Relationship between Vitamin D and Childhood Asthma: A Case–Control Study

Objective: Studies determining the relationship between serum vitamin D status and childhood asthma have yielded controversial results. Findings indicated that vitamin D deficiency is associated with asthma and airway hyper responsiveness. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between serum vitamin D status and childhood asthma. Methods: Data were obtained from 200 asthmatic children (age 3-12 years) and 200 healthy controls. Serum levels of 25(OH) vitamin D, total IgE, calcium, phosphorus, parathormone (PTH) and eosinophil count were measured in both asthmatic children and healthy controls. Also, the mean values of 25(OH) vitamin D were compared with asthma symptom severities. Findings: There was a significant decrease in the concentration of serum 25(OH) vitamin D in the asthmatic patients as compared with the controls (20.34±2.8 vs 25.39±4.1 ng/mL, 95%CI: 1.46-3.86, P=0.01). Out of total asthmatic subjects, 40 (20%) were vitamin D sufficient, 48 (24%) were insufficient, and 112 (56%) were deficient. Total IgE concentration was also significantly higher in asthmatic patients having vitamin D deficiency (132.4±20.1 IU/ml, 95%CI: 1.38-3.75, P=0.03). Comparing asthmatic patients with healthy controls, odds of having vitamin D level less than 20ng/mL was 2.47. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency may be positively related to the prevalence of asthma in children

Evaluation of Microbial Resistance Pattern in Children with Urinary Tract Infection in Bushehr between 2017 and 2018

Background and Aim: Urinary tract infection is one of the most common childhood illnesses that can lead to complications such as hypertension and kidney failure. The aim of this study was to evaluate microbial resistance and sensitivity and to determine the relationship between urinary tract abnormalities and prior antibiotic use with microbial resistance. Methods: This is a descriptive-analytic study on 90 patients with a positive urine culture. Urine culture samples were taken using one of the sampling methods (midstream clean catch, catheterization, urine bag, suprapubic aspiration) and ultrasonography was requested for all patients to evaluate urinary system abnormalities. Also, a history of prior antibiotic use was asked and recorded. Results: Of all patients, 55.6% showed E.coli and 44.4% showed other bacteria in urine culture. 97.7% of patients' cultures were sensitive to imipenem, 82.2% to nitrofurantoin, and 77.8% to cefixime. 65% of patients' cultures showed resistance to nalidixic acid, 56.7% to co-trimoxazole, and 38.9% to ceftriaxone. There was a significant relationship between cefixime and amikacin antibiotic resistance with abnormal ultrasound and there was a significant relationship between antibiotic resistance to cefixime, ceftriaxone, co-trimoxazole, and duration of prior antibiotic use (p-value <0.05). Conclusion: The most common pathogen in UTI was E.coli. The highest sensitivity was to imipenem, nitrofurantoin, and cefixime, and the highest resistance was to nalidixic acid, co-trimoxazole, and ceftriaxone. There was a relationship between urinary tract abnormalities and prior antibiotic use with microbial resistance, so it is suggested to use kidney ultrasound in all patients with urinary tract infection

The Effect of Health System Reform Plan on Satisfaction of Family Physicians of South Khorasan Province

Background & Objectives: One of the important plans of the health system reform plan is the expansion of the family physician program. In fact, the most appropriate strategy for achieving health in rural areas, in a referral system framework, is to employ family physicians to take the responsibility of people's health. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of health reform plan on physicians' satisfaction. Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study was performed on 130 family physicians in 91 centers covered by the program in South Khorasan province in 2018. Subjects were selected through census sampling. Data collection tool was a researcher-made questionnaire. Data were analyzed using Chi-square and ANOVA tests and through SPSS version 22. Results: The overall satisfaction of family physicians was moderate. The highest rate of satisfaction was related to physicians’ performance and the lowest was with patient's behavior. There was a statistically significant relationship between general satisfaction of family physicians and satisfaction with organizational environment, satisfaction with salary and benefits and satisfaction with implementation of health system reform plan. Conclusion: Since family physicians’ satisfaction can lead to improved productivity and health indicators, attention should be paid to factors that improve physicians’ satisfaction such as proper and timely payment of their salary

Intranuclear localization of EGFP-mouse PPARγ1 in bovine fibroblast cells

Objective: The aim of this study was to clone PPARγ1 cDNA in an appropriate mammalian expression vector, with a chimeric cDNA form, encompassing PPARγ with enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) cDNA. This recombinant plasmid will be used for further analyses to investigate the molecular mechanism of PPARγ1 for neural differentiation process. Moreover, the nuclear localization of the PPARγ1 protein linked to EGFP marker was chased by using transient transfection of a constructed plasmid into bovine fibroblast cells. Materials and Methods: Total RNA was extracted from the fatty tissue of an adult mouse. Using specific pair primers, PPARγ1 cDNA was synthesized and amplified to produce the entire length of ORF. RT-PCR products containing PPARγ1 cDNA were treated by enzymatic digestion and inserted into the pEGFP-C1 downstream from EGFP cDNA. The constructed vector was used for transformation into bacterial competent cells. Positive colonies which showed inserted PPARγ1 cDNA were selected for plasmid preparations and additional analysis was performed to ensure that PPARγ1 cDNA was inserted properly. Finally, to confirm the intracellular localization of EGFP-PPARγ1, bovine fibroblast cells were transfected with the recombinant plasmid. Results: Our results from enzymatic digestion and sequencing confirmed, as expected, that PPARγ1 cDNA was amplified and cloned correctly. This cDNA gene encompassed 1428 bp. The related product was entered into the nucleus of bovine fibroblasts after transfection of its cDNA. Conclusion: PPARγ1 cDNA was cloned and sorted into nuclear compartments of bovine fibroblast cells upon transfection

Prevalence of reflux nephropathy in Iranian children with solitary kidney: results of a multi-center study

Abstract Background: Given the importance of the function of the remnant kidney in children with unilateral renal agen‑ esis and the significance of timely diagnosis and treatment of reflux nephropathy to prevent further damage to the remaining kidney, we aimed to determine the prevalence of reflux nephropathy in this subgroup of pediatric patients. Methods: In general, 274 children referred to pediatric nephrologists in different parts of Iran were evaluated, of whom 199 had solitary kidney and were included in this cross‑sectional study. The reasons for referral included urinary tract infection (UTI), abnormal renal ultrasonography, being symptomatic, and incidental screening. Demographic characteristics, including age and gender were recorded. History of UTI and presence of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) were evaluated. Results: Of the 274 children evaluated in this study with the mean age (SD) of 4.71 (4.24) years, 199 (72.6%) had solitary kidney. Among these, 118 (59.3%) were male and 81 (60.7%) were female, 21.1% had a history of UTI, and VUR was present in 23.1%. The most common cause of referral was abnormal renal ultrasonography (40.2%), followed by incidental screening (21.1%), being symptomatic (14.1%), and UTI (5.5%). In 116 children (58.3%), the right kidneys and in 83 (41.7%) the left kidneys were absent. Besides, 14.6% of the participants had consanguineous parents and 3% had a family history of solitary kidney. Upon DMSA scan, the single kidney was scarred in 13.1%, of which only 7.5% were associated with VUR. In addition, proteinuria and hematuria were observed in 6.5% and 1.5% of children, respectively. Conclusions: The prevalence of reflux nephropathy was 7.5% in children with solitary kidney with a male predomi‑ nance. Given the relatively high prevalence of reflux nephropathy in these children, screening for VUR in the remnant kidney appears to be essential in this population. Keywords: Vesicoureteral reflux, Nephropathy, Children, Solitary kidney, Renal agenesi

Prognostic Role of Gestational Age and Birth Weight in Nephrotic Syndrome: A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study

Background and Aim: Nephrotic syndrome (NS) is a common disease in children characterized by proteinuria, hypoalbunemia and hyperlipidemia. In some cases, NS is resistant to steroid therapy and may have frequent relapses. The aim of this study was to determine the prognostic role of gestational age and birth weight in the clinical outcomes of NS. Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted on 77 patients. The patients’ data such as history of relapse and steroid resistance, birth weight, gestational age, and pathological variant were collected. Data was analysed using the SPSS software. Results: Twenty-three patients were females and 54 were males. There was no significant association between the number of recurrences and premature birth (P value= 0.99). Mann-Whitney U test showed no significant difference between birth weight of patients who recurred less than two times during six months and those who recurred more than two times in six months (P= 0.336).  Besides, Fisher’s exact test showed no significant association between premature birth and the chance of developing steroid resistance (P value = 0.643). Moreover, there was no significant association between birth weight and steroid resistance (P-value = 0.768). Conclusion: Low birth weight and premature birth did not have a role in the prognosis of nephrotic syndrome in our study population. Other factors including uterine-placental disorders, maternal underlying diseases, quality of weight gain in the first years of life, and ethnicity should also be examined in further investigations including larger samples of different ethnic groups

Sociological analysis of contemporary identities and childlessness among young couples.

