Interleukin-1 and Keratinocyte Growth Factor/Fibroblast Growth Factor-7 Gene Expression in Skin Experimental Irritant Contact Dermatitis Mouse Model Treated with Aqueous Extract of Trachyspermum copticum (L.) Link Seeds

Background: In our previous study, the extract of Trachyspermum copticum (L.) Link seeds on gene expression of IFN-γ and TGF-β1 in mouse model with irritant contact dermatitis (ICD), in comparison with cutaneous corticosteroids were evaluated. In that study, in addition to significantly increase of IFN-γ and TGF-β1 genes expression levels in skin samples of "mice with ICD" groups treated with extract in comparison to other groups, histopathologic findings showed substantial improvement of skin color, texture and thickness, and also significant increase in hair follicle number. Therefore, we have decided to study the levels of Interleukin-1 (IL-1) gene expression, which plays a major role in inflammation responses, and Keratinocyte Growth Factor/Fibroblast Growth Factor-7 (KGF/FGF-7), which has growth effect on cells and is an important endogenous mediator of hair follicle growth and development.  Materials and Methods: We used autopsy samples of skin lesions obtained from "mice model with irritant contact dermatitis (ICD)" from the previous study. In that study, "mice with ICD" divided in 9 groups and were treated with three concentrations of Trachyspermum Copticum (L.) Link dried seeds, cutaneous hydrocortisone, and fluocinolone acetonide. Then from the first day until the 10th day of treatment, clinical signs and histopathologic investigations were investigated. In the present study, using Real-Time PCR, the levels of IL-1 and KGF/FGF-7 genes expression in skin samples of inflammation site in above mice groups were studied. Statistical analysis, using one -way ANOVA, were performed. Level of significance was set at 0.05.Results: The IL-1 gene expression showed a significant difference between groups: IL-1 gene expression levels in mice with ICD treated with extract and corticosteroids were higher than the other groups (p=0.0001). While in untreated "mice with ICD", no significant differences were observed. Also, during the treatment, there was a considerable increase in levels of IL-1 gene expression in groups treated with the extract at a rate of at least 2 to 3-fold in comparison with the "healthy untreated mice" group. The levels of KGF/FGF-7 gene expression in "mice with ICD" groups treated with the extract showed significance difference (p=0.014); also there was a meaningful difference in "mice with ICD" groups treated with cutaneous corticosteroids (p=0.004). While, in "untreated mice with ICD" group there were a significant decrease in the levels of KGF/FGF-7 gene expression in comparison with "healthy untreated mice" group (p=0.0001). Also, changes in the levels IL-1 and KGF/FGF-7 gene expressions in each group in different days were seen. Conclusion: In this study, significant changes in the IL-1 and KGF/FGF-7 genes expression levels in the skin samples with inflammation, were associated with an increase in the rate and speed of improvement of contact dermatitis, more favorable conditions of the healed skin (in terms of color, consistency, and thickness), and a remarkable increase in the number of hair grown on the site of dermatitis (compared with control groups, and even groups with corticosteroid therapy).

Hepatitis B Seroprevalence and Risk Factors in Adult Population of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province in 2013

Background: Hepatitis B virus is one of the important viral causes of liver inflammation with high worldwide prevalence and important hepatic and extra hepatic complications. Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of hepatitis B in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province, Iran. Patients and Methods: For this descriptive, analytical, population-based study, 3000 participants older than 15 years were enrolled according to the clustering method. After obtaining written informed consent and taking required blood samples, we gathered data on demographic status and probable transmission routes of disease using questionnaire between 2012 and 2013. The data was analyzed using SPSS software (descriptive parameters and chi-square). P value below 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: The mean age of participants was 38.4 +/- 16.3. The seroprevalence rate of hepatitis B was found to be 1.3% (95% CI, 0.95%-1.81%). Prevalence of HBeAg among HBsAg positive participants was 2.5% (only 1 of 40). Seroprevalence was higher in male group (2.5 times higher than women), age group of over 55 years, farmers, and non-public occupations. Positive seroprevalence was associated with a history of renal disease, familial transmission, transfusion, surgery in hospital, circumcision, contact with hepatitis B infected individuals, imprisonment, intravenous (IV) drug abuse, and smoking (P < 0.05). Nevertheless, the highest odds ratio (OR) was obtained for history of renal disease (OR = 7.64: 3.01-18.4), followed by imprisonment (OR = 5.4: 1.86-15.7) and IV drug abuse (OR = 5.68: 1.3-24.7). Conclusions: Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province could be categorized as a low endemic region for hepatitis B infection, with a seroprevalence similar to that in other provinces of western Iran. Vaccination seems to influence its decrease, especially in adolescents and youth. More surveillance and attention to risk factors are suggested to identify high-risk groups and to implement vaccination

Evaluation of Teratogenic Activity of Antiepileptic Drug Lamotrigine in Mouse Fetuses.

BACKGROUND: Use of antiepileptic drugs during pregnancy can be associated with an increased risk of teratogenicity as well as congenital abnormalities. However, there are numerous discrepancies to determine whether lamotrigine, as an antiepileptic drug, can significantly induce malformation in newborn infants or not. Thus, the purpose of the study was to evaluate the teratogenic effects of lamotrigine on mouse fetuses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the present study, 21 pregnant mice were assigned to four groups. Groups 1 and 2 (controls) received mock treatment and ethanol 20%, respectively. Groups 3 and 4 (treatment) were intraperitoneally administered with 25 and 75 mg/kg lamotrigine for three days, respectively. The treatment protocol was performed within the gestational days of 9-18 in all groups. On gestational day 18, 117 fetuses were taken out of the fallopian tube of studied mice and then examined for any anomalies (vertebral, limbs and cranial), followed by a measurement of their height and weight. RESULTS: The results revealed that, in the treated groups, the weight and the height had significantly decreased (p<0.01) and also various anomalies were evident. Moreover, as the dose of lamotrigine increased, the decrease in the weight and the height and rising trend in anomalies were intensified. CONCLUSION: According to the findings, lamotrigine (LTG) could be considered as a risk factor for the development of the anomalies examined. KEYWORDS: anticonvulsants; congenital abnormalities; lamotrigine; mouse; teratogen

Relationship between Angiogenic Squamous Dysplasia and Bronchogenic Carcinoma in Patients Undergoing White Light Bronchoscopy

OBJECTIVE: To better understand the characteristic morphology of angiogenic squamous dysplasia (ASD) and its association with different types of common bronchogenic carcinomas using routine white light bronchoscopy. METHODS: Using a case-control design, 186 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded blocks of bronchial tissue (136 cases, 50 controls) obtained from patients who underwent routine nonfluorescence bronchoscopy between 2004 and 2005 were studied. RESULTS: ASD occurred at a higher frequency in patients with neoplastic lesions compared with those without neoplastic lesions (28 of 136 versus one of 50). ASD was also more prevalent in patients with squamous cell carcinoma compared with other neoplasms. Seventy six per cent of the ASD patients (22 of 29) smoked cigarettes. The morphology of ASD on hematoxylin and eosin- and CD31-stained sections was characterized by prominent microvasculature and capillary projections closely juxtaposed to variable degrees of dysplasia in all of the bronchogenic carcinoma specimens, and to metaplasia in one case in the control group. CONCLUSION: ASD is a unique morphological entity that should be considered by pathologists even on bronchoscopic biopsies from patients who undergo white light bronchoscopy. The presence of ASD may represent a risk biomarker of bronchogenic carcinoma in screening programs and in chemoprevention of lung cancer

Sodium hydrogen sulfide (NaHS) ameliorates alterations caused by cisplatin in filtration slit diaphragm and podocyte cytoskeletal in rat kidney

Background: Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) has been shown to have a protective role in various kidney disorders. Objectives: This study investigated the molecular mechanism of NaHS (a H2S donor) in treating on the renal damage induced by cisplatin (CP).Materials and Methods: Thirty-two male rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: Normal control group (group A)‚ NaHS group (group B) which received 200 µg/kg/d (intraperitoneal injection; i.p.) for 15 days‚ CP group (group C) which rats were injected with CP (5 mg/kg, single dose, i.p.), and CP + NaHS group (group D) (5 mg/kg and 200 µg/kg, respectively, i.p.). Samples of urine and serum, tissue of kidney were collected for analysis after treatments for 15 days. Morphological changes were elevated under light microscope‚ protein expression of desmin and nephrin were determined by immunohistochemistry and western blotting and also malondialdehyde (MDA) level was determined by spectrophotometer. Results: Compared to the CP group, NaHS treatment mitigated histological damages, decreased 24-hour urine protein excretion, serum urea and creatinine as well as MDA level. NaHS treatment increased protein levels of nephrin. Moreover, NaHS treatment decreased protein levels of desmin. Conclusions: NaHS can ameliorate CP -induced renal damage in rats which is associated with the increase in nephrin protein expression, and the decrease in MDA level and desmin protein expression

