[Educational intervention on the health action model on employee safety behaviors in Tabas coal mine]

Background and Aim: Maintaining a huge elderly health, health promotion and community development is very important. Workers' health status is largely influenced by their working conditions and job. Work in mines, including those considered threats to workers' health

Materials and Methods: A number of 45 workers in each of the control and intervention groups participated in a quasi-experimental study. Demographic information and data related to HAM constructs and safety were collected through a HAM questionnaire and the safe operation checklist 3 months after the intervention. Cronbach's alpha coefficients were used to confirm properties of the tools. Educational intervention accompanied was applied in the form of four training classes. The Data were analyzed based on distribution of variables

Results: Before the intervention, there was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of demographics and the study main variables. After training, however, results showed significant changes of mean scores of attitude [P<0.001], norms [P<0.001], belief [P<0.001], intention [P<0.001], knowledge [P<0.001] in the experimental group

Conclusion: The research results show that HAM educational intervention is able to change workers' awareness, attitude, norm, belief, and intention towards unsafe behavior and improve their safety performance

Chronic kidney disease stages 3-5 in Iranian children: need for a school-based screening strategy: the CASPIAN-III study

There is scarce epidemiological data on early and asymptomatic stages of chronic kidney disease [CKD] in children, especially from developing countries. In this study, we investigated the frequency of CKD stages 3-5 among general students of Isfahan [a large province of Iran], and compared the findings with those derived from the main pediatric nephrology referral center of province. This study was performed among 712 Isfahani school students [377 boys] aged 7-18 years, as part of the baseline survey of a national surveillance system. Blood samples were analyzed for blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, and cystatin C. Glomerular filtration rate [GFR] was calculated based on two 2009 Schwartz equations [the "updated" and the "new" equations]. CKD was defined as GFR <60 ml/min/1.73 m2. Additionally, a retrospective analysis of clinical records of children with stages 3-5 CKD referred to main referral center of province from November 2001 to December 2011 was made. The mean age of students was 12.2 +/- 2.4 years. In students' screening, the frequency of CKD was 1.3% and 1.7% based on the updated Schwartz and the new Schwartz equation, respectively. The referral center survey revealed an annual incidence of 14.5 per million age-related population [pmarp], and a prevalence of 118.8 pmarp in our province. The prevalence of asymptomatic and undetected low GFR in Iranian children is higher than what is reflected from the reports of referral centers. Simple screening programs like annual urinalysis among high-risk school students should be considered

Left atrial appendage occlusion

Left atrial appendage [LAA] occlusion is a treatment strategy to prevent blood clot formation in atrial appendage. Although, LAA occlusion usually was done by catheter-based techniques, especially percutaneous trans-luminal mitral commissurotomy [PTMC], it can be done during closed and open mitral valve commissurotomy [CMVC, OMVC] and mitral valve replacement [MVR] too. Nowadays, PTMC is performed as an optimal management of severe mitral stenosis [MS] and many patients currently are treated by PTMC instead of previous surgical methods. One of the most important contraindications of PTMC is presence of clot in LAA. So, each patient who suffers of severe MS is evaluated by Trans-Esophageal Echocardiogram to rule out thrombus in LAA before PTMC. At open heart surgery, replacement of the mitral valve was performed for 49-year-old woman. Also, left atrial appendage occlusion was done during surgery. Immediately after surgery, echocardiography demonstrates an echo imitated the presence of a thrombus in left atrial appendage area, although there was not any evidence of thrombus in pre-pump TEE. We can conclude from this case report that when we suspect of thrombus of left atrial, we should obtain exact history of previous surgery of mitral valve to avoid misdiagnosis clotted LAA, instead of obliterated LAA. Consequently, it can prevent additional evaluations and treatments such as oral anticoagulation and exclusion or postponing surgeries including PTMC

Synthesis and biological evaluation of [99m]Tc[CO][3]-OH-PP-CS[2] for brain receptor imaging

5-HT[1A] receptor is related with a variety of neuropsychiatric disorders. In this study a phenolic analogue derived from DWAY [Desmethyl WAY-100635 [N-[2-[1-[4-[2-methoxyphenyl]piperazinyl]-ethyl]]-N-[2-pyridinyl] cyclohexanecarboxamide]] is used to design the desired structure of 5-HT1A receptor imaging agents after labeling with [[99m]Tc [CO] [3][H[2]O] [3]] [+] core via dithiocarbamate moiety. 2-[piperazin-1-yl] phenol Dithiocarbamate was synthesized by the reaction of 2-[piperazin-1-yl] phenol with an equivalent amount of carbon disulfide in KOH solution then radiolabeled with [[99m]Tc[CO][3][H2O][3][+] core. Radioligand chemical analysis involved high-performance liquid chromatography methods. Radioconjugate stability and lipophilicity were determined. Biodistribution of labeled compound was studied in rats. The final complex was characterized by HPLC and its radiochemical purity was more than 90%. In vitro stability studies have shown the complex was stable at least 6-hrs after labeling at room temperature. The n-octanol/water partition coefficient experiment demonstrated Log P = 0.74 for [99m]Tc[CO][3]-OH-PP-CS[2]. Biodistribution results showed that radio tracer had moderate brain uptake [0.32 +/- 0.03%ID/g at 30 min post injection]. This complex may lead to a further development of a radiotracer with specific binding to 5-HT[1A] receptor

Preparation and biodistribution study of a [99m]Tc-labeled toxic fraction of Iranian mesobuthus eupeus scorption venom

