[Study of antistreptolysin O [ASO] titer in patients suspected to rheumatic fever in Zanjan]

Rheumatic fever is a main problem of developing countries, whereas in developed countries its prevalence is low. Proper diagnosis and adequate treatment of beta streptococcal infection can effectively prevent such unwanted sequel. Following completion of a questionnaire regarding age, sex, location etc. blood sample was collected and ASO titer was measured. Out of 400 samples, 54 patients had positive ASO titer. 83.3% of individuals with a positive titer had the history of pharyngitis. Positive ASO titers in rural and urban area were 19% and 11.6% respectively. Positive ASO titer in females and males were 68.5% and 31.5% respectively. Age distribution of positive titer was 42.6% in 20-29 years age group and 37% in 10-19 years age groups. patients with positive ASO titer in Zanjan province and surrounding villages were relatively high which might be due to low education level and poor economical status. The incidence was high in the second and the third decade of life whereas in other countries this range is between 6-15 years. High incidence of rheumatic fever in the studying population seeks a prompt measure to be taken on the prevention and control of streptococcal infection

[Cloning of catalytic domain of exotoxin A from pseudomonas aeruginosa]

Antibody against Pseudomonas aeruginosa exotoxin A can be used in immunotherapy together with antibiotics to treat acute burn patients. Exotoxin A is one of the virulence factors in Pseudomonas aeruginosa that comprises of three domains, binding domain, translocation and catalytic domain. The purpose of this study was to construct the recombinant domain of the catalytic part of this microorganism in order to produce antibody against it. Pseudomonas aeruginosa samples were isolated from burn patients hospitalized in Mousavi Hospital, Zanjan, Iran and its species was identified by Biochemical tests. Bacteria genomic DNA and also the catalyhc domain of exotoxin A was amplified by PCR. PCR Products and plasmid extracts was digested by restriction enzymes. Subsequently PCR products and plasmids transformed into E. coli BL21 [DE3]. Clones containing gene of interest was determined by restriction enzyme digestion and sequencing. The sequence homology of the catalytic domain of exotoxin A was compared with that of the published gene data bank. The results showed a complete homology between our gene species and the published genome in data banks. The results of this study showed that about 90% of the isolated bacteria contained exotoxin A and there was a sequence homology between our species and published gene data banks

[ comparison between mechanical and chemomechanical methods in dentinal caries removal [Invitro]]

Aim and Background: chemomechanical method refers to the chemical removal of the decayed dentin and then to the slow elimination of caries with hand instruments conservatively. The goal of this study was to compare the remaining dentinal caries between this method and the conventional mechanical method using burs

Methods and Materials: the samples of the first group were treated by chemomechanical method applying carisol TM gel whereas those of the second group were treated by mechanical method using burs. After caries removal, the samples were suctioned and examined by stereomicroscope. The data were submitted to statistical analyses [x2 and Mamm - Withney U tests]. The frequency of the remaining caries, for both groups, was 23.3%, however, the surface area of the remaining caries in mechanical and chemomechanical groups were 0.049 and 0.008 mm, respectively. The differences were not statistically significant

Results: the results of this study no significant differences between two methods

Conclusion: chemomechanical method as a suitable substitude for the conventional method in caries removal