Effectiveness of relapse prevention cognitive- behavioral model in opioid - dependent patients participating in the methadone maintenance treatment in Iran

To evaluate the effectiveness of relapse prevention cognitive-behavioral model, based on Marlatt treatment approach, in Opioid-dependent patients participating in the Methadone Maintenance Treatment [MMT] in Iran. The study consisted of 92 individuals treated with methadone in Iranian National Center of Addiction Studies [INCAS]. Participatns were randomized into two groups: educational intervention group [N=46] and control group [N=46]. The intervention was comprised of 10 weekly 90 minute sessions, done during a period of 2.5 months based on the most high risk situations determined using Inventory Drug Taking Situation instruments. Relapse was defined as not showing up for MMT, drug use for at least 5 continuous days, and a positive urinary morphine test. While, only 36.4% of the intervention group relapsed into drug use, 63.6% of the control group relapsed. The result of the logistic regressions showed that the odd ratio of the variable of intervention program for the entire follow up period was 0.43 [P<0.01]. Further, the odd ratio of this variable in one month, three months, and 195 days after the therapy were 0.48 [P<.03], 0.31 [P<.02], and 0.43 [P<.02] respectively that revealed that on average, the probability of relapse among individuals in the intervention group was lower than patients in control group. Relapse prevention model based on Marlatt treatment approach has an effective role in decreasing relapse rate. This model can be introduced as a complementary therapy in patients treated with methadone maintenance

[Comparison of central venous and peripheral venous pressures in the antecubital region in coronary arterial bypass graft surgery]

Previous studies suggest a correlation of central venous pressure [CVP] and peripheral venous pressure [PVP] in different surgeries. CVP is one of essential monitoring during coronary arterial bypass graft [CABG]. Canulation of peripheral venous catheter and PVP measurement is easier, whit less complication. This study was done to compare the central venous and peripheral venous pressures in the antecubital region in coronary arterial bypass graft surgery. This descriptive analytical study was done on 84 patients with American society of anesthesiology III with CABG surgery in Shafa hospital, Kerman, Iran during 2007. The technique of anesthesia was the same in all patients. CVP and PVP were measured every 20 minutes intervals before, on and after cardio-pulmonary pump. Data were analyzed using STAT-10, ANOVA and linear regression tests. A total of 750 simultaneous measurements of CVP and PVP were recorded in all patients. The mean of CVP before of pump was 6.8 +/- 0.9 and the mean of PVP was 8.8 +/- 1. The mean difference between CVP and PVP was +/- 2 mmHg and this difference was significant [P<0.05]. The mean of CVP on pump was 3.9 +/- 1 and the mean on PVP was 7.6 +/- 1. The mean difference of these two changeable was +/- 3.7 mmHg. This difference was significant [P<0.05]. The mean of CVP after of pump was 6.5 +/- 1 and the mean of PVP was 8.5 +/- 1. The mean difference this two changeable was +/- 2 mmHg and this difference was significant [P<0.05]. PVP and CVP are related with each other on cardio-pulmonary pump even in severe hemodynamic condition. PVP and CVP changes are synchronized and PVP is a helpful clinical alternative for estimation of CVP

Effect of curcumin on aspergillus parasiticus growth and expression of major genes involved in the early and late stages of aflatoxin biosynthesis

The effect of curcumin as a natural safe compound with different biological activities was examined on fungal growth and aflatoxin production in Aspergillus parasiticus NRRL 2999. The fungus was cultured in presence of serial two-fold concentrations of curcumin [125-2000 micro g/ml] in yeast extract sucrose broth for 3 days at 28°C. Mycelia dry weight was determined as an index of fungal growth, while aflatoxin production was assessed by high performance liquid chromatography [HPLC]. The expression of ver-1, nor-1, pksA, omtA and aflR genes in aflatoxin biosynthetic pathway was evaluated by real time PCR. Curcumin strongly inhibited aflatoxin B1 production in the range of 26.6 to 94.9% by serial two-fold concentrations from 125 to 2000 micro g/ml. Fungal growth was also inhibited by the compound in the range of 34.0 to 60.8%. Analysis of the expression of aflatoxin pathway genes by real time PCR showed that curcumin inhibited the expression of ver-1, nor-1, pksA, omtA and aflR genes at concentrations of 250 and 1000 micro g/ml. In concentration of 1000 micro g/ml, gene expression was reduced by 31.3%, 44.6%, 57.1% 110.9% and 286.7% accordingly. Reduction in the expression of aflatoxin biosynthesis genes was significant only for aflR. In ferric reducing ability of plasma [FRAP] assay, curcumin showed strong antioxidant activity at all concentrations tested. Curcumin may be employed successfully as a good candidate in controlling of toxigenic fungal growth on food and feed and subsequent contamination with aflatoxins in practice

