Loxoscelism: a case report from Bandar Abbas in south of Iran

Loxoscelism is a medical condition resulting from the envenomation by recluse spiders [Loxosceles spp.], which could lead to necrotic tissue symptoms. The only species of this genus recorded from Iran, Loxosceles rufescens, or the Mediterranean recluse spider, has a cosmopolitan distribution and have already been recorded from numerous parts of Iran, including Bandar Abbas. This study aims to report a case of loxoscelism in Bandar Abbas [southern Iran] for the first time. This report is related to a 46-year-old female patient who referred to infectious ward of Shahid Mohammadi Hospital, with acute necrotic clinical symptom on right flank of her trunk due to the bite of a spider. As Loxosceles rufescens has already been recorded from Hormozgan Province, cases of loxoscelism are likely in this region. Diagnosis and treatment of most of the cases is very difficult, because the spider may not be identified correctly and the clinical symptoms are similar to other diseases; this will result in false differential diagnosis of the disease and consequently, delay in appropriate treatment

Five-year evaluation of chronic diseases in Hamadan, Iran: 2005-2009

Now the increasing growth of chronic diseases is the major health challenge worldwide. This survey was conducted to assess noncommunicable diseases related risk factors. A population-based cross sectional study was conducted in 2005 and repeated annually by 2009 in Hamadan province, the west of Iran using two-stage cluster sampling method. A total sample of 6500 subjects 15 to 64 years old were enrolled. The total prevalence of cigarette smoking was 18% [95% CI 17% to 19%], 35.1% in men versus 1.1% in women. The smokers consumed on average 15 cigarettes per day. Almost 26.3% [95% CI 24.8% to 27.7%] of the target population eat five or more servings of fruits and vegetables per day; 52.8% [95% CI 51.2% to 54.3%] had work related physical activity; 28.1% [95% CI 26.7% to 29.4%] had physical activity during leisure time; 80.3% [95% CI 79.0% to 81.5%] had transportation related physical activity; 47.2% [95% CI 46.0% to 48.4%] were either overweight or obese; 8.1% [95% CI 7.1% to 9.2%] had impaired fasting blood sugar or were confirmed diabetes; 33.7% [95% CI 31.9% to 35.5%] had hypercholesterolemia; and 15.6% [95% CI 13.0% to 18.3%] had hypertriglyceridemia. There was a statistically significant association of age and gender with body mass index, systolic and diastolic hypertension, hyperglycemia, hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia. The evidences of the present survey promise a silent progressive epidemic of chronic diseases among Iranian citizens that may lead to an increasing growth of noncommunicable diseases in the next decade

Vincristine induced neurotoxicity: Study of 75 cases

Concern for side-effects of therapy related to treatment of childhood malignancies is becoming an increasingly important topic. In this study, we evaluated extent of vincristine [VCR] induced neurotoxicity in a group of children who underwent chemotherapy, with VCR being part of the regimen. In this investigation, for 75 children [54% boys, 46% girls], aged between 1 to 14 [mean 6.5 +/- 4.3] years, serial weekly neurological examinations were performed; of the 75, 70 had acute lymphoblastic leukemia and 5 Wilm's tumor. All patients were on a chemotherapy protocol of at least 4 consecutive VCR [1.5 mg/m[2]] injections. Decreased deep tendons reflexes were seen in the Achilles reflex in 78%, and the patellar reflex in 53% of patients. Muscle weakness was found in 70% of patients, being mild in 76% of them. Four percent of patients showed severe weakness. Petosis, jaw pain, hoarseness, abdominal pain and constipation were seen in 15%, 6%, 12%, 12% and 12% respectively. Paresthesia was observed in 32 of 52 patients, over 4 years old. No cases of foot drop, urinary retention or facial nerve palsy were seen in this patient group. Children on usual doses of vincristine regimen may have neuropathic side effects but most of these side effects are mild and not troublesome

Comparison of persian simple vowels production in cochlear implanted children based on implantation age

