Seroprevalence of pertussis antibodies in 6-17-year-old students in Ahvaz, south-west Islamic Republic of Iran

Although pertussis is a vaccine-preventable infection, vaccine-induced immunity is not lifelong and booster doses are recommended according to national disease epidemiology. The aim of this study was to evaluate pertussis-IgG levels in school-aged students in Ahvaz, south-west Islamic Republic of Iran. In a descriptive, cross-sectional study, blood samples were obtained from 640 students [382 boys and 258 girls] aged 6-17 years during 2010-2011. All students had received a full course of pertussis whole-cell vaccination at ages 2, 4, 6 and 18 months and 4-6 years. Using a Bordetella IgG ELISA kit, pertussis-IgG was detected in 301 [47.0%] students. No statistically significant differences in pertussis-IgG levels were found between girls and boys or across different age groups. The findings show that the overall level of pertussis-IgG seropositivity was unacceptable. Booster vaccination with an acellular pertussis vaccine should be considered in adolescents and/or adults in our region

[Determining of the factors affecting mortality in burn patients using a decision tree data mining algorithm]

Introduction: Using data mining to develop prediction models from large amounts of data in medicine has become increasingly popular during the recent years. In this study, we intend to use a decision tree data mining algorithm in order to identify factors influencing mortality in burn patients

Methods: The present retrospective descriptive study is based on burning patients' records. Overall, the medical records of 4804 patients were scrutinized. The collected data were analyzed using statistical software [SPSS version 16], data mining software [Clementine version 12], and CHAID algorithm

Results: The resulting model for predicting survival and mortality of burning patients included the percentage of Total Burn Surface Area [TBSA %], degree of burn, length of stay, gender, and age of patients. Other variables including blood cultures, wound cultures, urine cultures, and the months of patient hospitalization had no effect on improving the efficiency of the model

Conclusion: The proposed model is valid and reliable due to its accuracy [approximately 95%]. In fact, the results of this study, some of which are consistent with the results of other studies, can propose a comprehensive, accurate, and reliable local model for predicting mortality and survival of burning patients based on the mentioned variables. Thus, this local model can be used as an important criterion for evaluating the effective treatment of burn patients

[ effect of silymarin on learning and histological changes of hippocampal regions of rats]

Silymarin, an extract from seeds of milk thistle [Silybum marianum], is known to have hepato-protective, anticarcinogenic, antioxidant and estrogenic effects. The aim of the present study was to test the effect of silymarin on passive avoidance learning in rats. This was an experimental study carried on Wistar rats in Arak Unviersity, Iran. The animals were provided with silymarin [from day 7 of gestational age to 4 weeks after birth] at 2 doses of 180 mg/kg in the experimental group 1 [Exp 1] and 90mg/kg in the experimental group 2 [Exp 2] while the sham group received saline and the control group with regular food and water. The memory retention and duration of step-through latency in male offsprings was determined by passive avoidance apparatus. Neuronal density in hippocampus was established by histopathological value less than 0.05 was considered as significant. Both experimental groups showed significantly longer step-through latency compared to control group [p<0.05]. The average number of pyramidal cells in hippocampal CA1 and granular cells in the hippocampal DG were remarkably higher in Exp 1 and Exp 2 groups compared to control group. The difference between Exp 1 and Exp2 for pyramidal cells was found to be significant [p<0.01 and p<0.05, respectively]. Silymarin produced a significant increase in learning and memory. Also, our results indicate that silymarin is a dose dependent component. These data may lay a background for application of silybin in treatment of memory impairment diseases

[Seroprevalence of legionella pneumophila in patients with, community acquired pneumonia]

Legionella pneumophila [LP] is a major cause of pneumonia worldwide. In spite of suitable epidemiological conditions and probability of LP existence in the region, the incidence of LP infection has not been determined in Ahvaz. Determination the seroprevalence of LP in patients with Community Acquired Pneumonia [CAP]. In this prospective descriptive study, during one year period [2007-2008], 80 admitted patients were selected in Razi Hospital of Jundi Shapoor University of Medical Science in Ahvaz with CAP and was studied the serprevalence of LP among them. Sera were tested for L. pneumophila IgG and IgM by using Elisa kit [Vircell, Spain]. Data were analyzed by using SPSS, version 16 statistical package. Among 80 serum samples, 12 cases [15%] were positive for LP- IgG+ IgM. Age, gender and area of residency did not significantly affect the seroprevalence of L P. [P>0.05]. The prevalence of L P seropositivity was not significantly affected by co-morbidities except diabetes mellitus [P>0.05]. Smoking and receiving antibiotic was observed in 100% seropositive patients. Legionella Pneumophila is a prevalent infectious agent in Ahvaz and should be considered in patients with CAP especially in diabetic and smoker patients

