Journal of Inflammatory Diseases
Volume:18 Issue: 5, 2014

Varicocele is the most common cause of infertility in men. Increased release of free oxygen radicals is one of the most important mechanisms of damage in the pathophysiology of varicocele. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of saffron extract treatment on sperm parameters (sperm count, motility and morphology) in rats with experimentally induced varicocele. In this experimental study, 24 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: varicocele without treatment, sham, control, varicocele with treatment. Varicocele was induced in both varicocele groups. Saffron ethanolic extract (50 mg/kg) was daily administered intraperitoneally in the varicocele group with treatment for eight weeks. After eight weeks, the sperm parameters were studied in all groups. Data were analyzed using one way ANOVA. All sperm parameters in the varicocele groups were significantly reduced in comparison to the control group. The sperm parameters were significantly improved by saffron ethanolic extract. With regards to the results, crocin and safranal in saffron extract which probably eliminate free radicals can be effective in treatment of infertility caused by varicocele.

Although much effort has gone into decreasing insulin resistance and inflammatory factors by consumption of probiotic-containing products in pregnant women, limited data are available assessing the effects of synbiotic foods. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of synbiotic Gaz consumption on insulin function and serum high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels in Iranian pregnant women. This randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted in 52 primigravida p regnant women aged 18-35 years old in the third trimester during 2012. After a 2-week run-in period, s ubjects were randomly allocated to consume either synbiotic (n=26) or control Gaz (n=26) for 9 weeks. Each gram synbiotic Gaz consisted of a probiotic Lactobacillus sporogenes (1×107 CFU), 0.04 g inulin as prebiotic with 0.38 g isomalt, 0.36 g sorbitol and 0.05 g stevia as sweetener. Control Gaz (the same substance without probiotic bacteria and inulin) was packed in identical 9-gram packages. Fasting plasma glucose (FPG), insulin function and serum hs-CRP levels were measured at baseline and after a 9- week intervention. Data were analyzed using independent sample T-test, paired T-test, ANOVA, ANCOVA, Mann Whitney U test and Wilcoxon signed rank test. The following changes were statistically significant compared with the control group: decrease in insulin levels (-0.26 vs. 6.34 µIU/mL, P=0.014) and HOMA-IR (-0.13 vs. 1.13, P=0.033), difference in HOMA-B (5.30 vs. 34.22, P=0.040) and increase in QUICKI (0.002 vs. -0.02, P=0.022). The differences for FPG and hs-CRP levels were not statistically significant. With regards to the results, consumption of synbiotic Gaz for 9 weeks had beneficial effects on insulin function among pregnant women, but did not affect FPG and serum hs-CRP levels.

Progress in the early diagnosis of fetal abnormalities and maternal life threatening diseases has increased the rate of second-trimester pregnancy termination. The aim of this study was to compare the therapeutic and side effects of misoprostol moistened with normal saline and with acetic acid in second-trimester pregnancy termination. In this randomized clinical trial study, 91 pregnant women in second trimester were randomly allocated to receive vaginal misoprostol moistened with acetic acid (47 cases) or with normal saline (44 cases) in Mahdieh hospital, Tehran. The successful abortion rate, induction-abortion interval, mean dose of misoprostol and adverse effects were compared between two groups using Chi-square test and T-test. The abortion rate within 24 h was 85.1% and 56.8% in the acetic acid group and normal saline group, respectively. The mean induction-abortion interval was 26.5±21.3 and 15.7±14.2 hours in the normal saline group and acetic acid group, respectively. The mean dose of misoprostol was 1115±570 and 775±400 µg in the normal saline group and acetic acid group, respectively. The side effects and retained placenta were similar in both groups. Moistening with acetic acid can increase the efficacy of misoprostol in second-trimester pregnancy termination and can decrease the dose of required medication.

Nowadays air pollution threatens environment and public health. Ahvaz, the provincial capital of Khuzestan province, is one of the most polluted cities in Iran. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of particulate matter less than 10 microns (PM10) on health in Ahvaz. This analytical study was conducted in Ahvaz, 2011. Pollutant concentrations of PM10 were measured using GRIMM. PM10 data were obtained from Ahvaz department of the environment. After processing (average estimation and coding) and exerting the influence of meteorological parameters, data were converted as input file to the Air Q model. The maximum and the minimum concentrations of PM10 were related to the Havashenasi and Naderi stations, respectively. Total mortality attributable to PM10 was 1400 cases. Cumulative cardiovascular mortality attributable to PM10 was 787 cases with regards to the median relative risk and 46% of the mortality rate was related to a PM10 level less than 200 µg/m3. High total mortality rate and cardiovascular mortality rate may be due to PM10 level more than standard level or continuation of days with high level of particulate matter in breathing air zone in Ahvaz.

