Study of relationship between life style and communicational technologies abuse, and mental health among Islamic Azad University students of Tehran city

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate relationship between life style and communicational technologies abuse, andh mental health among Islamic Azad University students of Tehran city

Materials and methods: In this correlational study, 381 students of Islamic Azad University of Tehran city were selected by cluster sampling. They completed the Laali et al [2012] Life Style Inventory, Jenaro [2007] Communicational Technology Abuse Questionaire and Goldberg et al [1981] Mental Health Questionaire [GHQ-28] and data were analyzed by SPSS software

Results: Results showed that substance avoidance, body health, weight control and nutrition, and exercise and health, in order, significantly predicted mental health and they can explain 11 percent of variance. Communicational technology abuse significantly predicted mental health and can explain 33 percent of variance. There were significant relationship between life style and communication technology abuse

Conclusion: Our study revealed that life style and communication technology are associated with students' mental health; so we can enhance their mental health by life style and communication technology useful instruction

[ relationship between commanding leadership style and personality traits of nursing managers of hospitals affiliated to Tehran Medical Sciences Universities in 2014-2015]

Background: Nursing and other health care jobs will be challenged to respond the changing needs of people and changing nature society; this requires that nurses accept managerial roles to manage and support nurses' needs for continuing professional development. This study was developed to investigate the relationship between commanding leadership style and personality traits of nursing managers of hospitals affiliated to Tehran Medical Sciences Universities

Materials and methods: In this descriptive- correlational study, 140 nurse managers affiliated to hospitals of Tehran Medical Sciences Universities were selected by multi-stage sampling. The data collection tools were three standard questionnaires, including leadership style, personality traits and demographic properties. The Cronbach's alpha reliability were calculated for leadership style questionnaire as 0.86 and personality traits as 0.88. Data were analyzed by spss19 using descriptive and inferential statistics

Results: Most nurse managers had commanding leadership style and personality traits of conscientiousness There were significant inverse relationship between commanding leadership style and extraversion, openness, Adaptability and also conscientiousness personality traits [P<0.05]

Conclusion: By the personality traits score, it may be predicted leadership style of a manager's future; it is a proper way to select persons with more effective leadership style and optimization management organization

Prognostic Significance of Mucinous Histologic Subtype on Oncologic Outcomes in Patients With Colorectal Cancer

PURPOSE: Mucinous adenocarcinomas account for about 10% of all colorectal cancers. This study aimed to investigate the prognostic impact of mucinous histologic subtype on oncologic outcomes in patients with colorectal cancer. METHODS: This retrospective study was performed at two large tertiary university hospitals. We analyzed the characteristics, prognostic factors, and survival of patients with colorectal cancer who were treated and followed up between 2000 and 2013. RESULTS: Totally, 144 of 1,268 patients with a colorectal adenocarcinoma (11.4%) had mucinous histologic subtype. Statistically significant results found in this research are as follows: Mucinous histologic subtype tended to present in younger patients and to have larger tumor size, higher histologic grade, higher node stage, larger number of positive nodes, and higher rate of perineural invasion compared to nonmucinous histologic subtype. On the univariate analysis, mucinous subtype was a prognostic factor for disease-free and overall survival. On the multivariate analysis, primary tumor location, node stage and lymphatic-vascular invasion were independent prognostic factors for the local control rate. Rectal tumor location, higher disease stage, tumor grade II, and presence of lymphatic-vascular invasion had negative influences on disease-free survival, as did rectal tumor location, higher disease stage and presence of lymphatic-vascular invasion on overall survival. CONCLUSION: Mucinous histologic subtype was associated with some adverse pathologic features in patients with colorectal cancer; however, it was not an independent prognostic factor for oncologic outcome.

Efficacy and Safety of Low-Dose-Rate Endorectal Brachytherapy as a Boost to Neoadjuvant Chemoradiation in the Treatment of Locally Advanced Distal Rectal Cancer: A Phase-II Clinical Trial

PURPOSE: Despite advances in rectal cancer treatment over the last decade, local control and risk of late side effects due to external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) remain as concerns. The present study aimed to investigate the efficacy and the safety of low-dose-rate endorectal brachytherapy (LDRBT) as a boost to neoadjuvant chemoradiation for use in treating locally advanced distal rectal adenocarcinomas. METHODS: This phase-II clinical trial included 34 patients (as the study arm) with newly diagnosed, locally advanced (clinical T3-T4 and/or N1/N2, M0) lower rectal cancer. For comparative analysis, 102 matched patients (as the historical control arm) with rectal cancer were also selected. All the patients were treated with LDRBT (15 Gy in 3 fractions) and concurrent chemoradiation (45-50.4 Gy). Concurrent chemotherapy consisted of oxaliplatin 130 mg/m2 intravenously on day 1 plus oral capecitabine 825 mg/m2 twice daily during LDRBT and EBRT. RESULTS: The study results revealed a significant differences between the study arm and the control arm in terms in the pathologic tumor size (2.1 cm vs. 3.6 cm, P = 0.001), the pathologic tumor stage (35% T3-4 vs. 65% T3-4, P = 0.003), and the pathologic complete response (29.4% vs. 11.7%, P < 0.028). Moreover, a significantly higher dose of EBRT (P = 0.041) was found in the control arm, and a longer time to surgery was observed in the study arm (P < 0.001). The higher rate of treatment-related toxicities, such as mild proctitis and anemia, in the study arm was tolerable and easily manageable. CONCLUSION: A boost of LDRBT can optimize the pathologic complete response, with acceptable toxicities, in patients with distal rectal cancer.

[ relationship between spiritual growths coping with stressful situations among medical students [intern]]

Previous researches have focused on the association between coping with stressful situations and other variables such as depression, health, religion, social support, and employment. In this regard, spirituality is the variable which has received less attention. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effect of spirituality on the coping strategies used in stressful situations. In this descriptive- correlation study, 384 students of Islamic Azad University, Tehran Medical Branch, were selected by convenient sampling. The first tool consisted of a questionnaire on coping with stressful situations, which divides the sample regarding problem-oriented, emotion -focused, and avoidance coping strategies. The second was a spirituality questionnaire or SAI, including six subscales: God awareness, real acceptance, hopelessness, magnification, instability, and perception management. Significant positive correlation was observed between spirituality growth and focused coping strategies with the increase of spiritual growth, oriented coping with stressful situations increases. This study showed a significant relationship between growth and spiritual dimensions of coping with stressful situations. This means that spiritual growth is one of the most important predictors that the students use to deal with stressful situations

Molecular and serological detection of acute and latent toxoplasmosis using real-time PCR and ELISA techniques in blood donors of Rafsanjan city, Iran, 2013

The differentiation between acute and latent forms of the Toxoplasma gondii [T. gondii] infection is still considered as a complicated issue. This study was aimed to elucidate the status of infection in the blood donors and the probable importance of blood transfusion in the transmission of the infection through detecting both immunological and genetic markers of acute and latent infection. Totally 235 blood samples from blood donors were collected. The levels of anti-T. gondii IgG and IgM antibodies were examined by specific ELISA kits. cDNA were synthesized from total extracted mRNA molecules from the serum samples and SAG1 gene, specific for tachyzoite form, were amplified using Real-Time PCR technique. Demographic information of study subjects including their gender, age, job, and habitat were recorded. Out of 235 serum samples, 80 [34.04%] and 4 [1.71%] were positive regarding anti-T. gondii IgG and IgM antibodies, respectively. Real-Time PCR results showed that 14 out of 200 [6.97%] of blood donor had mRNA molecules of SAG1 gene. The positive results of Real-Time PCR of SAG1 in female gender and housekeepers were significantly higher than those of male gender and other job categories. The prevalence of chronic and acute infection is high in Iranian blood donors. Additionally, evaluation of antibodies could not be reliable, because several donors negative for anti-T. gondii IgM antibodies had detectable SAG1 mRNA molecules. Hence, it seems that molecular diagnostic tests are essential to detect acute infections

Antiepileptic drugs: a consideration of clinical and biochemical outcome in patients with epilepsy

The challenge of antiepileptic drugs [AEDs] management is to attain the best compromise between the desire to maximize seizure control and the need to keep side-effects within tolerable limits for the individual patient. To reduce devastation in Iranian epileptic patients, the aim of this study was to explore the overall outcome following AEDs prescription. A cross sectional study of 36 patients located at the epilepsy ward, conducted to Isfahan Neurosciences Research Centre was carried out during the year 2011. Female [n = 17] and male subjects [n = 19] with a mean age of 27 years [range; 7-74 years] were studied. Variables including, sex, age, age of seizure onset, type, and number of AEDs, biochemical and hematological data were recorded in d-Base and statistical analyses were performed using SPSS [version 18] for windows. The main drug to control seizure attack was carbamazepine and valproic-acid. The following tests were the most frequently influenced; alkaline phosphatase [AP], lymphocyte [Lymph], white blood cell [WBC] counts and hemoglobin [Hgb]. There was a significant increase in [AP] [mean; 534.6 u/l; [P = 0.02] in three patients and [Lymph] [55%; [43-84]%; [P = 0.04] in seven patients. WBC was lower than 4400 mm[3] [P = 0.02] in six patients. Hgb was significantly lower in 70.6% of women [11.8; [10-14.2] g/dl; [P = 0.04] and 68.4% of men population [12.3; [9.7-13.8] g/dl; [P = 0.01]. Mean age of epilepsy onset was 15.6 years [range: Birth-74 years]. Analysis of drug prescriptions showed that the incidence of monotherapy and polypharmacy [2 up to six AEDs simultaneously] was 19.4% plus 80.6% respectively. In Iranian epileptic population, effectiveness of treatment should be attributed by the close supervising of AEDs in relation to clinical circumstance, laboratory data, and therapeutic drug monitoring. Any significant change in patients' biochemical and hematological data may require close verifying for the rapid detection of severe anemia, leukopenia, lymphocytosis, osteomalacia, or liver failure

Serum Procalcitonin level and other biological markers in children with bacterial or non-bacterial meningitis

Acute meningitis in children is predominantly aseptic and does not require specific treatment. However, meningitis has a bacterial origin in about 5% of patients and carries a risk of fatal outcome or severe neurological sequelae, especially when diagnosis and antibiotic administration are delayed. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the value of determining procalcitonin levels to discriminate between bacterial and non-bacterial meningitis in young children or infants and describe the variation in serum PCT levels over time during the treatment of meningitis. A total of 50 children with meningitis admitted to a University Hospital were followed in this prospective study. Cerebrospinal fluid [CSF] and serum levels of procalcitonin were measured. The diagnosis of meningitis was based on clinical findings, gram staining, culture, and chemical analysis of CSF. Twenty-five children were diagnosed as bacterial meningitis and the other 25 children as non-bacterial Meningitis.The mean procalcitonin level on admission in patients with acute bacterial meningitis was 18.3 ng/mL, and the lower level was 4.6 ng/mL, while the higher level in patients with non-bacterial meningitis was 0.62 ng/mL [mean level, 0.38 ng/mL]. It is clear from the range of serum procalcitonin level that, there are no overlapping values seen for serum procalcitonin in both groups.serum PCT levels can be used in the early diagnosis of acute bacterial meningitis and is more valuable than the other predictive marker. Similarly, they may be useful adjuncts in differential diagnosis of bacterial and non-bacterial meningitis and diminishing the value of 2nd lumbar puncture performed 48-72 hours after admission to assess treatment efficacy

comparative study of Tacrolimus versus Cyclosporine as immunosuppression for kidney transplant recipients

Kidney transplantation is the most common transplantation in the world. Annually, a large number of patients that have chronic renal failure are undergoing renal transplantation and the major subject about these patients is the rejection of graft that should be controlled by immunosuppressive agents. The aim of this study is investigation of the effect of Cyclosporin against Tacrolimus in patients with kidney transplantation. This study was performing between 2010 and 2012 on all patients who had kidney transplantation and refer to Imam Reza hospital from Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences. 100 patients, aged 18-60 years, with end-stage renal disease were administered either Tacrolimus [n=49] or Cyclosporine [n=51]. In both groups, Cellept could be discontinued from day 92 onwards. Corticosteroid treatment comprised methylprednisolone boluses followed by a rapid prednisone taper from 20 mg [day 2] to 5 mg [day 43 and thereafter]. Patients followed up 12 months. In the Tacrolimus treatment group, 7 grafts [14%] were lost and 8 [16%] grafts were lost in the Cyclosporine treatment group between months 0 and 12 and there is no significant different between these groups [P= 0.845]. No cases were diagnosed with biopsy-proven chronic rejection at months 0 and 12. Mean serum creatinine concentrations were 1.8 +/- 1.5 mg/dl in the Tacrolimus group and 2.3 +/-2.9 in the Cyclosporine group by month 12 [P= 0.348]. these data are consistent with previously published observations and confirm that Tacrolim us is a highly efficacious baseline immunosuppressant for patients undergoing kidney transplantation. Tacrolimus-based immunosuppression may promote long-term benefits with regard to graft functio n and graft survival

effect of statin therapy in stroke outcome: a double blind clinical trial

Through a clinical trial we evaluated statin therapy benefits over stroke outcome. All patients with moderate stroke in Middle Cerebral Artery [MCA] were registered during February 2006 to February 2008, in Al Zahra Hospital, Isfahan, Iran. Among 55 patients who were enrolled in the present study, 25 subjects received 20 mg lovastatin daily, for 90 days after stroke attack [group 1] and 30 patients received no treatment [group 2]. Patients were assessed at admission, 7 and 90 days after stroke. National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale [NIHSS] score was recorded in the day 1 and 7 in the hospital with a questionnaire and BARTHEL index was estimated 90 days after stroke incidence by a telephone survey or in an outpatient visit. Data were analyzed by means of Chi[2], 't' test and Independent 't' test. NIHSS score measured in first day immediately after stroke attack and following 7 days, did not differ significantly in two groups. Moreover, BARTHEL index recorded within 90 days was not also different comparing group 1 and 2. After 90 days, no mortality was recorded in group 2, while one patient expired in group treating with statins [P=value>0.05]. We did not find statins administration to play any role in stroke recovery and consequent long term prognosis. More researches with larger samples are needed to establish the possible favorable outcome of statins when administered in cerebrovascular diseases

[Factors affecting pregnancy and abortion rates following intra cytoplasmic sperm injection in the obstructive and non-obstructive azoospermic men]

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection [ICSI] has revolutionized the treatment of azoospermic men. The aim of this study was to evaluate the factors interfering in the success of ICSI, including sperm collection method, testicular histology, age and hormonal assay of the couple, the number of retrieved oocytes, and the number of transferred embryos. In this retrospective cohort study, 246 azoospemic men [52 with obstructive azoosprmia [OA] and 194 with non obstructive azoospermia [NOA]] who were underwent sperm retrieval with PESA or TESE and ICSI protocol were studied. By long protocol of ovarian stimulation, oocytes were retrieved 36h after hCG administration. After 48h, cleaved embryos were replaced in the uterine cavity. Clinical pregnancy rates [21.1% in OA versus 10.8% in NOA] was significantly correlated with sperm origin [P<0.05]. Female partner's age and serum FSH significantly influenced pregnancy rates in both groups [p<0.001] and also pregnancy rates was significantly influenced by number of retrieved oocytes and transferred embryos in NOA groups [P<0.05]. ICSI can make a chance for fertility in azoospermic men. Higher success rates in OA patients can be related to better quality of sperm. The value of male hormonal assay and testicular biopsy was not remarkable.

Low level laser therapy in management of complications after intra oral surgeries

One of the basic purposes in dental treatment is providing a painless treatment for patients. This purpose may be achieved by the application of laser in dentistry. Low-level laser therapy [LLLT] is an internationally accepted title for biomodulation with low-level lasers which we use to achieve ideal therapeutic effects. Low-level laser therapy is a painless, reproducible, non-invasive, and without need of anesthesia treatment which is used to treat a variety of pain syndromes, injuries, wounds, fractures, neurological conditions and pathologies. Laser therapy works on the principle of inducing a biological response through energy transfer. The parameters that used in laser therapy determine the effective depth of penetration. We can mention anti-inflammatory effects, stimulation of wound healing, stimulation of immune system, increase of blood flow and activation of vasodilatation, increase of cellular metabolism and analgesic effects as advantages of the application of this type of laser. The aim of this review study was to evaluate the effect of low-level laser therapy after oral surgeries

Changing indications and surgical techniques for corneal transplantation between 2004 and 2009 at a tertiary referral center

The aim of this study is to report the indications, techniques, and clinical outcomes of corneal transplantation and investigate any changing trends in surgical techniques over a 6 year period. Records of patients who had undergone any kind of corneal transplantation at Labbafinejad Medical Center, Tehran, Iran, from January 2004 to December 2009 were reviewed to determine the indications and types of corneal transplantation. Postoperative best-corrected visual acuity, refractive error, graft clarity, and complications were reported. During this period, 1859 eyes of 1624 patients with a mean age of 41.3 +/- 21.3 years underwent corneal transplantation. The most common indication was keratoconus [38.4%] followed by aphakic/pseudophakic bullous keratopathy [11.7%], previous failed grafts [10.6%], infectious corneal ulcers [10.1%], non-herpetic corneal scars [7.6%], trachoma keratopathy [4.7%], stromal corneal dystrophies [4.6%], post-herpetic corneal scar [3.7%], Fuchs' endothelial dystrophy [0.8%], and congenital hereditary endothelial dystrophy [0.4%]. Techniques of corneal transplantation included penetrating keratoplasty [PKP; 70.9%], deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty [DALK; 20.1%], conventional lamellar keratoplasty [LKP; 4.4%], and Descemet's stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty [DSAEK; 2.3%]. Over the study period, there was a significant increase in the relative frequency of infectious corneal ulcers, failed grafts, and trachoma keratopathy. Additionally, a significant reduction was observed in PKP and LKP procedures, and volume of DALK and DSAEK increased significantly. At final follow-up, 69.0% of grafts were clear in the PKP group. This figure was 82.6%, 82.7%, and 97.6% in the DALK, LKP, and DSAEK groups, respectively. Keratoconus was the most common indication and PKP was the most prevalent technique used for corneal transplantation. However, significant changes in the indications and surgical techniques were observed from 2004 to 2009

Laparoscopic versus open appendectomy; which method to choose? a prospective randomized comparison

