[ comparison of sensitivity analysis of RRT-PCR and RT-PCR techniques for diagnosis of avian Newcastle disease virus]

Background: Newcastle disease is one of the most serious viral diseases in the poultry worldwide

Objectives: Since the traditional strategies have been hardly effective in controlling the disease, the purpose of this study was to introduce new methods for early and rapid diagnosis of Newcastle. The present study helps to reduce further damage to the poultry industry

Methods: RNA extraction was performed, using RNease mini kit, according to the manufacturer's instructions. Extracted RNA with 68.23×10[9] copy numbers was prepared as serial dilutions of 100 micro L for RT-PCR and RRT-PCR reactions. RRT-PCR and RT-PCR were performed, using commercial kit and RNease mini kit, respectively

Results: Results showed that amplification was done according to prepared dilution equal 10[34] for RRT-PCR reaction and a visible band observed on 1.5% Agarose gel up to 10[-20] for RT-PCR reaction. Based on the results observed, RRT-PCR and RT-PCR reactions are able to detect 10[-34] and 10[-20] copy numbers of primary sample, respectively

Conclusions: The sensitivity of RRT-PCR reaction is almost twice compared with RT-PCR reaction, also RRT-PCR reaction is able to diagnose Newcastle disease virus in infected samples with 10,000 copy numbers of the RNA virus less than RT-PCR

[Clinical manifestation of patients with acquired pneumonia admitted in the respiratory ward of Imam Khomeini hospital in Ahvaz]

Introduction: Pneumonia is an infection in the gas exchange units of the lung. This disease is one of the most common causes of admission in the hospital. Regarding the pneumonia, we aimed to evaluate the mean age, sex and incidence of some important clinical manifestation and the duration of the admission in the hospital

Methodology: In this cross sectional cases were selected from patients referring to Imam Khomeini hospital in Ahvaz during 2007-2004 with the diagnosis of the Community Acquired Pneumonia. During this study 365 patients were evaluated. Patients› data such as age, sex, and clinical manifestation were collected using a questionnaire and analyzed by statistical software

Results: Mean age of the 365 patients was 60.6 years. Out of them 47.4% were <65 years old and 52.6% were > 65 years old. 51.2% were male and 48.8% were female. Most common manifestations were cough [87.9%], dyspnea [81.4%], sputum [72.9%] and fever [55.6%] respectively, and hemoptysis with 24.1% was the least common manifestation

Conclusion: This study showed high prevalence of community acquired pneumonia in the studied population. It also showed that age and sex are effective factors in the presentation of the clinical manifestations of this disease

Characterization of hemolysins of Staphylococcus strains isolated from human and bovine, southern Iran

The staphylococci are important pathogenic bacteria causing various infections in animals and human. Hemolysin is one of the virulence factors of coagulase-positive [CPS] and coagulase-negative staphylococci [CNS]. The aims of the study were to characterize hemolysins of Staphylococcus spp. isolated from human and bovine origin, phenotypic- and genotypically. Characterization of hemolysin phenotypically based on hemolysis pattern of Staphylococcus spp. was done on the sheep, horse and rabbit blood agar plates. Genes encoding hemolysin were amplified with specific primers by using polymerase chain reaction [PCR] technique. Hemolytic activities phenotypically were determined in 60 and 90% of the total bovine and human isolates, respectively. All non hemolytic isolates were CNS [P

Occurrence of virulence genes and strain diversity of thermophilic campylobacters isolated from cattle and sheep faecal samples

The objective of this study was to investigate the genotypic characteristics of Campylobacter isolates in Shiraz, Iran. A total of 40 Campylobacter isolates including 20 C. jejuni and 20 C. coli were recovered from both cattle and sheep faeces by cultivation methods. The isolates were identified on the basis of polymerase chain reaction [PCR] detection of 16SrRNA and multiplex PCR to determine two species. For confirmed isolates, PCR was carried out for the presence of virulence genes using specific primers. Other than verifying the genetic diversity of thermophilic Campylobacter isolates, flaA PCR-RFLP was performed. Results showed the high prevalence [100%] of the cadF gene and three genes associated with cytolethal distending toxin [CDT]. Plasmid virB11 gene was not found in any Campylobacter isolate, and dissimilarities and discrepancies occurred in pldA, iamA, wlaN, waaC and cgtB genes. Among the 40 Campylobacter isolates studied, nine different types were defined by flaA-typing. Results indicated genetic diversity among Campylobacter isolates recovered from cattle and sheep faecal samples. Findings showed the potential ability of C. jejuni and C. coli with cattle and sheep origins to cause infection in humans

