[Hospital information systems interoperability in Iran]

Interoperability is needed when the Hospital Information System [HIS] data should be combined and shared with different systems. This study was aimed to determine the semantic and technical interoperability of hospital information systems of Iran's health care centers and propose guidelines to create and develop interoperability of these centers. This descriptive study was conducted on companies, which were qualified to receive performance appraisal certificate of HIS softwares from statistics and information technology office of health ministry. Standard questionnaire and checklist were used to collect information in the first and second steps. List of companies, which provided and produced HIS in Iran, was obtained, and then a self-administered questionnaire was sent for them. Then, a health care center was selected from each company randomly, and its current HIS interoperability was evaluated. Data were analyzed using SPSS 16. Based on the results, all companies were used Microsoft windows and SQL server database in their HIS with consideration to technical interoperability. Also, the most frequent corporate programming language was Visual C Sharp [46.7%] and Visual Basic [40%], respectively. From semantic interoperability aspect, the most frequent terminology systems were ICD-10 [86.7%], ICD-9CM [66.7%], and CPT [66.7%], respectively. For standard messaging, 60%, 46.7% and 33.3% used XML, DICOM, and HL7 in order. Health system interoperability is divided into two semantic and technical parts. At the present, there is not any standard for electronic health record [EHR] to provide full interoperability. HIS templates should be provided in order to make a national standard for EHR. Therefore, it is necessary to have standard template for semantic and technical interoperability in EHR national exchanges

Loxoscelism: a case report from Bandar Abbas in south of Iran

Loxoscelism is a medical condition resulting from the envenomation by recluse spiders [Loxosceles spp.], which could lead to necrotic tissue symptoms. The only species of this genus recorded from Iran, Loxosceles rufescens, or the Mediterranean recluse spider, has a cosmopolitan distribution and have already been recorded from numerous parts of Iran, including Bandar Abbas. This study aims to report a case of loxoscelism in Bandar Abbas [southern Iran] for the first time. This report is related to a 46-year-old female patient who referred to infectious ward of Shahid Mohammadi Hospital, with acute necrotic clinical symptom on right flank of her trunk due to the bite of a spider. As Loxosceles rufescens has already been recorded from Hormozgan Province, cases of loxoscelism are likely in this region. Diagnosis and treatment of most of the cases is very difficult, because the spider may not be identified correctly and the clinical symptoms are similar to other diseases; this will result in false differential diagnosis of the disease and consequently, delay in appropriate treatment

Vector ecology and susceptibility in a malaria-endemic focus in southern Islamic Republic of Iran

This study aimed to carry out a malaria situation analysis, species composition and susceptibility levels of the main malaria vector, Anopheles stephensi, to different insecticides in Bashagard. A longitudinal survey was conducted in 2 randomly selected villages in Bashagard. Malaria vectors were sampled by dipping method for the larvae and hand catch, night-biting catch, total catch, and shelter pit collection for the adults. Standard WHO susceptibility tests were used for a variety of insecticides on F1 progeny of An. stephensi reared from wild-caught females. In total, 693 adult anopheline mosquitoes and 839 third and fourth-instar larvae were collected and identified. They comprised 7 species; the most abundant adult and larvae anopheline mosquito was An. Dthali [40.7% and 30.5% respectively]. An. Culicifacies[24.2%] and An. Stephensi [16.7%] were the next most common species for adult mosquitoes. An. Stephensi was fully susceptible to malathion and pyrethroid insecticides but resistant to DDT and tolerant to dieldrin

Effect of green tea extract on body weight, serum glucose and lipid profile in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. A dose response study

To examine the effect of green tea extract on body weight, serum levels of glucose, and lipids in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. This experimental study was carried out in the Diabetes Research Center, Ahvaz University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran from January 2011 to March 2011. Forty-eight male wistar rats[200-250g] were divided randomly into 6 groups. Diabetes was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of stereptozotocin [55 mg/kg]. The experimental groups received alcohol extract of green tea leaves [100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg] for 4 weeks and the body weight of animals were measured every day. Finally, blood samples were collected and analyzed for glucose and lipid profile levels. Administration of green tea extract caused a significant decrease in serum glucose and total cholesterol levels and significantly improved the body weight loss in diabetic rats treated with 200 mg/kg green tea in comparison to diabetic control group. No significant changes were observed in triglyceride [p=0.04], low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol [p=0.000], and high-density-lipoprotein cholesterol levels [p=0.01] following intervention. It appears that green tea extract had both antihyperglycemic and hypocholesterolmic effects in diabetic rats, although further work is needed to determine their mechanism

