Echocardiographic assessment of myocardial infarction: comparison of a rat model in two strains

The purpose of this study was to induce myocardial infarction [MI] and compare the echocardiographic parameters and mortality ratio of Lewis inbred and Wistar outbred strain before and after the procedure to help choose the best one for MI studies. In this study MI was induced in 46 Lewis and 34 Wistar by occlusion of left anterior descending artery [LAD]. Doppler, two-dimensional [2-D] and 2-D guided M-mode images were recorded from parasternal long-axis and parasternal short-axis and apical four-chamber views. The following parameters were acquired. Interventricular septum diastolic and systolic dimension [IVSd, s], diastolic and systolic left ventricular internal diameter [LVIDd, s], diastolic and systolic left ventricular posterior wall dimension [LVPWd, s], ejection fraction [EF], and fractional shortening [FS]. The significant changes were observed in systolic IVS, LVID and EF and FS before and after MI and no significant difference was detected between Lewis and Wistar. The high mortality rate of 51% was seen in the procedure, including anesthesia in Lewis compared to 34% in Wistar. As a conclusion the echocardiographic parameters of these two strains were similar, but according to mortality rate and more cardiac anatomic variation in Lewis rats, Wistar is better for MI studies

Frequency of antibiotic resistance patterns in bacteria isolated from children

Bacterial infectioins in particular meningitis, pneumonia and septicemia are still some of the most causes of mortalities in children.The aim of present study was to identify the most common bacterial agents causing infectionis in children under 14 and detection of antibiotic resistance paterns. During two years, 1897samples were obtained from the patients suspected bacterial infectioins. They were investigated for bacterial cultures, age, sex and antibiogram patterns. The species were identified by biochemical and serological methods. Of 1897 samples, 563 [29.6%] had positve bacterial culture. Of these 74.7% were gram negative and 25.3% gram positive. The most common species were Escherichia coti [34.l%], Staphylococcus aureus [17.1%], Psuedomonas aeroginosa [12.4%], Kelebsiella [11%] and Staphylococcus epidermidis [5.7%]. The most effective antibiotics against both gram positive and gram negative bacteria were ceftriaoxne, nitrofurantoin, nalidixic acid, amikacin and gentamycin. The gram negative bacteria in particular Escherichia coli, Psuedomonas aeroginosa and Kelebsiella are the predominant causes of bacterial infections in children under 14 in these regions. Most species showed a high relative resistance to routine antibiotics such as ampicillin, trimethoprim and chloramphenicol

Prevalence of bacterial urinary tract infections in patients before and after of kidney transplantation

Urinary tract infections and bacteremia are the major problems in renal transplant patients, which are mostly due to immunesuppressive regimens, surgery, and exposure to the germs in hospital. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of bacterial agents in the blood and urine samples of kidney transplant candidates. In this one-year-long study, thirty-three renal transplant candidates were assessed for urine and blood cultures. One urine and blood samples from each patient before transplantation and three samples after transplantation were collected. The Samples, using standard microbiological methods, were investigated and infectious organisms identified. In 133 urine samples, Escherichia coli [20.5%], Enterobacter spp. [5.3%], Klebsiella spp. [3%] and Staphylococcus epidermidis [1.5%] were isolated. In the blood samples, Enterobacter spp. [9.1%], Escherichia coli [6.8%], Staphylococcus epidermidis [3.8%] and Klebsiella spp. [0.8%] were isolated. The results indicate that urinary tract infection was high in patients with transplanted kidney, and E. coli is the most common cause of this infection

[ survey on inhalation effect of essence of peppermint on nausea and vomiting after abdominal surgery in patients who have been admitted to Besaat and Tohid hospitals in Sanandaj]

Nausea and vomiting is among the most common complications in patients recovering from general anaesthesia, 30-70 of patients experience nausea and vomiting after surgery. Although variety of medications have been used to control this complication, it still remains as a problem. Armothpy a non pharmacologic intervention is suggested for treatment of many conditions and Pepprmint may be effectivein treatment of common digestive conditions. This aim of this study was to examine the efficacy of inhaling peppermint essence for prevention of nausea and vomiting after abdominal surgery in patients admitted in Beasssat and Tohid hospitals in Sanandaj in 2011. A randomized clinical trial was conducted to examine the efficacy of Peppermint essence inhalation for prevention of post- surgical nausea and vomiting. The sample of the study consisted of 90 patients, which were randomly allocated to receive peppermint inhalation or saline normal. A 2 x 2 gauze pad saturated with two drops of pure pharmacy-grade peppermint essence was used for 1 minute in intervention group. For patients in control group a 2 x 2 gauze pad saturated with 0. 9% normal saline was used. A visual analog scale was used to rate nausea. Patients were followed in recovery and surgical ward for occurrence of nausea and vomiting. Data were analyzed by SPSS software, version 17. There was not statistical difference between two groups in terms of confounding variables such as body mass index, length of anesthesia as well as type of anesthesia. 6. 7% of patients in peppermint group and 0% of patients in control group experienced mild nausea. Manwitney statistical test, showed no significant difference between the two groups in terms of nausea in recovery room. The results indicated there was significant difference between the two groups in the severity of nausea in surgical ward. There was not a significant difference between two groups in term of numbers of vomiting. The findings of the study showed no diferrence between peppermint and saline in terms of prevetion of nausea and vomiting. One reason can either be ineffective breathing patterns of patients after anesthesia or insufficient dose of peppermint which has affected the results of this study. It seems more studies with various shapes and amounts of peppermint are required in this regard

[Related Factors to use computer based on "Technology Acceptance Model"]

Introduction: Use of computer has been increased in recent years. So understanding the related factors to use computers is important. The aim of this study was to determine related factors to use computer based on "Technology Acceptance Model".

Materials and Methods: This is a descriptive-correlational study which 100 staff membersof Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences were selected through convenient sampling method. Data were gathered using demographic questionnaire and "Technology Acceptance Model Scale" with 43 items. Content and face validity of the questionnaire and the reliability of the instruments were determined by internal consistency and test-retest methods, respectively.

Findings: There were a direct and positive correlation between perceived usefulness[Beta = 0.309], perceived ease of computer [Beta = 0.309], with computer attitude, and also computer attitude with intention to use computer [Beta = 0.503].

Conclusion: There is a direct and positive correlation between usefulness and ease of use of computer with computer attitude and ultimately intention to use computer. Attention to increase computer attitude for using computer is suggested.

Inhibition of murine systemic leishmaniasis by acetyl salicylic acid via nitric oxide immunomodulation

The purpose of this study was to evaluate antileishmanial effects of ASA via NO pathway in Leishmania major infected Balb/c mice. Moreover, toxicity and pathological consequences of ASA administration were investigated. Balb/c mice were infected with L. major and ASA was inoculated orally after lesion appearance for its ability to modulate NO and to modify Leishmania infection in host, in order to evaluate the effects of NO production on size and lesion macroscopy, delay of lesion formation and proliferation of amastigotes inside macrophages. Liver, spleen, and lymph nodes were also studied as target organs to detect amastigotes. In addition, plasma was investigated for NO induction using Griess microassay. ASA increased NO production in plasma of both na‹ve and Leishmania test groups at the ultimate of the experimental period. A decline was observed in proliferation of amastigotes inside macrophages of test group when compared with control one. ASA reduced lesion size, inhibited Leishmania visceralisation in spleen, lymph node, and decreased hepato/splenomegaly in ASA treated animals. Some antileishmanial effects of ASA by NO-modulation were indicated during systemic leishmaniasis in mice. Despite slight effects on lesion size, ASA decreased parasite visceralization in target organs and declined their proliferation inside macrophages. Therefore, ASA may be indicated to inhibit systemic leishmaniasis via NO pathway in mice model

[Correlation between self-concept according to Roy adaptation model with adherence to therapeutic regimen in hypertensive outpatients who attended in one of hospitals affiliated to Urmia university of medical sciences and health services]

