Internal Medicine Today
Volume:18 Issue: 4, 2013

Angelica archangelica is one of the medicinal herbs in traditional medicine which is effective in hematopoiesis. In the present study، the effect of interperitoneal injection of Angelica archangelica root’s hydroalcoholic extract in different doses on the count of red and white blood cells، change in hemoglobin and hematocrit، mean globular volume، the average size of hemoglobin and the hemoglobin average weight ratio in the Balb/c mouse، were studied. In this experimental study، 40 mature Balb/c male mice were divided into control، placebo (with saline injection) and 3 treatment groups (injected with 50، 100 and 200mg/kg doses of Angelica archangelica root’s hydroalcoholic extract every other day for 20 days). Indices of red and white blood cells’ count، hematocrit and hemoglobin mean، mean corpuscular volume، hemoglobin average volume and hemoglobin average weight ratio were measured for each group separately. The results obtained were evaluated using SPSS 11. 5 software and Duncan''s one-way ANOVA test. The average number of white blood cells in the first، second and third treatment groups was significantly higher than control group (p<0. 05). The average number of white blood cells in the third group (200 mg/kg) was significantly higher than the other groups (p<0. 05). There was no significant difference between the mean of hematocrit، hemoglobin، MCV، MCH and MCHC of the groups (p>0. 05). The extract of Angelica archangelica is effective in hematopoiesis process with the increase in the number of red blood cells and also with the increase in the number of white blood cells in the immune system support.

Increase in milk volume، vessel’s lymphatic hyperemia and increased breast’s interstitial fluid in the first weeks of birth is causing mother''s breast hyperemia. The present study was to compare the acupressure (jangling) point and intermittent compress (hot and cold) on the intensity of breast hyperemia in lactating women. This clinical trial was conducted from March، 2009 to August، 2010 on all women referring to Gha’em hospital، Firouzabd، Fars. Seventy lactating women were selected using convenient sampling method and were randomly divided into two compress group and acupressure group. The intensity of the breast hyperemia was evaluated with a total score related to the hyperemia symptoms (red skin، breast tension and pain). Treatment for patients in both groups was performed 4 times (2 times in the first day and 2 times in the second day). The collected data related to the intensity of breast hyperemia before and after intervention was analyzed using within-subject analysis of variance by SPSS 16 software. The mean score of breast hyperemia intensity revealed a significant reduction in the successive days during the interventions in both groups (p < 0. 0001). The mean difference of the right breast hyperemia intensity score before and after the interventions in the acupressure group (5. 94 ± 2. 48) and compress group (8. 53 ± 2. 48) had a significant difference and the mean difference of the left breast hyperemia intensity score before and after the interventions in the acupressure group (5. 5 ± 2. 3) and compress group (7. 79 ± 3. 95) had a significant difference (p < 0. 001). Intermittent compress (hot and cold) is more effective than acupressure in decreasing of the intensity of breast hyperemia.

Considering the prevalence of pleural malignancy، its diagnosis is of great importance in terms of treatment and prognosis and management. The present study was conducted to evaluate the cytological value of pleural fluid in the diagnosis of malignancy of two aspects، namely، cytological sensitivity and impact of fluid volume studied in the diagnosis of pleural malignancy. This cross sectional descriptive study was done in Masih- Daneshvari hospital in Tehran، Iran، during a period of 24 months and 318 samples were selected and analyzed by linear sampling method. After centrifugation، smears and cell blocks were obtained and evaluated from pleural fluid samples. Decisive pathological findings in terms of the presence of malignant cells were reported to be positive. All patients were followed up for 6 months up to the final diagnosis after pleural fluid cytology diagnosis. Data collected by statistical software SPSS 18 were analyzed with Chi-square test. 58 cases of cytological results were positive in terms of malignancy. Cytological sensitivity in the diagnosis of malignancy was 41. 73% and its negative predictive value was 68. 85%. The feature and positive value of the given test were 100%. The highest sensitivity regarding the cytological diagnosis was associated to the sample volume range over 40ml (65%) and next in the volume range of 31-40ml (63. 7%). The pleural fluid volume is of great importance in achieving a diagnosis. In addition، considering the significance of the acceleration in the diagnosis، at least 31-40 ml of fluid should be taken to be tested in each thoracentesis time.

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR) are integral membrane proteins and prototypic members of the ligand-gated ion-channel superfamily، which modify synaptic transmission at the neuromuscular junctions. The Purpose of the present study was to compare the effect of combination training on the content of nAChR in Fast-twitch and slow-twitch muscle fibers of male rats. In this experimental study، a number of 16 male Wistar rats underwent the combination trainings from their 10th week of life. Under the environmental conditions، these animals were randomly divided into two equal groups of control and combination training. Combination training consisted of Strength and Endurance training، which was lasted for 12 weeks simultaneously. Forty-eight hours after the last session of training session، animals were anaesthetized with a mixture of KetamineTM and Xylazine، and their soleus and anterior tibialis were removed. The amount of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors was measured using ELISA kit. In order to compare the effect of training on the given two fibers، independent T test in SPSS 16. 0 statistical software was employed. the difference in the content of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the slow-twitch muscle of combination group (3. 49±0. 61pg/mg) was significant compared to control group (1. 87±0. 51pg/mg). In addition، the difference in the amount of Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the fast-twitch muscle of combination group (1. 49±0. 42pg/mg) was significant compared to control group (2. 89±0. 51pg/mg; p=0. 001). The content of nAChR is increased by implementation of a combination training protocols in Fast-twitch muscle (tibialis) and slow-twitch (soleus) muscles in the male rat.

The increased level of Hcy is correlated with the early coronary artery disease، heart attack and Atherothrombosis even among individuals with normal levels of cholesterol and reducing the Hcy levels is correlated with the reduced incidence of heart attack. The present study was conducted aiming at investigating the effect of resistance training and detraining on tHcy and group B vitamins on obese girls. For the purpose of this semi-experimental study، 24 individuals with a BMI greater than 30، ready to participate in the study were selected using available sampling method as the subjects of the study. They were divided into two equal experimental and control groups. The subjects of experimental group underwent 8 weeks of resistance training and 10 days of detraining. A pretest was taken before the initiation of trainings، posttest 1 after trainings and posttest 2 after detraining period. After taking of blood sample، in each stage of the test، the concentration of plasma Hcy، B6، B12 and folate vitamins، the content of fat and fat free mass were measured. Data was analyzed using SPSS 16 software and ANOVA with repeated measures. Just concerning LBM، a significant increase was observed in posttest 1 results in the experimental group comparing the control group (p=0. 024; F=6. 192). the amount of، B6، B12 and folate vitamins revealed no difference all over the training course in experimental and control groups (p>0. 05). In experimental group، power was increased significantly compared with the control group (p=0. 01). Implementation of 8 weeks resistance training and 10 days detraining do not influence the concentrations of plasma tHcy، vitamins B6، B12 and folate vitamins in obese girls.

In the last decades، garlic (Allium sativum) has been reported to display antifungal activity. Garlic inhibits the growth of Candida albicans. It is used in different forms for prevention or treatment of a variety of infections such as candidiasis. The present study was an attempt to compare the antifungal effect of fresh، aged garlic’s aqueous extract and pickle on Candida albicans’s standard sample. In this experimental study، garlic’s aqueous extract was extracted using Mantis method. Garlic which was frozen at -20°C for two years was used as aged garlic and garlic marinating in vinegar for 7 years (pH=3-3. 5) was used as pickled garlic. Following the preparation of fungal suspension، a set of necessary dilutions was made out of the extract of all three types of garlic and the Minimum Inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal Fungicidal concentration (MFC) were determined. The statistical difference between different groups was assessed using SPSS13 software and student T-test. MIC for Fresh garlic was 2. 34mg/ml and for aged garlic was 4. 68mg/ml. Likewise; MFC was 2. 34mg/ml Fresh garlic and 9. 37mg/ml for aged garlic. Aqueous extract of garlic pickle did not have any anti-Candida properties in all prepared set of dilutions. There was the highest number of colony on the solid sauboro medium in the minimum dilution of fresh garlic extract about 300 and aged garlic about 500. Aqueous extract of fresh enjoys greater ability compared with the extract of aged garlic and garlic pickle for inhibiting from the growth of Candida albicans’s yeast.

Self-esteem originates from the social life and its values and it is among the most important aspects of personality and indicator of human behavioral characteristics. Cognitive-behavioral approach is a short-term and focused approach for assisting individuals with drug abuse. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of cognitive-behavioral group therapy on self-esteem and the attitude of addicted people toward drugs. In this semi-experimental study with control group and pretest-posttest design، 20 subjects were selected from among the 48 men who referred for the first time to four private centers for addiction abandonment in Zahedan، and were divided into two experimental and control groups، each includes 10 subjects. Experimental group received 12 sessions of 1. 5-hour cognitive-behavioral group therapy، and control group received no treatment. Data collection tool was two questionnaires including Coopersmith self-esteem inventory and Attitude Scale Questionnaire concerning the attitude toward addiction and narcotic drugs. To analyze the collected data، ANCOVA analysis was utilized using SPSS 16 software. The pretest score difference of the two groups as well as the pretest and posttest score of the control group was not significant in terms of self-esteem index (p>0. 05). However، the difference in the score of the two phases of the test in the experimental group was significant (p=0. 023). The pretest score difference of the two groups as well as the pretest and posttest score of the control group was not significant in terms of attitude toward drugs index (p>0. 05). However، the difference in the score of the two phases of the test in the experimental group was significant (p=0. 03). Cognitive-behavioral group therapy leads to an increase in self-esteem and negative attitude toward drugs in the addicted individuals.

Salivary Immunoglobulin A is the most important part of immune system in upper respiratory tract. The findings of the studies regarding hormonal and immune changes، especially mucosal immune system، are highly contradictory and different. The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of intense exercise in the morning and evening on the concentration of salivary cortisol and Immunoglobulin A، in young swimmers. This study is a quasi- experimental design conducting in 2010-11 academic years. The population of the study included 120 young boy swimmers، studying in a guidance school in Gonabad city، of which 20 were selected using random convenient sampling method. The subjects performed the selected exercise in two times، one on 11 in the morning and the other after 16 days. Saliva samples were taken before and immediately after the intensive exercise. The data were analyzed using SPSS 14 software by paired T-test. A significant decrease of Immunoglobulin A was observed in the morning exercise. Likewise، a significant decrease in cortisol was seen in the evening exercise. The amount of swimmers’ salivary Immunoglobulin A and cortisol had a significant decrease after the exercise compared with before it (p=0. 0001). Moreover، their amount in the evening turn had a significant decrease compared to the morning turn (p=0. 0001). intense exercise decreases the salivary Immunoglobulin A and cortisol levels in the morning and evening that may affect the incident of respiratory tract infections.

In many countries، pregnant women’s breastfeeding of the older baby is common and may lead to oxytocin release، uterine contraction and increased maternal energy need. The probable consequences of lactation during pregnancy on the pregnancy outcome and newborn are still unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the breastfeeding the older baby during the pregnancy on the pregnancy outcome and newborns’ birth sizes. In this case-control study، during 9 months in maternity units of Birjand، of 2308 multiparous pregnant mothers، 320 were selected through sequential sampling method. The case group consisted of 80 mothers who were breastfeeding the older child during their current pregnancy. Control group included 240 mothers homogenized with the case group، who stopped breastfeeding to the old baby at least 3 months before pregnancy. Two clinical trained nurses gathered newborns birth weight، height، head circumference and pregnancy outcome of two groups. Data were analyzed with SPSS 16 software، student T، Pearson correlation، chi square، Mann-Whitney، and Fisher’s exact tests. There was no significant difference between the pregnancy outcome in the case and control groups (p=0. 36)، and between the pregnancy outcome and mothers’ breastfeeding behaviors in case group (p=0. 69). The mean of newborns’ birth weight (p=0. 45)، height (p=0. 15)، and head circumference (p=0. 31) in two groups had no significant difference. Breastfeeding of healthy pregnant mothers to their older child has no remarkable effect on the pregnancy outcome، newborn’s birth weight، height and head circumference.

Body movements، especially rhythmic movements، affect the cognitive، emotional and social functions directly or through mechanisms or the other processes. These movements are performed within the framework of enjoying and relaxing recreational activity and are a means for self-expression، thoughts، feelings، a means for treatment، enhancing the body fitness and reducing the anxiety. The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of rhythmic exercise on preschool children’s intelligence and social development. This quasi-experimental research was conducted on the population of 93 preschool children 1 and preschool children 2 of the kindergarten of Ferdowsi university of Mashhad in academic year of 2008-9 and 35 children were placed in the experimental group and 22 children were placed in the control group. Data collection tools included Goodenough draw-a-man intelligence test and Vineland social maturity scale. The experimental group enjoyed the instructional rhythmic movement package for four months، in two 1. 5-hour sessions per week، utilizing 60% of child’s heartbeat. The control group received different independent instruction. ANCOVA analysis test was administered in SPSS 20 software. Posttest scores of social intelligence scale for experimental group (121. 43±21. 26) and control group (115. 91±15. 33) had a significant statistical difference (F(1، 54) =6. 077; p=0. 017) in terms of the amount of changes compared to the pretest. A significant statistical difference was observed between the Goodenough intelligence’s pretest score (118. 91±15. 60) and posttest (129. 60±17. 30) in the experimental group (F(1، 54) =26. 08; p=0. 001). The instruction of rhythmic movement therapy (RMT) is effective for the academic community preschool children’s social growth and intelligence.