Serum level of matrix metalloproteinase-3 in patients with oral Lichen planus

Oral Lichen planus [OLP] is a chronic lesion of the oral mucosa with unknown origin. Basement membrane changes are common in OLP and may be mediated by proteases such as matrix metalloproteinase [MMPs] and mast cell chymase. The aim of our study was to evaluate the level of serum MMP-3 in OLP compared to normal individuals and assess its clinical significance. Thirty four serum samples from patients diagnosed with OLP [12 males, 22 females, age: 42.2 +/- 10.8 years] and 34 serum samples from healthy control subjects [11 males, 23 females, age: 42.5 +/- 13.3 years] were collected and MMP-3 concentration was measured by ELISA. The serum MMP-3 level in OLP patients was higher [21.64 +/- 24.31 ng/ml] compared with healthy controls [16.52 +/- 23.63 ng/ml], but showed no statistically significant difference. A statistically significant difference was demonstrated between the two types of OLP, being more pronounced in the erosive/atrophic form 6]. The different clinical appearances of OLP are associated with significant differences in MMP-3 serum level

[Molecular cloning and expression of Bacillus anthracis Lethal Factor domain 1 gene in Escherichia coli]

Anthrax is a common disease in human and livestock caused by Bacillus anthracis. Bacillus anthracis has two strong immunogen proteins: Protective antigen [PA] and lethal factor domain I [LFD1] that has been always considered as a candidate vaccine against Bacillus anthracis. The aim of this study was to express the lethal factor domain I in Escherichia coli. In this laboratory experimental study, the gene of LFD1 was detected and amplified from pXO1 plasmid by PCR. The gene was cloned with Bam H I and Xho I restriction site in cloning vector [pGEM-T easy], after isolation was sub cloned to expression vector pET28a[+]. This vector was transformed to E. coli-BL21 [DE3] to express LFD1 gene. The expression of LFD1 gene was induced by IPTG, and LFD1 protein was produced. The cloned LFD1 gene in pET28a[+] vector was confirmed by sequencing, PCR and enzymatic analysis. The expressed recombinant protein was confirmed by SDS-PAGE and Western blotting. According to immunogenicity of LFD1 protein, the produced recombinant protein can be used separately or in combination by adjuvants and delivers to design a vaccine against anthrax

Short- and mid-term results of atrial septal defect and patent foramen ovale occlusion with starway septal occluder device

With a prevalence of almost 7% of all congenital heart diseases, atrial septal defect [ASD] is a common condition. Patent foramen ovale [PFO] is also a congenital heart disease which is frequently sustained into adulthood. To study the feasibility of closure of ASD and PFU by Starway septal occluder device and the incidence of its inherent complications and procedural failure in 62 patients referred to our center. Starway septal occluder device was used for closure of ASD and PFO in 62 patients. After left and right heart catheterization, transesophageal echocardiography-guided closure was done for the patients with immediate recording of the results. Patients were followed for 6 months by transesophageal echocardiography for observing short- and mid-term complications. The 62 studied patients were categorized into 2 groups. Group 1 included 31 patients [64% females] with ASD [mean +/- SD age: 26.7 +/- 7.6 years]. Group 2 consisted of 31 patients [35.6% females] with PFO [mean +/- SD age: 53.5 +/- 12.4 years]. Size of the right ventricle [RV] annulus was significantly [P=0.005] decreased after the intervention in the ASD group. Overall 5 [8%] patients developed post-intervention complications [transient ischemic attack, leg edema, and residual shunt] and procedural failure-4 [13%] in ASD group and 1 [3%] in PFO group. None of the patients developed device-related thrombosis, significant arrhythmia, aortic regurgitation and pericardial effusion after intervention. Starway occluder device is effective and safe with very low short- and mid-term complication rates

wound healing effects of iloprost in patients with Buerger's disease: claudication and prevention of major amputations

