Aseptic Meningitis in Pediatrics: Epidemiologic Evaluation and Cerebrospinal Fluid Changes

ObjectiveThis study aimed at investigating seasonal variation, clinical symptoms, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) changes in patients with aseptic meningitis admitted in Mofid hospital between 1995 and 1996.Materials & MethodsA total of 63 children with aseptic meningitis were enrolled in the study. Their age, gender, season of the disease, etiology, clinical symptoms, CSF changes, and treatment were evaluated and  documented. Data were analyzed using SPSS 11.5.ResultsThe male to female ratio of the patients was 2.5 to 1, mean age being 6.5 years. The disease occurrence was most common in spring and summer, and the most common symptoms observed were fever (92.6%), followed by nausea and vomiting (88.88% and 68.25%), neck stiffness, neck stiffness (54%), seizure (19%), kernig sign (14.28%), Brudzinski's sign (11.11%), and 1.58% of the patients had history of head injury. Mean white blood cell count for CSF was 165/mm3 (range, 6 to 850/mm3), the common cells being mononuclear cells; mean red blood cell count was 538 (range, 0 to 8100/mm3); protein and glucose levels were within the normal ranges. Blood and CSF culture and CSF smear were negative. Prognosis was excellent and mean duration of recovery was 5 days (range, 2 to 18 days).ConclusionAlthough the clinical symptoms of aseptic meningitis are similar to those of bacterial meningitis, its prognosis is excellent. The CSF features can be used to diagnose the disease.

Comparison between Diazepam and Phenobarbital in Prevention of Febrile Seizure: Clinical Trial

AbstractObjectiveFebrile convulsions (FC) are the most common convulsive events in childhood, occurring in 2-5% of children. About one third of these children will have  a recurrence during a subsequent febrile infection. This sudden neurologic problem is extremely frightening and emotionally traumatic for parents so some physicians try to prevent recurrence of FC by prescribing different drugs.Materials and MethodsThis is a randomized clinical trial in 85 healthy children, aged 6 months to 5 years, who were not treated before. These children received randomly either oral diazepam (0.33 mg/kg/TDS for two days during febrile illness) or continuous oral Phenobarbital (3-5mg/kg /24 h).ResultsUltimately 64 patients completed the study and were followed up for an average of 13 months (12-18 months). The rate of recurrence of febrile seizure was 18.2% in diazepam group and 32.3% in Phenobarbital group; the difference is not statistically significant (p=0.16).ConclusionThere was no significant difference between intermittent oral diazepam and continuous oral Phenobarbital for FC prevention

A Two-Pillar Approach to Analyze the Privacy Policies and Resource Access Behaviors of Mobile Augmented Reality Applications

Augmented reality (AR) gained much public attention since the success of Pokémon Go in 2016. Technology companies like Apple or Google are currently focusing primarily on mobile AR (MAR) technologies, i.e. applications on mobile devices, like smartphones or tablets. Associated privacy issues have to be investigated early to foster market adoption. This is especially relevant since past research found several threats associated with the use of smartphone applications. Thus, we investigate two of the main privacy risks for MAR application users based on a sample of 19 of the most downloaded MAR applications for Android. First, we assess threats arising from bad privacy policies based on a machine-learning approach. Second, we investigate which smartphone data resources are accessed by the MAR applications. Third, we combine both approaches to evaluate whether privacy policies cover certain data accesses or not. We provide theoretical and practical implications and recommendations based on our results

Study of tagging effects on surviving rate of Caspian trout (Salmo trutta caspius) fries before releasing to natural habitat

Study of tagging effects on survival rate of Caspian trout (Salmo trutta caspius) fries before releasing to natural habitat was a part of a large research plan on conservation and restoration of Caspian trout stocks in the Southern Caspian by Coldwater Fishes Research Center. Catching brooders, propagation, larvae and juvenile rearing were carried out in Southern coasts and rivers of Caspian sea and in shahid Bahonar propagation center in Kelardasht, Mazandaran (North of Iran) in autumn 2012. 150 fries for each treatment (5, 10 and 20 g fries and Plastic T tag, elastomer tag and control treatments) anesthetized, weighed (g), measured (mm), tagged, disinfected and introduced to cement ponds. Fries were kept and fed for 5 days and their behavior and responses to food, infection of wound and mortality were recorded. No mortality were observed in all treatments, fries were shocked for few hours after handling and did not take food but they started to feed from the first day after tagging and there was no infection in macroscopic observation of wound

Complete Result for Positronium Energy Levels at Order alpha^6 m

We have completed theoretical predictions for positronium energy levels through order alpha^6 m by the calculation of the spin independent, radiative recoil correction. This contribution is significant and amounts to 10.64 MHz for the 1S state. We further perform detailed comparison of theoretical predictions to experimental results for 1S-2S and 2S-2P transitions.Comment: 9 pages, 2 tables. Email: [email protected]

Spontaneous Resolution of Vesicoureteral Reflux (VUR) in Iranian Children, a Single Center Experience in 533 Cases

Background and ObjectivesExperience with vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) differs in different centers and there are lots of controversies surrounding this issue. The aim of this study was to evaluate Spontaneous resolution and prognosis of the disease among Iranian children.MethodsIn this case series study, 1278 children with urinary tract infection and visited at pediatric nephrology clinic in Tehran, Iran during 1999-2007 were studied. Primary VUR was found in 533 Patients. Following the diagnosis, the patients received prophylactic antibiotic and were annually followed with radionucleo cystography (RNC). Patients underwent surgery in case the medical treatment failed (breakthrough infection) or new renal scar formation.Results533 patients with VUR were studied. Patients’ mean age with VUR was 3.7±2.4 years (range: 2 days to 18 years old). During an average follow-up duration of 3.3+2.2 years, spontaneous resolution was observed in 40% of 279 patients who had follow-up RNCs. The mean interval between VUR diagnosis and spontaneous resolution was 1.5+ 1 years (range: 2 months to 6 years). The resolution rate was decreased with increment of reflux grade so that for grades I to V, VUR was resolved in 63%, 57%, 27%, 22% and 10% of the cases, respectively. Anti reflux surgery was performed in 27(10%) of patients during follow-up.ConclusionBased on the excellent results obtained from clinical therapy using low dose antibiotics, it is recommended that VUR grades 1 to 4 be managed medically with low-dose oral antibiotic prophylaxis and close follow-ups.Keywords: Urinary Tract Infection; Vesico-Ureteral Reflux; Spontaneous Resolution; Child