[Using the service quality Gap's model [SERVQUAL] in Imam Khomeini teaching hospital: 2012]

Introduction: Patients can determine the quality of services provided by hospitals which are regarded as large and complex service organizations within the health system. This study aimed to assess service quality gaps in Imam Khomeini teaching hospital in Tehran with respect to the differences between patients' perceptions of and expectations from health services

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the six-dimensional SERVQUAL model questionnaire - the validity and reliability of which were confirmed by the researchers - was used to collect the viewpoints of 116 patients admitted to Imam Khomeini teaching hospital. Samples were estimated using the Cochrane statistical formula and the data were analyzed by means of independent t-test as well as correlation and ANOVA tests

Results: There was a negative gap in all dimensions of the quality of services. The highest and the lowest gaps [-2.55 and -0.697] were observed in the access and assurance dimensions, respectively. However, there was no significant relationship between the variables of quality gap of services and gender, marital status, insurance, visit frequency, age, and education [p value>0.05]. It was also found that in none of the dimensions were the expectations of the patients satisfied

Conclusion: The results indicated that except for the access dimension, expectations can be affected if any of the other variables is changed. Generally, there are lots of opportunities to work on to improve the quality of services provided by health care system

Rhazes' prescriptions in treatment of Gout

Among the diseases that clinicians deal with, few do have a documented medical history that can be traced back to several centuries ago. A careful study of Rhazes' Treatments on Gout reveals a lot about the nature and therapy of gout. We managed to study the perceptions about pathogenesis, symptomatology, diagnosis, and treatment of gout that have changed over time. We also discussed some of the past and present fallacies regarding this disease. Rhazes provided a detailed description on the vital role of genetics and the relationship between the development of gout, an indulgent way of living, and tophi at a period of time between 1st and 6th centuries AD. This study showed that the findings of Rhazes about treatments of gout were consonant with modern medical theories

Enhancement of 4-nitrophenol ozonation in water by nano ZnO catalyst

The removal of 4-nitrophenol [4NP] from aqueous solution by ozone combined with nano-ZnO was investigated in a laboratory-scale reactor in which pH of solution, ZnO dosage and initial 4-nitrophenol concentration were considered as variables. The degradation of 4-nitrophenol was determined using UV-Vis and HPLC methods. Interestingly, the degradation of 4-nitrophenol was high under acidic condition where the degradation was about 93% at initial phenol solution pH=3. It was due to aggregation of nano-ZnO particles above pH=6.5. This result was different from the case of ozonation alone, in which higher pH had positive effect on the degradation of 4-nitrophenol due to the formation of hydroxyl radical. As expected, degradation efficiency increased by increasing the nano ZnO dosage and initial 4-nitrophenol concentration. It was found that the nanosized ZnO enhanced the degradation of ozone and the catalytic ozonation enhanced the degradation of 4-nitrophenol on the surface of the nanosized ZnO. In addition, the degree of degradation was also determined indirectly through Total Organic Carbon [TOC] of the samples. Carbon mineralization of 4-nitrophenol was obtained as 13.68% and 60.34% during ozonation and nano-ZnO catalytic ozonation, respectively, after 30 min reaction, proving that combined ozonator and nano-ZnO for reduction of TOC is more efficient. Also a high degree of nitrogen mineralization during catalytic ozonation was achieved at pH= 3 [7.61mg/L]

Isolation and characterization of lactococcus garvieae from diseased rainbow trout [Oncorhynchus mykiss, Walbaum] cultured in Iran

A total of 200 moribund rainbow trout with clinical signs of a hyperacute haemorrhagic septicemia were collected from rainbow trout farms in Fars, Kohkiloyeh-Boyer Ahmad and Charmohal-Bakhtiari provinces in the south and southwest of Iran during summer 2002 to winter 2008 for detection of Lactococcus garvieae, the causative agent of lactococcosis. Fish kidney samples were cultured aseptically onto brain heart infusion agar plates and incubated at 25°C for 48 h. Using conventional biochemical tests, L. garvieae was detected from 32 fish [16% of total fish samples]. Additionally, isolates were confirmed as L. garvieae using a specific PCR assay based on 16S rDNA gene by producing a single band of 1107 bp. Partial analysis of 16S rDNA revealed 100% sequence similarity for all Iranian isolates and there was a close genetic relationship among these isolates and those previously reported from mullet in Taiwan [AF352166] and yellowtail in Japan [AB267897] based on GenBank data. Results of antibiogram tests on L. garvieae isolates showed a high susceptibility to erythromycin, enrofloxacin, chloramphenicol and clarithromycin. In pathogenicity tests, immersion of fish in a bacterial suspension of 6x10[5] colony forming unit/ml of L. garvieae in challenge experiments showed 60% mortality during 14 days post-infection. Experimentally, infected fish showed typical blackening of skin haemorrhages, exophthalmia and wide haemorrhages on viscera. The present study provides useful molecular and biochemical information for L. garvieae isolates in Iran compared with those from different hosts and geographic locations

