Impact of early admission in labor on method of delivery.

OBJECTIVE: The effect of the timing of admission in labor unit on the method of delivery was evaluated in a cohort study. METHOD: Four hundred and sixty six low-risk nulliparous women who were admitted in the labor unit in latent phase (group 1) were compared with 329 parturient women who were admitted in the active phase (group 2) to determine rate of and reasons for cesarean section, cervical dilation at the time of cesarean, and the rate of labor augmentation. RESULT: The number of cesarean deliveries in group 1 was greater than that in the group 2 (301 vs 80, p<0.0001 ). The main reason for cesarean section in group 1 was dystocia, and in 2, fetal distress. The rate of cesarean section in the women who were augmented was greater in group 1 than in group 2 (54% vs 23%, p<0.0001). CONCLUSION: Later admission in labor increases the rate of spontaneous vaginal delivery in low risk nulliparous women.     

Urinary tract infection in the users of depot-medroxyprogesterone acetate

BACKGROUND: The effects of progesterone on muscle tone, peristalsis of the ureter and also urinary vasculature may cause urinary tract infection (UTI) in women who use depot-medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) for contraception. METHODS: In a cohort study, 200 women who chose DMPA for contraception were compared with 200 women who used the withdrawal method for urinary infection and urological symptoms after 3 months of consumption. RESULTS: The rate of urinary infection and urological symptoms in the study group were higher than in the control group (p = 0.018, p < 0.0001, respectively). The most common microorganism that caused urinary infection was Escherichia coli. Among the 10 cases who suffered UTI in the case group, there were six women who had UTI in the previous pregnancy as well. CONCLUSION: We do not recommended administering depot-medroxyprogesterone acetate for contraception in women with a history of urinary tract infection in a previous pregnancy.     

The field efficacy of garlic extract against Dermanyssus gallinae in layer farms of Babol,Iran

Dermanyssus gallinae (Acari: Mesostigmata) is the most important hematophagous ectoparasite in layer farms in many countries. The reproduction rate of the parasite is rapid and can be completed in a week under favorable conditions. The parasite has direct and indirect effects on birds. It can also act as a vector for some important pathogens. Many researchers have investigated the effects of essential oils, plant extracts, oriental medicinal plant extracts, and silica against red mite. They can be used as killing agents or repellents. In the present study, the effect of garlic (Allium sativum) extract was investigated for controlling red mite infestation in a layer farm in Babol, North of Iran. Our results showed that the extract was effective and we obtained a 96 % success after two successive sprays.     

An Iranian herbal-marine medicine, MS14, ameliorates experimental allergic encephalomyelitis

Multiple sclerosis is an inflammatory and demyelinating disease of the central nervous system which mainly affects young adults. To overcome wide spectrum troublesome symptoms of multiple sclerosis which affects the quality of life both in patients and their families, new drugs and remedies have been examined and offered. The preclinical beneficial effects of different medicines have mostly been examined in an animal model of multiple sclerosis called experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE). In this study we have tested a traditionally used natural (herbal-marine) product called MS(14) in EAE mice. EAE mice were fed with MS(14) containing diet (30%) on the immunization day and monitored for 20 days. The results show that while clinical scores and therefore severity of the disease was progressive in normal-fed EAE mice, the disease was slowed down in MS(14)-fed EAE mice. Moreover, while there were moderate to severe neuropathological changes in normal fed mice, milder changes were seen in MS(14) fed mice.     

The effects of iron supplementation on serum copper and zinc levels in pregnant women with high-normal hemoglobin.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of iron supplementation on serum copper and zinc levels. METHOD: In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 66 pregnant women with hemoglobin 13.2 g/dL or greater between the 13th and 18th week of pregnancy were randomized into case and control groups. From the 20th week until the end of pregnancy the case group received one ferrous sulfate tablet containing 50 mg elemental iron daily, while the control group received placebo. Hemoglobin, ferritin, copper, and zinc levels at 24-28 and 32-36 weeks of pregnancy were measured and compared. RESULTS: In the case group, serum copper levels in the second and third trimester were significantly lower than the control group (P<0.01 and P<0.001, respectively). Serum zinc levels in the case group in the second and third trimester were also significantly lower than the control group (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Iron supplementation in pregnant women with hemoglobin greater than 13.2 g/dL reduces serum levels of copper and zinc.     

A correlated frailty model for analysing risk factors in bilateral corneal graft rejection for Keratoconus: a Bayesian approach

There are many unknown causes that increase the rate of corneal graft rejection. In bilateral cases, some of these unknown causes are common, and some are individual factors. In this paper, we use a correlated frailty model to analyse risk factors for bilateral corneal graft in Keratoconus. Applying the piecewise constant baseline hazard model, we have performed a Bayesian analysis of the correlated frailty model using the Markov chain Monte Carlo method. The correlated frailty model and the shared frailty model are compared by deviance information criterion. The results show more accurate and better fit for the correlated frailty model.