Seroepidemiology of HBV infection in South-East of Iran; a population based study

Hepatitis B virus [HBV] infection is a major risk factor of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma affecting billions of people globally. Since information on its prevalence in general population is mandatory for formulating effective policies, this population based serological survey was conducted in Sistan and Baluchistan, where no previous epidemiological data were available. Using random cluster sampling 3989 healthy subjects were selected from 9 districts of Sistan and Baluchistan Province in southeastern Iran. The subjects' age ranged from 6 to 65 years old. Serum samples were tested for HBcAb, HBsAg. Screening tests were carried out by the third generation of ELISA. Various risk factors were recorded and multivariate analysis was performed. The prevalence of HBsAg and HBcAb in Sistan and Baluchistan was 3.38% [95% CI 2.85; 3.98] and 23.58% [95% CI 22.29; 24.93] respectively. We found 8 cases of positive anti-HDV antibody. Predictors of HBsAg or HBcAb in multivariate analysis were age, marital status and addiction. The rate of HBV infection in Sistan and Baluchistan was higher than other parts of Iran. Approxi-mately 25% of general population in this province had previous exposure to HBV and 3% were HBsAg carriers. Intrafamilial and addiction were major routes of HBV transmission in this province

Token reinforcement therapeutic approach is more effective than exercise for controlling negative symptoms of schizophrenic patients: aÿrandomized controlled trial

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of exercise and token-behavior therapy on the negative symptoms of schizophrenic patients. Comparison of the effectiveness of exercise and token-behavior therapy on the negative symptoms of schizophrenic patients. This research was a randomized controlled clinical trial that was done on 45 schizophrenic patients, hospitalized in Rasht, Iran. Through systematic random allocation, the samples were placed in one control and two intervention groups, 15 patients in each. To assess the negative symptoms, the scale for the assessment of negative symptoms [SANS] was used. The effect of the interventions used [exercise and token-behavior therapy] was studied by completing the relevant checklists before and after using the interventions, and then, by comparing it with that of the studied control group. In order to analyze the collected data, one way ANOVA and Bonferroni's test and SPSS software were used. Analyses showed that the token reinforcement approach was highly and significantly more effective than exercise for reducing the negative symptoms in schizophrenic patients [-36 +/- 7 vs. -21 +/- 8, respectively; P<0.001]. Exercise was also shown to have a highly significant advantage over no therapy, in controls, to improve the negative symptoms in schizophrenic patients [-25 +/- 8 vs. 0.2 +/- 1.08, respectively; P<0.001]. Both exercise and token-behavior therapies, along with drug treatment, are very effective in reducing the negative symptoms of schizophrenia; but the impact of token therapy is significantly higher

Social consequences of infected haemophilia cases in the Islamic Republic of Iran

The unintentional contamination of haemophilia patients with HIV in the early 1980s raised serious questions about the safety of blood product supplies worldwide. The events initiated a cascade of consequences for both infected patients and the national health systems of many countries, including the Islamic Republic of Iran. Lawsuits have been filed in the courts mostly in developed countries, leading to the establishment of some kind of reimbursement programme for haemophilia patients who acquired viral infections. In the late 1990s the courts ordered the Iranian Ministry of Health, in addition to providing free care with the latest treatments, to pay compensation to the haemophilia patients. The adverse consequences of these events on the equitable distribution of resources in the Iranian health care system are discussed in this paper

[Effect of different levels of oil-extracted propolis on immune system of broiler chicks against newcastle virus]

Biosecurity in the production of broiler chickens is very important but it is hard or even impossible to maintain; hence, promotion of immune responses could control diseases in chickens. At present study, the effect of six levels of oil-extracted propolis [0, 50, 100, 150, 200 and 250 mg/kg ration] on immune system against Newcastle virus was studied using a completely randomized design with 360 chickens. Blood antibody ratio against the Newcastle virus [HI test], the weight of thymus, bursa fabricius and the percentage of lymphocytes were measured for a period of 42 days and the data were analyzed. The results indicated that the rate of antibody has significantly [p<0.05] increased with an increase in the amount of propolis in diets and with the levels of 250 mg/kg ration the antibody rose to 10.42 titre at the age of 42 compare to control [6.42]. The weight of thymus gland also increased significantly [p<0.05] with the increase in the levels of propolis and at the levels of 250 mg/kg in ration, weight of thymus increased up to 14.54g in compared to control [8.47 g]. Similarly the weight of bursa fabricius significantly increased [p<0.05] from 2.42 g in contral to 4.62 g in 250 mg propolis/kg of ration [p<0.05]. Intake of 200 and 250 mg propolis/kg of ration has significantly increased the lymphocytes to the levels of 50.18 and 51.25 percent compared to the control [48.93%], respectively. Results indicate that the efficiency of immune-system for immunizing of broiler chickens against Newcastle virus has been promoted using 50 up to 250 mg of propolis per kg of ration

