Hypozincemia in bipolar i disorder (BID) patients

One-third of the world's population is at risk of zinc deficiency. It has been hypothesized that low serum/plasma zinc may contribute to alteration of brain Zn homeostasis and thus had to various psychological disorders. This study was designed to evaluate serum zinc (Zn) as well as copper (Cu) concentrations in patients with Bipolar I Disorder (BID) in our community to support the findings on the possible association of Zn in neuropsychological functions. Participants included 30 BID patients with different phases of mania and depression and 30 healthy controls. Results indicated the mean serum Zn level of the BID group was significantly lower than that of controls (P< 0.0001). Similar results were obtained for Cu. These findings suggest a possible association of Zn levels on neuropsychological dysfunction. Copyright © 2007 by New Century Health Publishers, LLC. All rights of reproduction in any form reserved

New species of Colletotrichum from wild Poaceae and Cyperaceae plants in Iran

Twenty-two Colletotrichum strains were isolated from anthracnose symptoms or leaf spots on leaves of various wild Poaceae and Cyperaceae plants collected in three provinces of Iran and tentatively identified as belonging to the Graminicola species complex based on morphology. All strains were studied via a polyphasic approach combining colony characteristics, morphology and phylogeny inferred from multi-locus sequences, including the nuc rDNA ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 (ITS), partial sequences of the β-tubulin (tub2), actin (act), manganese superoxide dismutase 2 (sod2), DNA lyase 2 (apn2) genes, a 200-bp intron of the glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (gapdh), and the intergenic spacer between the apn2 gene and the mat1 idiomorph (apn2/mat1). Six species were distinguished, including three new species, namely C. caspicum, C. persicum, and C. sacchari, and three previously described species, C. cereale, C. nicholsonii and C. sublineola. Comprehensive morphological descriptions and illustrations are provided for all species. Furthermore, this study provided new insights into the distribution and host range of known species

Complications of Tuberculosis Packs and Iron Chelators in Patients with Thalassemia Major in Mostafa Khomeini Hospital in 2018-19

Background and Purpose: Thalassemia major (TM) is an inherited hemolytic disease with a high prevalence. Nowadays, no complications have been studied in these patients. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the complications of tuberculosis packs and iron chelators in patients with TM in Mostafa Khomeini Hospital in 2018-2019. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed in Mostafa Khomeini Hospital in 2018-2019. All eligible patients' records and necessary information, including age, sex, and periodic tests (cardiac, liver, bone, and hormonal and infectious examinations), were reviewed and collected using a checklist. Data were analyzed using SPSS22 software with a significance level of 0.05. Results: Enrolled patients were 93 cases with TM. The incidence of osteopenia and osteoporosis (69.9) was the most common, and the lowest cases were hypogonadism (35.5), hypothyroidism (9.7), heart failure (5.4), hepatitis C (2.2), and liver failure. Hepatitis B and HIV were not seen in these patients. Conclusion: Results demonstrated that the highest rate of complications was related to the bony part of the body structure, which is due to the pathophysiology of the disease. The low rates of heart failure and liver failure were because the patients with this level of complications may not survive for long. © 2022 by SPC (Sami Publishing Company

Evaluation of hospital information systems of the teaching hospitals affiliated to Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, based on the American College of Physicians Criteria

Introduction: Hospital information system (HIS) is a computerized system used for management of hospital information as an electronic device and has an indispensible role in the field of qualified healthcare services. Nevertheless, compared to other industrial and commercial systems, this information system is lagged in using the information technology and applying the controlling standards for satisfying the customers. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate HIS, identify its strength and weak points, and improve it in the teaching hospitals affiliated to Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. Method: The present descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted in the 8 teaching hospitals of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences which used HIS in 2011. The study data were collected through interview and direct observation using the criteria of American Physician College check-list. Finally, SPSS statistical software was used to analyze the data through descriptive statistics. Results: The study results showed that laboratory and medical records had respectively the most %43.5 and the least %21.03 conformity to the criteria of American College of Physicians. Also, Faghihi and Zeinabiye hospitals respectively had the most %41.8 and the least %25.2 conformity to the American College of Physicians’ criteria. In pharmacy, data entrance mechanism and presentation of reports had complete conformity to the scales of American College of Physicians, while drug interactions showed no conformity. In laboratory, data entrance mechanism had complete conformity to the above-mentioned criteria and keeping the test history had %87.5 conformity. The possibility of receiving information from centers out of laboratory had no conformity to the desired criteria. In the radiology department, data entrance mechanism had complete conformity to the above-mentioned criteria and keeping the test history had %87.5 conformity. Besides, the possibility of receiving information from centers out of radiology department had %25 conformity. In medical records department, data entrance mechanism had complete conformity to the criteria and data storage, files format, and the process of providing backup had %75 conformity. Conclusion: The final conformity of HIS in the study hospitals showed that the total mean of the system was less than %50 and weak. Therefore, further studies are required to be conducted throughout the country; so that various providers will be able to evaluate the presented systems regarding compatibility and interoperability

Association involving serotonin transporter gene linked polymorphic region and bipolar disorder type 1 in Iranian population

Introduction: Serotonin transporter gene linked polymorphic region, also called 5HTTLPR, is a candidate in the genetics of bipolar disorder; however, the results of previous association studies are inconsistent. Several explanations have been proposed for that inconsistency; among them are the existing differences both in the genetic basis of bipolar disorder subtypes and the genetic backgrounds of the studied populations. We aimed to investigate the association of 5HTTLPR with bipolar disorder type I (BP-1) in Iranian population. Methods: In this case-control study, 146 patients with BP-1 and 165 controls were recruited. The patients were selected through the Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnostic andStatisticalManual ofMentalDisorders, 4th edition. It was required that the patients do not have any present history of general medical conditions, substance abuse, and concurrent major psychiatric disorders. The polymorphism was evaluated by blood sampling and subsequent DNA extraction, polymerase chain reaction, and agarose gel electrophoresis. Chi-square test was used for analyzing allelic and genotype frequencies and two-tailed P values were obtained. Results: The S allele was significantly more frequent in the BP-1 patients compared with the controls (P=0.02, S allele odds ratio=1.5, confidence interval 95=1.06-2.11). Discussion: Our statistically significant results suggest that the role of 5HTTLPR in the pathogenesis of BP-1 needs to be clarified by further scrutiny in Iranian population and other populations of Near East. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd