[Effectiveness of body psychotherapy technique on stress and salivary cortisol level in high school girl students]

Body psychotherapy technique [BPT] is a program teaches to deal more effectively with stressors. This study was done to evaluate the effectiveness of body psychotherapy technique on the stress and salivary cortisol level in high school girl students. In this randomized clinical trials study, thirty 15-18 years old female students were randomly divided into intervention and control groups. BPT group was given to the intervention group in nine sessions during two months. Cohen stress scale was used perior and the end of study to determine the scale of stress. Perior and at the end of study, salivary samples of subjects were collected directly after getting up in the early morning, 15, 30 and 45 minutes later on to measure salivary cortisol level. The mean of stress scale scores and salivary cortisol level in the intervention group significantly reduced in comparison with the controls [P<0.05]. Body psychotherapy technique reduces stress scale scores and salivary cortisol level in high school girl students in Gorgan, northern Iran

[ correlation between nurses' conflict and head nurses' emotional intelligence in the emergency ward of teaching hospitals affiliated to Iran University of Medical Sciences]

Introduction: Implementation and following up of the activities in the emergency ward is a critical task. Due to importance of this ward in the hospital, any destructive factors such as conflict between nurses that have negative effects on their activities should be avoided. The aim of this study was to determine the correlation between nurses' conflict and head nurses' emotional intelligence in the emergency ward of teaching hospitals who are affiliated to Iran University of Medical Sciences in 2013.

Materials and Methods: In this descriptive-correlational study, sampling method was census, hence 143 head nurses and nurses in teaching hospitals who were affiliated to Iran University of Medical Sciences were selected. Among the sample population, 125 nurse and 8 head nurse [total of 133] participated in the study. Data was collected by using of "Schering Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire" [for head nurses] and "Dobrin Job Conflict Questionnaire" [for nurses]. Data was analyzed by SPSS/21.

Findings: Nurses' conflict average score with 28.12 +/- 13.4 out of 15 score was in "medium" level [12.28] and head nurses' emotional intelligence average score with110.20 +/- 7.83 out of 165 score was in "good" level. There was no significant correlation between head nurses' emotional intelligence and nurses' conflict [p=0.41, r=-0.34].

Conclusion: Assessing the cause of nurses' conflict should be a prior task of head nurses of the emergency ward. In order to improve the performance of head nurses, nurses and the entire emergency department, it is recommended that training classes or workshops should be offered for nurses and head nurses to enhance their emotional intelligence.

Design of a multiplex PCR method for detection of toxigenic-pathogenic in Vibrio cholerae

OBJECTIVE@#To study virulence and regulatory genes (hlyA, ctxB, tcpI) in clinical strains of Vibrio cholerae (V. cholerae), simultaneously.@*METHODS@#Three important genes, tcpI, hlyA and ctxB were used for detection of toxigenic and pathogenic V. cholera by chain reaction assay method.@*RESULTS@#According to the results of the PCR, the incidence of hlyA, tcpI, and ctxB genes in clinical isolates was obtained as 94.7% (72 sample), 90.8% (69 sample), and 92.1% (70 sample), respectively. Five strains possessed all genes except ctxB, six strains possessed all genes except tcpI, four strains possessed all genes except hlyA, one strain possessed only hlyA and 60 strains contained a combination of three genes, Including hlyA, ctxB and tcpI.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Result show that this method could be reliable to detect toxigenic-pathogenic strains of V. cholerae in Iran.

[Environmental ranking of industries located at west of Tehran based on the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of industrial wastewaters in 2011]

This is a descriptive and cross sectional study. The aim of this study was to investigate the environmental ranking of industries located at west of Tehran based on the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of industrial wastewaters in 2011. This study was conducted by site visit, questionnaire completion, database production and results analysis. The questionnaire was consisted of 30 questions about quantity, quality and management of industrial wastewater. Total number of industries with over than 50 personnel, was 287. Class-weighted sampling was used and the sample size was contained 50 industries. In this study, industries were scored from 1 to 10, based on the flow rate, BOD and COD, generation of wastewater per worker per day and then were ranked according to the total score. The average flow of wastewater generated by these 50 industries was 9422 m[3]/day. Wood and cellulose industries with 730 liters wastewater per worker per day was considered as the greatest wastewater generator. Minimum organic loading was related to non-metallic mineral industries with COD of 205 mg/ L and BOD of 85 mg / L. The maximum COD was related to paper industries with the rate of 8800 mg/ L and maximum BOD was related to food and drug industries with the rate of 1536 mg/ L. This environmental ranking was indicated that while paper industries contributed the most pollution load, non-metallic mineral industries had the least pollution load.

[Validity and reliability of the Persian version of JSPE-HP questionnaire [Jefferson scale of physician empathy-health professionals version]]

Empathy plays an important role in patient's relationship with his/her dentist or doctor. One of the most used tools for evaluation of empathy is the Jefferson Scale of Physician Empathy-Health Professionals Version [JSPE-HP]. The aim of this study was to validate the JSPE-HP for use among Iranian population. The English original version of the JSPE-HP questionnaire was translated into Persian language by a forward-backward translation method. Reliability was tested on 30 Dental and Medical students. Then validity and internal consistency were tested on 554 students. The reliability coefficient [Cronbach's alpha] of the JSPE-HP was excellent [alpha: 0.83]. The coefficient of test re-test reliability measured by ICC [Intra class correlation coefficient] was 0.82 [CI 95%: 0.80-0.87]. Freshman students had higher scores than other students and this difference was significant [P=0.03]. There was no significant difference on empathy scores between Dental and Medical students. The overall findings of this study indicate that the Persian version of the JSPE is a valid and reliable instrument for evaluating physician-patient empathy in Iranian Population

[Investigation of industrial waste management in industries located between Tehran and Karaj zone in 2009-2010]

In recent years, poor industrial waste managements have created many crises in human societies. The aim of this study was to investigate industrial waste management located between Tehran and Karaj zone in 2009-2010. This study is descriptive and sectional which was done by site visits, [Iranian environmental protection organization] use of questionnaires, database production and results analysis. The questionnaire consisted of 45 questions mainly about industrial waste; quantity, quality and management. Total number of industries with over 50 personnel's, calculated as 283. Class-weighted sampling was used in which the sample size contained 50 industries. Total generated industrial waste was 123451, kg per day. Major hazardous waste generated in industrial sections included: chemical and plastic making. About 45.28% of waste generated disposed by private sectors. Landfill with 62% and reuse with 17% were the first and second alternative of common methods for final disposal of solid waste in this zone. In order to reduce hazardous waste generation in this zone, reuse and recovery maximization of the waste must be noted in short-term. In long-term, some industries such as chemical-plastic and electronics which have high rate of hazardous waste production must be replaced with other industries with low rate production, such as wood-cellulose and paper industries

[Standardization of the molecular method for detection of the ent D in staphylococcus aureus isolated from human infections: and sequence determination]

Staphylococcal enterotoxin D as a supper antigen is produced by infected samples of human and animal sources. The aim of this study was to standardize the detection methods for the Staphylococcus strain producing enterotoxin D. A PCR method was set up for detection of enterotoxin D gene [ent D] in Staphylococcus aureus samplesisolated from the human subjects [310 strains isolated from clinical samples]. The specific PCR-product [a band about 700 bp] was purified and sent off for DNA sequencing. Blast analysis showed a 99% identity with the standard gene sequence from Genebank. The ability to produce enterotoxin D by all strains carrying ent D was analyzed by using an ELISA kit. The results of this study show that the PCR method has been well set up. There were two PCR products obtained by the primer pair, one at 700 bp and another at 1400 bp. Both bands were gel purified and sent for DNA sequencing. The results, based on the alignment with the standard ent D sequences from GenBank, suggest that ent D is contained within the 700-bp product. Production of the entrotoxin D in the positive strains was confirmed by ELISA. Based on the available information, coagulase positive Staphylococcus aureus strains are recorded in clinical samples. However, there is no routine method available to analyze the ability of the bacterial strains for producingtoxins including enterotoxin D. This study represents a simple, fast, and standard method for verification of the bacteria enterotoxin D and the strains producing it

[Frequency of pertussis among adults with prolonged cough]

Pertussis is a highly communicable respiratory infection which can cause chronic cough. Pertussis can attack any age. Despite childhood vaccination, adults or haven't immunity or have few immunity. The aim of this study was determination of frequency of pertussis among adults with prolonged cough. This descriptive cross sectional study was performed on adults who had coughed for more than 2 weeks and there were no reasons for prolonged cough. Diagnosis of B. pertussis was performed by culture on Bordet-Gengou medium, which gets by deep throat soap sample. The results were analyzed by SPSS with t and chi square tests. One hundred twenty three patients [57 [46.3%] men and 66 [53.7%] women] with the mean age of 41.4 +/- 17.7 years were enrolled to study. The mean duration of cough was 22. 6 +/- 14.6 days. Ninety five [77. 2%] had a history of vaccination. Culture of deep throat soap sample was positive among 23 [18.7%] patients [15 [12.2%] men and 8 [6.5%] women] who arrived in the study. In this study, B. pertussis confirmed in 23 adults [18.7%] by culture of deep throat soap sample. It's suggested that physician in the visit of adult patients with prolonged cough more than 2 weeks; also pay attention to pertussis as well as this group becomes a potential source of pertussis for infant, vast adult vaccination with acellular pertussis vaccine is noteworthy for public health organization

[Quantitative and qualitative investigation of industrial solid waste in industrial plants located between Tehran and Karaj]

Rapid population growth, industrial development, urbanization culture propagation and excessive material consumption are the most important factor which caused over increasing of municipal, industrial and agricultural waste in human society. Inappropriate disposal of generated waste in recent years created several environmental menace and crisis in human society. For investigation about existent situation of industrial waste generation questionnaire had been used. This questionnaire was catered by Iran environmental protection organization. Aforementioned questionnaire contained 45 questions about combination, quality and quantity of industrial waste. Total number of more than 50 personnel industry was 287. But sample contained 50 randomly selected industries. Gathered data have been analyzed with SPSS 18. Total generated industrial waste was 123451KG per day which had volume equal to 781 cubic meters per day. Generated waste capitation per every worker was 5.8 KG. Maximum frequency of industrial was related to machinery and equipment group which maximum generated waste was related to this industrial group too. Maximum hazardous waste was for inflammable waste with 34 weight percent. Major hazardous waste generating industrial was chemical and plastic making industry. Yielded result from this investigation has shown that significant relation existed between waste production rate and personnel number. The more personnel are, the more waste production increase

[Frequency of candiduria in patients hospitalized in intensive care units]

Some Candida species especially Candida albicans are known as flora of human and animals body and coexist in skin, throat and gastrointestinal and urinary tracts. They can primarily be colonized in hospitalized patients and cause diseases. Resent studies have reported increasing rate of candidauria in intensive care unit [ICU] patients. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of candiduria in ICU patients with urinary tract catheterization. In a descriptive cross-sectional study, 110 hospitalized patients in ICU over 18 years old who had more than 7 days urinary tract catheter were studied. Urine sample was taken immediately after catheter replacement and sent to the laboratory in less than 1 hour and analyzed. Data collection was done by a questionnaire and check list. A total of 110 patients including 65 men [59.1%] and 45 women [40.9%] were studied of whom 29 ones [26.4%] had candiduria based on urine culture. Candida albicans was the most common species [34.3%]. Risk factors of candiduria were age, duration of hospitalization and urinary tract catheterization, using more than two antibiotics, corticosteroid consumption, and diabetes mellitus. Due to the increasing rate of candida infection in hospitalized patients especially ICU patients, more attention for prevention of candiduria especially in those with candiduria risk factors is recommended

[Determination of pneumococcal MIC to antibiotics in pneumococcus strains isolated from Zanjan hospitals]

There are many reports associated with growing increase in incidence of drug resistance in streptococcus pneumoniae strains, complications caused by these organisms during clinical treatment, increasing cost of therapy, and poor prognosis. To determine pneumococcus drug resistance in Zanjan hospitals. This was a cross-sectional study in which all positive cultures for pneumococci were collected from Bouali pulmonary center laboratory and Vali-e-Asr laboratory for determination of MIC. The data were gathered through a questionnaire and further analyzed by chi-square test using SPSS 11.5 for windows package. Of 57 patients, 25 were males and 32 females. The average age of patients was 49.4 with a range of 13-87 years. MIC test for penicillin showed that 24 [42.1%] samples were sensitive, 24 [42.1%] with intermediate susceptibility and 9 [15.8%] resistant. MIC results for ceftriaxone showed higher sensitivity among 52 samples [91/2%] and lower resistance in 5 [8/8%] specimens. All cases were sensitive to vancomycin. There was a significant relationship between underlying diseases and sensitivity to ceftriaxone. Regarding the high resistance of pneumococci to penicillin, it is recommended ceftriaxone to be used as the first line treatment and in case of resistance it should be replaced with vancomycin

Retroperitoneal leiomyosarcoma of the inferior vena cava: a case report

Leiomyosarcoma of the inferior vena cava [IVC] is a rare sarcoma, but it is the most common primary malignancy of the IVC. It has an extremely gloomy prognosis. We describe a 40 year-old white female complaining of abdominal fullness for 7 weeks before she sought medical assistance. Initial work-up including sonography and computed tomography showed a huge tumoral mass in the abdominal cavity seemingly originating from the IVC with displacement of the right ureter and hydronephrosis. The patient underwent surgical resection of the tumor. Pathologic diagnosis was leiomyosarcoma. Postoperatively, she was placed on coumadin and adjuvant chemotherapy was started. Considering the aggressiveness of this tumor, early radical enblock resection with clear margins is still the only chance for long-term survival

Advatages of rapid diagnosis of bacterial meningitis by PCR in compare with direct microscopy and culture

Acute bacterial meningitis has remained an important cause of death and neurological damages among survivors. Rapid diagnosis of bacterial meningitis is crucial for the early targeting of antimicrobial therapy. The aim of this study was to develop and apply a PCR assay for rapid diagnosis of meningitidis and to compare the results with those obtained by conventional bacteriology. We assessed 150 cerebrospinal fluid [CSF] specimens from suspected patients by PCR targeting 16S rRNA gene with specefic primers for Neisseria meningitidis, Sterptococcus pneumonia and Heamophilus influenza. All speciemns were also examined by conventional bacteriology. The rapidity of diagnosis increased when bacteriological methods were combined with PCR. Of 150 speciemens tested, 10 were positive for Neisseria meningitidis in PCR. Direct microscopy and bacterial culture found 5 and 8 cases infected with this organism respectively. PCR was more sensitive than direct microscopy and culture for detection of Neisseria meningitidis. However, direct microscopy may provide evidences for the quality of specimens and presence of other organisms in the samples. Wet- mount direct microscopy showed morphology and arrangements of the observed organisms that may be helpful in presumptive identification of certain bacteria such as gram negative bacilli and cocci. Moreover, the observed organisms may be useful in correct selection of culture media in the laboratory and prescription of appropriate therapy by physicians in a quickest time

[ relationship between nurse's perception of their head nurses empowerment behaviors and their own work effectiveness]

Background: powerlessness has become endemic among most nurses in their work setting, as the result of inappropriate distribution of power in hospitals, allocating power to only a few, at the top of hospital hierarchy imposing it. The objective of this study is determining the relationship between nurse's perception of their head nurses empowerment behaviors and their own work effectiveness

Material and methods: 194 registered nurses occupied in three teaching hospitals of Baqiatallah, Jamaran and Najmieh that had been working more than 1 year of nursing experience and had not experienced the managerial practice entered the study by stratified random sampling in 2005. This study is a cross-sectional and correlational survey. "Leader Empowering Behavior" scale with 27 items [alpha: 0.82] and "Global Work Effectiveness" scale with 24 item [alpha: 0.89] was used. Self reported questionnaire completed by nurses outside their work setting