The purpose of this research is to study the attitude towards the child phenomenon in the current world. In today's world, we are witnessing change and transformation in all aspects of individual, family and social life. Changes that are inevitable and necessary for the world that surrounds us. Hence, many pre-existing gender roles and sources of identity have lost their priority for modern man and provided him with newer possibilities for self-presentation and a sense of worth. The couple's attitude towards the child, as much as it is an individual or marital decision and choice, can be a result of the change of the couple's identity in the new era, which in both cases (Wanting or not wanting child) will have different consequences on the couple of the last decade than the couples of previous generations. The method of this theory is data foundation. The data required for this study are the result of a semi-structured interview with 18 young couples. The method of selecting participants is purposeful and accessible and their number is determined by reaching the saturation stage. Based on the results of the research, the two central phenomena of "unilateral unstable agreement" and "priority of navigation to adherence" were selected as the central phenomena and the selective phenomenon of "identity fluidity" was selected as the main paradigm. One of the causes of this phenomenon is rethinking identity and self-awareness is a process that results in the social acceptance of childlessness in society

مروری بر تاثیر اسب سواری درمانی در کودکان با اختلال اوتیسم

اختلال اوتیسم طبقه ای از اختلالات عصبی رشدی است که بر جنبه های بیشماری از عملکردهای روزانه ی کودک تاثیر گذار است و با علایمی چون مشکل در برقرای ارتباط، تعامل اجتماعی، عملکردهای شناختی، عملکردهای حسی حرکتی همراه می‌باشد. مداخلات متعددی در این حوزه صورت می‌گیرد که یکی از این مداخلات استفاده از حیوانات در درمان، شامل اسب سواری درمانی است. با توجه به سهولت برقراری ارتباط کودکان اوتیسم با حیوانات نسبت به انسانها، برآن شدیم که به بررسی تحقیقاتی که تا کنون در زمینه ی استفاده از این درمان در کودکان با اختلال اوتیسم انجام شده است بپردازیم.  به نظر می‌رسد اسب سواری درمانی تاثیرات مثبتی برعملکرد کودکان اوتیسم دارد که البته نبود یک پروتکل واحد برای اجرای این مداخلات نیاز به انجام پژوهشهای بیشتری در این زمینه برای ایجاد یک پروتکل درمانی نشانمی‌دهد. کلید واژه‌ها: اوتیسم، اسب سواری درمانی، هیپوتراپ

The Correlation between Attachment Styles and Defense Mechanisms with Mental Health in Diabetic Patients

Background and Objectives: Mental health in diabetic patients is affected by psychological and social factors. Attachment styles and defensive mechanisms are also important due to their fundamental role in management of challenges and various personal and interpersonal issues. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between attachment styles and defense mechanisms with mental health in diabetic patients. &nbsp; Method: This research was a descriptive-correlational (analytical) study. The statistical population included all type I diabetic patients (age, 30-55 years), who referred to Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center of Bushehr City (2013-2014). Using available sampling, 100 individuals were selected as statistical sample. The data collection tools included DASS-21 questionnaire, defense mechanisms of Andrews et al., Adult Attachment Styles questionnaire, and demographic information form. Data were analyzed using correlation coefficient and stepwise regression analysis. &nbsp; Results: There was a significant negative correlation between avoidant and ambivalent attachment style and mental health in diabetic patients (p<0.001). There was also a significant positive correlation between secure attachment style and mental health among diabetic patients (p<0.001). There was a significant positive correlation between mature defense mechanism and mental health in diabetic patients (p<0.001). There was also a significant negative correlation between immature defense mechanism and Neuroticism with mental health in diabetic patients (p<0.001). &nbsp; Conclusion: Diabetic individuals who use safe attachment styles and mature defense mechanisms have a better mental health. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp