نشریه پژوهش در پزشکی
سال سی و پنجم شماره 3 (پیاپی 139، پاییز 1390)

Abol-Hasan Ali ibn Abbas Ahvazi, the leading physician of the fourth century AH is known as Hali Abbas in the West. He was born in the city of Ahvaz a near Jundishapur in southwestern Iran. His complete book Alsnah Altabie known as Almaleki is the fundamental basis of medical resources based on scientific observations, which has guided many later scientists. He died in 384 AH (994 AD). This review discusses the role of Ahvazi in medical history. We conducted manual and electronic search using appropriate keywords on reputable websites that dealt with Hali Abbas. Based on the literature review conducted, we found that Ahvazi, who was a painstaking scientist in the field of medicine proposed new diagnostic criteria and medical treatments about different ailments. He followed the main school of Hippocrates and he has had an important influence on Avicenna. Hali Abbas has done extensive studies in the fields of ophthalmology, the nervous system, cancer, family planning, the heart and its structures, the structure of vessels, surgical tools and other medical issues. He has proposed valid theories that guide other practitioners in the field of medicine and his views are largely consistent with current science. Based on the findings of this study Ahvazi was a prominent physician who rendered great service to Islamic medicine and the medical world on the whole. He has expressed his theories with clarity that are consistent with current science; he is a credit to the identity of Iran in traditional medicine.

Since hydro-alcohol concentration of Thymus Vulgaris plays a role in prevention of any growth disorders and separation of cells and cancer, therefore this research intends to study the effect of mentioned concentration and DMBA (a type of chemical cancer factor) on the weight and histo-pathologic properties of prostate of the desert mouse–Wistar race. Wistar mice were divided in different groups. one group with normal prostates, and 4 receiver groups that were given intraperitoneal injections of DMBA; these groups were injected intraperitoneally with 100, 500 and 1000mg of Thymus vulgaris; while the control group received intraperitoneal injections of normal saline. The results show that 100, 500 and 1000mg of Thymus vulgaris concentration demonstrated a significant reduction in the weight of prostates with DMBA induced cancer in comparison with controls. Control group showed meta-plasia, dysplasia and carcinoma of prostate. There were no signs of dysplasia and carcinoma in the group given 1000 mg of the said concentration. However no significant difference was seen in the weight of prostate between receiver groups and the group with normal prostates. There was no histological difference in groups who were given 100 and 500 mg of concentration in comparison with normal group. The results show that hydro-alcohol concentration of Thymus Vulgaris may control and treat any abnormal growth of pre-cancer damages and carcinoma of DMBA in prostate of the desert mouse– Wistar race.

Several studies suggest improvements in quality of life in migraine patients with topiramate. MIDAS (Migraine Disability Assessment) and HIT6 (Headache Impact Test) are two questionnaires for evaluating migraine severity. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of Topiramate 100 mg/day in control and prophylaxis of migraine headache. Eighty-nine patients who suffered from migraine headaches according to International Headache Society criteria were enrolled. Topiramate 25 mg/d was prescribed for them in the first week and was increased 25 mg/d weekly (up to 100 mg/d) and the maximum dose continued for 3 months. The HIT6 and MIDAS tests were done before and after intervention. Results The frequency and severity of migraine headache reduced significantly after 3 months of Topiramate 100 mg/d. The HIT6 score before and after intervention was 63.3± 5.4 and 51.11± 8.9 and the difference was significant (P < 0.0001). The MIDAS score before and after intervention was 25± 21.4 and 9.7± 15 and this difference was significant (P < 0.0001). The prescription of Topiramate 100 mg/ day in two divided dose can reduce the severity and frequency of migraine headache.

Concerns about the known consequences of non adherence to standard treatment protocols by physicians in patients suffering from ACS and the lack of any dependable statistics as regards the degree of adherence in Iran and also the existence of different statistics on the subject in different countries led the present researchers to conduct an investigation to determine the extent of adherence to ACC/ AHA guidelines among cardiologists in patients with ACS. A cross sectional study was done in Shahid Modarres hospital in 2010. All patients suspected with ACS were investigated and those with definite diagnosis during angiography were included in the research. Their treatment protocols were investigated and the level of adherence to AHA guidelines was determined such that a ≥75% conformity with the guidelines was classified as complete adherence; 50% to 75% as relative adherence and <50% was classified as non adherence. K2 test was used in the analysis of data. Eighty-five patients with definite diagnosis of ACS were chosen out of 100 suspected patients. Complete adherence to the AHA protocol was noted in 47.1%, relative adherence in 32.9% and non adherence in 20%. In other words the level of adherence was unacceptable in 52.9%. No elements of individual characteristics and risk factors had any effect on the level of adherence (p<0.7). The high level of non adherence of the ACC/AHA guidelines in treatment of patients suffering from ACS is a cause of great concern. It is strongly recommended that a scientific investigation be carried out as the cause of this non adherence on the part of the cardiologists along with an investigation into the outcome of these patients.

In view of the prevalence of myocardial infarction and the importance of knowing the predictors of its morbidity and mortality, we conducted this study to determine if ST-segment resolution after streptokinase injection influences the prognosis in MI patients with ST segment elevation, (STEMI). In a cohort study done in Loghman hospital between 1385 and 1388, STEMI patients were given streptokinase injection and the ECGs were validated to calculate ST resolution (STRes) at 90 min. Complete STRes was defined as case and partial/no STRes as control. 30-day follow-up was done. Death or heart failure was recorded and then examined by Chi-Square test. Relative Risk and Attributable Risk were calculated. We also estimated TIMI risk score and MI location with STRes at the same time. Seventy-eight patients including 59 cases and 19 controls enrolled in the study. Matching was done and 30-day follow-up showed 10.5% death or heart failure in cases and 49.2% in controls. (P<0.005).Relative Risk was 4.7 and Attributable Risk was 38.7% and TIMI risk score was a better predictor when considered with STRes. Complete STRes after SK injection in STEMI, correlates with good prognosis. More invasive interventions might be needed for patients with partial/no STRes.

Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular diseases are common and the rate is increasing. This study was planed to assess the prevalence of laboratory risk factors and associated parameters and categorize them. A cross–sectional study was done at prevention clinics of Modarres hospital in 1388-89; apparently healthy adults were invited for assessing cardiovascular risk factors. After obtaining informed consent 5 mL blood samples were collected from the participants after 12 hours fast and the level of LDL, HDL, Total Cholesterol, Triglyceride, Creatinine, CRP and FBS was measured at Modarres hospital laboratory. Abnormal levels were regarded as risk factors and reported. From 1047 participants, 48.2% were male. Mean age was 40.1 years. Most common laboratory risk factors were high LDL (51.2%) and then Low HDL (24.7%), high Triglyceride (22.5%) and high total cholesterol (19.8%). The least prevalent risk factors were high FBS (3.3%) and positive CRP (4.3%). Prevalence of cardio vascular risk factors and their order are changing rapidly and continuity of these studies in different societies is necessary.

Solar light has various electromagnetic radiations include Ultraviolet, Visible & infrared rays. Overexposure to solar ultraviolet radiations can lead to some dangerous disorders and usage of non standard sunglasses can increase foregoing harmful effects. In Iran cataract is the most common disorder produced by UV rays. This study aims to measure the transmission of ultraviolet (A and B) and visible rays according to standards through sunglasses provided from miscellaneous vendors. In this study, 150 sunglasses were assessed by spectral transmittance meter for evaluation of the transmission of visible and ultraviolet rays. In transmission of UV-A, 41.7% of brown & 42.4% of gray sunglasses could not pass defined standard criteria; in transmission of UV-B, 3.8 % of brown and 11% of gray sunglasses could not pass standard criteria. It should be noted that, buying sunglasses from miscellaneous vendors can be dangerous and is not recommended; standard sunglasses should be bought only from licensed shops.

Rate of bites from animals suspected with rabies is increasing in Iran and post-exposure prophylaxis imposes a massive burden on the health system. This study is performed to assess the trend and the current status of animal bites in Tehran. During the years of 1993-4 and 2008-9, data was collected from the records of persons bitten by animals suspected of rabies and referred to the Rabies Center in the Vaccination Department of the Pasteur Institute of Iran. Variables included age, sex, nationality, living area, animal species, site bitten, type of post-exposure prophylaxis including serum / vaccine and doses of vaccination. During the years of 1993-4 and 2008-9, 1973 and 2875 exposed cases respectively were referred to the department of prevention and treatment of rabies in the Pasteur Institute. Most exposed patients were male in both periods and the biting animals were dogs; in 1993-4 it was mostly stray-dogs while in 2008-9 pet dogs at home were responsible for most bites. Post exposure prophylaxis was administered by PVRV (Purified Vero cell rabies vaccine) in 3 to 5 doses, with or without HRIG (Human Rabies Immune Globulin) in 30% to 39.8% of the cases respectively. The rates of animal bites and full post-exposure prophylaxis have increased significantly. We suggest further researches about measures that would decrease the health burden incurred by animal bites.

This article is a review of Glanders which is a zoo‌notic disease of solipeds caused by a gram negative bacte‌rium named Burkholderia mallei. We used key words glanders, zoonotic disease and bioterrorism for search in PubMed and Google. Finally 53 eligible articles (written in English or Persian) were selected for review. Glanders is highly contagious and often fatal. It has been eradicated from many countries by implementing effective control programs which detect and quarantine infected animals and suspected contacts. Glanders is an illness with myriad clinical manifestation that mimic symptom of other diseases. New evidence suggests emergence of disease in our country. Numbers of infected horses in our country have increased recently, and infection in lions of the Tehran Zoo has been reported. Burkholderia mallei has the potential to be used as a biological weapon, so a review of clinical presentations, diagnosis and treatment of glanders and a heightened index of suspicion in veterinary physicians is needed.