Evaluation of interleukin 8 +2767 A/T polymorphism in visceral leishmaniasis

OBJECTIVE@#To evaluated the relationship between the genetic variations at IL-8 +2767 position with VL pathogenesis among Iranian patients.@*METHODS@#Three groups including patients with VL clinical presentation and leishmania seropositive (n = 124), patients seropositive but without clinical presentation (n = 82) and healthy controls (n = 63) were selected to conduct this cross-sectional study. Polymorphism at +2767 position of IL-8 was investigated using PCR-RFLP techniques. Anti-leishmania antibody titration was evaluated by the immunoflorescence technique.@*RESULTS@#We observed higher significant frequencies +2767 A/A and A/T genotypes in Group 1 compared to Group 2 and healthy controls (P = 0.001). Also, patients in Group 1 carrying A/A genotype showed higher titer of anti-leishmania antibody than patients with A/T and T/T genotypes (P = 0.05). The validity of the data was analyzed using Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium and one way analysis of variance (ANOVA), as well as χ tests.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Our findings indicate that the IL-8 +2767 polymorphism is significantly involved in impaired immune responses against VL and it could be considered as a risk factor for the VL progress.

Evaluation of interleukin 8 +2767 A/T polymorphism in visceral leishmaniasis

Objective To evaluated the relationship between the genetic variations at IL-8 +2767 position with VL pathogenesis among Iranian patients. Methods Three groups including patients with VL clinical presentation and leishmania seropositive (n = 124), patients seropositive but without clinical presentation (n = 82) and healthy controls (n = 63) were selected to conduct this cross-sectional study. Polymorphism at +2767 position of IL-8 was investigated using PCR-RFLP techniques. Anti-leishmania antibody titration was evaluated by the immunoflorescence technique. Results We observed higher significant frequencies +2767 A/A and A/T genotypes in Group 1 compared to Group 2 and healthy controls (P = 0.001). Also, patients in Group 1 carrying A/A genotype showed higher titer of anti-leishmania antibody than patients with A/T and T/T genotypes (P = 0.05). The validity of the data was analyzed using Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium and one way analysis of variance (ANOVA), as well as χ

relationship between serum level of manganese and severity of coronary atherosclerosis

Trace elements such as manganese have an important role in the maintenance of the normal structure and physiology of cells. Manganese is involved in many biological processes. Therefore, an evaluation of the manganese in the atherosclerotic disease is important. In this cross sectional study, 334 subjects, without recent cardiac event and history of collagen vascular or infectious disease were investigated. All patients divided into 4 groups to evaluate severity of coronary artery disease according to Syntax scoring system. All groups were matched in cardiovascular risk factors. The serum level of manganese in normal coronary group was 1.47 +/- 0.23 micro g/L and in total atherosclerotic groups was 1.06 +/- 0.37 micro g/L. The serum level of manganese was significantly lower in total atherosclerotic groups than normal group [p=0.001] and significantly decreased with severity of atherosclerosis. The serum level of manganese was significantly lower in sever atherosclerosis patients than mild and moderate coronary artery disease groups [p=0.001]. The finding indicated that the serum level of manganese is lower in atherosclerotic patients and it decreases with severity of atherosclerosis

[Studying of knowledge and attitudes of non medical staffs of Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences about first aid and basic CPR in 2011]

According to the official statistics, cardiac arrest and accidents are included respectively as the first and second causes of death in Iran. Giving first aid to victims by trained people present at the scene causes less damage to the injured. This research was performed in order to study the current state of knowledge and attitudes of staffs of Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences about first aid and CPR. In this descriptive survey, all non-medical staffs [in headquarter and subordinate units] of Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences were studied in city of Sari in 2012. A total of 320 persons were selected and studied with stratified sampling using Cochran formula. By using a self-administered standardized questionnaire, data was collected in three parts: demographic information, knowledge and attitudes assessment. In order to evaluate validity and reliability, it was used of the opinion of public education experts of Red Crescent society and also university professors. However, the results of Cronbach's alpha coefficient [questions related to knowledge and attitudes r=0/83 and r=0/88 respectively] showed an acceptable internal consistency. The comparison of average score between the two groups indicated there were significant differences between the trained and untrained groups about knowledge of first aid [P<0/05, t=2/535]. However, significant differences were not observed between attitudes of two groups' average score towards first aid [0/05< P, t=0/618]. According to the results, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences as one of the monitoring system and responsible organization for promoting health should improve the knowledge and awareness of its personnel. Since the staffs' information should keep up to date with appropriate retraining methods, appropriate educational programs should be launched for nonmedical staffs of the university. In this regard, one of the most important measures for officials is to pay more attention to promoting and training of first aid skills of the personnel

