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Background&Objective: It is natural that there is close relationship between cranial capacity, and the size of brain, several studies have estimated the cranial capacity which indirectly reflects the brain volume in different countries. In the present study cranial capacity has been estimated in Turkman’s 17-20 years old group in North of Iran. Materials&Methods: This study was carried out on 401 normal 17-20 years old (male 198, female 203) in South-East of Caspian Sea border (North of IRAN). By using linear dimensions of the head (Using Lee- Pearsom's Formula). Results: The mean and SD of cranial capacity in males and females were 1420.6±85 ml and, 1227.2±120 ml, respectively, this difference was significant (P<0.05). Conclusion: This investigation was shown that the cranial capacity is higher in male than female also racial and Geographical factors can affect on cranial capacity.

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Background&Objective: Nowadays epidemiologic paterns of the diseases are verifying rapidly non-contagious diseases like mental disorders are replacing contagious one. Several people, unaware of their psychiatric problems seek medical advise and treating. College students are susceptible to mental disorders because of their conditions. This research was done to evaluate mental health state in students of Golestan University of Medical Sciences. Materials&Methods: 218 students of Golestan University took part in this research. SCL-90-R was the test for evaluation, after collecting the questionnaires and entering into SPSS-10 software, data were analyzed with chi-square and Fisher-exact test. Results: The momental prevalence was estimated 72%. 157 persons had disorder, at least in one dimension, and 16 persons (7.34%) had severe disorder at least in one. Marriage and psychosis, paranoid & anxiety had meaningful relations (P<0.05), residental site and paranoid had meaningful relations (P<0.05), higher levels of father’s education and interpersonal sensitivity had meaningful relation (P<0.05), Family history of mental disorders, moderate interest in education, field of study and phobia had meaningful relationships (P<0.05), females had higher scores in depression (P<0.05). Conclusion: According to this high prevelence of mental disorders it seems that mental health’s problem is critically high in this region, much more attention should be paid to prevent further complications.

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Background&Objective: Consultation prior to blood donation and screening tests of common blood born diseases such as Hepatitis B,C and AIDS are very important issue in blood quality assurance, therefore we decided to compare frequency of such diseases in blood donors and outpatients admitted in the blood transfusion centers. Materials&Methods: For this purpose the initial tests including HBsAg, HCVAb, and HIVAb were performed on all blood donors and outpatients' blood samples in Gorgan transfusion center by ELIZA methods during 2003 and confirmatory tests including neutralization for HBsAg, RIBA for HCVAb and Western blot for HIVAb performed in condition where ELIZA report was positive. Results: The blood donor in this study had the following positive results: HbsAg 2.5%, HCVAb 3%, HIV 0.35%. The same indeces for the out patients were positive as follow: 13%, 8.3% and 2.04% respectively. The other finding from this investigation indicate that the blood donors positive cases with the ELISA technique were confirmed by Western blot 92%, 20.1% nad 0% for HBSAg, HCVAb, as HIV respectively. The confimatory results of the positive out patient's cases were as follow, 97%, 47% and 60% for HBSAg, HCVAb and HIV respectivley. Conclusion: This study reveals frequency of Hepatitis B and C and AIDS among outpatients which considered being high risk group are more than the blood donors. We conclude that the measurement of HBSAg by ELIAZ methodes in comparision to the HCV and HIV are more accurate.

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Background&Objective: The proper treatment for early-stage Hodgkin’s disease is controversial. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic outcomes of various treatment strategies in supradiaphragmatic clinical early-stage Hodgkin’s disease. Materials&Methods: This retrospective study reviewed the medical records of 105 eligible patients (49 stage I, 59 stage II) who were treated at radiotherapy- oncology departments of Qaem and Omid hospitals in Mashhad (Iran) from April 1995 to April 2000. 26 patients had B symptoms and 5 had large mediastinal mass. Treatment of patients consisted of chemotherapy alone (43 cases), radiotherapy alone (46 cases, 40 mantle and 6 Total nodal irradiation) and combined modality (16 cases). Survival rates were calculated by Kaplan- Meier model. Log-rank test was used to compare the survival profile between groups. Results: The median age of patients was 25 years with a male to female ratio of 1.56: 1. In comparison with radiotherapy only group, Primary chemotherapy and combined modality groups had significantly more cases with unfavorable factors such as B symptoms, Large mediastinal mass, ESR>40 and stage II. For chemotherapy, combined modality and radiotherapy groups the 5-year progression free survival was 72.5%, 82.5% and 56.2% (P<0.05) and the 5-year disease specific survival was 82.9%, 91.6% and 82.5% respectively. Conclusion: Despite having more cases with unfavorable factors, patients who underwent chemotherapy or combined treatment had lower relapse rates compared to radiotherapy only group. However, there was not a significant difference in 5-year disease specific survival rates between these groups.

