The frequency of four common cancers in Kermanshah City, Iran, during the years 2004-2011

BACKGROUND: Cancer is one of the most prevalent diseases in today’s civilized world, with an increasing number of sufferers with each passing day. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of common cancers in Kermanshah City, Iran, in a period of eight years between 2004 and 2011.METHODS: This was a historic cohort study. Data were collected from Kermanshah Province Health Center (Cancer Registry). Data analysis was performed using SPSS software.RESULTS: 6,146 people were diagnosed with cancer in Kermanshah during these eight years. The prevalence of skin, stomach, breast, and bladder cancers, without considering the patients’ genders, was 35.24, 24.58, 23.73, and 16.45 percent, respectively. The highest frequency belonged to skin cancer with 309 persons in 2007.CONCLUSION: Considering the fact that cancer has increased in the city of Kermanshah, it is necessary to change the lifestyle of all the people in order to prevent and reduce different types of cancer. Managers, officials, and health professionals are the most suitable individuals that can start changing the lifestyle, habits, and the improper way of living in this community

The frequency of skin cancers in Kermanshah City, Iran, during the years 2003-2012

BACKGROUND: Skin cancer is the most common malignancy in the world, and besides the malignant type that has a high mortality rate, other cancers causes many complications and deaths as well. The incidence of skin cancer has increased over the recent decades. The present study aimed to assess the incidence of skin cancers in the city of Kermanshah, Iran, in a period between 2003 and 2012.METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study, for which all the data was collected from the Cancer Registry Health Center in Kermanshah Province. The study population consisted of 2,660 individuals that had been diagnosed with skin cancer between the years 2003 and 2012. Analysis of obtained data was performed using SPSS statistical software.RESULTS: The prevalence of skin cancer in Kermanshah was 2,660 people over the last ten years. Skin cancer had a uniform trend, but it had increased from 212 individuals to 282 over the past decade. Although this cancer could be found in all ages, but in 2004, it was mostly diagnosed in the seventh decade of life.CONCLUSIONS: The results showed that the prevalence of skin cancer is in fact high. Given that skin cancer is one of the most common cancers, it is necessary to take steps toward reducing the risk factors of this cancer by management and proper planning

Medicinal Plants for the Treatment of Acne Vulgaris: A Review of Recent Evidences

Context: Acne vulgaris affects about 85% of teenagers and may continue to adulthood. There are about two million visits to physicians per year for teenagers and the direct cost of acne treatment in the US exceeds $1 billion per year. Evidence Acquisition: A wide variety of treatment regimens exist for acne vulgaris including benzoil peroxide, retinoids, isotretinoids, keratolytic soaps, alpha hydroxy acids, azelaic acid, salicilic acid as well as hormonal, anti-androgen or antiseborrheic treatments. However, none of these methods is free of side effects and their exact role in therapy is not clear. In this paper apart from presenting the possible causes of acne vulgaris and its available drugs, recently published papers about medicinal plants used in the treatment of acne vulgaris were reviewed. Results: Consumption of alternative and complementary medicine, including medicinal plants, is increasing and is common amongst patients affected by acne and infectious skin diseases. Medicinal plants have a long history of use and have been shown to possess low side effects. These plants are a reliable source for preparation of new drugs. Conclusions: Many plants seem to have inhibitory effects on the growth of bacteria, fungi and viruses in vitro. However, there are a few clinical evidences about the effectiveness and safety of these plants in the treatment of acne and other skin infections

Microscopic Evaluation of Cleaning Efficiency of Three Different Nickel-Titanium Rotary Instruments

INTRODUCTION: This study compared the cleaning efficiency of Mtwo, Race and Medin Nickel-Titanium (NiTi) rotary instruments. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty mandibular molar mesial roots were selected with angle curvatures between 25-35 degrees and divided into three groups; each containing 20 teeth. Canals were prepared with the rotary files and irrigated with 2.5% NaOCl solution after each instrument. Total of 5mL of normal saline was used as the final rinse; subsequently the canals were dried with paper points. The amount of debris and smear layer in three parts of the root canal walls was evaluated using SEM and the data were analyzed by using the Kruskal-Wallis test and the Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: The results for remnant debris in the coronal part of root canals were similar, whereas in the middle third, Mtwo instruments achieved significantly better results compared to Race and Medin instruments. In the apical third of the root canals more debris was created by Race instruments. CONCLUSION: Overall, Mtwo instruments had greater success in producing clean canals

