Journal of Advanced Biomedical Sciences
Volume:2 Issue: 2, 2012

Host resistance to Leishmania infection is mediated by cellular immune responses leading to macrophage activation and parasite killing. IL-18 known as interferon-γ inducing factor, stimulate IFN-γ production by T-cells. According to the important role of IL-18 in defense against VL and known effect of IL-18 gene polymorphisms on its production, the aim of this study was to investigate the probable relation between IL-18 gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to VL in Iranian patients.

The study groups included 118 pediatric patients suffered from VL and 156 non-relative healthy persons from the same endemic area as the patients. In both study groups IL-18 gene polymorphisms at positions -656 G/T, -137 G/C and +105A/C (codon 35/3) were analyzed by PCR-RFLP (Polymerase Chain Reaction - Restriction Fregment Length Polymorphism).

The result showed that the frequency of T allele at position -656 was significantly higher in the controls compared to that in the patients (P=0.047). But in none of the genotypes of IL-18 there was significant difference between patients and controls. In addition, the distribution of ATG haplotype and AGG/ATG haplo-genotype were significantly higher in the controls compared to that in patients with VL (P=0.043and P=0.044, respectively). Furthermore a strong LDs (P<0.001) were detected between the -607, -137 and codon 35/3 SNPs.

In conclusion, this study showed that the frequency of T allele at position -656 and ATG haplotype and AGG/ATG haplogenotype (positions +105, -656 and -137) were significantly higher in the controls. To the best of our knowledge no study has been conducted on IL-18 gene polymorphisms and VL in other countries, therefore, we were not able to compare our results with other investigations, so it seems that more researches in this field on other populations will be worthy.

Stroke is a major public health problem. Post-stroke depression is one of the common emotional disorders afflicting stroke survivors. The purpose of this study was to determine of the prevalence of depression and its relationship with risk factors for stroke after an episode of stroke. This descriptive study was performed on 100 consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke admitted to Ali Ebn Abitaleb hospital in Rafsanjan. The diagnosis of acute ischemic stroke was made by a neurologist and confirmed by MRI. Frequency of depression, according to DSM-IV criteria, as well as demographic data and risk factors for stroke were registered and analyzed by T test، Chi Square and Fishers Exact Tests. % 59 of patients suffered depression. The frequency of depression was significantly higher in women (38%) than men (21%). There was no significant relation between depression and age and risk factors for stroke. Hypertension (65%), diabetes (50%) and hyperlipidemia (40%) were the most common risk factors. Generally, our results show that post stroke depression is prevalent in our society, and this is more prominent among women. Early diagnosis and treatment can help to improve quality of life of these patients.

The educational programs and informing people related to the prevention of diseases is necessary. Due to the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection and its association with gastric cancer, this study was carried out to determine the effect of educational interference based on Health Belief Model on health behaviors related to H. pylori prevention among housewives. In this semi-exprimental study, 84 housewives of almost similar demographic characteristics were randomly categorized into two groups (case and control). Before starting any educational program, the questionnaires were completed by these two groups. The case group received the considered interference (4 educational sessions). The participants in both groups completed the questionnaires 2 months after the intervention. Data was analyzed using SPSS18 by independent-t, paired T test and Mann Whitney statistical tests. After the invention of educational programs a significant difference (P<0.001) between the two groups with regards to attitude, knowledge, distances health belief model and practice was shown. Education based on health belief model, increased the knowledge and improved the attitude and practice of housewives about Health Behaviors Prevention of Helicobacter infection.

Although delivering with Cesarean method is preferred in limited cases which has dangerous effects on child or mother's health, rate of cesarean is increasing vastly nowadays. The main purpose of this study was to explore Social, Cultural and Demographic factors related to this phenomenon among pregnant women of Shiraz. In this study 600 pregnant women residing in Shiraz were selected using Lin cross size of sample (multistage sampling). Data were collected through the validated questionnaire and analyzed with SPSS software by multi-variables logistic regression and X2 techniques. Research hypotheses about significant relation among these factors (age, age of marriage, education, spouse’s education, occupational status, place of birth, social class status, previous childbirth method, record of barrenness, place of previous childbirth, place of pregnant care, record of cesarean in family and attitude toward cesarean) with choice of cesarean have been approved. Research hypotheses about month of pregnancy, number of pregnancy and knowledge of delivery method and cesarean have been rejected. Due to significant positive attitude of women's towards the cesarean, rather than normal delivery, it is necessary to inform them about the advantages of normal delivery and health hazard which might cause by Cesarean to the mother and child. The change of women's attitude about cesarean is needed to avoid further complication.

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are a group of Gram-positive, non-spore forming, cocci or rod shaped, catalase negative organisms, considered as Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) organisms. These bacteria are used for thousands of years for production of fermented foods because of their ability to produce desirable changes in taste, flavor and texture. Different antimicrobial molecules such as bacteriocins produced by these bacteria that can inhibit food pathogens, so enhancing the shelf life and improving the safety of food products. Because of important role of LAB to improving the human health, molecular identification and phylogenic analysis of these bacteria based on 16S rRNA sequencing play the critical role in investigation of local sources of LAB in Iran. 5 isolates were selected from 20 isolates for molecular identification. These strains produced the high level of bacteriocin. Total genomic DNA was extracted by lysosyme extraction protocol. PCR-mediated amplification was carried out by degenerate primers. Sequencing was performed after purification of PCR product. Isolates were deposited as novel strains of Lactobacillus casei and Entrococcus facium in GenBank. Because of high potential of local probiotic bacteria in Iran, these strains may be useful and could be used in the food industry.