This study analyzes the therapeutic effects of intravenous infusion of iloprost in wound healing, healing of the amputation stump wound, improvement in intermittent claudication and prevention of major amputation in patients with Buerger's disease. In a prospective study, 19 patients with known Buerger's disease, received intravenous iloprost infusion, 6 hours per day for 10 days. Iloprost with a dose of 0.5-2 ng/kg/min according to the patients' tolerance and using cardiac monitoring during the whole infusion period was administered for 6 hours/day using saline solution. Patients with larger wounds underwent simultaneous transmetatarsal or Ray amputation of the involved toe[s]. All patients were discharged after 10 days. Patients were followed to detect their healing changes. Nineteen patients, 19-55 years old received 0.5-2 ng/kg/min iloprost intravenously for 6 hours/day for 10 days. During this period, there was relative improvement in resting pain, but no significant amelioration was noticed in wound healing. In a 2 years follow-up, 14 patients showed a complete healing of the amputation stump and increased distance of walking without any pain. Some previous candidates of major amputation did not need amputation anymore. Five patients [26%] did not respond to therapy. Although Buerger's disease patients who were under iloprost therapy, may not show significant changes in wound healing during treatment and at discharge, late results have proved that iloprost infusion is promising in improving wound healing and claudication and preventing major amputations

[Achieving the goals of integration of medical education and health service delivery systems from the viewpoint of the faculty members of Kermanshah university of medical sciences]

Plan of integration of the schools of medicine and health systems was approved in 1985. Considering the importance of the opinion the faculty members on achieving success on this issue, we decided to perform this study. We used a questionnaire consisted of 27 questions in various fields. Also the questions were categorized in the education, research, treatment, health and social fields. After completing the questionnaire, score of every question was determined. According to demographic information of the participants, scores of the different fields and also between different fields were analyzed by means of ANOVA, Friedman and paired T test. From the viewpoint of the faculty members, achievement of the goals of integration on the average was 52.37 +/- 1.07 [Mean +/- SEM] percent of the maximum scores. The highest scores belonged to health services and health indicators [59.87% +/- 1.21] and the least scores were related to research facilities and activities and social purposes of integration plan [49.19% +/- 1.20] [P=0.0001]. From the viewpoint of the faculty members, success in achieving integration plan goals is still far from ideal state. Success of this plan in the health field was significantly higher than that of education and treatment fields. Also the success of this plan in the research and social fields [such as changing the sociological insight of the graduates and faculty members] was significantly lower, compared with the other fields. These differences may be due to a failure in the current system to achieve some of its goals. Similar studies on this subject, in other centers are recommended

Congenital hepatic fibrosis in an aborted calf

An aborted female Holstein foetus with marked generalized anasarca was referred to the Excellence Centre for Ruminant Abortion and Neonatal Mortality, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad. On postmortem examination, red-tinged ascites, pale and firm liver with extreme irregularity and numerous round to oval slightly raised foci on the capsular surface were seen. Histological examination revealed widespread fibrosis, linkage of periportal areas to the central vein region and proliferation of bile ductules forming a branching network within the fibrous tissue. The lesion was diagnosed as congenital hepatic fibrosis

[ special health education course effects on knowledge, attitude and practice of preparation, distribution and sale centers food staff in Kermanshah]

The food handling employee education program improves food safety. Determining knowledge, attitude and practice [KAP] level of workers who prepare, distribute and sale the food products make easy to control food safety. This study aimed to evaluate effects of intensive food safety education course on KAP of food handlers. in Kermanshah. Knowledge, attitude and practice of 370 workers of variety of food handling fields were studied before and after educational intervention course. A validated questionnaire about knowledge, attitude based on instruction from Ministry of Health and Medical Sciences for food handling was used for data collection. Paired t-test and chi[2] were applied for statistical analysis. The results showed positive effects of education program on KAP of food handlers. There was significant increase in knowledge marks before and after intervention, 20.5+ 4.03 vs. 23.73 +/- 3.75 [p<0.001].Attitude and practice of participants were increased significantly before 107.2 +/- 14.6; 43.93 +/- 7.6 compared to after 112.23 +/- 14.5; 46.11 +/- 8 intervention respectively [p<0.001]. The most increased mark of KAP was belonged to 21-30 years age group. Our findings confirm that educational intervention improved KAP of food handlers. To increase food safety, running periodical educational courses for the same filed workers with final exam and providing certificate highly recommended

Evaluation of prevalence of LBP and its effects on lower limb amputees life referred to Helal Ahmar rehabilitation center

