Using intervention mapping approach to finding socio-cognitive determinants of diabetes preventive behaviors.

INTRODUCTION: Diabetes is one of the most common chronic illnesses with complications. The objective of this study was to determine socio-cognitive determinants of diabetes preventive behaviors among sample of at risk group based on intervention mapping approach (IM) in Kermanshah, the west of Iran. METHODS: This cross-sectional study conducted among a total of 200 male and female aged more than 30 years old referred to health centers that randomly selected to participate voluntarily, during 2018. Participants filled out a self-report questionnaire. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 16 using bivariate correlations and linear regression at 95% significant level. RESULTS: The mean age of respondents was 38.4 years [95% CI: 37.3, 39.4], ranged from 30 to 56 years. Socio-cognitive determinants were accounted for 40% of the variation in diabetes prevention behaviors F = 35.559, P < 0.001. As well as, perceived self-efficacy, perceived severity, and perceived barrier were the most influential predictors on diabetes preventive behaviors. CONCLUSIONS: It seems that planning health promotion programs to reduce barrier to perform diabetes preventive behaviors and increase confidence towards ability to perform preventive behaviors, and seriousness about sides effect of diabetes may be usefulness of the results in order to promotion of diabetes preventive behaviors among at risk group.

The prevalence rate of Porphyromonas gingivalis and its association with cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

It seems that Porphyromanas gingivalis is carcinogenic, because it activates a number of inflammatory immune responses in the host and causes disorders in bacterial clearance mechanisms. There is little information on the prevalence of this bacterium in cancer patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the prevalence of P. gingivalis in cancer patients by meta-analysis methods.Different databases including PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, Scopus, and ISI web of Knowledge were investigated and eight relevant articles published in 2000-2013 were finally analyzed. Data were analyzed by meta-analysis method, fixed effect model. I² statistics were calculated to examine the heterogeneity of papers. The information was analyzed by R and STATA Ver 12.2.A total of 711 people infected with P. gingivalis were included in this study. In total, the prevalence of P. gingivalis was 40.7% (95% CI, 19.3-62.1). The prevalence of P. gingivalis was evaluated in four case-control studies. The results of this study showed that P. gingivalis increased the chance of cancer development and periodontal disease as much as 1.36 times (OR, 1.36; 95%CI, 0.47-3.97).Although there was no significant correlation between P. gingivalis and cancer, this bacterium increased the chance of cancer and periodontal disease and could be considered as a main potential risk factor.

Development of two salmonella-based oral vaccines against human respiratory syncytial virus.

Human respiratory syncytial virus is the most common cause of bronchiolitis and other respiratory infections in infants and the elderly worldwide. We have developed two new oral vaccines using Salmonella typhi TY21a to carry and express the immunogenic epitopes of RSV fusion (F) and attachment (G) glycoproteins on its surface, separately. To evaluate the efficacy of the designed vaccines, BALB/c mice were orally immunized and then infected with RSV. Immune response analyses showed that cellmediated, mucosal and humoral immunity in the vaccinated mice were significantly enhanced compared to the control group. Both vaccines generated a balanced Th1/Th2 immune response which is crucial for efficiency of vaccines against RSV. Furthermore, histopathological examination proved that these vaccines were safe as they did not cause any Th2-associated adverse effects in the lungs of RSV-infected mice. The findings of this research suggest that Salmonella-F and Salmonella-G vaccine candidates may have strong potential to prevent RSV infection.

Unexpectedly high occurrence of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus isolates from raw milk in Ilam, Western Iran.

Raw milk contains diverse nutritional components that provide a suitable medium for spoilage and the growth of potentially pathogenic microorganisms. Unpasteurized milk consumption by a large number of people can threaten health and increase public concerns. In this study, sixty-two raw cow’s milk samples were collected from the dairy farms of Ilam, Western Iran. All samples were collected in sterilized containers and were transferred via ice boxes to the laboratory. Isolates were then identified by standard methods. Totally, 88.7% (n=55) of samples were contaminated. Our study also showed that Escherichia coli had a high prevalence among isolates (43: 69.4%), while Klebsiella pneumoniae and Klebsiella planticola showed the lowest prevalence (1: 1.6%). Staphylococcus aureus was also detected in 17.7% (n=11) of samples. The raw milk microbial contamination is complex. Some of the microorganisms threaten public health via different traits, therefore it is recommended that raw milk consumption should be avoided.

