International Journal of Health Studies (IJHS - Shahroud University of Medical Sciences)
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Brucella Antibody Levels in Preschool Children in the North East of Iran
Get PDFBackground: Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease of humans and animals that has affected worldwide. Iran is one of the endemic areas infected with brucellosis. Early diagnosis of this disease may protect the affected children from disabilities and mortalities. This study aimed to evaluate the Brucella antibody levels in preschool children of the Shahroud city in Iran.Methods: This cross-sectional study evaluated 850 participants, in particular, school children from the Shahroud city. General information was collected by interviewing the children’s parents. Moreover, a 5 ml of blood sample was collected from all the children. The samples were studies using standard tube agglutination test (Wright) and 2-Mercaptoethanol. Thereafter, IgG and IgM levels were determined by the ELISA method.Results: A total of 850 children were enrolled, of which 51.2% were boys and 48.8% were girls, with a mean age of 5.17±1.55 years. Of the all children evaluated, 839 (97.5%) children had a titer <1/80 and 21 children (2.5%) had a titer ≥1/80. A significant difference was observed between the antibody titers in terms of gender (P=0.012), whereas no significant association was found among antibody titers with other variables such as age, history of nonpasteurized foods, exposure to animals, history of brucellosis disease, and parental occupation.Conclusions: The antibody titer for suspected brucellosis in preschool children of Shahroud was very low. According to the results of our study, in particular, in the endemic areas, a Wright’s titer of 1/80 in suspected cases for brucellosis can be considered as a diagnostic titer
Efficiency of Clinical Laboratories Affiliated Shiraz University of Medical Sciences in 2015: an Application of Data Envelopment Analysis
Get PDFBackground: Nowadays, healthcare systems are considered as important service sectors, and they are social development and welfare standards; hence the performance of this sector is highly important. Evaluating performance is the first step of various departments to determine the efficiency of the healthcare system. In the meantime, diagnostic laboratories of hospitals play important roles as specialized and technical units with a cost nature. So, far, the effectiveness of diagnostic laboratories has not been assessed in Iran, therefore, in this study, for the first time in Iran, the technical efficiency of laboratories covered by the Shiraz University of Medical Sciences (SUMS) was assessed in 2015. Methods: This cross-sectional study aimed to assess 10 selected laboratories from diagnostic laboratories in hospitals affiliated with SUMS. In this paper, data envelopment analysis (DEA), one of the most widely utilized methods, was used in determining performance. Results: Among the 10 examined laboratories affiliated by SUMS, 4 (40%) laboratories had increasing yield to the scale, and 6 (60%) laboratories had technical, managerial, and scale efficiency equal to one. Mean±SD of technical efficiency, managerial efficiency, and scale efficiency of examined laboratories were 92.4±16, 95.9±9, and 95.5±10, respectively. Conclusions: Studying the efficiency of the diagnostic laboratories affiliated with SUMS using DEA showed that most laboratories had a high level efficiency
Optimization of Medium Components Using Artificial Neural Networks
Get PDFBackground: Achieving high cell density is an important goal in recombinant proteins production. Optimization of medium components to achieve high cell density and consequently high yield recombinant protein is a common practice in the biotechnology industry. We could not find an article that just examine the effects of salt on growht transformed BL21. On the other hand, salt is a critical component of medium that can be made up in a medium optimization.Methods: Here, we separately investigated effect of K2HPO4, MgSO4, (NH4)2SO4 and NH4CL on maximum growth of bacteria BL21 after transforming BL21 with PET-32α that containing para thyroid hormones gene. Then, the salts were combined and added to the culture medium for optimization of their effects on high cell density using artificial neural network modelling (ANNs).Results: After ANN modeling, the obtained model showed that MgSO4 has dominant on high cell density other than salts if final concentration of MgSO4 is 25mg/ml. The best concentration each of salt be lower 30 mg/ml and critical total concentration of slats is 120 mg/ml that inhibitory effect was seen after a critical concentration.Conclusions: In current study, ANN modeling shows that in prediction of effects of salts (i.e. K2HPO4, MgSO4, (NH4)2SO4 and NH4CL) on cell density to reach high cell density, is effective and efficient.
