Journal of North Khorasan

Introduction:  Night shift work might be a risk factor for metabolic disorders due to interference with diet, circadian rhythms and lifstyle. One way in which metabolic risk could be increased is through inappropariate

hormonal and some metabolic responses to night shift. We conducted this study to examin plasma glucose

concentration and the related factors in night shift nurses.

Methods:  Participants were 60 nurses working in different section of Damghan Hospital who were randomly selected. Their level of glucose concentration was measured by glucose oxidas method while they were working around 4-5 pm. The test was repeated for three times at one-month intervals. Statistical methods of T-test, Repeated Measurment and Pearson Correlation Coefficient were employed to investigate the relationship between glucose concentration and age, gender, weight, length of service and number of night shifts per month.

Results:  The results showed that the mean blood glucose concentration of nurses at the first time was 82.68 mg/dl,  at  the  second time  82.12 mgldl  and  at the  thired  time  83.75 mg/dl.  there  were no  significant relationship between the blood glucose concentration range and age, gender, weight, years of service and number of night shifts per month.

Conclusion:  mean of blood glucose concetration in night shifts nurses was low and lack of its significan relationship with other factors shows that all nurses regardless of their conditions suffere from low glucose concentration. Therefore it is concluded that there is a need for more attention to nurses' nutrition to increase blood glucose concetration in night shift nurses.

Abstract Background and Objective: The present study was carried out to evaluate the antinociceptive effect of morphine in ovariectomized female rats in comparison with naïve and estradiole-treated ovariectomized rats. Matial and Methods: 30 female rats were divided into 3 groups: 1) Sham (control group) 2) OVX (ovarictomized) 3) OVX Est. (ovarictomized and estradiole treated). Estradiol valerate (2mg/kg/week, i.m.) was injected in the animals of OVX Est. The animals of Sham and OVX groups received 2ml/kg/week saline instead of estradiole. The hot plate test was carried out as a base record 15 min before injection of morphine (10 mg/kg S.C.) and consequently it was repeated 5 times, every15 minutes after injection. The results were compared using one way and repeated-measure analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by post-hoc Tukey’s test. Differences were considered statistically significant when P <0.05. Results: The reaction times after injection of morphine in sham and OVX Est groups were significantly higher than basal reaction time (P <0.05 and P <0.001) but in OVX group there were no significant differences. However, the reaction times after injection of morphine in OVX, OVX Est and sham groups were not significantly different. Conclusion: It is concluded that ovarian hormones change analgesic effects of morphine in rats.

Abstract Background & Objectives: Nowadays it is very desirable to investigate and discover new antibacterial and anticancer agents from natural products and medicinal plants. In this regard, the current study is conducted in order to explore the antibacterial and antioxidant properties of a rare plant named Uvaria grandiflora Roxb. Material & Methods: The antibacterial disc diffusion method, the DPPH radical scavenging test and the preliminary phytochemical screening were performed for six different extracts obtained by hexane, chloroform and ethanol. Results: Data exhibited the stem bark and leaves ethanolic extract of the plant, have high amounts of flavonoids and poly-phenols and therefore they have strongly inhibited Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus growth at the concentration of 2mg/disc. These samples illustrated the highest radical scavenging activity with the percentages of 95.32% and 86.38% at the concentration of 100µg/ml, respectively. Conclusion: Following the results, it was concluded that the flavonoids and poly-phenols play crucial roles in the properties of Uvaria grandiflora Roxb., thus more investigations and isolations are recommended

Abstract Background & Objective: Schizophrenia is considered as one of the most extreme mental illnesses in the area of psychiatry which is characterized by social and occupational incompetence. Support and care of these patients has always been on the part of families. The imposed burden includes physical, mental, social and economic problems being experienced by caregiver of the family. The present study aimed at investigating the burden experienced by schizophrenic patients at Imam Reza Hospital in the city of Bojnurd. Material & Methods: This is a descriptive-analytical study conducted on 75 family caregivers visiting Imam Reza Hospital. Data collection methods included demographic questionnaire, and Zarit Questionnaire which measured degree of experienced burden by caregivers. Reliability and validity of both questionnaires had already been established. Then, data were fed into SPSS 14 for analysis. Results: 12.2% of caregivers experienced low burden, 36.4% average burden, and 51.5% high burden. The perceived burden among women was significantly higher (P=0.003) than that of men. There was significant relationship (p=0.03) between the obtained score of caregiving and age of caregivers while the relationship between caregiving score and age of patients was not significant (p>0.05) but was negative. Younger patients imposed higher burden on the caregivers. Conclusion: Taking care of schizophrenic patients put immense pressure on family especially on caregivers. Therefore, it can be said that the mental pressure imposed by such patients threatens caregivers' mental health, hence reduction in quality of care and support. Consequently, family centered programs are recommended for decreasing the burden incurred by schizophrenic patients