The Relationship Between Strategic Thinking and Hospital Managers’ Productivity in Teaching Hospitals of Shiraz

Background: Using different methods of strategic thinking is essential for organizations such as hospitals; without them, many organizations will not survive. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the relationship between strategic thinking and management productivity in teaching hospitals of Shiraz. Objectives: Because of the importance of strategic management in organizational productivity, the present study is conducted with the goal of assessing the relationship between strategic thinking and hospital managers’ productivity. Patients and Methods: This descriptive-correlational study was conducted in 2015. The statistical population included all managers in different levels in the teaching hospitals of Shiraz (170 persons). Among these, 119 participants were selected through Cochran’s formula and a simple random sampling method. Data were collected by a questionnaire addressing strategic thinking based on Liedtka’s model and Hersey and Blanchard’s theory. Its validity was verified by a panel of experts and its reliability was measured in previous studies. Data analysis was performed in SPSS version 20 using descriptive and analytic statistics (analysis of variance (ANOVA), Pearson’s correlation test and t-test). Results: The average and Standard Deviation of strategic thinking managers was (2.2 ± 0.04), and productivity of management (2.32 ± 0.37) was estimated on the average level. There was a direct meaningful relationship between strategically thinking managers and productivity (r = 0.387, P < 0.001). The results also showed that there is a meaningful correlation between strategic thinking and sustainability, organizational support and understanding of the job. Conclusions: Due to the correlation between strategic thinking and productivity, we recommend educating and training managers in the use of strategic thinking, and that they understand its importance to productivity. Managers should understand that increasing efficiency in a competitive environment today is a necessity for survival

The frequency of four common cancers in Kermanshah City, Iran, during the years 2004-2011

BACKGROUND: Cancer is one of the most prevalent diseases in today’s civilized world, with an increasing number of sufferers with each passing day. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of common cancers in Kermanshah City, Iran, in a period of eight years between 2004 and 2011. METHODS: This was a historic cohort study. Data were collected from Kermanshah Province Health Center (Cancer Registry). Data analysis was performed using SPSS software. RESULTS: 6,146 people were diagnosed with cancer in Kermanshah during these eight years. The prevalence of skin, stomach, breast, and bladder cancers, without considering the patients’ genders, was 35.24, 24.58, 23.73, and 16.45 percent, respectively. The highest frequency belonged to skin cancer with 309 persons in 2007. CONCLUSION: Considering the fact that cancer has increased in the city of Kermanshah, it is necessary to change the lifestyle of all the people in order to prevent and reduce different types of cancer. Managers, officials, and health professionals are the most suitable individuals that can start changing the lifestyle, habits, and the improper way of living in this community

Effect of Intensity on Changes in Cardiac Autonomic Control of Heart Rate and Arterial Stiffness After Equated Continuous Running Training Programs

[EN] Background: It is well known that exercise training has positive effects on both cardiac autonomic function and arterial stiffness (AS). However, it is not clear that which exercise training variables, intensity or volume, or both, play a crucial role in this regard. This study investigates the chronic effects of high-volume moderate-intensity training (HVMIT) and low-volume high-intensity training (LVHIT) on heart rate variability (HRV) and AS in sedentary adult men. Materials and Methods: Notably, 45 males (age: 42 ± 5.7 years) were randomly assigned to a control (n = 15), HVMIT (n = 15), or LVHIT (n = 15). The HVMIT group ran three times per week on a treadmill at 50–60% of VO2max for 45–60 min, while the LVHIT trained at 70–85% of VO2max for 25–40 min. Both training protocols were equated by caloric expenditure. HRV, pulse wave velocity (PWV), hemodynamic variables, and body composition were measured before and after 12 weeks. Results: Both protocols (i.e., HVMIT and LVHIT) significantly increased the SD of normal sinus beat intervals (SDNN) and high-frequency (HF) bands (p < 0.05) after 12 weeks. Whereas the low-frequency (LF)-HF ratio decreased significantly in both training protocols (p < 0.05); however, these changes were significantly greater in the LVHIT protocol (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the root mean square of successive RR interval differences (RMSSD) significantly increased only in the LVHIT (p < 0.05). Moreover, a significant decrease in LF and PWV was only observed following the LVHIT protocol (p < 0.05). Some measures of HRV and PWV were significantly correlated (r = 0.275–0.559; p < 0.05). Conclusion: These results show that the LVHIT protocol was more efficient for improving HRV variables and PWV than the HVMIT protocol after 12 weeks of continuous running training. Interestingly, changes in some HRV parameters were related to changes in PWV. Further studies should elaborate on the link between central and peripheral cardiovascular adaptations after continuous and intermittent training regimens differing in intensity

Prenatal Diagnosis of Leukocyte Adhesion Deficiency Type-1 (Five Cases from Iran with Two New Mutations)

Leukocyte adhesion deficiency type-1(LAD-1) is one of the autosomal recessive immunodeficiency diseases that results from mutation in integrin beta 2 (ITGB2) gene. The aim of this study was to investigate molecular prenatal diagnosis of LAD-1. Four pregnant women with five fetuses (one twin fetus) with clinical and laboratory diagnosis of LAD-1 in their previous children were studied. The chorionic villus sampling (CVS) was obtained when mothers were in 10-12th weeks of gestation. Mutation analysis of ITGB2 gene for affected children revealed 3 misssense mutations (c.382G>A,   a   novel   mutation,   c.2146G>C,   and   c.715G>A)   and   one   splice  site novel mutation (c.1877+2T>C). All parents were heterozygous for these mutations. Consideration of affected gene regions for five CVS samples showed two homozygotes and one heterozygote for mutant allele and two homozygotes for normal allele. Interestingly, one  of  the  twin  fetuses  was  affected  and  another  was  normal.  Briefly, two  cases  of CVS samples were affected and three cases of remained CVS samples were unaffected. This is the first report of prenatal diagnosis of LAD-1 from Iran with two new mutations that can be used for genetic and prenatal diagnosis for all patients suspected to LAD1 and can be helpful to prevent the birth of affected children with LAD-1. This  abstract  was presented  in  the  Second  International  Congress  of  Immunology, Asthma and Allergy, Tehran, Iran 2013

Clinical, epidemiological, and mycological features of patients with candidemia: Experience in two tertiary referral centers in Iran

Background and purpose: Candidemia is a major cause of morbidity and mortality among patients receiving immunosuppressive therapy and those hospitalized with serious underlying diseases. Here, we investigated the epidemiological, clinical, and mycological features of candidemia in Tehran, Iran. Materials and methods: A prospective observational study of all patients diagnosed with candidemia was performed at two referral teaching hospitals in Tehran, Iran, from February to December 2018. Demographic characteristics, underlying diseases, risk factors, clinical symptoms, and laboratory analyses of candidemic patients with positive culture were mined. Candida isolates were molecularly identified by sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer region (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2). The antifungal susceptibility testing for fluconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole, posaconazole, amphotericin B, caspofungin, micafungin, and anidulafungin against the isolates was performed using CLSI broth microdilution reference method (M27-A3). Results: A total of 89 episodes were identified, with an incidence of 2.1 episodes/1000 admissions. The common underling disease were malignancy (46%), renal failure/dialysis (44%), and hypertension (40%). The overall crude mortality was 47%. C. albicans (44%) was the most frequent causative agent, followed by C. glabrata (21%), C. parapsilosis complex (15%), C. tropicalis (11%), and C. lusitaniae (3.5%). All the isolates were susceptible to amphotericin B. The activity of all four azoles was low against non-albicans Candida species, especially C. tropicalis. Conclusion: The increase in non-albicans Candida species with reduced susceptibility to antifungal drugs might be alarming in high-risk patients. Therefore, accurate knowledge of predisposing factors and epidemiological patterns in candidemia are effective steps for managing and decreasing the mortality rate in candidemia.This study has been funded and supported by Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran (Grant no. 99-2-99-48944).S