Farhad Jafari

Effect of Nepeta bracteata Benth. on allergic rhinitis symptoms: A randomized double-blind clinical trial

Background: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is one of the health problems in the world. It is necessary to develop new treatment procedure for control of this disease. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of Zofa (Nepeta bracteata Benth) on AR patients. Materials and Methods: In this double-blind randomized clinical trial study, 71 patients (37 patients in treatment and 34 in placebo group) participated. In treatment group, N. bracteata syrup (NBS) was used for 4 weeks as three times a day. The efficacy of the drug regarding AR symptoms (rhinorrhea, sneezing, nasal obstruction, itchy nose, and ocular symptoms) were evaluated through a visual analog scale (VAS) by 0–10 before administration and at the end of the whole treatment period. The collected information was entered in the SPSS software (version 18) and was analyzed using the Fishers exact test, Chi-square test, independent sample t-test, and paired sample test. Results: The improvement of AR symptoms in the group receiving NBS was significantly higher compared to control group (4.73 ± 1.84 vs. 0.38 ± 2.06; P < 0.0001). Furthermore, the mean of total VAS before and after the treatment (in case group) was 7.10 ± 1.92 and 2.37 ± 1.76, respectively (P < 0.001). Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that N. bracteata has significant effects on improving the symptoms of AR. Hence, it can be a good alternative to AR symptoms relief.

Teamwork endoscopic endonasal surgery in failed external dacryocystorhinostomy

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results of a teamwork revision endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) in eyes with previously failed external DCR. Methods: This retrospective study was performed on 50 failed external DCR subjects who underwent a teamwork revision endoscopic DCR by an ophthalmologist and an otolaryngologist. Paranasal sinus CT scanning was performed for each patient before the revision surgery. During surgery, any abnormal tissue noticed before silicone intubation was sent for pathological evaluation. Results: Endoscopic revision DCR was performed on 50 failed external DCR subjects with one-year follow-up. Of these, 31 were female (62%). The age range of the subjects was 18-88 years (mean: 59.98 years). Sinus CT showed at least one abnormality in 94% of cases. Revision endoscopy showed septal deviation (66%), scar formation (32%), ostium problems (28%), and sump syndrome (6%). Pathologic and clinical findings showed that chronic inflammation had a significant association with scar tissue and septal synechia (P = 0.001 and 0.008, respectively). At the final follow-up, anatomical and functional success was achieved in 45 out of 50 (90%) of subjects. Conclusion: Endoscopic revision DCR when performed as cooperation of otolaryngologists and ophthalmologists may help resolve the endonasal problems and increase the success rate.

Evaluation of Pre-Internship Comprehensive Exams Scores and their Predictive Factors

The quality of education provided during the study, is one of the services quality determinants of graduates. The defects may be resolved through assessment of such educations. It is of great importance to evaluate the scores achieved by students in pre-internship comprehensive exams that all universities participate in them. This descriptive-analytical study, examined 375 medical.. The related factors and the data were analyzed by SPSS, Pearson’s correlation and regression tests. Of 375 subjects entered the university over 11 years, 56.3% (n=211) were female, 71.6% (269) were living in dormitories and 91.7% (343) were admitted following the first innings of test. The mean score of pre-internship exams was 113.5±20. Its score correlated with gender, place of residence, being with family, history of failure in exam, basic sciences exam’s score, GPA of medical externship and Physiopathology courses. Using linear regression and evaluating various variables, the most prediction validity was obtained with medical externship course GPA (R2=0.543) and the Physiopathology course GPA (R2=0.433), respectively. Furthermore, the regression line equation with the Backward procedure was as follows: Y= 8.5 (medical externship GPA) + 0.297 (score of basic sciences course)-53.53. Based on the results, the pre-internship exam scores can be predictable with a high validity.