Journal of North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences
Year:2015 | Volume:7 | Issue:3|Papers Count:20

Background & Objectives: The use of quality indicators to decide on water resources management has been suggested as a strong management tool for decision making.Considering the importance of Shirin Dareh reservoir dam, which supplies a great part of drinking water for Bojnurd; this study was conducted to evaluate the water quality and to determine the process of the lake feeding in 2014.Material & Methods: This study is a descriptive cross sectional one the sampling occurred in 12 months of 2014 in seven different stations. Quality parameters that were measured include: pH, TS, BOD, DO, nitrate, phosphate, temperature, turbidity and fecal coliforms. Data were analyzed by NSFWQI.Results: According to NSFWQI index, in the studied stations during the year, the highest quality was observed in station No.4 with the score of 69 and the lowest quality in station No.1 with the score of 65. The highest quality was observed in February and January with the score of 70 and the lowest quality in July with the score of 60.Conclusions: Results of NSFWQI index showed that the available water in ShirinDareh reservoir has higher quality in cold months of the year compared to warm months for supplying the drinking water of the city.

Background & Objectives: Brucellosis is a Zoonotic infection, occurs in different parts of the world especially in developing countries and is important both public health and economically aspects. The aim of this study was to determine epidemiological aspects of disease in Bane County, Kurdistan province, west of Iran.Material & Methods: In this cross-sectional and analytic study several data sources were used such as all documents in Bane County and districts health center and also documents in private laboratories in the county. Demographical and laboratory information of all cases that diagnosed during 2011–2012 were checked.We used SPSS16 software to do statistical analysis of the cases and presented with descriptive analysis, chi-square (P<0.05).Results: We retrospectively evaluated 135 patients with brucellosis in Bane County, Kurdistan province, west of Iran during the study. The prevalence rate of the disease was 48.9 per 100, 000 annually.52% of patients were male The majority of the patients were from rural (85.9%). The job of 50.4% of patients was ranchering. The monthly variation of disease shows that most of cases diagnosed in springs and June.There was a significant correlation between gender and place of residence.Conclusion: The results obtained from this research indicate that the prevalence rate of brucellosis in Bane County, Kurdistan province is higher than average rate of Iran country. With respect to the results of this study, more attention from officials about prevention and controlling of the disease is demanded.

Background & Objectives: P. aeruginosa exotoxin A plays an important role in virulence of the bacterium and its neutralization can abolish the P. aeruginosa pathogenicity. Therefore, we showed optimization of recombinant production and in vitro antigenic characteristics evaluation of exotoxin A (domains I and II) as a vaccine candidate.Material & Methods: In this study, after DNA extraction and amplification with PCR, gene fragment was ligated to Pet22b vector and transferred to E.coli BL21.The protein expression was evaluated by SDS-PAGE method. The Ni-NTA affinity chromatography was used for recombinant protein purification. Then, the reactivity of recombinant exotoxin A with anti-exotoxin A antibody (Sigma) and sera from P. aeruginosa infected patients was evaluated by western blotting method.Results: Sequencing of cloned gene showed that the sequence of exoA I-II gene was in accordance with exoA I-II from P. aeruginosa PAO1. SDS-PAGE analysis indicated that expression of recombinant protein with a molecular weight of 45kD.The results showed, 4 hours induction with IPTG=0.5mM/m in 28oC is optimum condition for expression protein. Western blot analysis of the purified protein demonstrated that ExoA I-II could be recognized by antibody against native exotoxin A and the serum of patients with P. aeruginosa infection.Conclusion: These results suggest that recombinant exoA I-II protein can be produced in the laboratory and this system can be used for large scale production of this protein for subsequent immunological studies.

