[Is Epstein-Barr virus associated with pterygium?]

Pterygium is a fibrovascular lesion of the ocular surface with unknown origin, decrease in the vision. This study was done to evaluate the possible role of Epstein-Barr virus [EBV] in the formation of pterygia. This case-control study was done on 50 tissue specimens of pterygium from the patients who underwent pterygium surgery as the case group and 10 conjunctival biopsy specimens of individuals without pterygium including the patients whom underwent cataract surgery, as controls. The evidence of EBV infection was tested by polymerase chain reaction [PCR]. EBV was detected in three [6%] patients with pterygia. EBV was not detected in controls. There was not any significant correlation between pterygium and the presence of EBV. According to this study, EBV virus is not associated with pterygium formation

Percutaneous vertebroplasty in iranian patients with osteoporotic vertebral fractures

Osteoporotic compression vertebral fractures are common clinical problems. In those with refractory fractures, percutaneous cement augmentation has been suggested. The aim of this study was to evaluate the functional outcome of percutaneous vertebroplasty in Iranian patients with refractory Osteoporotic fractures. We retrospectively studied 37 Osteoporotic fractures in 28 patients [6 men and 22 women], who had been treated with vertebroplasty from August 2009 to June 2012. The mean follow-up period was 12.1 +/- 3.6 [range: 6-42 months]. The patients' states were assessed by the visual analogue scale and short form-36 questionnaire. Student t test was used to analyze the pre- and postoperative data. The mean age of the patients was 71.6 +/- 6.1 [range: 50 to 91 years] and the most common fractured vertebrae were L1 and T12, There were five patients with two levels of vertebral fractures and two with three levels. Vertebroplasty could improve the scores for pain and quality of life from preoperative 7.6 +/- 1.4 and 44.8 +/- 7.6 to 1.8 +/- 0.4 and 74.1 +/- 5.3 at four weeks after surgery. At the last follow-up visit, this improvement continued with no significant decline. The most common complication was cement leakage [32.4% per vertebra], wherein all of of the patients were clinically asymptomatic. Adjacent vertebral fracture occurred in six cases. By understanding the risks, we propose vertebroplasty in Iranian patients with refractory Osteoporotic vertebral fracture. If correctly performed, this procedure can significantly improve the pain and quality of life in these elderly Osteoporotic patients

Carpal tunnel release in diabetic and non-diabetic patients

Carpal tunnel syndrome [CTS] is a compression neuropathy that causes paresthesia, pain or numbness in the territory of median nerve. The aim of this study is to compare the open surgery outcome and patients' satisfaction in carpal tunnel syndrome among diabetic and non-diabetic patients. In a retrospective cohort study from April 2011 to June 2012, patients suffered from carpal tunnel syndrome at least 6 months, without response to conservative treatment, who had the inclusion and exclusion criteria, were evaluated by the usage of MHQ and WHOQOL-BREEF tests, one month before surgery and three months after that. Carpal tunnel decompression surgery was performed by two surgeons, experienced in hand surgery, which used the same surgical method. Statistical analysis was performed by SPSS 19.0, 24 of patient [34,2%] were male and 46 [65.8%] were female and there was no significant difference between two groups [P>0.05]. MHQ total score before and after surgery was respectively 50.22 +/- 7.13 and 63.49 +/- 11.28 and this difference was significant [P<0.05]. In WHOQOF-BREEF parameters, physical parameters [36.81 +/- 19.8 vs. 55.30 +/- 24.36] and psychological parameters [41.64 +/- 14,77 vs. 61.24 +/- 19.9] improved significantly after surgery. The outcome of carpal tunnel syndrome open surgery is good in both men and women, but diabetes has a negative impact on surgery outcome in short term

modified triple pelvic osteotomy for the treatment of hip hypoplasia

The prevalence of hip dysplasia Is 1 in 1000. Several pelvic osteotomy methods have been developed to prevent early osteoarthritis, such as triple osteotomy. In this study we are going to introduce our new technique that was done on 4 patients with favorable short-term results. Four patients underwent triple osteotomy and fixation using a reconstruction plate and early weight bearing was started. The Harris Hip Score, limb length, center-edge angle, and acetabular inclination showed improvement. This modified technique is suggested for corrective surgery on adult dysplastic hips

Drug- resistance- associated mutations and HIV sub-type determination in drug-naive and HIV-positive patients under treatment with antiretroviral drugs

Resistance to antiretroviral agents is a significant concern in clinical management of HlV-infected individuals. Resistance is the result of mutations that develops in the viral protein targeted by antiretroviral agents. In this cross-sectional study, the blood samples of 40 HI.V-positive patients were collected. Twenty of them were drug-naive and the rest were under treatment for at least one year by antiretroviral agents. Virus genome was extracted from patient's plasma with high-pure-viral-nucleie-acid kit. Then, by means of reverse-transcriptase and specific primers of protease genes were amplified and sequenced. Sequences of genes, drug- antiretroviral-resistant mutations and subtypes were determined using Stanford University's HI Vdrugresistance databases. Drug-naive patients show 15% resistance to nucleoside-reverse-transcriptase inhibitor [NRTI] and 20% resistance to non-nucleoside-reverse-transcriptase inhibitor [NNRTI]. Anti-protease resistance is not observed in any patients. In under treatment patients, drug resistance to NNRTI [25%] is more than drug resistance to NRTI [20%] and the rate of drug resistance to protease inhibitor is 5%.Our findings show a high prevalence of drug-resistant mutations in Itanian-drug-naiVe-HIV-infected patients. But in under treatment individuals, the rate of drug resistance is less than previous studies

Seroepidemiology of hepatitis e virus in hemodialysis patients in gorgan-Iran

Hepatitis E virus is one of the most common causes of acute infection in adults. Pregnant and transplant patients are more in risk of REV infection. Fecal-oral is the main route of REV transmission but recently transmission by blood transfusion has been observed. This study was amied to determme tbe prevalence of HEV -Ab in hemodialysis patients in Gorgan, Iran. In this cross-sectional descriptive study, we investigated I 150 hemodialysis patients of Panje Azar hospital in Gorgan. These patients were I evaluated for the presence of HEV total Ab by ELISA method. Of 150, 6 patients [4%] are positive for HEV-Ab. There has been no I significant relation between anti HEV Ab and variables such as age, gender, ethnicity, duration and number of hemodialysis in a week and [P>0.05]. This study, which is the first report from this area, show that the I lower prevalence of anti HEV Ab in hemodialysis patients in comparison with | pregnant and childbearing age women

Effect of alternative electrolytes on enhanced electrokinetic remediation of hexavalent chromium in clayey soil

Hexavalent chromium is mobile and hazardous in the environment. Electrokinetic remediation of chromium [IV]-contaminated soils is intended either to remove or to reduce Cr [VI] to Cr [III]. This study examines the effectiveness of utilizing EDTA and acetic acid solutions as alternative electrolytes in the electrokinetic [EK] process, with coupled nano-scale zero-valent iron [nZVI] as a barrier for the remediation of Cr [VI]-contaminated clay. An nZVI barrier was installed adjacent to the anode, and different electrolyte solutions [0.1 M EDTA and 1 M acetic acid] were used to investigate the effect of both on the electrokinetic remediation efficiency. Soil was contaminated to 300 ppm of Cr [IV], and a constant DC voltage gradient of 1 V/cm was applied to the soil sample for 72 h. It was found that an nZVI permeable reactive barrier [PRB] could improve the Cr [VI] remediation efficiency and reduce electrical energy consumption. Results also showed that acetic acid as electrolyte promoted the reduction of Cr [VI] to Cr [III], while EDTA application as electrolyte led to more chromium removal and reduction than an EK-nZVI barrier