Surgical outcome of posterior fossa epidermoid tumors [1980-2008]

Epidermoid tumors comprise 5% of posterior fossa tumors and are the third among tumors of the cerebellopontine region in frequency. In the review of recent literature, there are several case reports but few case series. In this retrospective study, we evaluated the surgical results of our patients, reviewed the existing literature and compared our results with other series. Surgical results of 8 patients with epidermoid tumor that originated mostly in the posterior fossa from 1980-2008 in Mehrad Hospital, in Tehran, are presented. The age, sex, duration, signs and symptoms, topographical location, surgical approach, the extent of resection and outcome are analyzed and compared with other series. This study is based on the clinical data of 8 patients operated from 1980-2008 in Mehrad Hospital, in Tehran, due to posterior fossa epidermoid tumors. 62.5% of the patients were female. The average age of our patients were 34.1 years [range: 2453 years]. The most common symptom was headache [87.5%]. The most common tumor location was cerebellopontine angle. Supratentorial extension was observed in half of our patients. In 37.5% of the cases, the tumor was resected totally. The mean followup period was 31.5 months [range: 1-115 months]. In the post operative period, 37.5% of our patients suffered from complicating events, but we had no mortality in our series. In contrast with other posterior fossa benign tumors, in which the cure is obtained by overcoming surgical technical difficulties, the main problems in the management of epidermoids remain misdiagnosis, incomplete removal at the first operation, and delayed detection of recurrences. With the use of modern microneurosurgical techniques, our surgical results are comparable with other series. Extended multicentric prospective studies are recommended for more definitive results

Pediatric head injury

Minor trauma to the head is common in childhood and does not require any medical or surgical treatment. Nevertheless, head injury in infancy and childhood is the single most common cause of death and permanent disability. Measurable deficits occur even after mild to moderate head injury but are markedly greater after severe injury. They include impaired cognition, motor impairments, disruption of attention and information processing, and psychiatric disturbances. Despite the frequency of the sequelae of head injury in childhood, there is relatively little information about the structural basis of the clinical deficits. Classical literature suggests that the immature brain and its coverings, at a time when it is rapidly acquiring new information, respond differently from the adult brain when subjected to an equivalent amount of mechanical force, whether mediated by contact or inertial loading. Identification of different patterns of injury in different age groups has resonance in clinical practice and now provides a reference point for future clinical and neuropathological studies. This work not only provides the basis for the future management of patients, but also serves to remind us of the continuing value of the autopsy and the proper examination of retained organs using modern standardized techniques

Pathogenicity and immunogenicity of native and mutant strains of Pasteurella multocida, the causative agents of haemorrhagic septicaemia

Haemorrhagic septicaemia [HS] is a fatal systemic disease of cattle and buffaloes. Some control is achieved with administration of alum-precipitated or oil-adjuvanted killed whole-cell vaccines injected subcutaneously. These vaccines, however, provide only short-term immunity and for effective use, they should be administered annually. We constructed an aroA attenuated derivative of a Pasteurella multocida serotype B:2 strain by allelic exchange of the native aroA sequence with aroA sequences disrupted with a kanamycin resistance cassette. This strain was confirmed to be aroA mutant by PCR. The aroA derivative was highly attenuated for virulence in a mouse model of HS and rabbits. Mouse and rabbit challenge experiments showed that i.p. or i.m. vaccination of an aroA strain completely protected mice or rabbits against challenge with a high dose [>1000 LD[50]] of the parent strain

[Seroprevalence study of Avian pneumovirus infection in broiler breeder chickens]