Background & Objectives: Epidemiologic studies showed that smoking during pregnancy and lactation periods is associated with neonatal complications such as growth retardation, congenital defects. Nicotine is the most important substance in cigarettes that can pass through the placental barrier and even reaches the neonate through the milk. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of maternal nicotine exposures on the offspring kidney histology and expression of laminin alpha- 5 chain in kidney extracellular matrix.Material and Method: In this study eighteen pregnant female mice were used that divided into three groups as follow: Nicotine (3mg / kg / day) administrated intraperitoneally to pregnant mice in first group from the sixth day of gestation until delivery and similar dose injected to mice in second group from the first day of delivery until the end of lactation period. The pregnant mice in control group received same dose of normal saline. The laminin alpha-5 reaction and gene expression was assayed in the first and twenty days after delivery in offspring kidney tissue. The results were analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis and one-way ANOVA tests.Results: Immunohistochemical (IHC) test results showed maternal nicotine receiving during gestation period reduced the intensity of laminin alpha 5 reactions significantly in glomerular matrix compared to lactation period.Conclusion: We conclude that inhibition of Lamininα 5 expression in the embryonic kidney extracellular matrix that induced by maternal nicotine may be suppressed the nephrogenesis process during renal organogenesis.

Background & Objectives: Her2/neu is a biomarker which is overexpressed in a subset of breast cancer patients who are eligible to receive treatment. Her-2 gene amplification analyzed by MLPA that is a new method to detect Her-2 status in clinical practice.Material and Methods: 60 patients, who were operated in Afzalipour Hospital of Kerman, were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. The pathologic specimens were evaluated by MLPA method for detecting HER2 overexpression. The data were analyzed by SPSS21 software and CHI SQUARE test.Results: Correlation between HER2 overexpression and lymph node involvement was remarkable (P value=0.0). HER2 over overexpression and size of tumor had obvious relation (P value=0.036). All the patients with HER2 overexpression were stage3 of malignancy (P value=0.0).Conclusion: According to the results of this study it can be concluded MLPA method is a suitable method for detecting overexpression of HER2 in patients with breast cancer.

Background and Objectives: Emotional Intelligence theory predicts a new vision about the factors that influence success in the prevention of mental and physical disorders. Given that Emotional Intelligence enhances individual's ability to successfully encounter environmental pressures especially occupational burnout; therefore the present study was conducted to determine the relationship between Emotional Intelligence and occupational burnout among nurses in Bojnurd teaching hospitals; 2013.Material & Methods: The present research is a type of correlation studies, which was performed cross-sectionally and with stratified random sampling method on 110 nurses. For data collection, Maslach's Burnout and Bar-on emotional intelligence questionnaires were used. Data were collected through Likert scale method, was analyzed by SPSS 20.Results: There was a significant and inverse relationship between emotional intelligence and emotional exhaustion (p=0.001 and r=-0.11) and also depersonalization (p=0.001 and r=−0.11). No meaningful relationship was observed between emotional intelligence and personal accomplishment (p=0.31 and r=-0.12).Furthermore, in terms of emotional intelligence between males and females (p=0.024), and in different age groups (p=0.009), shown a significant difference.Conclusion: According to remarkable difference between Emotional Intelligence and occupational burnout and also based on Emotional Intelligence’s predictive model in occupational burnout prevention, can be attempt holding concurrent duty training courses about Emotional Intelligence in nurse’s teaching hospitals.

Background & Objectives: suicide is one of the main reasons of mortality in the world and many countries involve with this major health issue. Pattern of suicide attempt is different in countries. Aim of this study was to assess the pattern of suicide attempt for suicide in patients who admitted in hospital.Material & Methods: this research was a descriptive analytical study. Participants include all patients who admitted along one year (2013-2014) in Imam Reza hospital in Bojnurd city with suicide attempt (based on psychiatric interview). Require data such as pattern of suicide and kind of drug used collected by researcher designed checklist.Data were analyzed by SPSS. Chi-square test was used to analyze the data.Result: 281 patients with suicide attempt included in this study.35.2% of samples were women and 64.8% was men. Mean age of samples was 24±9.07 year. We found a significant relation between variables such as age, gender and marital status and reason of suicide attempt. Drug poisoning was the most pattern of suicide attempt.Benzodiazepines were the most prevalence drugs used by patients for suicide. Argument with family or spouse was the most reason for suicide attempt based on patients self report.Conclusions: The policy of the country is necessary to pay more attention to the issue of access of individuals to various drugs, as well as through the media and volunteers to manage and control the amount of medication in each house to inform and educate access to the people at high risk of unsafe drugs, less fatal to happen.

