Pulmonary tuberculosis and some underlying conditions in Golestan Province of Iran, during 2001-2005

Context: Pulmonary tuberculosis has been a major health problem in Golestan province of Iran. Aims: This descriptive cross-sectional study was performed to evaluate the frequency of coexisting medical conditions and their effects on some epidemiologic factors in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis. Setting and Design: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study. Methods and Material: Demographic information, time of admission in the hospital and coexisting medical conditions (diabetes, chronic renal failure/hemodyalysis, corticosteroids consumption and malignancies) were extracted from the patient's file. Statistical analysis used: Chi-square test was used to assess the relationship between variables. Results: Two hundred forty three patients with pulmonary tuberculosis during 5 years were studied. Out of all, 162 cases (66.7%) did not have any co-morbidities. Diabetes mellitus was found to be the most prevalent condition (23.05%) followed by chronic renal failure, corticosteroid consumption and malignancy ranking second, third and forth in the list (5.8%, 2.5% and 2 respectively). The mean age of the patients was 50.15±19 years old. In the group without co morbidities, male/ female ratio was 1.41/1, but co morbidity with diabetes was significantly more prevalent in females (p<0.05). Conclusions: We suggest screening of tuberculosis in patients with chronic renal failure and diabetes mellitus in our area. Also for patients with pulmonary tuberculosis, diabetes screening should be considered essential

Memorable experience, tourist-destination identification and destination love

Purpose – This paper is aimed to investigate the impact of memorable destination experience and destination attractiveness on tourist-destination identification and destination love. It also investigates the moderating role of gender. Design/methodology/approach – Using the cluster sampling method, the study selected cities of a developing country with the most popular destinations. A questionnaire survey was employed to collect data from a sample of foreign and domestic tourists. To test the research model, a covariance-based structural equation modelling approach was adopted. Findings – According to the results, destination attractiveness and memorable experience had a positive effect on tourist-destination identification. Similarly, tourist-destination identification positively influenced destination love. In addition, destination love impacts the intention to revisit and word-of-mouth. Finally, the results indicate that gender moderates some of these relationships. Originality/value – Understanding what items can create strong bonds between destination and tourist is of great importance. By providing a validated conceptual model that traces the relationship between memorable experience, destination attractiveness, and tourist-destination identification through cognitive, affective, and evaluative dimensions, this study attempts to answer prior calls for examination from the viewpoint of tourism scholars

Nonclassicality of induced coherence witnessed by contextuality

Quantum indistinguishability by path identity generates a new way of optical coherence, called ``induced coherence". The phenomenon, originally uncovered by Zou, Wang, and Mandel's experiment, is an emerging notion in modern quantum experiments with a wide range of implications. However, there has been controversy over its true quantum nature and whether the result can be emulated with classical light. We design a suitable contextuality test that can determine the conditions under which the setting produces distinguishing quantum predictions that cannot be described classically, namely, via the noncontextual hidden variable model.Comment: 12 pages, 7 figure

In Vitro Evaluation of the Effects of Tamoxifen on Prostate Cancer Cells

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Considering the high prevalence of prostate cancer and the effect of androgens on its progression, this study was conducted to investigate the inhibitory effects of tamoxifen as an anti-androgen on prostate cancer. METHODS: In this experimental study, the human cell line (PC3) was purchased from the Pasteur Institute. The effect of tamoxifen at concentrations of 0, 3.25, 7.5, 15, 30 and 60 μM on cells was evaluated, and the tests of viability, migration, colonization and cell morphological changes were respectively performed using MTT, wound healing, colonization, and giemsa staining methods. FINDINGS: IC50 dosage of tamoxifen of 15 μM with a regression coefficient of 0.90 was obtained within 24 hours. The results showed that tamoxifen significantly inhibited proliferation with 7.3±0.6 colonies compared with 100 colonies of control (p<0.03) and migration with 278.4±1.5 μm groove diameter compared with 89.68 ± 0.9 μm of control (p<0.01) at the dose of 15 μM. Treatment of cells with a dose of 15 μM also causes changes in the nucleus and cytoplasm and causes apoptosis in comparison with the control group. CONCLUSION: The results of this study showed that tamoxifen has significant inhibitory effects on PC3 prostate cell and can be considered as an appropriate way for the treatment of prostate cancer

Consequences of AphanizomenonFlos-aquae(AFA) extract (StemtechTM) on metabolic profile of patients with type 2 diabetes

Background: Blue- green algae is one of the most nutrient dense foods which is rich in substances that have useful effects on human health. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a water- soluble extract of the cyanophyta Aphanizomenon Flos-aquae (StemtechTM) as a functional supplement on CD markers, lipid profile, glucose levels as well as its side effects in Iranian patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods: During this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial 49 type 2 diabetic patients, aged between 20 and 60years with a HbA1C�7.5, were allocated. Patients were divided into two groups of placebo and treated with an equal ratio 1:1. The subjects in StemtechTM group received one capsule of StemFlo (508mg) before breakfast and two capsules of StemEnhance (500mg) after each meal for a period of 12weeks, and placebo group was instructed to take placebo with the same pattern. During the intervention period, subjects were asked to keep usual diet and prohibited to take any functional foods or dietary supplements. Metabolic panel has been measured as the primary outcome of study at the beginning and end of the intervention period via blood sampling. Results: StemtechTM supplementation for 12weeks decreased fasting blood glucose (FBG) and Glycatedhemoglobin (HbA1c). Mean serum chemistry parameters (Triglyceride, Total Cholesterol, LDL, HDL, CRP, AST, ALT, BUN and Creatinine) as well as CD 34+, IL-6, TNF-aα in treated and control groups before and after the study showed no considerable dissimilarities. Conclusion: StemtechTM intervention brought in positive consequence on blood glucose levels in Iranian patients with type 2 diabetes, consequently suggests the StemtechTM as a functional food for the management of diabetes. © 2015 Sanaei et al

Intraperitoneally located tip of femoral vein catheter; clinical suspicion for avoidance of unnecessary laparotomy

Central venous catheterization is a common procedure in critical care and trauma patients. Complications are not rare and in some studies more than 15 incidence has been reported (1). Femoral vein is one of the commonest site for this purpose yet it carries complications, such as infection and misplacement. The current study reports an unexpected secondary malposition of right femoral CVC in the peritoneal cavity. It was concluded that in any case of acute abdominal issues, following insertion of femoral venous catheter, evaluation of catheter misplacement by the means of contrast injection through it can be helpful for better diagnosis, and may help avoid unnecessary surgical interventions. © 2017, Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine

Intraperitoneally located tip of femoral vein catheter; clinical suspicion for avoidance of unnecessary laparotomy

Central venous catheterization is a common procedure in critical care and trauma patients. Complications are not rare and in some studies more than 15 incidence has been reported (1). Femoral vein is one of the commonest site for this purpose yet it carries complications, such as infection and misplacement. The current study reports an unexpected secondary malposition of right femoral CVC in the peritoneal cavity. It was concluded that in any case of acute abdominal issues, following insertion of femoral venous catheter, evaluation of catheter misplacement by the means of contrast injection through it can be helpful for better diagnosis, and may help avoid unnecessary surgical interventions. © 2017, Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine