Journal of Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences
Volume:10 Issue: 2, 2007

Studies have shown that opiates cause disorders in fertilization and accessory reproductive glands in animals. On the other hand studies have shown important role of glycoconjugates in sperm epididymal maturation. Lectins can detect glycoconjugates with specific terminal glucose molecules. Therefore this study was conducted to assess the possible effects of opiates on these important glycoconjugates in sperm maturation. Lectins were used in this study since they can bind with glucose terminal in specific manner. 102 BALB/c adult male mice were assigned to three groups with 34 mice. The experimental group was injected with sulphate morphine, control group by normal saline and the third group was considered as intact group. Chronic drug dependency was induced by three daily subcutaneous injections for 7 days (dose on days from 1 to 7were: 10, 20, 40, 40, 80, 80 and 100 mg/kg respectively). After chronic drug dependency induction, epididymides were dissected. Paraffin blocks were obtained after fixation using routine laboratory methods. 5 µm sections from the blocks were exposed to different lectins by means of lectin histochemistry. Reaction intensity in different cells was investigated by light microscopy and were ranked according to the previous approved studies (0 = no reaction, 1= mild, 2 =moderate and 3 = strong reactions). Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn tests were used for statistical analysis. There was a significant difference (p<0.05) in the reaction to wheat germ agglutinin (WGA), specifically for sialic acid between experimental and control groups. No significant difference was found in using other lectins such as Galactose, Fucose and Galactose- N Acetyl Galactoseamin. Decreasing reaction to WGA indicates reduction of sialic acid content in morphine treated samples. With regard to sialic acid important role in sperm protection and epididymal maturation, adverse changes in sperms epididymal maturation will be predicted due to sialic acid deficiency in epididymal cells. Morphine effect on hypothalamic-hypophyseal portal system and secretion of gonadotropin releasing hormones, direct effect on pituitary and secretion of gonadotropins and effect on local regulatory factors may be more likely mechanisms for these changes.

Cancer patients face psychosocial and physical problems, which may have an impact on the patients quality of life (QOL). The quality of life is a powerful factor when it comes to the guidance, maintenance and increasing the level of health and culture of communities. No more attention has been paid to QOL of patients with cancer in our country. Close relation between medical health staffs, mainly nurses, and patients who are suffering from cancer will assist the medical and health staffs and the patients to better understanding the different aspects of quality of life to increase the level of health in such patients. This research was carried out in 2004 in order to assess the QOL and its related factors in patients under going chemotherapy in the Oncology Hospital of Tehran University of Medical Science. This Study was a descriptive and analytical design. 200 patients with different types of cancer (solid tumour) who referred to Cancer Clinic of Tehran University of Medical Sciences for chemotherapy were selected by selection sampling method. Data was collected using interview, patients files or patients self reports. An American QOL questionnaire of the medical information service for diabetic patient and heart disease patient was used for data collection. The QOL questionnaire included general condition, physical activities, sleep pattern, social activities and job performance. Descriptive statistic and chi square test were used to analyse the data. The sample consisted of (54.5%) male and (65%) literate and the mean age was 46.15 + 15.52 years old. The results also showed that the QOL in majority of studied subjects was fairly favourable (66%). In relation to the each aspects of QOL, the majority of cancer patients under chemotherapy were living in well general status (physical and psychological heath) (54%), social status and occupational function (78.5%) and sleep pattern (58%). 74.5% of subjects were fairly living in normal physical activities. There was significant correlation between chemotherapy (P<0.05) and the number of chemotherapy session (P<0.05) with the quality of life. There was no correlation between other demographic variables such as: age, gender, level of literacy, duration of disease, economical status, marital status and occupational status with the quality of life. Since there was a significant correlation between chemotherapy and quality of life, it can be concluded that chemotherapy is an effective factor in improving quality of life in patients with cancer. Because chemotherapy is socially stigmatised, it is important to satisfy the patients with cancer and their family to play an active role in the treatment.

Reviewing previous studies related to the mental health of different universities in Iran show that mental disorders prevalence among students vary in different studies. This study aimed to determine the rate of psychiatric disorders of first year students in Kermanshah University of Medicals Sciences during 2002. 423 first year students (314 females and 109 males) were selected from the available population. The study consisted of two phases. In the first phase the subjects mental characteristics were studied using self-rating questionnaire (SQR-24) as a screening tool. Clinical judgment of a psychiatrist based on DSM-TV criteria’s was considered as abase for studying the mental characteristics of students in the second phase. X2 and Z score tests were used for statistical analyses. The findings indicated that 28.37% of the subjects had the following disorders; mood disorders (9.45%), adjustment disorders (8.4%) anxiety disorders (6.6%), personality disorders (3.78%) and eating disorders 4.8%. There was a statistically significant relationship between students mental health and some of their characteristics. Since prevalence of students mental disorders, especially depression, is high based on these findings, it is necessary to improve mental health and life styles of educational environments in Kermanshah University of Medicals Sciences.

