Mycobacterium tuberculosis genotyping by MIRU-VNTR method

st and ardized genotyping systems in molecular epidemiology of tuberculosis in the world. This sudy was done to determine the Mycobacterium tuberculosis genotyping by MIRU-VNTR method. Methods: This descriptive study was done on sputum, gastric lavage clinical specimens of 53 tuberculosis suspected patients. Fifty-three isolates were identified by 16S rRNAandRv-typing followed by RD typing. They were then subjected to a 12-locus [ETRA, ETRB, ETRC, ETRD, ETRE and ETRF, MIRU-10, MIRU-26, MIRU-39, MIRU-30 plus QUB-11b] MIRU-VNTR typing system. Results: In MIRU-VNTR typing, forty-four types were identified with 13 isolates classified in 4 clustered and the remaining 40 isolates representing 40 orphan patterns. In comparative analysis of MIRU-VNTR loci, MIRU-26 with 7 alleles displayed the highest diversity level [Simpson's diversity index = 0.767. Out of the 53 isolates, only one was identified as Mycobacterium bovis. All the remaining isolates were characterized as Mycobacterium tuberculosis. None of the samples was affected to Mycobacterium complex strain. No evidence of either double or co-infection of the patients with more than one species/strain was detected. Conclusion: While the genomic diversity observed by MIRU-VNTR typing sounds extensive, the population genomic structure on the whole however, seems to be homogenous. Recent transmission between studied patients does not appear to be a frequent event as only 13 isolates representing 4 MIRU-VNTR types, were assumingly epidemic

[Correlation between population characteristics and safety attitude to work of women workers in food factories]

Due to increase of accident work in Iranian women workers, safety attitude is an important factor at work and it should be considered. The aim of this study was to determine correlation between demographic characteristics and safety attitude of women workers in food factories. In this descriptive-correlation study, 171 woman workers were selected by multiphase sampling. Data was collected by 2-part questionnaire of demographic characteristics and "Safety Attitude to Work Questionnaire". Validity of the questionnaires was evaluated by CVI [92.10] and CVR [91.11]. In addition, face and reliability were determined by internal consistency [alpha=0.86] and test-retest [r=0.94]]. Result showed that most of the samples had positive safety attitude [81.3%]. In addition, results showed they also indicated that there is a significant correlation between marriage and number of children with safety attitude to work [P>0.01]. Contrary, there was a negative correlation between salary and work experiences with safety attitude [P>0.05]. Other demographic characteristics did not have a significant relationship with safety attitude [P<0.05]. Due to correlation between some demographic characteristics and safety attitude of women workers, further study is suggested for future research

[Electrocardiographic changes due to hyperkalemia in patients with acute and chronic renal failure undergoing chronic hemodialysis]

Hyperkalemia is a common disorder among renal failure patients and is considered as an important internal medicine emergency. On the other hand, considering the non-specific symptoms of hyperkalemia and its similarity to the underlying diseases' symptoms, the occurrence of dangerous side effects is probable. One of the most important effects is on myocardium. Considering the immature mechanism of potassium conformity in confrontation with hyperkalemia in Acute Renal Failure [ARF] patients, the toxic effects of hyperkalemia occurs in lower potassium levels. The aim of this study is comparing the EKG changes due to hyperkalemia in patients with acute and chronic renal failure undergoing chronic hemodialysis. The recent study was an analytic cross-sectional one performed on patients hospitalized in hemodialysis ward in Hashemi Nejad, Shohadaye-hafte- tir and Rasoul Akram hospitals, during 1382-1383. The serum electrolyte levels and EKG changes of 138 patients with End Stage Renal Disease [ESRD] who were under chronic hemodialysis and 91 patients with ARF, who were hospitalized in different wards, were measured and evaluated, using SPSS V.11 software and t and Chi Square tests Among 229 patients, 138 [60%] were ESRD patients who were under chronic hemodialysis and 91 [40%] had acute renal failure. The mean potassium level in ARF and ESRD patients were 5.66 +/- 1.2 and 5.77 +/- 0.91 mE/l which did not differ significantly [p=0.4]. In EKG evaluations, the mean height of T wave, R wave and T/R ratio in ARF patients were 6.3 +/- 2.4 mm, 5.7 +/- 2.1 mm and 1.3 +/- 0.9 mm respectively. These data in ESRD patients were 6 +/- 2.2 mm, 5.6 +/- 2.3 mm and 1.2 +/- 0.78 mm. No significant difference was seen among two groups [P = 0.3, 0.8 and 0.7]. In ARF and ESRD patients, there was a significant relationship between peaked tall T wave frequency and hyperkalemia severity [p<0.001]. In the simultaneous presence of hyperkalemia and hypocalcemia, peaked tall T wave frequency, mean of R wave height and T/R ratio in ARF and ESRD groups were not significantly different. On the other hand, in the coincidence of hyperkalemia and hyponatremia peaked tall T wave frequency and T/R ratio in ARF and ESRD groups were significantly different. [P <0.05] Severe hyperkalemia, hyperkalemia in the setting of ARF and the simultaneous presence of hyperkalemia and hyponatremia may increase the probability of cardiac changes. These groups of patients who undergo hemodialysis need vigorous care considering the cardiac complications

