The study of saying the prayer in Nejat and Avaye-Mehr drug rehab centers in Arak

For downloading the full-text of this article please click here.Background and Objectives: Nowadays addiction is a major problem of families and communities. Euphoria and changing of mental states due to drug use, association with addicted friends and social anomies are factors of tendency to addiction. The pray is a religious behavior and is the main symptom and true sign of religion. The pray can lead people to human dignity and grandeur. In this study, because of the important role of pray in changing and consolidation of human personality, tendency to pray was evaluated in addicts referring to Nejat and Avaye-Mehr drug rehab center in Arak city.Materials and Methods: The cross sectional study included 205 patients referred to the two rehab centers during 6 months in Arak city. Data were collected by a questionnaire and interviews.Results: The results showed that 30% of the patients under study always pray. In the months that religious ceremonies are held, the adherence of them to perform the ritual of pray is increased. The results suggest that in these patients, pray is considered negligible because only 42, 20 and 23.9 percent of them respectively are bound to: understand the meaning of pray, earlier pray and provide preparations of pray before the Azan.Conclusion: Although it cannot be claimed that the cause of addiction is inappetence to prayer, we can say that the adherence to prayer among drug addicts who were referred to the drug rehab centers was low.Keywords:  Arak, Addiction, Patient, Saying the prayerFor downloading the full-text of this article please click here

Isolation and Genotyping of Acanthamoeba from Soil Samples in Markazi Province, Iran

AIM: A previous study confirmed the contamination of water sources with this parasite in Arak, Markazi Province, Iran. The current study investigated soil sources and determined the predominant genotype of Acanthamoeba in this region of Iran. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty-eight soil samples, collected from different regions of Arak, Markazi province, Iran, were evaluated in this study. The samples were processed and identified by culturing on a specific medium, performing PCR assay, and sequencing the PCR products. Finally, using the NCBI database, the genotypes were determined. RESULTS: Of 48 soil samples, 33.3% and 31.25% were contaminated with Acanthamoeba according to the culture and molecular assays, respectively. The majority of these isolates belonged to the T4, T5 and T6 genotypes of Acanthamoeba. CONCLUSION: The genotypes of most isolates from soil samples in Arak similar to other regions of Iran belong to T4 genotype of this parasite. New sequence accession numbers include MG066681 and MG298785-MG298794. &nbsp

Epidemiologic evaluation of toxoplasmosis and leading risk factors in HIV/AIDS patients in Arak City, Iran

BackgroundToxoplasmosis is a common opportunistic infection that can be fatal in immunocompromised individuals, such as those with HIV/AIDS.AimsConsidering the rising incidence of HIV/AIDS in human populations worldwide and the high risk of toxoplasmosis among these patients, the current epidemiologic study was conducted to identify the characteristics and leading risk factors of toxoplasmosis among HIV/AIDS patients in Arak City, Marzaki Province, Iran.Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted in HIV patients under the care and counselling of the local health centre of Arak City. We included a total of 49 patients with HIV/AIDS who completed a written informed consent form and a two-part questionnaire. Demographic data and information about various risk factors were collected in the questionnaire. Blood samples were collected from each patient. Anti-Toxoplasma gondii IgG and IgM antibody assays and PCR were conducted on serum samples. Logistic regression and chi-squared (&chi;2) tests were used for statistical analysis. P values less than 0.05 (p < 0.05) were considered significant.Results Of the study participants, 22.4 per cent were Toxoplasma seropositive, with 20.4 per cent and 2 per cent being IgG- and IgM-positive, respectively. Among the participants, those who had occupational exposure to soil had the highest risk for toxoplasmosis (p < 0.043, OR=7.243).ConclusionThe seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis in HIV/AIDS patients is lower in Arak than in the general population in most parts of Iran. This is possibly owing to racial and geographic differences

Toxocariasis: The Sanitary Hazard in Urban Communities of Iran

Toxocariasis is human infection caused by larval stage of Toxocara helminthes. The adult Toxocara helminthes live in intestine of dog and cat, but if the human accidentally ingests the egg, the larva is released into the intestine and then penetrating to mucosal capillaries and by blood stream migrates to various organs. Considering to the larva of parasite cannot be adult in human body and finally is destroyed, but its placement in the organs leads to irritation and inflammation of the tissue and appearance of signs and symptoms. The parasite affects liver, lung and central nervous system more than other organs. The most obvious symptoms of this disease are irregular fever, liver enlargement and sever eosinophilia. Other symptoms depend on the final location of the parasite, for example, respiratory symptoms (similar to asthma) will occur at the time of parasite settling in the lung and nervous disorder when the parasite is deployed in the nervous system (1). Sever clinical symptoms due to the disease is more common in 2 to 7 years old children, because of contacting with polluted playground soil or stray dog and cat, that the chance of them getting disease is increased (2). In developing countries including Iran, the diagnosis of the disease is done by collecting signs and symptoms, evaluating risk factor and laboratory results. Laboratory results which is considered on this disease containing eosinophilia, hypergammaglobulinemia and increasing of isohemagglutinin A and B. The serological test by ELISA technique was used for diagnosis of anti-parasite antibody in European countries and USA, the sensitivity and specificity of this test was 78 and 98%, respectively. There is no definitive guideline to the treatment of the disease but the most common treatment plan is 400 mg albendazole and 100 to 200 mg mebendazole, twice a day for 5 days (1). In recent years the number of dogs and cats in the human environment has been increased in our country and consequently the rate of soil contamination to eggs of Toxocara has been increased. The consequence of this phenomenon is an increasing chance of human contact the egg of this parasite and onset of toxocariasis. The studies in Iran is reported the rate of soil contamination to this parasite is minimum 3.9% (Urmia) to maximum 63.3% (Khoramabad), while the rate of contamination in soil of Arak parks is 26.6% (3-5). In addition, the results of serological study showed that the prevalence of toxocariasis in 5 to 15 years old asthmatic patients was 1.8%, in Arak (6). But the results of a review study showed that the prevalence of toxocariasis in general population of Iran was 15.8% and this rate is increasing (7). Changes in Ecosystem and abundance of garbage in Iranian cities have led to overabundance of dogs and cats in human environment. On the other hand, accepting some of cultural western lifestyle such as keeping pets, apart from their social and legal responsibility has been caused increasing risk of infectious disease transmitted by animals such as toxocariasis. Due to the relatively high prevalence of Toxocara infection among dogs and cats in Iran, the need to pay attention to the disease caused by this parasite is felt as a potential medical and health hazard in the country. In this condition, holding workshops for remembering of symptoms, diagnosis method, treatment and prevention of the disease for clinician associate with infected patients, would has an important role for quick diagnosis and remedy of the patients and would reduce the corporal and psychological load of them. Also, performing the research studies would help to know current epidemiological situation and changes that have taken place in various parts of Iran. In the other side, encouraging scholars for isolation, purification and examine excretory-secretory antigens of this parasite that used for producing the serological diagnostic kits could increase accuracy and reduce cost of diagnosis test of disease and finally improve the level of health in community

Molecular Testing for Toxoplasma Diagnosis in Aborted Fetuses- Taleghani Maternity Hospital- Arak- Iran

Background: The diagnosis of toxoplasmosis is most critical in pregnant women who acquire infection during gestation and also in fetuses and newborns who are congenitally infected. This study described the performance of molecular and confirmatory serologic testing for toxoplasma infection in the tissues of human spontaneous aborted fetuses and their mothers' blood. Materials and Methods: 87 random samples from the tissues of body of spontaneous aborted fetuses (less than 14 weeks) in a separate container of preservative solution were collected from the delivery room of the university maternity hospital, Arak- Iran , during autumn 2012 to 2013. In the ward, 3 ml of blood sample of their mothers were collected and the sera were separated and analyzed by ELISA method for the detection of specific IgG. DNA extraction from the tissues of fetuses was performed and stored until use. The PCR reaction was performed by a pair of primers. PCR products were analyzed by electrophoresis and stained with safe stain. It is necessary to mention first that the written consent was obtained from their mothers and after recovery, a demographic questionnaire was completed. Results: Most of the mothers were 20-29 years of age and the correlation between the location of residence, contact with cats and eating undercooked food with abortion, not significant. Serological tests on the sera of 87 mothers for anti-Toxoplasma IgG showed 39.08% positive results. The results of PCR amplification showed that none of the 87 samples from aborted fetuses were infected with Toxoplasma gondii. Conclusion: In aborted fetuses, we did not observe any evidence of Toxoplasmosis and it appears that Toxoplasma gondii was not the cause of spontaneous abortion in this area of Iran but considering the importance of the infection during pregnancy, the control measurements during pregnancy is required

