2023 Impact Factor: 1.3
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pISSN: 2251-6085
eISSN: 2251-6093
Chairman & Editor-in-Chief:
Dariush D. Farhud, MD, Ph.D., MG.
This journal is a member of, and subscribes to the principles of, the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). 
Vol 36 No 2 (2007)
Articles
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Background: Surveillance of the canine reservoir is highly important to help control of visceral leishmaniasis in human. It is therefore imperative to improve and develop new tools reliable, easy to use, and cheap for the diagnosis of canine leishmani¬asis. K39 sub recombinant antigen of Leishmania infantum was expressed in prokaryotic system and evaluated for sero-diagnosis of canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL). Methods: The gene fragment encoding a single 39-amino acid subunit of the kinesin-related protein k39 (k39sub) was ampli¬fied from DNA of Iranian strain of L. infantum (MCAN/IR/96/LON49) and cloned into a pMAL-p2 expres¬sion vector in frame with maltose-binding protein (MBP) fusion. The antigenic properties of L. infantum recombinant K39 sub¬unit (39 amino acids) have been tested for the serological diagnosis of CVL by ELISA. K39sub ELISA for CVL was com¬pared with a standard direct agglutination test (DAT) on 55 clinically infected dogs and 71 healthy controls from en¬demic areas of Ardabil and East Azerbaijan provinces, north-west of Iran. Results: A sensitivity of 72.7% and specificity of 87.3% were found at a 1:320 cut off titer when DAT confirmed cases were compared with healthy control. A good concordance was found between k39sub ELISA and DAT (k= 81.0). Conclusion: Given the antigenic properties shown by the k39sub, we think this protein carry immunodominant epitopes and are valuable for the sero- diagnosis of L. infantum infection in dogs.
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Bacground: The aim of this study was to determine the status of the cutaneous leishmaniasis in some nonendemic quarters in the city of Isfahan, Isfahan Province, central Iran. Methods: A total of 16380 primary school students aged 6-17 years old and a total population of 2892 persons in 700 households in four nonendemic quarters were questioned and examined for the presence of ulcer or scar. Sand flies were collected using sticky paper traps. Results: A rate of 4.18% for scars and 0.3% for active lesions in the primary school children were showed. The households showed a prevalence of 11.3% for scars and 0.5% for ulcers. Two thousand and seventy four sand flies were collected and 10 species were identified. The most common sand fly species in indoor and outdoor resting places was P.sergenti. Conlusion: The present investigation revealed that Anthroponotic Cutaneous Leishmaniasis is in an epidemic status in these quarters. Human is considered the main reservoir and transmission is believed to be from human to human by P.sergenti.
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Background: Irradiation of water by UV has been considered as an attractive alternative for disinfection because its low- im¬pact, pathogen killing capacity shows tremendous promise for meeting today’s drinking water regulatory requirements. This study has been performed with the objective of utilizing medium pressure lamp in the preliminary stage of municipal wa¬ter treatment, namely prior to water clarification and filtration. Methods: Raw water samples were irradiated for 30 s in a lab-scale closed reactor. Disinfection results showed nearly 2 log reduc¬tion in HPC for all the samples without formation of nitrite in excess of its MCL. As in a few previous works the forma¬tion of nitrite as an objectionable DBP had been reported, this study was extended by preparing synthetic water sam¬ples having different amounts of nitrate and turbidities. Results: As far as the initial nitrate concentration dose not exceed 10 mg/L N-NO3, there would be no risk of nitrite increas¬ing in excess of the MCL. Conclusion: Meeting the goal of at least 90 % disinfection for water samples with turbidity levels of as high as 750 NTU is possi¬ble by utilizing medium- pressure UV lamp.
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Background: To determine the knowledge, attitude and preventive practice of women above 45 years old. Methods: A total of 770 households in Kerman (southern Iran) were selected for inclusion in the study using cluster sam¬pling from April through August 2005. The interview schedule consisted of 4 parts including questions about knowledge, atti¬tude and practice (KAP) and also demographic questions. The average score for KAP was 9.3 out of 21, 2.6 out of 5 and 1.5 out of 6, respectively. Results: Adequate osteoprotective exercise and sufficient calcium intake were found in 3.8% and 5.5% of subjects, respec¬tively. A significant relationship between the score of preventive practice and all the following parameters was found: level of education, hearing about osteoporosis, knowledge score, perceived barrier to preventive actions and perceived serious¬ness of osteoporosis. Conclusion: Considering the Iranian women’s inaccurate or insufficient knowledge and their negative attitude to the preven¬tive actions and their weak practice in case of prevention, it is the responsibility of health policymakers and medi¬cal associations to plan for osteoporosis education and prevention initiatives.
