Examining the prevalence rate of Pediculus capitis infestation according to sex and social factors in primary school children

Objective: To determine the prevalence rate of head louse infestation among elementary students, and examine the associated factors with infection in the city of Aran and Bidgol. Methods: A total of 19 boys' and girls' primary schools were selected by multistage, systematic random sampling. Overall, 3 590 students were examined for head lice infestation in urban areas of Aran and Bidgol during 2008. The diagnosis was based on live louse or nit on the scalp of students. The students were screened by standard questionnaire and demographic data in addition to related information were obtained by interview and observation. The data were analyzed by SPSS software using chi-square and Fisher's exact tests. Results: The mean age of students was (8.68±1.58) years ranging between 6-12 years. The total prevalence of head louse infestation was 0.47. This rate was 0.42 and 0.05 in female and male, respectively. There was a significant association between pediculosis and sex, father's job, mother's education, access to bathroom in home, prior infection, drug use and nationality, respectively (P<0.05). Conclusions: The results showed that pediculosis was not a major health priority among primary school in city of Aran and Bidgol. However, enhancing the knowledge of students about head lice infestation and the existence of health teachers in schools can play a significant role in disease control. © 2014 Asian Pacific Tropical Medicine Press

A new focus of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis in Isfahan Province, Central Iran

Objective: To determine the epidemiological features of cutaneous leishmaniasis including human infection, reservoirs and vectors in the city of Aran o Bidgol. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out on Leishmania spp. isolated from rodents, sandflies and patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis in Aran o Bidgol. Parasites were identified by random amplified polymorphic DNA-PCR technique and data were reported by using descriptive statistics and frequency percent. Results: Random amplified polymorphic DNA-PCR showed that 71.4 of human isolates were Leishmania major (. L. major) and the rest were Leishmania tropica. In addition, 17.8 of Rhombomys opimus and 1.9 of female Phlebotomus papatasi were infected with L. major. Conclusions: The results indicate that L. major parasite is the causative agent of the disease among patients. And Rhombomys opimus and Phlebotomus papatasi are the main reservoir host and vector in the dissemination of L. major in the city. Therefore Aran o Bidgol is introduced as a new focus of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis in Central Iran in order to prevent zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis, and control of the rodents and sandflies are suggested. © 2015 Asian Pacific Tropical Medicine Press

Treatment of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Murine Model by Hydro Alcoholic Essence of Artemisia sieberi

Background: Considering the prevalence of leishmaniasis in Iran and many side effects associated with pentavalent antimony compounds use in its treatment, this study was designed to evaluate the effect of Artemisia sieberi essence on the experimental ulcers of cutaneous leishmaniasis on BALB/c mice. Methods: This experimental research was performed to determine the effect of various concentrations of  Artemisia essence in BALB/c mice previously infected with active Leishmania major promastigote. A total of 50 infected BALB/c mice were randomly divided into 5 groups. Three groups (30 mice) were used in the experimental condi­tions and the others were assigned as the control groups. The experimental groups received 1%, 3% and 5% of Ar­temisia, respectively. One of the control groups received ethanol 80% and the other received no treatment. The drug was administered by dropping the liquid on the top lesions, three times daily for maximum of 30 d. Every 10 days the ulcers diameter were measured and sampled for amastigote in all groups. Ulcers diameter changes were deter­mined by statistical tests. Results: After 30 days, diameter of CL lesions increased in 1%, 3% and 5% Artemisia concentrations and the control groups. Ulcers got bigger with the more concentration. Treatments could not reduce the diameter or caused small lesions. In addition, the mice direct smears in microscopic studies were positive. Conclusion: To find the effective concentration and the mechanism of the effectiveness of the drug, further investi­gations with less concentrates of A. sieberi essence are recommended

Effect of artemisia sieberi extract on Leishmania major ulcers in BALB/c mice

Background: Considering the prevalence of leishmaniasis in different regions of the world including Iran and many side effects of pentavalent antimony compounds used in its treatment, and controversies about herbal drugs, the effects of Artemisia sieberi extract on the experimental ulcers of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) on BALB/c mice was studied at Kashan University of Medical Sciences. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study the effect of 1, 3 and 5 percent concentrations of Artemisia sieberi hydroalcohol lotions in mouse previously infected with alive and active Leishmania major promastogote was evaluated. The 50 selected BALB/c Mice were divided into 5 groups: 3 groups (n= 30) in experimental and 2 in control groups (n= 20). Three groups (cases) received drug one group received ethanol 80 and one group received none (controls). The drug was administered topically, three times daily for maximum of 30 days. Ulcer diameters were measured in all groups every 10 days and were tested for amastigote. Ulcer diameter change was analyzed by Paired t-test, ANOVA and Tukey. Results: Whole recovery wasn't observed in any treated mouse by Artemisia concentrates at the end of 30-day treatment period and mice direct smears in microscopic studies were positive. Conclusion: 1, 3 and 5 percent Artemisia extracts were ineffective in the treatment of Leishmania major ulcer. Artemisia emulsions had no effect on the reduction of ulcers diameter and leishman bodies at the end of treatment course

Demographic Variables and Selective, Sustained Attention and Planning through Cognitive Tasks among Healthy Adults

Introduction: Cognitive tasks are considered to be applicable and appropriate in assessing cognitive domains. The purpose of our study is to determine the relationship existence between variables of age, sex and education with selective, sustained attention and planning abilities by means of computerized cognitive tasks among healthy adults. Methods: A cross-sectional study was implemented during 6 months from June to November, 2010 on 84 healthy adults (42 male and 42 female). The whole participants performed computerized CPT, STROOP and TOL tests after being content and trained. Results: The obtained data indicate that there is a significant correlation coefficient between age, sex and education variables (p&lt;0.05). Discussion: The above-mentioned tests can be used to assess selective, sustained attention and planning

Customized stromal lenticule implantation for keratoconus

PURPOSE: To investigate the potential benefit of keratoconus surgery using customized corneal stromal donor lenticules obtained from myopic small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) surgery by femtosecond laser. METHODS: In this prospective, consecutive, non-comparative series of cases, 22 lenticules were obtained from 22 myopic patients who had SMILE with a lenticule central thickness of greater than 110 µm. The lenticules were implanted in 22 eyes with advanced keratoconus. The lenticules were customized for the purpose of the implantation with either a simple necklace or necklace-with-ring shape (compound form) depending on the corneal thickness and corneal topography configuration of the implanted keratoconic eyes. The lenticules were implanted into a 9.5-mm corneal lamellar pocket created by the femtosecond laser. Changes in densitometry, thickness, confocal microscopy, corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), and endothelial cell density were investigated. RESULTS: Intrastromal lenticule implantation was successfully performed in all cases without any complication. Corneal thickness showed a mean enhancement of 100.4 µm at the thinnest point. On biomicroscopy, all corneas were clear at 1 year postoperatively and there was a significant improvement in corneal densitometry during the entire follow-up period. Confocal biomicroscopy showed collagen reactivation without any inflammatory features caused by the implanted fresh lenticules. CDVA improved from 0.70 to 0.49 logMAR (P = .001) and keratometry decreased from 54.68 ± 2.77 to 51.95 ± 2.21 diopters (P = .006). CONCLUSIONS: Customized SMILE lenticule implantation by femtosecond laser proved to be feasible, resulting in an improvement in vision, topography, and refraction in the implanted eyes. Copyright © SLACK Incorporate