Mannose Binding Lectin (MBL) and Its Clinical Significance

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Mannose Binding Lectin (MBL) is a key molecule in innate immunity, thi

Let’s Create a Culture of Emotional Intelligence

At the conclusion of this session participants will be able to: • Identify challenges of navigating institutional culture for students interacting in a variety of clinical settings. •Discuss the importance of integrating concepts of emotional intelligence throughout curricular plans of study. •Consider contemporary research findings in the health science literature regarding emotional intelligence among students

Cardiac 123 I-MIBG Parameters at 4 Hours Derived from Earlier Acquisitions Times

Abstract Background: The clinical implementation of cardiac 123 Iodine-meta-iodobenzylguanidine ( 123 I-MIBG) scintigra

Randomized Phase IIb Study of Brimonidine Drug Delivery System Generation 2 for Geographic Atrophy in Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Purpose: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of repeat injections of Brimonidine Drug Delivery System (Brimo DDS) Generation 2 (Gen 2) containing 400-μg brimonidine in patients with geographic atrophy (GA) secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Design: A phase IIb, randomized, multicenter, double-masked, sham-controlled, 30-month study (BEACON). Participants: Patients diagnosed with GA secondary to AMD and multifocal lesions with total area of > 1.25 mm2 and ≤ 18 mm2 in the study eye. Methods: Enrolled patients were randomized to treatment with intravitreal injections of 400-μg Brimo DDS (n = 154) or sham procedure (n = 156) in the study eye every 3 months from day 1 to month 21. Main Outcome Measures: The primary efficacy endpoint was GA lesion area change from baseline in the study eye, assessed with fundus autofluorescence imaging, at month 24. Results: The study was terminated early, at the time of the planned interim analysis, because of a slow GA progression rate (∼ 1.6 mm2/year) in the enrolled population. Least squares mean (standard error) GA area change from baseline at month 24 (primary endpoint) was 3.24 (0.13) mm2 with Brimo DDS (n = 84) versus 3.48 (0.13) mm2 with sham (n = 91), a reduction of 0.25 mm2 (7%) with Brimo DDS compared with sham (P = 0.150). At month 30, GA area change from baseline was 4.09 (0.15) mm2 with Brimo DDS (n = 49) versus 4.52 (0.15) mm2 with sham (n = 46), a reduction of 0.43 mm2 (10%) with Brimo DDS compared with sham (P = 0.033). Exploratory analysis showed numerically smaller loss over time in retinal sensitivity assessed with scotopic microperimetry with Brimo DDS than with sham (P = 0.053 at month 24). Treatment-related adverse events were usually related to the injection procedure. No implant accumulation was observed. Conclusions: Multiple intravitreal administrations of Brimo DDS (Gen 2) were well tolerated. The primary efficacy endpoint at 24 months was not met, but there was a numeric trend for reduction in GA progression at 24 months compared with sham treatment. The study was terminated early because of the lower-than-expected GA progression rate in the sham/control group. Financial Disclosure(s): Proprietary or commercial disclosures may be found after the references

Mental Health of General Practitioners in Emergency Wards

Aims General practitioners have an essential role in patient care and are exposed to high levels of job stress. General practitioners’ mental health has effects on their functional abilities and medical managements.This study was carried out to evaluate the mental health of general practitioners in emergency wards in KashanUniversity of Medical Sciences, Iran. Materials & Methods In this cross-sectional study, all of General practitioners in emergency wards (n=87) were studied. The survey instruments includedtwo questionnaires: 1-demographic variables and 2- General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28). Data were analyzed using SPSS 16 software and Chi square, Fisher exactand Mann-Whitney statistical tests. Findings The mean age of general practitioners was 36.11±5.67 years; 89.7% of them were married; 60.3% were male. 41% of the total general practitioners had mental health problems. The mean score of GHQ was 22.56±9.24. There were significant relationships between mental health and each age, employment situation, and number of children (p<0.05). Older physicians had better mental health than the younger ones. There were significant relationships between employment situation and anxiety (p=0.017) and somatic symptom (p=0.03). There were no significant relationships between mental health and each sex and marital status (p>0.05). Conclusion The majority of employed general practitioners in emergency rooms do not have proper mental health statuses

Analysis of Fang Puncture Wound Patterns in Isfahan Province’s, Iran, Venomous and Non-Venomous Snakes

Aims Venomous snake bites are public health problems in different parts of the world. The most specific mainstay in the treatment of envenomation is anti-venom. To treat the envenomation, it is very important to identify the offending species. This study was designed to determine the penetrating pattern of fangs and teeth of some viper snakes. Materials & Methods This descriptive study was performed on live venomous and nonvenomous snakes from 2010 till 2011. All 47 sample snakes were collected from different regions of Isfahan province such as Kashan City, Ghamsar, Niasar, Mashhad Ardehal, Taher- Abad and Khozagh. Their mouths were inspected every two weeks and development of their fangs and teeth were recorded by taking clear digital photos. Fangs and teeth patterns of samples were drawn and the results were compared. Findings One or two wounds appeared as typical fang marks at the bite site of venomous snakes while non-venomous snakes had two carved rows of small teeth. Three different teeth and fang patterns were recognized in venomous snakes which were completely different. Conclusion The fang marks of venomous snakes do not always have a common and classic pattern and there are at least 3 different patterns in Isfahan province, Iran

Executive - Legislature Relations in the Budgeting Process: A Study of President Obasanjo Years, 1999 – 2007

The executive and the legislative arms, working in harmony, are vital for the attainment of democratic and good governance and the much vaunted dividends of democracy. In this context, it is also axiomatic that a non-cooperative relation between the two has ominous implications for democratic growth. In the area of budgeting and in line with the principles of separation of powers that characterized most presidential systems, the 1999 Nigerian constitution has vested the executive and the legislature with different powers over national budgets. However, trends have shown that budgeting issues have been a major source of antagonism between the two arms, especially, under the reigns of President Obasanjo. It is in this light that this paper examines the fundamental basis of disagreement between the executive and legislature at the national level in Nigeria over budgetary matters. It may be reasoned, for now, that at the heart of this conflict lies a wrong appreciation of institutional roles and responsibilities between the two arms

Correlation between Microbial Quality and Organic Content in the Effluent of an Activated Sludge Wastewater Treatment Plant

Aims Regarding water as the main source of brio, not only its quantity and being availability is vital, but also its quality must be considered. This study was done in order to determine the correlation between physicochemical BOD5 and microbiological parameters (FC and TC) in the Kashan University of Medical Sciences wastewater effluent of activated sludge system. Materials & Methods This descriptive study was done from July to October 2012 at Kashan University of Medical Sciences. A total number of 130 samples were taken on different days of the week over a 4-month period from effluent, randomly. All of the taken samples were transferred to the water and wastewater laboratory for analysis, immediately. The SPSS 16 software and regression test for were used to analyze the obtained data, ultimately. Findings The mean value for BOD5 was 11.27±5.43mgL1. The mean value of TC was log1.62±0.32. A linear correlation (F=312.9 ;p<0.001) was observed between TC and BOD5. The mean value of FC was log1.42±0.31. A linear correlation (F=298.3 ;p<0.001) was observed between FC and BOD5. Conclusion BOD5 parameter can be used to predict the wastewater quality instead of TC and FC

Effect of Vermifiltration on COD and Color Removal from Textile Factories’ Waste Water

Aims Textile industries are among the manufactures which produce the highly polluted waste water. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the effect of vermifiltration on COD and color removal from textile waste water. Materials & Methods This experimental research was performed March to August 2014 in one of the textile factories of Kashan region, Iran. The glass cubic kits with- without Eisenia fetida were used to filter the waste water samples. Data was analyzed using Kruskal–Wallis and two-way analysis of variance in SPSS 19 statistical software. Findings The mean of COD concentration in the raw waste water samples was 1324.24±757.01mg/l which was decreased to 598.22±349.33 and 831.32±445.19mg/l after the experimental and control kits usage, respectively (p<0.001). The mean of color intensity in raw waste water samples was 51.2±30.6% which was decreased to 27.8±15.0 and 27.4±15.1% (p=0.635) in experimental and control kits, respectively. There was a significant negative correlation between COD removal and hydraulic loads (p<0.001; r=-0.804) and a significant negative correlation between color removal and hydraulic loads (p<0.001; r=- 0.278) in both experimental and control kits. Conclusion The most important risk groups in our study were abattoir workers, butchers, housewives and students who handle infected animals