LBP is a problem for lower limb amputees that is often ignored despite its adverse effects on their life. This research is trying to identify the prevalence of LBP among lower limn amputees visited at Helal Ahmar Rehabilitation Center. This is a cross sectional study that was conducted on 68 lower limb amputees. Two questionnaires were used for data collection. Also, amputees were examined by the researcher for scoliosis. Then data were analyzed using spss version 11.5. 73% was suffering from LBP. Pain severity was 5-6 on VAS. LBP directly affected their life, prosthesis weight was not heavy and amputees used their prosthesis 10 hours a day. More than 62.5% of LBP amputees showed scoliosis. LBP is prevalent among lower limb amputees. Among many factors may cause LBP-such as level of amputation, time from amputation, only scoliosis showed significant relation with LBP

Effects of yeast spplementation on rumen fermentatation, microbial population and the performance of male fattening calves

The experiment was designed to investigate the effects of saccharomyces cerevisiae supplementation on the efficiency of rations containing different levels of concentrate in male Holstein calves. 36 male Holstein calves [average body weight of 175. 9 +/- 5.54 kg] were allocated into six treatments of 60, 70 and 80 percent of concentrate with or without yeast culture based on a 2 x 3 factorial design. The performance parameters [daily feed intake and gain] were recorded during 150 days of fattening period. At the end of the experimental period, the rumen content of animals were sampled by esophagus tube at 0, 3 and 6 hours after morning feeding and ruminal parameters [pH, VFAand NH3- N] and microbial population [total and cellulolytic bacteria, lactate utilizing bacteria and protozoa] were determined. All data were analyzed based on the complete randomized design in which the performance data were adjusted by covariance before analysis. Yeast supplement resulted the increase of the pH ,total volatile fatty acids and population of lactate utilizing bacteria and decrease of the level of NH3-N in the rumen fluid samples [p < 0.05]. The increase in the total number of rumen bacteria and protozoa was not significant. Feed intake and daily gain were higher in calves with yeast supplemented rations and 80 percent cocentrate [p < 0.05]. It can be concluded that the supplementation of yeast [Saccharomyces cerevisiae, S.C.47] could have a beneficial effect on the rumen fermentation and microbial populations in fattening calves. This in tum may results in an improvement of the animal performace especially when feeding high concentrate diets

Relationship between chlamydia pneumonia and helicobacter pylori with atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is the most common cause of deaths in the developed countries and causes one million mortalities per year in the USA. Smoking, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, hyperlipidemia, stress, and low activity are known to be the causes of atherosclerosis. The objective of this study is to confirm the relationship between Chlamydia pneumonia [Cpn], as well as helicobacter pylori [Hp] and atherosclerosis. In this analytical case-control study two groups of patients were studied. The first group including 30 patients over 30 years old with coronary artery disease were operated using coronary artery bypass graft. The control group included 30 persons assessed with angiography and having normal coronary arteries. The data were collected and analyzed using statistical methods. The two groups were similar in terms of IgA and IgG anti-Cpn, and IgG anti- Hp but they were statistically different concerning IgA anti-Hp which had more positive cases in the case group in comparison with the control group [p<0.003]. Additionally, 6 and 8 positive findings in immunohistochemistry [IHC] of the aortic punch biopsy were observed in Cpn and Hp respectively. When the serologic and histological findings were compared, it was revealed that the two bacteria had different behaviors in local invasion and systemic reactions. This study confirmed that Hp could cause atherosclerosis by activating systemic reactions while Cpn could not cause it. Moreover, in 20% and 26.7% of the cases Cpn and Hp respectively revealed invasions to the aortic tissues which could result in atherosclerosis. It is recommended that this study must be repeated with large numbers of patients and control groups, and the control groups must be cadavers so that their aortic tissues can be biopsied

[Effects of dietary fat sources on histological structure of testis in Zandi rams]

To investigate the effects of dietary fat sources on histological structures of testis in Zandi rams. Field trial on the basis of completely randomized design [CRD]. Eight 2.5 years old mature Zandi rams. Four experimental feed with different fat sources were used in four groups: without fat supplementation [control or diet 1], supplementation with 4% calcium soaps of fatty acids from tallow [diet 2], supplementation with 4% calcium soaps of fatty acids from soybean oil [diet3] and supplementation with 2% calcium soaps of fatty acids from tallow plus 2% calcified fatty acids from soybean oil [diet 4]. Values of Seminiferous tubule diameter, number of leydig cells, sertoli cells, spermatogonia, primary spermatocyte and spermatid were determined. Values of testis histological structures were compared by Duncan procedure with GLM. Results showed that ram's reproduction performance and testis histological structures were affected by nutritional conditions of animal [p<0.05]. Moreover, source of dietary fatty acids had significant effect on testis histological structures. Using soybean oil resulted in a significant increase in the seminiferous tubule diameter, seminiferous tubule lumen diameter and number of leydig cell, sertoli cell, spermatogonia and primary spermatocyte [p<0.05]

[ comparison between the results of fissurectomy and lateral internal sphincterotomy in the management of chronic anal fissure]

Although lateral internal sphincterotomy is an effective treatment of chronic fissure in ano, it may lead to serious complications, of these, incontinence to flatus and fecal soiling are the most distressing. To avoid such complications, we proposed fissurectomy as an alternative surgical treatment. Totally, 62 consecutive patients through the sequential sampling were divided into two groups. 30 patients underwent fissurectomy [F] and 32 underwent lateral internal sphincterotomy [LIS]. After a median follow-up of 22 months, we compared the results of the two procedures. In addition to frequent visits on a predetermined basis, a telephone inquiry into fissure recurrence and continence status was made. All patients in either group were pain free and without bleeding within one week. In both groups urinary retention was noted in one patient. Incontinence to flatus was in the LIS group in two [6.2%] patients but no incontinence was noted in the F group. There was one patient [3.1%] with fissure recurrence in the LIS group but no one in the F group. No patient in either group afflicted with anal stenosis or perianal infections. All wounds healed within 8 weeks. 29 patients [96.6%] in the F group and 28[87.5%] in the LIS group reported satisfactory results with their procedure. In the surgical treatment of chronic anal fissure not responding to conservative management, fissurectomy may be a sphincter-sparing alternative and perhaps preferable surgical technique with less total complications

[Clinical comparison of pulpal anesthesia resulting from two mandibular block anesthetic techniques: conventional and Gow - Gates]

Background and aim: One of the current problems in endodontic treatment is the establishment of optimal anesthesia on mandible. In this clinical study, two approved mandibular block technique were compared in the establishment of pulpal anesthesia

Materials and Methods: Inferior dental anesthesia via conventional and Gow - Gates techniques were evaluated using onset of anesthesia, pain severity during injection, aspiration test, pulpal anesthesia [via ice test, cavity test and pain during entrance into pulp chamber] and pinprick test [inferior alveolar, lingual and long buccal nerves]. 58 patients requiring root canal treatment of mandibular molars were divided into two groups. They were given injections of 1.8 ml of % 2 lidocaine with adrenaline [1: 80,000]. Results were analyzed using Mamm - Whitney and t-student tests

Results: no significant differences were found between two techniques in ice test, cavity test, pain upon entrance to pulp chamber, pinprick test, aspiration test and injection better results about injection pain and aspiration test. Time required for lip and tongue anesthesia in conventional technique was less than Gow - Gates [P< 0.001] although buccal nerve was anesthetized more in Gow - Gates Technique [P=0.01]. Although the aspiration test did not show a significant difference, but the lack of positive aspiration case in Gow - Gates technique, in comparison with % 10.7 in conventional technique seemed to be important. No significant difference in pulpal anesthesia between two techniques was shown, however, %57.1 of patients had pain during entrance to pulp chamber in conventional technique comparing to %39.2 in Gow - Gates technique. The buccal nerve was anesthetized more in Gow - Gates technique [%75] as compared with conventional one [%42.9], which was significantly different [p=0.01], but other branches [inferior alveolar and lingual nerves] were anesthetized equally in both applied techniques. On average, patients acquired lip and tongue numbness in 1.42 and 3.27 minutes, respectively in conventional method but more than 7 minutes was required in Gow-Gates technique [p <0.001]

Conclusion: Irrespective of the operator clinical experience, Gow-Gales technique appears to be more effective in pulpal anesthesia although more slowly yielded anesthesia, as compared with conventional method, is one of its disadvantages