[Evaluating the anti-leech effects of tobacco methanolic extract compared with succinyle choline and some other anti-parasite drugs]

Leeches are subcategory of hirudinea family with 650 species. Studies have shown that 50 species of them feed from mammalian blood. Leech infestation can lead to some side effects including: anemia, bleeding, subsequent biting infections, ache, itching, inflammation, high sensitivity and anaphylactic reactions. As no effective drug, without any side effect, has been offered for leeches, we decided to study the anti- leech effects of some herbal and chemical compounds. In this study, 100 Limnatis nilotica leeches were selected from spring waters from south region in Ilam province and the anti-leech effects of tobacco methanolic extract and also some other drugs such as mebendazole, succinyle-choline, metronidazole, triclabendazole, levamisol, niclosamide were investigated and compared with distilled water. First, leeches were put individually in a glass container with 600ml spring water. Then extract and drugs were added and their effects were screened for 720 min and time to paralyze kill and death of each leech was recorded. The results of this study showed that tobacco methanolic extract [600mg/ml] could kill the leaches in the average time of 17 minutes. Average death times for other drugs [triclabendazole, levamisole, niclosomide and metronidazole] were found 118.66, 7, 18.66 and 541.11 min, respectively. The low average paralysing and killing time of tabacco methanol extract, levamisol, niclosomide, triclabendazole reflect anti leech properties of these compounds and therefore they may be used in the treatment of infestation with limnatis nilotica in the future

Seroprevalence of mumps before inclusion of mumps vaccination in the Iranian Expanded Programme on Immunization

The current target groups for measles, mumps and rubella vaccination in the Islamic Republic of Iran are children at 12 months and 4-6 years. A study of the age-specific seroprevalence of antibodies against mumps in children aged 3-18 years in Shahrekord aimed to establish the need for booster vaccinations to cover non-immune children. Of 338 children, 19.8% were seronegative. Age-specific seronegativity was 33.3%, 20.5% and 4.6% in age groups 7-11, 12-14 and 15-18 years respectively. To obtain herd immunity, we suggest that for the next 5 years children aged 7-11 years entering guidance school are selected as the main group for vaccination

[Educational needs assessment of medical school's clinical faculty members in Isfahan University of Medical Sciences]

Identifying the educational needs is an essential step in planning faculty development programs and plays an important role in promoting the quality of education. The aim of this study was to determine and prioritize the educational needs of clinical faculty members in medical school of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences. A questionnaire was developed in this descriptive cross-sectional study using the indices identified in an opinion poll, reviewing the literature and similar foreign and domestic studies, and the instruction including 6 areas of faculty members' job description. The questionnaire was sent to all clinical faculty members of school of medicine [n=275]. The items were scored from 1 to 20 according to the importance of that educational need. Data was analyzed by SPSS software using the mean and standard deviation statistical indices. Different areas of educational needs were respectively prioritized as: personal development, research, administrative and executive activities, education, health services and health promotion, and specialized activities outside the university. The first priority in the area of education was the method for developing continuous learning and self-learning in students; in research, data analysis skills; in personal development, English speaking ability; in administrative and executive activities, time management; in health services and health promotion, the approach for registering patients' information; and in the area of specialized activities outside the university, it was the principles and methods for providing education and counseling for the society by public media. Faculty members are in need of all these 6 major areas specially the area of personal development. The area of education is not fully regarded as expected. It is recommended to determine the weight of all these six areas using a standard method

Prevalence of HBV and HCV infections and associated risk factors in addict prisoners

High prevalence of HBV and HCV infections in prisoners suggests them as one of the main infection source in community. Preventive measures can possibly decrease their rate of infection and infectivity. We evaluated prevalence of HBV and HCV infections and their relation to dangerous behavior in addict prisoners. This was a cross-sectional study included prisoners of central provinces of Iran who were evaluated for HBV and HCV in 2003. All of 1431 prisoners filled out questionnaires that were evaluated for HBsAg and HCV antibody. There were 51 prisoners [3.5%] who were HBsAg positive and 513 prisoners [35.8%] had HCV antibody. Odd`s ratio for HBV and HCV were 10.3 and 9.6 for IVDA, respectively. This study showed that the HBV and specially HCV infection had high prevalence among prisoners. In comparison to rate of HBsAg and HCV infection in general population of Iran, this study showed that the HBsAg was 2 times and HCV infection was 70 times more frequent in prisoner than in general population of Iran. The education for dangerous behavior is strongly recommended to control this persistent infection source for hepatitis B and C in the community

