African Journal of Internal Medicine

African Journal of Internal Medicine ISSN 2326-7283 Vol. 6 (7), pp. 488-494, July, 2018. © International Scholars Journals 

Full Length Research Paper

Evaluation of radiation exposure of eyes, parotid and thyroid gland during panoramic radiography

Ali Reza¹, Jafar Hassan² and Arman Adibi³

¹Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.

²Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

³Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Babol University of Medical Science, Babol, Iran.

Accepted 11 March, 2018

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to evaluate the eyes, parotid and thyroid gland region skin absorbed dose during panoramic radiography with panoramic machine of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology section of Babol School of Dentistry in Iran. In this research, 273 lif:Mg, Ti thermoluminescent dosemeters (TLDs) (100 LiF:Mg, Ti, harshaw, USA) were used. 90 samples were selected from the patients who referred to the Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology section. For each patient three TLD for eye, parotid and thyroid gland region were carefully applied in each experiment 3 TLD with fixed numbers were used to determine the background radiation. After providing panoramic radiographs, Thermoluminescent signal was read out with a Harshaw 4500 (Harshaw, Bicron USA) reader. Then the data of each TLD number was sent back to us .Mean ± standard deviation was determined by SPSS10 software. Mean ± SD of skin absorbed dose for 90 patients was 0.11 ± 0.075, 0.23 ±   0.15, 0.13 ± 0.079 mg for eyes, parotid and thyroid gland regions respectively. Since Diagnostic Reference level (DRL) of panoramic imaging is unknown in Iran, there is no possibility to compare the current results with DRL. However, it can be stated that the skin absorption dose of thyroid gland in the current study is more than the only reference value of thyroid gland skin absorption dose (0.074 mgy). It can be concluded that an extended study should be done to assess if the decrease of radiation dose without significant reduction of image quality is possible. However there is not a proper reference level to compare the findings, we hope this study play a small role in setting DRL for panoramic imaging in Iran with the help of further studies. 

Key words: Radiography, panoramic, thermoluminescent dosimetry, thyroid gland, parotid gland.

African Journal of Internal Medicine ISSN 2326-7283 Vol. 6 (6), pp. 483-487, June, 2018. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

A study of clinical profiles of patients referred to a university emergency department with asthma attack in Turkey

Nalan Metin Aksu¹*, Gül Karakaya², Bülent Sivri¹, Müge A. Günalp³ and Fuat Kalyoncu²

¹Department of Emergency Medicine, School of Medicine Hacettepe University, Ankara, Türkey.

²Department of Chest Diseases, School of Medicine, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Türkey.

³Department of Emergency Medicine, School of Medicine,Ankara University, Ankara, Türkey.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected], [email protected]. Tel/Fax: +90 312 305 2515.

Accepted 11 February, 2017

Abstract

The data about admission rates of asthma attack (AA) to emergency department (ED) is very limited and to the best of our knowledge this is the first study about the cost of AA referring to the ED in Turkey. Sixty-five adult patients (65 females) who presented to the ED of Hacettepe University School of Medicine with AA for six months of duration in winter and spring were included in this study. The means and standard deviations of numerical values were calculated. Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskall-Wallis test and chi-square tests were used for comparisions of grouped data. P<0.05 was accepted as statistically significant in all tests. The mean age of the patients was 54,9±14,4 and they presented most commonly in January (32.3%) while least in June (3.1%).Thirty two (49.2%) patients had moderate, 23 (35.4%) had mild and 10 (15.4%) had severe attacks. The mean cost of patients including examination, tests and drugs was 260 Turkish Lira ( TL) - US$ 169.3. As a result, the patients with AA seem to stay for a long time in ED with a cost which is high for our country, but lower compared to that of other countries.

Key words: Asthma attack, cost, emergency department referral, Turkey.

African Journal of Internal Medicine ISSN 2326-7283 Vol. 6 (5), pp. 479-482, May, 2018. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Evaluation of antitussive, expectorant and antiasthmatic activities of different extracts from Ficus microcarpa

Li-Heng Liu^1,2, Li-Sheng Wang¹* and Xiong-Min Liu¹

¹College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China.

²Department of Chemistry and Biology, Yulin Normal College, Yulin 537000, China.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]. Fax: +86-7 71-3270732.

Accepted 11 May, 2017

Abstract

The antitussive, expectorant and antiasthmatic activities of different extracts from Ficus microcarpa were compared. The water fraction was purified by a ceramic membrane to give membrane fraction. The evaporated water extract was extracted with MeOH, EtOAc, n-BuOH, respectively to obtain responding fractions. The animal experimental results showed the membrane fraction had remarkable antitussive and expectorant activities. The water and MeOH fractions can obviously prolong latency time of cavy and were regarded as effective antiasthmatic fractions.

Key words: Ficus microcarpa, antitussive, antiasthmaic, expectorant, extract.

African Journal of Internal Medicine ISSN 2326-7283 Vol. 6 (1), pp. 468-471, February, 2018. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

A study of the prevalence of fungal, pollen and dust allergens by intradermal skin test in nasobronchial allergenic patients

Nisar A. Wani¹*, Zafar Amin Shah² and Mahrukh Hameed³

¹Department of Botany, Aerobiology Research Laboratory, University of Kashmir, Srinagar-190006, Kashmir, India.

²Department of Immunology, Sheri-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, Srinagar, Kashmir, India.

³Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Sheri-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, Srinagar, Kashmir, India.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected].

Accepted 22 July, 2017

Abstract

Nasobronchial allergy is one important type of respiratory disorder. Aero allergens like pollen, dust, fungus, dander and many others play important role in nasobronchial allergies particularly in asthma and rhinitis. The prevalence of nasobronchial allergy among populations all over the world has been increasing rapidly. The role of different inhalant allergens in nasobronchial allergy varies with environmental conditions, type of allergen and degree of exposure. The awareness on the prevalence of allergens and seasonal variations is essential for better diagnosis and immunotherapy. The present study was aimed to assess the prevalence of fungal, pollen and dust allergens by intradermal skin test in nasobronchial allergenic patients in district Kupwara of Jammu and Kashmir State.

Key words: Allergens, nasobronchial allergy, intradermal skin test, immunoglobulin-E.