Idiopathic Uveitis and Familial Mediterranean Fever: Is There Any Relationship?

Introduction. Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is an auto-inflammatory disease characterized by attacks of fever and polyserositis. FMF is often associated with other autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, polyarteritis nodosa (PAN), and Behcet. Uveitis is an inflammatory process caused by underlying infectious and inflammatory disorders. This study investigates the probable relationship between idiopathic uveitis and FMF. Methods. Patients with idiopathic uveitis were analyzed for the 12 most common MEFV mutations (P369S, F479L, M680I(G/C), M680I(G/A), I692del, M694V, M694I, K695R, V726A, A744S, R761H, E148Q) by a reverse hybridization assay (FMF StripAssay,Vienna lab,Vienna, Austria). Results. 12 patients with idiopathic uveitis were enrolled in this study. 10 of them were female. The youngest patient was a 7-year-old child and the oldest was 57. The most common complaints of patients were blurred vision and then eye redness. One patient was heterozygous for R761H. Genetic analysis of the 12 most common MEFV mutations in the patients with idiopathic uveitis didnot have any positive results. Conclusion. According to the analysis of the 12 most common MEFV gene mutations, FMF is not an underlying cause of idiopathic uveitis. On the other hand, uveitis merely could not be the first presentation of FMF

Prevalence and molecular typing of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus carrying Panton–Valentine leukocidin gene

Panton–Valentine leukocidin (pvl) toxin is an important virulence factor of Staphylococcus aureus. The main genes are coa and spa for distinguishing and typing of S. aureus isolates. The aim of this study was to investigate antibiotic resistance, presence of mecA and pvl genes, as well as epidemiological typing of these isolates according to polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method in clinical sample isolated from Rasht city, Iran. A total of 250 clinical samples have been isolated from different hospitals. First, isolates of S. aureus were identified through microbiological methods and their antibiotic sensitivity was determined by disk diffusion agar based on a standard method of Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute. DNA was extracted by boiling and presence of pvl and mecA genes was investigated by PCR using specific primers. To type these isolates, amplification of fragments of coa and spa genes was done and restriction enzyme digestion pattern was determined by PCR-RFLP method. Among the 250 samples, 50 isolates belonged to S. aureus and results of antibiotic sensitivity showed that 68% (34 samples) of isolates were methicillin resistant. Frequency of mecA and pvl genes among S. aureus isolates were 60% (30 samples) and 20% (10 samples). The PCR of coa gene showed three patterns whereas that of spa gene showed two patterns for enzyme digestion. Result of PCR-RFLP using HaeIII enzymes for coa gene and Bsp1431 for spa gene showed three patterns for enzyme digestion. Recent studies indicated increase in the resistance of S. aureus to different antibiotics, which is a serious problem in the treatment of infections resulting from S. aureus in this region. The result of PCR of pvl showed high frequency of this gene in this region, and coa and spa typing by PCR-RFLP was a useful tool for typing of S. aureus isolates

Bacteria of Phlebotominae Sand Flies Collected in Western Iran

Microorganisms particularly bacteria presenting in insects such as Phlebotominae may play an important role in the epidemiology of human infectious disease. Nowadays, because of vector implications, the routine methods of controlling and spraying have no more beneficial effects on vectors and reservoirs. Little knows about the prevalence and diversity of sand fly bacteria. The main objective of this study was to determine the presence of bacteria of phlebotominae sand flies collected in Hamadan, west of Iran. This information is important in order to development of vector control strategies. The microbial flora of Phlebotomus papatasi and P. sergenti the main vector of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in the old world, were investigated. We characterized 8 bacteria, including 5 Gram-negative bacteria: Acinetobacter lwoffii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterobacter cloacae, Edvardsiela sp. and Proteus mirabilis and Gram-positive bacteria: Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus saprophyticus and Micrococcus luteus. Our study provides some data on the microbiota diversity of field-collected sand flies for the first time in Hamadan. Our results indicate that there is a range of variation of aerobic bacteria inhabiting sand fly, which possibly reflect the ecological condition of the habitat where the fly breeds. Microbiota is increasingly regarded as an important factor for modulating vector competence in insect vectors. So, mirobiota can be effects on the biology of phlebotominae and their roles in the sandfly-Leishmania interaction. Further experiments are required to clearly delineate the vectorial role of sand flies. Because it is probable that in the future, factors such as environmental changes, migration and urbanization can ease the transmission of leishmaniasis in this area

A Comparative Study of the Self-Esteem of People with Physical-Mobility Disabilities Either with or without University Education

Abstract The purpose of this study was to compare and evaluate the relationship between self-esteem and its related factors among individuals with physical-motor disabilities. The method used in this research is a comparative survey. The statistical population of the present study was 1600 people with physical-motor disabilities in the city of Yazd 2018. According to the Cochran formula, a sample of 310 individuals were obtained. A group of 155 people with physical-motor disabilities without higher education and 155 university graduates with physical-motor disabilities were studied under the auspices of the Yazd Welfare Organization. The data collection tools were the Rosenberg self-efficacy scale, SF-36 quality of life by the World Health Organization, and Sherer et al.’s (1982) self-efficacy. The mean self-esteem for all the participants was 36.30, which is more than average. The results of this research generally showed that university-graduates have more self-esteem than those without university education. There was a significant relationship between self-efficacy and self-esteem. Therefore, according to the results of this study, it is necessary for social institutions and social workers to modify the attitudes of societies toward empowerment through education, cultural activities, effective media plans and appropriate social programs. Keywords: Self-esteem, Self-efficacy, Quality of Life, People with Physical-Motor Disabilities, Higher Educatio

