Tissue distribution of artemisinin in broiler chickens following single or multiple oral administration

Background: artemisinin is commonly used for the treatment of malaria, but recently has been considered as a potential substance to control poultry coccidiosis

Objectives: the aim of the present study was to determine the tissue distribution of artemisinin following single or multiple oral administration of different doses in broiler chickens

Methods: a total number of 390 one day old Ross broiler chicks were divided randomly into two main groups, in the first group 0, 1, 5, 25, 125, 250, 500 or 1000 mg/kg artemisinin as a single oral dose was administered on day 44, but the second group were treated with 0, 17, 34, 68 or 136 ppm artemisinin from day 8 to day 44. The HPLC system was used to determine the level of artemisinin in different tissue samples. Data were assessed using one way analysis of variance [ANOVA] followed by the Tukey's test [p<0.05]

Results: maximum concentrations of artemisinin were found in the liver of chickens in both groups in a dose dependent manner. While, the minimum level was determined in the brain and the kidney of chickens received multiple artemisinin administration; in the spleen of those chickens a single oral dose was administered. The concentration of artemisinin in the brain reached a plateau at 68 ppm in multiple administrations and 125mg/kg at single dose, no shift was found with dose increment

Conclusions: it can be concluded that tissue accumulation of artemisinin is time and dose dependent. Moreover, redistribution, saturation effect and tissue selectivity were also observed

[ effect of nursing education on knowledge, attitudes and beliefs in patients with coronary artery disease in response to myocardial infarction]

Introduction: Coronary Artery Disease as a common health problem in the world that being affected to myocardial infarction is larger than health population. Increased knowledge and attitudes in this patients has significant role in reduse prehospital delay and nursing education has a significant role to reach in goal. This study assess the effect of nursing education on knowledge, attitude and beliefs in coronary artery disease to response to symptoms of myocardial infarction

Methods: This study is a Randomized Clinical trial. Research samples are 170 patients with one of the coronary artery disease that selected by convenience sampling and allocated to equal group [experiment and control] with block randomization. Results from study analized with descriptive statistics and chi-square, dependent and paired t test

Results: Results from study show that increased mean score of knowledge, attitude and beliefs in experimental group after nursing intervention. Also there is significant differences between knowledge, attitude and belief score before and after intervention [P=0.00]

Conclusion: Nursing education programs have a significant role to improve knowledge, attitude and beliefs in cardiac patients. Thus attention to nursing education is nessessery to reduce prehospital delay

[One-year follow-up of radiologic and clinical findings in children with prenatal and neonatal hydronephrosis]

Hydronephrosis is a common problem in prenatal and newborn infants diagnosed by ultrasonography. Bladder to ureter reflux, the upper or lower urinary tract obstruction, and neurogenic bladder are the most common causes of hydronephrosis in newborns and infants. In this study, 100 neonates and infants with hydronephrosis were observed clinically and laboratorically for one year. Patients were allocated to two groups of fetal and newborn infants by the time of detection of hydronephrosis. Classification of the severity of hydronephrosis was based on the anteriorposterior diameter of renal pelvis including: mild hydronephrosis [5-9 mm], moderate [10-15 mm], and severe [more than 15 mm]. Fifty four patients were boy and 46 were girl. Mean age of patients in first visit of fetal and newborn infants hydronephrosis were respectively 2.5 [79% asymptomatic] and 5 month [100% symptomatic]. Causes of fetal hydronephrosis were: bladder to ureter reflux [45%], idiopathic hydronephrosis [41%], ureteropelvic junction obstruction [UPJO] [3.11%], physiological hydronephrosis [7.5%], and posterior urethral valve [8.3%]. Bladder to ureter reflux was the most common cause of hydronephrosis in all of the patients [57%]. The most common causes of mild and severe hydronephrosis were bladder to ureter reflux and ureteropelvic junction obstruction, respectively. In patients with fetal hydronephrosis, 100%, 30% and 6% of cases of severe, moderate, and mild hydronephrosis need surgery, respectively. Using ultrasonography in pregnancy led to the discovery of most asymptomatic fetal hydronephrosis more than infant hydronephrosis

Problems of health insurance systems and the need for implementation of a reform approach

Heann care has always been considered as one of the basic needs of human communities. Health insurance is the best choice for establishing social justice in health care settings. Preliminary studies on insurance systems in Iran show that these systems suffer from serious problems. This study was an attempt to identify system problems and review the necessity for adopting a reform in health insurance systems of Iran. In this descriptive and exploratory study a questionnaire was used to collect data by reviewing reliable sources and referring to health insurance organizations and Medical Universities. The population included 24 university subject specialist informants and managers of health insurance organizations. The data were analyzed by SPSS software. The validity and reliability of the questionnaire were measured by content validity and test-retest method [r=0.84]. The main challenges of health insurance systems were related to the process of integration of health insurance systems. These problems can be classified as dimensions of policy making, rules and regulations, organizational structures and funding. Reforming health care and insurance systems stems from both health decision making and strategies. It seems that the creation of a coordinated information infrastructure is the main challenge for the integration and ultimately the reform of health insurance systems in Iran

[ evaluation of the effect of two preparation design: shoulder and heavy chamfer in IPS e.max press restorations - in vitro]

Marginal integrity in all ceramic restorations is one of the important elements of the success rate. According to the importance of design preparation in the marginal integrity, in this in-vitro study, decided to compare the marginal integrity between 2 different types of the marginal preparation: shoulder and classic chamfer in IPS e.max press restoration. This experimental research has been done in vitro with the single blind technique. One standard die with 7mm height, 5mm diameter was prepared by the milling machine. the preparation design consists half shoulder 90 degree and in the other half classic chamfer, with 1mm depth in both of them and 10 degree tapering and then crowns were made of IPS e.max press and after cementation, were ground at the buccolingually direction. Then they were coated by gold and observed under SEM. The data assessed by T-Test. A difference between 2 types of marginal preparation was significant [p<0.05]. Marginal gap in shoulder preparation was 15.45 +/- 0.79 and in classic chamfer site was 13.78 +/- 0.52. The marginal fitness in the classic chamfer preparation was better than shoulder preparation in all ceramic restorations

Multi vesicular osseous hydatid disease of the mandible- a case report

Hydatid disease is a common and major public health issue caused by parasite Echinococcus granulosus. The highest prevalence of the parasite can be found in different parts of world like Africa, Australia, and South America. This infection can occurs in almost any part of the body. Here we present clinical, radiological, histological features and treatment of a multi vesicular osseous hydatid disease of the mandible in an Afghan 5 year old boy with a firm swelling in the right side of mandible

Potential of natural bed soil in adsorption of heavy metals in industrial waste landfill

Development of higher welfare could not be realized unless by energy consumption and other natural resources. Growth of industrial complexes has shown an unprecedented trend during recent years. Many of these towns have no treatment systems for the industrial wastes leachates. Besides, the chemical composition of wastes in such complexes varies considerably due to the different kinds of industries. It is endeavored in the present work to study the natural potential of soil to treat leachate of such industrial wastes. For this purpose, the Aliabad industrial complex in Tehran-Garmsar road was selected as the study area. The potential of adsorption of elements such as nickel, copper, cadmium, zinc, chromium, lead and manganese was investigated. The results indicated that the soil potential to adsorb heavy metals [except for manganese] was very high [95%] in the adsorption of heavy metals [except for manganese]. Further, chemical partitioning studies revealed that heavy metals are associated with various soil phases such as loosely bonded ions, sulfide and organics to various extents. Among the mentioned soil phases, one can deduce that major portion of metal contaminants is absorbed as loosely bonded ions. Organic bond and sulfide bond are in the 2 [nd] and 3 [rd] positions of metal contaminants adsorption, respectively. The results of the present study apparently showed that soil column had ample capacity to adsorb metal contaminants. Thus, determination of soil potential in adsorption of heavy metals during site selection is as important criteria

Evaluation of spatial and seasonal variations in surface water quality using multivariate statistical techniques