[Modern information architecture in ICD11: a dynamic, interactive, and ontological context]

International Classification of Diseases [ICD] is considered as the most successful product among various activities performed by World Health Organization. However, ICD has faced many challenges due to dynamic environment of needs. The main purpose of this study was to identify ICD challenges and structure of ICD 11 life cycle through a review study of the published papers. A review study was adopted as the methodology of this paper. Data were collected by search strategy in the following databases: NLM, SCIENCEDIRECT, WHO, and ICD 11 related sites. The findings showed that ICD was used in many countries some of which found ICD an insufficient tool for the level of details needed for clinical and administrative uses. In addition, little consideration was given to adaptability of codes and mapping between the ICD-9 to ICD-10 codes. Therefore, WHO initiated a new dynamic architechture based on semantic web application and employed a four stage workflow engine for collecting proposals. This architecture has applied a Semantic Wiki as well as a four stage peer review to provide a three layer ontological structure. ICD11is at the experimental stage and it is predicated that it would have a significant role in the interaction and interoperability of different terminologies leading to the development of Electronic Health Records

occurrence of red-back spider latrodectus hasselti [araneae:theridiidae] in Bandar Abbas, Southern Port of Iran

Due to importance and fatal affect of Red-back spiders, Latrodectus hasselti, a faunistic survey for presence of this spider in Bandar Abbas has been conducted. This animal is considerably the most medically importance spiders all over the world. Live adult spider specimens were collected from Bandar Abbas town using hand catch conventional method and transferred to the laboratory throughout the summer of 2008. They were identified based on morphological characteristics and taxonomic keys and confirmed by some external experts. Results showed the occurrence of the red-back spider, L. hasselti from Bandar Abbas, southern port of Iran. Two female specimens were found. The spider had specific morphological characters including black color with an obvious orange to red longitudinal strip on its upper parts of abdomen. Although the specimens were collected from south of the country, however since the region is an important harbor and port and goods come form different parts of world we assume the possibility of arrival from its origin and native breeding sites of the world. Therefore further investigation is needed to clarify the presence of this species in different parts of Iran

[Susceptibility of dangerous scorpions of hormozgan province to WHO recommended insecticides]

Hormozgan province is the second most important foci of scorpion stinging specially by Hemiscorpius lepturus. Currently chemical control is the most efficient way and susceptibility level of important vectors should be chequed to find their resistance to some chemicals. Our aim was to investigate on the susceptibility or resistance of the most dangerous scorpions of Hormozgan province to the WHO recommended insecticides. In this cross-sectional study, 843 specimens of Scorpio were captured. Susceptibility tests were achieved using the method of Cockroaches, susceptibility. Each dose of insecticides was tested in two replicates and killing dose of each specimen was calculated. Killing dose of Cypermethrin [EC 2.5%] was 0.001 micro l/cm2 for Mesobuthus eupeus, H. lepturus and Odontobuthus doriae and was 0.009 micro l/cm2 for Androctonus crassicauda. That dose was calculated as 0.001 and 0.0003 micro l/cm2 for M. eupeus and H. lepturus, respectively, for Deltamethrin [EC 2.5%]. All species were killed at dose of 0.39 mg/cm2 for Carbaryl [WP 85%]. None of Lindane doses [WP 25%] could make 100% mortality in all species. Mortal dose of Malathion [EC 57%] was 1.029 micro l/cm2 for A. crassicauda and H. lepturus and 0.284 micro l/cm2, and 0.515 micro l/cm2 for M. eupeus and O. doriae, respectively. The studied scorpion species were susceptible to the Pyrethroids. These insecticides can be used in an "Integrated Vector Management" program to control Malaria and scorpions. These species probably are resistance to Malathion and Lindane

[Effect of isolated soy protien on prevention of rheumatoid arthritis in collagen-induced rats]