Histological Changes of the Ovary in Pregnant Mice Vaginally Exposed to Toxoplasma gondii

Background:Congenital toxoplasmosis is one cause of abortion. Infection can disrupt ovarian cycles and because toxoplasmosis is an infectious disease may have a similar effect on the ovaries. The purpose of this study was to investigate the pathological changes in the ovaries due to toxoplasmosis.  Methods:Tachyzoites of Toxoplasma gondii were harvested from peritoneal fluid of mice, experimentally infected. Two females and one male mouse were housed per cage for mating in the overnight. The pregnant mice were divided into experi-mental and control groups. Experimental group were infected by parasite but the control group received the normal saline. The experimental and control mice were euthanized. Ovaries and uterine horns of animals were removed and prepared for light microscopy. Results:Ovaries of infected pregnant mice presented gross morphological differ-ences compared to the control groups. In ovaries of experimental groups, changes of corpus luteum were observed. The comparison of experimental and control groups revealed that the number of primary follicles, secondary follicle, atretic pri-mary follicles and atretic secondary follicles had significant differences (P≤0.001). Conclusion:Toxoplasma gondii alters ovarian follicular growth and development in mice. In addition, it alters number of different phases of follicles and corpus lu-teum in ovaries of mice

Molecular Detection of Toxoplasma gondii Oocytes in the Soil from the Public Parks of the Arak City, Iran

Background: Soil structure is mainly composed of sand, silt, clay, and organic materials. Organisms can live in the soil. The large number of stray cats in the cities of Iran is a major environmental and health problem. Toxoplasma oocysts are shed with the feces of cats, so soil is known as a potential source of transmission of toxoplasmosis. The aim of this study was to determine the soil contamination with Toxoplasma gondii oocyst in the public parks of the Arak city. Materials and Methods: Sixty soil samples were collected from 15 main parks of Arak city. Four soil samples from the children's playground, a potting place, around trash bins, and around toilets were taken. Oocyst was isolated from soil by floatation in saturated sucrose. Floating debris was tested by two methods: staining by the modified Ziehl-Neelsen technique and PCR. The target of PCR was the 122 bp fragment of the B1 gene.. Results: From 60 soil samples of public parks of Arak city, 8 samples (13%) were suspected to Toxoplasma oocyst contamination in staining smears. Only 3 samples (5%) of 60 samples were positive in PCR. The results showed that the staining method is not a good method to detect oocysts in the soil because the diversity of oocyst in soil is very high and similar in appearance. Conclusion: This study showed soils of public parks in the Arak city were contaminated to oocyst of Toxoplasma. Also molecular method for the detection of parasites in the soil was more suitable than staining method

پژوهشی در پایبندی و نحوه‌ی انجام فریضه‌ی نماز در معتادان مراجعه‌کننده به مرکزهای ترک اعتیاد نجات و آوای مهر اراک