Distribution of hepatitis C virus genotypes in iranian patients with congenital bleeding disorders

Chronic hepatitis C virus [HCV] infection is the major cause of liver disease related morbidity and mortality in hemophilic patients who needs regular blood product administration. Although genotype of infecting HCV is one of the prime predictors of response to antiviral therapy however, its distribution in hemophilic patients is still unclear and just few studies with low sample sizes have investigated this issue. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to identify this distribution in 367 Iranian hemophilic patients. Blood samples were received from 367 hemophilic patients with chronic hepatitis C detected during a nationwide screening program who referred to our center for therapeutic measures. HCV RNA viral load was detected using Amplicor test [Version 2]. Genotyping was performed by genotype specific primers. HCV genotype distribution was 1a in 58%, 3a in 18.5%, 1b in 14.7%, 4 in 1.1%, 2 in 0.8% and mixed in 6.2% and finally 0.5% of isolates were non-typable. Serum liver enzymes were not associated with HCV viral load and genotypes. Patients with severe bleeding tendency had significantly lower serum liver enzymes than those with a mild bleeding tendency. Genotype 1a followed by 3a and 1b were the most frequently detected HCV genotypes in Iranian hemophilic patients and there was no association between splenomegaly and viral markers and liver enzymes in these patients

[Comparison of cytokine growth factors in platelet supernatant, platelet lysate and activated platelet-rich plasma for therapeutic applications]

Platelet-Rich Plasma [PRP] is a concentration of human platelets in a small volume of plasma. It has been shown that effects of this product on various cell types is due to synergistic effects of some proteins of platelet alpha granules as platelet growth factors. The purpose of this study is definition of the more efficient platelet product, with higher protein and growth factor concentration for using in various applications. In this study, platelet-rich plasma was isolated by apheresis method. Activated Platelet-rich Plasma [AP] was prepared by platelet activation by thrombin and calcium chloride. Platelet Supernatant [PS] and Platelet Lysate [PL] preparation was performed by high speed centrifugation [900 g], and freezing and thawing of platelet rich plasma, respectively. The growth factors and protein concentrations in these platelet products were measured by ELISA and Bradford methods, respectively. Platelet concentration of Platelet-rich Plasma was 1.066x10[9] +/- 0.15x10[9] /ml [Mean +/- SD]. According to the results, concentrations of PDGF, TGF-beta, FGF, EGF and protein were few in Platelet Supernatant [0.24 +/- 0.03 ng/ml, 4.5 +/- 0.4 ng/ml, 0.8 +/- 0.06 pg/ml, 2.6 +/- 0.3 pg/ml and 460 +/- 6 mg/ml, respectively] and significantly increased by platelet activation [23.0 +/- 2.1 ng/ml,19 +/- 3.0 ng/ml,7.4 +/- 1.0 pg/ml,23.3 +/- 3.0 pg/ml and 480 +/- 4 mg/ml, respectively] or freezing and thawing of PRP [18.1 +/- 1.9 ng/ml, 16.0 +/- 3.0ng/ml,10.2 +/- 1.3pg/ml,31.0 +/- 4.0 pg/ml and 490 +/- 5 mg/ml, respectively], [P<0.05]. We showed that concentration of PDGF and TGF- beta as two major platelet growth factors is significantly higher than FGF and EGF in all of three platelet products [P<0.05]. We also found that FGF and EGF concentrations are significantly higher in Platelet Lysate [10.2 +/- 1.3 and 31.0 +/- 4.0] than Activated Platelet-rich Plasma [7.4 +/- 1.0 and 23.3 +/- 3.0] [P<0.05], and TGF-beta in Platelet Supernatant [4.5 +/- 0.4], in contrast to two other platelet products, is significantly higher than PDGF [0.24 +/- 0.03] [P<0.05]. Preparation of Platelet-rich Plasma by apheresis method, gives a high platelet count. Protein extraction by PRP activation yields a higher concentration of two major factors [PDGF and TGF-beta], in spite of higher amounts of protein, FGF and EGF in Platelet Lysate. More studies are needed to define the relation between higher growth factor concentration or protein content and effects in various applications

[Comparison of cytokine growth factors in platelet supernatant, platelet lysate and activated platelet-rich plasma for therapeutic applications]

Background: platelet-Rich Plasma [PRP] is a concentration of human platelets in a small volume of plasma. It has been shown that effects of this product on various cell types is due to synergistic effects of some proteins of platelet alpha granules as platelet growth factors. The purpose of this study is definition of the more efficient platelet product, with higher protein and growth factor concentration for using in various applications

Materials and Methods: in this study, platelet-rich plasma was isolated by apheresis method. Activated Platelet-rich Plasma [AP] was prepared by platelet activation by thrombin and calcium chloride. Platelet Supernatant [PS] and Platelet Lysate [PL] preparation was performed by high speed centrifugation [900g], and freezing and thawing of platelet rich plasma, respectively. The growth factors and protein concentrations in these platelet products were measured by ELISA and Bradford methods, respectively

Results: platelet concentration of Platelet-rich Plasma was 1.066×10[9] +/- 0.15×10[9] /ml [Mean +/- SD]. According to the results, concentrations of PDGF, TGF-beta, FGF, EGF and protein were few in Platelet Supernatant [0.24 +/- 0.03 ng/ml, 4.5 +/- 0.4 ng/ml, 0.8 +/- 0.06 pg/ml, 2.6 +/- 0.3 pg/ml and 460 +/- 6 mg/ml, respectively] and significantly increased by platelet activation [23.0 +/- 2.1 ng/ml, 19 +/- 3.0 ng/ml, 7.4 +/- 1.0 pg/ml, 23.3 +/- 3.0 pg/ml and 480 +/- 4 mg/ml, respectively] or freezing and thawing of PRP [18.1 +/- 1.9 ng/ml, 16.0 +/- 3.0 ng/ml, 10.2 +/- 1.3 pg/ml, 31.0 +/- 4.0 pg/ml and 490 +/- 5 mg/ml, respectively] [P<0.05]. We showed that concentration of PDGF and TGF-beta as two major platelet growth factors is significantly higher than FGF and EGF in all of three platelet products [P<0.05]. We also found that FGF and EGF concentrations are significantly higher in Platelet Lysate [10.2 +/- 1.3 and 31.0 +/- 4.0] than Activated Platelet-rich Plasma [7.4 +/- 1.0 and 23.3 +/- 3.0] [P<0.05], and TGF-beta in Platelet Supernatant [4.5 +/- 0.4], in contrast to two other platelet products, is significantly higher than PDGF [0.24 +/- 0.03] [P<0.05]

Conclusions: preparation of Platelet-rich Plasma by apheresis method, gives a high platelet count. Protein extraction by PRP activation yields a higher concentration of two major factors [PDGF and TGF-beta], in spite of higher amounts of protein, FGF and EGF in Platelet Lysate. More studies are needed to define the relation between higher growth factor concentration or protein content and effects in various applications

[Molecular diagnosis of B cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma by evaluation of immunoglobulin heavy chain gene rearrangement]

Rearrangement of V, D, and J segments of immunoglobulin heavy chain gene with inserted or deleted nucleotides within rearranged segments makes unique hypervariable regions [CDR-3]. These regions can be used for evaluation of B cell clonality for the purpose of molecular diagnosis of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma [NHL] and for confirmatory diagnosis in suspicious cases. In this study, samples of 42 patients were collected from Taleghani, Baqhiyatalah, and Aliasghar hospitals; out of this number, there were 22 patients with diagnosis of B cell NHL, 10 with reactive hyperplasia, and 10 with malignant lymphoma. After DNA extraction from formalin fixed paraffin embedded tissues, PCR was done using consensus primers for amplification of CDR-3 region. PCR products were analyzed after heteroduplex analysis using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and silver stain. Results Clonal patterns in group 1 [B cell NHL], 2 [reactive and follicular hyperplasia], and 3 [morphological diagnosis without immunohistochemistry] were observed in 77.2%, 0%, and 70% of patients, respectively. Our findings are compatible with other international studies with minor differences. The diagnosis of B-cell lymphoid malignancy can frequently be substantiated by detecting clonal immunoglobulin heavy chain [IGH] gene rearrangement

[Effect of terbutaline on performance and some blood biochemical parameters of broiler chicks]

To study the effects of different levels of beta-adrenergic agonists on performance and some blood biochemical parameters of male and female broiler chicks. Factorial study [5treatment x 2 sexes] as completely randomized design. Three hundred Cobb male and female broiler chicks. Twenty one day old chickens were fed with 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 mg terbutaline/kg of diet for 3 weeks. After then, performance[Feed intake, body weight gain and feed conversion ratio], weight of whole body and carcass of chicks and the concentration of serum glucose [GLC], cholesterol [TC], triglycerides [TG], creatine kinase [CK], glutamic oxaloacetic transferase [GOT] and blood urea nitrogen [BUN] of chicks were determined at the end of experiment. Analysis of Variance of the data and Duncan's multiple range tests. While different levels of terbutaline had not any effect on the body weight gain of chicks, feed conversion ratio of the roosters reduced in response to 5 and 10 mg terbutaline /kg the highest weight of the whole body and carracas of male and female chiks were seen with mg terbutaline kg of diet. Increased dietary level of terbutaline made increase in the concentration of GLC. The highest concentration of blood TC and TG were seen by 10 mg terbutaline. Different levels of terbutaline had not any effect on the concentration of CK, GOT and BUN. Results showed that 5 mg terbutaline /kg in grower diet made increase in whole body and carcass weight of male and female broiler chicks. Furthermore, it improved the feed conversion ratio in roosters