One of the most important criteria for health is neonatal mortality. Mortality in neonatal period is high, that is about 65% of mortality in infancy occurs below the age of one year. This study was conducted to determine mortality rate in neonates in Motazedi Hospital of Kermanshah during 2002 to 2003. This descriptive study was conducted on the dead neonates in Motazedi Hospital. Data collected from the subjects profiles were included: age, sex, birth weight, maternal age, maternal disease, multiparty, type of delivery, day and cause of death. Collected data were analysed using SPSS Software. 451 cases out of 6400 delivery were hospitalised during the study. 156 cases died, of which 59.6% were boys and 40.4% girls, among them 85.9% were premature and 84.6% were LBW. Among 96.2% neonates death in the first week, 57.7% were premature and 55.8% NVD. The most common cause of death was HMD. 12.8% of mothers admitted with echlampsia and preechlampsia. 25% of mothers were more than 35 years old and 10.9% of them were less than 16 years old. prematurity and LBW were the most common cause of death in the neonatal period, thus controlling these two factors may lead to decrease of mortality rate in neonates.

Vasectomy is a simple and highly effective contraceptive method. Comparing with tubectomy, vasectomy is much less likely to have serious complications, failure and costs. The knowledge and attitude play an important role in approving and using vasectomy. This study was designed and conducted in Zahedan High Schools in 2002, to investigate the knowledge and attitude of male and female teachers towards vasectomy. Materials amd A cross-sectional study was conducted. Two hundred married teachers were selected by cluster random sampling from twenty Guidance and High Schools and were interviewed. A 29-item questionnaire was developed including demographic, knowledge, attitude, the role of couples regarding family planning, and information sources of contraceptive methods. To analyse the data, descriptive and inferential statistics were used. The mean age of male and female teachers was 38.3±6.6 and 36.3±5.9 years old respectively. The mean number of their children was 2.6 and 2.8 respectively and also the mean age of their last child was 4.3±5.4 and 6.7±5.2 years old respectively. The findings showed significant difference between the mean scores of knowledge (p<0.0001) and attitude (p<0.0001) of male and female teachers towards vasectomy. Also, correlation test showed no significant difference between the number of teachers’ children and the mean score of their attitude. Mass media was the main source of information about vasectomy. 88% of male and 91% of female teachers used one of the contraceptive methods. The most common contraceptive method among male teachers was oral contraceptive methods (OCP) by their wives, and among female teachers was withdrawal. The low awareness and improper attitude among teachers as educated people showed that it is necessary to introduce appropriate educational plan to increase intention and usage of vasectomy.

Evaluating patient with acute scrotum is based on medical history (e.g. age), physical examination, blood tests, urine analysis and imaging studies. Differential diagnosis may be difficult. Efficacy of serum acute phase proteins in patients with acute scrotum was assessed in this study. 45 patients were recruited and allocated within three sub-groups; acute epididimitis and epididmorchitis (n=26), torsion of testis (n=9),and other disorders that presented with acute scrotum such as miscellaneous, varicocele, hydrocele, scrotal trauma and torsion of testicular appendages (n=10) and a group of non-acute, non-inflammatory referrals were selected as a control (n=20). Level of α1 antitrypsin, haptogloubin, CRP and fibrinogen was measured in all cases. Results were compared with standard clinical findings and routine blood or urine testes levels using ANOVA statistic. There was no significant difference for mean level of α1 antitrypsin between the groups according to ANOVA statistical analysis (P=0.234). Mean haptogloubin level in the groups one, two, three and four was 1347.92, 418.33, 525.60 and 973.5 mg/l respectively and there was significant difference between the groups (P<0.001). Group one had significantly higher level of haptogloubin level than groups two and three (P<0.001 and p=0.001). There was no significant difference between group two and three also between all patient groups with control. Mean CRP level in groups one, two, three and four was 102.47, 12.45, 17.57 and 1.59 mg/l respectively and difference between the groups were statistically significant (P=0.001). With respect to CRP level comparison of the groups, in group one it was significantly higher than groups two, three and four (P<0.001). There was no significant difference for CRP level between other groups. Mean fibrinogen level in groups one, two, three and four was 3.06, 3.07, 2.14 and 2.9 g/l respectively and there was no significant difference with each other (P=0.533). Fibrinogen and α1 antitrypsin could not help differentiating patients from each other as well as control group. Findings confirmed that CRP, and haptogioubin are useful biomarkers in differential diagnosis of acute scrotum. In the presence of any doubt, irrespective to imaging result and acute phase proteins level, surgical operation for ruling out of torsion is necessary. In conclusion the greatest value of these biomarkers is for confirmation of the absence of testicular torsion, which in this condition surgical intervention seems will not be necessary.

