Epidemiology and the agreement rate of serological tests in human brucellosis in North East of Iran

Background: Brucellosis still remains a major health problem with different symptoms and various diagnostic methods. Diagnostic methods of brucellosis are usually based on detecting specific antibodies in the patient’s serum. Nowadays, many serological tests are applied for the diagnosis of human brucellosis. Most routine tests are serum agglutination tests based on Wright and 2-Mercaptoethanol (2-ME). Objectives: The aim of this study (cross sectional study) was to evaluate the prevalence of brucellosis and assess the degree of agreement among serum samples of suspected brucellosis serological tests routinely performed in Mashhad, Iran. Patients and Methods: This study was conducted in Mashhad from August 2011 to September 2012. Sera (2 - 3 mL) were collected from 83 cases suspected of brucellosis among 594 patients. Ten serum samples were collected from healthy subjects as control sera. Rose Bengal test for initial screening and Wright and 2 ME as standard tests were conducted to determine antibody titers. Thereafter, IgG and IgM levels were determined by the Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) method. Results: Among 83 serum samples, Rose Bengal test was able to identify 20 (12%) positive specimens; the standard tube agglutination test was able to detect 30 (18%) positive samples, and the ELISA IgG and ELISA IgM were able to trace 42 (21%) and 13 (6.5%) positive samples, respectively. Ten control samples had negative results for the ELISA method. The results were calculated by the Kappa formula. The highest level of agreement was among 1 = KRB-SAT tests and the lowest level of agreement was among tests K ELISA IgM-IgG = 0.30. Conclusions: According to the results, brucellosis has remained endemic in this region. Most cases were detected by ELISA IgG. The highest kappa agreements were between tests KRB-SAT, KRB-IgG and KSAT-IgG, while the lowest levels of agreement were between tests SAT-IgM and ELISA IgM-IgG. Considering that ELISA IgM results are covered by SAT and ELISA IgG test results, applications of this test do not seem necessary. © 2015, Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center

Use of single-chain antibody derivatives for targeted drug delivery

Single-chain antibodies (scFvs), which contain only the variable domains of full-length antibodies, are relatively small molecules that can be used for selective drug delivery. In this review, we discuss how scFvs help improve the specificity and efficiency of drugs. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) delivery using scFv-drug fusion peptides, siRNA delivery using scFv-conjugated nanoparticles, targeted delivery using scFv-viral peptide-fusion proteins, use of scFv in fusion with cell-penetrating peptides for effective targeted drug delivery, scFv-mediated targeted delivery of inorganic nanoparticles, scFv-mediated increase of tumor killing activity of granulocytes, use of scFv for tumor imaging, site-directed conjugation of scFv molecules to drug carrier systems, use of scFv to relieve pain and use of scFv for increasing drug loading efficiency are among the topics that are discussed here. © 2016, University of Michigan. All rights reserved

Parentage verification and identity test of Ghezel sheep using microsatillate markers

The Ghezel sheep is a fat tail high weight Iranian breed which is raised in the North-west of Iran. To design an efficient improvement program and genetic evaluation system for this indigenous breed, accurate estimates of the population genetic parameters is per-required and all pedigrees and relationships should be correctly recorded. Otherwise, it can produce biased evaluations when pedigrees contain errors and procedures utilize information from relatives. The pedigree and genotype data of Ghezel sheep were examined for errors. Parentage control has been performed by amplification of microsatellites. Mean heterozygosities, mean polymorphism index content (PIC) and mean number of alleles per loci were 0.50, 0.43 and 3.71, respectively. Mendelian errors were found following the pedigree corrections. Alleles at the following seven microsatellite loci were identified: BM4307, CSSM004, BM415, RM029, INRA49, BM3205 and OarFCB5. The pedigree was considered incorrect in 6 (12%) out of all the evaluated progeny, as their genotype did not match their parents. The present findings attest to the usefulness of the investigated microsatellites for parentage control in Ghezel sheep.Key words: Ghezel sheep, microsatellites, genotyping errors, progeny test

Purification and Characterization of Recombinant Darbepoetin Alfa from Leishmania tarentolae

Darbepoetin alfa is a biopharmaceutical glycoprotein that stimulates erythropoiesis and is used to treat anemia, which associated with renal failure and cancer chemotherapy. We herein describe the structural characterization of recombinant darbepoetin alfa produced by Leishmania tarentolae T7-TR host. The DNA expression cassette was integrated into the L. tarentolae genome through homologous recombination. Transformed clones were selected by antibiotic resistance, diagnostic PCRs, and protein expression analysis. The structure of recombinant darbepoetin alfa was analyzed by isoelectric focusing, ultraviolet–visible spectrum, and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy. Expression analysis showed the presence of a protein band at 40 kDa, and its expression level was 51.2 mg/ml of culture medium. Darbepoetin alfa have 5 isoforms with varying degree of sialylation. The UV absorption and CD spectra were analogous to original drug (Aranesp), which confirmed that the produced protein was darbepoetin alfa. Potency test results revealed that the purified protein was biologically active. In brief, the structural and biological characteristics of expressed darbepoetin alfa were very similar to Aranesp which has been normally expressed in CHO. Our data also suggest that produced protein has potential to be developed for clinical use. © 2016, Springer Science+Business Media New York

Elective induction of labor versus spontaneous labor in Hajar hospital, Shahrekord

Background and aim: With attention to increasing of the early hospitalization of women, induction of labor and its complications, the present study designed to compare the elective induction and spontaneous labor considering the mother and infant outcome. Methods: In a prospective and analytical study using of questionnaire and check list, 50 nulliparous women who were hospitalized for elective induction were compared with 50 nulliparous women with spontaneous labor in terms of Bishop score of cervix, duration of labor stages, number of vaginal examinations, intensity of uterine contractions, fetal distress, mode of delivery, Apgar score and birth weight of infants. The exclusion criteria were, multifetal pregnancy, abnormal presentation, premature rupture of membrane, preterm labor and placenta abruption. Data analyzed by t, Chi square and Pearson correlation tests. Results: There was no significant difference between two groups in terms of age, job and gestational age, mean of duration of labor stages, number of vaginal examinations, birth weight and Apgar score. In 98% of women with induced labor, Bishop score was <5. In this study group tetanic contractions, fetal distresses and cesarean sections were more than those of women with spontaneous labor (p<0.001). Conclusion: Elective induction of labor must be applied when there is a medical indication for termination of pregnancy. Onetime admission of women for delivery and change the women’s attitude towards the benefits of spontaneous labor and complications of elective induction are suggestive ways until they decide with knowledge and select these methods

Developing a fuzzy expert system to predict the risk of neonatal death

Introduction: This study aims at developing a fuzzy expert system to predict the possibility of neonatal death. Materials and Methods: A questionnaire was given to Iranian neonatologists and the more important factors were identified based on their answers. Then, a computing model was designed considering the fuzziness of variables having the highest neonatal mortality risk. The inference engine used was Mamdani's method and the output was the risk of neonatal death given as a percentage. To validate the designed system, neonates' medical records real data at a Tehran hospital were used. MATLAB software was applied to build the model, and user interface was developed by C# programming in Visual Studio platform as bilingual (English and Farsi user interface). Results: According to the results, the accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of the model were 90, 83 and 97, respectively. Conclusion: The designed fuzzy expert system for neonatal death prediction showed good accuracy as well as proper specificity, and could be utilized in general hospitals as a clinical decision support tool. ©2016 Reza Safdari, Maliheh Kadivar, Mostafa Langarizadeh, Ahmadreaza Farzaneh Nejad, Farzaneh Kermani

Educational needs of midwife alumni work in health care centers

Abstract Aims: Determination of educational needs is the first step in educational planning and the first factor of ensuring the quality and efficacy of education process. Midwives’ sufficient knowledge and improvement of their decision-making will lead to performance progress. The aim of this study was determining the educational needs of midwives working in hospitals and healthcare centers of Chaharmahal & Bakhtiari province. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 280 midwives and 50 healthcare center authorities of hospitals and healthcare centers of Chaharmahal & Bakhtiari who were selected by census sampling method in 2009. Data was collected by a researcher-made questionnaire containing three sections of demographic characteristics, educational needs related to their specialty or general domains and priority in educational needs. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics and Chi-square, student T-test and one-way ANOVA using SPSS 15 software. Results: There wasn’t significant difference in the average scores of educational needs in specific and general domains from authorities and midwives’ point of view (p>0.05). There was a significant relationship between the average score of educational needs and work place in obstetrics (p=0.002), maternal and child health (p=0.038) and neonatal (p=0.025) domains. There was a significant relationship between the average score of educational needs and the academic level of education in general domains (p=0.025). Conclusion: Holding educational classes of English, use of Information Technology (IT) in obstetrics, resuscitation, research methodology, religious and legal commandments, abnormal uterine bleeding, hypertensive disorders, neonatal medical treatment and common gynecologic infections seems essential as educational priorities. Keywords: Midwife, Hea

EFFECT OF VITEX ON HOT FLASH OF MENOPAUSAL WOMEN REFERRED TO HEALTH CENTER OF ISFAHAN

Background and Aim: Menopause is a period in women’s lives that is accompanied with outcomes and effects which can adversely affect on the quality of life and weaken well-being. The most widely recognized outcome of menopause is hot flash that adversely affects on work, social activities, enjoying life, sleep, andin sum- total quality of living. The common treatment of this symptom is hormone treatment (HRT) which has some adverse effects and sometimes some contraindications. The present study aimed at assessing the effect of Vitex on hot flash. Materials and Methods: This double –blind and clinical trial was performed on 54 women with hot flash aged between 45 and 55 years in Isfahan in 2002, which had been referred for treatment. The population was randomly divided into 2 groups: 1) taking Vitex 2) control group, taking placebos. Data collection was done through interviews and a questionnaire considering demographic and hot flash characteristics (using Kupperman Index), which was filled out for each woman. Hot flash was assessed in three stages .The obtained data was analysed by means of SPSS software, descriptive and inferential statistics; and P%0.05 was taken as the significant level. Results: It was found that there was a significant difference in severity of hot flash before and after treatment in vitex group (P<0.012).While the difference was not significant after treatment in the placebo group. (P>0.05).Comparing the two groups with respect to severity of hot flash after treatment revealed a significant statistical difference (P<0.05); though the difference was not significant before treatment. Conclusion: Vitex can act as an alternative in treating menopausal hot flash; particularly in those who cannot safely bear hormonal treatment