Evaluation of medicine prescription pattern using World Health Organization prescribing indicators in Iran: A cross-sectional study

Objective: The objective was to quantify the specialists′ prescription pattern in Iran and to point out the prescribing behavioral differences among several specialties. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was carried out on the claim data. National prescription data were obtained on the basis of the claims that the pharmacies submitted to the insurers during 1 year period of the study. More than 85 million prescriptions were analyzed using "Rx-Analyst" software that is designed and applied by National Committee of Rational Use of Medicines in Iran. Specified medical specialties were considered and the World Health Organization prescription indicators were used to evaluate the physicians′ prescribing behavior. Findings: Average items per prescription were ranged from 3.68 in cardiologists′ to 2.06 in dermatologists′ prescriptions. The highest and the lowest mean price were belonged to neurologists′ and ophthalmologists′ prescriptions, respectively. In addition, 45% of patients received antibiotics, 41% of patients received injectable form of drugs, and 23% received corticosteroids. A high tendency toward prescribing corticosteroids and antibiotics as well as an injectable form of medicines was observed among general physicians. Conclusion: There is an inevitable need to improve prescription habits among different specialties, especially among general practitioners. This causes the policymakers to put more emphasis on priorities such as continuous education

بررسي ميزان بروز خشونت نسبت به پرسنل بخش اورژانس

Introduction:&nbsp;The tense environment of the emergency department (ED) exposes the staff of this department to risks resulting from physical and verbal confrontations and attacks, which can affect not only the staff’s job satisfaction and safety but also the process and quality of care and service provided for the patients.&nbsp;Methods:&nbsp;In this descriptive cross-sectional study, using a questionnaire, all the staff members working in the EDs of Imam Khomeni and Golestan Hospitals, Ahvaz, Iran, were questioned regarding encountering verbal and physical violence from March to September 2017. Data were then gathered and analyzed via SPSS software version 20.&nbsp;Results:&nbsp;In the studied EDs, 132 staff were employed in different categories and 100% of them participated in the study, of whom 58% were male. The mean age of the participants in the study was 31.7 ± 5.8 (rang from 21 to 56) years old. Among them, 78.1% of the studied individuals had faced verbal violence at least once and the mean incidence rate of verbal violence in the studied 6 months was 34.8 times in each month. 17.4% of the ED staff had faced physical violence with the mean incidence rate of 7.31% times per month in the studied 6 months. 17% of ED staff members reported feeling highly safe, 61% felt moderately safe, and 12% felt a low level of safety, and 10% did not feel safe at all.&nbsp;Conclusion:&nbsp;Considering the results of the present study, the rate of violence incidence is high in the EDs of Imam Khomeni and Golestan Hospitals, Ahvaz, Iran, and this has raised concerns among the staff members of these EDs. In addition, in this study, violence has been mostly on the part of patients’ companions.مقدمه: محيط پر تنش بخش اورژانس كاركنان اين بخش را در معرض خطرات ناشي از تهاجمات و تعارضات فيزيكي و كلامي قرار ميدهد كه مي تواند علاوه بر امنيت و رضايت شغلي كاركنان بر روند و كيفيت ارائه خدمات و مراقبت ها به بيماران نيز موثر باشد. روش کار: در اين مطالعه مقطعي توصيفي از طريق پرسشنامه كليه پرسنل شاغل در بخش اورژانس بيمارستان های امام خمینی (ره) و گلستان اهواز نسبت به خشونتهاي كلامي و فيزيكي در شش ماهه اول سال 1396مورد پرسش قرار گرفتند. سپس داده ها جمع آوري و با استفاده از نرم افزارSPSS نسخه 20 آناليز گرديد. يافته ها: در بخش های اورژانس مورد مطالعه 132 نفر پرسنل در رده های مختلف مشغول به کار بودند و 100 درصد ایشان در این مطالعه شرکت نمودند که 58 درصد ایشان مرد بودند. میانگین سن شرکت کنندگان در مطالعه حاضر 8/5 ± 7/31 و بين 21 تا 56 سال متغير بود. از این بین 1/78 درصد حداقل يك بار مورد خشونت كلامي قرار گرفته بودند كه ميانگين تعداد خشونت كلامي در شش ماهه اول سال 1396، 8/34 بار بود. در مجموع 4/17 درصد پرسنل اورژانس با ميانگين 31/7 بار در طي شش ماه مورد خشونت فيزيكي قرار گرفته بودند. همچنین 17 درصد پرسنل بخش اورژانس حين فعاليت در اورژانس احساس امنيت بالا، 61 درصد احساس امنيت متوسط و 12درصد احساس امنيت پاييني داشتند و 10 درصد هم اصلا احساس امنيت نمي كردند. نتيجه گيري: با توجه به نتايج اين مطالعه ميزان بروز خشونت در بخش اورژانس بيمارستان های امام خمینی (ره) و گلستان اهواز بالاست و اين خشونت بيشتر از طرف همراهان بوده است. اين امر موجب نگراني و دغدغه پرسنل اورژانس شده است.&nbsp

Factors Affecting the Consumption of Fast Foods Among Women Based on the Social Cognitive Theory

Introduction: Fast-food consumption among Iranian families appears to be increasing probably due to urbanization, popularization of western-style diets and increased women's labor force participation. Few theory-based investigations have assessed the determinants of fast food consumption. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the predictors of fast food consumption, based on the social cognitive theory (SCT) among women referred to health centers in Hamadan, West of Iran. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted using structured self-administered questionnaires on 384 women referred to 10 health centers in Hamadan city, Western of Iran. Health center was considered as a sampling unit and systematic random sampling method was applied to select health centers. Participants filled a questionnaire containing SCT constructs, an eight-item food frequency questionnaire, and demographic characteristics. Data was analyzed by independent T-test, one-way ANOVA, and multiple linear regression using SPSS-16. Results: The model could explain 21% of the variance in frequency of fast food consumption. Outcome expectations (p=0.04) and availability (p< 0.001) were the significant predictors. The career status of women was the only related demographic characteristic (p< 0.001). Conclusion: Interventions aimed to change outcome expectations and introducing nutritious alternatives to fast food could be promising to decrease the rate of fast-food consumption

Identification of factors related to behaviors associated with musculoskeletal pain among elementary students

Abstract Background Musculoskeletal pains are among evident health problems in children and adolescents. Backpack carrying behaviors and the sitting postures are among behavioral factors associated with musculoskeletal pain in schoolchildren. Therefore, this study aims to identify the factors related to these important musculoskeletal behaviors, using Health Promotion Models. Methods In this cross-sectional study, a questionnaire was created based on PRECEDE Model and Health Belief Model and was administered to 673 Iranian students, whom were selected randomly from elementary schools of Hamadan, Iran, in 2018. Results The findings of the study revealed that proper sitting postures and backpack carrying were 42 and 33%, respectively. The findings also showed that predisposing factors including perceived susceptibility (p < 0.05, β = 0.219), perceived severity (p < 0.05, β = 0.166), perceived barriers (p < 0.05, β = − 0.191), perceived self-efficacy (p < 0.05, β = 0.188) and also enabling factors (p < 0.05, β = 0.329) were significantly related to sitting behaviors. Moreover, backpack carrying behaviors had significant relationships with predisposing factors of perceived susceptibility (p < 0.05, β = 0.198), perceived barriers (p < 0.05, β = − 0.258), perceived self-efficacy (p < 0.05, β = 0.185) and reinforcing factors (p < 0.05, β = 0.208). Conclusions It seems necessary for future preventive programs to take factors of musculoskeletal pains among children and adolescents into account

Flame Atomic Absorption Determination of Gold Ion in Aqueous Samples after Preconcentration Using 9-Acridinylamine Functionalized γ-Alumina Nanoparticles

A simple and sensitive solid phase extraction utilizing 9-acridinylamine functionalized alumina nanoparticles was developed, and their potential use for preconcentration and subsequent determination of gold by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) was investigated. A number of parameters, namely, type, concentration, and volume of eluent, pH of the sample solution, flow rate of extraction, and volume of the sample, were evaluated. The effect of a variety of ions on preconcentration and recovery was also investigated. Gold ions were found to be recovered quantitatively at pH 3.0, with 0.1 mol L−1 thiourea in 2 mol L−1 H2SO4 as eluent. The limit of detection (LOD), defined as five times the standard deviation of the blank, was determined to be lower than 13.0 ppb. Under optimum conditions, the accuracy and precision (RSD%) of the method were >98.0 and <1.5%, respectively. To gauge its ability in terms of application to real samples, the proposed method was successfully applied for determination of gold concentration in waste water samples and one soil standard material, and satisfactory results were obtained