[Comparison of military and civilian life style of people with hypertension]

One of the main effective factors of development of hypertension in people is lifestyle. The aim of this study was to compare military and civilian life style of people with hypertension. This descriptive-comparative study on 200 patients with hypertension was conducted in Tehran. Convenience sampling method was used to select hypertensive patients referred to the military hospitals and civilian hospitals. Data was collected by "Hypertension Lifestyle Inventory" in four main dimensions [nutritional status 36 items, stress 13 items, smoking 9 items and physical activity 10 items]. Validity of the inventory was measured by content validity and reliability by test re-test [r=0.83]. The blood pressure device calibration was measured based on company manual. For collecting data, blood pressure was measured two times and data was analyzed by SPSS/17. Findings showed that lifestyle in the field of nutrition, physical activity, stress and smoking in the sample is not appropriate. In this study, factors such as marital status, education, nutrition and physical activity were significant with hypertension [P<0.05]. The results on the importance and urgency of intervention measures for change in lifestyle are emphasized. Therefore, educational programs in order to make lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking, regular exercise programs, diet modification is necessary

Molecular epidemiology of high-risk types of human papillomaviruses [16, 18] in pap-smear, the North East of Iran

Cervical Cancer is one of the most important and commonly diagnosed types of cancer in females. There are different causes of cervical cancer, amongst which recurrent and persistent infection with HPV types 16 and 18 are the most renowned ones. These genotypes are the main factors in 99% of cases in developed countries and 70% in developing ones. Due to the importance of these viruses in cervical cancer, molecular detection of HPV and its high risk genotypes in Gorgan was designed. Pap smears and swabs specimens were taken from 308 women. Papanicola staining method and cytology were used. Nucleic acid was extracted by proteinase K phenol-chloroform standard method and then assessed by using beta-globin primer. Polymerase Chain Reaction [PCR] was then performed for papilomaviruses on all patients and positive cases from both types, including HPV 16 and 18 genotypes, were detected. Three hundred and eight women [15-75 years old] with mean age of 37.54 +/- 10.6 were recruited. Seventy six cases [20.1%] of whom were infected with HPV and 48.6% with HPV16 or 18 positive. Normal cytology was seen in 226 cases and 41 patients [18.1%] were HPV positive. Amongst those 152 cases with inflammation or abnormal cytology, 35 cases [23%] were HPV positive. No significant relation was reported between different variables and HPV infections. Due to high rate of HPV infection, as well as its high risk genotypes in different studies, more careful screening of women by Pap smear is recommended

[Volatile constituentes from leaf and flower of achillea nobilis L. subsp. neireichii from north of Iran]

The genus Achillea [Asteraceae] is comprised of about 115 species in over the world. Remarkably, 19 species of this genus are found in the flora Iranica. This genus has been used in folk medicine. Investigation of the essential oil from leaf and flowers of Achillea nobilis L. subsp. Neireichii. The aerial parts of A. nobilis L., subsp. Neireichii were collected during the flowering stage from Damash village, West of Roodbar, Gilan Province, in July 2007. Leaves and flowers were separately hydrodistilled for 3 hours, using a Clevenger-type apparatus to yield 1.8% [w/w] and 1.0% [w/w] of yellow oil, respectively and analyzed with GC and CG/MS. The constituents of the essential oil were identified by comparison of their mass spectra and retention indices [RI] with those given in the literature, co-injection and authentic samples. Forty-four [86.8%] and forty - two [93.4%] compounds were characterized in the oil of flowers and leaves of A. nobilis subsp. neireichii, respectively. 1,8-cineole [10.3%] and geranyl isovalerate [8.4%] were the major constituents in the oil of the flowers, also 1,8-Cineole [17.0%] and trans-verbenol [14.1%] were the major constituents in the oil of leaves. The oil of flowers and leaves of A. nobilis subsp. neireichii consist of monoterpens [59.8% and 72.2%] and sesquiterpens [22.2% and 12.6%], respectively

Prevalence of HPV infection and high risk HPV genotypes [16, 18], among monogamous and polygamous women, in Zabol, Iran

This study was performed to compare the prevalence of HPV infection and high risk HPV genotypes [16,18] between monogamous and polygamous women, in Zabol, Iran. This cross sectional study was conducted in Zabol in 2006 - 2007. Two hundred sixty five married women attending the Gynecology Clinic for Cervical Diseases Screening entered to this study. One hundred sixty two cases had monogamous, and 103 had polygamous husbands. HPV PCR samples were obtained from scrape of papsmear specimens. The biotinylated primers MY09/MY11, GP5+/GP6+, were utilized to enable amplification and detection of positive PCR products. Confirmation of HPV-16 and -18 were done by type-specific PCR primers HPV-16/F, HPV-16/R and HPV-18/F, HPV-18/R. Prevalence of HPV infection in monogamous and polygamous groups was 29% and 37.9%, respectively. The most HPV infection was found in 15-25 years group. The most prevalence of infection in monogamous group was HPV-18 and HPV- non 16, 18 in 15-25 years, and HPV-16 in 26-35 years group. In polygamous group the most prevalent type was HPV-16, 18 in 15-25 years group. The most prevalent HPV-16 was seen in sever inflammation and dsyplasia cytology in both groups. Prevalence of HPV infection of Zabol is high, and in women with polygamous husbands group is slightly more than monogamous. Screening for this infection must be recommended in this region of Iran

[Distribution of hepatitis C virus genotype among HCV infected patients in Golestan province, Iran]

Background: Hepatitis C virus [HCV] is one of the main causative factors of liver disease which can lead to chronic hepatitis C infection in 80% of cases. HCV genotypes have a special worldwide geographic distribution. The goal of the present study was to detect HCV genotypes in patients with anti-HCV positive titers in Golestan Province, Iran

Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 95 positive HCV samples as detected by RIBA were evaluated. Viral RNA was extracted with a Roche extraction kit and the Fermentase cDNA kit Random hexamer primers was used for viral genomic cDNA synthesis. PCR was performed on all samples by a general pair of primers. Second-step PCR was done with specific primers, and the results were obtained following electrophoresis in 1.5% agarose gel and ethidium bromide staining in documentation gel

Results: General primer PCR revealed 91 positive samples. Assessment of 77 samples determined that the following genotypes were present: 1 and 3 [1a [19.5%], 1b [19.5%], 3a [15.6%], 3b [24.7%]], 2a [2.6%], 4 [7.8%]. The remaining samples were a mixture of genotypes 1 and 3 [6.5%]

Conclusion: The ingmost prevalent genotypes found were types 1 and 3 in Golestan Province. This distribution pattern differed from other areas in Iran, however genotype 4 was in accordance with other studies. Genotype 2 was only reported in this study and a study in Tehran. Thus, additional, larger studies of HCV genotypes should be performed for further analysis of genotypic distribution patterns

[ role of watching TV. in obesity and behavioral problems in children]

Obesity and overweight as risk factors for many health-related problems have shown an increasing trend in most countries in recent years. Increase in watching television in childhood has been associated with adverse effects on health and behavior in children. Low physical activity due to television viewing is known as a risk factor for childhood obesity. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between obesity/behavioral problems and television viewing in girls of elementary schools in Tabriz city, Iran. This descriptive comparative study was conducted with a study sample consisting of 300 students girls [7-11 years old] of elementary schools in Tabriz city, selected based on Body Mass Index by stratified random sampling. The data about television viewing were obtained from parent reports using demografic questionnaire and behavioral problems in children were assessed using Child Behavior Check List. Data were analyzed by SPSS software, version 11.5]. The results showed that student girls in overweight and obese groups were viewing television more than those in group of normal Body Mass Index and had lower levels of activity competency. The results suggests a positive and statistical significant association between obesity/overweight and viewing television [r =0.16, P<0.005].The children who were viewing television more than 2 hours per day, had a greater Body Mass Index [P<0.011]. The length of viewing television had a statistical significant correlation with somatic complaints in children [r =0.153, P=0.008]. As watching television for long times is associated with overweighting in children, it is suggested to parents for decreasing television watching time as a preventive method of overweighting

