Journal of Kerman University of Medical Sciences
Volume:22 Issue: 6, 2015

Probiotic bacteria have beneficial effects on host's health. However, one of the most important reasons which affect the probiotic activity of a microorganism is its survival during the gut transit. Microencapsulation techniques could be applied to bacteria to improve this parameter. In this study, feces of 60 healthy volunteers were analyzed during 28-day test period to assess changes of probiotic bacteria. Participants were divided into equal 4 groups; group 1 did not receive probiotic drinking yoghurt (control); group 2 received probiotic drinking yoghurt containing free Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium animalis, subspecies lactis; group 3 recieved the same strains microencapsulated with sodium alginate/resistant starch; and group 4 received probiotic drinking yoghurt containing microencapsulated probiotic bacteria with sodium alginate/chitosan. A significant increase was recorded in the population of lactobacilli and bifidobacteria in the feces of participant in three groups at the end of the treatment compared with control group (P < 0.05 for all), confirming the ability of the 2 strains to colonize the human gut, either in a gastroprotected form or not. Participants treated with the microencapsulated bacteria reported more viability than those received not encapsulated strains. Feces of group 3 that received drinking yoghurt containing encapsulated probiotic bacteria with alginate/resistant starch had higher amount of probiotic bacterial populations, 1.3 ± 0.26 × 107 and 2.4 ± 0.37 × 109 cfu/g Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium animalis subs lactis, respectively. Consumption of the drinking yoghurts containing probiotic bacteria increased the Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium animalis, subspecies lactis, contents of the feces and encapsulation process improved stability of probiotic bacteria.

Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate, intracellular parasite, which is widely spread in the world. The parasite is able to infect all warm-blooded hosts including humans and farm animals. The infection in humans often occurs after the ingestion of raw or undercooked meat containing tissue cysts. Several methods have been applied to detect this parasite in contaminated foods. Recombinant antibodies are new generation of monoclonal antibodies, which are isolated via phage display technology from immune or non-immune phage libraries against target antigens. These antibodies are used for diagnosis of many different antigens and therapeutics proposes. The object of the present study was to isolate recombinant monoclonal antibodies against this important parasite. The purified Toxoplasma gondii surface antigen, P30, was coated to immunotubes and used as a target for selection of antibodies from the Tomlinson I and J phage display libraries of single-chain fragment variable (scFv) antibodies. Clones that were able to recognize antigen were isolated in three rounds of binding, elution and amplification. The specificity of scFv antibodies chosen from the resulting panel, were confirmed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), dot blotting and western blotting methods. Recombinant antibodies capable of recognizing P30 antigen were isolated with high affinity; and their specificity was approved. Isolated soluble single chain antibodies are good candidates to apply as monoclonal recombinant antibodies in diagnostic kits for detection of Toxoplasma gondii in contaminated samples.

Sea urchin immune responses are directly exposed to potentially pathogenic microorganisms and develop defence responses mainly based on immunocytes and humoral factors contained in the coelomic fluid. In addition, the polyhydroxylated 1, 4-naphthoquinone pigments are found to possess excellent antimicrobial, antialgal and antioxidant activities. The present research aimed to study the bioactive potentials (antioxidant, antibacterial and cytotoxic) of coelomic fluid and pigments shells and spines of sea urchin, Echinodermata mathaei species.

The coelomic fluid and pigments shell and spine of sea urchin were isolated using buffered mode and hydrogen chloride (HCl), respectively. Then, antioxidant [reducing power, DPPH radical (1, 1-diphenyl 2-picryhydrazyl) scavenging, and total antioxidant capacity), antibacterial (minimum inhibitory concentration or MIC) and cytotoxic potentials were evaluated.

The free cells of the coelomic fluid had the highest activity in the all antioxidant methods, and the coelomocyte lysate had the highest antibacterial activity. All the differences were significant at the level of P < 0.05.

The result of this research indicated that coelomic fluid and pigments shell and spine of sea urchin, Echinodermata mathaei species, have potent antioxidant activity and the ability for scavenging cytotoxic effects. This suggests that sea urchin shells and spines, most of which are discarded as waste after removal of gonads, would be a new bioresource for natural antioxidants.

The inappropriate use of antibiotics has led to antibiotic resistance in microorganisms of Enterobacteriaceae family, especially in carbapenems. The aim of this study was to identify the carbapenemase producing Citrobacter frundii and Citrobacter koseri isolated from clinical specimens. One hundred Citrobacter isolates from various patient samples in Imam Reza Hospital, Kermanshah, Iran, were identified using the microbiologic differential tests and API-E20 Kit. After antibiotic susceptibility testing with disc, the isolates resisted to carbapenems were screened using MHT (Modified Hodge Test) for the presence of carbapenemases. Then, carbapenemase genes coded Verona integrin-encoded metallo-beta-lactamase (VIM), Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC), Imipenemase (IMP), New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase-1 (NDM) were tested using specific primers via polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. From 100 isolates, 11 cases were carbapenem resistant. In the phenotypic screening test, 2 isolates were positive. PCR on isolates resistant to carbapenams confirmed VIM gene in 5 isolates: 3 (3.9%) of Citrobacter frundii and 2 (15.4%) of Citrobacter koseri. But the genes of blaKPC, blaVIM, blaIMP and blaNDM were not found in isolates. The highest and lowest antibiotic susceptibility were for meropenem (93%) and cefazolin (1%), respectively. It seems that the prevalence of carbapenemase genes in Citrobacter kosari and Citrobacter frundii was low in Kermanshah; however, VIM gene in these two species is probably more prevalent. This may suggest that most genes have not been high prevalent in this area yet. But, there may be other genes for resistance to carbapenems in our area which need further investigations. The results indicate that carbapenems are still effective antibiotics against Citrobacter species.

Detection of maternal risk factors associated with neonatal mortality helps to identify high-risk infants and prevent neonatal death. It can also contribute to the design more effective prenatal care. This study was performed aiming to evaluate the maternal risk factors associated with mortality in preterm infants in Mashhad Ghaem Hospital, Iran, during 2009-2014.

This cross-sectional study was performed on 335 dead infants (23 to 40 weeks of gestation). The infants were divided into two groups, according to the history of maternal risk factors: 185 cases (55.20%) with a previous history of normal pregnancy and 150 infants (44.80%) with a history of maternal risk factors. The researcher-made questionnaire containing maternal information, neonatal characteristics, and maternal risk factors was completed. The causes of infant's death were confirmed by the hospital mortality technical committee. Data were analyzed using t and chi-square test via SPSS19.5 software. P-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

There was a statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of age, weight, height, head circumference, length of hospital stay, being a twin, gestational age, maternal age, and mode of delivery (P < 0.05 for all). There was history of maternal risk factors in 45% of cases. The most common maternal disease was preeclampsia (14%). Asphyxia in infants with previous history of maternal risk factors, and congenital anomalies in infants with normal pregnancy, were the most common causes of death.

As the results indicated, maternal risk factors including preeclampsia, diabetes and placental abruption were involved in neonatal mortality. Maternal risk factors were identified in about half of the infants, who had died within the first week after the birth. Therefore, when these factors are identified during pregnancy, caring of infants during the first week after delivery is recommended.

Maternal mortality is a tragedy which threatens human life. It is an indicator of women?s health and development of society as well. Therefore, prevention of maternal deaths is one of the main goals in many countries, including Iran. The aim of this study was to review and analyze the recorded data on maternal mortality in the country, in order to improve the management of maternal mortality. In this ecological study, the data related to the maternal mortality during the years 2007-2010 were obtained from the Health unit at the Iranian Ministry of Health and Medical Education. Data were analyzed according to the number of births during the studied period and the country indices using univariate and multivariate analysis methodologies. The maternal mortality ratio (MMR) in the studied years was calculated by 22.3 per 100,000 of live births which showed the average reduction of 0.41 in every 100,000 births annually in the whole country. The highest value was reported in Sistan and Baluchistan province (48.6) and the lowest in Cheharmehal and Bakhtyari province (9.6). In Iran, the maternal mortality was relatively high in the age groups under the 15 (50.2 in every 100,000 child births) and over the 35 years (61.3 in every 100000 child births). The analysis related to the different provinces indicated that there was a significant reverse relationship between the maternal mortality ratio and variables of net attendance of girls in secondary schools, men and women literacy, access to improved water and sanitation, as well as antenatal and delivery care. Likewise, there was a significant positive relationship between the maternal mortality ratio and births in the house assisted by unskilled health personnel. This study showed the association between the health and social variables with maternal mortality ratio in Iran at an ecologic level. In order to reduce maternal mortality, more efforts seem to be essential to develop the various provinces, particularly poor areas.

Today, an important challenge of the Blood Transfusion Organization is the preparation, distribution, and monitoring of the appropriate use of blood and blood products. Therefore, estimation of the prevalence of transfusion transmitted infections (TTIs) and efficiency of appropriate screening methods is essential. The purpose of the present study was the determination of the prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV+), hepatitis B virus (HBs+), and hepatitis C virus (HCV+) infections and the efficiency of screening methods.

This retrospective, cross-sectional study was performed during the years 2009 to 2013 (a 5-year period). Tests were performed on blood samples in terms of HIV, HBV, and HCV infections. Information on the individuals with positive test results was extracted from Blood Transfusion Organization of Kerman Province, Iran. Then, data (demographic and infections) analysis was conducted using SPSS software and chi-square test.