Zinc has a significant positive effect on the immune system and physical development in human beings. Many investigators believe that the level of plasma zinc in thalasemic patients is reduced firstly because of receiving chelators like desferoxamin, and secondly because of impairment of some organs like kidney, liver, thyroid and hypophysis. Therefore this study was carried out to determine the level of plasma zinc in major thalasemics referred to the Thalasemic Centre of Kermanshah during 2002. This study was a descriptive study in which 100 major thalasemics were investigated. First of all some criteria with a checklist including age, weight, and sex were collected to know how many desferalls and packs of blood they received. Plasma zinc level was determined using the flam photometer atomic absorption method. Serum ferritin level was measured using radio immuno assay and blood urea and creatinin using auto analyzer method. ANOVA and Chi square test were used for statistical analysis. The mean of the patients age was 10.46± 5.25 yr, 53% was male and 47% female. Most of them had a normal level of zinc and also 23% of them had a high level of zinc. 80% of patients received packs of blood more than 240 ml/kg/yr and the correlation between plasma zinc and blood transfusion in them was statistically significant (P= 0.025). Patients who received transfusion more than normal present much higher hevel of zinc than patients received an abnormal level of desferoxamin. The study showed that correlation between plasma zinc and blood urea was statistically significant (p=0.009). This study showed that there was no decrease in plasma zinc of the patients. The findings showed that their treatment based on desferoxamin and transfusion has not been closely regulated and this may significantly affect the zinc status. Therefore decision on the requirement of zinc in such patients needs further studies. With satisfactory well-controlled treatment in these patients it is recommended that the level of zinc in such patients be determined by not only in plasma but also in 24 hours urine sample collections.

Screening visual disorder in children is very important, since early diagnosing preventable factors can help visual health of children. This study was carried out to determine prevalence of visual defects in primary school children in Kermanshah during 2001. 4533 primary school children were studied in this cluster and randomised sampling cross sectional study. Visual acuity of subjects was studied using Snellen chart. Ophthalmologist examined subjects who had visual acuity with lower than or equal to 20/40. Prevalence of uncorrected defects corrected with glasses and corrected visual impairment equal to or less than 20/40 at least in one eye was 5.7%, 2.6% and 0.3% respectively. Refractive errors were the common cause of visual impairment in 87.3% of subjects.The results also showed 5.8% amblyopia, 2.3% other causes and 4.6% unexplained cause. Comparing the prevalence of visual disorders of the studied subjects was lower than or equal to the previous studies. The most important reasons for this reduction may be preschool screening, sampling method or genetic factors. The Common cause of visual impairment was related to correctable causes, which are curable by on time diagnosing and recommending glasses.

Dissertations are important part of medical practitioner students training modules and may increase their knowledge and skills in the research methodology. This research was conducted to study ten research methodology indexes in medical students dissertations in Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences from 1988 to 2005. This is an analytical-descriptive study. 218 general medical practitioner student original dissertations were selected in randomization based on their graduation year during 18 years. According to the number of dissertations and graduation year they were divided into five sub-groups and the mean scores of the dissertations were compared in these time periods. Data was extracted using a check list consisting of 91 items related to 10 research methodology indices; title‚ abstract‚ problem statement‚ literature review‚ objectives and hypotheses‚ material and methods‚ findings‚ discussion ‚ conclusion and references by one of well trained lecturers. The score were given to each of the indexes, were determined in terms of their relevant importance. Distinct mark dissertations were assumed 20 scores and divided into five categories based on Likert Scale. Chi-square test, independent T- test, ANOVA and Post -hoc Tukeys test were used for statistical analysis. The mean and standard deviation of the total scores in ten research methodology indices was 8.77±3.11 out of 20 for these dissertations. Except title index and findings index that received very high scores, the rest indices received moderate, weak, and very weak scores. The mean and standard deviation of the total scores in10 research methodology indices in the first periodical section was 5.90±1.54 which increased to 7.73±2,36, 8.62±2.53, 11.28±2.41, 12.40±2.33 respectively for the second, third, fourth and fifth periodic sections. In other words, the means and standard deviation of the total scores in the second, third, fourth and fifth periodic sections in comparison with the first section increased 30.5%, 11.94%, 30.85% and 9.93% respectively. ANOVA test showed significant difference between total scores mean in five periodic sections. According to Post–hoc Tukeys test there were significant differences between all the time periods except two of them. Present study showed an improving trend in ten research methodology indices during the last 18 years. We can conclude that some factors such cchanging dissertations writing instructions, attending in research methodology workshops, increasing facilities to access to medical databases may be the main causes of this improvement trend.