This study was carried out to investigate the seroprevalence of Avian Pneumovirus infection in broiler breeder farms which were located in Urmia city by using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA] a field survey. Brioler breeder chickens. In this study, 552 blood samples were taken from 39 broiler breeder flocks. The broiler breeder flocks were categorized in three age groups: 0-20, 21-35 and 36-55 weeks old. Serum samples were tested for Avian Pneumovirus antibodies by using a commercial blocking ELISA kit. Descriptive statistics. The results of this study showed, 207 [37%] of serum samples were positive and 192 [35%] ones were negative. Furthermore, 153 [28%] of samples were suspected. Based on these findings, it can be concluded that broiler breeder farms which are located in Urmia city, are serologically positive in regard to Avian Pneumovirus infections. Since AVP has economical importance in poultry industry by inducing respiratory disease, the prevalence of AVP in prevention and control programs of respiratory diseases has to be highly considered

Evaluat of temperature rise with different curing methods and units in two composite resins

The majority of commercial curing units in dentistry are of halogen lamp type. The new polymerizing units such as blue LED are introduced in recent years. One of the important side effects of light curing is the temperature rise in composite resin polymerization which can affect the vitality of tooth pulp. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the temperature rise in two different composite resins during polymerization with halogen lamps and blue LED. This experimental study investigated the temperature rise in two different composites [Hybrid, Tetric Ceram/Nanofilled, Filteke Supreme] of A2 shade polymerized with two halogen lamps [Coltolux 50, 350 mW/cm2 and Optilux 501 in standard, 820 mW/cm2 and Ramp, 100-1030 mW/cm2 operating modes] and one blue LED with the intensity of 620 mW/cm2. Five samples for each group were prepared and temperature rise was monitored using a k-type thermocouple. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA, two-way ANOVA and Tukey HSD tests with P<0.05 as the limit of significance. Light curing units and composite resins had statistically significant influence on the temperature rise [p<0.05]. Significantly, lower temperature rise occurred in case of illumination with Coltolux 50.There was no significant difference between Optilux 501 in standard curing mode and LED. Tetric Ceram showed higher temperature rise. According to the results of this study the high power halogen lamp and LED could produce significant heat which may be harmful to the dental pulp

[ survey on missing values in osteoporosis using a weighted estimating equation]

In different statistical studies, a subset of data maybe missing for some study subjects either by design or happenstance, such data are called missing variables. Ignoring such data causes bias in the results; therefore presenting statistical methods for analyzing such data are necessary. One of the most common techniques used in linear regression analysis with missing covariates is a Weighted Estimating Equation [WEE]. In this method, the observe probability of missing data are computed using the logistic regression, then the inverse probability of these data are input into the score statistics equation and finally the equation is solved using the EM algorithm and the regression parameters are estimated. The advantage of this method is that the distributions of the missing data need not to be correctly specified. In the present study, the above method was compared to Maximum Likelihood [ML] by using an applied example. Considering the covariates missing at random [MAR], the WEE method is more efficient than the other statistical methods. Regarding the advantages of WEE, this method is applicable when the distributions of covariates are not normal

Evaluation of urine mercury level of dentists in Tehran and its influencial factors

Dentists are exposed to mercury from dental amalgam in their routine occupational practice. Excess exposure to mercury is harmful and the measurement of mercury content of urine is a reliable and valid assessment of the level of mercury exposure from dental amalgam. The aim of this study was the measurement of urine mercury in dentists of Tehran and assessment of some possible related factors. This cross-sectional study was performed randomly on 211 dentists in all regions in Tehran city [center, north, south, west, and east] between 1381 and 1383. Dentists were asked to give a sample of urine in the day of visit and to complete a questionnaire consisting of variables such as age, working history, handling of amalgam, environmental parameters and general health situation. Urine samples were analyzed by cold vapour atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Data were analyzed by Kruskall Walis, Kendall and Mann Whitney tests, with p<0.05 as the limit of significance. The mean of urine mercury content in Tehran dentists was 3.1 [ +/- 3.95] microg/lit which was lower than the international TLV [Threshold Limit Value]. There was a significant relation between urine mercury level and working hours per day [P=0.006]. This relation was observed with working hours per week too [P=0.006]. In general dentists, there was a positive relation between urine mercury and age [0.008] as well as the practicing years [P=0.034]. A significant relation was found between urine mercury and the number of amalgam repairs and replacements in restorative specialists [p=0.039]. There was a significant relation between the number of amalgam fillings in the mouth and urine mercury in general practitioners [p=0.027]. The type of amalgam [predosed capsules or bulk powder] had a significant effect on the urine mercury content [P=0.001]. There was no significant relation between urine mercury and other variables of the study such as the squeezing of triturated amalgam, storage method of residual amalgam, method of storing mercury and office ventilation. Based on the results of this study, the mean urine mercury content of dentists of Tehran was below the international TLV. The use of precapsulated amalgams had significant effect on the urine mercury. Most of the dentists were working in public or semiprivate clinics, so it is concluded that the level of general hygiene and specially mercury hygiene in these centers seems to be acceptable

prospective study on rapid prenatal diagnosis of trisomy 21 in uncultured amniocytes using interphase fluorescence in situ hybridisation and an Alu-PCRamplified YAC clone