Among the 360,722 donors to the Blood Transfusion Organization of Kerman Province within the 5-year period, 1140 patients were found to be HIV, HBs, and HCV positive. Considering the 95% confidence interval, the prevalence of HIV+, HBs+, and HCV+ were 0.003, 0.200, and 0.080 percent, respectively. In this study, the highest incidence was observed in patients older than 35 years (51.1%), married patients (78.2%), men (92.1%), patients without a diploma (47.5%), and first-time donors (93.5%).

The overall prevalence of TTIs among blood donors of Kerman Province was 0.3%. This indicates that the prevalence of TTIs is very low which highlights accurate screening before donation. It should also be noted that advanced and up to date tests based on the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines also play a pivotal role in this regard. Finally, the healthiest people in terms of donating healthy blood were regular donors with a prevalence of 2.3%.

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) can be affected by different emotional, cognitive, and natural factors. The purpose of this study was to predict GAD based on emotion regulation deficits, thought-action fusion, and behavioral inhibition. This was a correlational study. The study sample was comprised of 135 patients with GAD selected from among patients who were referred to psychiatric clinics and centers in Tabriz, Iran, using convenient sampling method. The data collection tool consisted of cognitive emotion regulation questionnaire (CERQ), thought fusion instrument (TFI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BDI), retrospective and adults measures of behavioral inhibition (RMBI, AMBI), and the 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20). Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficient and stepwise multiple regression analysis method. Difficulty in describing and identifying emotions, maladaptive emotion regulation strategies, thought-action fusion, and childhood behavioral inhibition had significant relationships with GAD (P < 0.010). Moreover, stepwise regression analysis showed that difficulty in identifying emotions, maladaptive emotion regulation, thought-action fusion, and childhood behavioral inhibition were the best predictors for GAD, respectively. Considering the role of emotion regulation deficits, thought-action fusion, and childhood behavioral inhibition in GAD, these variables must be taken into account in the prevention and treatment programs for GAD.

There is a high prevalence of burnout in modern societies and it encompasses all aspects of life. Thus, this study investigated the effects of personality dimensions and attribution styles variables on the dependent variable of job burnout with the mediating role of resiliency in surgeons in Kerman, Iran. The target population consisted of 127 surgeons of whom 90 surgeons were selected through census random technique and were interviewed. Data collection tools included the NEO personality dimensions with 60 items, Seligman Adult Attributional Styles with 48 items, Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale with 20 items, and Maslach Burnout Inventory with 26 items. Finding of path modeling showed that the conceptual model of the study had a suitable fit. Thus, optimistic attribution style had a significant direct positive effect on resiliency. In addition, pessimistic attribution style had a significant direct negative effect on resiliency. Resiliency had a significant direct positive effect on the frequency of personal inadequacy. Moreover, optimistic and pessimistic attribution styles had a significant indirect positive effect on the frequency of personal inadequacy through the mediating role of resiliency. Optimistic and pessimistic attribution styles were recognized as the most important variable predicting the frequency of personal inadequacy of surgeons through the variable of resiliency.

The purpose of this study was investigating the relationship of sensation seeking and self-regulation in delinquent and normal adolescent boys. In this descriptive-correlation study, 80 delinquent adolescent boys who were habitant in Mashhad Training and Improvement Association, Mashhad, Iran, were selected via random simple sampling method; and 80 normal male students of Mashhad high schools were selected using cluster sampling method. Self-regulation questionnaire (SRQ) and Alizadeh sensation seeking index (ASSI) were completed by each of them. ANOVA and t tests were used to analyze the data. There was a significant negative correlation between the self-regulation and the sensation seeking in both groups. In addition, the implementation component in the criminal group, and the measurement component in the normal group showed significant reverse correlation with sensation seeking. Self-regulation could be used as a factor for controlling or changing sensation seeking in delinquent adolescent boys.

The orbital cavity is an important anatomic structure in the face. It is in close connection with the skull, paranasal sinuses, and the nose. Precise knowledge of the orbital cavity dimensions can be helpful in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases associated with the orbital cavity. Due to the lack of adequate research on orbital size in Iran and the city of Kerman, the aim of this study was to evaluate the proportions of the orbital fossa of women and men in Kerman.

In the present study, a sliding caliper and a compassed caliper were used for the measurement of variables. The variables included orbital width, orbital height, and inter-orbital distance. The variables were measured in 2000 subjects in the age range of 20-30 years.

The mean orbital height and width in men was 35.8 and 41.6 mm, respectively. The mean orbital height and width in women were 23 mm and 33.1 mm, respectively. In addition, the mean inter-orbital distance in men and women was 31.9 mm and 24.1 mm, respectively.

In this study, the statistical analysis of the variables showed no significant difference in orbital height, width and inter-orbital distance between men and women.