Molecular identification of antagonistic bacteria from Tehran soils and evaluation of their inhibitory activities toward pathogenic fungi

To find antagonistic bacteria with potential antifungal activity against some pathogenic fungi, including Aspergillus niger, A. flavus, Fusarium moniliforme and Penicillium marneffei, a total of 148 agricultural soil samples from different sites of Tehran were examined. Antagonistic soils were selected by screening against A niger on glucose-yeast extract [GY] agar using a visual agar plate assay method. All growing bacteria were examined for antifungal activity, and antagonistic bacteria identified based on 16S rRNA sequence analysis. Among a total number of 97 bacteria isolated form inhibitory soils [36 samples], 16 bacteria were reported as strong growth inhibitors in co-cultures on GY agar with all tested fungi at variable degrees. Fungal growth inhibitory bacteria were cultured against all fungi and growth inhibition was measured and analyzed between test and control groups by statistical analysis [ANOVA]. Molecular identification of antagonistic bacteria indicated that most bacterial isolates belonged to the genus Bacillus [81.25%], including B. subtilis [5 isolates], B. amyloliquefaciens [6 isolates] and B. valismortis [2 isolates], followed by one isolate [6.25%] from each Streptomyces sp., Pseudomonas chlororaphis and Acinetobacter baumannii. Based on the visual plate assay results, total fungal growth inhibition of all bacteria was reported in the range of 13.2 to 68.3%. P. chlororaphis SI 05 was reported as the most potent antagonistic bacterium which inhibited the growth of A. niger by 68.3%, followed by F. moniliforme [66.4%], A. flavus [64.7%] mdR marneffei [57.1%].P. chlororaphis and some other inhibitory bacteria reported in the present study, they may be considered not only as a rich source of useful metabolites with potential application in antifungal drug discovery, but also as potential candidates for biological control programs

Application of PCR-RFLP to rapid identification of the main pathogenic dermatophytes from clinical specimens

In the present study, a PCR-RFLP based molecular technique was designed to rapid identification of dermatophytes in clinical specimens. Skin scrapings obtained from human cases suspected to dermatophytosis were studied in order to identify involved etiological fungi. In this experimental study, the specimens [skin scrapings] of patients referred to Mycology Department of Pasteur Institute of Iran were inoculated on Petri dishes contained selective agar for pathogenic fungi [SAPF] and incubated at 25°C until visible growth of fungal colonies. The colonies were examined for standard morphological characteristics after visible growth on the agar medium. A small portion of each fungal colony was further studied by restriction fragment length polymorphism [RFLP] analysis of the PCR-amplified internal transcribed spacer [ITS] region of ribosomal DNA [rDNA]. PCR amplicons were electrophoresed on 2% agarose gel after digesting by different restriction enzymes including MvaI, HinfI and Hae III. Among 160 clinical samples examined, 6 dermatophyte species including Trichophyton mentagrophytes, T. rubrum, T. verrucosum, T. tonsurans, Microsporum canis and Epidermophyton floccosum were finally identified based on the colony morphology and microscopic criteria. Specific PCR products and RFLP patterns for MvaI, HinfI and Hae III enzymes allowed the rapid identification and reliable differentiation of isolated dermatophytes at the genus or species level for 5-10 day-old colonies. The results showed that PCR-RFLP analysis of the ITS region of rDNA is a rapid and reliable tool which allows identification of major pathogenic dermatophytes isolated in this study at species level in young 5-10 day-old colonies

Natural occurrence of T-2 toxin in domestic and imported rice

Rice is one of the crops, which are prone to be contaminated with toxigenic fungi and their mycotoxins. This study aimed to investigate the natural occurrence of T-2 toxin in domestic and imported rice in Iran. In a cross-sectional descriptive study in winter 2007, 140 samples of imported rice [125 samples of Thai and 25 samples of Pakistani rice] and 60 samples of Iranian rice were collected from warehouses of canteens of governmental offices in Tehran. After grinding and methanol extraction of the rice samples, the amount of T-2 toxin was measured using a sandwich ELISA. INSTATA statistical software was used for data analysis. All samples of rice were more or less contaminated with T-2 toxin but the amount did not exceed the permissible limit. Mean contamination of domestic and imported rice was 11.2 +/- 2.3 and 13 +/- 2.7 micro g/kg, respectively. Regarding imported rice, mean of contamination was 14.5 +/- 4.6 micro g/kg for the Pakistani rice and 12.6 +/- 2.2 micro g/kg for the Thai rice. There was no significant difference between domestic and imported rice, nor did we find a meaningful difference among Iranian, Pakistani and Thai rice regarding the amount of contamination [P= 0.2]. Although the amount of contamination is less than the safe limit, the extent of natural occurrence of T-2 toxin in rice in Iran indicates that contamination occurs somewhere in the production process. This, in turn, necessitates screening of rice for contamination with mycotoxins from farm to table

