[Complications leading to hospitalization due to consumption of anti-TB drugs in patients with tuberculosis in Gorgan, Iran [2007-12]]

Anti tuberculosis drugs therapy is the most effective method for controling the tuberculosis [TB]. Early detection and appropriate treatment can prevent the TB-drug resistance. This study was carried out to determine the complications leading to hospitalization due to consumption of anti-TB drugs in patients with tuberculosis. In this descriptive-analytic study, 1550 records of patients with TB in urban and rural health centers of Gorgan, north of Iran were assessed during 2007-12. Checklist consists of demographic and clinical data for each patient was recorded in a questionare. 44 cases experienced the complications of anti-TB drugs. 27 [61.4%] of cases with complications were women. 77.3% and 22.7% of patients affected with pulmonary and extra pulmonary tuberculosis,respectively. 38.6% of patients were diabetic. The hepatic complication was seen in 37 cases [84.1%]. Skin and other complications were seen in 5 and 2 cases, respectively. There was not any relationship between drug complications and other disases. Hepatic damage is the most common complication leading to hospitalization in tuberculosis patients using anti-TB drugs

[ effect of cross exercise on the quadriceps muscle strength after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction]

Quadriceps muscle strength was reduced significantly after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Finding a solution to overcome this problem is crucial. The objective of the present study is to investigate the effect of eight weeks cross exercise on the quadriceps muscle strength, in men after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Twenty patients with anterior cruciate ligament tear, with an average age of 22.02 +/- 1.55 years and mean weight of 71.7 +/- 7.15 kilograms, were selected as volunteers. They were divided into two groups: experimental group and control. The experimental group, in addition to physiotherapy, performed eight weeks cross exercise with uninjured leg, three sessions per week and each session lasted for 20 minutes. The control group just received physiotherapy. Before three days of ACLR and After 9 weeks and performing 24 sessions of cross exercise, isometric strength of quadriceps muscle in both groups were measured at 60 degrees of flexion in both legs, by Isokinetic BIODEX system. Data were analyzed by paired and independent samples t-test at a significance level of p<0.05. The results showed that following eight weeks of cross exercise, the quadriceps muscles strength in uninjured leg, in the experimental group was significantly increased [P=0.002]. Likewise, after reconstruction of the ACL, the amount of reduction in quadriceps muscles in the experimental group was significantly lower than the control group [P=0.001]. The degree of strength loss can be positively reduced by continuum concentric cross exercises. Along with the optimization of the healthy organs, these exercises enhance the strength of organs, which underwent surgery

[Comparison of water exercise therapy and massage therapy on pain intensity and disability in men with chronic nonspecific low back pain]

Low back pain is the most important health problem in which the complementary therapy, such as water exercise therapy and massage could have a basic role in its treatment. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of water exercise therapy and massage on the pain severity and disability of patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain. In this semi-experimental experiment, 24 male patients with chronic nonspecific lowback pain aged 20-40 years with average age of 27.23 were randomly divided into two groups of "water exercise therapy" and "massage" for treatment. The treatment period lasted 6 weeks and each week consisted of 4 sessions. In order to assess the pain severity and disability, the Oswestry Questionnaires and visual analog score were used respectively before and after the treatment. For data analysis, ANOVA test was applied at the significance level of P

Seroepidemiology and molecular detection of Brucella infection in Iranian horses: a provincial study

