Journal of Research in Medical Sciences
Volume:9 Issue: 5, Sep & Oct 2004

Isolation and identification of some potent anti-tumor compounds from medicinal plants, has motivated researchers to screen different parts of plant species for anti-tumor effects. It has been reported that several conifers posses cytotoxic activities on some human tumor cell lines. In this study male and female branchlets or fruits of two different species of Iranian conifers were collected from the northern parts of Iran and identified. Hydroalcoholic extracts of them were prepared by perculation. The cytotoxic effects of the extracts on three human tumor cell lines (Hela, KB, and MDA-MB-468) were determined. Different concentrations of extracts were added to cultured cells and incubated for 72 h. Cell survival was evaluated using MTT-based cytotoxicity assay. Cytotoxicity was considered when mor than 50% decrese was seen in cell survival. Although the extracts from Platycladus orientalis significantly decreased Hela and MDA-MB-468 cell curvival, their effects were not considerable. Extracts from fruit and branchlets of male and female Juniperus sabina showed cytotoxic activities against Hela and MDA-MB-468 cells. It is concluded that extracts of J. sabin have cytotoxic effects on cancer cells.

The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of patency file on apical transportation in curved canals prepared with passive step back (P.S.B) technique. This is an interceptive experimental, Invitro, study. Human extracted first permanent molars with 19-23mm length and curvature of 15-35 degrees (Schneider method) were considered for use in this study. Simple sampling was done and 35 teeth for each group was selected. In experimental group A canal preparation was done with P.S.B technique and usage of a # 10 file (as Patency file) between successive files. In experimental group B preparation was done in the same way except for usage of patency file. Pre and post operative radiographs were taken with similar condition. Radiographs were scanned and changes in canal curvature was determined using four different methods [Schneider, Weine, Long – Axis techniques (L. A.T), and Digital image overlay technique (overlay. T)], using Idrisi for windows and AutoCAD softwares. The mean of canal transportation angle in experimental group A with Schneider, Weine, LAT, and Over Lay techniques was: 7.006 ± 3.478, 12. 285 ± 6.032, 4.376 ± 3.516, 3.147 ± 2.744 respectively. Mean of canal transportation angle in experimental group B with the same methods was also determined: 8.009 ± 4.178, 13.55 ± 7.602, 9.464 ± 5.384, and 9.641 ± 5.382 respectively. T- test statistical analysis shows that there are no significant differences between the mean of canal transportation angles in two groups as measured by Schneider and Weine method (P>0.05). Mann- Whitney test shows that there are statistically significant differences between two groups as measured by LAT and Over Lay techniques (P

Regarding the high incidence of meniscal injuries, a cost-effective, noninvasive, and also accurate diagnostic modality is highly needed. This study was conducted to assess the diagnostic value of sonography in detecting meniscus tears in comparison with arthrography. A total of 136 patients with symptoms of meniscal injury were examined with both sonography and arthrography by separate radiologists. The sensitivity, specificity, positive, and negative predictive values of sonography were calculated versus arthrography. The sensitivity of sonography in diagnosing meniscus tear was 75 percent, specificity 88 percent, positive predictive value 80 percent, and negative predictive value 85 percent. Our results show that we can’t yet replace other methods with higher diagnostic value with sonography completely but regarding its advantages, it can be used along with other routine modalities

The body mass index, defined as weight/height2, is often used to monitor childhood obesity. The BMI offers a reasonable measure of fatness in children. This study was designed to document the distribution of body mass index (BMI) in healthy south Iranian infants and present local BMI reference values. A cohort of 317 healthy full term neonates (153 boys and 164 girls) were selected randomly from all maternity hospitals of Shiraz (southern Iran) and were followed for two years from their birth. BMI centiles based on the original height and weight data were derived using the HRY method. BMI rised in the first six months of infants life, followed by a mild fall up to the age of 21 months, then stayed almost stable. Age related cut off points were assigned to the 5th centile for thinness, 85th centile for overweight and 95th centile for obesity, which were appropriate for classifying the degree of fatness. Girls BMI centiles lie below boys. Shiraz infants were relatively free of obesity. BMI centiles are suitable tools to monitor infantile obesity and serve as a baseline. However, they should be studied with other obesity indices such as weight-for-height and scaled weight by height.

Despite advances over the past few decades in operative techniques and perioperative managements, acute mesenteric ischemia (AMI) is astonishingly associated with high mortality rate (around 75 to 90 percent). The diagnosis of mesenteric ischemia remains a challenge. Presently, there is no quick and easy test (or combination of tests) which are available, with few side effects, high positive and negative predictive values, which can be early indicative of acute bowel ischemia. In our study we suggest intestinal serosal color change as an early diagnostic sign. This experimental single blinded study was done on 16 male rabbits. Every day we operated five rabbits with one of them as control. In case group superior mesenteric artery was ligated and thirty minutes later, observers who did not know the control and cases, inspected and scored the color changes of intestinal loops in rabbits. All of cases, which were reported as cyanotic or pale, supposed to be ischemic. The time from the ligation to color change was recorded. Superior mesenteric artery was ligated in 12 rabbits (cases). Three rabbits were used as controls. Color changes indicative of AMI (pale or cyanosis) appeared in nine case rabbits (75 percent of cases), 2 were pale and 7 were cyanotic. There were no false positive in our study and all of controls were true negative. Therefore sensitivity was about 75% and specificity was 100 percent. Intestinal serosal color change appeared in 1 hour after occlusion and infarction occured after 6 hours. The result of this study shows that serosal color change is an indicator of occlusion of superior mesenteric artery in rabbits. Considering the similarity between human and rabbits with respect to intestinal loops, data regarding the time profile and color changes can be extrapolated to human as an indicator of occlusion and a diagnostic test of superior mesenteric ischemia for early diagnosis of this pathology.