Iranian scorpion species are classified in Buthidae and Scorpionidae with 16 genera and 25 species. In Iran, similar to other parts of the world, there are a few known species of scorpions responsible for severe envenoming. Mesobuthus eupeus is the most common species in Iran. Its venom contains several toxin fractions which can affect the ion channel. In this study purification, labeling and biological evaluation of Mesobuthus eupeus scorpion venom are described. To separate different venom fractions, soluble venom was loaded on a chromatography column packed with sephadex G50 gel then the fractions were collected according to UV absorption at 280 nm wavelength. Toxic fraction [F3] was loaded on anionic ion exchanger resin [DEAE] and then on a cationic resins [CM]. Finally toxic fraction F319 was labeled with [99m]Tc and radiochemical analysis was determined by paper chromatography. The biodistribution was studied after injection into normal mice. Toxic fraction of venom was successfully obtained in purified form. Radiolabeling of venom was performed at high specific activity with radiochemical purity more than 95% which was stable for more than 4 h. Biodistribution studies in normal mice showed rapid clearance of compound from blood [2.64% ID at 4 h] and tissues except the kidneys [27% ID at 4 h]. As tissue distribution studies are very important for clinical use, results of this study suggest that [99m]Tc labeling of venom can be a useful tool for in vivo studies and is an excellent approach to follow the process of biodistribution and kinetics of toxins

New freeze-dried kit for diagnosis of bombesin receptor expressing tumors

It has been shown that some primary human tumors and their metastases, including prostate and breast tumors, over-express gastrin-releasing peptide [GRP] receptors. Bombesin is a neuropeptide with a high affinity for these GRP receptors. The purpose of this study was to prepare and evaluate the characteristics of a new Freeze-dried kit, [6-hydrazinopyridine-3-carboxylic acid [HYNIC]]-GABA-Bombesin [7-14] NH[2] designed for the labeling with 99mTc using tricine and EDDA as coligand. Synthesis was performed on a solid phase using a standard Fmoc strategy and HYNIC precursor coupled at the N-terminus. Purified peptide conjugate was labeled with [99m]Tc at 100°C for 10 min. Radiochemical analysis involved ITLC and high-performance liquid chromatography methods. Peptide conjugate stability and affinity to human serum was challenged for 24 hours. The internalization rate was studied in GRP receptor expressing PC-3 cells. Biodistribution of radiopeptide was studied in rats. Radiolabeling was performed at high specific activities, and radiochemical purity was >98%. The stability of radiolabeled peptide in human serum was excellent. In vitro studies showed >14% of activity was specific internalized into PC-3 cells up to 4 h. After injection into rat biodistribution data showed a rapid blood clearance, with renal excretion and specific binding towards GRP receptor-positive tissues such as pancreas [1.15 +/- 0.19% ID/g after 4 h]. [[99m]Tc-HYNIC]-GABA-Bombesin [7-14] NH[2] showed favorable radiochemical and biological characteristics which make our new designed labeled peptide conjugate as a very suitable agent for diagnostic purposes in malignant tumors

Spironolactone in preventing hypokalemia following traumatic brain injury / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Hypokalemia is a frequent complication observed after traumatic brain injury (TBI). We evaluated the effect of spironolactone on preventing hypokalemia following moderate to severe TBI.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Patients with moderate to severe TBI, whose Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores of 9-12 and less than 9, respectively, were equally randomized into intervention and control groups, matching with severity of trauma and baseline serum level of potassium. For the intervention group, we administrated spironolactone (1 mg/kg per day) on the second day of admission or the first day of gavage tolerance and continued it for seven days. No additional intervention was done for controls. Hypokalemia (mild: 3-3.5 mg/L, moderate: 2.5-3 mg/L, and severe: less than 2.5 mg/L serum K+) and other electrolyte abnormalities were compared between the two groups at the end of the intervention.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Sixty-eight patients (58 males and 10 females) were included with mean age equal to (33.1+/-11.8) years, and GCS equal to 7.6+/-2.8. The two groups were similar in baseline characteristics. Patients who received spironolactone were significantly less likely to experience mild, moderate, or severe hypokalemia (8.8%, 2.9%, and 0) compared with controls (29.4%, 11.7%, and 2.9%, respectively, P less than 0.05). No significant difference was observed between the two groups in the occurrence of other electrolyte abnormalities, hyperglycemia or oliguria.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Spironolactone within the first week of head injury could prevent the occurrence of late hypokalemia with no severe side effects.</p>

[Synthesis, formulation and quality control of 99mTc-HYNIC-hlgG for imaging focal sites of infection and inflammation in human subjects]

Imaging of infection and inflammation is an important issue in nuclear medicine as it may have relevant implication for the management of patients with infections or inflammatory diseases. In this regard the synthesis of human polyclonal immunoglobuline G [IgG] radiolabeled with technetium-99m [99mTc] by a novel method, via a nicotinamide hydrazine derivative, was performed. The biological behavior, stability and its high specific activity make this radiopharmaceutical a suitable reagent for radiolabeling of proteins and peptides. In this article the method for synthesis of a sterile and apyrogen 99mTc-HYNIC-hIgG kit is presented. The preparation of the kit consists two steps, in the first step 740 MBq pertechnetate was added in Kit No.1, which contains SnCl2 and tricine. After 5 minutes the aliquot in Kit No.1 was added to Kit No.2, which contains HYNIC-hIgG. 99mTc-HYNIC-hIgG complex is stable in cysteine and serum with a labeling efficiency more than 90% after one hour