Although drug treatment for hypertension is available, but just 30% hypertensive patients have controlled hypertension. Nowadays non adherence to recommended health regimen is accepted as a nursing diagnosis by American Nurses Association. The aim of this study was to determine correlation between self-concept [according to Roy Adaptation Model] and adherence to therapeutic health regimen in hypertensive outpatients who attended to one of hospitals affiliated to Uremia University of Medical Sciences and health Services. In this descriptive-correlational study, 120 hypertensive outpatients, who had inclusion criteria, were selected by quota purposive sampling method. Data were collected by a demographic and disease related questionnaire, "Self-Concept Questionnaire in Heart Disease Patients based on [RAM]" and "Hill-Bone Compliance to High Blood Pressure Therapy Scale". Validity and reliability of questionnaires were assessed with content validity and Cronbach's Alpha coefficient. Cronbach's alpha coefficients of "Hill-Bone Compliance to High Blood Pressure Therapy Scale" and threat and challenge perception "Self-Concept Questionnaire in Heart Disease Patients based on [RAM] were calculated 0.71, 0.87, 0.90 respectively. the questionnaires were completed by interview and data were analyzed by SPSS 16. Findings showed that adherence to recommended health regimen had significant negative relationship to total threat perception with perception of threat of self-concept [P<0.001]. Also, Adherence to recommended health regimen had a positive significant relationship with total challenge perception. Similarly, perception of challenge for body sensation, self consistency, self ideal [P<0.001] with self ethical-spiritual of self concept [P=0.027] had a positive significant correlation. According to the correlation between adherence with threat or challenge perception for dimensions of self concept in this study, nurses need to identify methods that cause patients perceive stimuli as a challenge to self-concept. As it guides person to problem solving ways that should be overcame stressful stimuli and leads to integrated adaptation

Risk factors and laboratory diagnostics for post renal transplant tuberculosis: a case-controlled, country-wide study on definitive cases

Tuberculosis [TB] is a common cause of morbidity and mortality in renal transplant recipients. It is usually misdiagnosed because of lack of medical awareness and its infrequency in renal transplant recipients. 44 cases [0.3%] with post-transplant TB out of 12820 patients who had renal transplants performed between 1984 to 2003 were found from the hospital records of 12 major kidney transplantation centers in Iran. These cases were compared with 184 healthy transplant subjects whose transplants were performed by the same surgical team as the controls. The mean age of cases and controls was 37.7 [13-63] and 35.6 [8-67] years [p=0.3], respectively. The mean duration of pre-transplantation hemodialysis was 30.3 [3-168] months in cases and 18.2[1-180] months in controls [p=0.03]. A past history of tuberculosis was detected in 2 cases and 1 control [p=0.3]. The mean doses of initial and maintenance immunosuppressive drugs in cases and controls were not significantly different. A total of 25 cases [56.8%] and 60[32.6%] controls had rejection prior to diagnosis of TB [p=0.004; OR=2.7, CI95%: 1. 3-5.6]. To our knowledge, this is the first study that demonstrated increasing risk of post-transplant TB by extending the duration of pre-transplant hemodialysis and the number of post-transplant rejection episodes. Further study is needed to clarify our new findings specifically in respect of different immunosuppressive regimens

[Measurment and ranking of social capital in the townships of Isfahan province]

Social capital is one of the concepts in social sciences which during the short time, less than two decades, not only has been populared in academic environments as a scientific term, but also it could arrive into the level of policy-making. The importance of the concept is up to high level that there is a special act about social capital in the fourth program of economic, social and cultural development. Also, social capital is called as an desired characteristic in the document of Iranian development for the year of 2025. But, how is the situation of social capital in the Iranian society? This article, that is extracted from a survey research with a provincial approach and carried out in 2006, try to answer the question. The main target of the study is measuring and ranking of social capital in 20 townships of Isfahan province. The data are gathered by interview based on a standardized questionnaire. The sample size are 4739 cases who have been selected on the basis of a quota method by sex, age group and region. The results have revealed that in some subdimensions such as institutional trust, trust towards family members, friends and acquintances, security feeling, social participation and social mediation are in better situation than the others that consist generalized trust, the new pattern of participation and civil engaging of citizens in social life. The most important result shows that Isfahan city, as the center of the province, accompanied by city of Khomeinishahr are located in the lowest rank of the social capital hierarchy in comparison with other townships

Biliary pseudolithiasis during ceftriaxone therapy in children

Ceftriaxone is almost widely used in the treatment of pediatric infection and this is accompanied by some complications. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of abnormal ultrasonography findings of gallbladder [pseudolithiasis or sludge] during ceftriaxon therapy and its relation to fasting, sex and G6PD deficiency. This quasi-experimental survey was done in Amirkola Children's Hospital, Babol, Iran. First ultrasonography was done before initiation of ceftriaxone therapy and it was repeated 24-48 hours after therapy and in the 5th, 7th, 10th and 14th day after the treatment. If abnormal finding was seen, ultrasonography was done weekly in the first two weeks until the side effect disappeared. Data was collected and analyzed by SPSS software. Of all 108 patients, who were between 3 months to 10 years old, 20 cases had abnormal findings in gallbladder [2 sludges and 18 pseudolithiases]. Length of fasting before ceftriaxone therapy had a positive relation with possibility of stone formation [p<0.005], but age, sex, duration of therapy and G6PD deficiency were not related [p>0.05]. In four cases pseudolithiasis was formed after only 1-2 doses of ceftriaxone. Shortest and longest periods of resolution of complications were 1 and 17 days respectively after formation. Incidence of pseudolithiasis or sludge formation during ceftriaxone therapy was 18.5% and fasting had a great effect on these complications

