Magnesium changes in migraine and non-migraine attacks

Background : Migraine headache is one the mostimportant complaint, of patients. complaint. Totally, 4-6 of males and 3-16 of females complain of migraine. Prior investigators have shown that the magnesium level decrease during the migraine attack, thus administration of magnesium-containing tablets could of great help. Meanwhile, magnesium sulphate if administered intravenously may cease the attack. The present study aimed to evaluate the level of magnesium during the migraine attack. Materials and Methods : For this cross sectional study, subjects complaining of migraine were selected. The magnesium level was determined during the attack and during the remission phase. Initial data including age, sex, smoking habit, history of trauma, and positive family history of migraine were all recorded. Paired t-test was used for data analysis. Results : The study population included 45 females and 5 males, the most age frequency wasin 30-45 years with 68. Previous history of trauma, smoking, stress, and family history of migraine headache were positive in 14, 10, 88, and 30, respectively. The mean level of magnesium was 1.7 and 2.1 during the attack and remission phase, respectively (p=0.001). Conclusion : Magnesium level does decrease during the attack phase. This could open new approach in therapeutic approach

Behavioral habits and ischemic heart disease in Kashan, 1995

Background: Cardiovascular diseases are among the most common cause of death in Iran. Changes in life styles and habits may be accompanied by less mortality and morbidity due to cardiovascular diseases. The present study was performed to determine the behavioral habits in ischemic heart disease in patients hospitalized in Shaheed Beheshti hospital in Kashan.Materials and methods : For this case-control study, patients admitted in CCU were considered as case and those noncardiac disease admitted in surgery or internal medicine wards were referred to as control. Groups were matched according to the sex and age. A questionnaire including sex, age, occupation, marital status, education level, smoking habit, daily activity, and OCP usage was completed for all participants. Results : 400 patients were equally distributed in two groups of case and control. In the case group70 patients (35) aged 66 or higher, 121 (60.7) were males, 87 were married, 62 were illiterate, an 35.5 were housewife. 39 (19.5) have frequently had salty meals. 57 (28.5) used animal-based oils. 132 (66) used tea or coffee frequently. 119 (59) reported mild-moderate physical activity. 53 (26.5) were smoker, among these, 53 smoked for 10-20 years and 30 smoked for more than 20 years. 18 (23) were OCP users, among these, 34 used these drugs for more than 5 years. Conclusion : A large proportion of our studied patients was married males aged greater 66 years. Further educational programs regarding low salt and fatty food intake as well as regular physical activity, cessation of smoking are strongly suggested

The effect of human blood groups on growth of the agent of Leishmaniasis

History and Objectives: Due to the prevalence and importance of diagnosis and treatment of Leishmaniasis in Iran and considering the difficulties and the economical burden of providing culture media from rabbit’s blood, this study was carried out to investigate the effects of human’s blood on growth of Leishmania and compare these with the rabbit’s blood culture media in Kashan in 1374. Materials and Methods: An experimental study was performed on promastigote of L.major, L.tropica and L.infantum, approved by World Health Organization, on rabbit’s blood culture media and the 8 human’s blood culture media that 4 of these were repeated. The adaptability time to the medium, the maximal and minimal growth were calculated and statistically analyzed on the basis of the decrease in the number of active parasites from the time of culturing. Results: The adaptability time was one to two days and was equal in both types of culture media, parasites on the human’s blood media achieved maximal growth in a shorter time than their counterparts on rabbit’s blood media and the minimum number of growth was higher on rabbit’s blood culture media. Number of parasites grow on rabbit’s blood were higher than human’s blood in all three types of parasites (P<0.05) and were higher in Rh negative than Rh positive and in blood group type B than the other ones. Conclusion: Due to the importance of growth velocity of the parasite, rabbit’s blood can be replaced by human blood groups. Performing research on human specimens is recommended

Prevalence of Oxyuriasis among children in Kashan mountainous and desert regions

History and Objectives: Oxyuriasis is a parasitic disease with several known side effects. The prevalence of the disease is varied. The present study was carried out to determine the prevalence of the disease in mountainous and desert regions of Kashan among children (Under 10 years of age) in 1996. Materials and Methods: A descriptive study was carried out on 1221 children. Volunteers were selected randomly from 8 mountainous villages (859 children) and 4 desert rural areas (362 children). Sampling was bases on the population distribution and in each village all children were selected. Scoth type method were used to investigation the presence of infectious agents, after proper instructions were given to the individuals and their parents. All test were performed at the Parasitology Laboratory of Kashan Medical University by parasitologists. Descriptive statistical analysis was presented. Results: The rate of Oxyuriasis infection in the region was 31.3. The rate of infection in mountainous and desert regions were 35.7 and 20.7 respectively. Older individuals and larger families displayed higher rate of infection. Personal hygiene in desert regions is better compared to mountainous regions and the rate of infection in mountainous regions is higher. Conclusion: The rate of infection is significant in the region. Analytical studies are required to further investigate the underlying cause of the infection and experimental studies are needed to reduce the rate of infection. It seems that environmental factors more than personal factors are responsible of the widespread infection and measures are suggested in order to improve hygiene

Diabetes mellitus and its control at Shahid Beheshti Hospital in 1997

History and Objectives: Due to the prevalence of diabetes mellitus and the importance of controlling its well known side effects and in order to determine the state of patients with diabetes, the present study was conducted at the Shaheed Beheshti hospital in Kashan in 1997. Materials and Methods: A descriptive study was carried out on 100 patients who were receiving insulin. The control of the illness was determined on the basis of HbA1c measurements. Values under 8 were considered as good control, values between 8-11 were considered as fair and values over 11 were considered as poor control. HbA1c was determined by gel electrophoresis. Patients records, age, sex educational levels, type of diabetes, type of insulin prescribed, number of insulin injections, duration of insulin therapy and BMI were recorded for each patient. The rate of poor control and confidence interval for the population and the effect of influencing factors were assessed. Results: From 100 patients, 41 patients were male and mean age was 58 years and range was 16 to 80 years. 70 of patients were illiterate and 40 of the patients were type I diabetes mellitus. All patients were receiving insulin at the time of study. 3 of patients had blood control, 22 fair and 75 had poor diabetic control. Patients having been under insulin therapy for more than 5 years, NPH alone, one injection per day and type I diabetes mellitus were under increased the chance of poor control. Conclusion: Due to high prevalence of poor diabetic patients, further analytical study is needed in order to elucidate the underlying factor for poor diabetic control and subsequently, experimental studies are required in order to reduce the rate of poor control

Surveying the effects of different methods of mutations on the antibiotic resistance patterns and plasmids in E. Coli and Staph. Aureus

Background: With respect to the increased antibiotic resistance specially E.Coli and Staph aureus, and the fact that the pattern of antibiotic resistance is variable in different regions, the present study was conducted to determine the effects of different methods of mutations on the antibiotic resistance patterns and plasmids in E. Coli and Staph. Aureus. Study was performed in Mahmoudieh Azad University Laboratory.Materials and methods: This experimental study was performed on 6 strains of Staph. Aureus and E.coli isolated from skin wound, urinary infection and fecal sources. Antibiotic resistance was performed by disk method. Having induced mutation via UV, adding antibiotic gradually, and dilution of medium, the pattern of antibiotic resistance was determined. Finally, the presence or absence of plasmid in these bacteria were detected by electrophoresis.Results: UV and adding antibiotic gradually induce antibiotic resistance. This also disappear number of plasmid bands in E Coli. Dilution of medium cause the bacterial colonies to expand and spread in semi solid medium, however, it did not induce any alteration in antibiotic resistance.Conclusion: UV and adding antibiotic gradually induce antibiotic resistance and disappearance of plasmid bands in E Coli rather than Staph. Aureus. This may be due to structural differences in their cells wall. With respect to the increment in antibiotic resistance during the recent years, we strongly recommend to limit the usage of some antibiotics for only critical patients

Prevalence of Helicobacter Pylori infection from gastric biopsy samples sent to the pathology laboratory of Kashan Medical University, 1996-97

History and Objectives: Considering the gastric diseases and its side effects and the role of Helicobacter pylori on the disease and since discrepant reports on the role of the microorganism on the diseases and in order to determine the presence of Helicobacter pylori, the present study was carried out on gastric biopsies sent to Department of Pathology of Kashan Medical University at 1996-1997. Materials and Methods: A descriptive study was carried on 200 gastric biopsies. In order to determine the abnormality, tissue preparation and side was stained with hematoxyllin-eosin. Pathological abnormalities were grouped into 3 groups gastritis, ulcer and neoplasia. Presence of Helicobacter pylori was confirmed by Giemsa staining. The prevalence of Helicobacter pylori and confidence level in population were determined. Results: The prevalence of gastritis, ulcer and neoplasm were 62.5, 19.5 and 18 respectively. 76.5 of patients showed signs of Helicobacter pylori infection. Patients with gastritis and neoplasm showed respectively the highest (78.4) and lowest (69.5) rate Helicobacter pylori infection. Conclusion: Due to high rate of Helicobacter pylori infection among gastric patients, it is suggested that gastric biopsies ought to be examined for Helicobacter pylori infection the effect of drug therapy should be determined

Seroepidemiology of hepatitis B and C in blood donors in Kashan, 1996-2001

Background: Hepatitis B and C viruses are the most common causes of viral hepatitis, chronic hepatic disorders and cirrhosis. Since the true profile of hepatitis B and C was unknown in Kashan, the present study was performed on blood donors in Kashan during a 6-year period, 1996-2001.Materials and methods : For this descriptive study, all blood donors were included. Having their inclusion criteria fulfilled, they were asked for another 7cc venous blood before the cannula removed. HBSAg and HCVAb were determined using ELISA technique. Results : Of 43731 blood donors, 273 (0.6) were HBSAg positive. The prevalence of hepatitis B was revealed to be 0.49-0.82. Meanwhile, 477 subjects (1.1) were AntiHCV positive, thus the prevalence was 0.38-1.71. Conclusion : With respect to the prevalence of hepatitis C, this should be considered as a social health problem in Kashan. Fortunately, hepatitis B was controlled during the recent decade due to vaccination, observing health issues and improved monitoring of blood products

Status of Iron deficiency anemia in female students at third degree level of high school in Kashan in 1376

History and Objectives: Due to the significance of Iron deficiency anemia, its known complications and unknown status, this study was performed on female students at third degree level of high school in Kashan in 1376. Materials and Methods: This study was performed on 350 individuals selected by random sampling from 1750 female students at third degree level of high school in Kashan. Their demographic characteristics, height and weight were recorded on the data sheets. Then their blood samples were collected. Iron deficiency anemia was defined as hemoglobin less than 12 gr/dl, hematocrit less than 36, MCV less than 80 femtoliters, MCH less than 26 picograms and serum ferritin less than 10 picograms per liter. Results: According to hemoglobin, hematocrit, MCV, MCH and serum ferritin 15.4, 11.2, 10.3, 12.2 and 17.8 of the population under study were affected by Iron deficiency anemia respectively. Conclusion: Considering the results of this research, Iron deficiency anemia is relatively common among female students at high school level. Further analytic studies to find out its cause or causes are recommended

Prevalence of Beta hemolytic group A Streptococcal carriers and its role in the ASO titer in students of Kashan in 1375

History and Objectives: Due to prevalence of Streptococcal infections in children and adolescents and their complications and in order to determine the prevalence of carriers of these bacteria and their role in the ASO titer, this study was performed on 7-15 years old students in Kashan in 1375. Materials and Methods: In the first stage a descriptive study was performed on 960 cases by random sampling and then a cohort study in 170 cases was carried out in the second stage. Sample from throat was obtained by means of a sterile swab and transferred to selective culture media containing crystal violet and blood agar. The plates were transferred to laboratory of medical faculty and incubated at 37° centigrade. After 24 hours bacteria were recognized by colonial morphology, B-hemolysis, catalase test, sensitivity to bacitracin disc and resistance to sulfamethoxazole trimethoprim. After 15 days, 5cc blood was obtained from the students and 5cc blood was obtained from the same numbers of normal children. The samples were immediately transferred to the laboratory. ASO titer was measured by Macro method. Results: Bacterial isolation from selective culture media and blood agar was completely similar. Carrier state was defected in 8.85% of patients, 9.5% of boys and 7.96% of girls. Carrier state was most common (23.7%) in 13 years old and least common (1.2%) in 11 years old students. The prevalence of the carrier state was different in various areas of Kashan. The prevalence of the carrier state was also dependent on the number of children of the family. Comparing ASO titer in carriers and control group shows that 17.6% of carrier have abnormally high (>1/250) titers, while abnormal titer was detected in only 1.1% of the control group (P<0.001). The conclusion is that the bacteria can increase the ASO titer. Conclusion: Due to prevalence of this bacterium among students and considering its late and irreversible complications, it is recommended essential therapeutic and hygienic measures be considered in this regard and also regarding the high prevalence of abnormally high ASO titer among carriers, interpretation of this test should be done with caution particularly in children and adolescents