Age at implantation is one of the most important factors in improving speech and language skills in children with cochlear implants. Moreover, good vowel articulation is very important in the speech. So, the purpose of this research was to determine whether age at cochlear implantation influences the production of Persian simple vowels when cochlear implantation is undertaken below the age of 2 years as compared with cochlear implantation later in life. This research was a comparative and cross-sectional study. Based on inclusive and exclusive criteria [i.e., have physical and mental health, monolingual or bilingual, have 9 +/- 1 months post-surgery rehabilitation, no hearing handicapped parents and no medical problems history], 140 children who cochlear implanted in Amir-Alam and Hazrate Rasool hospital of Tehran city were selected by convenient sampling and assigned to two groups, children implanted under the age of 2 years and those implanted above the age of 2 years Also 238 normally hearing children were selected for control group by randomized sampling. The first and second formant frequency [Fl and F2] of the Persian simple vowels /i, e, ae, a, o, u/ were evaluated by the version of 1.2 of SFSwin software. Data were analyzed by Independent T test. The findings indicated that there were significant differences between two groups in the mean of F2/i/ [P=0.046], Fl/e/ [P=0.011], F2/e/ [P=0.005], F2/a3/ [P-0.039], F2/a/ [P-0.012], F2/o/ [P=0.012] and F2/u/ [P=0.006], but there was no significant difference between them in the mean of Fl/i/, Fl/ae/, Fl/a/, Fl/o/, Fl/u/ [P>0.05]. According to these results, no significant difference was seen between normal group and children who received their cochlear implants under the age of 2 years in the mean of variables [P>0.05]. Observing significant differences in the quality of the production of Persian simple vowels between children implanted under the age of 2 years and children who received their implants after the age of 2 years, and no significant differences between children who implanted before 2 years of age and normally hearing children is in the favor of the positive effect of early cochlear implantation on speech sound development. Also, the results indicate that when performed under the ages of 2 years, cochlear implantation can prevent from vowels distortions in the speech flow of the receivers

Pattern of complementary and alternative medicine use in urban population

To determine the prevalence and patterns of Complementary and Alternative Medicine [CAM] use in urban population in Isfahan. In a cross-sectional study through two-stage sampling methods, 870 individuals were selected from Isfahan Province, center of Iran. We selected 20 clusters randomly and chose one household from each cluster by chance then 24 households were included consequently. Subsequently a resident of each household aged 18 years or older was selected randomly. We assessed the rate of use, types of alternative medicine, and conditional disease during recent two years. The overall use of at least one method of complementary and alternative medicine was 62.5%. The most common problems were as follows: digestive problem, obesity and hyperlipidemia, as well as anxiety and depression. Herbal medicine and bless therapy were the most common methods that people chose. Regarding to high prevalence of complementary and alternative medicine use, more attention to complementary and alternative medicine is mandate for physicians and health system managers. Health authorities' supervision and training of traditional practitioner is important not only for its economic impact and postponement of seeking treatment, but also for its untoward side-effects either alone or in combination with orthodox medicines

Serological and biochemical characteristics of virulence plasmid of Yersinia enterocolitica isolates from chicken in the Islamic Republic of Iran

Pathogenic Yersinia enterocolitica harbour plasmid that is essential for virulence. We studied the characteristics of virulence plasmid using serological, biochemical and bioassay tests in Y. enterocolitica isolates of chicken using plasmid curing. Plasmid-cured isogenic derivatives [2029c and 2150c] were obtained from two isolates of Y. enterocolitica [RTCC 2029 and RTCC 2150]. The results demonstrated that plasmid-bearing isolates [2029 and 2150] were human-serum-resistant when grown at 37 °C, but were sensitive when grown at 25 °C, whereas plasmid-cured isolates [2029c and 2150c] were sensitive when grown at both temperatures. Also autoagglutination, calcium-dependency tests and experimental infection in mice demonstrated that these phenotypes were associated with the virulence plasmid

[Study of phagocytosis changes of neutrophils in pregnancy]

Specific immunity decrease in pregnancy, but nonspecific does not increase. The decreasing of specific immunity more takes place in primary stage of pregnancy while it will be normal at the end stage. These changes do not clear in nonspecific immunity [such as phagocytosis]. The studies consist of 45 samples [45 pregnant individuals: 15 in first, 15 in second and 15 in third trimester] and 20 control [nonpregnant individuals]. The power of neutrophils in killing of pathogens, producing oxidant materials and light emission measured by a luminometer [chemiluminescence technique]. Opsonised yeast stimulated the neutrophils. Phagocytosis increase in first and second trimester, but does not increased in third trimester [p<0.05]