Molecular characterization of canine parvovirus [CPV] antigenic variants from healthy and diarrheic dogs in Urmia region, Iran

Background: canine parvovirus [CPV] has been incriminated as a primary pathogen related to acute hemorrhagic enteritis in dogs. Three major antigenic variants of CPV [CPV-2a/2b/2c] have so far been identified

Objectives: this study was carried out to investigate the frequency of CPV-2 and its variants [CPV-2a/2b/2c] in a population of healthy and diarrheic dogs in the northwest of Iran

Methods: a total of 35 stool samples from healthy [n=16] and diarrheic [n=19] dogs were screened for all variants [2a, 2b, and 2c] by polymerase chain reaction [PCR] using primer pair 555for/555rev resulting in a PCR product of 583 bp in length. The resulting fragments were further digested by MboII endonuclease that selectively recognizes the restriction site "GAAGA" unique to CPV2c only. All undigested samples were subjected to PCR assays with primer pair Pab [which detects both CPV-2a and CPV-2b types] and primer pair Pb [which detects only CPV-2b type] primer pairs. The relationship of health status, breed, age, and sex and vaccination status with PCR results was analyzed using statistical tests

Results: from a total of 35 samples, 10 samples were found to be positive by 555for/555rev primers that were further analyzed by MboII digestion of PCR products. One sample was characterized as CPV-2c and nine samples were categorized as CPV-2a or CPV-2b. All nine undigested samples resulted positive by PCR using Pab primers, out of which 7 resulted positive by PCR using Pb primer pairs, indicating that they are of CPV-2b variant

Conclusions: it seems that CPV-2b is prevalent variant circulating in the northwest of Iran. Results also indicated that CPV-2a and CPV-2c are affecting dogs, which suggests constant surveillance and monitoring of CPV variants

Childhood recurrent abdominal pain and Helicobacter pylori infection, Islamic Republic of Iran

We examined the role of Helicobacter pylori infection as a cause of recurrent abdominal pain [RAP] among Iranian children in a population-based case-control study to determine the association between H. pylori infection and RAP among schoolchildren. A total of 1558 children aged 6-13 years were examined. Children with RAP confirmed by the Apley and Naish criteria were selected; 145 cases were selected for inclusion and were compared with 145 healthy children recruited from the same area. Both groups underwent stool antigen testing. The prevalence of RAP in the children tested was 9.3%. Children with RAP had a higher H. pylori infection rate than the control group [58.6% vs 44.8%] [OR = 1.744; 95% CI: 1.095-2.776]. There was no significant difference between the RAP symptoms in children with positive stool test, i.e. infected with H. pylori, and those whose tests were negative. We identified H. pylori infection in more than 55% of the case group. Therefore, H. pylori infection can be considered an important factor for RAP in children

role of the intensive care unitenvironment and health-care workers inthe transmission of bacteria associatedwith hospital acquired infections

The goal of this study was to attempt to determine the rate of con-tamination of health-care workers' [HCWs] hands and environmental surfaces inintensive care units [ICU] by the main bacteria associated with hospital acquiredinfections [HAIs] in Tehran, Iran. A total of 605 and 762 swab samples wereobtained from six ICU environments and HCWs' hands. Identification of the bac-terial isolates was performed according to standard biochemical methods, andtheir antimicrobial susceptibility was determined based on the guidelines recom-mended by clinical and laboratory standards institute [CLSI]. The homology ofthe resistance patterns was assessed by the NTSYSsp software. The most frequent bacteria on the HCWs' hands and in the environmental samples were Acinetobac-ter baumannii [1.4% and 16.5%, respectively], Staphylococcus aureus [5.9% and 8.1%,respectively], S. epidermidis [20.9% and 18.7%, respectively], and Enterococcus spp.[1% and 1.3%, respectively]. Patients' oxygen masks, ventilators, and bed linens werethe most contaminated sites. Nurses' aides and housekeepers were the most contam-inated staff. Imipenem resistant A. baumannii [94% and 54.5%], methicillin-resistantS. aureus [MRSAs, 59.6% and 67.3%], and vancomycin resistant Enterococci [VREs, 0%and 25%] were detected on the hands of ICU staff and the environmental samples,respectively. Different isolates of S. aureus and Enterococcus spp. showed significanthomology in these samples. These results showed contamination of the ICU environ-ments and HCWs with important bacterial pathogens that are the main risk factorsfor HAIs in the studied hospitals

[Sealant Microleakage in saliva-contaminated enamel: comparison between threee adhesive system]

