[Comparison of the efficacy of vaginal misoprostol with and without laminaria in second trimester induction abortion]

Therapeutic abortion in the second trimester pregnancy is the choice treatment in cases with severe anomalies or intrauterine fetal death. It can be done by a number of medical [e.g. misoprostol] or mechanical methods [e.g. laminaria]. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of misoprostol alone and misoprostol in combination with laminaria in the induction of second trimester abortion. In this interventional study, 80 pregnant women with the gestational age of 13-25 weeks who were candidates of therapeutic abortion were selected and randomly divided into two groups [n=40]. One group received misoprostol alone and the other received misoprostol in combination with laminaria. Combination of misoprostol and laminaria caused not only a significant shorter time interval from the initiation of intervention to abortion [P=0.034], but also lower dose of administered misoprostol [P=0.001], less need for curettage [P=0.001], and shorter hospitalization period [P=0.042]. Based on the obtained results, misoprostol in combination with laminaria is recommended for the induction of second trimester therapeutic abortion

[ survey on the para-influenza type 3 infection in buffalo calves the Ahvaz city]

Para-Influenza type 3 virus is one of the most important respiratory system pathogens in cattle and buffalo which causese economical losses in cattle and buffalo raising industries. The aim of this study was to determine the PI3 frequency rate in buffalo calves in Khuzestan tropical area and detect the associated factors, one hundred two serum samples were obtained from buffalo calves in winter, spring and fall seasons of 2004 in Ahvaz city. Virus detection test, serum neutralizing test were performed on the samples. Statistical analysis was performed to show the relationship between disease and season, sex, and age. Among 102 samples fifty [49%] were positive for SN test. In spring 97.1%, in fall 7.5% and in winter 48.1% of cases was positive [p<0.001]a many cases 45% were male and 45.0% were male and 54.8% were female [p=0.441], age of 22.4% of cases were less than 12 months old and all the 12 months old cases were positive [p<0.001]. Prevalence of antibody against Para Influenza Type 3 was 49% in buffalo calves in Ahvaz as a tropical area. According to economic losses, administrators' more attentions and further researches are necessary

case series study on clinical and epidemiologic aspects of Kala azar in patients referred to the children's medical center since 1991 to 2003

Kala azar is a parasitic disease which belongs to the category of metazoonoses [a communicable disease which requires at cost to an invertebrate host], In Iran canines are major reservoir for it and most of patients are 6 months to 2 years old. The aim of this study was evaluation of the clinical end epidemiologic aspects of visceral leishmaniasis in patients visiting the Children Medical Center over the 12 past years. This study used the hospital records of a case series of 106 kala azar patients hospitalized in the Children's Medical Center between 1 991 and 2001. We extracted and analyzed data on geographical location, background factors, clinical and laboratory findings, response to treatment and Glucantime[R] side effects. The greatest number of cases was seen in 1992 and the smallest number in 1993 and 2003; the number of cases peaked in the spring. Most patients referred to the Center are aged 1 to 4 years, end there is a strong preponderance of males 82.1% vs 17.9%]. The majority of these children come from families in which the breadwinner was a peasants or a laborer. Common laboratory findings included anemia, rising ESR titers and thrombocytopenia. The most striking clinical signs and symptoms were fever, splenomegaly and hepatomegaly. Eighty-three percent of the patients had shown clinical improvement, 1.9% had died and 15.1% had relapsed. Moreover, in 52.8% of cases, the disease was treated successfully with within 2 weeks; The incidence of Glucantim[R] side effects was low. The cities of Khorramabod, Karaj and Saveh had produced the greatest numbers of cases. Compared to other studies, our case series showed a higher proportion of male patients and a somewhat different clinical and laboratory profile. However, the most important achievement of this study was identification of major endemic foci in Ardabil province, northwestern parts of Ghom province. Khorrornabad, and regions located south of the Alborz Mountains [e.g. Saveh]