H Norouzpour, Hr Tabatabaei, Ar Rajaeifard, B Hashemi, L Monshizadeh,
Volume 20, Issue 6 (Jan-Feb 2013)
Abstract
Introduction: Hearing is one of the premier human senses. Being deprived from hearing is not only being unable to hear the sounds, but it is also the disability to gain a lot of helpful experiences. Cochlear implantation is introduced worldwide in order to treat the severe to profound hearing loss. Therefore, the present study aims to determine the effect of age of cochlear implantation on improvement of the auditory performance.
Methods: The present follow-up study was conducted on 96 children who had referred to Fars Cochlear Implantation Center. The patients’ information was gathered from their profiles both before and after the operation. In addition, the auditory performance score was obtained in 3 stages – 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years after the implantation – through the Cap test. Also, non-parametric tests of Fridman, Willcoxon, and Mann-Withney U were utilized in order to analyze the data of the study.
Results: The mean of the children’s auditory performance 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years after the implantation was measured as 2.8+1.03, 4.36+1.04, and 5.34+1.02, respectively. Besides, the median of their auditory performance 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years after the implantation was calculated as 3, 5, and 5, respectively. Also, a statistically significant relationship was observed between the independent variable of age of cochlear implantation and the auditory performance score 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years after the implantation.
Conclusion: In line with other studies conducted on the issue, the present study showed the improvement of the auditory performance in the children who benefited from cochlear implantation. Moreover, the results of the present study revealed that the age of cochlear implantation can be of great help in determining the candidates of cochlear implantation. In other words, it can be a major prognostic factor of the response to the treatment
Mh Eftekhari, M Alaei, Sh Khosropanah, Ar Rajaeifard, M Akbarzadeh,
Volume 22, Issue 1 (Mar-Apr 2014)
Abstract
Introduction: Metabolic syndrome consists of a group of metabolic disorders which is associated with increased cardiovascular risk. Several studies are conducting in regard to the effects of plant polyphenols as an alternative treatment for metabolic syndrome. Therefore, the goal of the present study was to assess the effects of cranberry supplement on some features of metabolic syndrome.
Methods: In this double-blind randomized clinical trial, 48 women with metabolic syndrome were followed for 8 weeks, divided into two groups: intervention and control. The participants in the intervention group received 2 capsules of cranberry extract (equal to 400 miligrams of cranberry extract) and the participants in the control group received two placebo capsules daily. Serum levels of glucose, insulin, lipid profile, oxidative stress marker, fat tissue distribution and blood pressure were measured at the beginning and after 8 weeks of the study, and were compared between the two groups.
Results: Compared to the control group, HDL- cholesterol level increased significantly in the intervention group (P<0.05). Also a significant reduction was seen in systolic blood pressure and waist circumference in the intervention group (P<0.05), whereas no change was made in levels of glucose, insulin, insulin resistance index and oxidative stress marker.
Conclusion: In the present study, cranberry supplement increased HDL-cholesterol level, decreased blood pressure and waist circumference in patients with metabolic syndrome, but did not have any effect on other lipid indices and oxidative stress marker.