Herein we report the result of a prospective study directly comparing aneuploidy detection of chromosome 21 by fluorescence in situ hybridisation in interphase nuclei with the results obtained by cytogenetic analysis.The inter-Alu sequences in chromosome 21 specific YAC clone were amplified by polymerase chain reaction [PCR]. The resulting DNA probe was used for fluorescence in situ suppression hybridisation to detect the copy numbers of chromosome 21 in interphase nuclei.A total of 214 independent amniotic fluid samples were analysed in a blind fashion. The combination of specific probe and optimized hybridisation and detection conditions allowed accurate enumeration of chromosome 21 in uncultured amniotic fluid cells consistent with the results obtained by traditional cytogenetic analysis

[Report of 54 cases of diastematomyelia treated in Shohadaye Tajrish, Mehrad and Mofid Hospitals]

Diastematomyelia is a congenital anomaly of the spinal cord which is usually associated with other CNS, skeletal and skin abnormalities. In this study, 54 cases treated with surgical or medical routes have been surveyed. Average age was 35 months and female/male ratio was 1811. Two thirds of the patients were found to have neurological deficit, with gait problem being the most predominant whereas skin and orthopedic anomalies ranked next. Tethered cord was detected in about half of them and spurs found in two third. Two thirds of cases underwent surgery out of which 114 had transient postoperative complications with complication rate of 25%. There was no postoperative mortality. Post-operative improvement of neurological deficit occurred in 14% of cases and same percentage had deterioration, while others had no change in their neurological status

Evaluation of Extract of Ginkgo Biloba [EGB] and its effect on memory of healthy volunteer students in Mashad university

Memory is an essential factor for any activity in humans. We cannot do any simple tasks without memory. So, scientists have done research on factors, which influence the memory and enforce it. The purpose of this study is evaluating the effect of Ginkgo biloba on the memory of healthy students who have volunteered in Mashad universities. The study consists of 141 healthy volunteered students [67 Female and 74 male] that primarily did not have any organic or non organic disease. The main inclusion criteria for being admitted in the study were getting a score below the cut of point in the G.H.Q., BDI and scl 90 of the screening tests. After that the students were divided into two groups randomly and the W.M.S.R test was done on them before and after prescribing Ginkgo to one group and placebo to the other one. The Ginkgo can increase all subtests of WMS-R except INF and ORE subtest, MCO and vis. Extract of Ginkgo biloba can be a good and low risk alternative for increasing the memory of the youth and adults especially the ones with a memory failure background

efficacy of vaginal misoprostol in treatment of missed abortions

Missed Abortion is a important obstetric and gynecology complication because of its serious outcomes such as DIG, infection, shock, hemorrhage and death. There are various medical and surgical methods for treatment of missed abortion. Medical treatment of missed abortion is safe, effective, acceptable and an inexpensive alternative. Misoprostal is a synthetic prostaglandin [El] and recommended by PDA for treatment of missed abortion. There are different views about its safety, dosage and effectiveness. This study was designed in order to determine the efficacy of vaginal misoprostol for termination of pregnancy in women with missed abortions admitted in Shahid Sadoughi, Madar and Mojibian hospitals of Yazd from 2003 to 2004. The method of study was semi-experimental. [Clinical trial without control group] 50 women with missed abortion and the required criteria [age 15-45 years, gestational age

[Isolation and identification of Pasteurella multocida inbreeder stocks]

To determine the rate of infection in breeder stocks.A total of 11 breeder stocks.Pharyngeal swab samples from 11 farms, 3 flocks of healthy birds, 3 recovered flocks, 3 flocks with chronic disease and 2 infected flocks, were taken. The samples were transferred to the laboratory in transport media.and tested on culture media. The positive cases were identified and the p. multocida was confirmed by differential tests. Pasteurella multocida was not isolated from either healthy or recovered birds. The organism was neither isolated from the pharyngeal swab samples of chronic form. In flocks, which showed acute form, p.multocida was isolated from both the pharyngeal swabs or carcasses. The results in this survey indicate that the healthy birds are not carrier of p. multocida and the diseases spread by infected birds, rodents, water and feed