Background & objectives: Presence of various microorganism, particularly human pathogens, in drinking water causes many health problems. Therefore, the water disinfection has been one of the main drinking water treatment processes. E. coli bacteria is known as an appropriate microbial water quality indicator. Electrochemical processes are very powerful for the removal of pollutants, particularly microbial contaminants, due to low environmental effects, ease of use and relative costs down for it. The aim of this study was to investigate the performance of electrochemical process in E. coli bacteria removal from water as well as the effect of various parameters on the performance of it.Material & Methods: The electrochemical reactor was constructed and E. coli bacteria removal performance of under the influence of current density, initial bacteria population and supporting electrolyte type and concentration have evaluated.Results: The best performance of the electrochemical system was obtained in the current density of 6 mA/cm2, concentrations of 0.25 g/l for each NaCl and Na2SO4 as supporting electrolyte and CFU/100 ml initial bacterial population.Conclusion: With the increasing current density up to 6 mA/cm2, efficiency of bacteria removal was significantly increased. In investigation on effect of supporting electrolyte type and concentration were shown that by increasing the concentration of NaCl, the performance showed a significant increase E. coli removal. This performance has not been obtained in the case of Na2SO4 as supporting electrolyte. With increasing of the initial bacteria number, higher time were needs to the complete elimination E.coli, when the initial bacterial number were increased.

Background & Objectives: Leishmaniasis is endemic in 88 countries and 350 million people in world are at risk. According to importance of education in large population, this study was designed and done with the aim evaluating the effect of educational program based on BASNEF model on Volunteer Health Workers (VHWs) on Preventive behaviors among families under supported of VHWs.Material & Methods: In this Quasi-Exprimental study, 60 VHWs and 120 households that were resident in endemic area of CL in Jajarm city in 2013 were selected through multi stage sampling method. Intervention was done based on BASNEF model. Data were collected before educational intervention and 3 months after educational intervention using reliable and valid questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS16 software and chi-square, t paired-Test, independent t-test, Mann-whitney and Wilcoxon.Results: The mean score of knowledge, attitude, behavioral intention, enabling factors, behaviors and influence of subjective norms after educational intervention in households in experimental were significantly increased (P<0.05) while the changes in control group were not significant.Conclusions: This educational program led to educational behaviors in VHWs and change in preventive behaviors among families. So we recommended BASNEF model was used in planning educational programs in related to educating families about cutaneous leishmaniasis.

Background & Objectives: Oxidative damage in Multiple Sclerosis occurs in a wide range. White matter is highly sensitive to damage from exposure to reactive oxygen species. Fruits and vegetables have antioxidant properties. There has been no research conducted to explore the relationship between fruit and vegetable intake and MS. This Case-Control study was conducted in Tehran city to investigate the relationship between fruit and vegetable consumption and Multiple Sclerosis.Materials and Methods: 68 cases and 140 controls underwent private interviews.Information regarding the usual dietary intake of each individual in the past year was collected by using the valid Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). Multivariate logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals.Results: An inverse association between total fruits consumption and risk of Multiple Sclerosis was observed (OR=0.40, 95% CI: 0.22-0.75) but the result was not significant in multivariate model. After adjusting for the potential confounders and energy intake, total vegetables consumption tended to decrease the risk of Multiple Sclerosis (OR=0.34, 95% CI: 0.15-0.65). Within the group of fruits, a significant inverse association was observed for watermelon, raisin and cherry (P-value:<0.001). Within the group of vegetables, a significant inverse association was observed for tomato intake (p-value=0.03). An inverse association between consumption of lettuce, onion and risk of Multiple Sclerosis was observed but the result was not significant in multivariate model.Conclusion: Our results suggested that high consumption of fruits and vegetables might be associated with reduced risk of MS.