Specificity and sensitivity of clinical diagnosis for chronic pneumonia

To compare clinical [non-invasive] diagnosis with bronchoscopic [invasive]diagnosis, a total of 50 patients with chronic pneumonia [sputum smear-negative for tuberculosis] were examined. Age range was 12-82 years. Sensitivity of clinical diagnosis was 100% for tuberculosis and 81.8% for lung cancer; specificity was 67.5% for tuberculosis and 89.7% for lung cancer. Clinical diagnosis was correct in 43.4% of cases suspected of tuberculosis and 69.2% of cases suspected of lung cancer. It may be reliable only for elderly women smokers. Because tuberculosis is over-diagnosed in endemic areas, bronchoscopy is strongly recommended for all cases of chronic pneumonia

[Serologic variation of HBV infection in gypsies of South West of Iran]

Gypsy way of life is a nomadic life adopted by a group of people because of their liking for migration and contact with other societies to earn their livelihood. The prevalence of Hepatitis B in a small population of gypsies residing in the South West of Iran is the main purpose of this study. This study has performed as screening for hepatitis B in a community of gypsies [226 persons]. The obtained serums in the first step were tested for serologic markers of HBsAg, Anti -HBc for Hepatitis B virus [HBV].All positive cases were tested again for HBsAg, Anti-HBs, HBeAg, Anti-HBe, and Anti-HBc in the second step. Serologic results indicated that 54 individuals [20.5%] were positive for one or more HBV markers so that, 22 of them [Yh9.6 of overall] had infectious hepatitis B, 13 of them [%5.8 of overall] were only HBsAg positive, 11 individuals [%4.9 of overall] were improved and in immune state and 8 persons had isolated Anti-HBc antibody. The prevalence and relative risk of HBV in these persons has been found to be much higher than the normal population.[RR=l 0, P4.001] In societies like gypsies, who have various contacts with different groups and harboring habits like tattooing, causes an increased prevalence of diseases like HBV. Circulation of HBV infection among such societies in such surveys reveals serologic variations. In fact various serologic pattern of infection from the beginning of infection to end of infection [like cured, immune, chronic, carrier cases] could be achieved at one time

[Brucellosis arthritis: infection or inflammation of joint?]

The description of Brucellosis arthritis feature with other findings in the main goal of this study. This is a 2 years descriptive and prospective study, which includes 20 patients who diagnosed as brucellosis and join involvement. In this study, arthritis involvements were as follow: Sacroilitis [70%], Peripheral arthritis [15%], Sacroilitis and arthritis [12/5%] and Spondylitis [2/5%]. The other finding of this study include: Range of age between 15-30 [80%], male to female ratio [5:1], rural to urban ratio [2:1], fever more than 38 degree of Centigrade [60%], Normal CBC [90%], relative lymphocytosis [70%], ESR more than 25 mm/ 1st hour [100%], Wright titer 1:320, and 2ME titer 1:160. With beginning of standard anti brucellosis regimen and supportive care, there was a 100% cure rate and no any sequel of arthritis. There was no relapse in next few months follow up of them. This study confirms previous findings, which indicate, Brucellosis arthritis have a good prognosis and outcome, without any sequel. So it seems that Brucellosis arthritis are rather inflammations than infection of joint [Septic arthritis]

[Aloe Vera gel as an effective and cheap option for treatment in chronic bed sores]

Introduction: nowadays, chronic ulcers are one of the most expensive issues of health problems. Conventional treatments include, anti-biotic therapy, anti septic drugs and sometimes surgical debridment and in some cases skin graft, which in cases like diabetics or bed sores are the most effective and best methods

Objective: the main aim of this study was to evaluate Aloe Vera gel [AVG] effect on the quality and duration of the ulcer healing process. Because no studies had been done in this field in Iran, we decided to do it

Materials and Methods: this study included 19 patients who had undergone common treatments therapy for at least one month but without any appropriate response. We applied AVG topically 2-3 times daily on the various kinds of ulcers. We considered a golden time for healing such as three months for blood vascular insufficiency ulcers and bed sore, and one month for burn ulcers and others. This was a prospective study and because each patient was the control of his own-self, so it was a pre- post after study, too

Results: healing of ulcers was happened in 16[84.2%] cases and was failed in 3[15.8%] cases which was mainly due to non-compliance. Overall mean times for healing of ulcer was 31.25 days. The healing measures included the mean time for reduction of redness, swelling, secretion of ulcer and time for closure of ulcer. Maximum time for healing of ulcer was 90 days for bed sores and mean time for bed sores was 58.1 days. Minimum time for healing of ulcer was related to surgical ulcers [minimum 3 days] and mean time was 11 days. Statistical difference was significant [P Value =0]

Conclusion: like previous studies, AVG was effective on the quality and rate of healing process of the ulcers. Besides, compared to common treatment. It is much more effective and inexpensive