Saliva contamination is the main reason for the failure of sealant therapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of three types of adhesives [Single Bond, Adhes and I Bond] on sealant microleakage in saliva-contaminated enamel. In this experimental study, 54 intact premolars were chosen and divided into 5 groups. Group 1: teeth were etched and sealed with sealant. In groups 2, 3 and 4: teeth were etched and exposed to saliva for 10 seconds and air-dried. Subsequently, a bonding agent [Single Bond, Adhes and I Bond] was applied prior to the sealant application and curing. In group 5: after being etched and contaminated, the teeth were sealed without any bonding agent. After thermocycling, the teeth were immersed in fuchsin 0.5% as a leakage tracer for 24h.Then the teeth were sectioned in a longitudinal direction. Samples were then evaluated using stereomicroscope. The findings were statistically analyzed using Kruskal - Wallis and Dunn tests. The extent of microleakage in saliva contaminated sealant without bonding agent group had significant difference compared to the Single Bond, Adhes and I Bond groups [p<0.05]. Although the amount of microleakage in study groups was less than the non-contaminated fissure sealant group, the difference was not significant. Besides, there was no significant difference between Single Bond, Adhes and I Bond groups. Exposing enamel to saliva after etching would increase the microleakage. Using Single Bond, Adhes and 1 Bond the dentin adhesives, after salivary contamination would decrease the microleakage to the extent of uncontaminated sealant group

[Ancient health manuscripts in Persian language]

To review literature for ancient medical text in Persian language. 350 medical books and texts in Persian language were identified and reviewed. Of these, 40 manuscripts were about general health and safety affairs. These further examined to explore the topic. In general there were two categories of manuscripts: 1.Manuscripts that authors' name or the date of its publication were known. Topics included individual health, brushing, umblical cord cutting, breast feeding, etc. 2. Manuscripts that authors' name or the date of its publication were unknown. Topics included eating and drinking, food water, sence and move, weather, etc. The Old Iranian literature is a very rich source for topics in health and medicine and it deserves further examin

Toxocara spp. eggs in public parks of Urmia City, west Azerbaijan province Iran

The visceral larva migrans [VLM] is a syndrome observed in human infection with helminth larval eggs such as the Toxocara spp. that usually infects dogs and cats. Among the risk factors involved in the occurrence of VLM, particularly importance of these animal populations, an investigation was carried out for the presence of Toxocara spp. eggs in public parks in the city of Urmia, West Azerbaijan Province, Iran. Samples were collected from total 26 existing public parks in Urmia from December 2003 to March 2004. Soil samples were collected from 3-4 distinct sites in the same area. The floating material was analyzed under the light microscope. Toxocara spp. eggs were found in 8 samples of total 102 taken samples from 26 public parks showed a contamination rate of 7.8%. The number of observed Toxacara eggs in each microscopic field was varied from 1-8. Low rate of contamination with Toxocara spp. eggs in Urmia parks might be due to lower dog population and cultural differences of present study in this city in comparison of other cities of the world

Relational model between just world beliefs for self and others with mental health indicators: structural equations model

The just world beliefs, are the beliefs about justice presence in world and living conditions. These beliefs in many situations can affect human psychological states and behavior. This research was conducted with regard to these beliefs importance and the main purpose of this study was to investigate relational model between just world beliefs for self and others with general health, life satisfaction, positive and negative affect and automatic thoughts. The research statistical population was the total of Isfahan city habitants. Sample group was 400 persons [200 male and 200 female] which selected with use of multi-stage sampling method from Isfahan east, west, north and south regions. Questionnaires which used in this research were: general health questionnaire [with 28 items and four subscale include somatization, anxiety and insomnia, social dysfunction and depression], positive and negative affect scales [PANAS with 20 items; 10 for positive affect and 10 for negative affect], automatic thoughts [with 30 items], life satisfaction [with 5 item] and just world beliefs questionnaires for self and others [each with 8 item]. The validity of the questionnaires investigated and verified with the use of face and content validity. The reliability of the questionnaires was also investigated and verified with the use of alpha and spilt- half methods [Speamar- Brown and Guttmann methods]. Data analyzed with using structural equations model [Path analysis]. The above analysis conducted with the use of LISREL statistical package [8.5 versions]. The results showed that from all of the research variables, only life satisfaction have significant directive path coefficient with just world beliefs for self [B= 0.339, P<0.01] and others [B=0.218, P<0.01]. Hence in next level, automatic thoughts have significant path coefficient with life satisfaction [B= -0.365, P<0.01]. And finally the result showed that there has been significant path coefficient between other research variables. The result of this research showed that most effective path for adjusting just world beliefs for self and others are: social dysfunction to general health, to automatic thoughts and to life satisfaction for just world beliefs [for self and other] respectively