Abstract Background & Objectives: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a state of glucose intolerance that is diagnosed during pregnancy. Maternal GDM increases the risk of some complications in children, which includes macrosomia and the risk of cardiovascular and renal disorders. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the outcomes of gestational diabetes on progenies in an experimental rat model. Materials & Methods: Female pregnant rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: intact control, sham, diabetics treated with streptozotocin (STZ, 50 mg/kg), and gestational diabetics treated with hypertonic glucose (2g/kg) and medroxyprogesterone (3mg/kg) (GM). On postnatal day 1, the weights of several organs such as, kidney and heart, as well as body weight of progenies were measured. Furtheremore, some histological studies were performed on the heart and kidney tissues, and several parameters such as total heart volume, cardiac ventricle volume, wall thickness of aorta, renal cortical volume and total number of glomeruli in each kidney were determined. Results: The average body weight of progenies in STZ group was significantly higher than control (P<0.001), sham (P<0.05) and GM (P<0.001) groups. The body weight of progenies in GM group was lower than sham group (P<0.01). A significant decrease was observed in the kidney weight of progenies in GM group in comparison to sham (P<0.05). Histological analysis on the tissues showed no significant difference between groups. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that the hyperglycemic pregnant rat model is a reliable model for gestational diabetes in human. In addition, induction of STZ diabetes or hyperglycemia in pregnant rats lead to some changes in body or organ weights of progenies, however, it does not induce structural changes in various tissues

Abstract Background & Objectives:The term natural products refers to secondary metabolites, small molecules (mol wt <2000 amu) produced by an organism such as medicinal plants. These compounds are known as a powerful source to design novel medicines. In this review article one group of the most famous and applicable compounds in the genus Diospyros named 1, 4-naphthoquinones is discussed. The aim of this review is to disclose advances in biological, pharmacological researches and phytochemistry of 1, 4- naphthoquinones isolated from this genus, as well as the suggested mechanisms regarding their activities. Material and Methods: This research was done based on the searching the keywords including Diospyros 1, 4-naphthoquinone antibacterial anticancer Ebnaceae, mechanism through the well-known databases from beginning to 2011. Results:During the past 60 years many compounds have been isolated from Diospyros L. Twelve considerable bioactive structures are reported in this review. plumbagin and diospyrin are two main basic 1, 4-naphthoquinone skeletons, which have been studied extensively in clinical and pharmacological researches. At present the potential for development of leads from 1, 4-naphthoquinones obtained from Diospyros L. is growing dramatically, mainly in the area of anticancer and antibacterial investigations. The data prepared and described here is intended to be served as a reference tool to the natural products and chemistry specialists in order to expand the rational drug design

Abstract Background & Objectives: Scutellaria genus has 300 species that 10 species of them are endemic to Iran. Scutellaria has been used in traditional medicine for treatment different kinds of disease such as cancer. The flavonoids of this genus are important according to their pharmacological activities .Scutellaria pinnatifida is one of the endemic plants from this genus in Iran, and there were not any phytochemical investigations about roots of this plant. In this study, flavonoids from roots of scutellaria pinnatifida are evaluated. Material & Methods: The roots of Scutellaria pinnatifida were collected and dried in the shade. Then dried roots were powdered by the mill and extracted by distilled methanol and were concentrated in reduced pressure by rotary evaporator. The concentrated extract was decantated by immiscible solvents. The extracts of petroliem ether, methylene chloride, ethyl asetate, butanol were obtained which methylene chloride extract was used for the next stage of purification and structure elucidation. The extraction of flavonoids and purification were done using column chromatography and preparative HPLC respectively and then they were elucidated by NMR spectroscopy (1H-NMR, 13C-NMR). Results: From the roots of Scutellaria pinnatifida two flavonoids were purified and elucidated that one of them was wogonin and the other one was SkullcapflavoneII . Conclusion: Scutellaria pinnatifida has flavonoids in its roots, Although these compounds were obtained from other species from scutellaria genus ,in this study for first time these compounds were obtained from Scutellaria pinnatifida and thus more investigations about biological activities from this plant and its compounds are recommended.

Abstract Background & Objectives:In recent times the natural products obtained from organisms such as medicinal plants (secondary metabolites) are known as a powerful source to supplement therapy and prevention of porstate cancer and BPH. In this review article some of the famous and applicable natural products and medicinal plants used in clinic are discussed. The following information is dealing with the developments in the pharmacology and clinical trials of the known agents isolated from medicinal, as well as their suggested mechanisms. Material and Methods: This research was done based on the searching the keywords including Natural products BPH Prostate cancer anticancer Clinical trials, mechanism through the well-known databases from beginning to 2012. Results: In this review nine bioactive compounds isolated from nature and medicinal plants with considerable biological and pharmacological activities in treatment of cancer and benign hyperplasia of prostate are discussed. The main focuses are the clinical usage and biological effects with studying the probable mechanism of their action. Conclusion: During the past years many of these agents have been used in the treatment of the prostate cancer and BPH. Nine considerable bioactive structures are reported in this review. Today the potential for development of leads from natural sources and medicinal plants is growing dramatically, mainly in the area of anticancer investigations. The data prepared and described here are intended to be served as a reference tool to the natural products and chemistry specialists in order to expand the rational drug design.

