Seroepidemiology and molecular detection of Brucella infection in Iranian horses: a provincial study

Brucellosis is a febrile zoonotic infection and has worldwide distribution among humans as well as animals. Although the seroprevalence of brucellosis in various animals has been described in Iran, there is only one report on equine brucellosis in the region. This study was carried out to determine the seroprevalence of brucellosis in racing clubs and private horse owners in the south of Iran and risk factors associated with the disease in horses. 312 randomly selected equine serum samples were investigated for the presence of antibodies against Brucella genus, using slide agglutination by Rose Bengal plate test [RBPT], serum agglutination test [SAT] and 2-mercaptoethanol [2-ME] test, using whole cell antigen. PCR assay was also used for detection of clinically suspected cases. Most seropositive horses in this study were asymptomatic. The true seroprevalence of brucellosis was found to be 9.9, 8 and 7% by RBPT, SAT and 2-mercaptoethanol tests, respectively. All horses with history of clinical signs [3.2% of all samples] had RBPT, SAT and 2-mercaptoethanol positive results. It was also revealed that age, sex and a history of contact with ruminants had no effect on acquiring the infection in positive cases. In the PCR, one of the three horses with fistula withers produced amplicon of 450 bp fragment of wbo sequences specific to Brucella spp. field strain. This study showed the seroprevalence of brucellosis in horses of Fars province and it was indicated that the PCR assay may be helpful in detection of clinically suspected horses

Phytoplankton and zooplankton modeling of pishin reservoir by means of an advection-diffusion drought model

Phytoplankton and zooplankton concentrations in Pishin reservoir are predicted employing a three-dimensional numerical model in this paper. Modeling is performed using a numerical model based on mass transport equation. Advection, diffusion and source/sink processes are considered as separate subroutines for predicting the concentrations of phytoplankton and zooplankton in the reservoir. Finite volume method is used for solving the governing equations of water quality and water flow. The model is adopted for drought periods and dry climates. Water flow in the reservoir is simulated by Fluent software that is a finite volume numerical model. The model also uses a sub-model for compatibility providing of geometry between software and water quality model. A one-year period of experimental works and sampling is done in the study area. Phytoplankton and zooplankton cycles are used to determine the sources and sinks. Standard methods are chosen for experimentation. The concentrations of phytoplankton and zooplankton are calculated and measured in a one-year period. The concentrations of phytoplankton and zooplankton decrease in the depth of water and the decease rate is not linear. Also the concentrations are increase in the times after the maximum floods because of the inflows contain high amounts of nutrients. The calculated values by the model are in good agreement with measured values of laboratory works. It was concluded that the model can be used for water quality prediction in such aquatic environments

effect of fig tree latex [ficus carica] on stomach cancer line

The therapeutic effect of herbal materials in inhibition of cancer cell growth was shown. This study investigates the effect of fig tree latex [Ficus carica] on stomach cancer line. The in vitro effect of different doses of fig tree latex on stomach cancer cell line and the peripheral blood mononuclear cells was evaluated after 72 hours. Fig tree latex could inhibit the proliferation of cancer cell line without any cytotoxic effect on human normal cells. Five mg/ml was the optimum concentration in inhibition of cell line growth. Cancer cell line was more sensitive to Ficus carica latex than normal cells. This anticancer activity might be due to presence of its proteolytic enzymes

Comparison of oral and intravenous proton pump inhibitor on patients with high risk bleeding peptic ulcers: a prospective, randomized, controlled clinical trial

Proton pump inhibitors [PPIs] decrease the rate of rebleeding following endoscopic hemostatic therapy in patients with bleeding peptic ulcers. This study compares the efficacy of oral omeprazole vs intravenous pantoprazole in decrease of rebleeding of peptic ulcer patients. One hundred and six patients with high risk peptic ulcer were randomized to receive either oral omeprazole [80 mg BID for 3 days] or IV pantoprazole [80 mg bolus and 8 mg/hour infusion for 3 days] followed by omeprazole [20 mg each day for 30 days]. All patients underwent upper endoscopy and endoscopic therapy within 24 hours. Seventeen patients were excluded from the study. Forty four patients were randomly allocated into omeprazole group and 41 patients to IV pantoprazole group. Both groups were similar for factors affecting the outcome. Bleeding reoccurred in five patients of omeprazole group and four patients in pantoprazole group [11.4% vs 9.8%]. The mean hospital stay and blood transfusion were not different in both groups. Oral omeprazole and IV pantoprazole had equal effects on prevention of rebleeding after endoscopic therapy in patients with high risk bleeding peptic ulcers

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever following consumption of uncooked liver: case series study

We have described four patients with Crimean- Congo hemorrhagic fever which acquired the illness following consumption of uncooked sheep liver. Three patients admitted to hospital nearly 36 hours after eating the liver with acute fever and with quick treatment they respond to therapy. Unfortunately, one patient who was referred late to hospital and treatment was after 5 days of the beginning of the first sign, died. Here in, we described four patients who consumed uncooked liver together in a party and apparently there were no other routes for transmission. Three of them were members of a family [one sister and two brothers] and the fourth was their friend who invited to their party

efficacy of hepatitis B vaccination among school age children in southern Iran

Primary prevention by vaccination to increase herd immunity remains the main thrust in the control of hepatitis B virus [HBV] infection and many countries such as Islamic Republic of Iran have incorporated HBV vaccination into their national expanded program of immunization. This study was performed to determine the vaccine efficacy of hepatitis B infection between vaccinated and non-vaccinated school-aged children. Three hundred and ninety four students aged 6 to 8 years who received the hepatitis vaccine in the infancy and 314 students aged 9 to 10 years who did not receive it in Sepidan, southern Iran were enrolled. We also determined the titer of anti HBs Ab in the vaccinated students. Two students [0.5%] were HBV infected [positive HBC Ab] and none were a chronic carrier. Two hundred and forty nine students [63.2%] had anti HBs titer greater than 10 IU/ml. One hundred and seventeen students [30%] had anti HBs titer between 1 and 10 IU/ml and only 28 children had anti HBs titer less than 1 IU/ml. Five [1.6%] were HBV infected [positive HBc Ab] and 2 [0.6%] were chronic carriers [positive HBs Ag]. The efficacy of the vaccine 6-8 years after vaccination was 67.9% [95 Cl 78-92]. Our results showed that similar to other studies, vaccination could not reduce the infection rate but had a significant effect on the reduction of chronic infection and carrier state, emphasizing on the role of vaccination in the control of HBV infection in an endemic region

Pesticide transport and transformation modeling in soil column and groundwater contamination prediction

Pesticide transport and transformation were modeled in soil column from the soil surface to groundwater zone. A one dimensional dynamic mathematical and computer model is formulated to simulate two types of pesticides namely 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid and 1,2-dibromo 3-chloro propane in soil column. This model predicts the behavior and persistence of these pesticides in soil column and groundwater. The model is based on mass balance equation, including convective transport, dispersive transport and chemical adsorption in the phases such as solid, liquid and gas. The mathematical solution is obtained by finite difference implicit method. The model was verified with experimental measurements and also with analytical solution. The simulation results are in good agreement with measured values. The major findings of this research are the development of the model which can calculate and predict the concentration of pesticides in soil profiles, as well as groundwater after 4, 12, 31 days of pesticide application under steady state and unsteady water flow condition. With the results of this study, the distribution of various types of pesticides in soil column to groundwater table can be predicted

[The measurement of Digoxin serum level (DSL) in patients with heart disease and its relation with age]

With regard to the extensive use of digoxin in patients with heart disease and its high prevalence of toxicity, this study was done to measure the digoxin serum level [DSL] in patients with or without symptoms of poisoning and determine its relation with age. This study was performed on 441 patients who used digoxin in Babol Shahid Beheshti hospital in 1999-2003. Digoxin has been used for a long time by these patients and the cause of hospitalization was symptoms related to digoxin and primary disease. DSL was measured after history taking and information about the presence of poisoning symptoms. From 441 patients, 63 cases were toxic and 378 cases were non-toxic. Among 63 toxic cases, DSL in 27 cases was more than 2 ng/dl in serum that 82% of them were under 70 years old and DSL in 36 cases was less than 2 ng/dl in serum that 95% of them were over 70 years. From 378 non-toxic cases, 42 cases [11%] were over 70 years that DSL in all of them was less than 2 ng/dl and 336 [89%] were under 70 years that DSL in 3 [4%] and 323 [96%] was more and less than 2 ng/dl, respectively. Although, the most DSL in non-toxic patients was more than 2 ng/dl but DSL less than 2 ng/dl can also cause digoxin toxicity [Especially in patients more than 70 years]

[Prevalence of G6PD deficiency among primary school students in Amol]

G6PD [glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase] deficiency is the most common enzyme deficiency in human beings. Using fava beans, some drugs and oxidant agents cause life-threatening hemolysis in children and other ages. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of G6PD deficiency and its relation to age and family history. This cross sectional, descriptive and analytical study was performed on 732 persons. Students aged between 7-11 years old were randomly chosen by cluster sampling method. Data were analyzed by SPSS. For comparing enzyme deficiency between two sexes and the effect of family history, chi square test was used. From 732 students, 295 were male and 437 were female. 11.2% of males and 1.4% of females were G6PD deficient that this difference was considered significant [p<0.0001]. Children who have G6PD deficiency, history of G6PD deficiency among their family members was significantly more [p<0.0001]. Due to high prevalence of G6PD deficiency as a threatening factor for public health in north of Iran, it is suggested cord blood G6PD screening be considered at birth especially in male neonates and the quality of primary health care and public information be increased by teaching