[Comparison of the effect of feldspathic porcelain and zirconia on natural tooth wear]

Enamel wear is among the main disadvantages of ceramic restorations. Recently, use of full zirconia crowns without dental porcelain has been suggested. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of feldspathic porcelain and zirconia on the wear of natural teeth. In this experimental study, 22 zirconia specimens were fabricated; out of which, 11 specimens were polished and chosen as zirconia specimens while the remaining 11 were used to fabricate porcelain specimens. A total of 22 natural human teeth were also obtained. The natural teeth were photographed by a stereomicroscope in a fixed position and the distance from the cusp tip to a reference point was measured. Next, 11 teeth opposed zirconia and the remaining 11 opposed porcelain specimens in a chewing simulator and subjected to 120,000 masticatory cycles. The teeth were photographed again and the greatest difference between the before and after values was recorded. The mean [ +/- standard deviation] wear rate was 153.8 +/- 95.68 and 306.3 +/- 127.74, in the zirconia and porcelain groups, respectively; and the two groups had a statistically significant difference in this respect [P=0.007]. The mean wear was significantly lower in teeth opposing zirconia than in those opposing feldspathic porcelain

Epidemiological survey on pandemic influenza A [H1N1] virus infection in Kurdistan province, Islamic Republic of Iran, 2009

This study evaluated the epidemiology of suspected cases of pandemic influenza A [HINI] virus infection in 2009-2010 in Kurdistan province, a frontier province of the Islamic Republic of Iran. A questionnaire covering demographic characteristics, clinical presentation and outcome, and history of exposure and travel was completed by patients attending health centres and hospitals in the province. Nasal and throat swabs were analysed by RT-PCR. A total of 1059 suspected cases were assessed; HI Nl influenza A was confirmed in 157 [14.8%]. The highest proportion of confirmed cases was 30,0%, among children aged <1 year. In multivariate analysis, previous contact with symptomatic influenza patients [OR - 2.17] and hospitalization [OR = 3.88] were the only significant risk factors for confirmed HINI infection. Age, sex, residency, presenting symptoms and history of national or international travel were not significant. Influenza A [HI Nl] virus has spread in Islamic Republic of Iran; probably transmitted by travellers to Kurdistan

[Expression of T399I and D299G polymorphisms of TLR4 gene in colorectal cancer cell line by flowcytometery]

Toll-like receptors [TLRs] have been discovered as the most important receptors in innate immunity. One of the most important TLRs is TLR4, the key receptor for the LPS component of gram-negative bacteria. Two polymorphisms, D299G [rs4986790] and T399I [rs4986791], in TLR4 gene are associated with a decreased response to LPS. This study was done to estimate the expression of different polymorphisms of TLR4 gene in colorectal cancer cell line by flowcytometery. In this laboratory study, the HCT116 cells were transfected with plasmids containing different variants of TLR4 gene including; Flag-tagged-TLR4 wild type, flag-tagged D299G and T399I Using TurboFect transfection reagent. Transfection efficiency was evaluated by GFP plasmid. Expression of different variants of TLR4 was assessed in transfected cells by flowcytometery. Data were analyzed using SPSS-11.5 and chi-square test. TLR4 was detected on HT29 and CaCo[2] cell lines at low levels. HCT116 cells did not express detectable amounts of TLR4 by flowcytometery prior to transfection. Gene transfer efficiency for GFP plasmid was about 80% in HCT116 cells by flowcytometery and microscopic analysis. TLR4 expression and LPS responsiveness significantly was higher in HCT116 cells which were transfected with wild type TLR4 gene compared to non-transfected and mutant transfected cells [P<0.05]. Lower expression of TLR4 on cells with mutant TLR4 showed that these polymorphisms affect on expression patterns of TLR4 on colon cancer cells

[New antibiotic replacements as growth and health promoters]

Antibiotics usage in domestic animals, as antibiotic growth promoters [AGPs] was considered from middle of 1950 onwards. Antibiotic feed additives as growth promoters have long been supplemented to animal food in very low amounts [5 to 20 ppm] to stabilize the intestinal microbial flora, improve the general performances, and prevent some specific intestinal pathogens. The widespread use of antibiotics as AGPs is playing a significant role in the emergence of resistant bacteria. The resistant bacteria in animals due to antibiotic exposure can be transmitted to human through the consumption of their products, from close or direct contact with animals, or through the environment and consequently, the increased concern about the potential for antibiotic resistant bacteria was led the European Union and the United States regulations banning the use of AGPs in animal food since 2006. Various studies always look for a suitable replacement antibiotics to substitute to preserve the valuable role of these compounds. Extensive efforts on these alternatives have been started in last decades and some of these alternatives such as probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, ionophores, acidifier, organic acids, medicinal herbs and phytogenic can be pointed out. Hence, the aim of this review is to evaluate the antibiotic replacement strategy particularly medicinal herbs and their mechanisms as new growth and health promoters

[Effect of xylanase supplementation on small intestine histomorphometry in broiler chickens]

Exogenous enzymes such as xylanase can cause recovery of efficiency in poultry. In this study we investigated the effects of xylanase supplementation on small intestine histomorphometry in broilers chicken. Two levels of xylanase supplementation [with or without 0.07% xyIanase] was used in 4 treatment groups [two repetitions for each group and 15 chicks per group]. After 42 days, 10 chicks from each pen were euthanized to study the duodenum. jejunum. and ileum histomorphometry. Using light microscope, morphological changes of small intestine including villous height. Number of goblet cells, diameter of epithelium, crypt depth and ratio of crypt depth to villous height were evaluated. Addition of xylanase increased villous height and crypt depth [p <0.05] and decreased goblet cell number and epithelium diameter in different sections of small intestine as compared to the control group. The findings of this study suggest that addition of exogenous xylanase in broiler diets based on wheat can effectively increase the absorption of nutrients

Evaluation of Echinococcus granulosus coproantigens by Dot-lotting in dogs

Definitive hosts of the Echinococcus granulosus [E. granulosus] parasite are carnivores such as dogs, wolves and foxes. Detection of this parasite through faecal examination is not possible. In this study, dot-blotting test for E. granulosus-specific coproantigens has been evaluated in dog. Three 2-3-month-old puppies were treated with piperazine and then faecal samples were collected as pre-infection samples. Seven days later, hydatid cysts from livers and lungs of sheep were fed to the puppies. Faecal samples were collected weekly for five weeks as post-infection samples. Soluble protein of pre- and post-infection faecal samples were prepared and dot-blotting test was conducted. In parallel experiments, the presence of E. granulosus eggs and also dot-blotting test were evaluated in 15 faecal samples of dogs collected from Razi Veterinary Hospital in Mashhad. For the detection of protein bands in pre-infection and fifth-week post-infection samples, polypeptide profile was analysed by sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis [SDS-PAGE]. The results showed that incremental spot colours was observed in samples of experimentally infected dogs collected from the first to fifth post-infection weeks. In dot-blot analysis of faecal samples in 15 dogs, 4 samples were positive, and also these four samples were positive for E. granulosus eggs. In SDS-PAGE, one band in pre-infection and four bands in fifth-week post-infection samples were observed. The molecular weight of pre-infection sample of experimentally infected dogs was 16 kDa and the molecular weights of the samples collected five weeks post-infection were 14, 22, 36 and 45 kDa, respectively. In conclusion, the results of this experiment showed that the dot-blotting method does not produce a reliable outcome. For evaluation of the specific coproantigens of E. granulosus in dogs, coproantigen-ELISA test is needed

Antibody response against hydatid fluid, protoscolex and whole body of Echinococcus granulosus antigens in lambs

In this study, the immunogenicity of three types of antigens [hydatid fluid, protoscolices and whole body of E. granulosus] was investigated in lambs by ELISA. Sixteen 4-6-month-old lambs of mixed sexes were divided into 4 groups of 4 lambs [three immunized and one control group]. Twelve lambs as immunized groups received 2 mg of hydatid fluid, protoscolices and whole body of E. granulosus antigens dissolved in 1 ml of PBS per immunization for each lamb, respectively. As an adjuvant, Freund's complete adjuvant [FCA] was mixed with antigens to form a water-in-oil emulsion which was inoculated subcutaneously on day 1 of the trial. Each control lamb was inoculated with a total of 2 ml of PBS emulsified in equal volumes of FCA. Lambs were boosted on day 28 with the same preparation as described above except that FCA was replaced by Freund's incomplete adjuvant [FIA]. Three weeks after the second immunization, each lamb received a challenge infection with 2000 protoscolices intraperitoneally and also 10 gravid proglotid of E. granulosus orally. Sera were collected before and after immunization and serum antibodies were tested by ELISA. The results showed that the production of antibody had a significant difference between the test groups and the control [P<0.05]. Lambs immunized with whole body of E. granulosus showed the highest antibody production. The level of antibody production between the lambs immunized with hydatid fluid and the protoscolices was not different significantly [P>0.05], whereas, the level of antibody production between the lambs immunized with hydatid fluid and whole body of E. granulosus was different significantly [P<0.05]. The results of this study showed that the antigens of whole body of E. granulosus might be a good candidate for immunization and diagnosis of hydatid cyst in the intermediate hosts of E. granulosus

Pattern of motorcyclist's mortality in Mazandran province, northern Iran

Road traffic accidents [RTA] is recognized internationally as the major threat to human health and, motorcycle collision victims form a high proportion of those killed or injured in RTA.This study was performed to evaluate the patterns of motorcyclist's mortalities. All motorcyclists' corpses that were presented to the legal medicine center of Mazandaran Province during January 2002 to January 2004 were enrolled and the patterns of motorcyclist's mortalities were determined. Of the 89 bodies, 93.3% were male and 84.2% were riders. About 60% sustained injuries from collision with a car. Two third of the deaths occurred in the first half of the year. Three fourth of the death occurred in heavy traffic volume time of a day [7 am to 10 pm] peaking at 9 pm [21%]. Fifty seven percent died on the rural roads collisions and 47% on the urban road collisions. Head injury was the main cause of death [50.6%]. Motorcyclist's mortalities were prevalent in young motorcycle riders [males], collision with a car, first half of the year, heavy traffic volume time, riding on rural roads, and head injury was the main cause of death

Effects of exposure to portland cement dust on lung function in portland cement factory workers in Khash, Iran

The present study was done to assess cement dust exposure and its relationship to respiratory health effects, both acute and chronic respiratory symptoms and ventilatory function impairment among Portland cement factory workers in Khash located in the south part of Iran. A cross-sectional study was conducted at Khash Portland cement producing factory in Iran in 2001. A total of 170 exposed and 170 unexposed employees were selected. Air transmitted personal respirable dust and total dust samples were collected in a full-time [8h/day] shift. Dust level was determined by the gravimetric method. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect information and history of respiratory health among workers [exposed and unexposed to dust] and measurements of lung function were made using a spirometer in both groups. Concentrations of personal respirable dust ranged from 3.7 mg/m[3] in the kilns to 23 mg/m[3] in the ore crushing area, and total dust ranged from 15 mg/m[3] in the kilns to 95 mg/m[3]. Cough and phlegm, with or without shortness of breath, were significantly related to dust concentration. Measuring pulmonary functions of workers exposed to dust and unexposed group showed a significant decrease in vital capacity, forced vital capacity, FEF[25-75] and Forced Expiratory Volume in the first second [P<0.05]. Findings suggest that occupational exposure to Portland cement dust may lead to higher prevalence of respiratory symptoms and the reduction of ventilator capacity due to existence of quartz in row material of cement dusts. The study revealed that cement dust exposure is associated with acute as well as chronic respiratory health effects. It is recommended that engineering measures must be taken to reduce the dust level in cement factories, accompanied with health monitoring of exposed employees

