Internal Medicine Today
Volume:23 Issue: 1, 2017

Aims: Blood sugar control is an important factor in mortality reduction in diabetic patients with acute and critical illness. ICU nurses have an important role in preparing and controlling the blood glucose sample. Due to the lack of evidence for appropriateness of measuring blood glucose in patients with hemodynamic instability using glucometers, the current study aimed to compare the glucometry results with venous blood sugar in diabetic patients undergoing open heart surgery with hemodynamic instability.
Instrument & In this comparative study with a time-series design, which was conducted in the heart surgery and ICU wards of Vali-Asr hospital of Birjand in 2015, 60 diabetic patients were selected based on convenience sampling method. Blood glucose samples were measured through venous blood sampling and simultaneously with glucometry method at four stages (before surgery and admission to the operating room, opening time of the thorax, admission in the ICU, and one hour after admission to the ICU). The data were analyzed with SPSS 16 software, using Pearson correlation test, repeated measures analysis and Bland and Altman’s charts.
Findings: There was a significant difference between glucometry blood glucose average with venous blood glucose at all four sampling occasions (p It seems inappropriate to measure blood sugar in patients with hemodynamic instability via the glucometry method and venous blood sampling seems more reasonable.

Aims: The increasing use of the electromagnetic devices in daily life leads to higher electromagnetic filed effects. The effects on the organic systems are contradictory and controversial. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different intensities and durations of the static magnetic fields on the living cells and their proliferation rate.
In the applied study, two HeLa cancer cell lines and human fibroblast natural cells were studied. At first, the cells were cultured on DMEN medium. Three magnetic intensities (7, 14, and 21T) and two durations (24 and 48h) were used, and the cells were treated by static magnetic field. The living cell percentage and cell proliferation rate were assessed by MTT method. Trypan blue was used in staining. And an optical microscope was used in enumeration. Data was analyzed by Graphpad Prism 5 using one-way ANOVA.
Findings: The higher the static magnetic field and the more the duration were, the lesser the percentage of living cells and cell proliferation, showing a significant reduction in the HeLa cancer cells, while it was insignificant in the fibroblast natural cells. The highest reduction in the living cell percentage and cell proliferation rate was in 48-hour 21T (p The static magnetic field affects the HeLa cancer cells more than the fibroblast cells. The higher the field intensity and the more the duration are, the lesser the alive cell percentage and cell proliferation rate.

Aims: Nowadays, balance and postural control index is assessed as one of the main parameters in the assessment of persons with neuromuscular and musculoskeletal disorders. The aim of the study was to investigate the short term effects of massage therapy, core stability exercises and combined stability exercises on the stability limits in patients with chronic non-specific low back pain.
In the semi-experimental study, 30 male patients with chronic non-specific LBP, referred to the physiotherapy clinics of 1 and 3 districts of Tehran City, were studied in 2013. The subjects were selected via random sampling method, were randomly divided into three groups including massage therapy, core stability exercise, and combined stability exercises. 12-session treatment protocols (4 weeks) were conducted in the groups under the therapist’s supervision. The force plate device was used to measure the reaction time (RT), movement velocity (MV), maximum excursion (ME), and end point of excursion (EPE) in eight different directions. Data was analyzed by SPSS 16 software using ANCOVA test.
Findings: After the treatment interventions, the combined exercises improved RT at directions 3 (right lateral) and 8 (left anterior) more than the stability exercises and massage therapy. In addition, more improvement in MV was recorded at the direction 2 (right anterior) compared to the stability exercises. ME records of stability and combined exercises groups were significantly different at direction 7 (left lateral) only (p Despite the fact that each treatment intervention has short term effects on the stability limits of patients with chronic non-specific LBP, it seems that the combination of core stability exercises and massage therapy is more effective than each one solely.

