Molecular Cloning and Expression of Cro s 1: an Occupational Allergen from Saffron Pollen (Crocus sativus)

Background: The cultivation of saffron is expanding through the southeast of Iran, and allergy to saffron pollen occurs in workers involved in processing this plant. We aimed to clone, sequence and express a major allergen involved in saffron pollen allergy, and to compare the recombinant with the natural allergen. Methods: The N-terminal amino acid sequence of Cro s 1, an allergen from saffron pollen, was determined after immunoblotting. The cDNA encoding for this allergen was cloned by PCR utilizing a primer based on the N-terminal amino acid sequence. Recombinant Cro s 1 (rCro s 1) was expressed as a soluble protein in Pichia pastoris and purified to homogeneity by gel filtration. Inhibition of IgE binding to rCro s 1 by pollen extract was analyzed by ELISA. Results: The allergen Cro s 1 was identified from saffron pollen extracts and cloned by PCR. Cro s 1 cDNA defined an acidic polypeptide with homology to pollen proteins from Chenopodium album and Ligastrum vulgaris. The rCro s 1 was expressed in P. pastoris at 28 mg/l. Saffron pollen extract inhibited the binding of patient serum IgE to rCro s 1. Conclusion: We identified and cloned the first Crocus sativus pollen allergen. rCro s 1 cDNA shows a very high homology with Che a 1, the major allergen of lamb's-quarter, Chenopodium album, Caryophyllales, pollen (97%). Cro s 1 is a useful tool for specific diagnosis and structural studies of occupational allergy to saffron

Omega-3 fatty acid supplements improve the cardiovascular risk profile of subjects with metabolic syndrome, including markers of inflammation and auto-immunity

OBJECTIVE Fish-oil contains high concentrations of omega-3 fatty acids that have been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties. We have evaluated the effects of purified omega-3 fatty acid supplements on several anthropometric and biochemical parameters, including heat shock protein (Hsp) 27 antibody titres in subjects with metabolic syndrome. METHODS Subjects (n = 120) with metabolic syndrome (mean age of 52.9 +/- 11.9 years) were randomly allocated to one of two groups: sixty subjects were given 1 gram of fish oil as a single capsule, containing 180 mg eicosapentaenoic acid and 120 mg docosahexaenoic acid daily for 6 months. Control subjects did not receive any supplementation over the same period. RESULTS The study was completed by 47 subjects in the intervention group and 42 subjects in the control group. Treatment with omega 3 supplements was associated with a significant fall in body weight (P < 0.05), systolic blood pressures (P < 0.05), serum low density lipoprotein cholesterol (P < 0.05), and total cholesterol (P < 0.05), triglycerides (P < 0.05), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) (P < 0.01), and Hsp27 antibody titres (P < 0.05). No significant changes were observed in the control group. CONCLUSION It appears that omega 3 improves the cardiovascular risk profile of subjects with metabolic syndrome, having effects on weight, systolic blood pressure, lipid profile and markers of inflammation and autoimmunit

The relationship between eating disorder symptoms and obsessive compulsive disorder in primigravida women

Background: Eating Disorder Symptoms are among the most common disorders in perinatal period and are influenced by various environmental and psychosocial factors such as anxiety disorders. So, the aim of this study was to determine the relationship between Eating Disorder symptoms and Obsessive Compulsive disorder in primigravida women. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried on 213 in primigravida women referring to Mashhad health care centers, selected through a two stage sampling method (cluster-convenience) in Mashhad in 2013. Demographic and prenatal characteristics Questionnaire, Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q)(26Q) and Maudsley Obsessive Compulsive Questionnaire (30Q) were completed by the subjects. The statistical analysis was performed with various statistical tests such as Pearson correlation coefficient, t-test, one-way ANOVA and linear regression. Significance level was considered as P < 0.05. Results: Based on the findings 94.6% of the subjects had Obsessive Compulsive disorder, and 18% had Eating Disorder Symptoms. In addition, there was a poor positive correlation between the rate of Eating Disorder Symptoms and Obsessive Compulsive. Conclusions: There was a correlation between the Eating Disorder Symptoms and Obsessive Compulsive in pregnant women. It is recommended to eliminate or decrease Eating Disorder Symptoms and Obsessive Compulsive among Iranian pregnant women through preventive measures

Maternal Knowledge on Postpartum Care in Healthcare Centers of Mashhad, Iran in 2013

Background & aim: During the postpartum period, women experience physiological changes, which can have negative impacts on their quality of life. Women’s knowledge regarding postpartum complications and care can help them successfully pass this critical period. The aim of this study was to evaluate maternal knowledge on postpartum care in healthcare centers of Mashhad, Iran in 2013. Methods:In this descriptive, cross-sectional study, 500 eligible mothers were randomly selected via multistage sampling from 19 healthcare centers of Mashhad. Data collection tools included a demographic questionnaire and a researcher-made questionnaire for assessing maternal knowledge. Descriptive and analytical statistics, independent t-test, analysis of variance, Pearson’s correlation coefficient and multivariable regression analysis were applied, using SPSS version 16. P-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Among 500 mothers referring to healthcare centers, 64 (12.8%), 396 (79.2%) and 40 (8.0%) cases had poor, moderate and high levels of knowledge, respectively. The majority of mothers had moderate knowledge about four dimensions of public health, breastfeeding and nutrition, contraceptive methods and infant care. The subjects had the highest and lowest levels of knowledge about public health and contraceptive methods, respectively. The results showed a significant relationship between the mean score of knowledge and demographic characteristics such as educational status, employment status and income level (

Relationship between Prenatal Attachment and Duration of Exclusive Breast Feeding in Primiparous Women

Background and Aims: Breastfeeding is the ideal food for infants during infancy. Maximize the benefits is exclusively breastfeeding. According to the downward of exclusive breastfeeding in our countries, the implementation of successful strategies in this field, has the particular importance. This study was conducted with aimed to determine the relationship between prenatal attachment and exclusive breastfeeding in primigravida women.Methods: This was a descriptive-correlational study which was conducted on 100 primigravida women at based on multi-stage sampling. Data were collected by infant feeding daily record form, maternal-fetal attachment and demographic, pregnancy, Edinburg depression, childbirth and postpartum questionnaires. Primgravida women with gestational age 35-41 weeks, completed the Cranly attachment questionnaire and infant feeding daily record form during 8 weeks provided them after childbirth. At this time after completing postpartum and Edinburg depression questionnaires, infant feeding daily record forms have been collected and data were analyzed.Results: This study showed that there is a direct and significant statistical relationship between maternal-fetal attachment and duration of exclusive breast feeding during 4 and 8 weeks after childbirth.Conclusion: Prenatal attachment is an important factor affecting the exclusive breast feeding and exclusive breastfeeding should be considered in the mother's mental health programs and training courses. *Corresponding Author: Maryam Montakhab Asadi, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.Email: [email protected]

The Relationship between Occupational Stress and Work Ability among Midwives in Mashhad, Iran

Background and Aim: Occupational stress is one of the key factors in reducing staff productivity in organizations with physical and psychological impacts on employees. Nursing and midwifery are among the most stressful professions. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the relationship between occupational stress and work ability of midwives in Mashhad, Iran in 2011. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried on 123 midwives employed in the public hospitals and health centres in Mashhad, Iran using two-stage sampling method. Demographic and work-related data were obtained through a self-structured questionnaire. Occupational stress and work ability were measured using Occupational Stress Assessment Questionnaire (OSAQ) and Work Ability Index Questionnaire (WAIQ). The statistical analysis was performed using student’s t-test, One Way ANOVA, correlation coefficient, and linear regression model through SPSS statistical software (version 11.5).   Results: The results showed that the mean score of occupational stress and work ability was 149 ± 0.01 and 38.81±0.05, respectively. There was a negative correlation between job-related stress and work ability. Midwives with higher occupational stress experienced poorer work ability (P=0.021, r=-0.061).   Conclusion: Sever work stress is associated with reduced work ability. So it is recommended to eliminate or decrease occupational stress and increase work ability among Iranian midwives using preventive measures, although identification of sources of occupational stress seems necessary in order to adopt appropriate stress management strategies

The Efficacy of Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Color Doppler Ultrasonography in Diagnosis of Salivary Gland Tumors

