The study of the diversity of repeated sequences in E. coli strains isolated from Alborz province’s water sources

Background and Aim: E.coli is a gram-negative bacillus from the family of Enterobacteriaceae. E. coli bacteria is used as a water indicator of urban sewage pollution. The repeating sequences, are replications of the genes or parts of them that are repeated. Tandem repeats may be available for the number of iterations in a different creature than other populations, which are called as consequent replications with variable numbers. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diversity of repeated sequences of ms06 and ms23 loci in E. coli strains isolated from water resources in Alborz province. Materials and Methods: A total of 72 E.coli isolates which obtained from water sources in Alborz, Iran, from September 2012 to October in 2013, were analyzed, then standard and biochemical tests were used to identify and isolate E. coli bacteria, after that, DNA extraction was performed by boiling method. The diversity of repeated sequences of ms06 and ms23 loci in E. coli was conducted using polymerase chain reaction. Results: The current study showed that the locus ms06 had five different alleles (1 repeat, 2 repeat, 3 repeat, 4 repeat, 5 repeat) and locus ms23 showed four alleles (1 repeat, 2 repeat, 2.5 repeat). It is also founded that ms23 loci contain a null allele. Conclusions: This is the first study on the diversity of repeated sequences in E.coli strains isolated from water resources in Alborz. In this study, the variation of repeated sequences was high

Promoting adolescent mother self-efficacy for parenting roles, and self-care after childbirth: protocol for a mixed methods study

Abstract Background Pregnancy, and childbirth can encounter many challenges for the teen mother, family, and health system. The simultaneity of two transition periods, i.e. transition to adulthood and post-partum period may disrupt the acceptance of new roles. Lack of knowledge, information and life skills in managing this situation may threaten the physical and mental health of the mother, and child, as well as reduce the level of role adaptation. One way to increase women's empowerment in postpartum care is self-efficacy promotion training program. The current mixed methods study will be conducted to provide an interventional program sensitive to the culture of the Iranian society for adolescent mothers to improve their self-efficacy. Method This study will be conducted as an exploratory sequential mixed methods study (Qual-quan) based on a pragmatism paradigm in four phases. In the first phase, a qualitative study will be performed using a directed content analysis method to explore the needs and strategies related to promote postpartum self-efficacy from the viewpoint of teen mothers, their family, healthcare providers, and policymakers. In the second phase, using a scoping review, self-efficacy promotion strategies, and postpartum care service packages, programs, guidelines, and protocols in other countries will be identified. In the third phase, with integrating the results of qualitative phase and scoping review, the first draft of program will be developed, and validated by an expert panel based on the Delphi approach in three rounds. In the last step, the effectiveness of the interventional program will be evaluated on postpartum self-efficacy of teen mother. Discussion Developing an interventional program that includes teen mother’s experiences, evidence based practice principles, and health staff opinions in a distinct cultural and social context can supply new direction to lead manager, policymakers, and other health care provider to improve the maternal self-efficacy in infant, family, and self-care with considering their age characteristics

Effects of a comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation program on quality of life in patients with coronary artery disease

BACKGROUND: Health-related quality of life is an important factor to evaluate effects of different interventions in cardiovascular diseases. Improvement in quality of life (QOL) is an important goal for individuals participating in cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programs. The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of comprehensive CR on QOL in patients with cardiovascular disease (CAD). METHODS: In this quasi-experimental before-after study, the files of 100 patients with CAD who were referred to rehabilitation department of Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Institute were studied using a consecutive sampling method. Data collection was performed from the patient's files including their demographics, ejection fraction, functional capacity, and resting heart rate. All patients participated in a comprehensive CR program and completed the validated questionnaire Short-Form 36 Health Status Survey (SF-36), before and after CR program. Data was analyzed based on sex and age groups (&ge; 65 and &lt; 65 years) using independent t-test and paired t-test (to compare variables between groups and before and after CR, respectively). RESULTS: After CR, scores of all physical domains of the SF-36 including physical function (PF), physical limitation (PL), body pain (BP) and vitality (V) in addition to general health (GH) were significantly improved in all patients (P &lt; 0.05) compared to the baseline. Patients with age &lt; 65 years had greater improvements in mental health (MH) and social function (SF) than patients with age &ge; 65 years (P &lt; 0.05). Women had greater improvement in PF, V and MH compared to men (P &lt; 0.05). CONCLUSION: These results indicated that CR can improve QOL in cardiac patients especially in women. Elderly patients get benefit the same as other patients in physical domains. Keywords: Quality of Life, Cardiac Rehabilitation, Cardiovascular Diseases </p

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE AND SERUM VITAMIN D LEVEL IN A GROUP OF POSTMENOPAUSAL WOMEN IN IRAN