Proper implementation of the recommendation system may be known as an appropriate structure to use the staff opinions in order to solve organization problems. Promoting productivity and effectiveness of the organization are of advantages of the recommendation system. The purpose of this study was to identify factors affecting implementation of the recommendation system in Qazvin University of the Medical Sciences. This analytical study was conducted in Qazvin University of the Medical Sciences during 2013. Using Cochran’s formula, 290 staff were randomly selected in both successful and unsuccessful parts in implementation of the recommendation system. The measurement tool was a standard questionnaire with likert scale. Data were analyzed using T-test and Friedman test. Behavioral factors such as justice in awarding, the staff's sense of loyalty to the organization, commitment and belief of managers to the recommendation system and feedback for recommendations were significantly associated with successful implementation of the system. In structural factors, flexibility and reduced formalization in organization were associated with successful implementation of the system. There was no significant association between organizational hierarchy and organizational focus with implementation of the recommendation system. The behavioral factors had more influences on implementation of the recommendation system compared to the structural factors. With regards to the results, the behavioral factors such as justice in organization and sense of loyalty can result in increas ing useful recommendations from staff for organization. Using constructive recommendations by the managers raise the hope for promoting the effectiveness of the organization.

The clinical governance safeguards high standards of services by creating an environment in which excellence in clinical care will flourish. This aim of this study was to investigate the association of organizational climate and hospital performance in establishment of the clinical governance in Tehran University of Medical Sciences. This analytical study was conducted in 390 staff from 16 hospitals in Tehran University of Medical Sciences during 2012. The measurement tool was the Freeman's clinical governance climate questionnaire. Data about hospital performance in establishment of the clinical governance were taken from the clinical governance office in deputy for curative affairs at Tehran University of medical sciences. Data were analyzed using Spearman’s correlation coefficient. The planned quality improvement and working with colleagues sub-scales were significantly correlated with hospital performance in establishment of the clinical governance. The proactive risk management, unjust punishment, training and development and organizational learning sub-scales were not correlated with hospital performance in establishment of the clinical governance. With regards to the results, hospitals with favorable organizational climate were more successful in establishment of the clinical governance. Managers who are looking for successful establishment of the clinical governance should consider the organizational climate.

The most important element to achieve organizational goals is effective management. Managers at different levels should have characteristics, capabilities, competencies and specific skills to contribute to effectiveness. The aim of this study was to assess effective management skills in managers of teaching hospitals in Qazvin University of Medical Sciences. This cross sectional study was conducted in 78 high and middle rank and operational managers in all parts of Qods, Velayat, Shahid Rajaee, Kosar and Buali-Sina teaching hospitals during 2013. The measurement tool was Whetten and Cameron questionnaire with likert scale. Data were analyzed using Pearson ’s correlation coefficient and regression analysis. 53.8% of managers in writing, oral communication and listening, 30.8% in stress and time management, 42.3% in unproblematic decision making, and 62.8% in seeking information about strengths and weaknesses had effective management skills. 30.8% of them did not have enough management skills in delegation. There was a significant association between delegation and education level. The association of management experience and the ability to convince higher levels was statistically significant. With regards to the results, it seems that the managers need more attention and education on some effective management skills.

Type 2 diabetes is of particular importance as one of the main causes of cardiovascular diseases, renal dysfunction and their related mortality. Two main characteristics of the disease are insulin secretion defects and insulin resistance. It seems that insulin resistance is a key trigger in the pathogenesis of the disease. It is reasonable to think about how to prevent the incidence of type 2 diabetes, reduce its severity and morbidity and to postpone the disease onset by studying the molecular mechanism of insulin resistance in order to inhibit or reduce the driving proteins behind insulin resistance and to find appropriate therapeutic approaches especially based on RNAs regulating gene expression. This review focuses on recent published molecular findings about occurrence of insulin resistance using genetic databases such as KEGG GENES and OMIM to introduce the trigger mechanism of type 2 diabetes.

Late complications requiring surgical intervention following pacemaker implantation are rare. Pacemaker erosion may be caused by primary infection or a noninfectious process such as mechanical pressure. In this report, a case of severe pacemaker erosion is presented in an 83 year-old female with a history of complete heart block who underwent dual chamber pacemaker implantation. One year after the implementation, the patient was referred due to noninfectious erosion of the pacemaker generator. The generator was re-implanted under the pectoralis muscle and the pacemaker erosion was treated without complication.

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to screen newborn hearing loss in Kosar hospital, Qazvin during 2012. All newborns were evaluated using Transient Evoked Otoacoustic Emission (TEOAE) during the first 48 hours of birth. Infants who did not meet TEOAE pass criteria underwent additional diagnostic testing. Of 1764 newborns, 890 (50.4%) were male and 874 (49.6%) were female. The prevalence of hearing loss was 0.11%. With regards to the high prevalence of hearing loss, hearing screening is recommended for all newborns.