Comparing the Effect of Garlic and Lemon Mixture with Mucilage of Okra Pods to Prevent the Increase of Plasma Lipids in Ratus norvegicus alluvia
Get PDFBackground: Cardiovascular disease is one of the main causes of mortality in the world and is primarily caused by high blood lipids. This study aimed to compare the effect of garlic and lemon mixture with mucilage of the okra pods in preventing the increase of plasma lipids in male Ratus.Methods: This study was performed on 34 Ratus norvegicus alluvia. The Ratus were randomly divided into two classes, which were further subdivided in three groups each. A class of Ratus received food mixed with market oils for 60 days. Moreover, the Ratus in the treatment group received 10% okra mucilage and the mixture of garlic and lemon as gavage for 3 weeks. Data were analyzed by SPSS-21 software. The Mann–Whitney nonparametric test was used to compare each pair of groups. A value of 5% was considered as statistically significant.Results: Comparing the control group and the group receiving oil, we observed that lipid intake was effective and significantly increased the blood cholesterol in the oil group (p = 0.006). In Ratus receiving fatty foods, it was observed that treatment regimens reduced blood lipids. Moreover, a significant difference was observed between the two treatment groups, indicating a 10% mucilage advantage in reducing blood lipids compared with other treatment groups.Conclusions: The results indicate that both treatments reduce blood lipids, but 10% mucilage in Ratus with high blood lipids has better efficacy than garlic and lemon mixture in reducing blood lipids
Evaluation of the Effect of Empowerment Model on Self-Efficacy and Self-Esteem among Diabetic Patients: A Randomized Control Trial Study
Get PDFBackground: Improvement and enhancement level of psychological aspects of patients is important in the control of chronic diseases, especially in diabetes. This study aimed to determine the influence of empowerment model on self-efficacy and self-esteem in patients with diabetes.Methods: This study was a clinical trial comprising 103 patients with diabetes, which were randomly divided into experimental and control groups. Empowerment model was considered for the experimental group and routine education was considered for the control group. Applied research tools consisted of demographic data, standardized questionnaire of self-efficacy, and Coppersmith’s self- esteem questionnaire. Results: Before intervention,the two groups were not significantly different in the demographic variables, self-efficacy, and self-esteem scores. There was a significant difference between self-efficacy and self-esteem mean scores of patients, after intervention of the experimental group. Moreover, by using the paired t-test, before and after the intervention, the difference in mean scores of the experimental group was significant.Conclusions: Based on the obtained results, empowerment model has been effective on self-efficacy and self-esteem of diabetes patients. Therefore, empowerment based education planning for diabetic patients is recommended
A Study on the Antimicrobial Activities of Chitin and Chitosan Extracted from Freshwater Prawn Shells (Macrobrachium Nipponense)
Get PDFBackground: Chitin and its deacetylated derivative, chitosan, are unique biopolymers. Owing to their properties such as biocompatibility, biodegradability, and antimicrobial and antioxidant activities, they have been widely applied in various industries. The aim of the study was to investigate the antimicrobial activities of chitin and chitosan extracted from freshwater prawn shells.Methods: In this research, prawn shell (Macrobrachium nipponense) is used as a source of chitin for the extraction of this valuable biopolymer. The inhibition zone of different concentrations (5, 7.5, and 10 mg/mL) of chitin and chitosan was examined for in vitro antibacterial activity against seven kinds of bacterial strains and two fungi (Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans). Furthermore, minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum lethal concentration were determined.Results: Chitosan had a more inhibitory effect than did chitin. Chitosan demonstrated the maximum inhibitory effect in Vibrio cholerae Ogawa, whereas the lowest value was observed in Escherichia coli (P<0.05). Fungal organisms were revealed to be bacterial pathogens more resistant to the chitin and chitosan that were extracted from prawn shell. Also, chitin and chitosan showed maximum inhibitory effects on A. niger. The lowest minimum inhibitory concentration for chitin and chitosan was between 0.005% and 0.01%, and 0.005% and 0.1%, respectively.Conclusions: Chitosan showed greater antibacterial effect than did chitin against studied bacteria particularly V. Cholerae Ogawa and Staphylococcus aureus and also revealed good antifungal effects. Thus, chitosan may be used as a source of antimicrobial agent for medical and pharmaceutical applications
Investigate the Effects of Iranian Traditional Music and Western Classical Music on Physical Performance, the Normal Profile of Mood States and Rate of Perceived Exertion