Quality of life in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease in an Iranian population

The study was designed to evaluate quality of life [QOL] for Iranian patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease [GERD]. GERD is a common and chronic world-wide disease. Impact of GERD on QOL has been studied in many countries, but it has not been studied in Iranian population. Fifty five patients suffering from GERD and fifty five age and sex matched controls were enrolled. Patient inclusion criteria were based on clinical and endoscopic findings. All other major diseases having an impact on QOL had been excluded. All the subjects were asked to fill the validated translation of SF-36 and GHQ-28 questionnaires. Results of the SF-36 questionnaire was analyzed directly and after correction for the results obtained from the GHQ-28 tool. GERD patients had lower QOL scores than controls. Correction of the results based the findings of GHQ-28 questionnaire did not change the results. QOL in GERD patients is impaired and should be considered in clinical practice and implementing research studies upon GERD patients

[Risk factors for tuberculosis infection: a brief report]

Tuberculosis is one of the most important diseases with annually 8 million new cases worldwide. The purpose of this study was to investigate the risk factors for tuberculosis [TB] infection. In this descriptive study performed in Health center of Maznadaran province during 2010-2011, 183 patients with pulmonary and extrapulmonary TB infection were recruited. After measuring fasting blood sugar, and human immunodeficiency virus [HIV] antibodies, history of smoking was taken by using a questionnaire. The mean age of the participants was 46.8 +/- 19.8 years. The most common risk factor was diabetes and the lowest was HIV infection. Moreover, the prevalence of diabetes in women compared with that of men [OR=0.19, 95% CI=0.07 +/- 0.46] and smoking in men compared with women [OR=12.4, 95% CI=2.8 +/- 54.4, P<0.05] had statistically significant differences [P<0.05]. The results of this research show that diabetes and smoking could be risk factors for tuberculosis infection. It is concluded that, in case of respiratory symptoms in patients with diabetes and smoking, tuberculosis can be considered as an important differential diagnosis

[Skin prick test in asthmatic, allergic rhinitis and urticaria patients]

Asthma, allergic rhinitis and urticaria are common diseases in the world. The aim of this study was to investigate the aeroallergen by skin prick test in patients, in Mazandaran province, Sari [Iran]. This was a prospective study of skin prick test of aeroallergens in patients with asthma, allergic rhinitis or both and urticaria based on clinical and Para clinical criteria. Eight hundred and nine cases were referred to Tooba and Boo-Ali allergic centers in Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences between December 2006 and July 2010. The aeroallergens were included; House dust mites [DF, DP], Coach Roach, Feather, Aspergillus, Alternaria, Pigweed, Nettle, Oak, Maple and others. Negative [normal saline] and positive controls [histamine] were applied for all patients. A total of three hundred and fifty out of 809 cases were males [43%] and 459 cases were Females [57%]. The age range was between 5 and 50 years old, 42.5 percent [n=340] of patients had ages between 10 and 20 years old. In asthma, allergic rhinitis or both and urticaria, the prick test DF 32%, DP 33%, Cockroach 22% and feather 9 were positive. Other allergens were positive between 0 and 10 percent, except candida which was 28% positive. Total IgE levels and Eosinophil count was increased in 54 and 35 percent of cases, respectively. Due to warm and humid weather in north of Iran [Sari], house dust mites are more common

[ study of 101 cases of onychomycosis and associate factors in patients referred to Boali Sina Hospital and Toba dermatology outpatient clinics in Sari]

Onychomycosis is a nail fungal infection caused by various species of dermatophytes, yeasts and non-dermatophytic molds and represents about 30% of cutaneous mycotic infections. The goal of this study was to investigate the frequency of onychomycosis and its associated factors in patients referred to Boali Sina Hospital and Toba dermatology outpatient clinics, Sari. In this cross-sectional study, nail specimens were collected from 101 patients suspected of onychomycosis during a 14 month period. Nail specimens were examined by direct microscopy, using potassium hydroxide [KOH] 20%, KOH + CFW, KONCPA [KOH treated nail clipping+PAS] and also culturing on sabouraud's dextrose agar, containing chloramphenicol [SC], and sabouraud's dextrose agar containing cyclohexamide and chloramphenicol [SCC] mediums. In this study, 79 [78%] of patients were female and 22 [22%] were male. Yeasts were isolated in 30% cases of onychomycosis, mainly from fingernails. Candida albicans, and C.krusei was the most prevalent species. Non-dermatophytic filamentous fungi were yielded at 24%, especially from toenails, with Aspergillus terreus being the most prevalent species. Dermatophytes were found in 7% of the samples, especially from toenails. Trichophyton mentagrophytes was the predominant species. Unknown filamentous fungi were identified in 19% of samples, while mixed infections were identified in 20% of samples. The highest prevalence rate of onychomycosis was identified in the patients within the 30 to 49 years of age group. Distal and lateral subfungual onychomycosis [DLSO] was the most prevalent clinical types with [88%], followed by WSO [5%], PSO [5%], TDO [1%] and DLSO + PSO [1%]. The results of our study showed that onychomycosis is one of the most prevalent infections in patients who are suffering from nail disorders. Yeast and yeast like organisms cause these infections more than other fungus in this region. Women are more infected, as they are in daily contact with detergents and moisture

[Assessment of realationship between patellar index and anterior knee pain]

Anterior knee pain is one of the most common symptoms for referral reasons to orthopedic clinics specially knee clinic. This type of pain is one of the most common complaints in adolescents and adults, for various. The most common cause is patellar chondromalasia, but in many cases, no definitive cause is found through clinical examinations, paraclinic and imaging procedures. This type of pain has no detectable pathologic factor and is called anterior knee pain syndrome. The aim of this study was to access the relationship between the anterior knee pain and patellar index in patients who were referred to the orthopedic clinic. This case-control study was performed analytically on 44 patients that were selected randomly and were divided equally in two case and control groups. Patients in case group had anterior knee pain and patients in control group had come to the clinic for another reason. In all patients, lateral knee radiography was used to calculate patellar index. In this study, after analyzing the data, we found that there was no significant difference in age factor between the two groups. We found this syndrome to be common in female housekeepers, than in others group. Other notable findings showed there was no significant correlation between BMI and patellar index in females and males. Lastly, we found there is a significant difference regarding patellar index in case group. Presently, despite several studies regarding knee pains, many authors have no common agreement in this field. Many diseases were not detectable in the past and even their etiology was unknown, however, today we know their etiology and even their mechanism in detail. We now understand the pathologic factor of Anterior Knee Pain Syndrome and even its etiology for the future. In this study, we found the relationship between Patellat Index and Anterior Knee Pain Syndrome and a significant difference between the case and control groups

Spouse abuse in Sari-Iran

Spouse abuse is a major worldwide health concern and includes a wide range of emotional, physical and sexual maltreatments. The objective of present study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors of spouse abuse among women who were registered with health centers in the city of Sari. We distributed two specifically designed questionnaires among one thousand women whose name was in the list of health centers register in Sari. The subjects had been randomly selected from a list of 49330 registered women. Demographic data and data on spouse abuse were then analyzed by using Student's unpaired t-test and Chi- square test. Including mild forms of abuse, 73.5%, 92.2% and 49.6% of women reported that they were subjected to physical, emotional and sexual abuse respectively at least once during their lives. This figure was 3%, 10.4% and 5.8% for moderate forms, and 0.5%, 1% and 2.2% for severe forms of abuse. Younger age, un- employment, low level of education, substance misuse, presence of a physical or a psychological problem and having more children were risk factors for domestic violence. The study revealed a high prevalence, especially mild forms of domestic maltreatment in the sample population. The type and risk factors of domestic violence seems to be similar throughout the world irrespective of differences in cultural and religious backgrounds. Authors believe that addressing unemployment, substance misuse problems and early treatment of mental illness in young couples in Iran will reduce the risk of domestic violence

Comparative study of clozapine, electroconvulsive therapy [ECT], and the combination of ECT with clozapine in treatment-resistant schizophrenic patients

Despite the discovery of new antipsychotic drugs, a number of schizophrenic patients show no response to such drugs and are considered treatment-resistant. In such cases, clozapine and occasionally ECT or a combination of drugs are used, though they are not very effective. In recent years, the combination of clozapine and ECT for treatment-resistant schizophrenic patients has been suggested; the results of preliminary studies have been hopeful. The aim of this study was to compare the results of treatment with clozapine alone, ECT alone, and the combination of clozapine with ECT in treatment-resistant schizophrenia. Eighteen treatment-resistant schizophrenic patients were assigned to three equal groups: one group was given clozapine; one group was treated with ECT; and one group was treated with the combination of clozapine and ECT. The treatment response was evaluated using the PANSS criteria, and the data were analyzed with ANOVA. Combination therapy was superior to single modality therapy. The reduction of PANSS scores was 46% in the clozapine group, 40% in the ECT groups, and 71% in the combination group; the difference between the combination group and the other groups was statistically significant [p<0.05]. Patients had a quick response to combination treatment, which resulted in a higher cure rate of positive and negative symptoms and improved the patients' general performance. There were no significant adverse effects with combination treatment. Combination treatment with clozapine and ECT was safe and effective in treatment-resistant schizophrenic patients. It should be considered for the treatment of treatment-resistant schizophrenic patients