Preparation of decellularized three dimentional scaffolds as the model for tissue engineering and their functional assessments in vitro application of blastema tissue

Tissue engineering is based on three main factors including scaffolds, cells and growth factors. Natural scaffolds derived from decellularized tissues and organs have been successfully used in tissue engineering. Decellularization studies have shown that natural scaffolds which maintain their main structure and properties could be a suitable tool for studying cellular behaviors and preparation of such scaffolds is an important part of future research in biology that may have extensive applications in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering. Blastema tissue which is produced after injuries in some organisms has embryonic cell characteristics, and can be a suitable model for evaluation of cell behaviors in various tissues. In this review, the process of decellularization, process involved in preparation of 3D scaffolds derived from extracellular matrix of various tissues including cartilage, bone, gingiva, aorta and bladder, and assessment of their interactions with blastema tissue under in vitro conditions are discussed

[Social factors contributing in women health in Tehran city: a qualitative study]

Women constitute half of the population and their health is the keystone of family and society's health. Women's problems could adversely affect physical health and in particular mental health of the family, society, and future generations. The present study aimed at determining the social predisposing factors on women's health in Iran. Using qualitative method [content analysis], semi-structured interactional interviews were conducted with a purposeful sample of 22 women aged 20 to 50 years who were living in Tehran. Interviewing the participants were continued to reach data saturation. All the interviews were recorded and transcribed. They were analyzed through a qualitative content analysis method. Six themes were identified in data analysis: gender disparities, burden, economical problems, appropriate occupation, women sport and cultural and educational growth which reflect effective social factors on women's health. The study revealed that women are still suffering from disparities. They need appropriate social welfare, sport, job and education to be healthy. Knowing these, nurses could make an effort to acculturate men participation in house chores and to develop gender equalities in order to provide health for women and families

Analysing street traffic noise pollution in the city of Yazd

A model is demonstrated that describes street traffic-induced noise pollution in 2008 in Yazd, Iran. Sound levels were measured using a Bruel and Kjaer-2260 sound level meter on 10 streets across the city over this period during the morning rush hour and different vehicle types were counted simultaneously at various sampling points. Geographical Information System was used to generate, store and retrieve the spatial data and map the sound levels using an interpolation technique. The minimum and maximum sound levels appeared to be 70.9 dBA and 80.7 dBA, respectively and these values were above the national legislated norm. Cars and motorcycles were the most commonly used vehicle type in the city, comprising 61.2% and 23.7% of the total traffic volume, respectively. These data were followed by trucks, buses and bicycles. A number of parameters which were assumed to impact on noise pollution were collected and considered, including geographical position, elevation, the distance to the nearest intersection, street geometry and the numbers of vehicles according to class. The modelling demonstrated that there is a significant relationship between the average sound level and traffic flow [R[2] = 0.5]. The results showed that although street traffichas increased between 2002 and 2008, the sound levels in the city decreased slightly and this has been attributed to advances in vehicle design

[Indoor air quality in restaurant kitchens in the south Tehran [2006]]

Generally nitrogen dioxide [NO2] and carbon monoxide [CU] are emitted Toxic gases like carbon monoxide [CO.], carbon dioxide [CO2], nitrogen oxides [NOx] will remain in the kitchen when cooking with a gas stove. The purpose of the present study was to measure carbon monoxide [CU] and nitrogen dioxide [NO2] levels during the operation of cooking in restaurant kitchens that use gas or natural gas, which are widely used in Tehran. One hundred thirty one restaurants were chosen randomly from a list of 276 restaurants in five region different geographic categories, of the metropolitan Tehran, area, in summer 2006. Simultaneous indoor and outdoor air sampling occurred at each sampling site. Carbon monoxide [CU] and nitrogen dioxide [NO2] concentrations were measured by a real-time analyzer portable computer monitors. The results of this study showed that%83 and%68 kitchens had local exhaust ventilation and fan system, respectively. The results of this study showed that the mean concentrations of CU and NO2 with gas stoves for food cooking in restaurant kitchens were below the standard which was established as TLV-TWA25 and 3 ppm, respectively by ACG IH. The 1/0 ratios of CO and NO2, were larger than 1 when there were indoor sources. In this study, the mean levels of CO and NO2 indoor were upper than the CU and NO2 outdoor the restaurants. Generally, improved methods of cooking besides appropriate ventilation of all indoor combustion appliances, including gas stoves, should be adopted in industrial kitchens

Comparison of indoor air quality in restaurant kitchens in Tehran with ambient air quality

The indoor air quality of 131 restaurant kitchens in Tehran was investigated from May to September 2006. Gas stoves use in restaurant kitchens is a major source of indoor combustion, product carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide. The study focused on one of the busy zones located in the southwest and central part of the city. Measurements were done for indoor and outdoor air pollutants, carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide; ambient temperature and relative humidity were also measured. Result indicated that the mean levels of CO and NO[2] in restaurant kitchens were below the recommended limit of 25 and 3ppm, respectively. Correlations between indoor and outdoor air quality were performed consequently. Results of the mean ambient temperature and relative humidity were above the guideline. In this study the mean levels of CO and NO[2] gas cooking in restaurant kitchens were found to be lower compared with the similar studies

