HAKIM RESEARCH JOURNAL
Year:2006 | Volume:9 | Issue:1|Papers Count:13

Introduction: Growth studies in different countries show that the body size (height and weight measurements) has been increasing over the past one and a half centuries. Study of secular trends in growth is very important. Previous studies in Iran have included small selected groups in different provinces of Iran, so do not provide reliable information regarding overal growth pattern of children in the country. Also, large studies have not been carried out at different intervals where secular changes in growth can be studied. Methods: Data from two National Health Surveys (1990-91 and 1999) were used to study the secular trends in height and weight of Iranian children over this period. Results: During the decade of 1990-1 to 1999, on the average, the height of Iranian girls and boys aged 2-18 years increased by 3.6 cm. Also, over this period, on the average, these girls and boys became 2.71 and 3.03 kg heavier, respectively.Conclusion: Although, median heights and weights of Iranian children up to the age of 15 years are both below the 20th percentiles of NCHS standards, between 15-18 years, median heights and weights lie on the 20th and 25th centiles of NCHS, respectively. Only girls’ median weight between 14-18 reaches the 35th centile. This suggests that the gap might be filled by improvements in nutrition and health services along with the socio-economic development.

Introduction: The mosquito Anopheles stephensi is a common pest of medical importance (malaria vector) that has been reported from most parts of Iran. The study of its biological and ecological characteristics is a prerequisite for its effective control. However, its successful rearing in laboratory remains the first step in this respect. In this study we investigated a new rearing method for raising the Anopheles stephensi in the lab conditions using a commercial brand of milk powder for larval feeding. Methods: Optimum utilization amount of commercial milk powder was assessed by measuring seven ecological characters (larval mortality, pupal mortality, total mortality, survival rate, speed of larval development, sex ratio and body size) with four different food amounts. Results: We observed significant decreases of larval, pupal and total mortality and sex ratio and significant decreases of speed of larval development and survival rate by an increase in food amounts. Body sizes did not show any significant difference among individuals of both sexes. Conclusion: Our results indicate that the new rearing method supported the Anopheles stephensi population of higher abundance and fitness for lab experiments.

Introduction: Laboratory diagnosis of tuberculosis is based on direct smear and culture, the latter being especially time - consuming. The aim of this study was to compare three laboratory methods for diagnosis of tuberculosis: direct smear, culture and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Methods: One hundred clinical specimens were collected from Molla-Hadi-Sabzevari health center in Isfahan, Iran. PCR was based on MT1 and MT2 primers common to all species of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (M. tuberculosis, M. africanum, M. microti and M. bovis). Primers amplified a 225 bp PCR product. Also a polymerase chain reaction enzyme linked immunoassay (PCR-ELISA) was employed for some of the clinical specimens. The PCR product was the tag in which anti-digoxigenin antibody was bound in the subsequent ELISA. The PCR product was bound to a streptavidin-coated microtitration plate through a biotinylated capture probe. Results: Out of 50 individuals in control group, there was no positive result of PCR. In patient group 48 out of 50 were positive PCR. The sensitivity of the culture, the direct Ziel-Nelson smear and the PCR were %88, %82 and %96, respectively. Conclusion: According the results of this study it is concluded that PCR is more sensitive than culture and direct smear.

Introduction: Due to the importance of early diagnosis in cervical cancer and high number of false negative results of papanicolaou smear as screening method, in recent years several studies has been done to find an appropriate test. Fluid-based methods and especially Thinprep have the highest potential for reducing this problem and increasing the adequacy of specimens. The aim of this study was comparison of papanicolaou fluid-based/thin layer smears and accompanied cell blocks with conventional pap smear in terms of adequacy of the specimen.Methods: In this prospective study, the results of 140 thin layer smears prepared from April 2002 to March 2003 were compared with those of 100 conventional pap smears prepared within the same time in terms of adequacy of the specimen. Pap smear was prepared using spatula and cytobrush. Cervex-brush was used for sampling with thin layer method and the specimen was prepared using Cyto-tek equipment. In thin layer method, a cell block slide was prepared using the rest of the specimen. The smears were interpreted using Bethesda system. Results: The number of occasions of "satisfactory but limited" (SBL) estimated by thin layer method and accompanied cell blocks, 17 (12.1%), was comparable with those obtained by conventional pap smear method, 39 (39%). The number of unsatisfactory cases by thin layer method and accompanied cell block  was estimated 6 (4.3%), compared with that of conventional pap smear test which was 9 (9%). The reduction in the number of unsatisfactory cases and SBL under thin layer method with cell block, and the consequent increase in satisfactory smears was statistically significant by Chi-square test (P<0.05). The number of cases having endocervical cell/T-zone component only in cell block slides was 30 (25%).Conclusion: Fluid-based thin layer method along with cell block improves the adequacy of the specimen, and in turn result in reduction  of unsatisfactory and SBL cases. Complementary cell block method lead to finding more endocervical components/T-zone as well as increased number of satisfactory specimens.

