[Prediction of infant motor performance through performance evaluation of behavior]

Nowadays, comprehensive developmental assessment of infants is highly considered. But, some assessments, especially those which use more manipulations on high risk infants, can cause more stress on them. So sometimes it is necessary to use one group of developmental assessments to predict another developmental aspect. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between scores of behavioral scale and motor performance. In this cross-sectional study that was conducted in neonatal intensive care unit and pediatric clinic of Shahid Akbarabadi hospital, Tehran, 50 under 2 months low birth weight infants after met inclusion criteria were selected via convinence sampling method. The Test of Infant Motor Performance [TIMP] and the Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale [NBAS] was used for assessing motor performance and behavioral performance respectively. The TIMP consist of elicited and observational parts. NBAS was consisted of habituation, social interaction, motor system, state organization, state regulation, autonomic system, smile, supplementary items, and reflex items. There was not any significant relationship between habituation part of NBAS and TIMP and also between autonomus system part of NBAS and observational part of TIMP [P<0.05]. Association between other variables was statistically significant [P>0.05]. Some items of behavioral assessment can be used to predict the motor performance in low birth weight infants

Interleukin-12 and tumor necrosis factor-BETA gene polymorphisms as genetic susceptibility factors for brucellosis in iranian patients

Some reports suggest that the cytokine gene polymorphisms can contribute to the resistance or susceptibility to brucellosis. The aim of this study was to find out any probable association of genetic polymorphisms of Interleukin-12 [+1188 A/C] and TNF-beta [+252 A/G] with susceptibility to the disease. One hundred and ninety-six patients with brucellosis and 81 healthy farmers [controls] who owned infected animals and consumed their contaminated dairy products were included in this study. IL-12 [+1188 A/C] and TNF-beta [+252 A/G] genotyping were carried out for all of the subjects. The results showed that the frequencies of IL-12 AA genotype and A allele were higher in controls than in patients while TNF-beta AA genotype and A allele were significantly higher in patients compared to the controls. These findings suggest that the inheritance of the above-mentioned genotypes and alleles can be considered as genetic factors conferring resistance or susceptibility to brucellosis

[Result and efficacy of endoscopic ultrasound guided FNA in patients with solid pancreatic neoplasm]

Endosonography is a distinct method in evaluating gastrointestinal [GI] structural lesions, particularly in the pancreatobiliary system. This procedure has made a fundamental change in the diagnosis of pancreatic mass lesions through fine needle aspiration [FNA]. This study aims to evaluate the results and efficacy of endosonographic fine needle aspiration [EUS-FNA] in patients presenting with solid pancreatic masses. This was a descriptive, prospective, case series study of patients who presented with solid pancreatic masses to Imam Khomeini Hospital, Tehran, Iran over a one year period [from November 2009-2010] In order to determine false negative cases, patients were followed for 6 to 12 months. A total of 53 patients underwent EUS-FNA with no complications. The results were diagnostic in 46 [87%] cases. The majority of patients were male [68%] and 81% had a mass in the pancreatic head. Cytopathology results revealed 36 [68%] adenocarcinomas, 7 [13%] other malignancies, 3 [6%] benign lesions and 7 [13%] nondiagnostic cases. The frequency of nondiagnostic results was significantly more in masses smaller than 3 cm [6 vs. 1, p < 0.002]. Patients with nondiagnostic results were younger than those with malignant cytopathologies [52 +/- 7.5 vs. 66 +/- 7.5 years, p < 0.001]. Sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV and accuracy of EUS-FNA in adenocarcinoma cases were 88%, 100%, 100%, 70% and 90%, respectively. EUS-FNA is an effective and safe procedure in the histopathologic diagnosis of pancreatic tumors

[ frequency of abnormal E-cadherin expression and its relationship with biological behavior of gastric adenocarcinoma]

E-cadherin is a calcium-dependent molecule that contributes to intercellular adhesion. Its proper functioning is important in the maintenance of epithelial structure and integrity. E-cadherin serves as a very important tumor suppressor. In this study, we aim to determine the frequency of E-cadherin expression aberrancy and its relationship to the biological behavior of gastric adenocarcinoma. A total of 52 patients with gastric cancer who underwent gastrectomies in Imam Khomeini Hospital were investigated in a cross-sectional study. Their tissues were stained by immunohistochemistry methods to investigate the expression of E-cadherin. Patients' information including age, gender, Helicobacter pylori infection, lesion location, adenocarcinoma subtype, metastasis, differentiation and regional lymph node involvement, depth of invasion and staging were collected and compared. Age, gender, Helicobacter pylori infection, lesion location, regional lymph node involvement, metastasis, depth of invasion, differentiation and staging did not have a statistically significant relationship with abnormal E-cadherin expression. Abnormal E-cadherin expression was significantly higher in the diffuse sub-type as compared with the intestinal type [90.9% vs. 48.8%, p = 0.016]. The present study assessed the frequency and relationship between abnormal E-cadherin expression and certain biological variables of tumor behavior in Iranian patients with gastric adenocarcinoma. A significant correlation existed only between diffuse sub-typing and reduced E-cadherin expression

[Evaluation of HBV_DNA level distribution and related factors in chronic hepatitis B patients]

Hepatitis B is still a major health problem in many parts of the world. In some developing countries the most common cause of chronic hepatitis and liver cirrhosis is hepatitis B virus [HBV]. The progression of chronic hepatitis B to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma [HCC] include such viral factors as genotype C and high levels of serum HBV DNA in addition to host factors such as older age, male gender, obesity and diabetes. Other factors that influence progression to cirrhosis and HCC are simultaneous alcohol use, and co-infections with HIV, HDV and HCV. The present study aims to determine the correlations between serum HBV DNA viral load and related factors. In this study, new HBV DNA and ALT levels that enable better separation between different stages of this disease are presented. Materials and Chronic hepatitis B patients who presented to the Liver Clinic at Imam Khomeini Hospital in 1388 who were HBsAg positive for more than six months were enrolled in this study. Patients who had previously been treated or those with concurrent HIV, HCV and HDV infections as well as those with autoimmune hepatitis and fatty liver were excluded. Patients' data, HbeAg state, demographics, liver enzymes, HBV DNA level, smoking history, cirrhosis and disease stage were recorded. In order to better differentiation between non-replicative and reactive chronic hepatitis B patients, statistical analysis was done to distinguish between their HBV DNA levels. Evaluation of the relationships between HBV DNA level and the above mentioned variables was performed. High Levels of HBV DNA correlated with HBeAg positive state, smoking [p=0.005] and elevated liver enzymes [p=0.002]. The cut-off value for ALT level that separated HbeAg-positive group [immunoclearance and immunotolerance phases] was set at 42 U/l on the roc curve[r=0.889 area under curve] with 100% sensitivity and 67.7% specificity. The cut-off value for serum HBV DNA levels that differentiated between the Hbe Ag-negative group [non-replicative and reactive phases] was set at 3000 IU/ml on the roc curve [r=0.987 area under curve] with 97% sensitivity and 92% specificity. The present study determined that serum HBV DNA at a level of 3000 IU/ml was a better level for classification of HBeAg-negative patients into the non-replicative and reactive groups

Antibiotic-resistant bacteria in hospitalized patients with bloodstream infections: analysis of some associated factors

Blood infections are life-threatening if not detected and managed properly. This study investigates the correlation between fever and previous antibiotics therapy with differential time to positivrty [DTP] at admitted patients at Nemazee Hospital in Shiraz, southern Iran. From January 2005 to December 2006, 985 positive blood samples in Bactec bottles from the admitted patients at Nemazee Hospital were analyzed. Sensitivity patterns of the bacteria to a panel of antibiotics were determined by the disk diffusion method. S. epidermidis, S. aureus and Acinetobacter were the most prevalent isolates respectively. However, only 100 [20.7%] S. epidermidis samples were the true infections. The most susceptible Gram positive and negative bacteria were S. viridance, S. aureus, H. influenzae, and Brucella spp., respectively. Imipenem, amikacin and ciprofloxacin were the effective ones against Gram negative bacteria, while vancomycin, co-amoxiclav and chloramphenicol were effective against Gram positive ones. Cefuroxime and penicillin G were less effective antibiotics against both Gram negative and positive bacteria. As demonstrated, the combined prescription of vancomycin and imipenem seems to cover the majority of infective agents in the blood whenever an empirical therapy is to be initiated. Moreover, periodic surveillance of antibacterial susceptibility patterns is warranted

[ prevalence of h serogroups of escherichia coli strains giving rise to acute urinary tract infection in children in Jahrom]

Nowadays E. coli as the most common Cause of acute urinary tract infection are generally named based on serotypes of O and H. The aim of this Cross-Sectional study was to determine the prevalence of H serogroups of E. coli strains that cause community acquired UTI in children. In this study 96 children with urinary tract infections [UTI] referred to two teaching hospitals, in Jahrom, Iran during the period of August 2005- August 2006 were enrolled. Antibiogram was done by disk diffusion method and serotyping by tebe agglutination methods. A Total of 96 E. coli strains were isolated from the urine samples of children with UTI aged from one month to 14 years. Cystitis was diagnosed in 49.2% and pyelonephritis ill 50.8% of these patients. The most resistance was related to Ampicilin [80.2%] and the least to imipenem [1.1%]. The most common type of H antigen was H4 [6.1%]. This is the first report of E-coli serotying in children with UTI from the south of Iran and its relationship with antibiotic resistance and clinical presentation. Further research in athes p ts with move st e thypes is re Commended

[Survey the laparoscopic, biochemical and clinical findings in patients with exudative ascites of unknown origin]

Introduction: The etiology of exudative ascites cannot always be diagnosed accurately. Laparoscopy could be used as an appropriate diagnostic modality in these cases

Objective: Evaluate the laparoscopic, biochemical and clinical findings in patients with exudative ascites of unknown etiology

Materials and Methods: In a case-series study, we studied the data of 67 patients with exudative ascites of unknown etiology who under went diagnostic laparoscopy in endoscopy ward of Imam Khomeini Hospital from 2002 to 2005. Demographic data; complaints; clinical, laboratory and laparoscopic findings were evaluated and the accurate etiology of exudative ascites was determined. Man Whitney and Fischer's exact test were used for statistical analysis. P values less than 0.05 was considered significant

Results: The most common cause of exudative ascites was carcinomatous peritonitis then tuberculosis and lymphoma. Tuberculosis peritonitis was the most common etiology of exudative ascites in afghan immigrants. Abdominal masses were only palpated in cases of malignancy. Uniform micronodules and fibrous bands were observed in tuberculous peritonitis. Icter was observed in half of the patients with Budd-chiari Syndrome and lymphoma. Hepatomegaly was mostly seen in Budd-chiari Syndrome and neoplasms

Conclusion: Carcinomatous peritonitis, tuberculosis and lymphoma were the most common causes of exudative ascites of unknown etiology