[Comparison of the analgesic efficacy of odontopaste[R] and a compound with similar formulation as intracanal medicaments]

Different medicaments are used for pain reduction following an emergency endodontic treatment. The aim of this randomized controlled clinical trial was to evaluate the analgesic efficacy of Odontopaste[R] and a corticosteroid-containing compound used as intracanal medicaments in between root canal therapy [RCT] appointments. In this randomized controlled clinical trial, 120 lower first and second mandibular molars with spontaneous pain and sensitivity to percussion were selected and divided into three groups of 40. After root canal preparation, patients were randomly assigned to one of the three groups. Root canals were dressed with Odontopaste in group 1, with an intracanal medicament in group 2 and with placebo in group 3. Patients determined their degree of pain intensity and percussion sensitivity on a Heft-Parker VAS diagram before the first appointment and 24 hours and 7 days post-treatment. Data were analyzed using ANOVA, Tukey's test and Welch test. The mean spontaneous pain and percussion sensitivity scores at 24 hours after the first appointment in groups 1 and 2 were significantly lower than in group 3 [P<0.001]. No statistically significant difference was found between the groups after 7 days neither in spontaneous pain nor in percussion sensitivity. Odontopaste[R] and the intracanal medicament caused a statistically significant reduction in postoperative pain and percussion sensitivity at 24 hours but there was no statistically significant difference at 7 days with the placebo

[Investigation of temporal pattern of scorpion sting and snakebite incidence in patients referred to Masjedsoleiman's main hospital, during 24 months from 21 March 2008 to 20 March 2009]

Scorpion sting and snakebite are the important problems in some area such as Iran that must be addressed. This study was to investigate temporal pattern of scorpion sting and snakebite incidence in patients referred to Masjedsoleiman's main hospital, during 24 months from 21 March 2008 to 20 March 2009. It was an analytical study to scrutiny of monthly and seasonal procedure of scorpion sting and snakebite. Data were analyzed by SPSS and Minitab. To identify the goodness of fit model for monthly and seasonal incidence of scorpion sting and snakebite, autoregressive integrated moving average [ARIMA] models were used to explore time series analysis. Of all 9457 scorpion sting and snake-bite cases in patients referring to hospital, 45% [n = 4253] were men. Mean age of them was 28.26 +/- 0.36 years. Significant numbers [27%] of these patients had 21-30 years old, and were bitted in urban [93%], at their home [99.7%]. The auto regression suggested that monthly average incidents model have a moving average. The analyses through Anderson- Darling test provide evidence that the distribution of residuals was normal [P = 0.125]. Weather variables can be as the predictors of scorpion sting and snake-bite incidence for Masjedsoleiman.

Histopathological alterations induced by diazinon in rainbow trout [oncorhynchus mykiss]

Diazinon is a moderately persistent organ phosphorus pesticide largely used in agriculture. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the histopathological damages induced by diazinon in gills, kidney, spleen, and intestine tissues of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss. The fishes were exposed to sub-lethal concentrations of diazinon [0.1 and 0.2 mg/L] for a period of 28 days. Tissues analyzed by a microscope were normal in the control group. The histological alterations in gills were characterized by epithelial hyperplasia, necrosis of epithelial filament and lamellar fusion, edema and curling of secondary lamellae. Glomerular lesions, shrinking of the glomerulus and enlargement of space inside Bowman's capsule, dwindling of the tubular lumen, degeneration and necrosis of renal tubules were observed in the kidney tissue of the exposed fish. The spleen tissue showed disorder in ellipsoids cellular and deposition hemosiderin in melanomacrophage centers. Exfoliate of mucosal epithelium, lymphocyte infiltration to lamina propria, reduction of the elastic properties and capillary bleeding were seen in intestine tissue of fish exposed to diazinon. In conclusion, these results indicate the existence of a direct relationship between the pollution of ecosystems by organ phosphorus pesticides such as diazinon and histopathological disorders in different tissues of exposed fishes

[Quality of working life and its relation with productivity of nurses' performance in Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences hospitals]

The quality of working life is a very important variable in connection with human resources. Therefore, it should be taken into consideration by managers if they aim to improve the capabilities and efficiency of their staff, which will, in turn, lead to improved productivity and economic growth. Productivity is an important factor in the success of hospital nurses too. The objective of this study was to determine the association between the quality of working life and productivity of nurses. Knowledge of this relationship can help plan to improve the nurses' quality of working life and, subsequently, improve their productivity and, ultimately, productivity of a hospital. This was a cross-sectional correlation study conducted in 2011. The study population was nurses of the Shahid-Beheshti University of Medical Sciences hospitals in Tehran, Iran. Using the randomized stratified multistage sampling method, 380 nurses were selected as the study sample. Data on the nurses' quality of working life and productivity were collected using two questionnaires and analyzed using SPSS-17, the statistical tests being Chi-2, ANOVA, T-test, and the Pearson correlation test. The findings showed that nurses' quality of work life and productivity were at the middle level, with a mean of 2.47 and 3.07, respectively. A very small number [1.55%] of the nurses reported that their quality of work life was at a high level, while the majority [82.4%] believed their quality of work life to be at a moderate level. The Pearson correlation test showed a significant positive relationship between the quality of work life and productivity of the nurses [r = 0.66, p-value = 0.001]. Only a low proportion of the nurses report their quality of working life and productivity to be at a high level. Therefore, bearing in mind that a statistically significant relationship exists between the quality of working life and productivity, authorities should a tempt to promote the nurses' quality of work life in order to increase their productivity

[Influence of different intensities of resistance exercise on inflammatory markers in young healthy men]

Previous studies showed that inflammation is an important factor in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. IL-1beta, IL-6, and HS-CRP are biomarkers with a predictive value in cardiovascular disease. Considering that the effects of resistance training at moderate and high intensity on inflammatory markers have not been studied, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of resistance exercise intensities on levels of IL-1beta, IL-6, HS-CRP and fibrinogen. Thirty healthy young male volunteer students were randomly divided into 3 groups of 10 participants each. Groups I and II performed moderate [45-55% 1RM] and high intensity [80-90% 1RM] resistance exercise for 6 consecutive weeks [3 days/week] respectively. Group III, was the control group. Seven exercise stations were employed per session. The rest intervals between the sets of the protocols and stations were 1-2min and 3min respectively. Serum levels of IL-1, IL-6, HS-CRP and plasma level of fibrinogen were assessed before and after resistance training periods. Statistical analysis of data was accomplished using analysis of variance with repeated-measures design. There were no significant differences in serum levels of IL-1 and IL-6 before and after the training period. HS-CRP was decreased in groups I and II, but this was not significant [p>0.05]. Post test, however, HS-CRP in the two exercising groups was significantly lowered [p=0.008], compared to the control group. Plasma levels of fibrinogen decreased significantly in the high intensity resistance exercise group. In conclusion, short term resistance training can have beneficial effects on serum levels of some proinflammatory markers in healthy young males. In addition high intensity resistance training decreases plasma level of fibrinogen

First detection of nosema ceranae, a microsporidian protozoa of european honeybees [apis mellifera] in Iran

Nosemosis of European honey bee [Apis mellifera] is present in bee colonies worldwide. Until recently, Nosema apis had been regarded as the causative agent of the disease, that causes heavy economic losses in apicultures. Nosema ceranae is an emerging microsporidian parasite of European honeybees, A. mellifera, but its distribution is not well known. Previously, nosemosis in honeybees in Iran was attributed axclusively to N. apis. Six Nosema positive samples [determined from light microscopy of spores] of adult worker bees from one province of Iran [Savadkouh - Mazandaran, northern Iran] were tested to determine Nosema species using previously- developed PCR primers of the 16 S rRNA gene. As it is difficult to distinguish N. ceranae and N. apis morphlogically, a PCR assay based on 16 S ribosomal RNA has been used to differentiate N. apis and N. ceranae. Only N. ceranae was found in all samples, indicating that this species present in Iran apiaries. This is the first report of N. ceranae in colonies of A. mellifera in Iran. It seems that intensive surveys are needed to determine the distribution and prevalence of N. ceranae in different regions of Iran

[Comparison of the effects of resistance, endurance and combined exercises on lipid profile of non- athlete healthy middle aged men]

