ABSTRACT
Abstract. Toxoplasmosis is an infectious disease caused by the coccidian parasite Toxoplasma gondii. Diagnosis is based on serological methods with detection of specific IgG and IgM antibodies. The present study was performed to compare the sensitivity and specificity of soluble antigen of T. gondii, RH strain obtained from mice and cell culture in ELISA method. Tachyzoites of T. gondii, RH strain that inoculated in mice peritoneum were collected. At the same time, tachyzoites were harvested from HeLa cell culture that infected with the parasite. Soluble antigen was prepared and ELISA method performed on 100 serum samples that were collected from different laboratories in Tehran, Iran. Commercial Trinity kit was used as gold standard. The sensitivity and specificity of T.gondii soluble antigen were higher in antigens that obtained from cell culture in comparison with mice peritoneum. T. gondii cell culture derived antigen has high sensitivity and specificity in ELISA test.
ABSTRACT
The aim of the present study was to determine the presence of Helicobacter species in different parts of gastrointestinal tract, hepatobiliary system and pancreas of stray cats. Six different sites at the level of genus, gastric [H. heilmannii and H. felis] and enterohepatic species of Helicobacter were investigated in six cats using species-specific primers by polymerase chain reaction [PCR]. Interestingly, DNA of enterohepatic spp. was detected in 1/6 duodenum, 2/6 colon and 1/6 pancreas specimens. Results of sequencing revealed that all of these four positive samples belong to Helicobacter canis. While cats have not been considered as a potential zoonotic danger for non-pylori Helicobacter infections, the results of current study show prompt re-evaluation of that view. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study about distribution of Helicobcater spp. in gastrointestinal tract of cats
ABSTRACT
Background: Rosa canina L. [rose hip] has been traditionally used to treat diabetes mellitus in Iran. However, no scientific human study has determined its efficacy in diabetic patients
Objective: This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of R. canina fruit aqueous extract in type 2 diabetic patients
Methods: Sixty patients with type 2 diabetes, aged 35 - 60 years with fasting blood glucose levels between 130 to 200 mg/dL and HbA1c between 7 - 9% despite using conventional oral hypoglycemic drugs were divided randomly to two groups. Two groups of 25 and 23 patients completing the trial received 750 mg R. canina fruit extract and 750 mg toast powder as placebo two times a day respectively for three months. Fasting blood glucose [FBG] and glycosylated hemoglobin [HbA1c] as primary outcomes and postprandial blood glucose [PBG], lipid profile and hepatic and renal function tests as secondary outcomes were determined at baseline and at endpoint of treatment. The patients were asked to note down any gastrointestinal or other side effects during the study
Results: The FBG level decreased significantly [P = 0.002] in R. canina group after 3 months compared to the baseline. In addition total cholesterol/HDL-C was significantly [P = 0.02] decreased in the R. canina group compared to the baseline. Other blood parameters were not significantly changed during the study compared with placebo and baseline. No serious side effects were reported in both groups during the study
Conclusion: Rosa canina 3-month administration to type 2 diabetic patients may reduce fasting blood glucose and total cholesterol/HDL-C without any side effect
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Adult , Middle Aged , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 , Lipids , Blood Glucose , Fruit , Plant Extracts , Medicine, Traditional , CholesterolABSTRACT
The present study was carried out to determine whether Helicobacter spp. infection in dogs could affect lesions caused by the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs [NSAIDs], aspirin and celecoxib. Thirty asymptomatic mixed-breed dogs were used for this study. Gastric biopsies were taken via gastroscopy and evaluated by polymerase chain reaction [PCR] and rapid urease tests [RUT]. Helicobacter spp. was detected in all specimens. The infection was completely eradicated in 15 dogs by a three-drug regimen for 21 days [amoxicillin, clarithromycin and omeprazole]. Each Helicobacter-positive and -negative group was then divided into three subgroups treated with aspirin, celecoxib and placebo for 14 days. Dogs in the different subgroups were compared by sequential gastroscopy on days 0, 3, 7, 14 and 21 [a week after drug cessation]. The results show that selective COX-2 inhibitors are better tolerated than conventional non-selective NSAIDs in dogs in terms of their side effects; however, these drugs should be administered with caution. Unlike what is advised in medical practices in humans, it seems that the eradication of non-pylori Helicobacter spp. from the stomach is not necessary prior to administrating NSAIDs in dogs
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This study was conducted to investigate the effect of patient education and telephone follow up by the nurse on the level of hope in patients suffering from heart failure. In this study, 189 patients suffering from heart failure were chosen using the convenient sampling method and randomly were assigned into two experiment and one control groups. The control group received only usual care. The first intervention group received one hour education and also one educational booklet at the time of discharge. The second intervention group received telephone followed up by the nurse three months after discharge and also one hour education and educational booklet at the time of discharge. Data was collected using miller hope and demographic data questionnaires. Data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. There was no significant difference between the mean of hope in the groups [P=0.354]. After the intervention, a significant difference was reported between the mean of hope in the groups [P=0.004]. Patient educations at discharge and telephone follow up after discharge as a cost-effective method by the nurse significantly increase hope in patients suffering from heart failure
