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Spontaneous relapse in patients with inactive chronic hepatitis B virus infection
Get PDFBackground: Chronic hepatitis B virus infection (HBV) may reactivate during the course of the disease and is called spontaneous relapse. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence of relapse of hepatitis in subjects with inactive HBV carriers.
Methods: This follow-up study was performed on 785 patients with inactive HBV carriers that were followed-up at six month intervals. The presence of serum HBsAg and anti-HBe, without HBeAg, HBV DNA levels <2000 IU/ml with normal alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels was defined as inactive carriers. Patients who developed ALT ≥80 IU/L with HBV DNA levels ≥2000 IU/ml were considered as spontaneous relapse.
Results: Seven hundred- eighty five cases (441 males, 344 females) of chronic HBV infected individuals were followed-up. The mean age at the entrance of the study was 30.5±11.8 years. The mean follow-up duration was 5.9±5 years. Relapse was seen in 35 (4.5%) cases, in 27 out of 441 (6.1%) males and in 8 out of 344 (2.3%) females and in 4.2% subjects ≥30 years versus in 4.7% cases of under 30 years (p>0.05). The development of relapse in males was higher than females (hazard ratio 2.53, 95% CI 1.2-5.6, p=0.021), but age ≥30 or <30 years did not have effect (hazard ratio1.21, 95% CI 0.62-2.36, p=0.58).
Conclusions: The results show that spontaneous relapse of hepatitis may develop during the course of chronic HBV infection. We suggest that all patients with chronic hepatitis B, regardless of their age, be examined for the possibility of relapse
Comparison between the Effects of Green and Black Tea, and Fluoride on Microhardness and Prevention of Demineralization of Deciduous Teeth Enamel
Get PDFBACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Dental caries in preschool children impose serious problems on parents and children due to lack of cooperation. Since tea leaves contain fluoride and polyphenol, this study was conducted to compare the effects of green and black tea, and fluoride in preventing demineralization of deciduous teeth enamel.&nbsp; METHODS: This experimental study was performed on 40 extracted human deciduous incisors. The teeth were divided into 4 groups of 10 and were then placed in distilled water, green tea, black tea and oral sodium fluoride (0.05) for four minutes in seven consecutive days. Surface microhardness before and after tooth extraction was determined in these four solutions by Micro Vickers Hardness Testing Machine. To cause primary caries, each sample was kept for one week in demineralization solution and the concentrations of the released calcium, phosphorus and fluoride ions were analyzed by spectrophotometric and potentiometric laboratory methods.&nbsp; FINDINGS: Primary microhardness showed no significant difference between the groups. Secondary microhardness compared to primary microhardness in the two groups of green tea (mean of 317 &plusmn; 65.47 to 386 &plusmn; 85.42, p = 0.003) and fluoride (mean of 319 &plusmn; 71.76 to 446 &plusmn; 117.15, p = 0.003) increased significantly. The concentration of calcium and phosphorus ions in the four study groups showed a significant difference after being placed in the demineralization solution (p = 0.001) (p = 0.003). However, this difference was not observed in fluoride concentrations.&nbsp;&nbsp; CONCLUSION: The results of this study showed that drinking green tea can increase the microhardness and green and black tea increase the resistance to demineralization of the deciduous teeth enamel.&nbsp
Detection of Intercellular Adhesion (ica) Genes Involved in Biofilm and Slime Formation in Clinical Isolates of Staphylococcus Aureus Harboring mecA Gene
Get PDFBACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Prevalence of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains is one of the most important health care problems and life-threatening in worldwide. The methicillin resistant S. aureus strains producing biofilm and slime have potential to colonize and transmit. The present study was conducted to detect intercellular adhesion (ica) genes involved in biofilm and slime formation in clinical isolates of methicillin resistant S. aureus harboring mecA gene.
METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, a total of 85 bacterial isolates suspected to S. aureus were prepared from clinical samples. The antibiotic susceptibility testing of bacteria to the penicillin, gentamicin, oxacillin, ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin and vancomycin was carried out based on disk diffusion agar method. Biofilm and slime formation of bacteria were examined by tissue culture polystyrene plate (TCP) and Congo red agar (CRA). The presence and frequency of ¬icaA, icaD and mecA genes were detected by multiplex PCR.
FINDINGS: 45 out of 85 (52.94%) S. aureus isolates were resistant to the methicillin. All of methicillin resistant S. aureus were able to produce biofilm and slime. Consumedly surface hydrophobicity was seen in 55.55% and 100% of strains producing strong biofilm and slime, respectively. The ¬icaA, icaD and mecA genes were present in all biofilm and slime producing isolates.
CONCLUSION: Our results showed that the all methicillin resistant S. aureus isolates with some abilities, including polysaccharide intercellular adhesion, bacterial attachment, biofilm and slime production were positive for icaA and icaD genes
Compare the Effects of Caffeine on QTc Interval and Blood Pressure During Isometric and Isotonic Contractions in Male Athletes and Non-Athletes
Get PDFBACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: QTc fluctuations, in rest and exercise lead to arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. Caffeine is an energy source and it may moderate this bad fluctuation. The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of caffeine on QTc and blood pressure during isometric and isotonic contractions in athletic and non-athletic men.
METHODS: in this semi-experimental study, 20 healthy men were randomly selected and placed in two groups of athletes and non-athletes. Pre-test: at first, each subject pressed the dynamometer handle at maximum power for 30s (isometric). After 25 min rest, the isotonic activity was performed in 15 repetitions of 5 seconds. At the end, each subject takes 400 mg of caffeine, and after 60min, the post-test similarly, was repeated as a pre-test. QTc changes and blood pressure were checked before and after the test.
FINDINGS: The average weight of individuals was 76±13.93 kg. Caffeine in the athlete group resulted in a decrease in QTc during isometric and isotonic contractions of 11.5 ms and 15ms respectively. But in nonathlete groups, QTc during isometric and isotonic contractions were respectively 0.7ms increase and 4.1 ms decrease. There was no significant correlation between QTc in both groups, but diastolic blood pressure increased significantly (p=0.02).
CONCLUSION: The results of the study showed that caffeine consumption had no significant effect on QTc interval but it affected diastolic blood pressure
The Role of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles and Magnetic Field on Apoptosis and Bax Gene Expression in Rat Hippocampus after Ischemic Reperfusion
Get PDFBACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Stroke is the second leading cause of mortality in the worldwide. After a stroke, many neurons in the ischemic penumbra will undergo apoptosis. The aim of this study was investigation of effects of iron oxide nanoparticles and magnetic field on apoptosis reduction after ischemic reperfusion in rat model.
METHODS: In this experimental study, 50 male Wistar rats weighing 220-250g were randomly divided into five groups of 10 rats each: including control, sham (ischemic reperfusion model), ischemic reperfusion + iron oxide nanoparticles (10mg/kg), ischemic reperfusion +magnetic field (1 Tesla, 20 min in 4 days), and ischemic reperfusion + iron oxide nanoparticles and magnetic field groups. Injections were performed intraperitoneally. After Four days, the hippocampi were removed for studying of Apoptosis Induction (by TUNEL technique) and changes in Bax gene expression (by Q-PCR method).
FINDINGS: After induction of ischemic reperfusion, TUNEL+ cells number treated with iron oxide nanoparticles (7±2) and or the magnetic field (12±2) had significant decrease (p<0.01) relative to ischemic reperfusion group (27±5) during 4 days. But simultaneous treatment with nanoparticles and magnetic field (23±2.6) did not show significant difference compared to ischemic reperfusion group (27±5) during 4 days. Furthermore Bax gene expression decreased in iron oxide nanoparticles treated group (2.46±0.22) or the magnetic field exposed group (3.28±0.33) significantly (p<0.01)compared to ischemic reperfusion model (5.21±0.73)..
CONCLUSION: It seems that iron oxide nanoparticles as well as magnetic field to be two effective methods in decrease of apoptosis after ischemic reperfusion
The Antibacterial Effect of Low Temperature Stored Amnion on Growth of Escherichia Coli, Staphylococcus Aureus and Pseudomonas Aeruginosa
Get PDFBACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Amniotic membrane (AM) has a lot of applied properties like anti-bacterial characteristic mediated by peptides such as elafin. Because of limitations in use of freshly prepared tissue, there are various methods for long-term preservation of amniotic membrane. This study was conducted to determine the effect of cryopreservation, as one of the common methods of preservation of amniotic membrane, on its antibacterial property against the growth of commonly occurring bacteria in the clinic.
METHODS: In this experimental study, the effect of fresh AM (from elective Cesarean) and cryopreserved (by 10% DMSO) AM on the growth of three standard bacterial strains including Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and two clinical isolated strains of E.coli were evaluated using disk diffusion test. In this method, pieces of fresh or cryopreserved AM was placed in the culture plate after bacterial culturing. After incubation, the number of plates with inhibition zone and amount of inhibition zone were measured. The amount of elafin was measured in AM samples using ELISA.
RESULTS: Fresh AM inhibit the growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and two clinical isolated strains of E.coli. However, it has no effect on the growth of standard strain of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus strain. There is no difference in the number of plates including inhibition zone between fresh and cryopreserved AM. The amount of elafin decreased significantly in cryopreserved AM (p<0.01).
CONCLUSION: The results of this study showed that the anti-bacterial property of the AM depends on bacterial species. In addition, the cryopreservation process maintains anti-bacterial properties of amniotic stem cells
Comparison of Relative Efficiency of Hospitals Affiliated to Babol and Mazandaran Universities of Medical Sciences before and after Health Development Plan with Data Envelopment Analysis Method
Get PDFBACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Considering to the efficiency of hospitals as the largest and most costly unit of the health system, is important. The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of hospitals affiliated to the Babol and Mazandaran universities of medical sciences before and after the health development plan.
METHODS: This practical retrospective-comparative study was conducted before and after the Health Development Plan on 21 hospitals affiliated to the Health Development Plan of Babol and Mazandaran Universities of Medical Sciences. The data were collected using the form number 1-201 and 2-201 of the university's medical council. In order to calculate the relative efficiency and ranking of hospitals using the data envelopment analysis method, input parameters and output indices were measured by CCR model.
RESULTS: In 2012 and 2013 before the Health Development Plan, 61.9% of the hospitals were effective and in 2015, after the Health Development Plan, 71.45% of them were effective. The plan contributes to an increase of 10% of the number of efficient units. Also, the total efficiency ratio before the plan was equal to 34.5 and in 2015, it was 45. Thus, an increase of 25% was observed in the improvement of efficiency ratio in the year following the Health Development Plan.
CONCLUSION: The results of the study showed that the efficiency and ranking of hospitals affiliated to the Babol and Mazandaran universities of medical sciences have increased after the Health Development Plan
A Comparative Study between the Scientific Map of Iran and Global Scientific Map to Identify the Interdisciplinary Fields
Get PDFBackground and aim: The aim of this study was to understand, acknowledge and assess the scientific outputs in order to compare the scientific map of Iran with the global scientific map so that we could identify the interdisciplinary fields and make better decisions and policies in launching new fields of study.
Material and methods: This applied research is scientometric in terms of approach and descriptive research in terms of data collection. Statistical population was all published articles of Iranian researchers, indexed in the Web of Science from 2005 to 2015. Data analysis and scientific mapping were performed using Excel, Bibexcel, VOSviewer and Pajek.