[Evaluation of quantitive IL6 in the diagnosis of neonatal sepsis]

Infection in the neonate presents a diagnostic dilemma as the clinical presentation is non- specific and final culture results are usually not available until at least 48-72[h] after sampling. Early confirmation of definitive infection with use of cytokine levels would cause significant reduction in health care costs by shortening the duration of treatment and hospitalization. The objective of the present study was to evaluate interleukin 6 [IL6] level in the early diagnosis of neonatal sepsis. This single blind clinical trial was done in NICU of Ghaem Hospital in 2003 - 2004. Subject included 60 neonates evaluated for suspected sepsis. All infants had IL6, CBC, B/C, CRP done at evaluation presentation. Infants were categorized into groups according to the Iikehood of infection on the basis of clinical presentation, blood culture results, i.e., group I [sepsis], group 2 [clinical sepsis] and group 3 [control]. IL6 was compared between two groups by the T-test of mann - whitney; logistic regression was done to establish the best predictors of infection; and sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values were determined. The lL6 Level was significantly raised in those infants with sepsis [184 pg/mL p value=0.000] and clinical sepsis [102 pg/ml p value= 0.001] when compared to those infants without infection [5 pg/ml]. An IL6 Value >/-11 pg/ml gave a NPV=9617%, PPV=100%, specifity=100%, sensitivity=96/8%. A CRP> 6pg/ml gave a sensitivity and specificity of 75% and 68% respectively. It is concluded that an IL6 value done at the time of presentation of sign and symptoms, suggestive of infection, is useful in the early diagnosis of neonatal sepsis. In particular, an IL6 < 11 and CRP < 6 pg/ml may allow antibiotics to be withheld in a number of infants evaluated for sepsis

[Comparison of the causative bacteria and antibacterial susceptibility pattern of nosocomial and community-acquired urinary tract pathogens in 13-35 years old women, Shahrekord, 2004]

Treatment of urinary tract infections [UTIs], as one of the most common nosocomial and community acquired infections, has remained an important medical problem. Differentiation between susceptibility patterns of nosocomial and community acquired pathogens is important epidemiologically and helps the administration of appropriate antimicrobial drugs. The goal of this study was isolation of the most common causative bacteria, in two groups of 13-35 years old womn in Shahrekord city within 6 months period [April-september 2004]. Also, the resistance patterns of common isolated organisms in these two groups were compared. This is an analythical-cross sectional study. 100 urine samples from women aged 13-35 years old hospitalized in different wards of Hajar and Kashani hospitals [group one] with positive urine cultures were obtained performing cleancatch midstream method. Also 100 urine samples from 13-35 years old women with positve urine culture and acute UTI symptoms form Shahrekord private laboratory [group two] were obtained. The most common causative becteria in the two groups and the antibacterial sensitivity patterns of isolated organisms were evaluated. Data was analysed using T test. Totally, the most common nosocominal UTI pathogens were E.coli, Klebsiella spp., Staphylococcus saprophyticus, Pseudomonas and Enterobacter spp. In group two, E.coli, Klebsiella spp., Enterobacter spp., Proteus, Staphylococcus saprophyticus and Citrobacter spp. were isolated predominalty. The highest bacterial resistance rate belonged to Ampicillin and Co-trimoxazole. Antibiotics useful in treatment of nosocomial UTI were Ceftizoxim, Nitrofurantoin, Nalidixic acid, Cephalothin and Gentamicin respectively. Nitrofuranoin, Nalidixic acid, Ceftazidim, Gentamicin and Cephalothin were the most effective antibiotics in community acquired UTIs. The emergence of pathogens with alarming rates of resistance, highlights the need for a more rationalized an restricted use of antibiotics in order to minimize the spread of resistant bacterial strains

effect of calcium and phosphorus in osteopenia of prematurity

Introduction: Osteopenia is a recognized complication in VLBW infants. In adequate postnatal intake of calcium and phosphorus is probably important in the pathogenesis of bone disease in VLBW infants. This study is carried out to determine the effect of calcium and phosphorus supplementation on prevention of Osteopenia in preterm infants

Material and Methods: In NICU at Ghaem Hospital for a period of one year 43 preterm infants with birth weight less than 2000gr, were followed from birth to six week after birth. Twenty babies [control group] received breast milk and 23 babies [case group] received breast milk and supplemented with calcium and phosphorus. All received a daily supplement of 400U vitamin D. serum calcium, phosphorus and alkaline phosphatase obtained every two weeks until six-weeks postnatal age, at the end of this time wrist x-ray for evaluating of Osteopenia were done

Results: With biochemical criteria 15 patients developed osteopenia, which 7[30.4%] were in the case group and eight [40%] were in the control group. With radiographic criteria 23 patients developed osteopenia which 11[48%] were in the case group and 12[60%] were in the control group, these difference are not significant [P=0.35 and P=0.2]. Linear growth during this period was 5.36cm in the case group versus 4.45cm in the control group, and weight gain was 19.76gr/day in the case group versus 16.61g/day in the control group

Conclusion: Calcium and phosphorus supplementation in VLBW infants that fed breast milk was effective on prevention of osteopenia. In addition this supplementation induced better linear growth and weight gain