Background and aims. Although salivary gland tumors are not very common, early diagnosis and treatment is crucial because of their proximity to vital organs, and therefore, determining the efficacy of new imaging procedures becomes important. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and color doppler ultrasonography parameters in the diagnosis and differentiation of benign and malignant salivary gland tumors. Materials and methods. In this cross-sectional study, color doppler ultrasonography and MRI were performed for 22 patients with salivary gland tumor. Demographic data as well as MRI, color doppler ultrasonography, and surgical parameters including tumor site, signal in MRI images, ultrasound echo, tumor border, lymphadenopathy, invasion, perfusion, vascular resistance index (RI), vascular pulse index (PI) were analyzed using Chi-square test, Fisher’s exact test, and independent ttest. Results. The mean age of patients was 46.59±13.97 years (8 males and 14 females). Patients with malignant tumors were older (P < 0.01). The most common tumors were pleomorphic adenoma (36.4%), metastasis (36.4%), and mucoepidermoid carcinoma (9%). Nine tumors (40.9%) were benign and 13 (59.1%) were malignant. The overall accuracy of MRI and color doppler ultrasonography in determining tumor site was 100% and 95%, respectively. No significant difference observed between RI and PI and the diagnosis of tumor. Conclusion. Both MRI and ultrasonography have high accuracy in the localization of tumors. Well-identified border was a sign of benign tumors. Also, invasion to adjacent structures was a predictive factor for malignancy

Evaluation of Frequency of Microbial Contamination in Clinical Setting Surface in Dental School of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences

Introduction: Surfaces mostly touched during dental treatments can be areservoir for infections and lead to cross-infection. The aim of the presentstudy was to evaluate the incidence of microbial infection of clinical surfaces in Mashhad Faculty of Dentistry. Materials and Methods: Surface samples were randomly collected from unit headrest, light handle, and tabure of 10% of active dental units in Mashhad Dental Faculty. Samples were collected at two time points including beginning of the day and midday after surface disinfection. Samples were collected and transferred to the microbiology laboratory to determine the number of various microorganisms including staphylococcus, streptococcus, micrococcus, bacillus, tetragen, corena, and yeast. Data was analyzed by using Kruskal-Wallis test. P-value less than 0.05 were considered significant. Results: The highest rate of contamination of headrest was observed at Prosthodontics Department, and the highest rate of contamination of light handle respectively in Endodontics, Pediatrics, and Prosthodontics departments. Furthermore, Prosthodontics Department showed the highest rate of tabure contamination. Kruskal-Wallis test revealed no significant difference in total microorganisms at different departments in various surfaces. A significant difference was found between departments regarding micrococcus infection (

Comparison of serum levels of Tri‐iodothyronine (T3), Thyroxine (T4), and Thyroid‐Stimulating Hormone (TSH) in preeclampsia and normal pregnancy

Background: The physiological changes in thyroid gland during pregnancy have been suggested as one of the pathophysiologic causes of preeclampsia.Objective: The aim of this study was comparison of serum levels of Tri‐iodothyronine (T3), Thyroxine (T4), and Thyroid‐Stimulating Hormone (TSH) in preeclampsia and normal pregnancy. Materials and Methods: In this case‐control study, 40 normal pregnant women and 40 cases of preeclampsia in third trimester of pregnancy were evaluated. They were compared for serum levels of Free T3 (FT3), Free T4 (FT4) and TSH. The data was analyzed by SPSS software with the use of t‐student, Chi‐square, Independent sample T-test and Bivariate correlation test. p≤0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The mean age was not statistically different between two groups (p=0.297). No significant difference was observed in terms of parity between two groups (p=0.206). Normal pregnant women were not significantly different from preeclampsia cases in the view of FT3 level (1.38 pg/ml vs. 1.41 pg/ml, p=0.803), FT4 level (0.95 pg/ml vs. 0.96 pg/ml, p=0.834) and TSH level (3.51 μIU/ml vs. 3.10 μIU/ml, p=0.386). Conclusion: The findings of the present study do not support the hypothesis that changes in FT3, FT4 and TSH levels could be possible etiology of preeclampsi