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Background&Objective: The presence of single or multiple nodules within the thyroid gland is a common clinical problem. It is immposible to differentiate benign and malignant follicular neoplasms in cytologic examinations.Estimation of risk of malignancy in thyroid nodules who are cytologically assumped to be follicular neoplasm has a critical importance.The aim of this research is evaluation of diagnostic value of thyroid FNA in follicular neoplasm. Materials&Methods: This survey was done on 476 patients with thyroid nodule whome were biopsied in a 7 years period (in 5th Azar hospital, Gorgan). Standard aspirations and biopsies techniques performed and nessassary smears prepared. Wet-fixed smear glass slides are placed immediately in alcohol (70%) 7-10 slides from the aspiration. The patients with cytologic report whome considered follicular neoplasm followed total thyroidectomy or lobectomy. Results: From 476 patients for thyroid nodules 412 cases(86.5%) are suitable for cytologic evaluation which 312 cases(77.9%) of them were benign and 14 cases(3.3%) were malignant.The rest(77 cases)reported to have follicular neoplsm, this patients also undergone thyroid surgery.The result of histological findings appeared in 32 cases(57.1%) follicular adenoma,15 cases(26.7%) non-neoplastic nodules,5 cases(8.9%) follicular carcinoma and 4 cases(7.1%)follicular type of papillary carcinoma. Conclusion: 9 cases (16%) found malignant among cases which cytologic reports considered as “follicular neoplasms” and subsequently undergone thyroid surgery (consist of follicular carcinoma and follicular type of papillary carcinoma), confirme the importance of histopathologic study of follicular lesions for differentiation between malignant and benign lesions.

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Background&Objective: Heavy metals have a high resistance against degradation. So their amounts in human food chain, such as fish, may be increased even several times either in water or air, due to bioaccumulation. These amounts are potentially dangerous to human. This study was done to determin of heavy metals in edible tissue of Lutjans Coccineus and Tigeratooh Croaker in the Persian Gulf. Materials&Methods: 60 samples of Lutjans Coccineus and Tigeratooh Croaker were collected randomly after preparation and chemical digestion for trace elements determination. Pb, Cr, Cd and Ni were determined by flame atomic absorption in 2003. Results: Average value of Pb, Cr, Cd and Ni in the edible tissues of two fish species, Lutjans Coccineus 0.442,0.333,0.063 and 0.322 and Tigeratooh Croaker of were 0.48, 0.062, 0.064 and 0.48 ppm (dry weight basis), respectively. Conclusion: Results indicated that the mean concentrations due to heavy metals in these two species were less than acceptable limit of WHO, but related concentrations of Pb, Ni, Cd and Cr in 27%, 25%, 8% and 3% of individual studied samples respectively were more than upper acceptable limit of WHO.

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Background&Objective: Collection and Storage of roof rainwater usually has been used from long time ago in Iran and many other countries. Many residents in rural areas of Golestan province (Turkman Sahra) are providing partly of drinking and municipal water by this way. This study was purpose to determine the chemical water quality and detecting of probable contamination resources in cisterns. Materials&Methods: 140 samples were collected and analyzed for determination of chemical parameters during three seasons. Alkalinity by titrometric, hardness by E.D.T.A, Cl- by Mohr and No3- & PO4-3, by DR-2000 HACH and heavy metals by atomic absorption spectrometry (model 2380 Perkins-Elmer) were determined. These results were analyzed by SPSS and Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. Results: The chemical parameters such as: acidity, electrical conductivity, alkalinity, hardness, chloride, nitrate and manganese had desired limits but PO4- in 15%, Fe in 12%, Pb in 51% and Cr in 16% were exceeded the referrance level. Conclusion: Any of water cisterns were unfavorable for drinking because some chemical parameters and especially the heavy metals were exceeded the normal level. The probabe causes of the normal level chemical contamination water in cisterns include infiltration surface and agricultural waters, storage of Gorganrood water and precipitation of air pollution.

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Background & Objective: Mycobacterium marinum is the etiologic agent of fish Mycobacteriosis and fish tank granuloma in human in this study our objective was to determine of the fish tank granuloma in Fishermen and Mycobacterium marinum infection in Caviar fishes in Ashorade, in the Golestan province of Iran south east Caspian Sea border. Materials & Methods: Any suspected lesions in 387 subjects of Fishermen and 113 autopsy samples from gills of fish of Caviar were obtained and cultured in Lowenstein Jensen media. The mycobacterial species were determined by conventional biochemical tests. Results: No fish tank granuloma was proved in human, but 11 (9.73%) strains of Mycobacteria were isolated from Caviar fishes, that only 2 strains (1.76%) belong to M.marinum. Conclusion: This study showed that was low prevalence any cases of fish tank granuloma and infection due to M.marinum in Caviar fish in this Region.

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Background & Objective: Burning is a general health problem and is also a global injury as well as a very serious sanitary issue in industrial and developing countries. In its severe form, burning can claim lives. It seems essential in every society to analyze burning, to study the causes of burning, treatment outcomes and the death rates, etc. to find proper preventive measures. Materials & Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the medical records of all patients who were hospitalized and finally deceased during the years 2002 and 2004 in Zare' teaching hospital, Sari, were examined. Some variables including the age span average, the degree and percentage of burning, patients' residence, gender, the cause of burning (i.e. boiling water, fire, acids and explosives), average hospitalization period, surgery and also the abundance of self – burning attempts were examined. Results: This study indicate that during these 3 years the total number of those who died from burns was 506 (23.4%). The residential places were in Mazanderan province (41.7%), Golestan province (41.4%), and Gilan province (10.2%). The abundance of burning ranges as below: The 2 and 3 degree of burning at 91.8%. Regarding the percentage of burns, 31.7% of abundance pertains to burning at 90% and more. The greatest external causes leading to burns are petrol, gas, and gas oil at 57.9%. Also, the percentage of burns does not have much influence on death rate among 50 – year – olds and older people. Conclusion: This study indicated that the importance of death between burned patient in special sex and age. To establish hospitals, some issues must be considered as: distance, transportation, route dangers, characteristics of area, existing epidemiological survey, and finally the epidemics and event statistics.

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Background&Objective: Synaptosomes as an In Vitro model have unique properties. So, general method of preparation and their applications in studying presynaptic mebrane proteins are introduced. Materials&Methods: This study was done by using five rats and in every examples. Synaptosomes were prepared from rat cerebellum. In order to verify structurally and functionally, biochemical, morphological and their response to depolarization were tested. Results: Lactate dehydrogenize activity rised after exposure to detergent 9±1.8 (n=5). 15 mM K+-evoked depolarization increased synaptosomal exogenous neurotransmitter release 3±0.76 (n=5) times, compared to the basal state. Plasma membrane, mitochondrion and synaptic vesicles were observed in electron micrographs. Conclusion: Application of synaptosomal samples may provide useful information in both basic and clinical researches because it is efficient and can easily be prepared, even from human tissues.

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Background&Objective: Pediatric renal tumors represent approximately 7% of all childhood cancers and are completely different from those occurring in adults. The aim of this study was to make an analysis of clinical and pathological characteristics of these tumors. Materials&Methods: In this descriptive study all of the pediatric patients diagnosed as having renal neoplasm in departments of pathology of Dr Sheikh children hospital and Imam Reza hospital from 1991-2006 were evaluated. Results: 52 patients including 27 boys and 25 girls with mean age of 40.63 months were studied. Tumors involved each kidney in 24 (45.3%) and were bilateral in 5 (9.4%) patients. Abdominal mass was the commonest clinical symptom and sign. Congenital anomalies were presented in 6 (14.6%) patients. Histopathological examination showed Wilms tumor in 46 (86.8%), cystic partially differentiated nephroblastoma in 2 (3.8%), mesoblastic nephroma in 2 (3.8%) rhabdoid tumor of the kidney in 1 (1.9%), metanephric adenofiroma and low-grade tubulopapillary carcinoma in 1 (1.9%) and clear cell sarcoma of the kidney in 1 (1.9%) patient. 11 (20.8%) cases were in stage I, 16 (30.2%) stage II, 13 (24.5%) stage III, 8 (15.1%) stage IV and 5 (9.4%) stage V. Conclusion: Although Wilms tumor is the commonest renal neoplasm in childhood there are also recently described entities such as metanephirc tumors and juvenile renal carcinoma that must be considered in histopathological evaluation of a pediatric renal neoplasm. Role of molecular and cytogenetic methods is increasing for classification and treatment of childhood renal neoplasms.

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Background&Objective: The incidence of cesarean delivery has been increased during these years. Relations are reported between mother's educational level and knowledge about various delivery methods. This study was done to find the distribution of cesarean delivery in female doctors, dentists, nurses, midwives and specialists under 45-years-old had been working in Gorgan city, 2004. Materials&Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 187 women in medical fields were recruited. A questionnaire was filled for each of them which included demographic data, causes of the cesarean delivery, and causes of personal tendency to it. Data was entered in SPSS-10 and analyzed with X2 . Results: In our study 307 deliveries were occurred, and 49.8% was cesarean delivery. The most common cause of the personal tendency to cesarean delivery was feeling less pain. Cesarean percentage in doctors, midwives and specialist was significantly higher than nurses and dentists (P<0.05). Cesarean frequency was significantly higher in nulipars (P<0.05). Conclusion: These results showed that the frequency of cesarean delivery in health care workers is higher than the general population.

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Background&Objective: Thalassemia is an inherited and chronic hemolytic disorder. Like other diseases it can make psychological, social and financial problems for both patients and families. The necessity of this research is to teach the way of treating the psychosocial problems of this illness and to increase the quality of patients and families life. It is also a descriptive study to examine psychosocial and financial disorders and coping strategies among families with patients suffering major beta thalassemia Materials&Methods: 320 parents (229 of mothers and 91 of fathers) were included in this study. These families were those who were visited clinics associated with Gorgan's University. Data collection was done using a self structured questionnaire as well as Mc Cubin and Thompson scale for identifying coping strategies. Results: Findings revealed many problems, such as: stress for disease (82.8%) and the patients' vague future (81.8%). The mentioned problems were of psychological disorders. And about social problems: 33.8% of patients families were deprived of having picnics in their free times and helping the patient meddles the routine work of homes in 30.1% of families. The financial problems: the cost of traveling and providing the medicine (63.8%). In addition 97.5% of families had faith and reliance in God in order to help them and to believe their child's illness as a reality. It is apparent that families use different kinds of method in order to cope with psychological, social and financial problems and to face the disease. Conclusion: Most of families have a strong belief in religion and as a result they believe that any kind of problems and especially disease is one of ways to reach God. This is the idea which helps them to face this disease stoutly.

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Background&Objective: Leptospirosis is one of the most common zoonosis in the world,fatality rate of the disease is sometimes high in endemic regions and is transmitted through direct or indirect contact with urine of animals that are carrier of leptospirosis. We studied incidence of leptospirosis in Golestan province in 2004. Materials&Methods: According to coordination with province health center, 20 suspicious patients for leptospirosis were diagnosed by general practioners and referred to 5th Azar hospital. Patients with at least 4 constitutional symptoms (fever, sever headache, conjunctival suffusion, myalgia, arthralgia, icter, malaise) and history of working ir rice farm, exposure to wild or domestic animals or stagnant water were included and MAT for leptospirosis were requested. other causes were ruled out with wright, widal, VDRL, peripheral blood smear. Results: Out of 20 suspicious patients, 12 cases reported. All of them were farmer, had titer>1/100 in MAT. Fever chills, headache were found in nearly all of them. Conjunctival suffusion and increased CPK up to 2 fold than normal was seen in %75 and %66.4 respectively. They were treated by ampicillin or amoxicillin sussessfully. Conclusion: According to the results of this study we suggest to all physician of the area to be concentrated to the disease as an occupational disease in rice farmers. So early diagnosis can prevent many complications of the disease in this group of farmers.

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Background & Objective: Job satisfaction is the one of factors that affected by leadership style of managers and can effect on health organization practice. The aim of this study was to determine relation between leadership styles of nursing managers and rate of nursing employees' job satisfaction.

 

Materials & Methods: This cross-sectional study was done on 720 nursing employees of Gorgan Medical teaching centers during 2006. Leadership style and job satisfaction were main variables of study. Data gathering tools were questionnaire of demographic characters, job satisfaction and standardized Bark's leadership style. Gathered data were analyzed by c², Mann-Whitney and ANOVA statistical tests.

 

Results: The most of participants (74.3%) were women, nurses (86.6%) with the mean age of 32.7±7.32 years. The rate of satisfaction in the most of nursing employees (79.8%) was low and moderate. 63.2% of participates believed that their nursing managers had transactional leadership style and 34.9% of them said nursing managers apply transformational leadership method. Data analysis showed that nursing managers have transactional leadership, had higher job satisfaction rate (88.01 V.S 86.36). This difference was not significant.

