High Titers of Hemagglutination Inhibition Antibodies against 2009 H1N1 Influenza Virus in Southern Iran

ABSTRACT Background: Pandemic flu had at least two waves in Iran. Knowing how many of the general population were already exposed to this infection has a major impact on national preventive measures. As of December 30, 2009, a total of 3672 confirmed cases of human infection with a novel Influenza A (2009 H1N1) virus had been reported in Iran with 140 deaths. Objective: In this study we aim to measure, as a pilot study, the seroprevalence of positive antibody titer (humoral immunity) against 2009 H1N1 virus in Iranian population in Shiraz, Southern Iran. Methods: Through cluster random sampling of families residing in Shiraz, 2553 subjects were selected and after a medical interview blood samples were taken and checked for polyclonal antibody against 2009 H1N1 antigen using hemagglutination inhibition assay. An antibody titer of more than 1:40 dilution was considered positive. Data were analyzed considering the demographic characteristics of the population and were compared among different age groups. Results: 1504 (58.91%) samples were tested positive for the presence of polyclonal antibody against 2009 H1N1 virus. The prevalence of positive titers were significantly higher in 60 to 64 years old group and significantly lower in 20 to 24 years old group (p<0.05). Data did not differ based on other demographic characteristics or the history of flu like illnesses in the past 6 months. Conclusion: High seroprevalence of antibody against 2009 H1N1 in the sera of our subjects describes either a high level of preexisting immunity against H1N1 in Iranian population or a high rate of asymptomatic infection in our area compared to other countries

Ryanodine Receptor Modulator, Dantrolene Sodium, Improves Survival Following Ventricular Fibrillation

Background: Ventricular fibrillation (VF) is associated with dysfunctional cardiac calcium cycling and poor survival. We hypothesized dantrolene improves survival following VF by stabilizing calcium dysregulation. Methods: VF was induced in 26 healthy Yorkshire pigs and left untreated for 4 min followed by 3 min of CPR and defibrillation. Dantrolene was infused during CPR. Rabbit hearts (n=14) were studied to evaluate the effect of dantrolene on VF-induced calcium cycling dysfunction. Results: Survival was higher in the dantrolene group. (85% vs. 39%, P=0.01) Dantrolene-treated pigs required significantly lower defibrillation energy level. (150J vs. 650J, P<0.05) Systolic pressure was significantly higher during the post-defibrillation period in the dantrolene group. (P=0.001) In rabbit hearts, dantrolene significantly mitigated the amplitude of VF-induced diastolic calcium elevations and increased the calcium alternans threshold. (P<0.05) Conclusion: Our findings suggest dantrolene facilitates successful defibrillation, prevents myocardial stunning and improves survival following VF. The effects are mediated through normalizing the VF-induced dysfunctional calcium cycling.MAS

Operations when using electronic communications for quick transfer of materials and parts to the production line

فرایند ساخت از روابط غیر خطی و پیچیده ای پیروی می کند. ولی رفتار دو متغیر هزینه تولید و کیفیت محصول در این روابط نقش مهمتری دارند. کنترل بهینه تولید با خطی سازی فرایند ساخت امکان پذیر می شود و سیستم تولید به هنگام با ارائه راهبردی منطقی، کوشش می نماید تا معادله های تولید را ساده و ممکن سازد. سیستم تولید به هنگام در تولید، انتقال و توزیع مواد، قطعات و فرآورده های گوناگون راهکاری مشخص دارد. در عین حال درون هر بخش، زیر مجموعه های ورودی، فرایند و خروجی را پوشش می دهد. در واقع تابع تبدیل کارخانه تحت نام فرایندهای مختلف شناسایی می شود و با بهبود انتقال مواد، حد اتلاف انرژی ساخت در نقاط مختلف تولید به سمت صفر میل می کند. در این مقاله برای کنترل فرایند انتقال کالا با استفاده از راهبردهای سیستم تولید به هنگام و فناوری مبادله الکترونیکی داده ها ارائه می گردد. این روش با پیگیری عملیات انتقال کالا میان واحدهای درگیر تولید، الگوریتمی را برای برنامه ریزی و تامین مواد و قطعات پیشنهاد می نماید. برای مبادله داده ها در سطوح کاربردی و شبکه از استانداردهای بین المللی استفاده شده است. هدف از انجام پژوهش نیز، شناسایی عواملی است که پس از پیاده سازی این سیستم در میزان بهره وری واحدهای تولیدی صنعتی نقش داشته باشند

Vaccination against hepatitis B among prisoners in Iran: Accelerated vs. classic vaccination

Background Prisoners and injecting drug users are at constant risk of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and the classic 6-months HBV vaccination might not provide immunization rapidly enough. In this randomized clinical trial we investigated the efficacy of an accelerated vaccination protocol vs. classic schedule among prisoners in Iran.Methods 180 prisoners were randomized into 2 vaccination groups; group A underwent accelerated vaccination at 0, 1, 4 and 8 weeks and group C were vaccinated at 0, 1 and 6 months. Antibody against Hepatitis-B surface-antigen (anti-HBs) was assessed at baseline, one, two, six and eight months after the first vaccine dose using immunoenzymatic assays. Seroprotection was defined as anti-HBs titer of 10 IU/L or more. Anti-HBc and HBsAg were measured at baseline and 8th month to evaluate new HBV infection and failure of vaccination.Results Overall compliance was 100% and 90.4% in groups A and C respectively. While seroprotection rate at one month was significantly higher in group A (22.4%) compared to group C (4.7%), in the 8th month 78.8% and 93.4% seroprotection was achieved in groups A and C respectively (P Hepatitis B virus Accelerated vaccination Seroprotection Compliance Immunization