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Background: Elongation factor-1, a conserved nuclear protein coding gene was used to identify Iranian sandfly species. The phlebotomine sandfies are the vectors of the parasitic protozoan Leishmania, the causative agents of leishmaniasis, in Iran. Methods: Seven sets of primers were tried. PCR amplification of elongation factor-1 was successfully achieved for all 14 species of Iranian sandflies that we caught, but different primers had to be used. Results: The aligned DNA sequences of 454 bp (without primers) of the gene had the most similarity to a coding region of the elongation factor-1 genes of D. melanogaster, as identified by a BLAST search of GenBank. Each Iranian species, except Phlebotomus caucasicus and P. mongolensis, had a unique combination of nucleotides, i.e. each had a diagnostic sequence. There were no diagnostic sequences for different geographical populations of the species in Iran. We found only a single copy of Ef-1 gene in most individual sandflies. However EF-1 gene was successfully amplified by PCR but, unfortunately, phylogenetic analysis showed that it might be multicopy in sandflies and so the markers could not be trusted. Conclusion: More highly polymorphic nuclear loci, like microsatellites, might be needed to distinguish morphologically indistinguishable females of the subgenus Paraphlebotomus, e.g. P. caucasiscus from P. mongolensis, in order to resolve their roles as vectors of Leishmania species in gerbils.
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Background: Typhoid fever is still one of the serious public health problems in many geographic areas and is endemic in most countries. Aim of current study was to evaluate a shortened time –Multiplex PCR for rapid detection of different Sal¬monella enterica serovars. Methods: The PCR primers for three target genes tyv, prt and invA were subjected for amplification by PCR. By using sim¬ple DNA extraction method, rapid PCR cycles and rapid electrophoresis procedure with simple and very cheap buffer were utilized in 200 to 300 volts for 15 minutes to separate the PCR products. Results: The results showed that all reference and clinical isolates of S. enterica were accurately identified by this as¬say with no cross reaction with other enterobacterial strains tested. Detection limit of the reaction was to be fewer than 10-1 colony forming unit. Conclusion: These data indicate that the optimized rapid cycle multiplex PCR is a potentially valuable tool for rapid diagno¬sis of S. enterica using a conventional thermal cycler. This method reduced the reaction time of PCR from 3.5 h to less than 1 h.
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Background: Major -thalassemia is the most common monogenic known disorder in Iran and about 15000 persons are af¬fected. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of orofacial complications. Methods: In this cross-sectional study during 2003-2004, 300 patients with major -thalassemia referring to 8 hospitals for routine examinations, blood infusion and treatment in cities of Tehran, Isfahan, Sari, Zahedan, Shahre Kord and Sanan¬dag were studied. The questionnaires included general information, medical and dental history. Results: The prevalence of orofacial complications in major -thalassemia was: saddle nose (67%), maxillary protrusion (49/7%), color change of oral mucousa (41/7%), rodent face (34/7%), deep bite (21/7%), spacing (20/7%), and open bite (8/7%), respectively. There was not any relationship between the complications and sex. Most of the patients (91%) were in the first and second decade of life. Early diagnosis and blood infusion caused less prevalence of rodent face. The most ob¬served type of occlusion was class 1, 2 and 3, respectively. Conclusion: Knowing the prevalence of complication can help the dentists to do properly for these patients to solve their prob¬lems and improve knowledge of the parents about their children’s dental health.
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Background: The present study was undertaken to investigate the correlation of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) expression with grade of Transitional Cell Carcinoma (TCC). Methods: Tumor samples of 75 patients from Mostafa Khomaini Hospital with Transitional Cell Carcinoma of the bladder were analyzed by immunohistochemistry for expression of EGFR. In this context, we assigned the bladder tumors a grade accord¬ing WHO classification. Results analyzed for possible correlation with the expression status of the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR). Results: This cross-sectional study showed that all grades of Transitional Cell Carcinoma expressed EGFR, and 14 cases were LMP (18.9%) which 10 cases among them had negative cells according EGFR point of view(71.4%) and 4 cases had re¬ported positive (28.6%). Thirty five cases were low grade (46.7%) which 18 cases among them had reported negative cells (51.4%) and 17 cases had positive cells (48.6%). Twenty six cases were high grade (34.7%) that 9 cases among them had reported negative cells (34.6%). Seventeen cases had positive cells (65.4%). Mann-Witney test showed relation between grade and expression of EGFR (P<0.05). Conclusions: This study showed that expression of EGFR is correlated with grade of tumor.