[Consequence analysis of toxic chemicals release from petrochemical feed and product pipelines network]

Consequence analysis of toxic chemicals releases has important influence on emergency response planning and reduction of fatalities. To determine consequences of toxic chemicals releases in petrochemical feed and product pipelines network. This was a cross-sectional study performed in Mahshahr Petrochemical Special Economic Zone [Petzone, Iran] during 2006-2007. Initially, a total number of 60 pipelines were evaluated using the chemical exposure index and the most hazardous chemicals selected for further analysis. Later, the lethal concentrations of chemicals were calculated by probit equation and local meteorological data assessed. In the end, the toxic release dispersion modeling was performed using of areal location of hazardous atmospheric program, and the fatal length for emergency response planning offered. Butadiene pipeline showed the highest chemical exposure index value however, the chlorine pipeline was found to have the most hazard distance based on life-threatening health effects of emergency response planning guideline [ERPG-3]. The LC1, LC50 and LC99 in F condition were about 703m, 413m and 248m, respectively. Determination of hazard distance and emergency response planning for chlorine pipeline based on LC1 and in F condition will supply the lowest level of fatality and highest margin of safety in areas adjacent to petrochemical feed and product pipelines network

Plain CT scan in neonatal convulsion

Convulsion is the commonest neurologic manifestation in neonatal period. History taking, physical examination and primary paraclinical data leads to the differential diagnosis. Evaluation of brain's underlying diseases is important in the prognosis, but using anti convulsive therapy, ultrasonography and Plain CT scan also play significant roles. This is descriptive, cross-sectional study performed over 80 neonates with seizures admitted to NICU during one year. The history, physical examination para-clinical and radiological findings were collected in check-list forms and analyzed statistically using SPSS and exact X[2]-test. Sixty five% of neonates had abnormal findings in brain CT scan, such as hypoxic ischemic encephalography [27.5%], intracranial hemorrhage [21.2%], brain dysgenesis [10%], metabolic causes [23.7%], and combination of all [22.5%]. Most of the neonates with abnormal CT scan had seizure, during 24-72 hours of age. Most of the neonates with seizures who had abnormal CT scan, had it during first 24-72 hours of age, which statistically was meaningful [P < 0.05]. As asphyxia and birth trauma were important underlying causes of seizures, improvement of obstetric access and safety of delivery and proper neonatal care should be considered

Evaluation of 4,4-methylene diphenyl diisocyanate effects on foam producing workers of car manufacture

4, 4 - Methylendiphenyl diisocyanate[MDI], is the most widely used chemical in the manufacturing of polyurethanes [a field of plastic industries], and it is one of the major causes of the occupational asthmas. Assessing the MDI concentration in air and also evaluating the effect of this chemical on eyes, skin, respiratory and gastrointestinal systems in workers of a foam producing section in a car manufacturing company. The effects of MDI on skin, eyes, respiratory and gastrointestinal systems were evaluated in two 40-person groups of exposed and unexposed workers and the MDI concentration in air was determined. The data were analyzed using t-Student test, pair-t-test, lamda[2] test, Regression Analyze, and correlation test. MDI concentration was lower than the threshold limit value while the local ventilation and air conditioning systems were both on, however, it was higher than the expected value when both systems were switched off. Our results showed that the presence of symptoms such as coughing, smart pain and dryness of skin, and the smart pain and itching of eyes in exposed group were significantly different from those in unexposed group[P<0.05]. Some of respiratory volumes were indicative of a significant difference between exposed and unexposed groups [P<0.05]. Exposure to MDI can result in reduction of respiratory volumes while increasing the occurrence of eye, skin and respiratory symptoms