The epidemiology of Candida species isolated from urinary tract infections

Candida spp. are members of a genus, including closely related fungal species that cause a variety of infections. Objectives: The aim of this study was the isolation of various Candida species from vulvovaginitis and urethra of patients in Neyshabur, Northeast Iran from 2013 to 2015. Methods: This descriptive-analytical and cross-sectional study was performed to identify Candida spp. causing vulvovaginitis and Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) at a referral laboratory in Neyshabur district, Khorasan Razavi Province. A total of 451 vaginal and midstream urine samples were collected. Ten micro-liters of each specimen was cultured on CHROM agar plates and then incubated at 37°C for 24 to 48 hours, aerobically. Candida species were identified based on colony morphology, germ tube production and micro-morphology on corn meal agar including 1% Tween 80. Results: The mean age of the patients was 34.7_16.3. Candida albicans was the predominant species isolated. Moreover, age groups of 21 to 30 and 0 to 1 years were the most and the least infected individuals. Moreover, Candida spp. were significantly morecommon in females compared to males (P value 103. Conclusions: In this study, C. albicans was the most common species isolated from patients with vulvovaginitis and UTI, and significantly more common amongst females compared to males. The prevalence of candida spp. had significantly declined from 2013 to 2015. Moreover, the candida spp. counts were mostly higher than 103cfu/mL

Impact of an 8-week walking program on quality of life in patients with thalassemia major

Background: Thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder which despite treatment its clinical manifestations affect the patients' quality of life. Therefore, psychological support and rehabilitation programs are needed to improve the quality of life in such patients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of an 8-week walking program on quality of life in patients with thalassemia major. Materials and Methods: In this semi-experimental study, 61 patients with thalassemia major (18 years and older) were randomly divided into the experimental and control groups. Patients in the experimental group performed an 8-week walking program. Quality of life was assessed using the SF36 questionnaire before and after the intervention in both groups.Results: Results showed significant improvements in quality of life in the experimental group compared with the control group after an 8-week regular walking program (

The Relationship between Dental Caries and Some Socio-economic Factors in 35- 44 Years Old Adults in Some Urban Areas of Sistan & Baluchestan

Introduction: In order to improve the oral health, systematic analysis of oral health condition and related factors should be conducted. This study aimed to evaluate dental caries and some related factors in 35-44 years old men & women in five urban areas of Sistan and Baluchestan in 2009-2010. Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 550 people were chosen by random stratified clustering in five different urban areas of the province. All participants were examined and the DMFT index was determined. Demographic and social information and their oral health behaviors were registered in a questionnaire which was composed of 11 questions. The data were analyzed by SPSS (version 17) and descriptive statistic methods. Results: Statistical analysis showed that average of DMFT was 10.05 ± 7.186. DMFT in females (11.43 ± 7.5) was more than males (8.68 ± 6.6) significantly (P 0.05) Conclusion: Results of this study could be used by public health managers to plan and evaluate public health in the future. With an emphasis on improving high risk patients’ situation, appropriate interventions can be designed to achieve good results in the short and long ter

Pediatric renal neoplasms (A clinicopathological study in pathology departments of Dr Sheikh children hospital and Imam Reza hospital in Mashhad during 15 years)

Background&Objective: Pediatric renal tumors represent approximately 7% of all childhood cancers and are completely different from those occurring in adults. The aim of this study was to make an analysis of clinical and pathological characteristics of these tumors. Materials&Methods: In this descriptive study all of the pediatric patients diagnosed as having renal neoplasm in departments of pathology of Dr Sheikh children hospital and Imam Reza hospital from 1991-2006 were evaluated. Results: 52 patients including 27 boys and 25 girls with mean age of 40.63 months were studied. Tumors involved each kidney in 24 (45.3%) and were bilateral in 5 (9.4%) patients. Abdominal mass was the commonest clinical symptom and sign. Congenital anomalies were presented in 6 (14.6%) patients. Histopathological examination showed Wilms tumor in 46 (86.8%), cystic partially differentiated nephroblastoma in 2 (3.8%), mesoblastic nephroma in 2 (3.8%) rhabdoid tumor of the kidney in 1 (1.9%), metanephric adenofiroma and low-grade tubulopapillary carcinoma in 1 (1.9%) and clear cell sarcoma of the kidney in 1 (1.9%) patient. 11 (20.8%) cases were in stage I, 16 (30.2%) stage II, 13 (24.5%) stage III, 8 (15.1%) stage IV and 5 (9.4%) stage V. Conclusion: Although Wilms tumor is the commonest renal neoplasm in childhood there are also recently described entities such as metanephirc tumors and juvenile renal carcinoma that must be considered in histopathological evaluation of a pediatric renal neoplasm. Role of molecular and cytogenetic methods is increasing for classification and treatment of childhood renal neoplasms

Vaccination with dendritic cells pulsed ex vivo with gp100 peptide-decorated liposomes enhances the efficacy of anti PD-1 therapy in a mouse model of melanoma

Background: Targeting antigens to dendritic cells (DCs) via nanoparticles is a powerful strategy which improves the efficacy of ex vivo antigen-pulsed DC vaccines. Methods: In this study, liposomes were first decorated with gp10025-33 self-antigen and then characterized. Then, DCs were pulsed ex vivo with liposomal gp100 and injected subcutaneously in mice bearing B16F10 established melanoma tumors in combination with anti-PD-1 therapy. Results: Treatment with liposomal pulsed DC vaccine elicited the strongest anticancer immunity and enhanced intratumoral immune responses based on infiltration of gp100-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cells to the tumor leading to significant tumor growth regression and prolonged survival rate. Treatment with liposomal pulsed DC vaccine also markedly enhanced specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) responses with a significant higher titer of IFN-γ in the spleen. Moreover, a significant increase of PD-1 expressing CD8+ tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) was detected in tumors. Conclusion: Our results demonstrate an optimum dose of liposomal gp100 significantly increases the efficacy of anti-PD-1 therapy in mice and might be an effective strategy to overcome resistance to anti-PD-1 therapy. © 2020 Elsevier Lt