Preliminary study on virulence of some isolates of entomopathogenic fungi in different developmental stages of Boophilus annulatus in Iran

To evaluate the virulance of 11 isolates of native entomopathogenic fungi as biocontrol agent of Boophilus annulatus, in this study, 4 three months old calves were used for tick rearing. 7 Different developmental stages of the ticks, Boophilus annulatus were inoculated by 10 conidia/ml dilution of the fungal isolates in the presence of control groups. The mortality, egg hatchability and reproductive efficiency were determined in different treatments and control groups and the results were analized statisticaly. Metarhizium anisopliae strains DEMI001 and IRAN437C, Beauveria bassiana strain IRAN403C, and Lecanicillium psalliotae strain IRAN468C were the most virulent strains in comparison with their relative strains and caused 80 -100%, 20 - 80%, 0 - 40% and 0- 40% mortality for engorged females respectively. All 11 tested fungi reduced egg laying capability of the ticks several days before their death. The obtained data showed that the entomopathogenic fungi can affect all developmental stages of Boophilus annulatus, but their efficiency varies considerably according to the fungal species and strains. It is demonstrated for the first time the pathogenic effect of Lecanicillium psalliotae against Boophilus annulatus

High doses of buprenorphine in one-day opium detoxification: Clinical trial

The efficacy of high doses of buprenorphine prescription in one day was compared with the usual method. In a double-blind trial, 40 patients with the diagnosis of opioid dependence [based on DSM- IV criteria] were randomly assigned into two groups. 20 patients received 12 mg of buprenorphine intramuscularly in divided doses during one day long; 20 other patients were administered the usual decreasing doses of buprenorphine over five days. The followings were evaluated: success rate in detoxification, treatment retention in days, intensity of subjective withdrawal symptoms, intensity of objective withdrawal symptoms, level of drug craving, level of adjuvant drug use, drug side-effects, rate of positive urine tests for opioid, and levels of hepatic enzymes. Data were analyzed via statistical X2, t, Mann-Whitney, and Fisher tests. There was no significant difference between the two groups across most variables. The only difference observed was when the most withdrawal symptoms were evident, which was in the initial part of detoxification for the one-day treatment group and also at the end of the period for the five days treatment group. To shorten the detoxification period, the one-day and high doses of buprenorphine treatment can be beneficial even though further evaluations with a larger sample may be required. However, the use of injectable buprenorphine is not recommended in routine clinical practice, because of its possible abuse and serious side effects

Study on the viability of native isolates of Arthrobotrys after passage from sheep's gastrointestinal tract for biological control of gastrointestinal s nematodes

Study on the viability and nematophagousactivity of three native isolates of Arthrobotrys [two A.oligospora and one A. cladodes var. macrolides] afterpassage through sheep's gastrointestinal tract. Field study. Three sheep for each isolate. Three native isolates of Arthrobotrys [two A.oligospora and one A. cladodesvar. macrolide] isolatedfrom soil of different regions of Mazandaran. Each isolatewas cultured on barley and given in equal amounts to threesheep. Four and five days after administration, the faecesof sheep were recultured for isolation of Arthrobotrys sp.and to test their viability and nematophagous activity usingfaecal culture and dung pat bioassay. Analysis of variance [ANOVA]. Conidia of three native isolates of Arthrobotryswere reisolated from faeces of infected animals which kepttheir viability and showed 79.75 - 82.26% and 78.79-89.27% nematophagous activity in faecal culture and dungpat bioassay, respectively. These new isolates are significantlyable to reduce the number of Haemonchus contortusinfective larvae through oral administration and can beconsidered as an alternative for chemotherapy

[Biological Control of Haemonchus contortus by Nematophagous Fungi: Arthrobotrys oligospora, Duddingtonia flagrans and Haptocillium sphaerosporum]

Objective: Biological control of gastrointestinal nematodes of ruminants

Design: Case-control study

Samples: A total of 50 sheep feces naturally infected by Haemonchus contortus ova

Procedure: Arthrobotrys oligospora [111.37 and 251.83], Daddingtonia flagrans [583.91] and Haptocillium sphaerosporum [381.84] were obtained and the nematophagous activity of these isolates was studied after addition of 8000, 20000 and 100000 conidia to 1 gram of fecal samples containing 70 ova of Haemonchus contortus per each petridish. All of the samples were incubated at 25-27°C for 8 days and then, the nematophagous effect of fungal isolates were determined after calculation of third staged larval reduction using Berman method