Introduction: Dermatophytes are a group of keratinophilic fungi with the ability to invade and parasitize the non-living cornified layer of the skin, where they are localized to the stratum corneum. In this study, in vitro activities of two known antifungal drugs, terbinafine (TBF) and griseofulvin (GR), were tested against reference and native dermatophyte strains.Methods: Agar dilution method was used for determining the anti-dermatophyte activities of the two compounds. The fungi were cultured on sabouraud dextrose agar in presence of different concentrations of the selected compounds.Results: All compounds inhibited the growth of all examined fungi in a dose-dependent manner. The minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of TBF and GR were determined in the range of 0.005- 0.163 mg/ml and 0.78-12.5 mg/ml for all tested dermatophytes, respectively. The MFC values of above compounds were measured as 0.33 mg/l, 25-200 mg/ml, accordingly.Conclusion: TBF showed the highest antifungal activites against Microsporum canis MC-1 and Microsporum gypseum PTCC 5069, where as GR exerted extreme point activity against Microsporum canis MC-1 and Epidermophyton fluccosum EF-1. Terbinafine was shown to be fungicidal at a concentration of 0.165 mg/ml and have suitable antifungal activities in very low concentrations as compared with GR, against T. mentagrophytes, T. rubrum, M. gypseum and E. fluccosum.

Introduction: The diagnosis of Helicobater pylori infection in human may be accomplished with or without endoscopy. Each of these methods requires several hours to days before the final test result is known. We sought to determine whether direct measurement of ammonium level by spectrophotometric method allows accurate diagnosis of Helicobater pylori infection.Methods: In patients (n=32) with mean age of 49.7 ± 5.4 years undergoing upper GI endoscopy had gastric juice (5ml) was collected tested for ammonium using spectrophotometric method. Control subjects (n=11), with mean age of 45.8 ± 7.9 years were subjects without Helicobacter pylori undergoing upper GI endoscopy. Ammonium concentration of gastric juice was determined by spectrophotometric method in 340 nm. Severity of gastritis was graded using the Sydney Classification and correlated to gastric juice ammonium level.Results: Gastric juice ammonium levels were significantly higher in Helicobater pylori- infected individuals than in those without the infection (3.2 ± 0.3 vs. 1.3 ± 0.2 mmol/l , P<0.05). Conclusion: Determination of gastric juice ammonium level by spectrophotometric technique is a suitable means of diagnosing Helicobater pylori infection.

Introduction: Prevention and control of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections are still among serious nosocomial problems worldwide, since chemotherapeutic control of the infection generally fails. Therefore, using a safe and reliable vaccine against all wild Pseudomonas aeruginosa serotypes is the only solution to overcome this problem.Methods: 300 Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains were isolated from patients admitted to four Tehran hospitals. Using standard O-specific typing sera, they were all grouped in 16 out of 17 known Pseudomonas aeruginosa serotypes. The 16 serotypes were lyophilized and each given a code according to the Collection of Standard Bacteria of Pasteur Institute of Iran (CSBPI) for further investigation. Among all clinical samples, CSBPI: 16-190 was the most prevalent Pseudomonas aeruginosa serotype which showed a high agglutination titer against homologous O-specific typing sera. This serotype was selected for extraction of Pseudomonas aeruginosa major outer membrane vesicles (OMP-F). OMP-F vesicles were extracted and purified by deoxycholate ultracentrifuge- differentiation technique. After molecular evaluation, protective activities and safety of the OMP-F vesicles were determined in animal models.Results: Preset investigation reveals that, purified OMP-F vesicles of Pseudomonas aeruginosa CSBPI: 16-190 is able to induce a high level of protection against all 16 live homologous and heterologous native Iranian Pseudomonas aeruginosa serotypes. Besides, it was pyrogen free and did not produce any detectable abnormal toxicity in rabbits, mice and guinea pigs.Discussion: The results showed that purified OMP-F vesicles of Pseudomonas aeruginosa CSBPI: 16-190 can be considered a safe and protective immunogen in vaccine therapy against infections caused by all native Pseudomonas aeruginosa immunotypes in Iran.

