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OBJECTIVES@#The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of Strongyloides stercoralis and other intestinal parasites in patients receiving immunosuppressive drugs in northern Iran and to investigate related risk factors. @*METHODS@#This cross-sectional study was conducted among 494 patients receiving immunosuppressive drugs, including cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy (n=188) and those treated with prolonged corticosteroid administration (n=306). All fresh fecal samples were examined using the direct wet-mount, formalin ethyl acetate concentration, and agar plate culture techniques. @*RESULTS@#In total, 16.8% of patients were positive for at least 1 intestinal parasite; the helminthic and protozoan infection rates were 5.1% and 12.3%, respectively. The infection rate was significantly higher in corticosteroid-treated individuals (19.6%) than cancer patients (12.2%) (p<0.05). The prevalence rate of S. stercoralis among patients receiving chemotherapy and those treated with corticosteroids were 4.3% and 5.2%, respectively. The prevalence rate of S. stercoralis infection was significantly higher in older patients (p<0.05). @*CONCLUSIONS@#Strongyloidiasis is one of the most common parasites among patients receiving immunosuppressive drugs in northern Iran. Early diagnosis and proper treatment of these patients are necessary to minimize the complications of severe strongyloidiasis.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES@#The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of Strongyloides stercoralis and other intestinal parasites in patients receiving immunosuppressive drugs in northern Iran and to investigate related risk factors. @*METHODS@#This cross-sectional study was conducted among 494 patients receiving immunosuppressive drugs, including cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy (n=188) and those treated with prolonged corticosteroid administration (n=306). All fresh fecal samples were examined using the direct wet-mount, formalin ethyl acetate concentration, and agar plate culture techniques. @*RESULTS@#In total, 16.8% of patients were positive for at least 1 intestinal parasite; the helminthic and protozoan infection rates were 5.1% and 12.3%, respectively. The infection rate was significantly higher in corticosteroid-treated individuals (19.6%) than cancer patients (12.2%) (p<0.05). The prevalence rate of S. stercoralis among patients receiving chemotherapy and those treated with corticosteroids were 4.3% and 5.2%, respectively. The prevalence rate of S. stercoralis infection was significantly higher in older patients (p<0.05). @*CONCLUSIONS@#Strongyloidiasis is one of the most common parasites among patients receiving immunosuppressive drugs in northern Iran. Early diagnosis and proper treatment of these patients are necessary to minimize the complications of severe strongyloidiasis.
ABSTRACT
Acute myocardial infraction (AMI) is a highly frequent cause of mortality and disability around the world. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the associations between meat group intake levels and AMI risks in an adult Iranian population. This case-control study was conducted on 200 first AMI cases and 200 healthy individuals matched by age, sex, and body mass index. A Food Frequency Questionnaire validated for Iranian populations was used to assess usual dietary intake levels over the previous year. Data was extracted regarding the meat group—including meat (red and processed), fish, poultry, eggs, nuts, and legumes. The associations between meat group items and AMI were calculated by multivariable logistic regression. Red meat consumption was significantly positively associated with increased risk of AMI. After adjustment for potential confounders, a positive association was found between higher frequency of processed and red meat intake, and increased risk of AMI (processed meat consumption: odds ratio [OR], 1.71; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.31–2.23 and red meat consumption: OR, 2.51; 95% CI, 1.84–5.11). In addition, the results indicated an inverse association between the frequency of nuts consumption and AMI (OR, 0.52; 95% CI, 0.31–0.92). There were no associations seen between poultry, fish, eggs and beans intake levels, and the odds of AMI. The current study suggested a direct association between the frequency of processed/red meat consumption and increased AMI risks. In addition, an inverse relation was observed between frequency of nuts consumption and the risks of AMI.