Background & Objectives: With the increasing elderly population, the importance of quality of life in this group of people is becoming more important. This study analyzes the impact of peer education on the mental aspect of quality of life in 1393 was carried out.Material & Methods: This is quasi-experimental study.40 subjects were randomly assigned to two groups. After the preparation of the peer group, 4 sessions held by the peer intervention group during 4 weeks. To assess the quality of life questionnaire SF- 36 quality of life before and 1 month after intervention in both groups were completed.The analysis was performed using SPSS v18.Results: Mean scores of psychological quality of life between the two groups before the intervention showed no significant difference. However, following the intervention of the difference in mean scores between the two groups were significant psychological dimension Conclusion: Peer education, improve the quality of life of elderly patients with hypertension were mental. The use of this educational approach to improving the mental aspects of quality of life in the elderly is recommended.

Background and Objective: Since health information is one of the most important needs of human in each society, foreign immigrants face often with problems for safe, reliable and fast information. The aim of this study is to investigate of health information needs and barriers to access among foreign immigrants in Iran.Materials and Methods: The survey-analytical study was carried among 384 Iraqi and Afghan legal immigrants who are living in 8 provinces of Iran. We used questionnaires (which designed in Persian and Arabic languages) and SPSS software to collect and analysis data.Result: Findings showed that there are no significant difference between health information needs of level of education and History of illness. Also "General Health Information" (4.20) mentioned as the most important health information needs for immigrants and "Family, Friends and other immigrants" (3.83) were the most important source of access to information for them.Conclusion: Health knowledge and information of foreign immigrants in Iran were in low status. Recognition and supply of their health information, removing the barriers and improve their health literacy should be considered by Health policy makers.

Background and Objectives: Successful strategies implementing smoking cessation are account for cardinal investments in tobacco control programs. One of the models that has been utilized in smoking cessation is the transtheoreticlal model (TTM). This study aimed to assess the psychometric properties of the version of transtheoretical model (TTM) questionnaire for Iranian smokers.Material & Methods: This was a methodological study among male smokers who worked in factories in Tehran. In this study, the short form of TTM questionnaire was evaluated in term of validity and reliability. The factor analysis was conducted to test validity. The internal consistency and stability of the questionnaire was tested using Cranach’s alpha coefficient and Infraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC).Results: Male smokers participated with mean age 36.51±7.94 years. The result from exploratory analysis (N=150) showed 9 factors with 75.3% of cumulative variance. The results obtained from confirmatory factor analysis (N=150) revealed that the data were fit to the model (χ2/df=1.61, p<0.001, RMSEA=0.06, GFI= 0.91, CFI=0.93). Assessment Cronbach’s alpha indicated acceptable internal consistency (0.76) and also correlation implied a satisfactory stability (0.75).Conclusion: The findings of this study indicated the Iranian version of the instrument had satisfactory psychometric properties and could be applied in studying behavior change and designing smoking cessation interventions.

Background & Objectives: Multiple Sclerosis (M.S) is one of the most common chronic disease of the central nervous system in young adults and like any other chronic disease can effect various aspects of life of patients and their quality of life. This study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of Hope-based group therapy on the quality of life in women with multiple sclerosis.Material & Methods: This research is a quasi-experimental study with control group pretest- posttest design. Number of 24 patients as the sample was selected among women with M.S and divided into two groups as intervention and control group. Hopebased group therapy was performed in the intervention group. The instrument used in this study was Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale (MSIS-29). Research data were analyzed using SPSS 16 software and statistical tests of independent t-test, chi-square and multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA).Result: Hope-based group therapy caused a significant difference (p<0.001) between intervention and control groups in the overall scale of quality of life. It also significantly (p<0.001) improved psychological aspect of quality of life in women with M.S, compared to control group, but this intervention showed no significant effect on improvement of physical aspect of quality of life.Conclusion: Hope-based group therapy is effective in improvement of psychological aspect of quality of life in women with M.S. So it can be applied as a useful method of intervention for improvement of psychological aspect of quality of life in patients with M.S.

