Genotyping of Helicobacter pylori strains isolated from patients with NUD, DU, GU and GC by RAPD-PCR

Helicobacter pylori is a genetically diverse gastric pathogen that chronically infects billions of people worldwide, typically beginning in infancy and lasting for decades. It is a major cause of peptic ulcers and it is an early risk factor for gastric cancer which is the most frequently lethal malignancy globally. This project was designed to genotype H. pylori isolates isolated from patients with NUD, DU, GU and GC by the polymerase chain reaction [PCR]-based on Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNA [RAPD] fingerprinting technique. Eighty patients admitted to the gastroenterology unit at Sharyati hospital in Iran were included in this study. Gastric biopsy specimens were inoculated onto selective medium then were cultured for 3 to 5 days at 37 °C under microaerobic conditions. Genomic DNA was extracted using a commercially available Qiagen kit. RAPD-PCR was used to genotype isolates. Six different RAPD patterns [A-F] were seen in more than one isolate which were as follow; pattern A: 9 [16.98%], B: 6 [11.33%], C: 5 [9.43%], D: 3 [5.66%], E: 2 [3.77%] and F: 2 [3.77%]. Twenty six [49.06%] of 53 isolates showed a unique RAPD pattern that were not similar to each other. A significant relationship was not seen between a single RAPD pattern and a gastric disorder [P>0.05]. The results of this study suggest a high level of DNA sequence diversity among H. pylori isolates and it is better to use sequencing method for surveying of Helicobacter pylori genome rather than RAPD-PCR

[Risk factors for recurrent preterm delivery in three university hospitals]

Preterm labor is defined as delivery before 37 weeks of gestation. Recurrence of preterm labor in future pregnancies is 6-8%. History of preterm labor is a strong risk factor for future preterm labor. Preterm labor is the leading cause of neonatal mortality in developed countries, but permanent morbidity in these premature neonates has many side effects for the newborn as well as their family members and society. For this reason we conducted a survey to identify risk factors for recurrent preterm delivery among primiparous women with previous preterm delivery. This prospective case-control study included patients from three university hospitals, namely Imam Khomeini, Shariati and Mirza Koochakkhan Hospitals, all in Tehran, Iran. Subjects, including 539 primiparous women who delivered preterm [22-36 weeks], were divided into two groups: 47 had a second preterm delivery [study group] and 492 had first preterm delivery [control group]. Exclusion criteria were induced preterm delivery due to medical indications in mother and primigravid. Data collection and analysis was performed using SPSS 10 and t-test and chi[2] test were used to analyze the significance of the results. From a total of 6,537 deliveries, we found 539 cases of preterm delivery, among which 47 cases were identified as recurrent preterm delivery. The control group was composed of 492 deliveries. The recurrence of preterm delivery was 8.7%. Uterine anomaly, cardiovascular, renal and thyroid disease in mother and blood group A had a significant correlation with recurrent preterm delivery. Expectant mothers with uterine anomalies, cardiovascular, renal or thyroid diseases or group A blood type should receive extra care, observation and instructions in order to limit the risk of preterm delivery and its subsequent effects

Epidemiological evaluation of transfusion transmitted diseases in Ardabil in Tasoua and Ashoura 1381[2003]

Transfusion transmitted diseases [TTD] are of great concern because of their high mortality and morbidity rate among blood recipients; HBV, HCV and HIV are of the infectious agents playing an important role in this regard. A cross-sectional study was conducted for estimation of TTD among blood donors in Tasoua and Ashoura [2003] in Moharram month that is a religious month for Muslims, especially Shiites, and for evaluation of the motivation of 441 donors for blood donation. To this end, a questionnaire including 51 questions were prepared to be filled out by donors. HBsAg positive and HCV Ab positive prevalence rates were respectively 1.4 and 0.2%. Majority of donors have religious motivation [92%] but a minority cut their heads with dagger as a religious practice. 83% of HBsAg positive donors had a history of blood donation in the past. Because common daggers may be used among religious people, probability of TTD can be high in these groups. Majority of HBsAg positive donors had a history of blood donation in the past and for an unknown reason probability of TTD in repeat donors was higher than first time donors. The prevalence of HBsAg positive and HCVAb positive in ordinary blood donors in Ardabil Blood Transfusion Center is lower than their prevalence rate in Tasoua and Ashoura donors