In this study, spatial and seasonal variations of water quality in Haraz River Basin were evaluated using multivariate statistical techniques, such as cluster analysis, principal component analysis and factor analysis. Water quality data collected from 8 sampling stations in river during 4 seasons [Summer and Autumn of 2007, Winter and Spring of 2008] were analyzed for 10 parameters [dissolved oxygen, Fecal Coliform, pH, water temperature, biochemical oxygen demand, nitrate, total phosphate, turbidity, total solid and discharge]. Cluster analysis grouped eight sampling stations into three clusters of similar water quality features and thereupon the whole river basin may be categorized into three zones, i.e. low, moderate and high pollution. The principle component analysis/factor analysis assisted to extract and recognize the factors or origins responsible for water quality variations in four seasons of the year. The natural parameters [temperature and discharge], the inorganic parameter [total solid] and the organic nutrients [nitrate] were the most significant parameters contributing to water quality variations for all seasons. Result of principal component analysis and factor analysis evinced that, a parameter that can be significant in contribution to water quality variations in river for one season, may less or not be significant for another one

[Effects of dietary omega 3-fatty acid supplementation on the serum systemic and vascular inflammation markers in hemodialysis patients]

High serum concentrations of systemic and vascular inflammation markers are two major risk factors for cardiovascular diseases in hemodialysis patients. The present study was designed to investigate the effects of dietary omega 3-fatty acid supplementation on the serum systemic and vascular inflammation markers in these patients. The study was a double-blind randomized clinical trial. Forty hemodialysis patients were randomly assigned to either an omega 3-fatty acid supplement or a placebo group. The patients in the omega 3-fatty acid supplement group received 2080 mg omega 3-fatty acids as 4 capsules, each containing 310 mg eicosapentaenoic acid and 210 mg docosahexaenoic acid, daily for 10 weeks, while the placebo group received 4 corresponding placebo capsules containing MCT oil. At baseline and the end of week 10 of the study, 7 ml blood was collected from each patient after a 12- to 14-hour fast before dialysis and serum sICAM-1, sVCAM-1, sE-selectin, sP-selectin, CRP, IL-6, TNF-alpha, malondealdehyde [MDA] and total antioxidant capacity [TAC] were measured. Serum sICAM-1 concentration decreased significantly in the omega 3-fatty acid supplement group at the end of week 10, compared to the baseline value [P<0.05]; the reduction was also significant in comparison with the decrease in placebo group [P<0.05]. No significant differences were observed between the two groups with regard to the mean changes in the serum sVCAM-1, sE-selectin, sP-selectin, CRP, IL-6, TNF-alpha, MDA, and TAC concentrations. The results of the present study indicate that dietary omega 3-fatty acid supplements can reduce serum sICAM-1 concentration in hemodialysis patients, but it has no effect on serum systemic inflammation markers and oxidative stress

[Eighteen years follow up of a patient with Gorlin syndrome; case report]

The nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome is a rare and autosomal dominant inherited disease with well-defined characteristics, summarized by Gorlin and Goltz in 1960. In the head and neck region, cerebral calcifications, Basal Cell Carcinoma [BCC] and multiple Odontogenic Kerato Cysts [OKC] of the jaws are the predominant findings. Odontogenic keratocysts with high rate of recurrency and basal cell carcinoma of the facial skin are important to dentists. In this article we present a 23 year old male with multiple recurrent cysts of the jaws who diagnosed to have Gorlin syndrome. The patient also has polydactily, palmar and plantar pits, bifid ribs, hypertelorism, calcification of falx cerebri and missing of four wisdom teeth. Diagnosis, treatment and follow up of this case are discussed

