Evaluation of the Relationship Between Reflux Esophagitis and Helicobacter Pylori Stomach Infection in Patients Referring to Zahedan Hospitals, Sistan and Baluchistan Province, Iran

Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease is a common disorder of the digestive tract. Exposure of the oesophageal mucosa to gastric acid can lead to mucosal damage as in oesophagitis. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between Helicobacter pylori infection in the stomach and reflux oesophagitis in patients, referring to the endoscopy units of hospitals in Zahedan between 2015 and 2019. In this cross-sectional study, all patients (under 15, 15-25, 25-35, 35-45 and 45 years and older) who referred to the Endoscopy units of two randomly selected hospitals in Zahedan during 2015-2019, were studied. H. pylori infection was diagnosed from pathological specimens. Information on all patients, including age, sex, presence of oesophagitis and its grade, and H. pylori infection was recorded on questionnaires and their relationships with oesophagitis and its grade as well as H. pylori infection were analyzed statistically. Tables and charts were used to illustrate the data. T-tests and Chi-squared tests were used to investigate the relationships between variables. The results showed that the frequency of oesophagitis in our patients was 52.8%, with the highest frequency being obtained for grade B oesophagitis (48%). In this study, the prevalence of H. pylori infection was 57.5%. This rate was 55.4% in patients with oesophagitis, with a statistically significant difference from the group without oesophagitis. There was a significant relationship between grade A oesophagitis and H. pylori infection. In conclusion, we were able to demonstrate a significant relationship between H. pylori infection and oesophagitis in affected patients

Rapid and simultaneous genotypic detection of Rifampin-Isoniazid and Ethambutol resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis by use of MAS-PCR

AbstractAims and objectivesThis study aims to identify common mutations leading to Isoniazid (INH), Rifampin (RMP) and Etambutol (EMB) resistance using Multiplex Allele-Specific Polymerase Chain Reaction (MAS-PCR).MethodIn a cross-sectional study during 2012–2013, 257 patients with smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis residing in five frontier west and north-west provinces of Iran were evaluated in respect of common point mutations leading to resistance to tree first-line drugs.ResultsThe overall frequency of mutations was 37 out of which 8 mutations were related to katG 315, 26 mutations pertained to rpoB 516, 526 and 531 and 3 mutations related to emb B. The rpoB single, double and triple mutations were found in 45.3%, 42.3% and 15.4% of rpoB, respectively. Frequency of patients with mutation to katG and at least one rpoB codon was 7cases (2.7%) at the same time. In this study 60.0% of INH-resistant and 83.3% of RMP-resistant isolates were detected by MAS-PCR technique. Mutation odds were higher in females and in patients with a history of anti-TB drug use.ConclusionThe MAS-PCR is a relatively rapid, sustainable, efficient and accurate technique for detection of drug resistance in tuberculosis. This highlights also the role of mutation at inhA, ahp and oxy R genes in the creation of IHN resistance which may be the causative factor in the remainder of cases

The Role of Spiritual Health in Predicting Stress in Infertile Women Mediated by Resilience

Background & aim: Infertility is a culturally dependent, challenging experience for individuals and families. Understanding characteristics of Iranian infertile couples and effective coping factors can help counselors in selecting appropriate models. This study assesses the role of spiritual health in predicting stress in infertile women through resilience mediating role.Methods: This predictive correlational study was conducted on 105 women at gynecology clinics of Mashhad, Iran in 2021.They were selected through Convenience sampling method. Tools included Spiritual Well Being Scale, Connor & Davidson Resilience Questionnaire and, Newton, Schrard, and Glavas Perceived Infertility Stress.  The instrument used were paper and pen, and they were completed by the participants. Pearson correlation coefficient and structural equation modeling were employed to analyze the data using SPSS (version 22) and Smart PLS software (version 3).Results: Findings revealed significant negative and relationships between spiritual health and perceived stress, positive relationships between spiritual health and resilience, and a negative relationship between resilience and perceived stress. Resilience mediated the negative and significant relationship between spiritual health and stress in infertile women. The value of the VAF index was equal to 0.368 and the total effect of spiritual health on perceived stress was equal to -0.732.Conclusion: Spiritual health and resilience effectively reducestress in infertile women. Recommending psychological counseling based on spiritual health and interventions in suggested

Evaluation of Fis-1 and miR-484 Expression Levels in Tumor Tissue Samples and Healthy Tumor Margins in Lung Cancer

Background: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate gene expression and various cellular activities. They also hold significant importance in the progression and development of human malignancies. Among these, miRNA-484 and the Fis-1 gene have been identified as having substantial roles in lung cancer. This study aims to ascertain miRNA-484 and Fis-1 gene expression levels in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients.Method: In this case-control study, 45 pairs of tumor tissues and their corresponding healthy margin tissues were surgically obtained from NSCLC patients and promptly preserved in liquid nitrogen after excision. Total RNA extraction was performed using TRIzol, followed by cDNA synthesis using a designated kit. Afterward, we used quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) to measure the expression levels of miRNA-484 and the Fis-1 gene. Furthermore, the clinicopathological characteristics of the NSCLC patients were assessed.Results: Our findings revealed an upregulation of miRNA-484 expression and downregulation of Fis-1 gene expression in NSCLC tissues compared with non-tumor tissues. Additionally, significant correlations were observed between miRNA-484 and Fis-1 gene expression levels and clinicopathological features of the patients, including factors such as lymph node involvement and distant metastasis.Conclusion: These findings suggest the potential utility of Fis-1 and miR-484 as prognostic and diagnostic markers in NSCLC

Genomic analysis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in respiratory positive-smear patients using PGRS-RFLP in northwest and west provinces of Iran

Aims and objectives: Clustering of and determining Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) strains is of great concern in control programs of tuberculosis (TB). Identification of transmission type and tracking the infection source is also highly necessary. The aim of the present study is to track and determine the type of MTB infection, as well as its relationship with demographic factors using PGRS-RFLP. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 84 smear-positive patients from 5 frontier provinces (East Azerbaijan, West Azerbaijan, Ardebil, Kurdistan, and Kermanshah) were investigated according to PGRS-RFLP. Demographic data were collected using a questionnaire. The results were analyzed by SPSS-18 and G-Box. Result: Based on clustering, recent transmission was 66%. Most clusters were obtained from Kurdistan and Kermanshah. Vaccination record (p = 0.49) and treatment group (without previous treatment) (p = 0.004) had a significant relationship with clustering. Other demographic factors including age, gender, religion, drug abuse, smoking, history of migration, and marital status did not show a significant relationship with clustering. Conclusion: Genetic variation of MTB is high in this region. The rate of recent transmission based on clustering was unexpected (global average is 30–40%). Recent transmission was more dynamic in west Iran than northwest Iran. The strong relationship between treatment group 1 (without previous treatment) and clustering based on PGRS-RFLP can demonstrate the high correlation between molecular and classic information. In addition, the significant relationship between vaccination record and clustering highlights the necessity to conduct more extensive studies

The Effect of Carbon Dioxide Laser on Aphthous stomatitis Treatment: A Double-Blind Randomized Clinical Trial: Carbon Dioxide Laser and Aphthous stomatitis

Introduction: This randomized clinical trial was designed to investigate the effect of carbon dioxide laser on the treatment of minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis (miRAS) as a painful and common oral ulcer.Methods: Fifteen patients with miRAS entered into this study after compliance with the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The patients were assigned to three groups of pulsed CO2 laser, continuous CO2 laser, and control. A pulsed CO2 laser with a power of 261 W and pulse duration of 180 microseconds and continuous CO2 lasers with the power of 1 W and radiation duration of 5-10 seconds were used. In the control group, topical triamcinolone ointment of 0.1% was used. The degree of pain was measured using the visual analogue scale (VAS). The patients were evaluated in terms of pain intensity before and immediately after the treatment and at follow-up hours, 12, 24, 48, and 72 hours after the intervention, and changes in the size of the ulcers were measured before the treatment and on third, fifth, and seventh days.Results: The effect of CO2 laser with pulsed and continuous radiation on the pain intensity of aphthous lesions, immediately after the treatment and at subsequent follow-up hours were similar and even better than the control group (P<0.05). All three treatments had a similar effect on the size of the ulcer, which was not statistically significant (P>0.05).Conclusion: The results of this randomized controlled trial (RCT) showed that the carbon dioxide laser, whether with pulsed radiation or continuous radiation compared to the control group, had a better impact on the pain relief of aphthous lesions

Chronic constipation and acute small bowel obstruction due to small bowel encapsulation: A case report

Key Clinical Message Peritoneal encapsulation is most of the time asymptomatic and is found incidentally, but when symptomatic it usually presents with bowel obstruction. CT scan is a gold standard for the diagnosis of bowel encapsulation. Abstract Congenital peritoneal encapsulation (CPE), abdominal cocoon syndrome (ACS), and sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis (SEP) are syndromes in which the small bowel is encapsulated. Small bowel encapsulation is usually asymptomatic and rarely presents with small bowel obstruction. In this article, we report a 65‐year‐old man who presented to our hospital with signs and symptoms of small bowel obstruction. He underwent an urgent operation, and small bowel encapsulation was diagnosed. One year after the surgery, all symptoms improved