Molecular characterization of a pigeon paramyxovirus type 1 virus isolated from Eurasian collared doves in Iran, 2017

In September 2017, an outbreak with high mortality, which showed the typical signs of ND, occurred among a flock of more than 2000 Eurasian collared doves in Konarak, southeast of Iran. A confirmed pigeon paramyxovirus type 1 strain was isolated from the brain tissues of the dead doves. The isolate, which was called Pigeon/Iran/Konarak/Barin/2017, was classified as a highly velogenic NDV. Complete genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis showed that the isolate belonged to subgenotype XXI.2, which has never been reported from Iran before. The isolate had the highest homology (96.15%) with early 2010s Italian isolates.Further studies will be required to understand the diversity better.

effect of education by peers and health personnel on the osteoporosis knowledge and health beliefs in adolescents with nephrotic syndrome

Osteoporosis is one of the consequences of chronic diseases such as nephrotic syndrome in adolescents, especially in those undergoing glucocorticoid therapies. The present study aimed to determine and compare the effect of education by peers and health personnel on the prevention of Osteoporosis in the adolescents with nephrotic syndrome. The present quasi-experimental study was conducted on 54 adolescents with nephrotic syndrome who were randomly divided into two groups of peers and health personnel. The Osteoporosis education program was based on the health belief model. Two questionnaires were completed by the patients to assess their knowledge and health beliefs regarding Osteoporosis before, immediately after, and 1 month after the educational intervention. The data were analyzed by SPSS-15 using independent and paired t-test and RMANOVA. The mean score of knowledge and health beliefs was significantly increased in both groups immediately after the intervention [P>0.05]. However, the scores declined in both groups with a significant decrease in some parts one month after the intervention. No significant difference was found between the peers and health personnel regarding Osteoporosis knowledge and health beliefs [P>0.05]. The results of the present study revealed the significant effect of education, carried out by both peers and health personnel, on the Osteoporosis knowledge and health beliefs. Also, peer education was a cost- effective and feasible method for increasing the adolescents' Osteoporosis knowledge and health beliefs

Prevalence of depression symptoms among the elderly population of Southern Iran

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of depression symptoms and the effect of various demographic characteristics on its severity in an elderly population in Fars province, southern Iran

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted during May and September 2009. A sample of 1461 men and women, aged more than 60 years were selected using a multistage stratified random sampling method. Levels of depression symptoms were measured using the Geriatric Depression Scale [GDS]. Data were analyzed using SPSS software. Also, analysis of variance [ANOVA] and correlation analysis were performed to find the correlation between the variables and GDS score

Results: Overall, 1443 people completed the questionnaire. The prevalence of the symptoms mild to moderate depression [GDS: 5-10] was 51.1%, while that of severe depression symptoms [GDS >10] was 19.7%. There were significant relationships between sex, marital status, educational level, occupation, residential place and the GDS scores

Conclusion: The prevalence of depression symptoms was high among the elderly in Fars Province. Therefore, if properly trained, primary care teams could help these patients

Benefits of urinalysis.

Objective. In the pilot Iran school screening programme, the minimal cost of screening dipstick urinalysis in 1601 asymptomatic school children was determined. Methods. The cost of screening dipstick urinalysis was calculated by reviewing the literature for the prevalence of asymptomatic proteinuria, hematuria, bacteriuria, and glucosuria determined by an initial dipstick urinalysis.The minimal cost utilizing data of 3 general physicians was calculated. Costs were determined by using current charge for supplies ordered to perform tests, charges for tests performed by a commercial laboratory, and the cost of a final evaluation by a pediatric nephrologist. Results. 4.7% (76/1601) of patients were calculated to have an initial abnormal urinalysis. Upon retesting 1.37% (22/1601) of patients were calculated to have a persistent abnormality. The calculated cost was 167$ to initially screen all 1601pateints with a dipstick urinalysis or 0.092$ per patient. The calculated cost to evaluates the 22 patients with any persistent abnormality on repeat dipstick urinalysis was 0.02$ or 0.001$ per patient. This is the calculated cost for a single screening of 1601 asymptomatic pediatric patients. Conclusion. Multiple screening dipstick urinalysis in asymptomatic pediatric is costly and should be discontinued. We propose that a single screening dipstick urinalysis be obtained at school entry age, between 6 and 7 years, in all asymptomatic children.

inhibitory effect of some Iranian plants extracts on the alpha glucosidase

Diabetes mellitus is manifested by hyperglycaemia. Different treatments such as diets and drugs are recommended for diabetes control. For various reasons in recent years traditional plant [herbal] therapies as prescribed by indigenous systems of medicine with different mechanisms have commonly been used. The digestive enzymes such as alpha glucosidase are among these herbal remedies. One hundred species of plants were collected or purchased from the Medicinal Herbal Markets and botanically identified. Methanolic and aqueous extracts were prepared by the maceration method. The enzymatic activities of alpha glucosidase were determined colorimetrically by monitoring the release of p-nitrophenol from the appropriate p-nitrophenol glycoside substrate, after 30 mins incubation at 37°C in the phosphate buffer [pH= 6.8]. Among 200 prepared extracts, Verbascum kermanensis, Rosadamascene, Rosmarinus officinalis, Levisticum officinale, Zataria multiflora Sanguisorba minor, Alhagi camelorum, Pistacia vera, Vaccinium arcto-staphylus, Zhumeria majdae, Alpinia officinarum, Salvadora persica, and Thymus serpyllum showed more than 50% inhibitory effect on the alpha glucosidase. These active plants have no records in the literature for their anti diabetic effect and might be the new agents for diabetes control. This needs further in vitro and in vivo studies, some of which are under investigation