G2 chromosomal radiosensitivity and background frequency of sister chromatid exchanges of peripheral blood lymphocytes of breast cancer patients

Chromosomal alterations play an important role in carcinogenesis. Enhanced chromosomal radiosensitivity is shown for many cancer predisposition conditions including breast cancer. In this study chromosomal radiosensitivity and the frequency of background sister chromnatid exchanges [SCE] in lymphocytes of normal individuals and breast cancer patients was compared. G2 assay was performed on peripheral blood lymphocytes obtained from 60 breast cancer patients and 50 normal control. Blood culture was initiated and cells were irradiated with 1 Gy gammarays 4 h prior to harvesting. After metaphase preparations and slide making, chromatid aberrations were scored. For SCE studies, blood samples from 30 breast cancer patients and 30 normal control were studied. 24 hours after culture initiation, 5-bromodeoxy uridine [BrdU] was added and cells were harvested 48 hours after addition of BrdU. Slides were stained in Hoechst 33258 and exposed to UVA source, then stained in Giemsa. Results indicated that the frequency of radiation induced chromatid breaks was significantly higher in breast cancer patients compared to normal control [p<0.01]. From radiosensitivity point of view, 12% of normal control and 47% of breast cancer patients showed elevated chromatid radiosensitivity. Frequency of background SCE was significantly higher in lymphocytes of breast cancer patients compared to lymphocytes of control [p<0.05]. Elevated chromosomal radiosensitivity and higher frequency of SCE in lymphocytes of breast cancer patients might be indicative of genomic instability of these cells. Increased radiosensitivity could also be due to defects in DNA repair genes involved in breast cancer formation

Trends in prevalent injuries among Iranian pilgrims in Hajj

Annually millions of Muslims depart to Saudi Arabia for performing a religious pilgrimage called "Hajj". In this ceremony, pilgrims face numerous health hazards and injuries such as pressing in overcrowding, sliding, burning, falling down, traffic accidents etc. The main purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of injuries in Hajj period across 2004 to 2008. This study was conducted on 253808 Iranian pilgrims on five consecutive years of Hajj ceremonies, from 2004 to 2008. We used a report sheet with 13 types of injuries and 13 mechanisms of these injuries. SPSS V13.5 soft ware was used for analyzing the data. ANOVA and independent sample t- test was conducted, and relationships were considered significant at P< 0.05. The most common injuries was "tissue contusions and ruptures "[about 76/10000], and "tendon lesions" [about 62/10000]. In addition, the most common mechanism of injuries was "ankle sprain" [69/10000] during the five consecutive years. The prevalence of all fractures was about 49/10000 and the proportion of burning with hot water or fire was about 40/10000. Changes of all causes of the injuries were significant in this study [P< 0.05]. We have suggested some directions for preventing of injuries and related Injuries in Hajj, in this study

[Measurement of biochemical components of liver Hydatid cyst fluids in human, sheep, goat, cattle and camel; Mazandaran; 2004]

Different strains of Echinococcus Granulesus have been found in endemic areas of Iran. This variation has a significant aspect in the field of medical parasitology and veterinary and also in epidemiology, pathology, control and prevention of Hydatid cyst infection. Morphology, epidemiology and biochemical studies can be carried out to determine Hydatid cyst strains in human and animal origins as host. This study was done to measure different biochemical compositions of liver Hydatid cyst fluids in human, sheep, goat, cattle and camel in 2004.In a cross sectional-analytical study, 112 samples of Hydatid fluids were collected from the liver cysts of different hosts: 16 sheeps, 64 catties, 12 goats and 10 camels in slaughter houses of Sari and Ghaemshahr and 10 human in Imam hospital. All cyst fluids were centrifuged at 4500 rpm at 4°C for 45 minutes and the supernatants were analyzed for various biochemical parameters.Quantitative differences were observed in the levels of Sodium, Glucose, Urea, Alanin Aminotransferase [AST] in liver cystic fluids obtained from different hosts, although these differences were not statistically insignificant. However, differences in the levels of Potassium, Calcium, Triglycerides, Cholesterol, Uric acid, Creatinin, Albumin, Gamma Glutamyl Transferase, Aspartat Aminotransferase [AST] and Creatinine Phosphokinase [CPK] in different Hydatid cyst fluids were statistically significant [P<0.05].Differences in biochemical composition of different Hydatid cyst fluids suggest the possible existence of more than one strain of Echinococcus Granulosus in human and other intermediate domestic animal hosts in Mazandaran

[Evaluation of chubak aqueous extract in parasite decontamination on vegetables and comparison with commercial detergent in Sari]

Use of surfactants and chemicals for washing and parasite decontamination from vegetables is not recommend-ed by W.H.O. due to it's penetration in vegetables parenchyma and probable cause of improper taste and odor and toxicity. Some surveys showed "soap-roots" rhizomes [Chubak] to contain Saponin like constituents. Those are effective on surface tension reduction and so are prefered to chemical washers. This research was designed to study plant effect on Parasite removal from vegetables and it's comparison with disinfectant and commercial detergent in Sari City [Mazandaran Province-north of Iran]. "Soap-roots" aqueous extract [1, 5, 10, 15, and 20 percent] was prepared from the Acanthophyllum squarrosum [Caryophyllaceae] rhizome by maceration method. 100 g of parsley vegetable samples was taken randomly from shopping centers. The samples were placed in contact with "Soap-roots" aqueous extract for zero and 15 minutes according to the W.H.O. guidelines. Then the effluent was centrifuged and evaluated for parasite decontamination as qualitatively and quantitatively by Mc-master counting slide [0.3 mm]. In addition in this research parasite decontamination by commercial detergent [10%] was performed with contact times 0 and 15 minutes and also pure water as blank. Maximum parasite decontamination by "Soap-roots" aqueous extract and commercial detergent [10%] at 0 minute contact time obtained was 84 and 97 parasite eggs [parasite], respectively. Also maximum parasite decontamination by "Soap-roots" aqueous extract and commercial detergent [10%] and blank water at 15 minutes contact time obtained was 230, 26 and 64 parasite ova [parasite], respectively. In this research the best parasite decontamination range by "Soap-roots" aqueous extract was obtained at concentrations of 10 to 20% and contact time of 15 minutes. Quantitavely, maximum parasite ova [parasite] decontamination from vegetable samples by "Soap-roots" aqueous extract [10%] and 15 minutes contact time released 230 parasites. This numbers included 22 alive and active nematode larva, 197 alive larvas and 20 Parameciumia

[Study on prevalence rate of cryptosporidium in patients receiving immunosuppressive drugs]

Introduction: cryptosporidiasis is one of the problems in patients receiving immunosuppressive drugs

Objectives: considering the presence of broad range of clinical manifestations in such patients, following secondary infections, longevity of patients, the new methods of treatment and prevention, are continually changing. Hence, the aim of this study was to determine Cryptosporidium parvum in 100 patients receiving immunosuppressive drugs considered as the test group and another 100 patients with gastroenteritis but non-immunosuppressive drugs users as the control

Materials and Methods: in this case-control survey in Babol Amircola Children Hospital in Babol, 100 patients as test and 100 patients as control after being matched for sex, age, geographic conditions of the residing places [rural and urban areas] were studied. All the data concerning the patients such as age, sex, the kind of disease, the kind of drug used, the doses being used, contact with animals, the kind of drinking water, duration of chemotherapy and other clinical symptoms were obtained by questionnaire. From the test and control groups, stool samples were collected three times, and were stained by Ziehl- Neelsen and modified Ziehl- Neelsen methods. The results were analyzed statistically

Results: the results of the study indicated that the rates of infection in test and control groups were 5 % and 6% respectively. The average infection rate was [5.5 %]. There was no statistically significant difference in the rate of infection between test and control groups [Z= 0.3]. The highest rate of infection was observed in the age groups of 4-6 years and 6-8 years in the test and control groups, respectively. There was no significant difference between sex and the rate of infection. The highest rate of infection was observed in patients with acute lymphatic leukemia. The number of drugs used had no effect on the rate of infection

Conclusion: the results of this study indicate that more accurate laboratory diagnostic methods for this parasite and more individuals with normal and suppressed immune system are required

[Serological levels of Zinc and Iron elements among Giardia lamblia infected children under 12 years old]

Giardiasis is one of the most prevalent human intestinal parasites, especially among children aged between 2 to 12 years old. In this study, the effects of giardiasis on serological levels of zinc and Iron elements were determined. A total of 100 children aged under 12 years who were admitted to the Pediatric departments of hospitals affiliated to Mazandaran University with gastrointestinal complain, and diagnosed as having giardiasis by stool examination [direct and formalin -ether technique and trichrome stain] in the parasitology department, were enrolled as the case group. The control group consisted of 100 age - matched healthy children. A questionaire including age, physical growth status and clinical symptoms was completed. Serological levels of Zinc and Iron were measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometer in all samples in Shilat of Mazandaran. In this study, serum Iron levels were 67 +/- 25 microg/dL and 77 +/- 23 microg/dL and Zinc levels were 64 +/- 20 microg/dL and 96 +/- 23 microg/dL in case and control group, respectively. Statistical analysis showed significant differences between the serological levels of these elements, which was much higher in serum Iron level [P<0.05]. These results revealed those serological levels of Zinc and Iron decreased during giardiasis due to malabsorption