Abstract &nbsp;&nbsp; INTRODUCTION: Female carpet-weavers are vulnerable to vitamin D deficiency due to cultural, occupational and economic reasons. This case-control study was conducted to compare the frequency coronary artery disease (CAD) and its risk factors in relation with the serum vitamin D level in 260 female carpet-wearers and non-carpet-weavers in the villages across Isfahan Province in the centre of Iran. &nbsp;&nbsp; METHODS: All postmenopausal women aged over 50 were matched for cultural and socioeconomic status. The participants underwent clinical examinations. Blood samples were obtained and electrocardiography was performed. When necessary, echocardiography and exercise test were also administered to diagnose heart disease. Dietary intake of vitamin D was determined by completing a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. A questionnaire obtaining personal data and length of daily exposure to sunlight was also completed. The existence of CAD was determined using standardized WHO Rose questionnaire and/or the Minnesota electrocardiography coding system. Blood lipids and vitamin D levels were measured using an ELAN-2000 auto analyzer and radioimmunoassay, respectively. &nbsp;&nbsp; RESULTS: The results showed that only the frequency percentage of myocardial infarction (MI) in non-carpet-weavers was significantly higher than in female carpet weavers (P=0.001). The differences of age, serum vitamin D level, blood lipids, blood pressure and other variables were not significant (P&gt;0.05). Neither was there any statistical association between serum vitamin D level and CAD risk factors, however, after adjustment for confounders (age, etc.), a direct relationship was observed between abdominal obesity as measured by waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) (WHR&gt;1) and serum vitamin D level (OR=0.99, P&gt;0.05). Carpet weaving had no effect on CAD risk factors (P&gt;0.05). &nbsp;&nbsp; CONCLUSION: The findings of this study reveal no association between vitamin D and CAD. Further research is recommended into the possible relationship between CAD and vitamin D, as well as vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphisms responsible for genetic differences in vitamin D uptake by the bone. &nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Keywords: Vitamin D, carpet-weaver women, coronary artery disease (CAD), risk factors, post-menopause, angina pectoris, ischemia, blood lipids, blood pressure, Iran.</p

The Effects of SPARK Physical Education Program on Fundamental Motor Skills in 4-6 Year-Old Children

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of SPARK Physical Education (PE) program on fundamental motor skills in 4-6 year children. SPARK (Sports, Play, and Active Recreation for Kids) is an evidence based PE program designed in order to promote the lifelong wellbeing. Methods: In total, 90 children aged 4 to 6 years were selected randomly. The children were allocated into 3 groups with separate PE programs: 1-SPARK, 2-Gymnastics and 3-Routine activity. Using the Test of Gross Motor Development (TGMD-2), a pretest was done in all groups. Afterwards, SPARK and Gym PE programs were performed for 8 weeks and 3 sessions each week. The third group used to do the routine physical education program in their daycare. After 8 weeks (24 sessions), the post tests were done for all groups with the same scoring system as the pretest. Findings: The results showed that the SPARK program had a higher efficacy on the promotion of the fundamental motor skills comparing to the routine physical education programs or gymnastics PE group. Conclusion: SPARK can be used as an appropriate alternative in order to promote the children's motor skills

The effect of the cardiac rehabilitation program on obese and non-obese females with coronary heart disease

Introduction: Obesity is strongly associated with coronary heart disease and it is known as an independent risk factor. So, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of phase II comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation program on obesity indexes, functional capacity, lipid profiles, and fasting blood sugar in obese and non-obese female patients with coronary heart disease and to compare changes in these groups. Materials and Methods: Two hundred and five women with coronary heart disease participated in our study. At the beginning of study, body mass index, functional capacity, and lipid profiles and fasting blood sugar were evaluated; then, these patients were divided into two groups, patients who had BMI≥30 were known as obese and who had BMI<30 were known as non-obese patients. All of them completed the period of cardiac rehabilitation program, and 2 months later, all risk factors were examined for the second time in each group. Data were analyzed with SPSS software version 15. For comparing the mean of outcomes, independent t-tests and paired t-tests were used. Results: Data revealed that unless in weight (P=0.00) and functional capacity (P=0.001), there were no significant differences in obese and non-obese female patients, at baseline. As a result of the cardiac rehabilitation program, both groups had significant improvement in functional capacity (P=0.00), weight reduction (P=0.00), triglyceride (P=0.01 and P=0.02, respectively), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P=0.01), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (P=0.00 and P=0.003, respectively). As well, significant improvement was observed in high-density lipoprotein (P=0.01) only in obese female, and non-obese female had significant differences in total cholesterol (P=0.003). However, there were not significant changes in total cholesterol (P=0.05) and fasting blood sugar (P=0.09) in obese female. Also, non-obese females didn′t have favorable differences in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P=0.23) and fasting blood sugar (P=0.13). In addition, comparing two groups didn′t show any significant differences in each risk factors except BMI (P=0.03). Conclusion: Our study revealed that comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation program results in significant improvement in cardiovascular risk factors and functional capacity at all levels of BMI in female with coronary heart disease

The Effects of Cardiac Tertiary Prevention Program after Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery on Health and Quality of Life

Objectives: Cardiac tertiary prevention programs intend to support the recovery course following coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). We investigated the effects of attendance at cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programs following CABG on patients′ mortality, morbidity and health related quality of life. Methods: Eighty patients who underwent CABG were selected in a way that half of them had attended a cardiac rehabilitation program and the other half had not. Health related quality of life (HRQoL) was measured using the Short Form 36 (SF-36) questionnaire at a mean of 23.4 months postoperatively. Severity of cardiac symptoms on the basis of the New York Health Association (NYHA), the occurrence of any neurological symptoms, hospitalization and restoration of patients to their previous level of performance in social activities were assessed after CABG surgery. Results: There were no deaths. There were no differences in postoperative NYHA scores, neurological symptoms, and hospitalization. Three of the eight health domains measured by SF-36, namely general health (P = 0.010), physical function (P = 0.002), and mental health (P < 0.001), showed significantly better values for attendants than non-attendants. Rehabilitation participants returned to their previous level of performance in social activities more than their control counterparts. Conclusions: Higher general health scores (SF-36) were associated with attendance at CR programs. The findings of this study provide rationale to consider a broader scope of physiological and psychosocial parameters to predict outcomes of CABG surgery

Common mammal hosts in Iran and their flea diversity at the family and subfamily levels.

<p>Common mammal hosts in Iran and their flea diversity at the family and subfamily levels.</p

Studied species, places of sampling and hosts of studied fleas.

<p>Studied species, places of sampling and hosts of studied fleas.</p