[Effect of self-management empowering model on the quality of life in adolescents and youths with major thalassemia]

Currently, medical advances ensure life-expectancy of chronic patients such as thalassemia. Improvement in the quality of life of these patients requires that medical treatment be combined with psychosocial support. The present study aimed at investigating the effect of self-management empowerment model on the quality of life in adolescents and youth with major thalassemia. This was randomized clinical trial in two groups. 70 Eligible adolescents and youths with major thalassemia were selected through census in Bushehr and Borazjan thalassemia center. Samples were allocated to case and control groups. Data collection tool was quality of life questionnaire [SF-36]. Intervention was performed in three stages. post-test was performed 1.5 months after pre-test in control group and 1.5 months after intervention in case group. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 18 and chi-square, independent t-test, and mann-witney [P<0.05]. There was no statistically significant difference in terms of demographic data between the two groups [P>0.05]. As a result, mean difference of eight dimensions of SF-36 quality of life were statistically significant between case and control groups before and after the intervention [P<0.0001]. Education based on self-management empowerment model has a great impact on the quality of life in adolescents and youth with major thalassemia

[Survey the effect of silybin on HER2 in SKBR3 breast cancer cell line]

One of the most well-known oncogenes in breast cancer is HER2 [ERBB2 or EGFR2]. The principal component of Milk Thistel is silybin, a polyphenolic flavonolignan isolated from silymarin, with both anti-oxidant and anti-cancer properties. Natural polyphenols are one of the most effective components for inhibiting cancers due to their high efficiency and fewer side effects. Investigating the effect of silybin on HER2 gene expression in SKBR3 breast cancer cell line. First, the SKBR3 was cultured, then we used MTT assay to determine the toxicity of silybin. Finally, using RT-Real Time PCR we studied the gene expression. The cytotoxicity of silybin was evaluated by MTT assay in SKBR3 cell line in eight doses [50 - 350 microM] after 24, 48 and 72 h. Silybin showed dose and time dependent cell growth inhibitory effects in this cell line. The IC50 values of silybin after 48 and 72 h were determined to be 274/47 and 203/38, respectively. The results of Real Time RT-PCR indicated the significant down regulation of HER2 by 150 and 250 microM of silybin after 24, 48 and 72h. Silybin can be used for HER2 positive breast cancer to down regulate HER2 gene expression, thanks to respective fewer side effects and extensive effects on different cancers

In vitro antiviral effect of "Nanosilver" on influenza virus

Influenza is a viral infectious disease with frequent seasonal epidemics causing world-wide economical and social effects. Due to antigenic shifts and drifts of influenza virus, long-lasting vaccine has not been developed so far. The current annual vaccines and effective antiviral drugs are not available sufficiently. Therefore in order to prevent spread of infectious agents including viruses, antiseptics are considered by world health authorities. Small particles of silver have a long history as general antiseptic and disinfectant. Silver does not induce resistance in microorganisms and this ability in Nanosize is stronger. The aim of this study was to determine antiviral effects of Nanosilver against influenza virus. TCID50 [50% Tissue Culture Infectious Dose] of the virus as well as CC50 [50% Cytotoxic Concentration] of Nanosilver was obtained by MTT [3- [4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2y1]-2 5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide, Sigma] method. This compound was non-toxic to MDCK [Madin-Darbey Canin Kidney] cells at concentration up to 1 micro g/ml. Effective minimal cytotoxic concentration and 100 TCID50 of the virus were added to the confluent cells. Inhibitory effects of Nanosilver on the virus and its cytotoxicity were assessed at different temperatures using Hemagglutination [HA] assay, RT-PCR [Reverse Transcriptase-Polymerase Chain Reaction], and DIF [Direct Immunofluorescent]. RT-PCR and free band densitometry software were used to compare the volume of the PCR product bands on the gel. In this study it was found that Nanosilver has destructive effect on the virus membrane glycoprotein knobs as well as the cells

[Seroepidemiological study of leptospirosis in Ghaemshahr Mazandaran province-Iran, Sept-Oct 2004]

Leptospirosis is a zoonotic spirochetal disease caused by coming into contact with water or soil contaminated with urine of the infected animals such as sheep, hours, cow, rat and etc. Farmers, animal husbands, veterinarians and those practicing aqua sport are at risk. This study was undertaken in 13 villages of Ghaemshahr City [September 2004] in which because of previous epidemiological observation the probability of this disease was high. Study was descriptive cross sectional with randomized case selection. Five ml of venous blood was taken from each case and tested using an ELISA method. Information about age, sex, job, area of living, symptoms such as fever, headache, mialgia, diarrhea, nausea during this or past summer were gathered. Serological data showed that prevalence of leptospirosis was 29.4% .There is no relation between sex and positive serological results [54.8% women and 54.18% men]. Leptospirosis in studied area is epidemic and due to its high morbidity, mortality and economical impact,heath education to people would help to control the disease and chemoprophylaxis can also be used

[Comparison of the effectiveness of weekly and daily iron supplementation in pregnant women in rural health centers of Mazandaran province, 1383]

Iron deficiency and its related anemia is a common Iranian pregnant women problem. This study evaluated the efficacy of daily and weekly ferrous sulfate supplementation in pregnant women. 150 pregnant women enrolled into this randomized controlled field trial. They were received 50 mg elemental iron daily in control group and 100 mg elemental iron weekly in other group for 12 weeks duration. Serum ferritin and serum hemoglobin was measured at the start and immediately after 12 weeks of the study. Collected data were analyzed with SPSS10 software. After 12 weeks of Iron supplementation, no significant differences were observed in serum hemoglobin [gr/dl] and serum ferritin [g/dl] levels in daily and weekly groups [p>0.05]. Also the frequency of anemia after 12 weeks in two groups was not significantly different [p>0.05]. According to the results and tendency of pregnant women to the weekly regime and less consumption of ferrous sulfate pills in this group, weekly regime is reccomended for suplementation

Knowledge and practices of health care workers and medical students towards universal precautions in hospitals in Mazandaran Province

This study investigated knowledge of and practices towards universal precautions among 540 health care workers and medical students in 2 university hospitals in Mazandaran Province, Islamic Republic of Iran. Only 65.8% and 90.0% staff in the 2 hospitals and 53.5% of medical students had heard about universal precautions. Overall, there was a low understanding of precautions, except concerning disposal of sharps, contact with vaginal fluid, use of mask and gown or cleaning spilled blood. Health workers had difficulty distinguishing between deep body fluids and body secretions that are not considered infectious. Good practices were reported regarding hand- washing, disposal of needles, and glove, mask and gown usage

Validity and reliability of the Persian translation of the SF-36 version 2 questionnaire

To assess the validity and reliability of a Persian translation of the SF-36 questionnaire [version 2] as a tool for use in the general population and outpatients, we carried out a cross-sectional study of the staff of Shiraz Medical School during November 2001. Response rate was 83.6%. Internal consistency for 8 scales using Cronbach's alpha was 0.87 [minimum recommended 0.85]. Construct validity was acceptable as correlation between scales and some sociodemographic characteristics was significant. The correlation coefficient between 8 scales and related principal components was also acceptable. This translation is an appropriate tool for assessing health perceptions of the population