Brucellosis is a febrile zoonotic infection and has worldwide distribution among humans as well as animals. Although the seroprevalence of brucellosis in various animals has been described in Iran, there is only one report on equine brucellosis in the region. This study was carried out to determine the seroprevalence of brucellosis in racing clubs and private horse owners in the south of Iran and risk factors associated with the disease in horses. 312 randomly selected equine serum samples were investigated for the presence of antibodies against Brucella genus, using slide agglutination by Rose Bengal plate test [RBPT], serum agglutination test [SAT] and 2-mercaptoethanol [2-ME] test, using whole cell antigen. PCR assay was also used for detection of clinically suspected cases. Most seropositive horses in this study were asymptomatic. The true seroprevalence of brucellosis was found to be 9.9, 8 and 7% by RBPT, SAT and 2-mercaptoethanol tests, respectively. All horses with history of clinical signs [3.2% of all samples] had RBPT, SAT and 2-mercaptoethanol positive results. It was also revealed that age, sex and a history of contact with ruminants had no effect on acquiring the infection in positive cases. In the PCR, one of the three horses with fistula withers produced amplicon of 450 bp fragment of wbo sequences specific to Brucella spp. field strain. This study showed the seroprevalence of brucellosis in horses of Fars province and it was indicated that the PCR assay may be helpful in detection of clinically suspected horses

Effective Factors on the number of hospitalization days for MI patients in Vasei hospital of Sabzevar in 2012 using regression models

Background: The number of hospitalization days is an important issue for the hospital managers, patients and their families. Regarding to the importance of this issue and few similar researches, this study aimed to model the number of hospitalization days for myocardial infarction [MI] patients admitted in Vasei hospital of Sabzevar, and to investigate its effective factors

Material and Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was performed to model the number of hospitalization days for myocardial infarction [MI] patients admitted in Vasei hospital of Sabzevar, in 2012. By using census method, 201 patients were entered to this study and the value of the length of hospitalization as the response variable, and the value of gender, age and residence location of the patients as the independent variables are considered. The data were analyzed using an advanced and new model, zero-truncated generalized poisson regression model, and SAS9.2 software

Results: The results showed that the average length of hospitalization of MI patients was 4.876 days in Vasei hospital. Also, it was found that one year increase in age was related to one day increase in hospitalization of the MI patients. Moreover, the regression models predicted that the average length of hospitalization for female patients was less than male patients, and the average length of hospitalization for the urban residence patients was less than those of rural residence

Conclusions: In this study, a suitable statistical method for analyzing and modeling of hospitalization days was obtained. Because of differences in hospitalization days in different units of hospitals, use of these advanced statistical models is proposed for another hospitals and cities

Diagnostic value of high resolution computed tomographic scan in active pulmonary tuberculosis

Since accurate and quick clinical and paraclinical diagnostic methods are not available, in some cases diagnosis of active pulmonary tuberculosis occurs after considerable time from the onset of disease. This study was designed to determine the diagnostic value of High Resolution Computed Tomographic [HRCT] scan in active pulmonary tuberculosis, in Gorgan, Golestan province, North of Iran. This diagnostic screening study was carried out on 135 [79 male and 56 female] hospitalized patients suspected with active pulmonary tuberculosis, and HRCT was used in their course of treatment as recommendation of their clinician. The patients were chosen from 5[th] Azar hosptial during 2009-10. Also it should be mentioned that patients were selected on avaliabity bases, and they were examined by smear, and sputum culture. The patients with negative smear and culture were set up as true healthy group [64 subjects]. The lung or small nuddles in HRCT was considered as proper position of lung involvument in active lung pulmonary. The HRCT findings between the case group [71 subjects] and healthy group were compared. According to HRCT findings, the sensitivity and specifity were determined for each patient. Data were analyzed using SPSS-16 and Chi-Square test. In this study, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of HRCT in active pulmonary tuberculosis were equal to 97.2%, 71.9%, 79.3% and 95.8% respectively. Involvement of upper and middle lobe of the right lung and upper lobe of the left lung were significantly higher than the control group [P<0.05]. This study showed that HRCT has high sensitivity and specificity in diagnosis of active pulmonary tuberculosis and can be used as a quick diagnostic way in active pulmonary tuberculosis, especially in patients with strong clinical suspicion and negative smear

[Emergence of novel plasmid-mediated beta-lactamase in klebsiella pneumonia]

Antibiotic resistance is a major threat for human health that affects hospitalized patients worldwide; Hence, The World Health Organization [WHO] has chosen antibacterial resistance as its theme in 2011. Klebsiella pneumoniae is a gram-negative opportunistic pathogen and a common cause of nosocomial infections. These bacteria -especially in infants- are the cause of pneumonia, sepsis, meningitis, diarrhea and bacteremia. Increasing emergence of multidrug resistance [MDR] among Klebsiella pneumoniae nosocomial isolates has limited the appropriate therapeutic options for the treatment of infections caused by this pathogen. Beta-Lactamases are major defenses of gram-negative bacteria against antibiotics. Recently, the emergence of new beta-lactamases such as NDM-1 [New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase-1], OXA-48 [Oxacillinase-48], OXA-181 [oxacillinase-181], KPC [Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase], CTX-M-15 [Cefotaxime-M-15] confer resistance to the most antibiotics such as penicillins, carbapenems, cephalosporins, macrolides, aminoglycosides and sulfamethoxazole. Resistant genes are located on plasmids with different sizes and can be readily transferred between bacteria, from one human to another human, and even from one country to another. In 2011, it has been evaluated that the importance of some of these genes like NDM-1, KPCs is as AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis. These enzymes have emerged as an important threat for hospitalized patients. Some pathogens containing both KPC and NDM-1 may be mistakenly diagnosed as susceptible by conventional laboratory methods and hence they could have an important role in the emergence and spread of more resistant pathogens due to administration of ineffective drugs to patients. No vaccines have been found yet that prevent infections caused by carbapenemase-producing bacteria. Also, there is not enough information about frequency of these plasmid genes and their genetic profiles in Iran. Therefore, it is important to diagnose the Klebsiella pneumoniae strains producing resistant enzymes, especially NDM-1, for better treatment of patients and prevention of the spread of these genes to other bacteria via exact phenotypic and genotypic methods

[ comparison of the effects of carbohydrate and carbohydrate-protein supplements on heat shock protein 72[HSP72] during intermittent soccer activities]

The main purpose of this study was to compare the effects of Carbohydrate and Carbohydrate-Protein supplements on heat shock protein 72[HSP72] during intermittent soccer activities. 24 soccer players of super clubs were selected and divided into 3 groups of carbohydrate [CHO], carbohydrate-protein [CHO-PRO] and placebo [P]. Intermittent activities included 24 trials of modified Ekblom tests or soccer simulation activities. Subjects ingested drinks before, during and 1 hour after intermittent activities. Blood samples were collected before [baseline], immediately, 1 hour and 24 hours after simulated intermittent activities. HSP72 levels, Insulin and blood Glucose counts, were measured using Elisa Kit. The results showed significant differences in HSP72 levels, Insulin and blood Glucose levels, immediately and 1 hour after intermittent activities of CHO and CHO-PRO groups compared to placebo group [p

[Antibacterial effect of methanolic extract of camellia Sinensis L. on Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains producing beta-lactamases]

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the important causes of nosocomial infections. Extended spectrum-beta Lactamases [ESBLs] and Metallo-beta Lactamase [MBL] producing strains have become resistant against a wide range of antibiotics. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of Methanol extract of Camellia Sinensis on Pseudomonas aeruginosa producing ESBL isolated from burnt wounds of patients. This descriptive study was done on burnt wounds of 245 hospitalaized patients in Shafa hospital, Kerman, Iran during 2006-07. ESBLs producing strains were detected by phenotypic confirmatory test and also E-test strips were used for MBL detection. P.aeruginosa MIC was determined for Cefotaxime, Ceftazidime, Azteronam, Imipenem, Meropenem and methanol extracts of plant Camellia Sinensis prepared by Maceration method. 120 of burnt wound infected with P.aeruginosa, out of them 41 isolates contained ESBL while lacked MBL. 60% of isolates were resistant to Cefotaxime, 66% to Ceftazidime, 42% to Azteronam, 3% to Imipenem and 5% to Meropenem. Among the extracts, green Tea had the highest antibacterial effect on standard strains and P.aeruginosa producing ESBLs in 1.25mg/ml concentration. This study showed that methanolic extract of green tea has higher antibacterial effect aginst beta-lactamase P.aeruginosa strains than Cefotaxime and Ceftazidime

[Survival rate among children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia based on their relapse status in Shiraz Shahid Faghihi hospital during 2004-9]

Relapse in leukemic patients is considered as a major cause of treatment failure and a decrease in patient survival rate. This study was conducted to determine the survival rate of patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia [ALL] and acute myeloid leukemia [AML] based on their relapse status. This retrospective cohort study was performed on a total of 243 cases of leukemia aged less than 15 years in Shiraz Shahid Faghihi hospital. Data were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier method, log-rank test and Cox regression model. The 1-and 5-year survival rates for patients without relapsed leukemia were 96.9 and 76.9% and for relapsed leukemia were 82.4 and 28.6%, respectively. Therefore, there was a significant relationship between the relapse occurrence and survival rate among the patients [P=0.001]. The relapse occurrence is one of the main effective factors in survival rate of leukemic patients; a five-year survival rate in the patients is less than 30 percent in this center

[Using germinated pinto bean flour instead of wheat flour in producing sausage]

Germinated pinto bean flour [GPBF] has a high nutritional value. The objective of this study was to investigate the possibility of using it instead of wheat flour in producing sausages. Pinto beans were purchased from the local market, soaked in tap water for12 hours, and allowed to germinate at room temperature for 48 hours. The germinated beans were dried at 50°C for 16 hours, followed by milling to prepare flour, which was stored at -18 °C. Sausages [an experimental sample] were produced according to a commercial formulation, only replacing wheat flour with germinated pinto bean flour [GPBF] at levels of 4, 8, and 12% W/W. A sample produced with wheat flour served as the control. Moisture, fat and protein contents, and color, texture, flavour, and microbiological properties of the experimental samples were determined and compared with those of the control sample. There were no statistically significant differences [p<0.05] between the experimental and the control samples with regard to fat content, color, or texture. Samples produced with 12% GPBF had the highest contents of moisture [57%] and protein [12.32%] and the highest total bacterial counts [2800 cfu]. The flavour of the control and the 4%-GPBF samples did not differ significantly [p<0.05], but their flavour was better than that of the 8%- and 12%-GPBF samples [p<0.01]. Using germinated pinto bean flour in preference to wheat flour in producing sausages, it would be possible to develop a product with a higher nutritional value and acceptable physical, chemical and sensory properties

Phytoplankton and zooplankton modeling of pishin reservoir by means of an advection-diffusion drought model

Phytoplankton and zooplankton concentrations in Pishin reservoir are predicted employing a three-dimensional numerical model in this paper. Modeling is performed using a numerical model based on mass transport equation. Advection, diffusion and source/sink processes are considered as separate subroutines for predicting the concentrations of phytoplankton and zooplankton in the reservoir. Finite volume method is used for solving the governing equations of water quality and water flow. The model is adopted for drought periods and dry climates. Water flow in the reservoir is simulated by Fluent software that is a finite volume numerical model. The model also uses a sub-model for compatibility providing of geometry between software and water quality model. A one-year period of experimental works and sampling is done in the study area. Phytoplankton and zooplankton cycles are used to determine the sources and sinks. Standard methods are chosen for experimentation. The concentrations of phytoplankton and zooplankton are calculated and measured in a one-year period. The concentrations of phytoplankton and zooplankton decrease in the depth of water and the decease rate is not linear. Also the concentrations are increase in the times after the maximum floods because of the inflows contain high amounts of nutrients. The calculated values by the model are in good agreement with measured values of laboratory works. It was concluded that the model can be used for water quality prediction in such aquatic environments

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever following consumption of uncooked liver: case series study

We have described four patients with Crimean- Congo hemorrhagic fever which acquired the illness following consumption of uncooked sheep liver. Three patients admitted to hospital nearly 36 hours after eating the liver with acute fever and with quick treatment they respond to therapy. Unfortunately, one patient who was referred late to hospital and treatment was after 5 days of the beginning of the first sign, died. Here in, we described four patients who consumed uncooked liver together in a party and apparently there were no other routes for transmission. Three of them were members of a family [one sister and two brothers] and the fourth was their friend who invited to their party

Comparison of oral and intravenous proton pump inhibitor on patients with high risk bleeding peptic ulcers: a prospective, randomized, controlled clinical trial

Proton pump inhibitors [PPIs] decrease the rate of rebleeding following endoscopic hemostatic therapy in patients with bleeding peptic ulcers. This study compares the efficacy of oral omeprazole vs intravenous pantoprazole in decrease of rebleeding of peptic ulcer patients. One hundred and six patients with high risk peptic ulcer were randomized to receive either oral omeprazole [80 mg BID for 3 days] or IV pantoprazole [80 mg bolus and 8 mg/hour infusion for 3 days] followed by omeprazole [20 mg each day for 30 days]. All patients underwent upper endoscopy and endoscopic therapy within 24 hours. Seventeen patients were excluded from the study. Forty four patients were randomly allocated into omeprazole group and 41 patients to IV pantoprazole group. Both groups were similar for factors affecting the outcome. Bleeding reoccurred in five patients of omeprazole group and four patients in pantoprazole group [11.4% vs 9.8%]. The mean hospital stay and blood transfusion were not different in both groups. Oral omeprazole and IV pantoprazole had equal effects on prevention of rebleeding after endoscopic therapy in patients with high risk bleeding peptic ulcers

effect of fig tree latex [ficus carica] on stomach cancer line

The therapeutic effect of herbal materials in inhibition of cancer cell growth was shown. This study investigates the effect of fig tree latex [Ficus carica] on stomach cancer line. The in vitro effect of different doses of fig tree latex on stomach cancer cell line and the peripheral blood mononuclear cells was evaluated after 72 hours. Fig tree latex could inhibit the proliferation of cancer cell line without any cytotoxic effect on human normal cells. Five mg/ml was the optimum concentration in inhibition of cell line growth. Cancer cell line was more sensitive to Ficus carica latex than normal cells. This anticancer activity might be due to presence of its proteolytic enzymes

Analysis of polymorphism of MHC class II BuLA DRB3 exon 2 gene in north west Iranian populations of the water buffalo [Bubalus bubalis] through PCR-SSCP

The DRB3 gene is a highly polymorphic major histocompatibility complex [MHC] class II gene and plays an important role in variability of immune responsiveness and disease resistance. In the present study, the MHC class II DRB3 gene in water buffalo [Bubalus bubalis] populations from Northwest regions of Iran was investigated through PCR-SSCP. Genomic DNA was extracted from whole blood samples collected from 50 buffaloes. A 284 bp segment of exon 2 of BuLa-DRB3 was amplified by standard PCR, using locus-specific primers. The PCR products were subjected to a non-denaturing gel electrophoresis. A number of 11 different SSCP patterns indicating allelic variation were identified. The three most frequent patterns 1,4 and 10 accounted for 58% of the total patterns. Results indicated that exon 2 of the BuLA-DRB3 gene is highly polymorphic among the examined animals

efficacy of hepatitis B vaccination among school age children in southern Iran

Primary prevention by vaccination to increase herd immunity remains the main thrust in the control of hepatitis B virus [HBV] infection and many countries such as Islamic Republic of Iran have incorporated HBV vaccination into their national expanded program of immunization. This study was performed to determine the vaccine efficacy of hepatitis B infection between vaccinated and non-vaccinated school-aged children. Three hundred and ninety four students aged 6 to 8 years who received the hepatitis vaccine in the infancy and 314 students aged 9 to 10 years who did not receive it in Sepidan, southern Iran were enrolled. We also determined the titer of anti HBs Ab in the vaccinated students. Two students [0.5%] were HBV infected [positive HBC Ab] and none were a chronic carrier. Two hundred and forty nine students [63.2%] had anti HBs titer greater than 10 IU/ml. One hundred and seventeen students [30%] had anti HBs titer between 1 and 10 IU/ml and only 28 children had anti HBs titer less than 1 IU/ml. Five [1.6%] were HBV infected [positive HBc Ab] and 2 [0.6%] were chronic carriers [positive HBs Ag]. The efficacy of the vaccine 6-8 years after vaccination was 67.9% [95 Cl 78-92]. Our results showed that similar to other studies, vaccination could not reduce the infection rate but had a significant effect on the reduction of chronic infection and carrier state, emphasizing on the role of vaccination in the control of HBV infection in an endemic region