Combined treatment with oxybutynin and imipramine in enuresis

Primary nocturnal enuresis is a common disorder that often leads to considerable distress in affected children and their family. In many countries pharmacologic therapy is preferred to non-pharmacologic behavioral and conditional alarm therapy. Imipramine, oxybutynin, and desmopressin have been used for enuresis with various efficacies. The aim of the present study was to compare the efficacy of imipramine, oxybutynin, and combined imipramine and oxybutynin in enuretic children aged 6-14 years old. In a randomized controlled study 89 primary enuretic children who were otherwise normal were allocated to three groups: group A [imipramine users, n=29], group B [oxybutynin users, n=26], and group C [combined imipramine and oxybutynin users, n=34]. The number of wet nights per week during control period [2 weeks prior treatment], and treatment period [1 month] were compared in each group and inter groups. Also the cure rate in the treatment period and the relapse rate in the follow up period [1 month] were compared between the three groups. The mean ages in groups A, B, and C were 7.9 +/- 1.1 years, 8.2 +/- 1.6 years, and 8.2 +/- 1.4 years respectively. There was no significant difference in the mean ages in the three groups [P=0.53]. In each group the mean number of wet nights per week decreased during treatment period compared with pretreatment period. This reduction was statistically significant [P<0.001 in each group]. Efficacy of treatment between the three groups was compared. There was significant difference between them [P<0.001], but there was no significant difference between group A, and group B [P=0.56]. The cure rate during treatment period was 13.7%, 23%, and 41% in groups A, B, and C respectively. This difference was statistically significant [P=0.04]. The relapse rate during follow up period in groups A, B, and C was 58.6%, 42.3% and 20.5% respectively, revealing statistical significance [P=0.008] No significant adverse effects for the medications were observed. Our findings suggest that combined imipramine and oxybutynin for primary enuresis is more effective than either drug used alone. The combined therapy is recommended in enuretic children who are non-responsive to imipramine or oxybutynin alone

[Multiple Sclerosis and stressful thought habit]

Multiple Sclerosis [MS] is a demyelinating progressive disease which afflicts central nervous system. The cause remains uncertain but various factors such as infection, stress, immune deficiency and environmental factors may contribute to this disease. As a chronic disease with sudden and unpredictable attack, MS results in various stresses in patients' lives. It seems that the more we know the extent of stress in patients' lives, the more we can control it. The present study aimed at determining the extent of stress in patients suffering from MS who have referred to MS Association of Iran. A cross sectional study was conducted using sequential sampling to recruit 600 patients suffering from MS. Data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire [Coudron questionnaire]. Descriptive statistics and oneway analysis of variance were used to analysis the data. 79.3% of the patients had stressful thought habits and 76.3% of them had stressful context in their private lives. Results of one-way analysis of variance showed a significant relationship between the amount of stressful thought habits and age [P=0.01], employment status [P=0.00] and duration of disease [P=0.000]. Since the findings of this research revealed high stress of MS patients, identifying stress sources to improve their life qualities, providing appropriate education for coping and adapting with chronic disease related stress, seems to be necessary

Genotype-phenotype correlation in patients with Familial Mediterranean Fever: Evaluation of E148Q and M694V mutations

Familial Mediterranean Fever [FMF] is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by self-limited episodes of fevere and painful recurrent polyserositis that predominantly affects Mediterranean races. In recent years some reports have shown high prevalence of FMF in North-west Iran, with M694V and E148Q being most frequent reported mutations. The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical manifestations of FMF in patients with these mutations. A cross sectional- descriptive study was performed in a 1 year period [January 2007. January 2008] 71 patients younger than 18 years with clinical diagnosis of disease proved in Children Hospital of Tabriz-Iran were referred to genetic lab for mutation analysis. ARMS-PCR and PCR-RFLP were used to detect mutations. Only 45 patients were shown to have identified mutations and 41 patients among them had M694V and E148Q mutations which were assessed for various clinical manifestations. M694V and E148Q mutations were seen in 55.7 and 35.5 patients respectively. Patients homozygous for M694V were found to have earlier age of onset, longer duration of attacks, higher prevalence of positive family history and more complications. In our patients, prevalence of some manifestations differed from other ethnic groups reported previously. M694V mutation in FMF patients especially in homozygous state is accompanied with more severe disease and more complications

[Congenital obstructive anomalies of anterior urethra; diagnostic methods]

Radiological findings of ten patients with congenital obstructive anomalies of anterior urethra [eight cases with saccular diverticula, one case with globular dilatation of entire urethra, and one case with globular dilatation of distal urethra] showed that the VCUG and retrograde urethrography were diagnostic in all of patients

[Clinical presentation of hyperuricosuria in children]