Frequency of bacteria causing urinary tract infections and their antimicrobial resistance patterns among pediatric patients in Western Iran from 2007-2009.

Urinary Tract infections ( UTIs) are among the most common infections in infants and neonates. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the frequency of bacteria causing UTI and their relevant drug resistance patterns among infants and neonates hospitalized in Ilam province, Western Iran during 2007-2009. A total of 220 cases of UTI were enrolled in this cross-sectional retrospective study. A standard checklist was used for demographic and clinical data to be collected from their health records. Data was then analyzed using SPSS version 16.0. More than two-thirds (64.8%) of the cases were female. E. coli (44.5%), Klebsiella spp., (18.6%), Enterobacter spp., (15%) and Staphylococcus spp. (12.7%) were the most common microorganisms isolated from UTIs, respectively. High rates of resistance to tetracycline, ampicillin, and nalidixic acid were observed among these isolates. Similar to other studies, E. coli was the most common bacteria causing UTI and showed a high rate of resistance against most of the antimicrobial agents. Determining the antimicrobial sensitivity can be helpful for physicians in choosing an appropriate treatment for patients suffering from UTI, and also to reduce the complications related to serious UTI.

Investigation of the relationship between illogical thoughts and dependence on others and marriage compatibility in the Iranian Veterans exposed to chemicals in Iran-Iraq War.

BACKGROUND: Marital satisfaction is one of the main determinants of a family's correct function. A large number of veterans have been reported to suffer from depression, anxiety, mood disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, and physical disorders. The objective of this study is to examine association between Illogical thoughts and Dependence on Others and Marriage Compatibility in the Iranian Veterans Exposed to Chemicals in Iran-Iraq War. METHODS: The present cross-sectional, analytical study was conducted on 200 veterans exposed to chemicals who were covered by the Foundation of Martyrs and Veterans Affairs, Gilangharb, Kermanshah, Iran. The study sample size was determined according to Krejcie and Morgan formula and the subjects were selected through random sampling. The study data were collected using marriage compatibility questionnaire, illogical thoughts questionnaire, and dependence on others questionnaire. The study data were analyzed using the SPSS statistical software (version18). Pearson correlation coefficient, multiple regression, and t-test were used in order to determine the relationships among the variables and compare the means. RESULTS: The findings of the current study revealed no significant relationship between dependence on others, anxious attention, helplessness, avoiding problems, perfectionism, and autonomy and marriage compatibility. However, a significant relationship was found between failure and marriage compatibility. DISCUSSION: Overall, the findings of the present study showed that the veterans of Gilangharb did not have disorders, but depended on others, particularly their spouses, due to their abnormal physical status. Sometimes, they cannot even do their personal tasks which results in their dependence on others eventually putting the veterans under pressure and stress.

Distribution of extended spectrum beta-lactamase resistance genes among nosocomial imipenem resistant A. Baumannii strains harboring BLAoxa-23 carbapenemases isolated from Ilam and Tehran.

Antimicrobial susceptibility and ESBLs genes of 42 imipenem resistant A. baumannii carried out by DDST and PCR. The most antimicrobial agents against A. baumannii strains, harboring blaOXA-23-like carbapenemases, were meropenem (33.4 percent), piperacillin-tazobactam (23.9 percent), ceftazidime (14.3 percent) and gatifoxacin (19.1 percent), respectively. All the 42 isolates harbored the blaTEM gene, but the bla SHV and VEB genes were not present among all the isolates. With the exception of seven isolates, all the A. baumannii strains harbor blaTEM showed ESBL positivity in DDST. The result of this study show that resistance against antimicrobial agents, especially carbapenems, has increased and that blaTEM harboring A. baumannii strains can be help the blaOXA-like carbapenemase genes to code for resistance against carbapenem antibiotics.

Dynamics of PEGylated-dextran-spermine nanoparticles for gene delivery to leukemic cells.

