Quality of Life in Patients with Hand Eczema as Health Promotion: A Case Control Study

Health promotion has been defined by the World Health Organization’s(WHO) 2005 Bangkok Charter for Health Promotion as ”the processof enabling people to increase control over their health and its determinants,and thereby improve their health”. One of the most important determinantsof health is quality of life. Hand eczema is a common skin disease that can adverselyaffect the quality of life of patients. The aim of this study was to determinethe quality of life in patients with hand eczema. This case-control studywas performed on 70 patients with hand eczema and 70 healthy controls. Allthe patients filled out two questionnaires: Short Form 36 (SF-36) and DermatologyLife Quality index (DLQI). The data were analyzed using the statisticalsoftware package for social sciences (SPSS).The mean score score of quality of life in dimensions of physical functioning,vitality, and general health in the SF-36 was lower compared to the controlgroup. The mean score in DLQI in patients with hand eczema was 8.68. Therewas a significant negative correlation between the scores of different dimensionsof QOL obtained in the two questionnaires (SF36 and DLQI).The study demonstrated that the quality of life in patients with hand eczemawas lower than that of controls. It seems advisable that psychiatric consultationsor psychotherapy be included in the treatment of chronic hand eczem

Thallium Intoxication in Relation to Drug Abuse and Cigarette Smoking in Iran

Thallium (Tl) is a highly toxic heavy metal with atomic number 81. It is a soft, bluish-white or gray water-insoluble metal but the salt forms are colorless, tasteless, and odorless. Tl is readily absorbed via ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact. Any amount of Tl in the body is abnormal. The clinical manifestation of thallotoxicosis has a wide spectrum but painful ascending peripheral neuropathy, gastrointestinal, and dermatologic manifestations are major characteristics in Tl toxicity. Tl intoxication has been identified in drug abuse and cigarette smoking leading to various signs and symptoms. Substance abuse and cigarette smoke are a major public health hazard across the world

Comparison of effect of Lavandula officinalis and venlafaxine in treating depression: A double blind clinical trial

Introduction: Major depressive disorder is a chronic disease which may be associated with other mental illnesses. Lavandula officinalis and venlafaxine, herbal and chemical drugs respectively, are used to treat depression. Despite pharmacotherapy, major depressive disorder has a complicated pattern of resistance and recurrence. Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of L. officinalis and venlafaxine in treating depression. Materials and Methods: For this study, 120 patients referred to the psychiatry clinic of the Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran, were randomly selected. The participants were randomly assigned to three groups: venlafaxine (Control Group), venlafaxine + L. officinalis (L. officinalis Group), and venlafaxine + placebo (Placebo Group). All the patients underwent treatment for six weeks. Depression test was administered to the three groups at different time intervals before the treatment, four weeks after the treatment and at completion of the treatment. The data were analysed by SPSS version17.0. Results: Depression scores of all the groups decreased over time (p=0.001). The depression scores were significantly different between the control and L. officinalis groups (p=0.004), and the control and placebo groups (p=0.002), but were not significantly different between the L. officinalis and placebo groups (p=0.95). Conclusion: Adding L. officinalis or a placebo is equally effective in decreasing mean depression score and venlafaxine obviously decreased this score

Sensitivity Analysis of Piezoelectric Microcantilever Excitability as Resonator

Piezoelectric Microcantilevers (MCs) are efficient tools in switches of MEMS, AFMs and nano-resonators. Creating maximum vibrating motion with minimum excitation voltage is important in reducing power consumption and noise in this type of MCs. Therefore, investigating the factors affecting the excitability of MCs, as well as the degree of the effect of each of these factors, have an important role in the design and optimal selection of this type of resonators. Therefore, the aim of this paper was to investigate the excitability of this type of MCs. Modeling is conducted according to Hamilton principle and Euler-Bernoulli theory. Equation of motion was solved using Galerkin method with respect to geometrical discontinuities. Finally, eFAST sensitivity analysis was performed on excitability of MCs using statistical methods. Sensitivity analysis results show that the length and thickness of the piezoelectric layer are the most influential parameters on the excitability of MCs. At L1/L=0.74, the excitability reaches its maximum value