With the aim to clarify the rights of the patients on the basis of medical ethic norms, Patient Bill of Rights in five categories was developed in Iran for the first time, during 2002. The main objective of this study was to determine the views of patients, physicians and nurses about this aspect of medical ethics and its necessary to comply in Rasht public hospitals. In this cross-sectional study the data were collected by filling a reliable and validated questionnaire consisting of demographic part and 25 specific questions about the rights of patients, these questions were answered By 185 patients, 22 nurses and 14 doctors. Each of the criteria necessary to use was measured by the Likert scale from zero (completely disagree) to five (fully agree). SPSS software 16 and one way ANOVA tests were used for data analysis. The results showed that all groups were agreeing with the necessity to have a bill and consider the patient's rights during treatment (P<0.05). But the most controversial point were related to the rights of patient to have access to their information and the right to choose and decide (P<0.05). However, 68.2 percent of physicians, 80.05 percent of nurses, and 93 percent of patients were agreed with the Bill of Rights. Although all the groups were agreed with the patient's Bill of rights (P<0.05), It seems it is necessary to reconsider the issue of providing the necessary information to the patient and give attention to their choices and decisions by the medical health service providers.

Stuttering is a prevalent disorder in children and adolescents. Because attention is the only fuel resource for cognitive functions and the language have high cognitive functions, then it is possible that speech difficulties are related to attention deficit. The purpose of this study was to investigate the attentional demand of speech in children and adolescents with developmental stuttering. It is a dependent measurement study though which 30 school students (8-13 yr.) were selected by convenience sampling and speech therapist´s detection from Shahriyar. The instruments were used in this research consist of: a text for reading, a device for recording of speech, and stuttering severity instrument-3 (SSI-3). The research was implemented in two conditions: single task (only reading) and dual task (reading along finger tapping task). The data were analyzed using T- test. Findings show that stuttering severity increased in dual task condition (divided attention). This result suggests that a decreased attentional capacity in children with developmental stuttering cause an increase in the number of stuttering words. With a better understanding of attentional functions of stuttering people as an important cognitive variables, we can take a step toward recognizing cognitive vulnerability of disorder. Therefore, intervention programs for children with developmental stuttering should pay attention to cognitive deficits and prior to speech interventions, the cognitive deficits should be eliminated with neuropsychological implements. With the improvement of neurological base of speech which is the first point of that in the brain, the considerable improvement may be seen in the stuttering severity.

The purpose of this study was the comparison of anxiety sensitivity and happiness between patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and normal matched group. The Subjects were 35 (21 females and 14 male) IBS patients diagnosed by gastroenterologist and 35 (25 female and 10 males) normal matched group all in 14– 63 old age. Anxiety Sensitivity Index (ASI-R), Oxford Happiness Questionnaire (OHQ), and a checklist applied as measures of anxiety sensitivity, happiness and demographic information. Data analysis indicates that IBS patients significantly are higher than matched group in fear of publicly observable symptoms (P= 0.032), fear of cardiovascular symptoms (P= 0.01), fear of gastrointestinal symptoms (P= 0.001), fear of dissociative and neurological symptoms (P= 0.018), & general anxiety sensitivity (P= 0.003), and lower in joy (P= 0.005), control (P= 0.008), self- esteem (P= 0.001) calm (P= 0.006) and general happiness (P= 0.001). Although no significant differences were found in life satisfaction (P= 0.083) & efficacy (P= 0.09), fear of respiratory symptoms (P= 0.067), and fear of cognitive control deficiency (p= 0.097).. As a psychological variable anxiety sensitivity can predict treatment seeking of IBS patient, and happiness negatively influenced by both anxiety sensitivity and IBS.

Identifying the research barriers and assess the ability of students to use the university services and facilities is crucial to promote research activities. Present study was carried out to determine the inhibiting factors influencing the student's research projects from the view point of Yasuj University of Medical Sciences students in 2008. In this cross sectional study 96 students of Yasuj Medical University were selected by stratified random sampling. The data were collected by validate & reliable questionnaire, containing demographic information, inhibiting factors related to students (personal) and organization. The data were analyzed by SPSS software. The mean scores against the personal barriers and the organizational barriers questions were 43.23±12.96 and 62.58±12.08 respectively. There was a significant difference between personal and organizational barriers (P<0.001) and personal barriers were more important. According to the results, the student's inadequate skills & knowledge of research methodology and lack of awareness of research topics were the most prevalent personal barriers. The most prevalent organizational barriers were unavailability of research consulters, inadequate research skills of consulter, insufficient facilities & equipment and lack of motivating staff & faculties. Other variables such as gender, subject of study and research experience are mentioned in the full text. This study showed that the personal barriers were more important than organizational barriers which interfere with the student's research projects. This can be corrected and controlled by teachers, faculty members, university officials and students, themselves.