Pesticide transport and transformation modeling in soil column and groundwater contamination prediction

Pesticide transport and transformation were modeled in soil column from the soil surface to groundwater zone. A one dimensional dynamic mathematical and computer model is formulated to simulate two types of pesticides namely 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid and 1,2-dibromo 3-chloro propane in soil column. This model predicts the behavior and persistence of these pesticides in soil column and groundwater. The model is based on mass balance equation, including convective transport, dispersive transport and chemical adsorption in the phases such as solid, liquid and gas. The mathematical solution is obtained by finite difference implicit method. The model was verified with experimental measurements and also with analytical solution. The simulation results are in good agreement with measured values. The major findings of this research are the development of the model which can calculate and predict the concentration of pesticides in soil profiles, as well as groundwater after 4, 12, 31 days of pesticide application under steady state and unsteady water flow condition. With the results of this study, the distribution of various types of pesticides in soil column to groundwater table can be predicted

[ effect of sub-minimum inhibitory concentration [S-MIC] of ciprofloxacin and ampicillin on hemolysin activity of Escherichia coli]

Sub-minimum inhibitory concentration [S-MIC] can induce changes in morphology, virulence factors and biochemical properties of bacterial pathogens. The goal of this study is to determine the Sub-MIC effect of ciprofloxacin and ampicillin on the haemolytic activity of E. coli. Two clinical isolates of E. coli with high haemolytic activity was selected. Changes in haemolytic activity of the isolates was assessed after exposing them to MIC and Sub-MIC of ciprofloxacin and ampicillin. Ciprofloxacin decreased haemolytic activity at 1/2, 1/4 and 1/8 Sub-MIC, whereas ampicillin showed no effect on haemolytic activity. We conclude that Sub-MIC concentrations of ciprofloxacin decreased the haemolytic activity of E. coli, whereas ampicillin had no such effect

Application of PCR for detection of Vibrio cholerae using primers targeted against the gene of outer membrane protein ompW and comparison with conventional methods

Vibrio cholerae, the etiologic agent for the diarrheal disease of cholera, continues to be an important cause of mortality and morbidity in many parts of the world. V. cholera serotypes Ol and O139 are associated with classic cholera, however, other V. cholera strains, including non-agglutinable vibrios [NAG] are occasionally isolated from the cases of diarrhea. Identification of V. cholera is usually achieved through a series of culture and biochemical tests, but close relatedness among V. cholera and other member of Vibrio spp. or Aeromonas spp. has often made identification of the organism quite difficult. The objective of this study was evaluation of PCR targeting outer membrane proteins [ompW] for detection of V. cholera in comparison with conventional method of culture and biochemical tests. A total of 156 V. cholera isolates from both clinical and environmental sources identified on the basis of conventional culture, biochemical tests and serotyping. Polymerase chain reaction [PCR] assay was carried out using primers targeting the gene of outer membrane proteins. Second PCR assay was also performed using primers based on O139-rfb region within the V. cholerae chromosome. Based on the results from biochemical tests and serotyping, 6 isolates were identified as V. cholera 01, serotypes Ogawa [five cases] and Hikojima [one case] and 150 non-agglutinable vibrios [NAG]. PCR showed 136 isolates [87.9%] were positive for V. cholera and 20 others [12.1%] were negative. PCR results on NAG isolates revealed none of the isolates were belong to 0139 serotype. In the present study, PCR assay showed no priority over the conventional methods. The prevalent V. cholerae isolates in the region of study were NAG and the least dominant isolates were Ol Ogawa-serotype. No 0139 serotype was detected among the isolates