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of different exercises including resistance, endurance and combined exercise training with equal intensity on some cardiovascular risk factors. 40 middle-aged healthy men were selected from academic and working staff of Azad University in Sanandaj and randomly divided into four groups including [G1: Endurance training, G2: resistance training, G3: combined endurance and resistance training, and control groups. The experimental groups 1, 2 and 3, trained endurance exercise for 8 weeks. Levels of HDL, LDL, TG, TC, Apo A, Apo B, ratio of Apo B/Apo A, and LPL were measured before and after exercise. The levels of Apo B and Apo B/Apo A ratio decreased significantly in G3 group [P<0.05]. TG and LDL levels decreased significantly in G1 and G3 groups [P<0.05]. TC/HDL-C Ratio and HDL levels reduced significantly in G2 group [P<0.05]. LPL, TC and Apo A levels did not show any significant change in the groups. Various exercise trainings have beneficial effects on some indicators of cardiovascular risk factors in healthy middle-aged people. But it seems that a combination of resistance and endurance trainings has higher efficacy on cardiac risk factors than strength or endurance exercise training alone

[Prolonged latent phase: maternal and neonatal outcomes]

Few studies to date have shown the adverse effects of prolonged latent phase. Related factors, maternal and fetal outcomes of prolonged latent phase were studied in order to prevent these effects. In a cross-sectional study, 224 women were assessed at Shohada hospital by using questionnaire, examination and follow up to calculate the latent phase duration up to 3cm dilatation. Of the total, 22.8% had prolonged latent phase and there was no difference in the maternal and fetal age/weight, gravid and parity, 41.2% were nulipars. None of the cases had delivery trauma, but 4 out of 7 meconium aspirated cases, 2 out of 6 hospital admissions, and both the 2 cases admitted in NICU were in prolonged latent phase group. None of the infants in this group had APGAR less than 8. There was no significant difference between APGAR<6 and meconium aspiration cases in the two groups. Massive post partum bleeding, cesarean section, and fever during/after delivery showed a significant difference. Other variables didn't show any significant difference. Parity had a direct correlation in the normal group and indirect correlation in the prolonged latent phase duration group. Maternal age and weight, gravid, parity, infantile weight, gender and gestational age have no effect on latent phase duration. The more the parity, the more prolonged the latent phase and this leads to more cases of cesarean section, fever during/after delivery and post-partum bleeding

[Frequency and antibiotic resistance profile of bacteria isolated from the Intensive care unit and General ward at a general hospital in Tehran]

Background: nosocomial infections are one of the most important causes of mortality and morbidity in hospitals. These infections have the most common frequency in intensive care units. The wide use of the drug caused evident resistance of bacteria to this antibiotic. The aim of the study was to investigate the Frequency and antibiotic resistance profile of bacteria isolated from the Intensive care unit and General ward at a general hospital in Tehran

Material and methods: in this cross-sectional study, we isolated 629 bacterium species from inpatients of Intensive care unit and General ward during one year [2005-2006]. Identification was done by standard bacteriologic methods. Bacterium sensitivity to sixteen antibiotics was assessed with disc diffuse method on Muller-Hinton agars

Results: ICU patients showed the increased percent of infections by gram positive bacteria and fungi. But decreased percent of infections by gram negative bacteria compared to general ward [p<0.01]. The most common pathogens isolated were Klebsiella [22.4%] in ICU and Escherichia coli [31.6%] in general wards. The highest resistance to antibiotic in ICU, was for ceftazidime [87.9%] and highest susceptibility for vancomaicin [7.7%]. The highest resistance to antibiotic in general wards, was for cefotaxim [87.6%] and lowest was for vancomaicin [7.7%]. Antibiotic resistance to more antibiotic was significantly high in ICU compared to general ward [p<0.01]

Conclusion: these findings provide useful information for future surveillance in association with prevention programs. Subsequently, surveillance should be focused on patients in intensive care unit

[Audit on necessity of radiographs in anterior shoulder dislocations]