Leukemic cells are hard-to-transfect cell lines. Many transfection reagents which can provide high gene transfer efficiency in common adherent cell lines are not effective to transfect established blood cell lines or primary leukemic cells. This study aims to examine a new class of cationic polymer non-viral vector, PEGylated-dextran-spermine (PEG-D-SPM), to determine its ability to transfect the leukemic cells. Here, the optimal conditions of the complex preparation (PEG-D-SPM/plasmid DNA (pDNA)) were examined. Different weight-mixing (w/w) ratios of PEG-D-SPM/pDNA complex were prepared to obtain an ideal mixing ratio to protect encapsulated pDNA from DNase degradation and to determine the optimal transfection efficiency of the complex. Strong complexation between polymer and pDNA in agarose gel electrophoresis and protection of pDNA from DNase were detected at ratios from 25 to 15. Highest gene expression was detected at w/w ratio of 18 in HL60 and K562 cells. However, gene expression from both leukemic cell lines was lower than the control MCF-7 cells. The cytotoxicity of PEG-D-SPM/pDNA complex at the most optimal mixing ratios was tested in HL60 and K562 cells using MTS assay and the results showed that the PEG-D-SPM/pDNA complex had no cytotoxic effect on these cell lines. Spherical shape and nano-nature of PEG-D-SPM/pDNA complex at ratio 18 was observed using transmission electron microscopy. As PEG-D-SPM showed modest transfection efficiency in the leukemic cell lines, we conclude that further work is needed to improve the delivery efficiency of the PEG-D-SPM.

First detected human bocavirus in a Malaysian child with pneumonia and pre-existing asthma: a case report.

Human bocavirus (HBoV) is a newly discovered parvovirus associated with respiratory disease in children. There are many reports worldwide on the endemicity of this virus. Since it is relatively new, detection in clinical laboratories is not routinely performed. We describe the first detection of HBoV in Malaysia in a 13-month-old boy with pneumonia and underlying asthma. The infective agent was confirmed by molecular methods.

Glycosylation is not necessary for recognition of the fusion glycoprotein domain of the human respiratory syncytial virus by a polyclonal antibody.

Human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) is a leading pathogen causing lower respiratory tract infections in infants and young children worldwide. In line with the development of an effective vaccine against HRSV, a domain of the fusion (F) glycoprotein of HRSV was produced and its immunogenicity and antigenic properties, namely the effect of deficient glycosylation was examined. A His-tagged recombinant F (rF) protein was expressed in Escherichia coli, solubilized with 8 mol/l urea, purified by the Ni-NTA affinity chromatography and used for the raising of a polyclonal antibody in rabbits. The non-glycosylated rF protein proved to be a strong immunogen that induced a polyclonal antibody that was able to recognize also the glycosylated F1 subunit of native HRSV. The other way around, a polyclonal antibody prepared against the native HRSV was able to react with the rF protein. These results indicated that glycosylation was not necessary for the F domain aa 212-574 in order to be recognized by the specific polyclonal antibody.

Effect of organic acids on Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Staphylococcus aureus contaminated meat.

Appropriate and safe antibacterial agents able to decontaminate meat surfaces have long been big concern of meat industry. In an attempt to manage beef carcass contamination, spray wash treatments utilizing three concentrations (1, 1.5 and 2%) of acetic, lactic, propionic and formic acids were performed to evaluate their efficacy in reducing numbers of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Staphylococcus aureus on meat tissues. The procured beef pieces of freshly slaughtered animals were decontaminated with hot water and then inoculated with E. coli O157:H7 and S. aureus individually which then were spray washed with organic acids separately. The total plate count of the treated samples showed that the populations of bacteria decreased after being exposed to organic acids. Spray wash of formic acid resulted in the highest reduction of both bacterial species on meat surface. Significantly, higher log reductions were obtained for S. aureus than E. coli O157:H7. It was concluded that organic acids are highly effective in decontaminating meat surfaces and organic acids are shown to be safe, simple, efficient, and cheap modality of meat decontamination which can be highly recommended for industrial scales.

Antigen-specific lymphocyte proliferation assay and virus neutralization test for measurement of measles-specific immunity in 15-19 years old high school students in Tehran, Iran.

Limited information is available concerning the role of measles-specific cell mediated immunity as a correlate of long-term protection from measles infection. Although serological responses are determined in epidemiological studies and high antibody titer is a good indicator of protection, the role of Cell-Mediated Immunity (CMI) has to be defined more clearly. In this study, Lymphocyte Proliferation (LP) and Viral Neutralization Test (VNT) were used in order to measure measles-specific cellular and humoral immune responses of 100 high school students in Tehran. From total number of subjects studied, 33 were girls and 67 were boys and all were in good health. Of these, 77 had protective neutralizing measles antibody titers and 23 did not have such titer. The results of LP showed that 89 subjects had protective cellular immune responses and 11 did not. A quantitative relationship between humoral and cellular immune responses was not observed. These findings suggest that measles-specific protective CMI is measurable for longer time in comparison to humoral immunity. These data suggest that LP responses may be better sustained than antibody titers in some children.