[Genomic structure of Burkholderia mallei Razi 325, the strain used for industrial production of Mallein in Iran]

Background and Objective: Iran remains a major stronghold for glanders in the Middle East. In Iran, the non-indigenous Burkholderia mallei Razi 325 strain is used in manufacturing of the mallein, required for malleination of animals. Multi Locus Variable number tandem repeat analysis is currently the standard globally accepted genotyping system for Burkholderia mallei. This study was done to survey the genomic structure of Burkholderia mallei Razi 325, the strain used for industrial production of Mallein

Methods: In this descriptive study, a MLVA genotyping system with 4 previously-characterized loci VNTR140, VNTR1367, VNTR2065, VNTR2971 along with two new loci of VNTR24, VNTR41 was used

Results: Optimization of PCRs resulted in a single protocol that enabled simultaneous amplification of all the six loci. Sequencing of PCR products revealed there were 2, 3, 12, 6, 1 and 2 copies of the unit repeat hold in the genome of the Burkholderia mallei Razi 325 strain. This observation was extended to include the already-whole genome sequenced Chinese Burkholderia mallei ATCC 23344 and Burkholderia mallei BMQ and also Burkholderia mallei SAVP1 strains

Conclusion: The Burkholderia mallei Razi 325 strain is distinguishable from the other three strains through MLVA genotyping method

Comparing the effects of lecture and work in small groups on nursing students' skills in calculating medication dosage

Performing medication dosage calculations is one of the responsibilities of the nurses failure in which may lead to crucial threats for patients. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of two methods of lecture and work in small groups on nursing students' skills in mathematical calculation of medication dosage. In an experimental study performed as two groups, pre and post-test, all nursing students in their second semester or more, studying in Shahid Sadouqi university of Yazd [n=85], were selected. They were divided randomly into two control and experiment groups and the mathematical skills, necessary for performing medication dosage calculation, were taught to them through lecture and work in small groups, respectively. Before the education and a week after that, the students' skills were examined using a medica-tion dosage calculation test. Most students had low skills in medication dosage calculation. The mean scores of medication dosage calculations in the two groups increased significantly after the education. The mean of the scores differences, before and after the education were 1.95 +/- 1.22 and 2.03 +/- 1.36 in lecture group and small group education, respectively, which showed no significant difference between the two groups. Both educational methods had positive and also similar effects on enhancing students' skills in performing medication calculations. It is recommended to employ both of them for training this skill

Evaluation of the effect of various parameters on the amount of radiation dose received by family members after 131-I therapy

The main concern with respect to discharge of patients from hospital after 131-I therapy is contamination of their surroundings and exposure of people who are in close contact with them. In this study, we evaluated absorbed dose received by homemates of these patients within one week of discharge from hospital. This study was based on 100 patients [23 patients with thyroid cancer together with 70 members of their families and 2 hyperthyroid patients plus 5 of their family members]. Measurements were performed by TLD. Patients were discharged from hospital if the dose rate from a meter distance of their thyroid was below 20 micro Sv/hr [ICRP-60]. The hospitalization period for those patients with thyroid cancer varied between 2-3 days [Depending on the amount of radioactivity received]. Hyperthyroid patients were treated as outpatients. Our data indicate that although hyperthyroid patients received much less activity in comparison to those with thyroid cancer, but due to the slow iodine discharge rate from their bodies, they radiated more to their surroundings. For patients with thyroid cancer, when the given activity increased from 100 mCi to 150 mCi, the average dose absorbed by their family members increased by a factor of 3. The duration of hospitalization as well as the amount of activity given to the patients have a significant effect on the amount of radiation dose received by the family members. In a group of patients who received 100 mCi of 131-I, the average radiation dose received by the family members of those patients who were hospitalized for 2 days were 1.5 times more than that of those patients who were hospitalized for 3 days, whereas following therapy with 150 mCi of 131-Iodine, the average radiation dose received by the family members of those patients who were hospitalized for 2 days were about 6.5 times more than that of those who were hospitalized for 3 days. The size of the patient's house and the time that family spends with the patient at house are other considerable factors. Our data show that by increasing the house size from 45-50 m to 75-100 m, the average radiation dose received by the family members reduce by a factor of 4, wheras by increasing the house size from 75-100 m to about 120-400 m, this dose only reduce by a factor of 1.5. The average dose for family members who were at house for less than 10 hours a day is about 5 times less than that of the individuals who were at house for more than 10 hours a day. In addition, average absorbed dose by children was about 9 times more than that of spouses. On the basis of this study findings, we suggest that parameters such as the amount of received activity, type of disease, house size, presence of children at house, duration of time which family members spend with the patient at house and differences in cultural behaviors between children and their parents should be considered in order to decrease the exposure of the family members and also to decide for duration of hospitalization and the approtiate time of discharge