Abstract Background & Objectives: analysis of service quality from the perspective of the customer has generated much attention. This study was performed to determine the quality gap in educational services at North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences, based on students’perceptions and expectations. Material & Methods: In this cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study, 175 students were selected by stratified random sampling method, were studied in the year 2011. The data were collected using a valid and reliable questionaire based on the SERVQUAL (science quality) instrument. Data were analyzed by SPSS-16 software.and presented with descriptive and analytic statistic Results: The findings indicated that there was a negative gap in five dimensions of services. The smallest gap with -1/62±1/0 belonged to "reliability” dimension and the largest gap with -2/2±1/3 to “assurance ". Senior students evaluated more all aspects of the service gap than other students (p<0/05). Conclusion: Based on our results, from student’s points of view, the educational services quality is under the acceptable level in the university, thus, in order to improve quality of educational services, considering what stated above especially “assurance” dimension, reconsidering new strategies is demanded .

Abstract Background & Objectives: Cyprus Longus is a traditional herbal medicine widely used as a mild sedative, spasmolytic and antibacterial agent. In this study the effect of methanol extract of Cyprus Longus on visceral pain was investigated. Materials & Methods: This experimental study performed on 40 N-MRI male mice (28±3g). Animals were randomly grouped into control, positive control and receivers of Cyprus Longus extract. Control and positive control groups received normal saline and indomethacin (5mg/kg), respectively. Treatment groups were injected with 100 and 200 mg/kg of methanol extract of Cyprus Longus. All injections were performed intraperitonealy (IP). Animals were injected with acetic acid 0.6% (10ml/kg) for visceral pain induction, 30 minutes after of each intraperitoneal administration. Antinociceptive effects were recorded by counting the number of writhes during 30 minutes. The data were analyzed by SPSS statistical software and One-Way ANOVA test. The significant was shown with (p <0.05). Results: methanol extract of Cyprus Longus at 100 and 200 mg/kg and Indomethacin (5mg/kg) induced a significant reduction in pain response when compared with control group. Conclusion: This study confirms the antinociceptive properties of Cyprus Longus in comparison with Indomethacin, however other studies are necessary to confirm analgesic effect of Cyprus Longus.

Abstract Background and objectives: Bidirectional communication between brain-gut is important in gastrointestinal and brain function. Thus, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of aqueous extract of Aloe vera leaves on the gastric acid secretion, brain and intestinal water content following acetic acid gastric ulcer induction. Materials and Methods: Rats were randomly assigned into three groups, 7 rats in each group: intact group, gastric ulcer group and treatment with Aloe vera group. The acid levels, brain and intestinal water content of each sample were measured eight days after the gastric ulcer induction. Gastric ulcer was induced by injection of 20% acetic acid into the subserosal layer. Results: Gastric acid levels were significantly decreased in treatment group when compared with gastric ulcer group (p<0.05). However, there were no differences in acid output between gastric ulcer and treatment groups with intact group. After treatment, the amount of brain water content had no significantly difference with intact and gastric ulcer groups (p<0.05). The duodenal water content in treatment group was significantly reduced compared with intact group (p<0.05) but gastric ulcer group had no significant difference with intact and treatment group. Histopathologic results showed hyperemia of the vessels and infiltration of white blood cells in the lining of connective tissue. Improve conditions was seen after treatment with Aloe vera. Conclusion: It appears the protective effect of Aloe vera may be due to the inhibitory effect of this extract on the gastric acid secretion.This effect could be due to the presence of the plant lectins.

Background & Objectives: sinusitis is a common upper respiratory tract infection and antibiotics almost always are selected empirically based on sensitivity of microorganisms to antibacterial agents. Finding alternative agents with herbal origin to broad spectrum antibiotics for treatment of sinusitis could be a valuable and safe therapeutic method. Viola Odorata contains some anti-microbial agents which can open a new horizon for controlling and treating microbial infections of upper respiratory tract. Materials & Methods: The herb which was collected from north Khorasan province was macerated and water and methanolic extracts were obtained. The antibacterial potency was evaluated by disc and well diffusion method. Results: for water extract, Inhibition zone of Staphylococcus epidermidis in well and disc diffusion method were (11 &12 millimeters) respectively. For methanol extract were (13 &15 mm) respectively. Also inhibition zone of Staphylococcus eureous was (11 &12 mm) with water extract and (11 & 13 mm) in methanol extract. Two extract didn’t have any effect on Entrobacter aeroginosa. Conclusion: as it can be seen, water extracts have the smallest inhibition zone, so it can be concluded that these extracts do not contain strong antimicrobial factors. On the other hand methanolic extracts with large inhibition zones should have effective and strong antimicrobial agents.