Subject(s)
Adult , Humans , Body Mass Index , Cardiovascular Diseases , Case-Control Studies , Diet , Eggs , Fabaceae , Logistic Models , Meat , Mortality , Myocardial Infarction , Nuts , Odds Ratio , Ovum , Poultry , Red MeatABSTRACT
Background and Aim: Urinary tract infection [UTI] caused by Escherichia coli is a common infection. Fluoroquinolones are frequently used for treatment of UTI and improper use of these antibiotics has led to antibiotic resistance. Ciprofloxacin is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic used commonly for the treatment of UTI
Material and Methods: From March to September 2014, we collected 1723 urine samples from four hospitals in Rasht. After culture and identification of E.coli, antibiogram was performed using ciprofloxacin disk. Plasmid DNA was extracted for amplification of qnrA, qnrB and qnrS. PCR products were electrophoresed on 2% agarose gel containing syber safe. Using SPSS version 18, data analysis was performed by andchi2 test
Results: Of 309 isolated E.coli strains, 139 strains were resistant to ciprofloxacin among which, 96 [69.1%], 103 [74.1%] and 8 [5.8%] samples were carrying qnrS, qnrB and qnrA genes respectively. 9 strains were carrying qnrS, qnrB and qnrA genes simultaneously. Comparison of qnr genes in susceptible and resistant strains to ciprofloxacin showed that qnrS gene was associated with ciprofloxacin resistance
Conclusion: It is necessary to prevent the improper use of antibiotic because of increasing antibiotic resistance. Since qnr genes were detected in some susceptible strains, some other mechanisms such as mutation could be involved in the development of ciprofloxacin resistance
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: This study was performed to compare the metal artifacts from common metal orthodontic brackets in magnetic resonance imaging. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A dry mandible with 12 intact premolars was prepared, and was scanned ten times with various types of brackets: American, 3M, Dentaurum, and Masel orthodontic brackets were used, together with either stainless steel (SS) or nickel titanium (NiTi) wires. Subsequently, three different sequences of coronal and axial images were obtained: spin-echo T1-weighted images, fast spin-echo T2-weighted images, and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery images. In each sequence, the two sequential axial and coronal images with the largest signal-void area were selected. The largest diameters of the signal voids in the direction of the X-, Y-, and Z-axes were then measured twice. Finally, the mean linear values associated with different orthodontic brackets were analyzed using one-way analysis of variation, and the results were compared using the independent t-test to assess whether the use of SS or NiTi wires had a significant effect on the images. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences were only observed along the Z-axis among the four different brands of orthodontic brackets with SS wires. A statistically significant difference was observed along all axes among the brackets with NiTi wires. A statistically significant difference was found only along the Z-axis between nickel-free and nickel-containing brackets. CONCLUSION: With respect to all axes, the 3M bracket was associated with smaller signal-void areas. Overall, the 3M and Dentaurum brackets with NiTi wires induced smaller artifacts along all axes than those with SS wires.
Subject(s)
Artifacts , Bicuspid , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Mandible , Nickel , Orthodontic Brackets , Orthodontic Wires , Stainless Steel , TitaniumABSTRACT
Pregnancy is a successful transplantation. Factors evading rejection of the fetus by the mother's immune system are poorly understood and success rate and maintenance of embryos in assisted reproductive technologies [ART] may also depend on the same factors. The molecules of HLA-G are non-classical major histocompatibility complex class I antigens that have recently attracted attention in regards to pregnancy. The aim of the present study was to determine the concentration of HLA-G and its correlation with success or failure rates of ICSI. Serum samples of 107 women who were undergoing ICSI [the case group] were collected before and 14 days after embryo transfer, as were serum samples of 24 women with normal pregnancy [the control group] in the first trimester of pregnancy. Soluble HLA-G1 and G5 isoforms and the total sHLA-G were assayed by sandwich ELISA. Nonparametric Kolmogorov-Smirnov [K-S], Mann Whitney U and Wilcoxon tests were used for statistical analysis. No significant differences were observed in clinical variables including age, infertility duration and treatment regimen between the control and the case groups. Levels of sHLA-G1 and sHLA-G5 and the total sHLA-G prior and after ICSI in the control group, respectively, were 47.4 +/- 62.8 U/ml, OD: 1.47 +/- 0.58 prior and 59.6 +/- 69.5 U/ml, OD: 1.38 +/- 0.57 after ICSI. In the non-pregnant group, the values respectively were 35.7 +/- 55.2 U/ml, OD: 1.37 +/- 0.45 prior and 39.7 +/- 57.2 U/ml, OD: 1.31 +/- 0.46 after ICSI, corresponding to the control group; 53.16 +/- 47.92 U/ml and OD: 1.29 +/- 0.49. No significant statistical differences were found between the pregnant, nonpregnant and the control groups. No significant changes in the serum levels of sHLAG1 and sHLA-G5 isoforms and the total sHLA-G were observed following embryo transfer. No significant correlation was found between sHLA-G and the success of pregnancy in women undergoing ART. It seems that serum HLA-G has no prognostic value in the prediction of ICSI failure