The Role of Family Functioning, Peer Attachment and Academic Performance in predicting of Happiness in Adolescent Girls

The purpose of this research was to determine the role of family functioning (FF), academic performance (EP) and peer attachment (PA) in predicting of happiness adolescent girls. Therefore, 344 high school female students in Yazd were selected through multi-stage random sampling and were asked to complete the Oxford Happiness Questionnaire, Family Assessment Device (FAD), and Inventory of Parent and Peer Attachment. Students' grade point average was considered as the measure of academic performance.  The results of analysis of regression showed that all the subscales of family functioning and peers attachment and also academic performance have significant correlation with happiness yet only "the roles and relationships" of family performance and peers attachment could predict happiness. Attachment to peers was the strongest factor. However, academic performance did not have a significant role in prediction of student's happiness. In accordance with the findings of developmental psychology, peers and family are the two most important psychological constructs that have the most significant roles in predicting the happiness of adolescent girls. But academic performance did not have a significant role in predicting student's happiness, thereby it can challenge the social common belief in educational systems regarding the strong association between academic performance and well-being and happiness

Effectiveness of life skills training based on self-care on mental health and quality of life of married Afghan women in Iran

Abstract Background One of the major issues that immigrants, especially Afghan women face, is their self-care disability. This will cause problems in their mental health and quality of life. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of life skills training based on self-care on mental health and quality of life of married Afghan women living in Taft. Methods This quasi-experimental study was conducted using a pretest posttest design with control group. Statistical population was all married Afghan women living in Taft (Yazd province) of whom 60 women were selected using purposive sampling and were randomly allocated to two groups of 30 as experimental and control groups. The experimental group received 8 sessions of life skills training based on self-care. General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) and Quality of Life of the World Health Organization Questionnaire (WHOQ-BREF) were used to collect data. Multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) was used to analyze the data. Results Results showed that following the intervention, the mean scores of quality of life (p < 0.0001) and mental health (p < 0.019) in the experimental group increased in the posttest compared to the pretest and the effect of intervention was significant. Conclusion Results suggested that providing a training opportunity for Afghan women to learn life skills based on self-care, enables them to realize their strengths and weaknesses and improve their quality of life and mental health

Antagonistic Activity of Probiotic Bacteria Isolated from Traditional Dairy Products against E. coli O157:H7

Background:    Probiotics are living microorganisms that have useful effects on health of digestive system when acquired in a defined dosage. E. coli O157:H7 is known as one of the most important agents of diarrhea in developing countries. Therefore, attention to the treatment of such gastrointestinal disease is essential. The aim of this study was to determine antagonistic activity of food born lactobacilli against E. coli O157:H7. Methods:     Lactobacilli were isolated from traditional dairy products (yogurt and buttermilk samples). Then, they were characterized using biochemical and molecular tests. Bifidobacterium bifidum PTCC 1644 was obtained from the microbial collection of Iranian Research Organization for Science and Technology in Lyophilized form. Similarly, E. coli O157:H7 PTCC12900 was obtained from faculty of veterinary medicine university of Tehran. The antagonistic activity of probiotics supernatants against E. coli O157:H7 was investigated using the disk diffusion agar, well diffusion agar and pour plate methods. Results:   The isolates were characterized as Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus fermentum. All isolates showed antagonistic activities against E. coli O157:H7 in all of the three methods, where the activity of L. plantarum and B. bidifum PTCC 1644 was greater than that of L. fermentum. Conclusion:   Metabolites produced by the probiotic bacteria are able to inhibit the growth of E. coli O157:H7. This can be an important solution for the prevention and treatment of E. coli O157:H7 infection and ultimately improve human health

Effect of life skills education on nurses’ happiness

Happiness is known as a common goal for all the human being and an effective factor in reducing and coping with stress. Nursing is one of the stressful jobs in healthcare facing various occupational stressors. Life skills education is an intervention used to promote mental health and confront psychosocial injuries. The present study was conducted to examine the effect of life skills education on nurses’ happiness at Shahid Sadoughi Hospital in Yazd, 2015. This is a semi-experimental study with pre- and post-test and a control group. A total of 32 volunteer nurses were selected and assigned into control (n=16) and case (n=16) groups. The case group participated in an 8-hour course of life skills education (including effective communication, self-awareness, anger management, and coping with stress). Data collection was carried out using Fordyce happiness scale and demographic questions completed before and one week after the course by both groups and analyzed using chi square and t-test. According to the findings of this study the mean (±SD) of nurses’ happiness in the control and case groups were 131.25 ± 11.96 and 130.44 ± 12.75 at the baseline and 130.06 ± 28.10 and 146.25 ± 13.70 one week later, respectively (P = 0.038). This difference was not significant in control group (P = 0.163). The results of this study indicated that life skills education could significantly increase nurses’ happiness and thus it can be used as a beneficial intervention.</p

Immediate autotransplantation of a mandibular premolar with complete roots to a fractured tooth site, using platelet-rich fibrin in an orthodontic patient, report of a case

Transplantation of one tooth to another site in the same individual can be considered an attractive alternative to dental implants or fixed prostheses. This study reports the treatment results of a 16-year-old female with severe crowding in upper and lower arches and a fractured mandibular premolar with a poor prognosis. The crowding of the lower left quadrant was relieved by the extraction of the first premolar. This extracted tooth with a complete root was transplanted to the right quadrant with the fractured tooth. Platelet-rich fibrin can stimulate and accelerate periodontal healing. The platelet concentrate of this patient was prepared and applied to the socket wall at the time of surgery. The acceptable occlusion and the excellent 4-year prognosis of the transplanted tooth are presented