Journal of Inflammatory Diseases
Volume:18 Issue: 6, 2014

Although the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) genotyping is now a standard method in the evolutionary and epidemiological studies of anthrax, but application of this technique is not possible in low-budget laboratories due to its sequence-based nature. Molecular epidemiologic studies of Bacillus anthracis play an important role in identifying and differentiating different strains during the bioterrorism-related outbreaks. The aim of this study was to investigate the application of restriction enzymes in Van Ert SNPs typing. This applied study was conducted in research & development laboratory of aerobic veterinary bacterial vaccines department in Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute during 2014. The corresponding genomic segments of the B. anthracis Sterne 34F2 strain were searched in order to identify appropriate restriction enzymes to digest SNPs loci. The accuracy of the results was confirmed by sequencing of the PCR products. Of 13 studied loci, 3 were found to be available for restriction enzymes due to their target SNPs. Feasibility of this technique was examined through enzymatic treatment of a 560 bp-long PCR product including the A.Br004 SNP of the standard strain by BsmI. The PCR product was digested and was divided into 224 bp and 336 bp long fragments. With regards to the results, it seems that the RE-SNPs typing as a simple method is appropriate for the van Ert genotyping of B. anthracis and resolves the need for expensive sequencing.

Capparis spinosa L. belongs to the family Capparidaceae and its dried aerial parts have been used as the flavors, marinades and treatment of rheumatism, liver diseases and gout in traditional medicine. This aim of this study was to assess phytochemical and antioxidant properties of Capparis spinosa L. in Khuzestan province. This experimental study was carried out in biology laboratory of Lorestan University, 2013. After the plants were collected and were dried in the shade, methanol extracts were prepared by maceration. Antioxidant activities were assessed using 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and β-carotene-linoleic acid assays. Flavonoid and phenolic compounds were measured using quercetin and gallic acid as standards. Data were analyzed using Minitab software and Dunnet test. In DPPH, the most and the least free radicals scavenging activity were found in stem extract (IC50: 6.86μg/ml) and leaves extract (IC50: 4.83 μg/ml), respectively. In β-carotene-linoleic acid assays, the most and the least antioxidant activity were related to the leaves (82.57%) and fruit (44.67%), respectively. The highest level of phenols (28.73μg/ml) and flavonoids (5.87μg/ml) were found in the leaves extract. With regards to the results and antioxidant activity of Capparis spinosa, it can be used in food and pharmaceutical industries.

An excessive level of heavy metals is one of the most common environmental pollutants that damage human health. Electrocoagulation (EC) is an electrochemical technique with different applications that has been used for lead removal from wastewater. The aim of this study was to determine efficiency of electrocoagulation process for lead removal from wastewater. This laboratory study was performed in School of Public Health affiliated to Qazvin University of Medical Sciences during 2013. A laboratory batch electrocoagulation reactor was designed and constructed from Perspex with dimensions of 17 cm* 12 cm* 40 cm and was applied for coagulation and flotation. The aluminium electrodes were connected in a bi polar configuration. Electrolysis was performed for 30 min in each run. Samples were taken every 5 minutes and parameters such as current density, electrolysis time, pH and different concentrations of lead were measured. The lead concentration was 5, 10 and 15 mg/l, and the pH was ranged from 5 to 9. The removal efficiency was found to be dependent on the pH, initial concentration, current density, and electrolysis time. The removal efficiency was decreased with increased initial concentration while it was increased with increase in electrolysis time and current density. The removal efficiency of 94% was achieved for the current density of 33 A/m2, pH of 7, and electrolysis time of 30 min, respectively. With regards to the results, the electrocoagulation process is an effective method for lead removal from wastewater.

Vitamin D deficiency has become an unknown epidemic worldwide. Vitamin D status is quite different between different communities due to variations in factors associated with vitamin D level including sun exposure and different amounts of the vitamin D intake from food and air pollution. The aim of this study was to determine the epidemiology of vitamin D deficiency in 10-18 years old population of Minoodar district in Qazvin. This cross sectional study was conducted in Minoodar district of Qazvin during 2010. A questionnaire was completed for all participants including demographic characteristics, medical history, family history, medication, coverage status and exposure to the sunlight. Serum samples were taken to assess vitamin D levels. Vitamin D deficiency was defined as vitamin D levels<20 ng/dL and vitamin D insufficiency was defined as vitamin D levels between 20 to 30 ng/dL, respectively. Data were analyzed using Chi-square test, T-test, Mann Whitney U test and Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Of 124 study population, 59 (48%) were male. Mean vitamin D level was 12.15±7.20 ng/dL. The minimum vitamin D level was 1.08 ng/dL and the maximum level was 26.80 ng/dL. Vitamin D levels in females were significantly lower than males. None of the study subjects had vitamin D sufficiency. All females and 81% of males had vitamin D deficiency. The remaining males had vitamin D insufficiency. Vitamin D deficiency in females was significantly higher than males. Daily sun exposure was less than an hour in 61% of the study population. Daily sun exposure in females was less than males. There was no statistically significant difference between both genders in terms of coverage. The association of obesity on the basis of body mass index and waist circumference with vitamin D status was not statistically significant. With regards to the high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in the study population, particularly females, it seems that preventive interventions and treatments are necessary.