Hyperuricosuria [HU], defined as an increased uric acid excretion, has different symptoms in children and is responsible for the formation of kidney stone. This study was aimed to outline the clinical presentation and natural history of HU in children with hematuria, dysuria, discoloration of urine, and recurrent abdominal / flank pain. In this cross sectional study, from October 2002 to May 2006, 88 children with Hyperuricosuria at Dr Sheikh Hospital, Mashhad were evaluated. Urinalysis, urine culture, 24-hour urine collection for measurement of uric acid, Calcium and Creatinine, serum evaluation for BUN, Creatinine, uric acid, Calcium, Phosphorous and Hco3- and renal ultrasonugeraphy were carried out done for patients. All data were recorded and analyzed with descriptive statistical methods. From 88 evaluated patients, 51% were boys and 48.8% were girls. The mean age of children was 5.3 +/- 1.2 years. The mean Urine Uric Acid was 13.4 mg/kg/24h and mean Urine PH was 5.3. Hematuria was not among the presenting symptoms in 41 patients. Thirty three patients had normal urinalysis at the first examination, 28 of them had microcalculi [< 3 mm in diameter] at renal ultrasonography and 12 had stones [4-13 mm]. Dysuria and abdominal / flank pain were present in 22 and 17 patients, respectively. There was no microscopic hematuria in 24.3% of patients with microcalculi or stone. Family history of urolithiasis was positive in 63 of the children. Hyperuricosuria has to be suspected in children with dysuria, recurrent abdominal / flank pain, discoloration of urine, and familial history of urolithiasis. The lack of hematuria is not predictive of the absence of urolithiasis

[Analysis of common mutations in GJB2 and GJB6 genes in patients with autosomal recessive non-syndromic hearing loss in Eastern Azerbaijan]

Profound hearing loss is one of the most prevalent congenital disorders affecting about 1 in 1000 newborns. Autosomal recessive non-syndromic hearing loss [ARNSHL] is the predominant form of the severe inherited childhood deafness. This type of hearing loss in one-half of the cases is caused by mutations in GJB2 [connexin 26] and GJB6 [connexin 30] genes located at DFNB 1 locus of chromosome13q. Protein products of the two above-mentioned genes play a crucial role in the intercellular communications within the inner ear through gap junction. This study was conducted to analyze the two most common mutations among ARNSHL patients referring to the Genetics center of Tabriz, eastern Azarbaijan. The most common mutation of GJB2 gene [35delG] and a mutation of GJB6 gene [del[GJB6-D13S1830]] were analyzed in 129 referring patients with ARNSHL using ARMS-PCR and multiplex-PCR techniques, respectively. These methods facilitate analyzing parents and carriers. 21% of the studied families had 35delG mutation in connexin 26 gene. 36 chromosomes [18%] out of 200 studied chromosomes had 35delG mutation while none of the chromosomes had del [GJB6-D 13S 1830] mutation in connexin 30. The 35delG mutation was assessed in parents and siblings in order to detect carriers. 35delG mutation accounts for 18% of ARNSHL in eastern Azerbaijan which is various to other published studies from different regions of Iran. The absence of del [GJB6-D13S1830] mutation in the patients may be due to the founder effect

[ effect of oral Vitamin E on renal anemia in chronic hemodialysis children]

Renal anemia is one of the most frequently observed complications in patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis [HD]. Reduced red blood cell survival due to oxidative damage is one of causes of anemia in these patients. Vitamin E [alpha - tocopherol] is a natural biological antioxidant, which protects red cells from these effects of reactive oxygen metabolites and could be useful as a collateral therapy for anemia in HD patients. The aim of the present study was to investigate the potential beneficial effect of anti oxidant vitamin E supplementation [oral] on renal anemia and to find out whether this improvement mechanism is attributable to the enhanced hematopoietic function or to prolonged RBC life. This clinical trial study included [8 cases with mean age 14 +/- 2.9 years and 7 controls with mean age 14 +/- 2.7 years] stable children on chronic hemodialysis, at hemodialysis center in Sheikh Children Hospital - Mashhad. At the time of entry, there was no evidence of iron deficiency or history of blood transfusion. All of children [case and control] received subcutaneous erythropoietin [EPO] 120 +/- 80 u/kg/BW/week, Folic acid 1 mg/day and Iron 1-2 mg/kg/day. Oral vitamin E 200 u/day for 3 months was prescribed to cases only. Laboratory parameters determined at the beginning of the study were: Iron, Ferritin, Transferrin, Total Iron binding capacity, Hemoglobin [Hb], Hematocrit, Reticulocyte count and peripheral blood smear. Hb and HCT were checked every month during the study and the results were compared to those obtained earlier. Prescription of oral vitamin E for 3 months resulted in significantly higher levels of Hb and Hct in cases compared to those in controls [11.4 +/- 1.7 vs. 10.1 +/- 1.9 Hb and 35.3 +/- 5 vs. 31.3 +/- 6 Htc, P< 0.05]. Antioxidant vitamin E supplementation improves renal anemia by decrease of oxidative stress and RBC life span in hemodialysis patients