effect of essential oil of Matricaria chamomilla L. on biofilm formation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an important opportunistic pathogen. The mucoid strains of P. aeruginosa produce hyperviscous substances consisting mainly of alginate which have important roles in formation of biofilm. We investigated the effect of essential oil of Matricaria chamomilla L. on biofilm production in P. aeruginosa. P. aeruginosa 8821M was used as standard strain for biofilm production. Antibacterial effects of essential oil of M. chamomilla L. [50% in DMSO] was tested by disk diffusion method. The effect of essential oil on biofilm formation of P. aeruginosa 8821M was evaluated following inoculation of bacteria in LB broth medium containing 0.5, 0.35 and 0.2 microgram/ml of oil which were incubated for 24h at 37°C. The biofilm formation was measured by Fonseca method. Bacteria inoculated and un-inoculated media without oil were used as positive and negative controls, respectively. The results showed that the essential oil did not have any antibacterial effect or reduction in biofilm formation in the presence of 0.35 and 0.2 microg/ml of oil. On the other hand, bacteria biofilm formation was significantly reduced in the presence of 0.5 microg/ml of oil in comparison with positive control. This research showed that the essential oil of Matricaria chamomilla L. had no antibacterial effect, but caused reduced biofilm formation in P. aeruginosa. Biofilm formation is an important virulence factor in mucoid strains and our results may suggest the possible use of essential oil in control of infections caused by P. aeruginosa or other related infections

[Is healing of duodenal ulcer delayed by Ramadan fasting?]

Ramadan is a lunar month that muslims have food and water intake restricted to night hours except those who have illness that fasting may be harmful for them. We studied the effects of fasting during Ramadan on patients suffering from duodenal ulcer [DU]. 84 endoscopicaly documented duodenal ulcer patients were studied. They were divided into two groups [fasting and non-fasting] according to their own decision and treated with Omeprazol [40mg daily]. Sign and symptom such as pain, dyspepsia nausea, bleeding and healing of ulcer were studied. Healing rate of ulcer was 79.76% totally. Non-fasting group and fasting group had healing rate of 75.5% and 85.7% respectively. Therefore no significant differences were observed between the two groups considering symptoms, complications or ulcer healing. Patients with duodenal ulcer while are treating with antisecretory agents can fast during Ramadan without any fear of complications

Report of a case with gallbladder torsion

Gall bladder torsion is a rare condition of acute abdomen that can lead to acute cholecystitis and gall bladder gangrene. Preoperative diagnosis of this condition is usually difficult and in the most cases, diagnosis achieved at the operation. The preferred treatment is emergent surgery. Considering this condition in the diagnosis of acute abdomen and acute cholecystitis, makes it possible to prevent its dangerous complications such as gallbladder perforation, peritonitis and mortality. A 82 year old man with symptoms of acute cholecystitis presented to Shahid Beheshti hospital, Babol, Iran in summer 2004. Sonography of gall bladder showed cholecystitis due to stone. The patient had fever and with clinical diagnosis of empyema, he was operated for cholecystectomy. Diagnosis of gall bladder torsion was made during operation. Gall bladder torsion must be considered in the differential diagnosis of acute abdomen and cholecystitis in old patients in order to prevent from its complications and mortality

Calculation of residual volume by spirometric data

The current practice to measure RV is either by BPG or helium dilution methods which may not be available in all clinics due to their cost. This paper outlines a method for both direct and indirect calculation of RV via PFT with acceptable sensitivity [81%, 60%], specificity [71%, 94%] and validity [76%, 78%] for obstructive and restrictive lung disease respectively at a much lower cost