Introduction: One of the main objectives of the national health policy of a country should be designing a strategic program for pharmaceutical research in order to take the best advantage of the allocated funds and to prevent wasting of national resources. This investigation was carried out to assess views of graduate and undergraduate students of Tehran University faculty of pharmacy, about the importance, priorities (applied or basic), problems and opportunities of the pharmaceutical research as well as its impact weaknesses, and its impact on the future careers of students.Methods: This was a qualitative study carried out by focus group discussion in 2004 for four months on two groups of 6-10 undergraduate and two groups of 6-10 graduate students in the National Research Center for Medical Sciences of Iran.Results: Results showed that almost all participants believed in the necessity of pharmaceutical research, especially applied research based on demands of our country. Uncompromising rules about research, budget allocation, tardy and uneven appropriation of resources, weak and feckless administration, lack of the research ethos and ethics, paucity of skilled specialists, weak cooperation between universities and industry, lack of research registry system, weak research motives, inadequate inter association and ineffective evaluation systems for research and researchers were mentioned as the main factors impeding pharmaceutical research in Iran. The presence of young population, the country’s scientific history, decent human and financial resources and high potentials of the pharmaceutical industry were considered as strengths of the pharmaceutical research. Most students believed that doing research provides them with better opportunities to live and work abroad.Conclusion: Results of this study supports the necessity of a strategic plan for pharmaceutical research in Iran and will be used in the development of this program.

Introduction: Opium use has been traditionally common in the southeast of Iran. The aim of this study was to assess the changes in the prevalence of drug abuse, its pattern and health service status in the city of Bam and Baghchamak village during the first year after Bam earthquake.Methods: Five qualitative methods were used in this study: focus group discussion, individual in-depth interview, ethnographic observation, mapping and photographing. Drug abusers, ordinary people, drug abuse therapists, and other key informants were interviewed in ten groups and 69 individual in-depth interviews.Results: A high prevalence of drug dependence was reported in Bam and Baghchamak, especially among men. Opium was the most widely used illicit drug, but heroin use was rare. Most of the interviewees believed that opium and heroin use has increased in Bam after the earthquake. Also an increase of drug use has been reported in the youth and women, as well. There were a few centers providing drug abuse treatment services, and in almost all of them detoxification was the only service provided. Many drug abusers were unaware of the available services. Conclusion: Bam earthquake caused an increase in drug use. There is an urgent need for plans to establish a rapid response to control the rise in drug use and minimize its negative effects.

Introduction: Information and its major effect on strengthening the process of management decision-making cause the maximum efficiency in a system. Thus, if information is made available to managers with required speed and in a proper way, it will help them to make correct and proper decisions. Unavailability of such conditions will cause irretrievable problems, especially in the health sector. Geographical Information System (GIS) makes  required information available for users more rapidly, accurately and up-to-date in order to make decision. The objective of applying GIS in health management is to show its advantages practically compared to other information systems e.g. MIS. Methods: After necessary studies and organizing experts meetings, three districts (Farsan from Chaharmahal Bakhtiari province, Dashti from Boushehr province and Bam from Kerman province) were chosen where on the basis of their ecological variety and environmental related diseases. First descriptive information was collected then the required information layers were adjusted on spatial information by selecting and modifying the base maps.Results: The data model of this project was designed in the form of geographical databank on the basis of descriptive information of health network and need assessment. For example, the health and medical facilities with their descriptive information were specified on the district geographical map in a way that different information layers of health centers are visible dynamically and simultaneously. The incidence of important diseases such as tuberculosis, malaria, cholera, etc. can be also determined on the map so proper and prompt action can be taken for their prevention and surveillance. Conclusion: The system was accountable to information needs of health system and there is the possibility of its development and improvement from many aspects.