ABSTRACT
To investigate Phlebotomus (P.) sergenti Parrot, 1917 (Diptera: Psychodidae) salivary gland antigens and their immune response in human. Methods: Human volunteers were exposed to sand flies' bites in the laboratory, and following each exposure the size of induration was recorded. The mean protein concentration of salivary gland lysate and specific anti-P. sergenti saliva IgG was measured. Sand fly salivary proteins were separated by SDS-PAGE and their immunoreactivity was examined by Western blotting assays. Results: Individuals exposed to P. sergenti salivary gland lysate for 8 months showed both antibody and delayed type hypersensitivity responses, although exposure for one month did not provoke any immune responses. The trend of antibody fluctuated during the exposure time and dropped by the end of antigen loading. The mean protein content was (0.36?0.08) ug in each pair salivary glands. Salivary gland lysate showed 11 to 12 major protein bands and 3 to 6 of them were immunoreactive. Conclusions: Our study showed that the salivary gland components of P. sergenti provoked both cellular and humoral immune responses in human. Furthermore, there are some immunogenic proteins in P. sergenti saliva which could be subjected for further investigation as vector-based vaccine candidate/s against anthroponotic cutaneous leishmaniasis.
ABSTRACT
Background: Chronic anal fissure is a common disease that is accompanied with pain and bleeding during defecation. Various surgical and non-surgical methods have been offered for the treatment of this condition. Objective: The aim of this randomised clinical study was to compare the effectiveness and safety of nifedipine and isosorbide dinitrate (ISDN) in the treatment of chronic anal fissure. Methods: This double-blind clinical trial study was performed on patients aged 20 to 60 years old in 2012 to 2013. The samples with a primary diagnosis of chronic anal fissure were enrolled from the patients admitted to public treatment at the educational Imam Ali Clinic, Shahrekord, Iran by researchers and general surgery specialists. The patients were randomised into two groups: nifedipine 0.3% (n = 35) or ISDN 0.2% (n = 35) applied three times a day for three weeks. The patients were examined on the 7th, 14th, and 21st days of treatment, and the symptoms including bleeding, pain, and healing status, as well as the side effects of the drugs, were assessed. Pain was evaluated using a visual analogue scale (VAS). Results: After 21 days of follow-up, complete healing was achieved in 77.1% (n = 27) of patients in the nifedipine group and 51.4% (n = 18) in the ISDN group (P = 0.05). The mean VAS of the pain on day 21 was 0.91 (SD 0.01) in the ISDN group and 0.45±0.78 in the nifedipine group, with a statistically significant difference (P = 0.038). The bleeding was similar in the two groups (P = 0.498). Conclusion: In view of the findings on healing status and pain in the patients, nifedipine may be significantly more effective in the treatment of chronic anal fissure than ISDN.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Schizophrenia is a chronic and debilitating psychiatric disorder with pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatment. The present study aimed to determine the effect of agriculture activity on quality of life in chronic schizophrenic patients
Method: This survey was a quasi- experimental study in which 52 eligible patients with chronic schizophrenia were assigned randomly in intervention and control groups [n=26]. The study was conducted in Sina psychiatry Hospital. The intervention period was three months. The patients in control group received routine treatment. The patients in intervention group were participated in agricultural activity in addition to routine treatment. The demographic questionnaire and schizophrenia quality of life scale were completed at the beginning and the end of the study. The research data were analyzed by descriptive statistical indexes including mean, standard deviation and inferential statistical methods like Student t-test and Chi square
Results: The study groups were homogeneous in demographic variables and quality of life scores at the baseline. At the end of study, the agriculture activity group showed significant improvement by mean of quality of life [P<0.001], but there was no significant change in control group [P>0.05]
Conclusion: Regarding to the impact of agricultural activity on improving quality of life in patients with schizophrenia, it seems that this treatment method can be used as part of routine treatment for this patients