Methadone maintenance therapy is associated with dissatisfaction and withdrawal symptoms in some people. This dissatisfaction often arises from personality characteristics and psychopathology that causes return to drug use. The aim of this study was to determine the association of opioid withdrawal symptoms with personality characteristics and psychopathology syndrome in methadone maintenance therapy. This ex post facto study was conducted in addiction treatment centers in Qazvin during 2011. 115 subjects with opioid dependence disorder under methadone maintenance therapy were randomly divided into three groups. Data were collected using the Temperament and Character Inventory-Revised (TCI-R), opiate withdrawal questionnaire and SCL-90-R. Data were analyzed using MANOVA. The association of opioid withdrawal symptoms and followings were statistically significant: reward dependence, self-directedness and self-transcendence in TCI-R; somatization and psychosis in SCL-90-R. With regards to the results, personality characteristics and psychopathology level influence perceived opioid withdrawal symptoms and satisfaction with the methadone maintenance dose.

Hemodialysis is a stressful process that can cause some kind of pain experience in more than 50% of patients with renal disease. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of warm footbath on arteriovenous fistula puncture-related pain in dialysis patients. This clinical trial was conducted in 31 hemodialysis patients in 2013. The patients were selected by simple random sampling method and were placed in one group. The intervention was performed on all patients. Each patient was studied as his own control. The patients were received a 40±2 °C footbath for ten minutes. Then fistula needles were placed and the pain intensity was assessed using a numerical rating scale (the pain ruler). Data were analyzed using ANOVA and T-test. The pain intensity in the warm footbath method was lower than the control method (P<0.05). Warm footbath can be used as an effective palliative method to reduce fistula puncture-related pain in hemodialysis ward.

Pediatric emergency department is a high risk area, and a wide range of imaging errors is probable. The aim of this study was to proactive risk assessment of the MRI process in the pediatric emergency department of Ghaem teaching hospital in Mashhad. This descriptive study was performed in Ghaem hospital, Mashhad during 2013. Failure modes and their effects were identified with Healthcare Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (HFMEA) using a mixed method (quantitative - qualitative). The UK community practice model and an approved model by the UK National Health System were used to classify failure modes and failure mode causes, respectively. The theory of inventive problem solving was used to determine solutions for improvement. 43 failure modes were identified for 13 sub-processes of the six-step MRI process. Four failure modes were considered as high risk (hazard score≥8) and were transferred to the decision tree. The frequency of failure modes were as follow: 40.42% communication errors, 23.40% clinical errors, 17.02% prescription errors, 6.38% patients and their relatives errors, 10.63% equipment errors and 2.12% other errors. Of 68 failure mode causes, the most common causes were related to the communication factors (23.5%), and the least common causes were related to the organization factors (2.9%). The HFMEA method was efficient in identifying failure modes, determining failure mode causes and proposing improvement strategies for the MRI process. Training and auditing were considered as two main tools for optimizing the MRI process in the pediatric emergency department of Ghaem hospital.

Work environment affects career advancement of nurses. Understanding this environment can help managers to develop rich work environment for career advancement of nurses. The aim of this study was to determine the nurses’ experience of work environment role in career advancement. This qualitative study was conducted in 15 nurses and nurse managers who had gained career advancement in the teaching hospitals affiliated to Qazvin, Shahid Bahashti and Iran Universities of Medical Sciences during 2013. Subjects were selected purposively. Data were collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews and were analyzed using conventional content analysis. The main theme extracted from the data analysis was flourishing work environment. Subthemes were included: career advancement opportunities, teaching organizational environment, intimate organizational atmosphere and full support. All subthemes were included several sub-classes. Proper planning and effective actions by authorities and nursing managers to develop flourishing work environment can facilitate career advancement for nurses.

This interventional study was performed to compare the effects of education with electronic and printed material on knowledge of self-care in patients with diabetes referred to Diabetes Clinic affiliated to Qazvin University of Medical Sciences during 2012. 75 patients with type 2 diabetes were selected and randomly allocated to receive education with electronic material (46 patients) or education with printed material (42 patients). Knowledge of self-care was assessed in both groups before and after the intervention. Knowledge was increased in the group with electronic material compared to the group with printed material and the difference was statistically significant. New and updated educational programs should be performed in order to improve knowledge, health status and satisfaction in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Honey contamination with heavy metals such as cadmium, arsenic, mercury, and lead can cause major health problems such as cancer, congenital disorders and intoxication. This review was conducted on all published studies about honey contamination with heavy metals in Iran during recent 10 years (2003-2013). Data were collected using Pubmed, Science Direct, Elsevier, SID, magiran, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) databases. Although the honey contamination with heavy metals was below the allowable level in most studies, but there were reports of high level of contamination especially in industrial regions. Honey was less contaminated compared to the honeybee and pollen. Acute intoxication due to consumption of honey contaminated with heavy metals is unlikely in Iran.