Seroprevalence of Legionella pneumophila in admitted patients with pneumonia in training hospitals, Ahvaz, Iran

To determine the seroprevalence of Legionella pneumophila [LP] in patients with pneumonia. During a 12-month study period, from December 2007 and November 2008 121 randomized selected patients admitted to the three training hospitals of Jundishapoor University of Medical Science in Ahvaz [a city southwest Iran] with pneumonia were investigated to determine the serprevalence of LP. The diagnosis of LP infection was based on positive serology. Sera were tested for L. pneumophila IgG and IgM by using Elisa kit [Vircell, Spain]. All analyses were done using the SPSS, version 16 statistical package. Of a total of 121 serum samples tested, 21 [17.3%] were positive for LP- IgG, IgM. Fifty percent of pneumonia patients in ICU were seropositive. Age, gender and area of residency did not significantly [p >0.05] affect the seroprevalence of LP. Overall, the prevalence of LP seropositivity was not significantly [p >0.05] affected by co-morbidities except diabetes melitus. Smoking and receiving antibiotic was observed in 86% and 100% seropositve patients. Legionella pneumophila is a prevalent infectious agent in the region of study and should be considered as potential invader patients with pneumonia especially in diabetic, smoker and ICU patients

[In vitro effect of chamomile, clove and garlic extract on non-enzymatic glycosylation of albumin]

Diabetes mellitus is a common disease in human societies. Proteins non-enzymatic glycation has deleterious effects on the structure and function of proteins. Non-enzymatic glycosylation of proteins can be involved in the pathogenesis of diabetic complications such as retinopathy and nephropathy. One was of preventing this reaction is the use of medicinal plants. Chamomile, clove and garlic are herbs which their alkaloid compounds have antioxidant property. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of chamomile, clove and garlic extract on non- enzymatic glycosylation of albumin. In this experimental study, hydroalcoholic extract of chamomile, clove and garlic was prepared. In vitro albumin glycosylation reaction was carried out in presence of different concentrations [0.01, 0.05 and 0.1 g/L] of chamomile, clove and garlic extracts and level of glycosylated albumin was measure. Non-enzymatic glycosylation of albumin was determined by nitrobluetetrazuliom method. Absorbance changes were measured in 530 nm by Eppendorf spectrophotometer. In this study, chamomile extract in 0.01, 0.05 and 0.1 g/L of its concentrations had respectively 9%, 17% and 26%, inhibitory effect on albumin glycosylation. Albumin glycosylation reaction was inhibited 23% by 0.01 g/L concentration of clove and garlic extracts and the level of inhibition of albumin glycosylation decreased by increasing of extracts concentration. Chamomile extract with 0.1 g/L concentration has the most effect among the studied extracts. In this study, chamomile extract inhibited the in vitro albumin glycosylation reaction. Clove and garlic extracts showed inhibitory effect in low concentration but this effect decreased with increasing of the extract concentration

Effect of extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields on dtrychnine-induced-convulsions in mice

Effects of electeromagnetic exposure on different parts of neruous system and memory of humans and animals has been established. In spite of important human studies, animal studies have been more precise and comprehensive. Extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields [ELF, <300Hz], have been reported to induce a variaty of behavioral and physiological function changes in animals. The object of present study was to determine the delay and durartion time of convulsions induced by co- exposure of ELF and strychnine. The effects of ELF on convulsions induced by strychnine [1mg/Kg] were investigated in 60 albino mice. Animals were devided into 6 groups [n=10], including control [I], 100Hz and 20Volt [II], 25Hz and 20Volt [III], 25Hz and 260Volt [IV], 100Hz and 260Volt [V], and 100Hz and 260Volt [VI]. Delay time [Det] and duration time [Dut] of convulsions were measured respectively. Increase and decrease in Det and Dut were determined and were compared in control and five ELF exposed groups. There was no significant difference in Det and Dut parameters between control [I] and III, IV and VI groups. In all these groups the convulsions terminated in animal death after a low Dut. In contrast there was a significant difference [P<0.001] in Det parameters between control [I] and the other groups [II and V]. No deaths happened in groups [II and V]. Co-exposure of higher ELF frequency and strychnine may decrease the epileptic effects of the drug

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

[Effects of Matricaria Chamomilla extract on morphine withdrawal syndrome in mice]

Matricaria chamomilla [MC] contains flavonoids, which exert benzodiazepine-like activity and so it may be helpful in morphine withdrawal syndrome [MWS] treatment. To determine the effects of MC extract on morphine withdrawal syndrome signs in adult male mice. This was an experimental study carried out in two steps at the department of physiology, Qazvin School of medicine [Iran], in 2005. Step 1: 3 adult male mice [n=6] were originally divided into 2 groups marked as saline [control] and morphine [case] groups. The morphine group were injected by increasing doses of morphine [10, 20, 40 mg/kg, s.c], 3 times daily, for a total duration of 4 days and were further divided into 4 subgroups as morphine group and 3 MC extract groups receiving one dose of MC extract [10, 20 or 30 mg/kg I.P] at day 4, 30 min before naloxone injection. At the end of training day [4[th] days] all groups were injected by naloxone [5mg/kg I.P] and MWS was studied for 30 minutes. Step 2: another 30 adult male mice [n=6] were injected by saline, morphine and MC extracts as above except for morphine and naloxane which were injected as one single dose [50 mg/kg]. Naloxone was injected 3hr after the last injection of morphine and the frequencies of withdrawal behaviors [jumping, climbing] were assessed later. The results of the present study showed that the acute and chronic administration of MC at doses used in our experiment significantly abolished the morphine withdrawal syndrome signs [jumping, climbing, writhing, weight loss] compared with morphine group. Our data suggest that the MC can attenuate the expression of withdrawal behaviors in male mice

[Matricaria chamomilla extract infusion in to nucleus paragigantocellularis attenuates most of morphine withdrawal syndrome signs in rats]

Some reports show that co-administration of Matricaria chamomilla [MC] extract with morphine, greatly attenuate the development of morphine dependence and inhibit the expression of abstinence syndrome in morphine-dependent animals. Locus Coeruleus [LC] and nucleus paragigantocellularis [PGi] play an important role in developing symptoms of opiate withdrawal. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of Matricaria chamomilla extract infusion into PGi on morphine withdrawal syndrome signs [MWS] of rats. Thirty male rats [weight: 250-300gr] were surgically implanted with cannula at the PGi and then tested in 2groups: saline [control group] and morphine [twice daily for 7 days]. The dose of morphine on the first and second days was 2.5 mg/kg and was doubled every day. On 7[th] day, the animals received the last injection of morphine [50mg/kg] and divided in 4 subgroups: the morphine group [which only received morphine] and three MC groups [which received 1 micro l of MC extract with the concentrations of 10, 25, 50 micro g/micro l, 5 min before naloxone administration]. In the end of the training day [7[th] day] all groups were received naloxone [5mg/kg IP] 3h after last injection of morphine and then the frequencies of withdrawal behavior [jumping, climbing] were assessed for 30 minute. Our results showed that central administration of MC extract, especially at high doses [25 micro g/micro l], significantly attenuates most signs of the morphine withdrawal syndrome. These results suggest that the injection of MC extract into the PGi may be helpful for morphine withdrawal syndrome treatment

[Effects of Matricaria chamomilla extract injection into paragigantocellularis nucleus on morphine withdrawal signs in rats]

Reports suggest that co-administration of Matricaria Chamomilla [MC] extract with morphine greatly attenuates the dependence on morphine and its injection prior to naloxan inhibits the withdrawal syndrome. Locus Ceruleus [LC] and paragigantocellularis [PGi] nuclei play a key role in appearance of withdrawal syndrome. Thus, this study was conducted to determine the effects of MC extract injection into pGi nucleus on morphine withdrawal in rats. 30 rats [Weighing 250-300gr] were divided into two groups of control [receiving saline] and morphine-treated. Following surgical implantation of cannula, morphine-treated group received morphine twice daily for 7 days. This group was classified into 4 sub-groups.The first sub-group received only morphine while the three remaining sub-groups were administed with Matricaria Chamomilla on day 7, five minutes prior to 1 microliter naloxan injection, with 10, 25, and 50 micro gr/lit, respectively. In all groups 5 mg/kg naloxan was injected 3 hours after the final injection of morphine and withdrawal behavior [jumping and climbing] was investigated for 30 minutes. The results showed that injection of all three high doses of MC extract particulary 25 microgr/microlit into PGi nuclens could significantly decline the symptoms of withdrawal syndrome. It seems that injection of MC extract into PGi nucleus could be beneficial to the treatment of morphine withdrawal syndrome in rats