Anterior shoulder dislocation is the most common major joint dislocation. In most cases, this dislocation is being relocated in emergency departments. Routinely, pre and post reduction radiographs are performed. This study was done to determine the necessity of radiographs in the emergency department for management of patients with suspected anterior shoulder dislocation. In this case series study, 116 patients suspected of anterior shoulder dislocation were referred to Hazrat Rasoul Akram and Haftome Tir Hospitals emergency departments in Tehran, and were investigated for a one year period. The emergency physicians evaluated and documented the possibility of dislocation or relocation, before obtaining radiographs. Outcome measures were the assessment of joint positions on the x-rays by an orthopedic surgeon. 84 cases [72%] were male and 32 cases [28%] were female. Mean age of the patients was 31.5 +/- 8.5 yrs. Thirty [30] patients had recurrent dislocations without traumatic mechanism [group 1] and eighty six [86] patients had no prior dislocation or a blunt mechanism of injury [group 2]. The accuracy of the emergency physician's assessment in dislocations was 100% in group 1 and 98% in group 2. False assessments occurred only in patients with fractures. There is no significant difference between emergency physicians and orthopedic surgeons in the assessment of dislocations and relocations, when the emergency physicians did accuralty diagnose them. Our study showed that the physicians are highly accurate in clinical determination of anterior shoulder dislocation and relocation. Pre-reduction films should be obtained when the mechanism of injury is trauma. Post-reduction films should be obtained in fracture-dislocations or when the physicians are uncertain of correct relocation

[Frequency comparison of nasal and hand carriage of staphylococcus aureus among the medical and non-medical staffs in Iranian Air Force Be´saat Medical Center]

Background: staphylococci is a resistant bacteria which may exist in normal flora of skin, eye, upper respiratory tract, gastrointestinal tract, urethra and rarely vagina. These species can be the causes of several syndromes such as superficial and deep cutaneous infections, systemic poisoning, and urinary tract infections. In the current survey, we studied the frequency of staphylococcus aureus carriers and compared it between medical and non-medical personnel in Be'saat medical center

Materials and Methods: an analytic cross-sectional study was designed to determine the frequency of nasal cavity and hand carriage of staphylococcus aureus among 253 personnel and compare the index between medical and non-medical staffs. The specimen was provided and cultured in selective media. By bacterial growth and determination of the species using specific diagnostic procedures, results were calculated in both medical and non-medical personnel and compared with chi-square statistical test regarding an alpha level of 0.05 as significant

Results: of total 253 personnel 65 [25.7%] were nasal carriers of staphylococcus aureus which 35 were medical [23% of 153 medical staffs] and 30 were non-medical [30% of 100 non-medical staffs] personnel. On the other hand, from 10 hand carriers of staphylococcus aureus 6 were medical [3.9%] and 4 were non-medical [4%] staffs [p>0.05]

Conclusions: due to our findings, in spite of higher frequency of staphylococcus aureus nasal carriage among medical staffs than non-medical personnel, there is not a significant difference between the prevalence. The same finding was obtained in hand carriage of the germ. So the target group of educating for hygiene improvement to decrease the load of colonies is not only the medical staffs [as the most traditional target] but also non-medical staffs [who are usually out of sight]

study of most sensitive double marker diagnostic method of creatine kinase- Mb, myoglobin and troponin I in acute myocardial infarction

Myocardial Infarction is the most frequent diagnosis in the admitted patients in Western Countries that is important to diagnose rapidly. This study was designed to determine the most sensitive double marker diagnostic method of Creatine kinase- Mb, myoglobin and troponin I in acute myocardial infarction. This descriptive diagnostic test study was performed on patients with cardiac angina that began between 4-24 hr without Ml history and didn't receive cardiac electroshock. Quota sampling was done on 256 emergency patients in two 4-14 hour and 15-24 hour after begin of pain group. Collected data analyzed with SPSS11.5 software. The most sensitive and specific double marker in the period was troponin l-Myoglobin [97.3%, 98.1%] and in the second period was creatine kinase- Mb-troponin I [100%, 96.3%]. The perfect method for the first period the combination of troponin l-Myoglobin and for the second period is double markers Creatine kinase- Mb-troponin I

[ study of most sensitive double marker diagnostic method of creatine kinase- Mb, myoglobin and troponin I in acute myocardia infarction]

Background: Myocardial Infarction is the most frequent diagnosis in the admitted patients in Western Countries that is important to diagnose rapidly. This study was designe do determine the most sensitive double marker diagnostic method of Creatine kinase- Mb, myoglobin and troponin I in acute myocardial infarction

Materials and methods: This descriptive diagnostic test study performs on patients with cardiac angina that began between 4-24 hr without Ml history and don't receive cardiac electroshock. Quota sampling was done on 256 emergency patients in two 4 -14 hour and 15-24 hour began pain group. Collected data analyzed with SPSS11.5 software