Results: nurses in this study obtained a high score in L.E.B. scale [5.08+1.2] and also in G.W.E. scale obtained the moderate score [4.94+0.749]. "Confidence in the employee" rated the most empowering leader behaviors [5.34+1.24] and "autonomy from bureaucracy" rated the lower behavior [4.94+1.31]. For subscales of G.W.E. most their work effectiveness related to "clinical care role" [5.37+0.752] and lower their work effectiveness related to "researcher role" [3.96+1.1]

Conclusion: results showed that there is a relationship between head nurse's empowering behaviors and staff nurses work effectiveness perception. This finding points out the organizational managers that have an important role in increasing work effectiveness through empowering leader behaviors. To gain an obvious understanding of work empowerment concept, more survey is suggested

Rapid detection of different serovares of Salmonella entrica by multiplex PCR

Typhoid fever is still one of the serious public health problems in many geographic areas and is endemic in most countries. Aim of current study was to evaluate a shortened time -Multiplex PCR for rapid detection of different Salmonella enterica serovars. The PCR primers for three target genes tyv.prt and invA were subjected for amplification by PCR. By using simple DNA extraction method, rapid PCR cycles and rapid electrophoresis procedure with simple and very cheap buffer were utilized in 200 to 300 volts for 15 minutes to separate the PCR products. The results showed that all reference and clinical isolates of S. enterica were accurately identified by this assay with no cross reaction with other enterobacterial strains tested. Detection limit of the reaction was to be fewer than 10[-1] colony forming unit. These data indicate that the optimized rapid cycle multiplex PCR is a potentially valuable tool for rapid diagnosis of S. enterica using a conventional thermal cycler. This method reduced the reaction time of PCR from 3.5 h to less than 1 h.

[Serotyping of Neisseria meningitides in conscripts with meningitis admitted to five military hospital in Tehran between September 2004 and September 2006]

Background: Meningococcal meningitis is one of the most feared disorders with high rate morbidity and mortality. There is no exact information of meningococcal meningitis incidence in military personnel. Obligate vaccination of the military with meningococcal vaccine is a strategy with the potency to provide active protection of the conscripts before being dispatched to training centers. Although, sporadic cases of meningitis in conscripts occurred. The aim of this study was serotyping of the bacterium; Neisseria meningitides isolated from patients with meningitis which admitted to five military Hospitals

Materials and methods: In this cross- sectional study for determination of meningococcal meningitis serotypes in conscripts submit to five military hospitals the investigation was designed and carried out from September 2003 to September 2006. In this period, 12 cerebrospinal fluids of conscripts with clinical signs and symptoms of meningitis were collected, and the laboratory tests were done. In this study enriched Thayer Martin medium and standard bacteriological methods were used. The sample without bacterial cells or PMNs were centrifuged [10000 xg for 5 min]. The precipitate was cultured and direct smear was performed. Isolated bacterial strains was recognized by biochemical tests, and Neisseria meningitides strains were serotyped by specific antiserum

Results: During the study, 12 cases of meningitis in conscripts were seen. Neisseria meningitides was isolated only from 6 patients. Serotyping analysis revealed that 5 strains belong to Serotype C and 1 strain was to serotype B. Neisseria sica was isolated from one patient. In three patients there was no bacteriological evidence. In two patients, consumption of antibiotic before lumbar puncture results to no bacterial growth, but direct smear showed gram negative diplococci. In one patient recurrent meningococcal infection was occurred. Complement components analysis revealed deficiency in C3, C4 and CH50 [the rate was below 80 mg per deciliter]