Appendicitis is the most common surgical emergency with the incidence rate of 6-10%. Although several studies have compared the two approaches of open [OA] and laparoscopic appendectomy [LA] the technique of choice is still a matter of controversy. Considering this background we designed a study to compare OA and LA outcomes in our center. One hundred patients were included in this study performed from April 2008 to April 2009 at Shahid Sadoughi hospital, Yazd, Iran. Patients who gave informed consent were randomized to either OA or LA groups and were operated by McBurney's or laparoscopic technique, respectively. Patients received our center's routine diet, antibiotics and analgesic regimens. The patients' pain was measured by visual analogue scale [VAS] at their entrance to the recovery room and in 6-hour intervals up to 24 hours. Post-operation follow up visits were in weeks 1, 2 and 4. The data of operation time, hospital stay, intra-operation complications, time to resume normal activity, short term complications and neuralgia were collected and analysed. The average operation time was 34.4 +/- 8.42 min in LA and 41.7 +/- 8.84 in OA hand [P=0001]. No intra-operative complication and no LA to OA conversion were encountered in operations. Post-operative complication rate was higher in OA group [n=10] compared to LA [n=3]. The post-operative pain showed less pain in OA only at 6 and 12 hours post-operative times. Patients' mean hospital stay was 52.32 +/- 19.2 and 42.96 +/- 13.8 hours in LA and OA groups, respectively [P=0.003]. Time to resume normal activity didn't show a significant difference between two groups [P=0.53]. Only one case of neuralgia in the OA group was confronted in the follow up visits. LA has less complications and cosmetic scar with the cost of more pain. Decision between OA and LA for each patient should be made individually

Role of liver function enzymes in diagnosis of choledocholithiasis in biliary colic patients

Liver functional tests due to inflammatory process which induced by cholecystitis might changed and some clinicians suggested that these changes might help us to stone prediction in common bile ducts and decrease hazards of performing ERCP and other invasive procedures. Present study was performed for assessment of role of liver functional test in diagnosis of common bile duct stone in patients with cholecystitis and help in their management. Present prospective study was performed between April 2010 and March 2011 on 350 patients who come to our hospital with cholecystitis or biliary colic diagnosis. Patients with cholesistitis diagnosis were underwent operation for removing gall bladder stone and retrograde cholangiopancreatography [ERCP] was performed for patients with suspicious to biliary colic and common bile duct [CBD] stones. Ultrasonography, Aspartate Aminotransferases [AST], Alanine Aminotransferases [ALT], Alkaline Phosphatase [ALP] and direct and total serum bilirubin were measured for all of participated patients. Mean of AST. ALT, ALP and total and direct bilirubin were had no significant differences between two study groups. In logistic regression analysis, after entering into the model only CBD diameter [OR:20; P=0.00] and elevated serum level of ALT [OR:2; P=0.04] were remained into the model and were known as independent predictor of cholelithiasis. Elevated level of liver enzymes had not main role in CBD diagnosis and ERCP had no to perform for suspicious CBD stone only with elevated liver enzyme and even with normal ultrasonography findings. Endosonography as non invasive procedure recommend for patients before ERCP

Indications for corneal transplantation at a tertiary referral center in Tehran

To report the indications and techniques of corneal transplantation at a tertiary referral center in Tehran over a 3-year-period. Records of patients who had undergone any kind of corneal transplantation at Labbafinejad Medical Center, Tehran, Iran form March 2004 to March 2007 were reviewed to determine the indications and types of corneal transplantation. During this period, 776 eyes of 756 patients [including 504 male subjects] with mean age of 41.3 +/- 21.3 years underwent corneal transplantation. The most common indication was keratoconus [n=317, 40.8%], followed by bullous keratopathy [n=90, 11.6%], non-herpetic corneal scars [n=62, 8.0%], infectious by corneal ulcers [n=90, 11.6%], non-herpetic corneal scars [n=317, 40.8%] followed by bullous keratopathy [n= 61, 7.9%], previously failed grafts [n=61, 7.9%], endothelial and stromal corneal dystrophies [n=28, 3.6%], and trachoma keratopathy [n=26, 3.3%]. Other indications including Terrien's marginal degeneration, post-LASIK keratectasia, trauma, chemical burns, and peripheral ulcerative keratitis constituted the rest of cases. Techniques of corneal transplantation included penetrating keratoplasty [n=607, 78.2%], deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty [n=108, 13.9%], conventional lamellar keratoplasty [n=44, 5.7%], automated lamellar therapeutic keratoplasty [n= 8, 1.0%], and Descemet stripping endothelial keratoplasty [n=6, 0.8%] in descending order. The remaining cases were endothelial keratoplasty and sclerokeratoplasty. In this study, keratoconus was the most common indication for penetrating keratoplasty which was the most prevalent technique of corneal transplantation. However, deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty is emerging as a growing alternative for corneal pathologies not involving the endothelium

Risk factors for posterior capsule rupture and vitreous loss during phacoemulsification

To determine the rate and risk factors of vitreous loss during phacoemulsi-fication in patients with cataracts operated by ophthalmology residents and fellows at Labbafinejad Medical Center. This prospective descriptive study included consecutive patients with cataracts undergoing phacoemulsification over a one year period. All patients were operated under local or general anesthesia using the divide and conquer technique. Preoperatively, all patients underwent a complete ocular examination including measurement of visual acuity, slitlamp biomicroscopy, intraocular pressure measurement, and dilated funduscopy. Main outcome measures included the rate of posterior capsular rupture and vitreous loss as well as associated risk factors such as surgical experience, ocular and systemic conditions, and type and severity of the cataract. Overall, 767 eyes of 767 patients with mean age of 63.7 +/- 10.3 [range, 25-91] years were operated. The overall rate of vitreous loss was 7.9% which was 5-fold greater in the hands of residents as compared to fellows. Among different factors, older age, female sex, small pupil, small capsulorrhexis, presence of pseudoexfoliation, and high myopia were significantly associated with vitreous loss. The highest rate of vitreous loss occurred in patients with dense nuclear cataracts. Considering the higher rate of vitreous loss in patients operated by ophthalmology residents; patients with known risk factors for vitreous loss should better be operated by more experienced surgeons

High frequency of IgM antiphospholid antibodies in young Iranian patients with stroke

To investigate the presence of IgG and IgM types of anticardiolipin [aCL] and antiphospholipid [aPL] antibodies in younger Iranian patients with ischemic stroke. Both IgG and IgM types of aPL [cardiolipin, anti phosphatidyl inositol, anti phosphatidyl serine, anti phosphatidic acid and beta 2-glycoprotein I [B2-GPI]] and aCL alone [cardiolipin and B2-GPI] were measured in 117 patients with ischemic stroke [aged <45 years] during an 18-month period from September 2002 to March 2004 in Al-Zahra Hospital, Isfahan, Iran. The demographic, clinical, and laboratory characteristics of patients with a positive titer were recorded. Seven men and 16 women [23 patients, 19.6%] had increased IgG types of aPL antibodies. Increased titers of IgM and IgG were found in 19 [82.6%] and 6 [26%] patients for aPL antibodies and in 15 [83.3%] and 8 [44.4%] cases for aCL alone. Despite European studies, high titers of IgM aPL antibodies found in a large number of patients can be caused by the presence of unknown triggering factors [infections or poisons], that are more prevalent in developing countries compared to developed countries. This hypothesis remains to be investigated further

Molecular evidence on changing pattern of mixed plasmodium falciparum and P. vivax infections during year-round transmission of Malaria in Chahbahar, Iran

Mixed malaria infections, Plasmodium falciparum and P. vivax, are suspected to occur at a greater frequency than is detected by conventional light microscopy. In order to determine the year round pattern of transmission and the frequency of mixed infections in malaria endemic area, we carried out a prospective comparison of diagnosis by conventional light microscopy and nested PCR in Chahbahar district, south-eastern part of Iran. Out of 280 Giemsa-stained slides, 158 [56.42%] were identified as having only P. vivax and 89 [31.78%] were P. falciparum infection by microscopy. Only eight slides [2.8%] were interpreted as having mixed P. vivax-P. falciparum infections and 25 [8.9%] were negative. Comparing to the microscopy results, the PCR detected 33 more mixed infections. These results showed that the number, of mixed infections was increased during April to September and reduced after September, although malaria cases with only P. falciparum were increased. The possibility that malaria patients in Chahbahar district may have undetected mixed infections during first peak of transmission should be kept in mind because of the specific therapy required both for P. falciparum and for radical cure of P. vivax