 

Conclusion: This study showed that, there is not statistical relation between leadership styles of nursing managers and rate of nursing employees' job satisfaction.

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Background & Objective: in recent years antibiotic resistance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa is increased as a causetive factor in hospital contamination. This study was done to determine the prevalence and antibiotics susceptibility of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from inanimate objects in Taleghani hospital.

 

Materials & Methods: This descriptive study was done on inanimate objects in different wards of Taleghani hospital during 2006. Sampling was performed by sterile gauze pad for dry surfaces and swab for wet surfaces. To differentiate and identify P.aeruginosa, various culture media such as Brain Heart Infusion Agar, Citrimide Agar and Triple Sugar Iron Agar were used. Antibiotic sensitivity of the isolated strains was determined by Kirby-Bauer Method using Muller-hinton Agar medium. Moreover, antiseptic sensitivity of the strains to Decosept and Povidone-Iodine as the main antiseptic agents was identified by determining Minimal Bactericidal Concentration and Minimal Inhibitory Concentration using Nutrient Agar and Nutrient Broth media.

 

Results: Fifty-five of the total 292 samples were positive for P.aeruginosa. Based on the ratio of the number of positive samples to the total samples, Thalassemia ward (38.5%) was the most infected ward and taps (61.1%) was the most infected sampling place. None of the samples from room atmosphere and intensive care equipments were positive for P.aeruginosa. 20% of the samples were resistant to ceftazidime and 32.7% were resistant to piperacillin, also 10.9% of samples were resistance to both ceftazidime and piperacillin.

 

Conclusion: This study showed that contamination with P.aeruginosa and antibiotic resistance of the isolated bacteria are the main problems in Taleghani hospital.

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Background & Objective: Menopause effect on women quality of life and mental health. This study performed to determine the effect of supportive group therapy on menopause mental health condition in Sharekord.

 

Materials & Methods: This study is a quasi experimental research. 46 menopause women who had research condition divided in case and control group. We used GHQ28 and demographic questionnaire in 3 stages for data gathering. group therapy session perform for case group. Data was analysed with SPSS soft ware and analyctic and descriptive statistic index such as Paired T and correlation exam.

 

Results: After group therapy in all dimention performed, significant progress in case group (p<0.05). In addition there was significant difference between case and control group in mental health score after group therapy (p<0.05). There is no any correlation between demographic variable with mental health condition.

 

Conclusion: This study showed effectiveness of group therapy in mental health condition of menopause women. We recommend to use this method routinely for menopause women.

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Background & Objective: Myocardial infarction is one of the common cardiovascular diseases and is the main cause of mortality among the patients. Essential educations should be done according to assessment and determination of their educational needs and their gender. The purpose of this study was to determine and compare educational needs in men and women with myocardial infarction at discharge time. Materials & Methods: This descriptive-comparative study was done on hospitalized 200 men and women in Sari medical central- Iran during 2006. The questionnaire were used to determine educational needs of patients. In cardiac wards, with myocardial infarction for the first time, in six domains of physical activity, medication, diet, treatment, complication and enhancing quality of life. Results: The findings of this study indicated that the lowest requirment of men and women in this study were improving quality of life and awarness about diet respectively. Conclusion: This study showed that a patients gender should be taken into consideration, when they are trainine and subsequently health care provider can organize the specific needs of the subjets.

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Background & Objective: The Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is in its third decade and has become a pandemic disease that threatens the world population. Educational programs are well known as the most effective strategy to preventing the AIDS. The purpose of this study was to determine the knowledge and attitude of participants about AIDS and to test the effects of an AIDS education program on it. Materials & Methods: This case-control study was conducted during 2005. 149 Red Crescent personnel in Golestan, Iran. The sample subjects participated in a pre/post intervention study. The activity consisted of a workshop 90 minutes in length, in conjunction with educational material. A 13-item questionnaire was used as the gauging tool. Results: 47% of subjects had adequate knowledge about AIDS. Mean level of knowledge in post-test exam was significantly higher than pre-test one (P<0.0001). Individuals with higher educational level (high school and university) had lower knowledge in pre-test (P=0.001), but the difference in pos-test was not significant. A significant relationship was shown between the history of participation in previous AIDS education programs and subject's knowledge in pre-test (P<0.001). Conclusion: This study indicated that education program based on special traing considerably increase general awareness and attitde towards AIDS.