Statistical analysis: One-way ANOVA and complementary method of Tukey were used

Results: Study of nematophagous effects of 8000 conidia of all above-mentioned fungi and 20000 conidia of A. oligospora [251.82] on the third stage larvae of H. contortus showed that there was not any significant difference as compared with the control groups. But for 20000 conidia of A. oligospora [111.37] and D. flagrans [583.91] and also 100000 conidia for all above-mentioned fungi, significant reduction in larvae of H. contortus was observed as compared with the control groups. In H. sphaerosporum, the percentage of larvae reduction for 8000 and 20000 conidia was determined as 21.46% and 48.99%, respectively. But, the increasion of conidia to 100.000 caused only 42.28% reduction in infective larvae so above-mentioned fungus can not function as an effective agent in biological control of H. contortus

Clinical implications: The present study showed that we can control gastrointestinal nematodes by use of nematode-trapping fungi, in suitable conditions along with chemical treatment.

Development, validation and reliability of child abuse self report scale [CASRS] in Iranian students

Diagnosing and assessing child abuse is a critical and difficult process in clinical psychology, because this phenomenon has several negative behavioral and psychological consequences on victims. The aim of this research is to create a scale for assessing child abuse and neglect. Through a multiclustral sampling, 3042 secondary school students [boys and girls] were selected to fill [1] a list of 54 items [Child Abuse and Self Report Scale, CASRS] which assess four categories of child abuse and neglect, after approving through content validity and [2] Trauma Symptom Checklist for Children [TSCC-A] in order to assign construct validity and comorbid psychopathology. Then, we did a clinical interview with a sample group who were diagnosed as abused children according to CASRS and TSCC-A. In addition, these scales were completed by a group of abused children as criterion group, for assigning criterion validity. In order to assign the reliability of CASRS and TSCC-A, after 3 weeks test-retest was done. Through a factor analysis, the best items were assigned. The results showed that CASRS and TSCC-A have excellent reliability and validity. Also, its stability was at an appropriate level. In addition, factor analysis showed that 38 items were the best questions for assessing child abuse. We believe that CASRS is an instrument which measures child abuse during the current life. It is brief [6 to 8 minutes for the core scales] and practical for epidemiological researches on child abuse, maltreatment and clinical screening. Methodological issues inherent in child self-report measures of abuse are discussed

Mental health in the Islamic Republic of Iran: achievements and areas of need

The development of mental health in the Islamic Republic of Iran is described with particular reference to the integration mental health into the primary health care system. The achievements made so far are outlined and the areas of need discussed

Experience with Adrenocortical tumors in children: a report of eleven cases

During a period of 15 years from 1975 to 1989, eleven children with adrenocortical tumors were managed with relatively favorable results in our center. Despite its rarity in the pediatric age group, our series is one of the largest reported in the literature in the given period of time. All of our 11 patients presented with hyperfunction of the adrenal cortex. Virilization alone was the most frequent presenting sign, occurring in eight patients. Two patients suffered from Cushing's syndrome and one patient had mixed presentation of Cushing's syndrome and virilization. There were six females and five males in the series. Four of five males presented before two years of age. Female patients presented at an older age. In nine out of 11 patients the tumor was on the right side. Mean age at presentation was 3.55 years. Serum levels of testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone [DHEA], and cortisol were elevated in all cases tested and apparently are superior alternatives to more traditional measurements of urinary 17- ketosteroids and 17-hydroxy corticosteroids. The majority of our cases were investigated by the employment of IVP and sonography. In one patient I[131] - iodocholesterol scintigraphy was used. Transabdominal approach through a transverse upper abdominal incision is recommended. In this series only one intraoperative complication was encountered. At a mean follow-up of five years, 10 out of 11 children were alive and had no evidence of tumor recurrence. In all patients pre-operative steroid replacement was essential. Contrary to our pathologic reports <> we found favorable outcomes in the majority of our patients. We conclude that in contradiction to previous concensus, most pediatric adrenocortical tumors will behave as a benign neoplasm and that the size and weight are the only morphologic predictors of their biological behavior

Subepithelial hematoma of the renal pelvicalyceal system simulating renal cystic tumor

Only 13 cases of subepithelial hematoma of the renal pelvicalyceal system have been reported. We report the fourteenth case. In 11 of the 13 reported cases, nephrectomy of the involved kidney was performed. Our case is the third case in which only partial nephrectomy was done in this benign lesion. A 38 year old male was referred due to hematuria and left flank pain. Intravenous pyelogram revealed a mass in the lower pole of the left kidney. Ultrasound and CT scanning revealed a cystic mass in the same area. Partial left lower pole nephrectomy was done. Pathology report was benign Anthopol Goldman lesion [subepithelial hematoma of renal pelvicalyceal system]