Background and Objectives: Nowadays addiction is a major problem of families and communities. Euphoria and changing of mental states due to drug use, association with addicted friends and social anomies are factors of tendency to addiction. The pray is a religious behavior and is the main symptom and true sign of religion. The pray can lead people to human dignity and grandeur. In this study, because of the important role of pray in changing and consolidation of human personality, tendency to pray was evaluated in addicts referring to Nejat and Avaye-Mehr drug rehab center in Arak city. Materials and Methods: The cross sectional study included 205 patients referred to the two rehab centers during 6 months in Arak city. Data were collected by a questionnaire and interviews. Results: The results showed that 30% of the patients under study always pray. In the months that religious ceremonies are held, the adherence of them to perform the ritual of pray is increased. The results suggest that in these patients, pray is considered negligible because only 42, 20 and 23.9 percent of them respectively are bound to: understand the meaning of pray, earlier pray and provide preparations of pray before the Azan. Conclusion: Although it cannot be claimed that the cause of addiction is inappetence to prayer, we can say that the adherence to prayer among drug addicts who were referred to the drug rehab centers was low.سابقه و اهداف: امروزه اعتیاد، یکی از مشکل‌های بزرگ خانواده‌ها و جامعه‌ها محسوب می‌شود. سرخوشی و تغییر حالت‌های روانی ناشی از مصرف مواد مخدر، معاشرت با دوستان معتاد و همچنین ناهنجاری‌های اجتماعی، از عامل‌های گرایش به اعتیاد محسوب می‌شود. نماز، رفتاری مذهبی است که نشانه‌ی اصلى و واقعى دين است و می‌تواند انسان را به سوی عزت و عظمت انسانی سوق دهد. با توجه به نقش مهمی که نماز در تغییر و تثبیت شخصیت انسان&nbsp; دارد، در این مطالعه به بررسی فریضه‌ی &nbsp;نماز در میان مراجعه‌کنندگان به دو مرکز ترک اعتیاد در شهر اراک پرداختیم. مواد و روش‌ها: این مطالعه به‌صورت مقطعی، بر روی 205 بیمار معتاد مراجعه‌کننده به دو مرکز ترک اعتیاد در شهر اراک، طی شش ماه انجام شد. اطلاعات با پرسش‌نامه و به روش مصاحبه جمع آوری گردید. یافته‌ها: نتیجه‌ی این مطالعه نشان داد که 30 در صد مددجویان تحت مطالعه، همیشه نماز می‌خوانند. همچنین میزان تقید مددجویان به انجام فریضه‌ی نماز در ماه‌های دارای مناسبت‌های مذهبی افزایش یافته است. نتیجه‌ها تأییدگر آن است که در افراد مورد مطالعه، نماز سبک شمرده می‌شود، زیرا فقط 42، 20 و 9/23 درصد از&nbsp; آنان به ترتیب مقید به درک معانی نماز، نماز اول وقت و فراهم نمودن مقدمه‌های نماز، پیش از اذان، هستند. نتیجه‌گیری: اگرچه نمی‌توان ادعا کرد برپا نکردن نماز، علت اعتیاد است، اما می‌توان گفت که میزان تقید به نماز در میان گروه معتادان مراجعه‌کننده به دو مرکز ترک اعتیاد، پایین بود . &nbsp

Epidemiologic evaluation of toxoplasmosis and leading risk factors in HIV/AIDS patients in Arak City, Iran

Background Toxoplasmosis is a common opportunistic infection that can be fatal in immunocompromised individuals, such as those with HIV/AIDS. Aims Considering the rising incidence of HIV/AIDS in human populations worldwide and the high risk of toxoplasmosis among these patients, the current epidemiologic study was conducted to identify the characteristics and leading risk factors of toxoplasmosis among HIV/AIDS patients in Arak City, Marzaki Province, Iran. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted in HIV patients under the care and counselling of the local health centre of Arak City. We included a total of 49 patients with HIV/AIDS who completed a written informed consent form and a two- part questionnaire. Demographic data and information about various risk factors were collected in the questionnaire. Blood samples were collected from each patient. Anti-Toxoplasma gondii IgG and IgM antibody assays and PCR were conducted on serum samples. Logistic regression and chi-squared (χ2 ) tests were used for statistical analysis. P values less than 0.05 (p<0.05) were considered significant. Results Of the study participants, 22.4 per cent were Toxoplasma seropositive, with 20.4 per cent and 2 per cent being IgG- and IgM-positive, respectively. Among the participants, those who had occupational exposure to soil had the highest risk for toxoplasmosis (p<0.043, OR=7.243). Conclusion The seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis in HIV/AIDS patients is lower in Arak than in the general population in most parts of Iran. This is possibly owing to racial and geographic differences

Effects of Zataria, Mentha Pulegium, Oregano spp Essential Oil and Hydroalcholic Extract of Hypericum perforatum on Cyst of Acanthamoeba spp In Vitro

Abstract Background: Resistance of Acanthamoeba cysts causes recurrence of the disease; so, the patient should be monitored regularly ،The aim of the study was to examine the effect of a few herbal materials on Acanthamoeba cysts in vitro. Materials and Methods: Essential oils (EOs) of Zataria, Mint, and Oregano were prepared by steam distillation. The EOs and Hypericum perforatum extract were prepared in three concentrations (0.6%, 1% and 10%)، Acanthamoeba cysts in various time intervals (30, 60, 120, 180 and 1440 minutes) were exposed with plant extracts. Then, the viability of parasite was investigated by eosin 0.1%. Results: Comparison of the parasite mortality rate between control and case groups showed that the mortality of Acanthamoeba cysts was higher in the case groups that exposed to herbal materials. At the equal concentration (10%) and time (24 h), the Zataria and mint EOs produced the highest (22%) and lowest (4%) mortality, respectively. The results showed the mortality rate of Acanthamoeba was time-dependent. Conclusion: Zataria showed the most fatality effect against Acanthamoeba cysts. In this respect, clinical trial studies are suggested