse incisions of 2 cm in length were made on the right side of peritoneal surface and a 2×2 cm piece of the left abdominal wall peritoneum was removed. Then، 4 ml green tea extract or normal saline was introduced into the abdominal cavity of the rats. Two weeks later in the second laparotomy، the adhesions were graded according to the strength، extent and appearance. Data were analyzed by Mann-Whitney test، using SPSS v. 16.

There were significant differences between the scores of groups A and B (P=0. 001). The median adhesion scores were 3 and 8 in groups A and B، respectively.

The results of this study provide the evidence that green tea extract has a potential capacity to effectively prevent postoperative intra-abdominal adhesions in rats and might be beneficial during clinical surgeries.

Early detection of ectopic pregnancy is crucial in saving fertility. Some chemical biomarkers that can differentiate normal intra uterine pregnancy from ectopic pregnancy have been detected. This study was performed to determine the sensitivity and specificity of serum creatine phosphokinase (CPK) measurement for diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy. This study was performed in Kosar Hospital، Qazvin University of Medical Sciences. Twenty six patients with confirmed ectopic pregnancy comprised the study group and 29 cases with normal intrauterine pregnancy less than 12 weeks constituted the control group. The study group was further subdivided into two groups of ruptured and unruptured tubal pregnancy. A blood sample was obtained from each patient on admission and then CPK was measured. The collected data were analyzed using t-test and k2. Then، CPK levels were compared in three groups. The mean CPK levels in the study group (156+ 93. 6 IU/ml) were significantly higher than the control group (58. 6+31. 5 IU/ml) (P =0. 0001). Also the mean CPK levels were higher in ruptured (220. 8+100. 5 IU/ml) than in unruptured cases (104. 3+21. 4 IU/ml) (P =0. 002). Sensitivity، specificity، positive predictive value، and negative predictive values of CPK in diagnosis of tubal pregnancy were 92%، 86%، 85. 7%، and 92. 5%، respectively. Serum CPK is considered as a valuable measurement for diagnosis of tubal pregnancy. It is also a useful biomarker in discriminating ruptured from unruptured cases.

Self-efficacy is defined as a belief in one’s capabilities to cope with stressful situations and execute a specific coping behavior. Previous researches verify the efficiency of childbirth preparation classes as one of the convenient methods in helping women to deal with labor pain; the most severe pain that women may experience in their lifetime. This study was carried out to determine the effectiveness of childbirth preparation classes on self-efficacy of pregnant women in coping with labor pain in Zanjan province. This quasi-experimental case –control study was carried out on 60 subjects who were randomly assigned to two equal groups of 30. The case group comprised 30 pregnant women who attended to childbirth preparation classes whereas the control group received only standard antenatal care. Questionnaires were completed through face to face interviews one hour after the delivery in postpartum delivery room. To determine the effect of childbirth preparation classes on self-efficacy in delivery of pregnant women، childbirth self-efficacy inventory and attitude questionnaire was used. Mean scores of self-efficacy in the control and case groups were 221. 5±65. 86 and 241. 7±61. 68 respectively. Despite higher self-efficacy scores in the case group، the difference between the two groups was not significant as indicated by independent t-test. This study supports the substantial effect of childbirth preparation classes in perceived self- efficacy of pregnant women in delivery.

In penetrating abdominal trauma، injury to the inferior vena cava is rare but continues to pose a taxing problem for the trauma surgeon. Despite the improved preoperative care and surgical skills، mortality rates for IVC injuries are still high. The most important factors، which play a significant role in mortality، are presence of shock on admission، the anatomical level of vena caval injury and the associated visceral and/or other major vascular injuries. The key to effective management includes early diagnosis، resuscitation and prompt surgical intervention. In this article، we present a case of successfully treated inferior vena cava injury in a young man with penetrating abdominal trauma.