[ prevalence and causes of needle stick injuries among the primary health care workers of Bahar city, Hamadan Province]

Due to occupational exposures, primary health care workers are more at risk of blood- borne infections such as AIDS, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C. This study was conducted to determine the frequency of occupational injuries and its related factors among the primary health care workers in Bahar city. In this cross-sectional study, conducted in 2007, 182 primary health care workers of Bahar city participated. Data were collected using a questionnaire and SPSS software, Chi square and Logistic regression tests were applied for data analysis. The prevalence of occupational injuries among the participants was 57.7%. The highest exposure rate was associated with injection needles [84.8%] and the most frequent process leading to an injury was recapping [28.6%]. The most prevalent occupational injuries were observed among lab experts [91.6%] and nurses [71.4%] [P<0.05]. 90.5 percent of the exposed group had only washed the injured place with soap. The risk of occupational injuries increased as the work experience increased [OR= 1.07, CI= 1.03-1.12]. There were no significant relationship between employees' sex and age with occupational injuries. According to the results of this study, there is a high prevalence of occupational injuries among primary health care workers of Bahar city. Hence, educating the transmission routs of blood-borne infections, applying standard precautions and increasing protection strategies must be taken into consideration

[Isolation beta-stigmasterol from teucrium hyrcanicum L., growing wild in gilan province]

The genus Teucrium [Lamiaceae] is comprised 340 species in widespread over the world. Remarkably, In the Flora Iranica this genus is represented by twelve species, three of which are endemic. The genus Teucrium are known for medicinal value, antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-inflamatory, antiseptic and antipyretic properties. Isolation of beta-Stigmasterol from Teucrium hyrcanicum L. The aerial parts of Teucrium hyrcanicum were collected during the flowering stage from Rostamabad, Gilan Province, in July 2006 and then were extracted by chloroform and acetone [2:1] for 36 h. Crude extract was separated by adsorption chromatography over silica gel with elution by petroleum and ethylacetate. Final purification was performed by smaller chromatography. A steroid named beta - Stigmasterol were isolated and the structur of them were proved using spectral data consist of FTIR, UV, HRMS, also 1-DNMR, HNMR, [13]CNMR], 2-DNMR [HMQC, HMBC] and DEPT [90[degree symbol],135[degree symbol]. beta-Stigmasterol was characterized for the first time in Teucrium hyrcanicum

[ effect of terazocin and prednislone in the epulsion therapy for symptomatic distal urethral stones]

[alpha]1-Adrenergic blockers have recently been shown to increase the rate of spontaneous passage of distal urethral stones. In this study the clinical role of Terazocin and Prednisolone in expulsion therapy of symptomatic distal urethral stones was assessed. The total number of 106 patients between 20-68 years old [Mean 39.05 years] who had lower ureteral stones with size of 5-10mm were selected in this prospective study. The patients were randomly divided into 2 equal groups; treatment group received Terazocin [5mg daily] plus Prednisolone [5mg daily], and control group received only analgesics. Hydration was recommended simultaneously. The treatment duration considered for 10 days to prevent the side effects resulting from prolonged corticosteroid therapy. Two groups had no significant difference based on age, sex and stone location. In treatment group mean stone diameter was 7.45 +/- 1.705mm and in control group it was 6.7 +/- 1.75mm. The rate of expulsion for the treatment and control groups were 62.3% and 37.7% respectively that showes a significant difference between two groups [P<0.001]. In the treatment group the number of pain episodes and analgesic [Morphin] intake was found to be lower compared to the control group. Simultaneous administration of terazosin [[alpha] 1-Adrenergic blocker] and Prednisolone [corticosteroid] can increase the frequency of spontaneous passage of distal urethral stones