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Background: The aim of this study was to detect Chlamydia trachomatis, Mycoplasma hominis and Ureaplasma urealyti¬cum from semen samples of infertile men by Multiplex PCR and investigation of influence of bacteriospermia on semen parame¬ters. Methods: Semen samples of 200 infertile men were evaluated by Multiplex PCR. In addition, analysis of semen parameters was performed according to the WHO guidelines. Results: All the patients were without clinical symptoms of urogenital tract infection. Thirty three percent of cases showed at least one bacterium. We found a noticeable relation between the presence of bacteriospermia and the rate of non motile and morphologically abnormal sperms (P< 0.0001). In addition, sperm concentration was lower in positive cases (P< 0.04). There was no relation between leukocytospermia and bacteriospermia (P> 0.05). Conclusion: Asymptomatic existence of Chlamydia and Mycoplasmas in urogenital tracts might play an important role in sperm impairment due to infertility. Bacteriospermia can influence sperm's motility, morphology and concentration.
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Background: To assess the effect of supplementation with vitamins A, E and C and ω-3 fatty acids on lipid peroxidation in strepto¬zotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats. Methods: Sixty four male wistar rats weighting 250g were divided into four groups as normal control, diabetic control, dia¬betic with vitamin A, E as well as C supplementation and diabetic with ω-3 fatty acids supplementation. After four weeks of treat¬ment the rats were anesthetized and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were investigated in blood samples, liver and heart ho¬mogenate. Results: In diabetic rats MDA level in plasma, liver and heart was significantly more elevated than normal control rats (P< 0.05). Vitamin A, E and C supplementation caused significant decrease in plasma, liver and heart MDA (P< 0.05). A signifi¬cant decrease in heart MDA (P< 0.05) was observed in diabetic rats with ω-3 fatty acids supplementation. Conclusion: Supplementation of vitamin A, E and C and ω-3 fatty acids was found to decrease lipid peroxidation to some ex¬tent in diabetic rats and they can be valuable candidates in the treatment of the complications of diabetes.
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Background: There is little information about the prevalence and risk factors for Neisseria gonorrhoeae in Iran. The pur¬pose of this study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors of gonococcal infection in women in Babol, North of Iran. Methods: Five hundred- fifty married women, who were younger than 45 years, were assessed of aspects of hidden and obvi¬ous gonococcal infection. A sample of endocervix was obtained for gram stain and culture for gonorrhoeae in chocolate agar medium. Socio-demographic, behavioral and clinical variables also were recorded. Results: The mean age of these women was 32.3± 6.6 yr old (range 17 to 45 yr). The prevalence of N. gonorrhoeae (NG), Chlamy¬dia trachomatis, and Trichomonas vaginalis was 0.2%, 11.6%, and 4%, respectively. The case of NG was asympto¬matic and did not have any risk factors for this infection. Conclusion: The results of this study show that the prevalence of this infection in this region is relatively low.
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Background: Diabetes mellitus) type 2) is an important health problem throughout the world. This study aimed at evaluat¬ing the effect of a designed educational program on the lifestyle of the patients suffering from type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods: Ninety eligible diabetic patients aged 30-60 years old were recruited and then willingly assigned to two groups of clinic group (n= 45) who received only routine medication/ education underwent their leading physician in diabetes soci¬ety and intervention group (n= 45) who received routine medication/education plus 2 two- hour educational sessions regard¬ing healthy lifestyle to control and prevent diabetes. A five- part questionnaire was used for data collection at baseline and 1- month follow up. Collected data were analyzed by SPSS software. Results: The educational program caused a significant increase in the knowledge (P< 0.001), attitude (P< 0.01) and practice (P< 0.01) of intervention group towards healthy behaviors regarding nutrition, physi¬cal activity and self care. Conclusion: It was concluded that our designed educational program could improve the lifestyle of the patients suffering from type 2 diabetes mellitus.
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Background: Nickel is an important constituents widely used in different industrial processes for production of various syn¬thetic materials. For evaluation of workers’ exposure to trace toxic metal of Ni (II), environmental and biological monitor¬ing are essential processes, in which, preparation of samples is one of the most time-consuming and error-prone as¬pects prior to analysis.
Methods: To evaluate factors influencing quantitative analysis scheme of nickel, solid phase extraction using mini columns filled with XAD-2 resin was optimized with regard to sample pH, ligand concentration, loading flow rate, elution solvent, sam¬ple volume (up to 500 ml), elution volume, amount of resins, and sample matrix interferences. Nickel ion was retained on solid sorbent and was eluted with followed by simple determination of analytes by using flame atomic absorption spectrome¬tery.
Results: Obtained recoveries of metal ion were more than 92%. The amount of the analyte detected after simultaneous pre-concen¬tration was basically in agreement with the added amounts. The optimized procedure was also validated with three differ¬ent pools of spiked urine samples and showed a good reproducibility over six consecutive days as well as six within-day experiments. The developed method promised to be applicable for evaluation of other metal ions present in different environ¬mental and occupational samples as suitable results were obtained for relative standard deviation (less than 10%).
Conclusion: This optimized method can be considered to be successful in simplifying sample preparation for trace residue analy¬sis of Ni in different matrices for evaluation of both occupational and environmental exposures. -
Background: Nowadays there is a strong tendency for early bathing of healthy newborns but little is known about the ther¬mal stability of newborns in response to early bathing. The aim of this study was to compare the thermal effect of bathing on healthy newborn within 1-2 h of life versus 4-6 h after birth. Methods: In this randomized comparative study 100 healthy newborns in a newborn nursery of a charity hospital in Tehran were studied. The inclusion criteria were: healthy term (≥ 37 wk) newborn over 2500 grams with rectal temperature > 36.5 °C , apgar score > 7 in 1 and 5 min after birth and lack of manifestations of any diseases like sepsis or respiratory distress syn¬drome .The exclusion criteria were the history of recent fever, leukocytosis , urinary tract infections and using medi¬cines in their mothers. In the experimental group, 50 newborns were bathed within the first 1-2 h of birth; those in control group were bathed at the 4-6 h of age. Rectal temperatures were measured in four different times: before bathing and immedi¬ately as well as 30 and 60 min after bathing. Results: Rectal temperatures as measured at four different times did not differ significantly between infants bathed within 1-2 h of birth and those bathed 4-6 h after birth .There were no significant differences between the groups in types of gen¬der, birth weight, gestational age, parity, delivery route, interval time between rupture of membranes and delivery, apgar scores at 1 and 5 min of age. Conclusions: Healthy full term newborns with rectal temperature > 36.5 °C can be bathed within 1-2 h of birth without any risk of hypothermia.
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Background: The aim of this study was to determine the Th1 and Th2 serum cytokines, in patients with psoriasis and to com¬pare their cytokine levels with those of normal control subjects. Methods: Serum levels of Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), Interleukin-2 (IL-2), Interleukin-4 (IL-4), and Interleukin-10 (IL-10) were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay in 40 patients with psoriasis and in 40 normal controls. Results: Compared with control subjects, patients with psoriasis had elevated levels of IFN-γ and IL-2 (P<0.001). In addi¬tion a positive correlation was found between the levels of IFN-γ, IL-2 and disease severity. Conclusion: Th1 secreting inflammatory cytokines may contribute to the pathogenesis of psoriasis.
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Background: Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic immunologic disease. The etiology of OLP is unknown, viral antigens (for example Epstein-Bar virus) have been proposed as etiologic agents. OLP may get transformation to malignancy so re¬search on the presence of EBV in OLP lesions seems to be necessary. The aim of this study was to ascertain if EBV acted as etiologic factor in pathogenesis of OLP. Methods: Tissue specimens of 22 patients with clinical diagnosis and histopathological confirmation of OLP were used as case group. And that of 22 persons without OLP served as control group. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) method was used. Each sample was tested twice. Results: All biopsy specimens from patients and controls were negative for EBV presence. Conclusions: In spite of the fact that the presence of EBV in OLP in these two small groups of Iranian population was not confirmed with PCR method, but due to different ideas and reports in this field, proving or disproving of presence or etio¬logical role of EBV in OLP is continuously a question and needs to be examined in further studies.