Results: The most sensitive and specific double marker in the period was troponin I-Myoglobin [97.3%, 98.1 %] and in the second period was creatine kinase- Mb-troponin I [100%, 96.3%]

Conclusions: The perfect method for the first period the combination up troponin I-Myoglobin and for the second period is double markers Creatine kinase- Mb-troponin I

[ effect of sex steroid hormones [17-beta estradiol and 5-a dihydretestosterone] on nitric oxide production by rat alveolar macrophages treaed with tgf-beta]

Introduction: It has been shown that gama-IFN is one of the major cytokines involved in lung fibrosis. It has also been demonstrated that Nitric Oxide [NO] may exert vasodilation, edema and cytotoxicity, and it may stimulate cytokinedependent processes in the lungs. In this study, the effect of 17-beta Estradiol [17-betaE2] and five alpha dihydrotestosterone [5alfa-DHT] on NO release by TGF beta treated alveolar macrophages was investigated

Material and Methods: Alveolar macrophages were obtained by bronco alveolar lavage of healthy male rats aged 8 to 10 weeks in the usual manner. Lavaged cells [95% alveolar macrophages] were plated out at 1x105 cells/well using a 24 well flat bottomed cell culture plate. Cells were incubated for 2hrs at 37°C and 5% CO2. Non adherent cells were removed by three washings and alveolar macrophages were covered with 1 ml complete medium without phenol Red containing 10 microg/ml LPS,100U gama-IFN and different concentration of 17beta E2 or 5alfa-DHT in the presence or absence of TGF beta. Cells were incubated for another 24h and supernatants were collected and Nitrite was measured using indicator of NO by Griess method

Results: Results showed that TGF-beta reduced 5alfa-DHT induced NO release. The minimum and maximum reduction in NO release was seen in response to 1x10-10M to 1x10-6M, indicating that TGF-beta was able to reduced 5alfa-DHT induced NO. It also showed that 17beta E2 reduced NO release in TGF-beta treated macrophages in a dose dependent fashion. The minimum and maximum inhibition in NO release was seen in response to 1x10-11M and 1x10-6M respectively

Conclusion: According to results it seems that the part of pulmonary inflammation which is related to TGF-beta probably due to nitric oxide release and that sex hormones may play a role in this process

Effect of garlic extract on cutaneous leishmaniasis and the role of nitric oxide

The production of nitric oxide [NO] is important in the final outcome of leishmaniasis in animal models. The efficacy of garlic therapy and a combination of garlic and vitamin A were compared with an antimonial drug [glucantime] to assess healing and regulation of NO release in mice infected with Leishmania major. The mice were subjected to 3 105 promastigotes and allowed to induce a lesion. The mice were treated with above compounds twice a day for 45 days. The diameter of the lesion was measured on days 1, 10, 20, 30 and 45. In a separate experiment, NO release by peritoneal macrophages was measured. The diameter of lesion was reduced by aqueous extract of garlic within 30 days of treatment. However, the maximum reduction was induced when mice were subjected to vitamin A for 10 days before the administration of the aqueous extract for 30 days. A significant correlation between healing and the amount of NO release was also found. A combination of aqueous extract of garlic and vitamin A can treat leishmanisis

Androgen binding site in macrophages

The presence of androgen binding sites [five alpha dihydrotestosterone [5%-DHT]] on NZB/BALBc mouse peritoneal macrophages [M phi] was identified. Cells were incubated with different concentrations of [3H]-5 alpha-DHT in the presence or absence of a 100 fold excess of unlabelled 5 alpha-DHT to correct for nonspecific binding. Labelled cells were separated from unbound steroid by immunomagnetic beads coated with rat anti-mouse M phi antibody [rat anti-mouse F4/80 Ag]. The binding identified in the mouse M phi was highly selective towards androgenic compounds. Little competition was seen from 17 beta oestradiol [17beta E2] or the synthetic glucocorticoid triamcinolone acetonide. Binding data derived from Scatchard analysis showed the presence of a high affinity androgen binding species. The dissociation constant [Kd] value for the receptor was calculated to be 4.7x10[-9]M. The number of receptors per cell was 2950