Comparison of energy related metabolites during peri-parturition period in single and twin-bearing Lori-Bakhtiari ewes

BACKGROUND: The Lori-Bakhtiari sheep breed is one of the most common native breed in the south-western parts of Iran. The peri-parturition period [2 weeks before to, 2 weeks after parturition], is generally of critical importance regarding the health, production and profitability of the ewes. OBJECTIVES: This study was carried out to compare the serum concentrations of glucose, non-esterified fatty acid [NEFA], â-hydroxybutyrate [BHBA], cholesterol, blood urea nitrogen [BUN] and calcium [Ca] during peri-parturition period in 30 single and 30 twin-bearing Lori-Bakhtiari ewes. METHODS: All blood profiles were determined in healthy ewes on days 14, 7 prepartum, and days 7 and 14 postpartum. RESULTS: Serum glucose levels were lower in twin-bearing ewes, compared to single-bearing ewes on prepartum and day 7 after lambing. Serum NEFA, BHBA and cholesterol levels were higher in twin-bearing ewes compared to single-bearing ewes during the peri-parturition period. Lower serum Ca levels were recorded 7 days before and after parturition in twin-bearing ewes, compared to single-bearing ewes. CONCLUSIONS: The results showed that NEFA and BHBA recorded significant [p<0.05] changes during the peri-parturition period in twin-bearing ewes. These significant differences could be related to increased metabolic demands of the fetuses in twin-bearing ewes

[Comparison of the genetic convergence degree of mycobacterium tuberculosis [TB] strains isolated from patients infected with TB by MIRU-VNTR technique]

In recent decades, epidemiology has significantly been considered in hygienic studies and disease control, and has made a way into all the programs and hygiene policies. By examining the convergence of harmful lineage genetic patterns, the common infectious resources among the patients can be inferred. The purpose of this study was to compare the Mycobacterium Tuberculosis genetic patterns convergence isolated from patients infected with Mycobacterium Tuberculosis by MIRU-VNTR technique. After isolation the samples from Lowenstein Jensen culture environment and taking segregate tests and drug susceptibility, the DNA was extracted using CTAB/Nacl technique. The genetic patterns of lineages were calculated according to 12 loci format with MIRU-VNTR technique. Demographic and molecular information of patients was used for epidemiological purposes. After performing drug sensitivity test, 65/140 [64/4%] samples fall into MDR, 29 [20/7%] samples in non MDR category, and the rest of them were among drug. sensitive lineages. Lineage genetic pattern analysis indicated that 49 [35%] of samples related to Delhi/CAS, 28 [20%] to Uganda I, 16 [11/4%] to New I, 1 [0.7%] to EAI, 3[2/1%] to Haarlem, and 5[3/5%] to H37RV families. The genetic pattern convergence comparison exhibited that the most common and variant genetic patterns was seen in Tehran province which were mostly connected to south [from the South of Tehran to Azadi Square] and to the border cities neighboring Afghanistan, Iraq, Turkmenistan and cities with extreme percentage of immigration, all of which signified shared polluted resources among patients

Comparison of the genetic convergence degree of Mycobacterium tuberculosis [TB] strains isolated from patients infected with TB by MIRU-VNTR technique

In recent decades, epidemiology has significantly been considered in hygienic studies and disease control, and has made a way into all the programs and hygiene policies. By examining the convergence of harmful lineage genetic patterns, the common infectious resources among the patients can be inferred. The purpose of this study was to compare the Mycobacterium tuberculosis genetic patterns convergence isolated from patients infected with Mycobacterium Tuberculosis by MIRU-VNTR technique. After isolation the samples from Lowenstein Jensen culture environment and taking segregate tests and drug susceptibility, the DNA was extracted using CTAB/NaCl technique. The genetic patterns of lineages were calculated according to 12 loci format with MIRU-VNTR technique. Demographic and molecular information of patients was used for epidemiological purposes. After performing drug sensitivity test, 65/140 [64/4%] samples fall into MDR, 29 [20/7%] samples in non MDR category, and the rest of them were among drug - sensitive lineages. Lineage genetic pattern analysis indicated that 49 [35%] of samples related to Delhi/CAS, 28 [20%] to Uganda I, 16 [11/4%] to New I, 1 [0.7%] to EAI, 3[2/1%] to Haarlem, and 5[3/5%] to H37RV families. The genetic pattern convergence comparison exhibited that the most common and variant genetic patterns was seen in Tehran province which were mostly connected to south [from the South of Tehran to Azadi Square] and to the border cities neighboring Afghanistan, Iraq, Turkmenistan and cities with extreme percentage of immigration, all of which signified shared polluted resources among patients

Study motives and career choices of iranian dental students

To investigate the study motives and career choices of Iranian senior dental students in relation to their background factors. During the spring term 2005, a questionnaire survey was administered to 327 senior dental students in seven randomly selected state dental schools in Iran. The questionnaire requested information on age, gender, parents' employment in dentistry, previous education and employment in dental hygiene, study motives, and career choices. Statistical analyses were made using independent sample t test, factor analysis, and binary logistic regression model. Based on the factor analysis, which explained 73% of the total variance, five motive dimensions were identified: altruism and intellectual challenges, characteristics of the profession, social status and security, other person's recommendation, and failure to be admitted to other study programmes. The mean for the 'characteristics of the profession' dimension was lower among the students with at least one parent employed in dentistry [p = 0.03]. The 'altruism and intellectual challenges' dimension was reported to be more influential by the students with background in dental hygiene [32 students] compared to the others [p < 0.001]. Engaging in postgraduate studies was the first career preference of 189 [70%] of the respondents. Those with a background in dental hygiene were less inclined to enter postgraduate courses [p < 0.001], but more eager to be employed in either the public or the private sector [p < 0.001], and to enter the community oral health and research field [p < 0.001] than the others. Personal characteristics and motives of the students play a major role in shaping their career preferences

frequency of subclinical thyroid disorders in geriatric patients

Thyroid dysfunctions are common among the elderly, but their clinical manifestations are more vague, subtle and often hidden. The aim of this study was to determine the thyroid functions in people over 55 years old for determining sub clinical thyroid disorders. This investigation was performed on 25 men and 25 women over 55 years old who had referred to the outpatient clinics of Islamic Azad University of Mashhad during the period of 2007-2008. For each patient, a questionnaire was filled out by a physician. The questionnaire contained some information about the patient's individual data, his/her past record of thyroid dysfunctions, clinical signs and symptoms and the results of thyroid tests. The laboratory tests included TSH and total T4. Also, if required complement tests for diagnosing the disease and complications were preformed. Finally, the results were compared with those in the reference books and the related articles. The prevalence rate of thyroid dysfunctions was 14% [7 cases]. The frequency rate of the identified disorders were as follows: 4 persons [8%] were suffering from clinical hypothyroidism; 2 persons [%4] from subclinical hypothyroidism and one person [2%] from clinical hyperthyroidism. However, no case of subclinical hyperthyroidism was observed. Two persons [4%] had a previous history of clinical hypothyroidism. Among the patients, 20% of the women and 8% of the men were involved in thyroid dysfunctions, but there was no. Significant correlation between the factor of gender and thyroid dysfunction [P=.417]. Also, there was not any significant association between the age group and thyroid dysfunctions [P=0.687]. The most frequent symptoms in hypothyroid patients were fatigue [66%] and weakness [50%]. The other manifestations were as follows: constipation%33], dry skin [%33] and cold intolerance [%33]. Moreover, hypercholesterolemia was observed in 50% of the hypothyroid patients and there was a significant relationship between hypothyroidism and hypercholesterolemia. [P=0.01 86]. For senile subjects complaining about fatigue, a test of thyroid function is recommended. Hypercholesterolemia was significantly higher among hypothyroid patients

Gonial angle changes following mandibular set back using bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy [BSSRO]

To assess the gonial angle changes using BSSRO tecnique for mandibular set back. Lateral cephalograms of 30 patients, 11 male and19 female ranging from 18 to 38 years old who under went BSSRO to treat mandibular prognathism were traced. They were compared before operation, during intermaxillary fixation [IMF] and three months after operation by T - test. The fixation technique was wire osteosynthesis [superior border] - in 24 cases and position screw rigid fixation [2 screws] in 6 cases. Mandibular gonial angle decreased in all patients with a mean of 7 [SD=4.2]. This reduction was 10.3 [SD=5.3] in rigid fixation group and 5.2 [SD=3.5] in nonrigid group. In severe set backs [more than 10 mm] the mean of reduction of gonial angle was 5.4° [SD=3.8]. In set back osteotomies using BSSRO technique there is a decrease in gonial angle but no significant relation exists between the amount of set back and gonial angle changes