Get PDFBackground: The present study examines the effects of Iranian traditional music and Western classical music during 20 min of pedaling on an ergometer, along with the normal factors of profile of mood states and rate of perceived exertion. Methods: Seventeen non-athlete participants (11 men and six women) with a mean age of 26±1.5 cycled in three conditions: exposure to Iranian traditional music; exposure to classical music; and control conditions (silence). Participant’s normal mood states before and after each test, rate of perceived exertion and cycling speed during the test and distance traveled at the end of each test were recorded.Results: The results showed that participants in exposure to classical music, and also in the face of Iranian traditional music, pedal a greater distance than the control condition (silence). Also, conditions of exposure to classical music and exposure to Iranian traditional music reduced rate of perceived exertion of participants compared to control conditions (silence). There was no significant difference in the speed of participant’s cycling during exposure to music and in the control condition (silence). Conclusions: Individual’s mood during the physical test under the musical conditions was better than control condition, and classical music had a more prominent role in participant’s mood
Health Literacy among Patients with Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 in Northeast Area of Iran
Get PDFBackground: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) is the most common metabolic disorder with complex treatment, and adherence to its treatment requires sophisticated cognition, which includes health literacy. This study aimed to spread health literacy among patients with DM2 in northeast Iran.Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among diabetic patients in Shahroud city of Iran in 2016. Multistaged cluster random sampling was used for 450 individuals with diabetes who were interviewed using two standard questionnaires on diabetes health literacy (TOFHLA and DNT15). Participants were enquired about their personal information (age, gender, level of education, etc.). Binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify risk factors for poor health literacy concerning diabetes prevention and control among patients with prediabetes.Results: The mean diabetes health literacy score was 44.0 (18.0–92.0). This score was higher among men than women (OR=1.623), and lowest literacy score was observed in respondents with less than 1 year of education (OR=13.041). The literacy score among diabetic patients with a family history of diabetes was higher than among those with no family history (OR=2.523).Conclusions: This study showed that health literacy related to diabetes prevention and control among diabetic individuals was rather low in Shahroud city. Appropriate health education for diabetic patients with low literacy should be incorporated into diabetes prevention efforts
Molecular Cloning of Bone Morphogenetic Protein-2 (BMP- 2) in pGEM-b1 Vector and Transformation into E.coli Rosetta Strain
Get PDFBackground: Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 (BMP- 2) belongs to the TGF-β superfamily of proteins and plays an important role in the development of bone and cartilage. BMP- 2 is also associated with maintenance and repair of damaged bone. Recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein 2 (rhBMP- 2) is now produced by genetic engineering techniques and used in treatment of thin bone fractures in the jaw and spine. In this study we aimed to extract and amplify the BMP- 2 gene from human osteoblast cell line MG-63, insert the amplified BMP- 2 gene into pGEM-b1 cloning vector, and then transform the recombinant vector into the E.coli strain of Rosetta. This technique can be used in future research and BMP- 2 expression.Methods: After culturing MG-63 cells, approximately 5 million viable cells were used for extraction of Total RNA. The extracted RNA was used for cDNA synthesis in RT-PCR reaction. Then, the BMP- 2 gene was amplified by specific primers and the PCR product was cloned in the pGEM-b1 vector. Chemically competent E.coli cells were prepared using CaCl2 0.1 M and transformed with recombinant pGEM-b1 vector under heat shock. The transformed E.coli Rosetta bacteria were inoculated on LB agar medium containing Ampicillin. Bacterial colony containing recombinant vector was isolated and used for plasmid extraction. The extracted plasmid was used for specific PCR to confirm the presence of BMP- 2 gene in pGEM- b1 vector.Results: After transformation, the E.coli Rosetta had the ability to become resistant to ampicillin and could grow on ampicillin- containing medium. While non-transformed E.coli Rosetta could not grow on LB agar containing ampicillin. The 1100 bp fragment was obtained from PCR amplification with specific primers, indicating that the BMP- 2 gene was inserted into pGEM-b1 vector.Conclusions: The pGEM-b1 vector and E.coli Rosetta strain were not used for BMP- 2 cloning in previous investigations. Therefore, this method may be a useful approach to reduce the challenges ahead of the optimization of BMP- 2 production.