outbreak of yolk sac infection and dead-in-shell mortality in common canary [Serinus canaria] caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae

Yolk sac infection [YSI] and dead-in-shell mortality caused by Enterobacteriaceae in birds are not a rare phenomenon, however there are only a few reports indicating the association between these conditions and Klebsiella spp. among canary chicks [Serinus canaria]. There have been reports of high mortality among 1-3 day old canary chicks in an indoor flock of canaries. In order to study the causative agent, yolk sac samples from dead-in-shell and day-old canary chicks were cultured. Klebsiella pneumonia was isolated and identified based on biochemical tests and using genus and species-specific multiplex PCR and later tested for their susceptibility to 13 antimicrobial agents. The isolates showed susceptibility to Gentamycin, Chloramphenicol, Florfenicol and Streptomycin

[ attitude of residents, interns and clerkship students towards teaching role of residents]

Appropriate and effective education for medical students is critically important in promoting and maintaining society's health and the role of residents is undeniable in medical students' education. The aim of this study was to determine the attitude of clerkship students, Interns and residents towards the teaching role of residents in Sari Medical School in 2007. In this descriptive cross-sectional study, the statistical population included all clerkship students, interns, and residents [n=250] in all wards having residents in medical school of Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences in 2007. Using census sampling method, 192 persons were investigated. The data gathering tool was a questionnaire including 4 demographic and 20 attitude items. The data was analyzed by SPSS software using descriptive statistics, Chi[2], and AN OVA. Among respondents, 47%, 39% and 13% were clerkship students, interns, and residents, respectively. The participants' attitudes were dissimilar in different clinical departments. The most positive attitude belonged to psychiatry department [70% with positive attitude] and after that in pediatrics, gynecology, internal medicine, and surgery departments, 50% or less had a positive attitude. The attitude of residents was much more positive than that of clerkship students and interns. So that, 23% of clerkship students, 38% of interns, and 58% of residents had a positive attitude and none of the residents had a negative attitude toward their own education. The attitude of participants towards the teaching role of residents was dissimilar in different wards and the attitude of residents was much dissimilar to that of clerkship students and interns. It is necessary to pay more attention to the teaching role of residents

Comparative study of conventional and digital radiography in diagnosis of periapical lesions in dry human mandible

One of the most important roles of dental radiographies is periapical lesion diagnosis. Conventionl radiographs have some problems such as need of high dose exposure or special equipments. Digital radiography as a new method in dentistry has made a great revolution. Decrease in exposure dose, no need for dark room and other options that can facilitate the diagnosis are among their advantages. The aim of this study was to compare the digital and conventional radiography in diagnosis of preapicallesions in dry human mandible. In this experimental study, the skull mounted teeth with 50 constructed preapicallesions were evaluated using conventional and digital radiography. The radiographs of the artificial lesions at the apexes were investigated by two expert radiologists. In this study the zooming as well as contrast and density changes of digital radiographs in Cygnus media software, were recorded. Data were analyzed using chi square test. According to the findings, the mean of correct diagnosis of periapical lesions were: 66% for density-contrast change with digital method, 40% for digital zooming, and 39% for conventional method. According to chi square test there was a significant difference between the first methods [contrast- density change] with the other two methods [p<0.00 1]. In this evaluation, among three different radiographic methods used, digital radiography with the ability of changing density and contrast was superior and more accurate than conventional radiography and zooming methods in diagnosis of the lesion's size

investigation on the performance of dose calibrators in nuclear medicine centers in Iran

To investigate the status of the nuclear medicine [NM] centers in Iran for the performance of dose calibrators, 18 out of 54 centers providing NM services in Iran were randomly selected and inspected in 1997. In the first phase of the study the selected centers were inspected for performing of quality control [QC] tests of dose calibrators. The linearity of the activity response, precision, accuracy, and the physical functions of the instruments, were studied. In the second phase of the study, carried out in 2006, 28 out of 75 NM centers were investigated for QC tests performance. The QC tests were performed by using standardized radio nuclides of Tc-99m and Cs-137 in the first phase, and Tc-99m and I-131 in the second phase of the studies. Standard procedures were used for carrying out the tests. According to the obtained results in the first phase of the study, 10 centers were found to be in unacceptable situation. Following this study, all the concerned NM centers were informed about the results, and at the same time the repair and adjustment of the dose calibrators were requested. In addition, the appropriate training courses along with the QC testing manuals were provided to the centers. Based on the data of the second phase of the study, only 6 NM centers were in unacceptable situation. The results indicated the effectiveness of the improvements carried out in the working procedures of the centers during interval between the two phases of investigation

[Public knowledge and attitudes toward epilepsy in Tehran]

Despite advances in medical science and modern technology, epilepsy remains as a stigmatized condition and negative public attitude toward epilepsy is a common phenomenon especially in developing countries such as Iran. It is the major factor causing serious social discrimination against people with epilepsy which in turn may be more devastating than the disorder itself. Thorough understanding of the knowledge and attitudes toward epilepsy is essential to modify these negative attitudes. We conducted a face-to-face questionnaire interview survey in crowd locations of Tehran in August, 2004-April 2005. A total of 1079 persons all more than 15 years old were asked to fill the questionnaire. Eighty eight percent of respondents had heard about epilepsy before, 42.2% of them knew one person with epilepsy. However, out of responses about the causes of epilepsy, 52/4% said it was caused by brain damage, 26.4% said it was an inherited disease, 14.3% said it was due to fever, 34.8% believed stress as the cause of it and 1.1% said evil spirits was the cause. 56.9% considered pregnancy to be appropriate for epileptics. 94% believed children with epilepsy could go to school and have normal education. According to this survey, public knowledge and attitudes about epilepsy in study population is not satisfactory. It is suggested that additional efforts must be made to increase the knowledge of the general population through education programs especially among school children