Evaluation of psychological problems in children of war veterans with PTSD can be the first step in improving the war – related trauma and interrupting the known phenomenon of transgeneration transmission of this trauma. Using three self – administered questionnaires, this study was carried out to compare aggression, anxiety, and social development (as some of the most expected mental health problems in this group according to literature) in adolescent children of war veterans and those of non-veterans. The two groups were matched regarding sex, academic achievement, stage of education, and economic status of the family. After controlling the level of parental education (as a confounding variable), a higher rate of aggression and anxiety was found in adolescent children of war veterans with PTSD but the two groups showed no significant difference in social development. The higher rate of anxiety and aggression among children of war veterans with PTSD along with many other factors such as low socioeconomic status in this group signifies the importance of mental health screening programs and appropriate interventions in this group.

Postoperative shivering is a common event of unknown etiology with an incidence of 5-65%. This study intended to compare the efficacy of tramadol with that of pethidine in controlling postanesthetic shivering. This double-blind clinical trial was performed on 300 consecutive patients underwent general anesthesia for elective cataract surgery. Intravenous tramadol 1 mg/kg or pethidine 0.5 mg/kg was administered for alternate subjects who developed postanesthetic shivering. They were monitored in the recovery room for 1 hour and the cessation time of shivering, recurrence of the event, duration of recovery, respiratory depression, nausea, vomiting, and arterial O2 saturation were recorded. One hundred and twenty patients (40%) had postanesthetic shivering. In the tramadol group, shivering terminated within 8 minutes after injection (mean 5 min). They had not recurrence of shivering, respiratory depression, reduction in SpO2 and nausea or vomiting during recovery. In the pethidine group, shivering terminated within 13 minutes (mean 9 min) after injection, but in 10 patients it recurred after 30 minutes. In this group 28 patients had respiratory depression, reduction in SpO2, nausea and vomiting but none of them needed any medication. Tramadol is superior to pethidine as it induced a faster termination of postanesthetic shivering and did not entail adverse effects on the respiratory system and SpO2, recurrence of shivering or nausea and vomiting. Easy availability and minimum monitoring requirements are other advantages of tramadol.

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a chronic illness and a difficult – to – treat condition. The Hypothesis that exposure to Traumatic events may sensitize or kindle limbic nuclei has led to efforts to treat PTSD with anticonvulsants. Based on the kindling hypothesis of PTSD, this clinical trial was designed to assess the clinical response to topiramate (a new anticonvulsant) as a potential Treatment for PTSD. Sixty seven combat veterans with PTSD (range 30-50 years old; SD: 39.5 ± 4.19) randomly assigned in a double – blind design. They were Treated for 12 weeks with topiramat (N=34, 50-500 mg/day) as add – on therapy or placebo (N=33). Patients were monthly assessed for three consecutive months using Clinician – Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS). Two patients were withdrawn from the study because of topiramate side effects.In reminders, the mean Score of topiramate group, in the first visit was 50.70 ± 7.7 and the mean score of placebo group was 48.9 ± 9.13. After finishing the treatment period, the mean score of the topiramate group was 32.75 ± 8.2 and of the placebo group was 46.62 ± 8.8. The analysis of these scores showed a significant difference between the two groups (P=0.00). Frequency and intensity of re-experience criteria (intrusive memory, night mare, and flash back), sleep problem, irritability, anger, frequency of difficulty to recall, and intensity of startle reaction in topiramate group was significantly less than placebo group (P < 0.05). The results of this study suggest that topiramate is a safe, well – tolerated, and significantly effective Treatment for PTSD.

The aim of this study is to determine sensitivity and specificity of 3D- Time-Of-Flight and Phase Contrast Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) in comparison with intra-arterial digital subtraction angiography (IA- DSA) in detection of intracranial aneurysms. 54 patients with 22 aneurysms underwent MRA and then IA-DSA prospectively from October 2002 till December 2003. MRA detected 20 aneurysm where as IA- DSA scored 22 (90.9%). false positive in MRA was 18.1% (4 cases) and no false positive was in IA- DSA. So sensitivity of MRA in detection of intracranial aneurysms is 90.9%, and specificity is 88.8%. Positive predictive value of 83.3% and negative predictive value of 94.1% is also calculated. MRA is a valuable non- invasive technique in the detection of intracranial aneurysms that can be a proper screening test for this purpose.