Conclusions: the results of this study showed that, Neisseria meningitides was isolated from six patients which are all conscripts. It is necessary to find the reasons that why vaccinated conscripts infected by Neisseria meningitides serotype C. Further analysis showed that, five patients had complement deficiency and further research is necessary. However, 6 Neisseria meningitides strains were isolated from meningococcal vaccinated conscripts around the country [Tehran, Shiraz, Yazd and Oslavieh] in the period of study. Based on the findings of this study, effectiveness of the vaccine was desirable and the disease had been controlled in this population group. Because of complements deficiency in patients with meningococcal meningitis, other preventing methods for eradication of disease are necessary

Serotyping of Neisseria meningitides in conscripts with meningitis admitted to five military hospital in Tehran between September 2004 and September 2006

Meningococcal meningitis is one of the most feared disorders with high rate morbidity and mortality. There is no exact information of meningococcal meningitis incidence in military personnel. Obligate vaccination of the military with meningococcal vaccine is a strategy with the potency to provide active protection of the conscripts before being dispatched to training centers. Although sporadic cases of meningitis in conscripts occurred The aim of this study was serotyping of the bacterium; Neisseria meningitides isolated from patients with meningitis which admited to five military Hospitals. In this cross- sectional study for determination of meningococcal meningitis serotypes in conscripts submit to five military hospitals the investigation was designed and carried out from September 2003 to September 2006. In this period, 12 cerebrospinal fluids of conscripts with clinical signs and symptoms of meningitis were collected, and the laboratory tests were done. In this study enriched Thayer Martin medium and standard bacteriological methods were used. The sample without bacterial cells or PMNs were centrifuged [10000 xg for 5 min], The precipitate was cultured and direct smear was performed.Isolated bacterial strains was recognized by biochemical tests, and Neisseria meningitides strains were serotyped by specific antiserum. During the study, 12 cases of meningitis in conscripts were seen. Neisseria meningitides was isolated only from 6 patients. Serotyping analysis revealed that 5 strains belong to Serotype C and 1 strain was to serotype B. Neisseria sica was isolated from one patient. In three patients there was no bacteriological evidence. In two patients, consumption of antibiotic before lumbar puncture results to no bacterial growth, but direct smear showed gram negative diplococci. In one patient recurrent meningococcal infection has occurred. Complement components analysis revealed deficiency in C3, C4 and CH50 [the rate was below 80 mg per deciliter]. The results of this study showed that, Neisseria meningitides was isolated from six patients which are all conscripts. It is necessary to find the reasons that why vaccinated conscripts infected by Neisseria meningitides serotype C. Further analysis showed that, five patients had complement deficiency and further research is necessary. However, 6 Neisseria meningitides strains were isolated from meningococcal vaccinated conscripts around the country [Tehran, Shiraz, Yazd and Oslavieh] in the period of study. Based on the findings of this study, effectiveness of the vaccine was desirable and the disease had been controlled in this population group. Because of complements deficiency in patients with meningococcal meningitis, other preventing methods for eradication of disease are necessary

OspA sequence comparison and protection against borrelia burgdorferi infection in gerbils by recombinant OspA protein

Lyme borreliosis is a tick-born disease caused by the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi. The aim of this research was molecular typing of different strains of B. burgdorferi and protective efficacy of outer surface protein in animal model. Seven strains of B. burgdorferi isolated from skin and CSF of Lyme disease patients were compared using PCR- RFLP as well as DNA and amino acid sequences. The gene coding for Outer Surface Protein A [OspA] was cloned and recombinant protein was expressed. Immunization experiment was conducted on gerbils with purified recombinant OspA protein. The OspA gene sequence of B. afzelii and B. garinii showed 83.76% similarity and calculated amino acid identity of 84% with each other and 82.5% similarity to B31 strain. DK6 was 100% similar to Pbi, 99.6% to Ptrob isolate and 88% to B31 strain. Cloning and expression of OspA from DK6 strain in E. coli has shown lipoprotein with molecular weight of 32 kDa. Immuno blot of recombinant protein from DK6 with rabbit anti DK1 revealed strong reaction with OspA from DK6 strain. Immunization experiment in gerbils with three doses of rOspA protein revealed that all immunized animals either with OspA fusion protein alone or combined with adjuvant were protected against infection with DK1 or DK6 pathogenic strains