[Study of the process of essential oil extraction from rosemary plant by using steam distillation method]

Rosemary [Rosemarinus officinialis L.] is an aromatic, medicinal and condiment plant that belongs to the family labiatae, reaching a height of 1.5 meter. Essential oil of rosemary, known as rosemary oil, is extracted by hydrodistillation method from the fresh leaves and twigs. The yield ranges from 0.5 to 1.5% [w/w]. Improving the total yields, determining minimum steam to be passed through the packed bed, evaluating influence of used multi-stage column and trend to change into important component with time of distillation are the aims of this work. In this work, essential oil was extracted from rosemary plant by steam distillation method. For the extraction of essential oil by this method rosemary was exposed to the steam flow. The processes were done and the extraction yield was calculated. Then, the components of the essential oils analyzed by GC-MASS and GC instruments. Experiments that were conducted in multi-stage columns and decreased steam flow rate proved that an increase in the number of stages has a considerable effect upon the yield. Also analyses which were done on essential oils components during 5, 15, 30, 60 and 100 minutes intervals showed different extraction phenomena for three major components of the oil; a-pinene, 1, 8- cineol and camphor. This study showed a direct correlation between increase of contact time of steam and increase of the yield. Also barrier effect of cell wall and boiling point of components affect extraction phenomena of them

[Effects of rapeseed meal and iodine supplement on broiler chicks]

To study the effects of rapeseed meal and iodine supplementation on performance, organs weight and some biochemical parameters of broiler chicks. Completely randomized design with 3 dietary treatments. One hundred and twenty one-day-old Arian broiler chicks [mixed male and female]. Chickens were categorized into 3 groups: soybean meal, rapeseed meal, and rapeseed meal plus iodine [2mg/kg]. feed intake, body weight gain and feed conversion ratio were determined at the end of starter, grower, finisher and whole priod states Moreover, the values of relative weight of liver, gallbladder, heart, spleen, gizzard, abdominal fat pad and carcass accompaning with serum concentrations of triiodothyronine, thyroxine, gamma glutamyltransferase and alanin aminotransferase were determined at 49 day of age. Significant differences among treatments determined by Duncan's multiple range tests. While rapeseed meal [RSM] reduced, body weight gain and feed conversion ratio, iodine supplement did not affect body weight gain and feed conversion ratio during starter, grower and whole period states. In contrast to iodine treatment the highest weight of gallbladder and its ratio to whole body weight were seen with RSM. The weight of abdominal fat pad and its ratio to whole body weight were reduced in RSM and RSM puls iodine supplementation. Iodine Supplementation had effect on the concentration of thyroxine, triiodothyronine gamm glutamyltransferase and alanin aminotransferase in RSM group. The complete replacement of rapeseed meal with soybean reduced performance and concentration of triiodothyronine hormone, and increased some organs weight, idoine supplementation had no effect on erfrmanc

[ efficacy of horse collagen[Antema] in hemostasis of bleeding due to dental procedures, pilonidal sinus surgery, hemorrhoidectomy and laminectomy]

Hemostasis and control of bleeding are important principles in surgery. Control of bleeding with normal procedures such as cauterization and ligation is sometimes hard and even impossible. Considering different effects of collagen including hemostasis acceleration, complete absorption, tissue repair, and flexibility and appropriate traction, it can help maintain hemostasis. In a randomized controlled clinical trial, 92 cases and 91 controls were compared. Horse collagen [Antema] was used in cases while routine procedures were implemented in controls. Patients were evaluated in 4 groups involving dental procedures, pilonidal sinus open surgery, hemorrhoidectomy, and laminectomy. Statistical indices such as mean, standard error, and statistical tests such as t-test and chi-square were used in the analysis. Mean age was 29.48 +/- 1.29 in the cases and 33.2 + 1.5 in the control group. Seventy four [36 cases, 38 controls] undergoing dental procedures, 61[31 cases, 30 controls] pilonidal sinus open surgeries, 31[18 cases, 18 controls] hemorrhoidectomies, and 12[7 cases, 5 control] laminectomies were investigated. Despite higher severity of bleeding in cases [p=0.011, r=0.247], the time of bleeding control [p<0.001] and the time of complete hemostasis[p<0.001] were lower in cases than in the control group. Antema is effective in hemostasis and it may be used as an adjunct material in hemostasis