Aims: As a common disorder, the social anxiety disorder is characterized by the persistent fear of social situations and severe physical and mental reactions. Its prevalence and effect being noticed, different psychotherapy methods were raised to reduce or annihilate it. The aim of the study was to determine the effectiveness of task-concentration training technics on the social anxiety symptom reduction in persons with social anxiety.
In the controlled pretest-posttest quasi-experimental study, 20 students with social anxiety disorder were studied in Shahed University in 2014-15 academic year. The subjects, selected via stepwise cluster sampling method, were randomly divided into two groups including control and experimental (task concentration training) groups. Data was collected using the social anxiety questionnaire and the structured clinical interview. Five one-hour task-concentration treatment sessions were conducted in experimental group. Data was analyzed by SPSS 16 software using independent T test.
Findings: The mean scores of social anxiety and its sub-scales were not significantly different in experimental and control groups at the pretest stage (p>0.05). Nevertheless, the pretest-posttest differences of the scores of social anxiety and its subscales including avoidance, fear, and physiologic discomfort between the groups were significant (p The task-concentration training techniques reduce the social anxiety symptoms in persons with social anxiety disorders.

Aims: Changing the activity of pituitary-testis axis, hyperglycemia leads to fertility disorders. Curcumin reduces blood sugar, and the electromagnetic fields differently affect the cells and tissues. The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of curcumin and the low-frequency electromagnetic fields on the activities of pituitary-gonad axis in the diabetic male rats.
In the experimental study, 49 Wistar male rats were studied. The rats were randomly divided into seven groups (n=7 rats per group), including healthy control, diabetic control (receiving distilled water), experimental diabetic 1 (300mg/Kg curcumin as intraperitoneal injection), experimental diabetic 2 (curcumin 60-minute 50Hz and 15G electromagnetic field daily), experimental diabetic 3 (curcumin 50Hz and 300G electromagnetic field), experimental diabetic 4 (50Hz and 15G electromagnetic field), and experimental diabetic 5 (50Hz and 300G electromagnetic field) groups. One alloxan intraperitoneal injection was used to cause diabetes. 25-day treatment was conducted in all the groups. At the end of treatment period, the serum levels of testosterone, dihydro-testosterone, estrogen, LH, and FSH hormones were measured. Data was analyzed by SPSS 20 software using one-way ANOVA and Tukey post-hoc tests.
Findings: The serum levels of all the studied hormones significantly increased in experimental diabetic groups 1, 2, and 4 compared to diabetic control group, while they significantly decreased in experimental diabetic group 5 (p Curcumin increases the activity level of pituitary-testis axis in the diabetic male rats. The effects intensify by the simultaneous 15G electromagnetic field.

Aims: Known by hyperactivity, inattentiveness, and impulsiveness, the attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is considered as a behavioral disorder in the children, as well as in the adolescents. The disorder might also damage their motor skill procedure. The aim of the study was to determine the effectiveness of 6-week high intensity interval exercise on the serum dopamine levels and the improvement of perceptual-motor performance in boys with ADHD.
In the controlled pretest-posttest semi-experimental study, 20 adolescent male students with ADHD of the eastern Tehran schools were studied in 2015. The subjects, selected by random sampling method, were randomly divided into two groups including experimental (n=10) and control (n=10) groups. 6-week high intensity interval training (3 days a week) was conducted in experimental group. The anthropometric indices, dopamine levels, and perceptual-motor performance scores were measured both at the beginning and at the end of the course. Data was analyzed by SPSS 16 software using paired T and independent T tests.
Findings: In the experimental group, the dopamine levels significantly increased at the posttest stage compared to the pretest (p=0.01), while BMI (p=0.001) and body fat percentage (p=0.002) significantly decreased. In addition, the motor skill score significantly increased in experimental group (p=0.001). No variable was significantly changed in control group during the 6 weeks (p>0.05).
6-week high intensity interval exercise improves perceptual-motor performance and increases serum dopamine levels in boys with ADHD.

Aims: As a chronic worldwide spreading disease, diabetes negatively affects the persons’ self-concept. Since self-concept plays an important role in daily life, it should be under consideration especially in the patients with chronic diseases. The aim of the study was to determine the effects of the partnership-care model intervention on self-concept enhancement in persons with type II diabetes.
In the controlled randomized clinical trial, 60 patients with type II diabetes referred to Imam Zaman Hospital were studied in Mashhad in 2015. The subjects, selected via available sampling method, were divided into two groups including control and experimental groups. Data was collected using a three-section questionnaire including demographic information, the disease information, and Beck self-concept test sections. The self-concept of the subjects having been determined, seven 90-minute partnership-care intervention sessions were conducted in experimental group. Then, the self-concept was measured in both groups. Data was analyzed by SPSS 20 software using paired T, independent T, and Chi-square tests.
Findings: Before and after the intervention, the mean self-concept scores were not significantly different in control group (p=0.066). However, the difference was significant in experimental group (p The intervention based on the partner-ship care model enhances the self-concept in patients with type II diabetes.

Aims: Since the common medications cannot completely heal the epilepsy, and the long-term consumption of such medications leads to some side effects, it is very important to achieve more effective medications. Therefore, it is necessary to notice the traditional medicine and herbal medications with low side effects, as well as to determine their effective doses. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of intra-peritoneal injection of the hydro-alcoholic extract of Ducrosia anethifolia on pentilenetetrazol-induced (PTZ-induced) seizures in male Wistar rats.
In the experimental study, 48 male Wistar rats were studied. The rats were divided into six 8-rat groups including control group (receiving saline), groups receiving 0.25, 0.5, 1, and 2mg/kg Ducrosia anethifolia extract via intra-peritoneal injection, and positive control group (receiving 1mg/Kg diazepam as an antiepileptic medication). 30min latter, and to produce the epileptic seizures, 80mg/Kg pantilenetetrazol was used via intra-peritoneal injection. Then, the convulsive behaviors of the animal were recorded. Data was analyzed by SPSS 16 software using one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s post-hoc tests.
Findings: The pre-treatment done by the different doses of Ducrosia anethifolia lengthened the time interval before the beginning of the seizure attacks. The lengthened interval measure in 2mg/Kg extraction group was significant compared to control group. In addition, the different doses of Ducorsia anethifolia extract reduced the dose-dependent lengths of tunic seizures and tonic-clonic seizures, as well as the total dose-dependent seizure length.
Intra-peritoneal injection of the hydro-alcoholic extract of Ducorsia anethifolia effectively reduces the PTZ-induced seizure manifestations in the male Wistar rats.

Aims: Apelin is an adipokine, which secreted from adipose tissue and has positive effects against the insulin resistance. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of 8-week aerobic exercise on levels of apelin and insulin resistance index in sedentary men.
In this semi-experimental study with controlled group pre/post-test design in 2015, 27 healthy sedentary men living in Mashhad City, Iran, were selected by convenience sampling method. They were divided into two groups; experimental group (n=14) and control group (n=13). In the trained group, the volunteers participated in 8 weeks aerobic exercise, 3 days/week (equivalent to 75-85% of maximum oxygen consumption) for 60 minutes per session. The research variables were assessed before and after the intervention in both groups. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS 20 software using paired and independent sample T tests.
Findings: 8-week aerobic exercise significantly decreased the weight, BMI and apelin, insulin and insulin resistance index levels and increased the maximum oxygen consumption in experimental group sedentary men (p 8-week aerobic exercise reduces apelin levels and insulin resistance index in sedentary men.

Aims: Caused mainly by the contact sports, the non-penetrating testicular trauma in some children might produce post-maturity fertility problems in men. The aim of the study was to investigate the adjacent-testis protective role of sildenafil after the non-penetrating one-way testicular trauma in the rats.
In the experimental study, 24 non-mature male rats (20 days old) were studied. The rats were randomly divided into four 6-rat groups including control, non-penetrating trauma, non-penetrating trauma sildenafil, and sildenafil groups. To produce the non-penetrating trauma, the belly being opened, the right testis, put on a sterile constant level, was hit by a sterile 5g weight released from 10cm height. 0.1mg/kg sildenafil were administrated as intra-peritoneal injection daily and for 7 days after the trauma. The left testis of all the rats, removed in their 70 days old, were histologically investigated. Data was analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s post-hoc tests.
Findings: The trauma significantly reduced the mean diameter of the seminiferous tubules, their germinal epithelium height, and the spermatogenesis indices. In addition, such trauma caused different morphological changes in the adjacent testis of the rats. All the parameters were considerably improved by the administration of sildenafil (p The sildenafil can protect the rats against the fertility disorders caused by the non-penetrating one-way testis trauma.

Aims: Despite many benefits, the sport activities, if they are severe, might affect the athlete’s functioning due respiratory system damages called the exercise-induced bronchospasm. The aim of the study was to investigate the short-term side-effects of omega-3 supplementation consumption on the respiratory functioning after severe aerobic activities in the athletes with exercise-induced bronchospasm.
In the semi-experimental study, 31 male students with mild exercise-induced bronchospasm were studied in Chamran University of Ahwaz in 2015. The subjects, randomly selected based on the study criteria, were divided into two groups including omega-3 (n=15) and control (n=16). 1000mg omega-3 supplementation was daily administrated in omega-3 group for 3 weeks. After an exhaustive activity (Astrand Treadmill Test), the pulmonary functioning was assessed in both group at both pretest and posttest steps. Data was analyzed by SPSS 19 software using dependent T and covariance tests.
Findings: 3-week consumption of omega-3 supplementation did not significantly change the pulmonary indices of persons with exercise-induced bronchospasm (p>0.05). In addition, control and omega-3 groups were not significantly different in the indices (p>0.05).
Daily consumption of 1000mg omega-3 supplementation for 3 weeks does not affect the pulmonary functioning of persons with mild exercise-induced bronchospasm.

Aims: One of the most important factors of individual health in the adolescents is the self-concept. As a nursing model, the Roy adaptation model mainly investigates the factor. The aim of the study was to investigate the self-concept and its related factors in the adolescent girls in Gonabad Township, based on the Roy adaptation model.
Instrument & In the descriptive cross-sectional study, 270 adolescent girls were studied in Gonabad Township, Iran, in 2015. The subjects were selected from three health-care centers via stratified cluster random sampling method. Data was collected using a demographic questionnaire and a researcher-made inventory assessing the self-concept in the adolescent girls based on the Roy adaptation model. Data was analyzed by SPSS 22 software using descriptive statistics and Spearman’s correlational and Chi-square tests.
Findings: The mean self-concept score of the adolescent girls was 281.10±19.06. 125 girls (46.6%) and 143 girls (53.4%) were good and moderate, respectively. Age and the constant self-concept (p=0.03; r=-0.13), the economic status and the moral-spiritual self-concept (p=0.02; r=0.15), as well as the constant self-concept (p=0.02; r=0.11), father’s educational level and the constant self-concept (p=0.04; r=0.12), and father’s occupation and the mental self-concept (p=0.04; r=0.13) were significantly correlated.
The self-concept is moderate in more than a half of the adolescent girls in Gonabad Township. In addition, most of them have weak or moderate objective self.

Aims: The intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) and the vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1) play important roles in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of the sport activities with garlic supplementation on the levels of ICAMs and VCAMs in the sedentary women.
In the pretest-posttest semi-experimental study, 40 over-weight women referred to the health clinics in western Tehran were studied in 2015. The subjects, selected via random sample selecting method, were randomly divided into four 10-person groups including sport exercise, exercise with garlic supplementation, supplementation, and control. Two 500mg supplementation capsules were daily administrated. In addition, including 5 sessions a week, 10-week 60-75% of maximum heart beat aerobic activity was conducted. The anthropometric indices, the levels of the adhesion molecules, and blood lipids of the subjects were measured at the beginning and 48 hours after the end of the exercises. Data was analyzed by SPSS 16 software using two-way ANOVA, Tukey’s post-hoc, and dependent T tests.
Findings: The ICAM-1 levels in exercise supplementation and exercise groups, and the VCAM-1 levels in exercise supplementation and supplementation groups were significantly reduced at the posttest stage compared to the pretest stage, as well as to control group. In addition, the mean weight, lipid percentage, BMI, and LDL-C in exercise and exercise supplementation groups were significantly reduced. Nevertheless, the cholesterol level was significantly reduced in exercise supplementation group only (p 10-week sport activity with garlic supplementation reduces the levels of ICAM and VCAM in the sedentary women.