Puzzling peptides from a phage display library

The commercial availability of random peptide libraries displayed on the M 13 phage increased their use for studies on epitope identification, enzyme inhibitors and receptor ligands. We planed two experiments for selection of peptides. First, with sheep antibodies, the positive selector was IgG, prepared on Protein G columns from a pool of 11 sheep protected with a vaccine prepared from larvae of Lucilia cuprina, against blowfly strike and the negative selectors were the IgG from the same sheep before vaccination and IgG from vaccinated sheep which were not protected. Four rounds of positive and negative selection were done respectively. In the second experiment, human IgG again prepared on new Protein G columns. Four rounds of positive selection with either IgG from MS or schizophrenia patients were done. They were alternated with two negative selections of schizophrenia IgG on the MS associated peptides and vice versa and two negative selections on each with the IgG from people who had died from non-nervous system diseases as control. After the fourth negative selection of each experiment, the phage were amplified and random closes were picked for nucleotide sequencing. A total of 44 peptides were sorted with the PILEUP program. From those, 15 peptides had a large number with either 4 or 5 methionines

survey on delayed hypersensitivity in the sheep immunized against theileriosis

To evaluate the response of delayed hypersensitivity in the sheep immunized against theileriosis, 80 sheep in 3 experimental groups and 3 control groups were inoculated [i. d.], in the lateral neck area with normal and 1/10 normal theilerine. The response to the theilerine, as appearance of nodule and thickening of skin at the site of inoculation, was observed and measured after 72 hours. From the vaccinated sheep, 71.42% and the recovered sheep, 80.0% showed positive reaction against theilerine, revealing 1 mm or more of thickening skin. This research resulted in understanding that firstly, dermal test can be useful for evaluation of immunity in the vaccinated animals. Secondly, the better reaction in the recovered animals could be due to the role played by the antigens of the piroplasmic form of the Theileria, in delayed hypersensitivity response

[Effect of repairing and medication on treatment of perforation of peptic ulcer]

Background and Objective: Perforation of peptic ulcer is a common complication that its treatment needs several surgical methods [Repairing, vagotomy and anterectomy]. These methods in spite of technical difficulties and complications do not exclude the helicobacter pylori. This study was performed to evaluate the efficacy of simple repairing with anti-acid and anti-helicobacter agents in treatment of perforation of peptic ulcer

Case: This study was performed on 10 cases with perforated peptic ulcer. After simple closure of perforation, all patients were treated by metronidazole, amoxicillin, cimetidine, bismuth, omeprazole. After 6 weeks of treatment, an endoscopic examination was performed. All patients were treated completely by this method

Conclusion: According to the results, simple surgical repairing of perforation in addition to administration of anti-acid and anti-helicobacter treatment is sufficient for therapy of perforation of peptic ulcers

Prolonged atrio - ventricular block following scorpion bite: a case report

This report describes a 55-year-old woman in whom yellow scorpion sting resulted in the development of Mobitz type 1 and transient complete heart blocks unresponsive to atropine administration. It might be concluded that although autonomic involvement including parasympathetic overactivity is present in such cases, other factors such as toxic damage to the cardiac conduction system may play a role in the development of some of the cardiovascular manifestations of scorpion toxin

Acquired human immunoideficiency associated illness: the first rerport of three neurosurgical cases in Iran

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a major health problem in every community. We recently encountered 3 such cases in our neurosurgical department who proved to be HIV positive after surgery took place. All 3 patients were operated upon by the authors and we hereby report our experiences and findings

Production of inactivated wet rural leishmania vaccine against leishmania major

The L. major promastigotes were harvested at the stationary phase and inactived with thimerosal or through freeze-thawing and autoclaving methods. No degradation of promastigotes' proteins was seen through autoclaving method. Trial vaccine was produced and delivered to the Ministry of Health and WHO-TDR Office in Tehran to be evaluated on human volunteers in endemic areas [Iran, Pakistan and Sudan]. Safety and immunogenicity tests on volunteers were satisfactory. The potency test is under evaluation, should it render satisfactory results, the vaccine will be suitable for prevention of L. major, L. tropica and L. donovani infections