[Comparision of auricle and external ear canal fungal flora between healthy domestic short-hair and Persian cats]

Fungal agents are considered as one of the most prevalent organisms in external otitis. The aim of this study was to compare the fungal flora of external ear canal and concave surface of auricle in healthy Persian and Domestic Short Hair [DSH] cats. Samples were collected from 120 healthy cats [60 Persians and 60 DSH] with swab and cellophane tape. Out of 103 [85.8%] organisms isolated from cats, 83 [80.6%] were identified as molds. infection with Dermatophytes were detected in 3 [5%] samples. Yeasts were also present in 20 [19.4%] cats. Based on the results of this study there wasn't any significant difference in fungal flora of the ear canal between Persian and DSH cats. Ear canal and pinna in most of healthy cats harbor fungal filamentous and yeast organisms that maybe pathogenic in suitable conditions. Furthermore dermatophyte organisms in apparently healthy cats can be transmitted to their owners

Comparison of physicomechanical properties of films prepared from organic solutions and aqueous dispersion of Eudragit RL

Mechanical properties of films prepared from aqueous dispersion and organic solutions of Eudragit RL were assessed and the effects of plasticizer type, concentration and curing were examined. Films were prepared from aqueous dispersion and solutions of Eudragit RL [isopropy alcohol-water 9:1] containing 0, 10 or 20% [based on polymer weight] of PEG 400 or Triethyl Citrate [TEC] as plasticizer using casting method. Samples of films were stored in oven at 60°C for 24 hrs [Cured]. The stress-strain curve was obtained for each film using material testing machine and tensile strength, elastic modulus,%elongation and work of failure were calculated. The films with no plasticizer showed different mechanical properties depending on the vehicle used. Addition of 10% or 20% of plasticizer decreased the tensile strength and elastic modulus and increased%elongation and work of failure for all films. The effect of PEG 400 on mechanical properties of Eudragit RL films was more pronounced. The differences in mechanical properties of the films due to vehicle decreased with addition of plasticizer and increase in its concentration. Curing process weakened the mechanical properties of the films with no plasticizer and for films with 10% plasticizer no considerable difference in mechanical properties was observed before and after curing. For those with 20% plasticizer only films prepared from aqueous dispersion showed remarkable difference in mechanical properties before and after curing. Results of this study suggest that the mechanical properties of the Eudragit RL films were affected by the vehicle, type of plasticizer and its concentration in the coating liquid

Pleural effusion and cardiac displacement in a heifer: a case report

A 16-month-old Holstein heifer with a history of anorexia and respiratory distress was referred to the Veterinary Research and Teaching Hospital of Tehran University. Heart and lung sounds were inaudible on the left side but greatly increased on the right side. On electrocardiography [ECG], decreased amplitudes of ECG parameters were observed. Ultrasonography results revealed a pleural effusion with fibrin deposition. After the removal of 30 liters of pleural fluid, the amplitudes of the P, QRS, and T complexes increased markedly, and heart and lung sounds on the left side gradually increased. Archanobacterium pyogenes was isolated from bacteriological cultures of the pleural fluid. According to the clinical and paraclihical findings, cardiac displacement due to pleural effusion was diagnosed

[Effect of early prophylactic iron in the prophylaxis of iron deficiency anemia in term infants]

Iron Deficiency Anemia is the most common cause of anemia in children and one of the health threatening problems in all of the world. The high prevalence of Iron Deficiency Anemia and its effect on the growth retardation suggests more prophylactic methods. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of early iron supplementation on incidence of Iron Deficiency Anemia in term infants. This experimental .study was done on 4-months-old term breast-fed infants referred to the primary health care services for vaccination, without any underline disease or growth retardation or history of hospitalization. 60 infants selected and were divided randomly to two groups [n=30 in each] and a questionnaire was completed for each case. Two groups were matched for gender [kappa[2] [1]=1.714; P-value=0.19].Iron drop [2mg/kg] was given in the interventional group. Iron deficiency anemia was assessed in all 6-months-old infants. T-student test and chi-square were used to analyze the independent variables and comparing the hematologic indices, after entering in SPSS-13 software and testing the normal distribution with komologrof-smearnoff test. Relative risk index [RR] was used to compare the two groups. A p-value less than 0/05 were considered as Significant. The relative risk of iron deficiency anemia in the interventional group was 0.34 folds [RR=0.333, CI%95 for RR= [0.179, 0.620]]. Significant difference was seen between the two groups [p<0.001]. According to the effectiveness of earlier iron supplementation for prophylaxis of iron deficiency anemia in term infants; we suggest it in all cases

Comparison of two different cleansing solutions in surface bacterial plaque removal from removable orthodontic appliances

The presence of microbial plaque not only can cause unpleasant appearance but it can also cause oral tissue inflammation, malodor as well as digestive system and respiratory tract infection. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of lemon juice 10% and effervescent cleanser tablet, in removing microbial plaque from the surface of removable orthodontic appliances. This study was conducted by using interventional design. Total of 30 patients were randomly selected regardless of their gender status. They were between 9-14 years old [mean age 12] and had maxillary removable orthodontic appliances. Initially, all the removable appliances were cleaned thoroughly using ultrasonic device. Patients were instructed to come back in four days. During this period, patients were not allowed to use any kind of mouthwash or other oral hygiene products to clean their appliances. On the first recall appointment, the removable appliances were first placed in Erythrosine solution for 7 minutes and they were scored for the amount of microbial plaque present. These appliances were rescored after immersing into 10% lemon juice solution for 30 minutes. The ultrasonic device was used to clean appliances before returning them to patients. A 4 day recall visit was scheduled for patients. The same plaque scoring procedure was conducted in the second appointment. This time, the appliances were immersed in a solution containing effervescent tablet for 30 minutes.This process was repeated two times in order to increase data validity. After completion of data collection, analysis was conducted using Sign Rank test. The plaque scores were decreased in 33 percent of cases [n = 10] after using the first method [10% Lemon Juice]; but there was no change observed in 66 percent of cases [n = 20] [P = 0.002]. When using the second method [effervescent tablet], although plaque scores slightly decreased in all cases, the complete removal of plaque were observed in 36.6 percent of the patients [n = l1] only [P < 0.001]. The score comparison between the two methods revealed that 93.4 percent of the cases [n = 28] showed less plaque when using the second method [effervescent tablet] [P < 0.001]. The 10% Lemon Juice solution has little effect on reducing the microbial plaque. However, the solution made out of effervescent cleanser tablet is more effective than 10% Lemon Juice solution in removing microbial plaque from removable orthodontic appliances

Maternal attachment behaviors at first neonatal visit in a hospital affiliated to Shaheed Beheshti Medical University

Emotional needs are critical in children, which must be met from early hours of life. This descriptive study was conducted to assess maternal attachment behaviors at first neonatal visit. Subjects were 66 mothers at Mahdiyeh hospital. Data were collected by an observational checklist, an information form and video tapes. Content validity and interrater reliability were used to validate the tools and make them reliable. Breastfeeding was the most frequent caring behavior [49.2%]. Hugging was mostly seen [22.9%] in adjacency behaviors. In emotional behaviors, eye to eye contact was most frequent. With respect to the results, nurses and other health care workers can play an important role in the establishment of mother- infant relation

Comparing axillary and rectal temperatures in children under 5 at pediatric wards of Mofid hospital affiliated to Shaheed Beheshti Medical University

Assessment of vital signs is a part of nursing care. There are several methods for body temperature measurement. Usually, it is measured by oral, axillar, rectal, tempanic and skin routes, all of which have specific complications, advantages and risks. Rectal method is accurate and shows central body temperature but it is an invasive procedure. Although many studies have been conducted to compare these methods, the difference between body temperature is not yet known. This descriptive comparative study was conducted to compare axillary and rectal methods in the measurement of body temperature in children under 5 at pediatric wards of Mofid Hospital affiliated to Shaheed Beheshti Medical University in Tehran. 126 hospitalized children between 3 and 5 years with or without fever were selected. Data collection instruments consisted of a demographic questionnaire [validated by content validity] and mercury thermometers which were placed in warm water and then compared for reliability. The temperature of children was first measured orally for 5 minutes and then rectally over 1 minute with a 1-minute interval. Difference between axillary and rectal temperatures was 0.78°C [SD= 0.3]. There was no significant correlation between age and this difference with no effect of age as well as fever. Environmental temperature had no effect on the difference of the two methods. Since the difference between axillary and rectal temperatures is important, axillary method because of being non-invasive is recommended

Evaluation of carpal tunnel syndrome by laser doppler flowmentry

Autonomic disturbance can leads to blood flow changes that can be studied by various methods. To assess the blood flow changes in patients with severe carpal tunnel syndrome by laser Doppler flowmetry. Ten patients with severe unilateral carpal tunnel syndrome confirmed by electrodiagnostic examination enrolled in this study. Patients comprised one man and nine women with mean age of 37 years, an average duration of symptoms for 29 weeks. Unaffected hand and little finger of affected hand were used as control. Skin blood flow was measured in neutral, flexed and extended positions of hands. There was significant reduction of skin blood flow of median nerve territory as compared to control [unaffected hand] [p<0.05]. There was also significant [p<0.05] reduction of blood flow of median nerve territory as compare to ulnar nerve territory of affected hand except in extended position. Circulatory disturbances are seen in hand skin of CTS patients. This change depends on the type and severity of CTS. This study showed a reduction of skin blood flow in severe form of CTS

Bronchodilatory and anticholinergic effects of nigella sativa on isolated guinea pig tracheal chains

Nigella sativa is a grassy plant which is believed to have several therapeutic effects including anti-asthmatic properties. We have studied the bronchodilatory and anticholinergic effects of this plant. The bronchodilatory effects of aqueous extract [AE], and macerated extract [ME], were compared against 4