Findings: Drawing a map of Iranian scientific outputs indicated that the most scientific outputs were in the majors of Electronics Engineering (21614 cases). The highest degree of Iranian interdisciplinary scientific outputs was related to the fields of Electronics and Chemical Engineering, Mathematics, Mechanics, Physics and Interdisciplinary Math. The majors of Electronics Engineering, Energy and Fuels and Chemical Engineering are the poles of interdisciplinary fields in Iran as well as the majors of Computer Sciences and Biochemistry have the betweenness centrality among other interdisciplinary fields.
Conclusion: Comparing the rate of Iranian scientific outputs with that of global outputs has shown that Iran is one of the fastest growing countries in the world but is poor in terms of interdisciplinary studies. Identifying these areas in this study can help to make a better policy for maintaining and enhancing them
The Effects of Vitamin E on Liver and Kidney Damage Induced by Dianabol in Small Laboratory Mice
Get PDFBACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Anabolic steroids, especially dianabol, are used by athletes as a performance-enhancing drugs that damage the liver and cause structural changes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of vitamin E on liver and kidney toxicity caused by dianabol.
METHODS: In this experimental study, 72 adult male mice were randomly divided into 8 groups of 9. Four groups of mice received 100 IU / kg vitamin E orally for 42 days through gavage. Three groups of the above groups received 5, 10 and 20 mg / kg oral dianabol four hours after receiving vitamin E, respectively. The control group and the groups receiving only 5, 10 and 20 mg / kg oral dianabol were also considered. 24 hours after the final treatment, serum samples were collected for biochemical evaluations and tissue samples were collected for histological, histomorphometric and histochemical evaluations.
FINDINGS: The results showed that dianabol significantly increased the level of AST (158.52±9.76), ALT (113.70±11.02), and ALP (141.30±5.94), and significantly decreased albumin (1.04±0.47) compared to the control group (72.61±7.54, 41.47±7.03, 112.80±4.30, 3.14±0.25, respectively) (p<0.05). Administration of vitamin E significantly increased the level of AST (110.56±9.86), ALT (80.19±4.02) and ALP (120.52±4.94) and improved albumin (2.1±0.28) (p<0.05).
CONCLUSION: The results of the study showed that vitamin E can reduce the oxidative damage caused by dianabol in the liver and kidney of the mouse
An Evaluation of the Effect of Deprivation of Maternal Care on LTP Induction in Neurons of Hippocampal CA1 Region in Morphine-Dependent Rats
Get PDFBACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Deprivation of maternal care as a stressor causes disruption in cognitive and neurochemical activities of the brain. The aim of this study was to evaluation the effect of deprivation of maternal care on LTP induction in neurons of hippocampal CA1 region in morphine-dependent rats.
METHODS: This experimental study was conducted among 40 45-day-old male rats in control group, morphine-dependent group, and 3 groups of rats that were deprived of treatment for one, two and three weeks after birth for 3 hours daily. Except for the control group, the rest of the groups received 10 mg/kg body weight morphine sulfate subcutaneously every 12 hours for 10 days. On the eleventh day, the symptoms of deprivation syndrome were investigated by the Gellert-Holtzman method, and on the following day, the synaptic plasticity of neurons in CA1 region was studied.
FINDINGS: The Gellert-Holtzman score in the morphine-dependent group was 14.98±4.16 and increased to 31.79±5.12 in the group that was deprived of maternal treatment for 3 weeks (p<0.001). Although morphine dependence did not affect basic responses of CA1 region neurons and LTP induction, deprivation of maternal care reduced the range of basic responses from 1.01±0.04 in the morphine-dependent group to 0.68±0.09 mV in the group that was deprived of maternal care for 3 weeks (p<0.001) and prevented LTP induction (p<0.001) in a time-dependent manner.
CONCLUSION: The results of the study showed that deprivation of maternal care undermines the postsynaptic potential of the hippocampal CA1 region following morphine administration and disrupts the synaptic plasticity of the neurons in this region