Childhood vulvovaginitis

The aim of this study was to evaluate clinical findings, microscopic examination and culture of vaginal secretions, and response to treatment in prepubertal girls with vulvovaginitis. We studied prospectively over a period of about 6 years in a clinic for pediatric kidney and urinary tract diseases, 171 girls aged 2.5 -8 years with urogenital symptoms. Dysuria, erythema, itching, soreness, and vaginal discharge were frequently observed genital symptoms and signs. Pathogenic bacteria were isolated in 27% of cases, Streptococcus pyogenes being a common agent. Nonpathogenic enteric flora was isolated in about 43%. There was no growth of bacteria in 30%. Poor hygiene was an associated factor in those with nonpathogenic positive culture [p = 0.001]. Purulent vaginal discharge occurred more in cases with vulvovaginal pathogenic infection than in those with negative culture, and this difference was statistically significant [P<0.001]. Also there was significant difference in WBC count in vaginal smears of patients with pathogenic bacteria and of those who had no growth of pathogens [p<0.001]. Candida and sexually transmitted agents were not found in any of the girls. Labial fusion was not an uncommon abnormality. Simple measures to improve hygiene and use of local estrogen were effective in the patients with nonpathogenic and nonspecific etiology. Physical examination of genital area should be done in all girls with genitourinary symptoms. Antibiotic should be prescribed based on bacteriologic culture of vaginal secretion. Appropriate hygienic practices and local estrogen application is the most effective therapy in children with noninfectious vulvovaginitis

Evaluation of vulvovaginitis in prepubertal girls referred to pediatric neophrology clinic

The aim of this study is evaluation of clinical findings, microscopic examination and culture of vaginal secretions, and response to treatment in prepubertal girls with vulvovaginitis. Over a period of about 5 years in a clinic for pediatric kidney and urinary tract disease 157 girls aged 2.5 8 years with urogenital symptoms were studied prospectively. Dysuria, erythema, itching, soreness, and vaginal discharge were genital symptoms and signs. Pathogenic bacteria were isolated in 27% of cases and streptococcus pyogenes was a common agent. Nonpathogenic enteric flora was isolated in about 43%. There was no growth of bacteria in 30%. Poor hygiene was an associated risk factor in those with nonpathogenic positive culture [p=0.001]. There was statistically significant difference of purulent vaginal discharge between cases with vulvovaginal pathogenic infection and those with negative culture [P<0.001]. Also there was significant difference of observing WBC in vaginal smears between those with pathogenic bacteria and patients who had no growth of pathogens [P<0.001]. Candida and sexually transmitted agents were not found in any of the girls. Labial fusion was not an uncommon abnormality. Simple measures to improve hygiene and use of local estrogen were effective in the patients with nonpathogenic and nonspecific etiology. Physical examination of genital area should be done in all girls with genitourinary symptoms. Antibiotics should be prescribed based on bacteriologic culture of vaginal secretion. Advice about hygiene practices and local estrogen is the most effective policy in children with noninfectious vulvovaginitis. Anti fungal creams usually have not place in the initial management of childhood vulvovaginitis. The possibility of sexual abuse or foreign body in vagina must be considered particularly if the vulvovaginitis is persistent or recurrent after adequate treatment, but our data indicate they are not contributory factors