Diagnostic value of high sensitivity C-reactive protein levels in dedifferentiation of stable angina from unstable angina

BACKGROUND: Differentiation of stable angina from unstable angina is important because they need different approaches. Few studies have been conducted to assess the diagnostic value of high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) in differentiating these two diseases. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of hs-CRP levels for differentiating stable angina from unstable angina. METHODS: After signing the consent form, patients with unstable angina who referred to Tohid Hospital emergency in Sanandaj, Iran, and patients with stable angina who referred to the special clinic of the hospital were evaluated. Disease was confirmed by a cardiologist. Morning serum hs-CRP was tested using MONOBIND laboratory kit (USA). Data were analyzed by SPSS using Student’s independent t-test, Mann-Whitney U, chi-square, Fisher exact test, and receiver operating characteristic curve. RESULTS: hs-CRP levels in patients with stable angina and unstable angina were 1.6 (± 1.18) and 2.35 (± 1.30) mg/l, respectively (P = 0.025). The hs-CRP level ≥ 2.31 mg/l was the best cut-off point for differentiating stable from unstable angina. At this cut-off point, the sensitivity and specificity were 56% and 73%, respectively. Area under the curve was calculated to be 0.679 (95% confidence interval: 0.54-0.81) (P = 0.017). CONCLUSION: hs-CRP level is helpful for differentiating patients with stable angina from those with unstable angina. It is recommended to consider the hs-CRP level of 2.31 mg/l as the best cut-off point

Examining Metabolic Profiles in Opioid-Dependent Patient

Background: Drug abuse is a social burden and a public health disorder. Previous evidencesuggested numerous illicit substances (e.g., opioids, amphetamines, cocaine, & cannabis)affect immune system functions, oxidative stress mechanisms, inflammatory cytokines, andreactive oxygen species production.This study aimed to determine the extent of these metabolic parameters in opioid-dependentpatients. We also compared these patients with a healthy control group.Methods: This study was conducted in Amirie Clinic, Kashan, Iran. Plasma and serumsamples from 50 illicit opioid users (study group) and 50 non-opioid users (control group)were studied. Metabolic levels for MDA, NO, TAC, GSH, Insulin, HOMA-IR, and hs-CRPwere assessed in both research groups (N=100).Results: There was a significant difference in the status of MDA (P=0.003), NO (P=0.01), TAC(P=0.003), GSH (P=0.001), insulin (P=0.04), HOMA-IR (P=0.02), and hs-CRP (P=0.001)between the study and control groups. Furthermore, there was a significant correlation amongthe duration of illicit opioid use and MDA concentrations (r=-0.424, P=0.002), as well as TAClevels (r=0.314, P=0.02).Conclusion: The study results suggested metabolic profiles were impaired in the study group,compared to the controls

The Effects of Quetiapine on Craving and Withdrawal Symptoms in Methamphetamine Abuse: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Background: Patients with Methamphetamine Abuse (MA) are susceptible to many complications like craving, and withdrawal symptoms. These trials were designed to evaluate the effect of quetiapine administration on craving and withdrawal symptoms in MA abuse.Methods: This trial was conducted on 60 people with MA abuse to receive either 100 mg quetiapine (n=30), or placebo (n=30) every day for 2 months. The Desire for Drug Questionnaire (DDQ) and Amphetamine Withdrawal Questionnaire (AWQ) scores were evaluated at baseline and after 2 months’ intervention. For data analysis, t test, and the Chi-square test were applied in SPSS v. 18.Results: Quetiapine significantly decreased DDQ (P=0.002) and AWQ symptoms (P=0.001) compared to the placebo. Furthermore, there was a significant difference among groups in terms of the frequency of negative urine tests (P<0.001).Conclusion: This trial showed that administration of quetiapine supplements for 2 months in individuals with MA abuse had beneficial effects on craving and withdrawal syndrome