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of isolated soy protein on prevention of rheumatoid arthritis in collagen-induced rats. A total of 24 female Sprague-Dawley rats [body weights: 180-200g] were randomly divided into four equal groups including normal; control of rheumatoid arthritis; rheumatoid arthritis + isolated soy protein [7g/kg]; rheumatoid arthritis + dexamethasone [1mg/kg]. Experimentally rheumatoid arthritis in rats was induced by subcutaneous injection of collagen II emolsified in Incomplete Frund s Adjuvant in days 1 and 7. Treatments were gavaged to animals for 30 days, once a day. The severity of rheumatoid arthritis symptoms in paws were daily measured in double blind format by standard method. The statistical comparison between the experimental groups was performed by Independent -samples t- test and One-Way ANOVA using SPSS software. The clinical symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis started from day 17.4 +/- 2.4, 20 +/- 4 and 14.1 +/- 1.9 in isolated soy protein, dexamethasone and control groups, respectively [P<0.05]. The severity of clinical symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis on day 30 was 3.84 +/- 2.04, 2 +/- 1.78 and 6.5 +/- 1.76 in isolated soy protein, dexa methasone and control groups, respectively [p<0.05]. At the end of the study, the incidence rates of rheumatoid arthritis in isolated soy protein and control groups was 83.33% and 100%, respectively. Isolated soy protein decreased the severity of clinical symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. Therefore, it could be a key factor in prevention and even treatment of rheumatoid arthritis

[Study on scorpion's fauna in high risk area of Hormozgan Province, 2006-2007]

Scorpion stinging is one of the most important health problems of Iran especially in tropical southern provinces such as Hormozgan, the southern province of Iran. Hormozgan province usually had the second rank of stinging prevalence in the country with ore 10 cases of death annually. Detection of scorpion fauna is a necessary factor to plan an efficient control problem. The present study was a Cross- Sectional descriptive study which was conducted in 2006-2007 Cluster sampling method was used and the specimens were caught using Black light and daily resting site seeking techniques. A total of 818 specimens were caught from which, 440 [53.8%] were female and 378 [46.2%] were male. Ten species from three families [Buthidae, Scorpionidae and Liochelidae] were found as the fauna and Odontobuthus doriae [Buthidae] with 28.8% [236 specimens] was the dominant species. Parsian district had the highest density of scorpion with 34.3% [281 specimens]. The result showed Hemiscorpius lepturus with 21.6% [177 specimens] was the dangerous species which caused death in risk areas of Hormozgan province. The density of H. lepturus and Androctonus crassicauda was very high in the border of cities, villages and indoor habitats. Scorpio maurus [Scorpionidae] is reported the first time from Hormozgan province. Besides, this is the first report of Hottentotta jayakari [Buthidae] from the northern coastal areas of Persian Gulf

citation analysis of specialty dissertations in Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences

Citation analysis is a branch of bibliometrics in which information needs of users of a particular library can be assessed and therefore it can be used as a tool in a library collection building. This study was conducted on cited references of specialty dissertations in order to determine the reference type, their half life and language. Citation analysis on all the 55 specialty dissertations submitted to Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences [HUMS] during 1997-2003 was conducted. Information on each cited reference, including reference type, date of publication, and language were recorded. The results were compared to the central library collection. As expected, English journals were the most heavily cited format: 57% of all citations were English journals articles followed closely by English textbooks with 25.08%. According to Bradford law core journals in this study were 4 titles out of 236 journals which accounted for more than 16% of cited references. Most cited references were in English [95.18%], and 4.19% of them were Persian. Overall, the half life of the cited references was 8 years. Lack of enough cited references in Persian may be due to the absence of Persian abstraction and indexing systems. By preparing a few numbers of journals, residents would have access to a large number of the articles that they need

Hypouricemic and antioxidant activities of Allium cepa Lilliaceae and quercetin in normal and hyperuricemic rats

To evaluate the hypouricemic and antioxidant effects of Allium cepa Lilliaceae [Allium cepa L.] and quercetin in normal and hyperuricemic rats. The following study was conducted in the Department of Nutrition and Biochemistry, Tehran University of Medical Science, Iran, between May 2007 and March 2008. A total of 48 male Wistar rats [body weights: 180-200 g] were randomly divided into 8 equal groups including normal; normal + Allium cepa L. [5g/kg]; normal + quercetin [5mg/kg]; normal + allopurinol [5mg/kg]; hyperuricemic; hyperuricemic + Allium cepa L. [5g/kg]; hyperuricemic + quercetin [5mg/kg]; hyperuricemic + allopurinol [5mg/kg] once a day for 14 days. Experimentally, hyperuricemia in rats was induced by intraperitoneal injection of potassium oxonate [250mg/kg]. Allium cepa L. and quercetin treatments for 14 days significantly reduced [p=0.000] the serum uric acid levels of hyperuricemic rats in a time-dependent manner. All treatments significantly inhibited hepatic xanthine oxidase/xanthine dehydrogenase activity. Allium cepa L. and quercetin treatments led also to a significant improvement in biomarkers of oxidative stress in hyperuricemic rats [p=0.000]. Although the hypouricemic effect of allopurinol was much higher than that of Allium cepa L. and quercetin, it could not significantly change oxidative stress biomarkers. These results may be responsible partly for the beneficial effects of Allium cepa L. and its major flavonoid on hyperuricemia and oxidative stress