[Prevalence of helicobacter pylori infection in different endoscopic lesions of patients in Qazvin Bouali Sina hospital [2002]]

Helicobacter pylori is known as the most common causative agent of bacterial infection in human which causes peptic ulcer and gastric tumor To investigate the incidence of HP infection in different endoscopic lesions from125 patients in Qazvin Bouali Sina hospital. This was a descriptive study on endoscopic lesions of patients referred to Bouali Sina hospital in 2001-2002 [June- January]. The present study was an endoscopic-based observation in which the data collected through using a questionnaire, endoscopic finding andalso a biopsy from tantrum for rapid urea's test if the patient was suitable to be included in our study. The data was further statistically analyzed using SPSS. The incidence of H.P in duodenal ulcer was 70%. Other findings were: normal endoscopic appearance [58.8%], gastric ulcer [43.7%], erythema of antrum [62.2%] and esophagitis [40.7%]. Epigastric pain was the most common clinical manifestation among the first four groups whereas the hurt burn was the dominant complaint in esophagitis group. Following the administration of different treatment protocols against HP infection, the incidence of HP decreased in different gastrointestinal diseases

[ survey on knowledge and practice of mothers in prevention and care of diarrhea diseases in children under five years [Babol; 2002-2003]]

Mortality, which caused by diarrhea and unnecessary hospital admission, can be decreased by simple, available and effective methods and mothers have an important role in this regard. This descriptive and analytical study was randomly performed on 250 mothers who had children under 5 years of age. Data were collected by questionnaire and then analyzed by descriptive statistics, chi- square test and correlation coefficient. The knowledge of mothers towards diarrhea [84%] was moderate and their practice [50%] was low. There was a significant relationship between the knowledge and practice of mothers with variables as occupation, educational level, husband 's job and education, place of living, income, numbers of children, age of child, birth interval of children, history of diarrhea in child, information on taking care of child during diarrhea and the most important source of information. Also, there was a significant relationship between knowledge of mothers with sex of child and their practice with age [p<0.05]. There was a significant linear relationship between knowledge and practice of mothers [r=0.385, p= 0.000]

Introduction of an indirect haemagglutination test as a rapid diagnostic method in comparison with ELISA using antigen B for diagnosis of human hydatid disease

Early diagnosis of human hydatid disease by detecting the specific antibodies in patients' sera is considered as an important step in treatment of infection. But the diagnostic efficiencies of assays greatly depend on the characteristics of antigen that is used and various conditions in performance. In present study, we tried to st and ardize an indirect haemagglutination test, using antigen B for diagnosis of hydatid disease. Sera from 80 patients with surgically confirmed hydatidosis and 40 sera from healthy donors were examined. To detect the cross-reactant antibodies, 53 sera from patients with other parasitic infectious and diseases were applied in this study. IHA was performed with sheep RBC that was sensitized by various concentrations of crude antigen and antigen B. The best results were obtained by IHA with applying antigen B [10 micro g/ml] for 40 min at 37°C or 60 min at room temperature. Diagnostic value of antigen B [sensitivity 93.75%, specificity 100% and efficiency 97.12%] was significantly higher than related value of crude antigen [sensitivity 65%, specificity 100% and efficiency 83.81%] in IHA under the optimum condition. Sensitivity and specificity of ELISA using crude antigen [10 micro g/ml] were obtained 80% and 94.62%, respectively. Corresponding values of ELISA using antigen B were also obtained as 72.5% and 98.92%, respectively. It is suggested that the IHA, as a serological assay, is a valuable method with high diagnostic efficiency for serodiagnosis of hydatid disease, when is performed by purified antigen B. It is a rapid diagnostic assay with any needs neither for expensive instruments nor expert personnel so is useful for seroepidemiological studies and field trial in endemic areas