[Incidence of osteoporotic hip fracture in above 50 year old peoples of Tabriz in years 2004-2006]

Nontraumatic hip fracture due to osteoporotic is one of the most serious complications of this significant worldwide health problem. Osteoporotic hip fracture constitutes almost 20% of orthopedic ward admissions in most countries, with significant health related budgets being spent for care of these patients. Considering the lack of precise statistical data of osteoporotic hip fracture rates in our country, and any previous investigations regarding the problem in Tabriz [a large city in northwestern part of Iran], we investigated the frequency of this epidemic in residents aged over 50 years of Tabriz. In a retrospective - descriptive study, we reviewed medical records of all patients over 50 years inhabitants of Tabriz, admitted with hip fracture in city hospitals, during 24 months, from March 2005 to February 2007. Data regarding age, sex, type of trauma, type of fracture, and in-hospital morbidity and mortality were extracted, and analysis was performed using SPSS14 software. During the study period there were 878 admissions for hip fracture in subjects aged over 50 years there were 779 patients with nontraumatic hip fracture [398 males and 381 females] mean age 75.1 +/- 9.1. It is estimated that the rate of nontraumatic hip fracture in these citizens of Tabriz is 175 per 100000 population, 174 for females and 176 for males, with a female to male ratio of 0.96. The frequency of nontraumatic osteoporotic hip fracture among individuals aged over 50 years of Tabriz, is high, although these rates are lower than those reported from Sweden and the Netherlands, and similar to France and Portugal. The age related surge of osteoporotic hip fracture occurs 10 years earlier in our country, and female to male ratio is lower than those of other countries

[Chemical composition of the essential oils of two populations Teucrium hyrcanicum L. in two different localities]

The genus Teucrium [Lamiaceae] is comprised of about 340 species widespread over the world. In the Flora Iranica, this genus is represented by 12 species, of which 3 are endemic. Several Teucrium species are used in Iranian folk medicine as medicinal plant. There is no study on the volatile oil of Teucrium hyrcanicum in the literature. Investigation and comparison on essential oil constituents of two populations T. hyrcanicum collected from two localities. The aerial parts of T. hyrcanicum were collected from road of Khalkhal-Asalem and Rostamabad; shade dried and then essential oil extracted by means of hydrodistillation and analyzed with GC and GC/MS. The essential oil yields were 0.25 and 0.20 [w/w] based on dry weight of plant, respectively. 38 and 15 compounds were idedtified, representing 93.1% and 93.3% of the total oils, respectively. In the oil obtained from Khalkhal-Asalem. Hexahydrofarnesyl acetone [12.7%], linalool [11.7%] and E-beta-farnesene [10.7%] were found as the major components. From Rostamabad sample E- beta-Farnesene [60.6%] and E-beta-Farnesene [15.0%] were the most abundant. The results showed that the difference in the volatile constituents could be considered as chemotaxonomic significance and it may be attributed to their different ecological and geographical origin factors

Evaluation of the measles-rubella mass vaccination campaign in the population covered by Tehran University of Medical Sciences

We evaluated the measles-rubella mass vaccination campaign in the Islamic Republic of Iran in December 2003. Vaccination coverage, community awareness of the campaign and the quality of vaccination services were assessed in the population covered by Tehran University of Medical Sciences. At the end of the campaign 96.4% [95% CI: 94.6%-98.2%] of the population sample [n = 390] had been vaccinated. Awareness of the campaign was 80.59% of the sample [n = 190] at the start, rising to 96.8% during and 100.0% at the end of the campaign. None of the 24 vaccination teams sampled were over the threshold for unacceptable performance. The mass media and vaccination teams demonstrated good performance and have achieved their goals