Evaluation of five local formulated insecticides against German cockroach [Blattella germanica L.] in southern Iran

The German cockroach, Blattella germanica L., is a serious household and public health pest worldwide. Control of this species has been very difficult to achieve. Toxicity of cypermethrin EC10%, deltamethrin EC5%, diazinon EC0.5%, lambda-cyhalothrin EC5% and Negon_ [permethrin+propoxur oil liquid1%] commercial formulations were investigated against adult males of German cockroaches collected from four hospitals of Bandar Abbas City, southern Iran, during 2006. These insecticides have been used for cockroach control in this city. The tests were carried out only on males by the glass jar contact method recommended by the WHO. Maximum mortality rates of 20, 35, 90, and 100% were obtained after one hour contact to label-recommended doses of cypermethrin, deltamethrin, lambad-cyhalothrin, diazinon and permethrin+propoxur insecticides, respectively. KT [50] results were different from 5.68 min for permethrin+propoxur mixture to 240.37 min for cypermethrin. German cockroach showed < 80 per cent mortality using three pyrethroid insecticides. It seems that the label-recommended concentrations of these insecticides were wrong and lower than WHO advised for cockroach control. For monitoring of resistance it is recommended to do more tests using the pure active ingredient of these insecticides

Facilitating effects of morphine dependence on spatial learning and memory in rat

The effect of morphine on spatial learning and memory is controversial. In the present study, the male rats were used to evaluate the effect of morphine dependence and cold water swimming on spatial learning and memory. Dependent animals received morphine sulfate in drinking water for 25 days. Animals were divided into four groups in simple randomized manner. The first control and dependent groups, were studied in normal water [20 +/- 2 °C], and the second control and dependent groups were studied in cold water [10-12 °C]. Morris Water Maze [MWM] experimentations were begun from 21st to 25th days of morphine administration. In each group of animals, spatial learning and memory parameters were analyzed. The results showed that morphine dependence may facilitates spatial learning and memory in MWM, and cold water reduces swimming speed but facilitating the formation of spatial memory. On the other hand, cold water swimming abolished the effects of morphine on spatial learning but facilitated its effect on spatial memory. The underling mechanism[s] to these phenomenon remains to be elucidated

Ecology of Anopheles dthali Patton in Bandar Abbas District, Hormozgan Province, Southern Iran

Ecology of Anopheles dthali was studied in Bandar Abbas County, where there is indigenous malaria. Anopheles dthali plays as a secondary malaria vector in the region. It is active throughout the year in mountainous area with two peaks of activity, whereas in coastal area it has one peak. There is no report of hibernation or aestivation for this species in the region. Precipitin tests on specimens from different parts showed that 15.6-20.8% were positive for human blood. This species usually rests outdoors. It has different larval habitats. Insecticides susceptibility tests on adult females exhibited susceptibility to all insecticides recommended by WHO. LT[50] for the currently used insecticide, lambda-cyhalothrin, is measured less than one minute. The irritability tests to pyrethroid insecticides, showed that permethrin and lambda-cyhalothrin had more irritancy compared to deltamethrin and cyfluthrin. Larval bioassay using malathion, chlorpyrifos, temephos and fenithrothion did not show any sing of resistance to these larvicides at the diagnostic dose. It is recommended that all the decision makers should consider the results of our study for any vector control measures in the region

[Evaluation of the effect of adjunctive use of calcium hydroxide combined with periodontal dressing on dentin hypersensitivity after periodontal surgery]

Dentinal hypersensitivity is one of the most common complications which many patients complain in different ways. Dentinal hypersensitivity is caused by the opening of dentinal tubules to an oral cavity due to fractures, attritions, etc. It is a common complications after periodontal surgery. Many treatments have been suggested for this problem, till now. Calcium hydroxide is one of the materials used for treatment of root hypersensitivity after periodontal surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of calcium hydroxide combined with periodontal dressing on root hypersensitivity after periodontal surgery. This study was done on 30 patients with severe periodontitis who needed periodontal surgery for both quadrants in each jaw. In each patient one quadrant was treated as a test and the other side was used as a control. In the test group 90mg of Calcium Hydroxide powder mixed with 1cm of Co-pack covered the site surgical. Twenty-one patients completed the procedure After surgery, a periodontal dressing combined with calcium hydroxide covered the area on the test side. The other side was used as a control and covered with a pure dressing. After one week the dressing was removed and the amount of hypersensitivity was measured with air flow and an explorer using the visual analog scale. Data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon sign rank test. The results showed that there were not any significant differences between the two sides in root sensitivity, but Plaque index in the test sides was lower than the control side. The periodontal dressing can not be used as a carrier for calcium hydroxide to reduce root hypersensitivity after periodontal surgery. Decrease in plaque accumulation after using the combination of calcium hydroxide and periodontal dressing may accelerate surgical wound healing but further investigations are necessary

study on rodent ectoparasities in Bandar Abbas: the main economic southern seaport of Iran

Rodents are one of the main health problems in the cities, especially in coastal area. These animals make economic damages and are potential health dangers in Bandar Abbas, the main economic southern port of Iran. In this study, rodents were captured from different parts of the city, before and after a control program during 2003-2004, transferred to the laboratory, identified and examine for ecto-parasites. Totally 105 rodents demonstrating four species: Rattus rattus [3%], R. norvegicus [78%], Mus musculus [3%] and Tatera indica [16%], were captured before the control program. The most frequency was observed in Ayatollah Ghafari quarter, 10 rodents per 24 traps. After 12 months, the duration of control program, rodents were re-captured to assessment the success of control activity. In this stage 35 small mammals demonstrated four species were obtained: R. norvegicus [51.4%], R. rattus [37.1%], T.indica [8.6%] and one weasel [2.9%]. We found the most frequency in Khoon-sorkh quarter with 6 rodents per 24 traps. The identified ectoparasites were Xenopsylla buxtoni, Rhipicephalus sp,. Polyplax gerbilli, Haplopleura captiosa, Ornithonyssus bacoti, Laelaps nuttalli, Dermanyssus americanus, Dermanyssus sanguineus, Haemolaelaps glasgowi and Echinolaelaps echidninus. The number of rodents reduced to one third after control program, shows the relative success of this program [p<0.05]

[ case report of alveolar echinococcosis]

Echinococcus multilocularis is the cause of alveolar hydatic cysts in intermediate host, found in the liver and lungs. Alveolar hydatid diseas is the most lethal of helminthic diseases, with radical surgery still being the only curative therapy. The aim of this study was to report a splenic alveolar hydatic cyst. The patient was a 62 years old man, from a rural region of Ghochan, Khorasan Province, Iran, who was referred to surgeon, complaining left upper quadran abdominal pain. In CT scan 2 cysts were seen in the right lobe of liver and a septal cyst in spleen. After operation, evacuating and unroofing of the liver cysts, splenectomy was performed. Diagnosis was based on pathologic and histologic examinations. In macroscopic examination spleen was massive and cystic, composed of multiple irregular cysts with infiltrative appearance. The inner part of cysts contained brown necrotic and gelatinous material, at microscopic examination there was a thin acellular laminated layer but the germinal layer and protoscolex were not seen. After a week the patient recovered and left the hospital with good general condition. In conclusion, the presence of this case showed that life cycle of echinococcus multilocularis can be completed in this province. Medical managers and practitioners must notice this disease as a differential diagnosis for malignant of liver and spleen, as well as for prevention and control of the disease itself

Review of Microbiologic Similarities of Refractory periodontitis and refractory Periapical Periodontitis

Treatment resistance cases in both endodontal and periodontal diseases are sometimes encountered in spite of a good treatment. These cases may be caused by microbial agents and / or inefficient host responses. The microbial factors need further investigation and host response in discussed in this section. Thirty two articles and two text were reviewed for this discussion. The main cause of innate and specific immune system involvement in refractory periapical periodontitis are microbial factors, where as in refractory periodontitis the bacterial factor is less prominent and cigarette smoking is considered the main factor with emotional stressors micronutient deficiency and herpesviruses being contributing factors