Epidemiology of tuberculosis in Lorestan, 2008-2009

Background : Tuberculosis is known as one of the main causes of mortality worldwide. 1.7 milliard people worldwide are infected with TB germs, there are 8 million new cases of TB annually, and three million deaths occur due to the disease in developing countries. Materials and Methods: This study included all the cases who had referred to all the health centers of Lorestan province with positive samples for acid-fast bacilli, or with symptoms consistent with TB, who had been treated for tuberculosis by physicians during 2008-2009. Results: Out of 198 cases of TB in the province in 2009, 107 (54 %) and 91 (46 %) cases were male and female respectively. 109(55%) cases of smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis, 32(16%) cases of smear-negative pulmonary tuberculosis and 45(22/7%) cases of extra pulmonary tuberculosis, and 7(3/5%) cases of TB recurrence have been reported during this year. In 2008, 149 cases of TB have been reported, with an incidence of 8.4 per 100 thousand, out of them 79 (54%) and 70 (46%) cases were male and female respectively. 68(45/6%) cases of smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis, 35(23/5%) cases of smear-negative pulmonary tuberculosis, and 35 (23/5%)cases of extra pulmonary tuberculosis have been reported. Conclusion: Considering the relatively high prevalence of tuberculosis in the province, reported cases of treatment failure and drug-resistant tuberculosis, it seems it is very important to diagnose the disease in the patients accurately and monitor drug consumption precisely

Effects of 3, 4-Dihydroxyflavone on Cryopreserved Testicular Tissue of Neonatal Mouse

Background and Aim: Infertility is a side effect of cancer treatment because of chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Cryopreservation of testicular tissue or spermatogonial stem cells before cancer treatment and their transplantation may preserve the natural fertility. Cryopreservation is a damaging process due to free radicals and toxic effect of frozen solution. The purpose of this paper is to study the antioxidant and antiapoptotic effects of 3',4'-dihydroxyflavone on the structure of frozen-thawed testicular tissue of neonatal mouse. Materials and Methods: Testes of 6-day-old NMRI mice (N = 20) were isolated. Testicles were randomly divided into four groups: two groups as control groups for quick and slow freezing-melting process, and two others as treatment groups that underwent quick and slow freezing-melting with addition of 3',4'-dihydroxyflavone (10µM) in frozen solution. For the assessment of structural changes and apoptosis in the frozen-thawed testes, the hematoxylin-eosin staining and tunnel pod kits were used respectively. In order to analyze the data, we used Kruskal-Wallis Test and Mann-Whitney Test. The statistical analysis was entirely done by SPSS software. Results: Histopathological changes and apoptosis rate were significantly decreased after thawing in both treatment groups in comparison with control groups. Conclusion: Adding 3',4'-dihydroxyflavone (10µM) to freezing-melting environment and the use of quick freezing-melting method can reduce the histopathological and apoptotic changes

Frequency of iron deficiency anemia and its related factors in adult patients referred to the internal clinic of Shohada Ashayer from 6 March to 6 July 2011

Background : Anemia is one of the most common health problems in Iran and the world. Moreover, iron deficiency anemia is the most prevalent nutritional anemia in the world. Considering the high prevalence of iron deficiency anemia and the relationship between their severity and cultural-economic condition in an area, this study was conducted to obtain the prevalence and plan the treatment of diseases. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted using a census method. All the adult patients with anemia signs and symptoms referred to the internal clinic of Shohada Ashayer were examined for CBC and RBC indices. The patients whose hemoglobin amounts fell in the anemia definition range were included. Iron level, serum ferritin, and TIBC assessments were performed and a questionnaire was completed for each patient. Then data were analyzed statistically. Results: Out of all the anemic patients, 44.4% suffered from iron deficiency anemia. The prevalence of iron deficiency anemia was 52.3% in women and 22.6% of the men. 60.9% of the patients in 15-49 age group and 24.5% of those aged over 49 had iron deficiency anemia. A significant relationship was found between age, sex, and iron deficiency anemia. No significant relationship was found between history of NSAIDs consumption and the incidence of iron deficiency anemia. Conclusion: Since the prevalence of iron deficiency anemia in the studied population is high, considering improving and preventive interventions and comprehensive training programs in this regard seem to be necessary

Risk factors for upper gastrointestinal bleeding in patients referred to the Shohada Ashayer Khoramabad in 2011: Short Communication

Acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding is a common medical emergency that often leads to hospitalization. In the present cross-sectional study conducted during 2011, all patients with acute upper gastrointestinal bIeeding living in Khorramabad city referring to the specialized Shohada Ashayer hospital, after being matched with a control group for age and sex, were assessed. Endoscopic findings, demographic data, and clinical characteristics were collected using a questionnaire. Out of 62 patients, 67.7% were males. Mean age of the patients was 54. 5±12.1 yrs. The most frequent gastrointestinal bleeding was found in 60-79 year olds (35.5%). The ratio of gastrointestinal bleeding in regular NSAID consumption was 3.8 (CI=1.3-4.8). Hematemesis (62.9%) was the most common primary presentation. The most common prevalent underlying disease predisposing bleeding in these patients was cirrhosis (61.5%) and the main causes of bleeding were digestive ulcers (42.7%)

Microbial contamination of pumice used in dental laboratories

Dental appliances as well as sending and receiving prosthesis from laboratories are potential sources of cross-contamination for technicians, dentists, patients and can transmit different infectious agents as well. This study was conducted to determine the types of the microorganisms in pumice powder and pumice slurry used in dental laboratory in order to evaluate necessary disinfection control procedure in the dental settings. Twenty-four active dental laboratories of Khorram Abad participated in our study. Samples were randomly collected from prosthesis polishing containers in sterilized condition and were immediately sent to microbiology laboratory. Specimens were cultured on selective bacterial and fungal media in order to determine the microorganisms. Both oral and non-oral bacteria were recovered from pumice samples as follows: Staphylococcus aureus (15.4%), Streptococcus viridance (10.8%), Bacillus cereus (18.7%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (12.8%), Diphtheriods (7.3%), Enterobacter cloace (4.3%), Escherichia coli (13.1%), Klebsiella pneumonia (5.4%), and Acinetobacter spp. (12.2%). The isolated fungi included Candida albicans (36.7%), other yeasts (17.3%), Fusarium spp. (13.8%), Aspergilus spp. (22.4%) and Penicillium spp. (9.8%). This study showed that polishing pumices in the form of powder or slurry were contaminated with different oral and non-oral bacteria and also fungi. Therefore, the chance of cross-contamination still severely exists, and measures should be conducted to prevent the contamination of predisposed people such as technicians, dentists and patients