Background & Objectives: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the immunohistochemical expression of CD105 and Bcl2 in radicular cyst, dentigerous cyst, OKC and ameloblastoma.Material and methods: In this analytical retrospective study, 15 samples of radicular cyst, 15 dentigerous cyst, 15 OKC and 5 samples of ameloblastoma were selected. The samples were deparafinized and antigens were retrieved. Immunohistochemistry technique was applied for evaluation of CD105 and bcl2. Findings were analyzed by SPSS17 software. Comparative analysis of data was performed by using the Mann- Whitney T-test for two independent samples. A p value of less than 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.Results: The mean value of bcl2 expression in radicular, dentigerous, OKC and ameloblastma were 78, 71.13, 48 and 45 respectively. There is no significant difference between OKC and ameloblastoma (p>0.05). The percentage of CD105 positive vessels was higher in radicular cyst and decreased in dentigerous cyst, OKC and ameloblastoma.Conclusion: The higher expression of bcl2 in OKC and ameloblastoma can explain the more aggressive clinical behavior of these lesions, although, angiogenesis has no impression on it.

Background & Objectives: Scutellaria pinnatifida from Labiatae family is one of the endemic medicinal plants in Iran and is used as anti analgesic and anti-inflammatory remedy. The aim of this study was evaluation of antioxidant activity and phytochemical assessment of Scutellaria pinnatifida A. Hamilt subsp alpina (Bornm) Rech. f that is endemic in Khorasan.Material and Method: the methanol extract from aerial parts of plant was provided with maceration method at first. The presence and amount of Flavonoids, Tannins, Saponins, Antocyanins and Carotenoids was studied. Antioxidant activity of extract was evaluated with Free radical scavenging and Ferric reducing antioxidant power methods.Results: the result of this study showed the presence of antocyanin and flavonoids and absence of saponin and tannins. The amounts of antocyanin and flavonoid were 7.65±0.13 and 10.86±0.0115 mg/per g dry plant respectively. Free radical scavenging was increased with high concentration of extracts and highest scavenging was in 32 mg/ml with 85.4% scavenging, BHT and Vit C were 91.58% and 95.33% in this concentration and there wasn’t more different between them. In evaluation of antioxidant activity in FRAP method, methanol extract with 0.816±0.052 mmol ferrous was stronger than BHT and it is weaker than Vit C.Conclusion: the methanol extract from aerial parts of Scutellaria pinnatifida had good antioxidant activity and more studies are needed for recognize of it's chemical compositions and evaluation of anticancer activity from this plant.

Background and objectives: Patient’s awareness about their rights in addition to increase the service quality and health care and reduce medical expenses (cost), can cause the medical staff also take responsibility of protection of patients’ rights. Therefore, this investigation was conducted in order to determine awareness from patient right patent and its consideration (observance) from hospitalized patients’ viewpoint.Material & Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted through available sampling on 384 hospitalized patients referred to Zahedan Medical University hospitals in 1390. Information collecting tolls were including: demographic information check list and two questionnaires regard patients awareness and observance about patient right patent. Data were analyzed by Pearson’s test of correlation, two-sample t-test and one-way ANOVA, and Through SPSS software version 16.0.Results: Results showed that average score of patients awareness about their rights patent was 6.48 (SD=1.3) (in weak level) and average of observance of right patent from patients viewpoint was 6.28 (SD=1.02) (in adverse level).Also analysis of the seventh realms related to awareness and patient’s right patent observance showed that minimum and maximum average score were related to objection and complaint right (0.15±0.85 and 0.25±0.05) and awareness right and get information (2.1±0.55 and 2.8±0.68), respectively.There was a significant relationship between awareness of patients about their rights and patient’s right patent observance (P<0.05).Conclusion: According to the obtained results, it is necessary that hospitals managers must adopt some measures to make qualifications in order to awareness of patients about their rights and execution of the laws related to observance of patient’s rights.