Subject(s)
Humans , Female , Male , Heart Failure/therapy , Patient Education as Topic , Telephone , Duty to Recontact , Nurses , HopeABSTRACT
A 3-month-old male red fox that was in contact with a Persian cat referred to the small animal hospital, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran with multi-focal circular non-pruritic skin lesions and hair loss mainly on the head and extremities. A complete series of dermatologic tests such as Wood's light examination, direct microscopic examination, and fungal culture were performed. The isolated pathogen was identified as Microsporum canis. The animal was treated using topical and systemic ketoconazole for 4 weeks. After treatment, the lesions were completely disappeared, and there was no recurrence of skin lesions during the follow-up period. It should be noted that asymptomatic cats may carry M. canis, thus may increase the risk of fungal infections for their owners and other pets as well. This is the first documented report of M. canis infection and its treatment in a red fox
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Arteriovenous fistulae traditionally have been placed in the upper extremity. Experience with groin hemodialysis access has been discouraging because of high infection rates and associated limb amputation. The aim of this study was to determine infection rates, patency rates, and possible predictive factors for prosthetic thigh angioaccess outcomes in our hemodialysis patient population. A prospective study was performed for 53 patients who underwent placement of thigh vascular access graft at Sina Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, between Jan 2000 and July 2005. Demographics, complications, and subsequent treatment were recorded. Survival distributions were plotted using the Kaplan-Meier method for graft survival [primary patency]. Log rank tests were used to evaluate for statistical differences in survival distribution between different groups. The primary patency rates were, 78.4%, 61.2%, 56.2%, and 50% at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months, respectively. There were 15 [28.3%] access failures, related to infection in 2 cases [3.7%], thrombosis in 10 cases [18.9%] and bleeding in 3 case [5.7%].There was no limb ischemia.No significant differences in infection rate or graft patency rates were found by patients' age and gender. A PTFE vascular access in the thigh is not associated with higher morbidity compared with the upper extremity, and should be considered as a promising alternative when upper extremity arteriovenous fistulas cannot be constructed .The incidence of infection and thrombosis in our series is comparable with rates reported in the literature for lower extremity polytetrafluoroethylene angioaccess grafts
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Catheters, Indwelling , Treatment Outcome , Prospective StudiesABSTRACT
Background and Purpose: Spinal cord compression due to metastasis, as the initial presentation of follicular thyroid carcinoma, is quite uncommon. In this article, we report one case of well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma which has led to the compression of the spinal cord
The patient: The case we report here is a man of 53 years old, with increasing neck pain, paraplegia and urinary incontinence. Magnetic resonance imaging of the neck revealed a mass which had destructed C5 with extension to C6
Conclusion: Histopathology examination demonstrated the metastasis of a well-differentiated follicular carcinoma of thyroid. Therefore, the metastatic lesion of the thyroid carcinoma should be considered in any case of spinal cord compression
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To evaluate the prevalence, natural course, and final visual acuity in patients with stages III or IV of diffuse lamellar keratitis [DLK] following Laser in situ keratomileusis [LASIK]. In this descriptive study, records of all the patients who underwent LASIK surgery in two private excimer laser clinics were reviewed. According to Linebarger- Lindstrom-Hardten classification, ocular findings of patients with DLK were classified. There was no preoperative systemic or corneal contraindication for LASIK. Age, preoperative refraction and best corrected visual acuity [BCVA], type and duration of treatment, postoperative refraction, topography, final BCVA, possible side effects of medications and complications were reviewed. Out of 4097 eyes of 2131 patients, DLK above stage II developed in 28 eyes [0.68%] of 14 patients [0.66%]. DLK was in stage II-III in 78.6%, stage III in 10.7%, and stage IV in 1.7%. None of these patients had history of allergies. Treatment consisted of frequent betamethasone drops alone or with ointment and oral systemic prednisolone. Interface irrigation was not performed in any patients during the course of treatment. Average interval from LASIK to diagnosis was 3 +/- 1.5 days. Patients were treated for an average duration of 20 +/- 13.2 days and were followed for an average duration of 11 +/- 10 months. Average preoperative BCVA was 0 LogMAR [20,20] and final post LASIK and DLK vision remained the same. Prevalence of DLK stages III and IV is considered insignificant as compared to the enormous number of candidates for LASIK surgery [0.68%]. All patients with DLK stages III and IV responded well to immediate topical and systemic corticosteroid therapy and on follow up there was no adverse effect on final BCVA