Background & Objectives: The antibiotics are excreted after their effect on the host body and together with other waste disposal are entered the treatment plant processes. Antibiotics prevent the biological wastewater treatment in the plant.Amoxicillin is one of the most common types of antibiotics. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of Amoxicillin on the efficiency of biological wastewater treatment processes in the sequencing batch reactor.Materials & Methods: This study was conducted a laboratory -scale experimental, which done in pilot study. Experiments were performed in a batch reactor (with an effective volume 2 L), equipped with a diffuser aerator. The reactor was filled with synthetic wastewater samples containing amoxicillin concentration of 0, 50, 100, 150, 200, 250 and 300 mg/L. The efficiency of the system in removal of COD and BOD5 under various conditions, initial concentration of amoxicillin (0, 50, 100, 150, 200, 250 and 300) was determined and Data were analyzed with SPSS software (version 16) using ANOVA test.Result: Based on the findings, amoxicillin in 300 mg/L concentration had the least COD removal efficiency. In this concentration of amoxicillin, maximum of the removal efficiency the COD and the BOD5 were 44.4% and 5% respectively. Increasing concentrations of amoxicillin decreased the average amount SOUR.Conclusion: The results of this study indicated that by increasing the amoxicillin concentration, the COD and BOD5 removal efficiency is decreased. High concentrations of antibiotics in pharmaceuticals and hospitals wastewater interfere with the activities of biological wastewater treatment.

Background & Objectives: Benign neonatal icterus is a common problem in preterm and term neonates. At present current treatments are phototherapy, exchange transfusion and use of certain food products including herbal medicines. In some countries, traditional medicine is being used to relieve icterus. Manna and Milk are among the herbals used to reduce icterus in Persian traditional medicine. The purpose of this review is to discuss and investigate into the effect of herbal medicines on the neonatal icterus.Materials and Methods: This work was done by referring to the related text books, scientific sites and review of the literature concerning the effects of herbal medicines and icter.Results: This review was conducted by searching in Google scholar, Pub med and med line. Finally 23 articles were included and studied. Data was analyzed and edited.Conclusion: According to the results of the previous studies herbal medicines fail to cure icterur alone, but it could be useful along with routine treatments such as phototherapy

Background & Objectives: Systematic monitoring of exposure levels for radiation workers and other employees who might recive radiation is the main objective of dosimetry. Biodosimetry is the choice method to assess radiation dose of those exposed unplanned. Biodosimetry may be performed by three techniques: clinical methods, biological methods by genetic and cytogenetic analysis (including dicenteric assay, micronuclei assay, translocation analysis (FISH) and PCC analysis) and biodosimetry based on physical factors (including EPR and OSL). The ideal biodosimetry method is the technique which that offers accurate estimation of accidental or unplanned doses immediately following to exposure, in emergency cases. Other characteristics of an ideal biodosimetry method are high sensitivity, coverage to a wide range of doses, ability to distinguish between acute and chronic exposure. The aim of this study was to comparison of various biodosimetry methods used currently.Material & Methods: In this study, relevant articles on biological dosimetry have been reviewed. Then, specific keywords were selected based on the aim of study and the most recent publication in this field, were collected.Results: Gene expression methods have high sensitivity and low specificity. Dicentric chromosomes in human lymphocytes is still as ideal method of biodosimetry methods. However FISH and EPR techniques Because of the time stability of response, has recently been used widely.Conclusion: Evaluation of various biodosimetry techniques is evident biodosimetry is a practical method, but no single technique may be appropriate to apply for all applications. However, combined methods (especially physical and biological methods) can be helpful.