Journal of Inflammatory Diseases
Year:2011 | Volume:14 | Issue:4 (57)|Papers Count:18

Background: Genetic factors play an important role in women fertility and embryonic development which may contribute to the efficacy of assisted reproduction techniques. Objective:The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor g (PPARg) His447His polymorphism on oocytes and fertilization in women undergoing IVF. Methods:Blood samples were obtained from 98 IVF patients referred to Tabriz Alzahra Hospital. Samples were analyzed for the PPARg gene polymorphism using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism-based methods. Multivariate analyses were used to test the independence of associations between the number of mature oocytes and the number of oocytes fertilized as outcome variables and polymorphism of PPARg gene. Findings:Correlation analysis showed a significant inverse correlation between the age of women and the number of mature oocytes retrieved (r=-0.37, P=0.001) and oocytes fertilizaed (r=-0.25, P=0.015). The ratio of the number of mature oocytes to oocytes fertilizaed was significantly (P<0.05) increased in carriers of the rare alleles than homozygous wild-type genotypes. The association of His447His polymorphism (P=0.003) remained statistically significant after adjustment for confounding factors in the multivariate analyses. Conclusion:This study presents evidences that the His447His polymorphism of PPARg plays an important independent role in fertilization in vitro and thus possibly in female fertility.

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) and glucose intolerance are commonly associated with liver cirrhosis and considered as important prognostic factors in liver cirrhosis. Objective: To determine the more sensisitive test for diagnosis of diabetes mellitus in liver cirrhosis. Methods: A total of 92 patients with liver cirrhosis were enrolled in a descriptive-analytic study. The levels of FBS and blood sugar two hours after ingestion of 75gr glucose (OGTT) were measured. FBS and 2-hPG concentrations were analysed for all subjects. Chi-square test and Fisher's exact test were used to analyse the data and p values <0.05 were considered as significant. Findings: A total of 92 cirrhotic cases with mean age of 54.1±14.1 years were enrolled in this study of which 51 cases were males (55.4%) and 41 females (44.6%). Using FBS measurement test, DM was diagnosed in 14 subjects (15.2%), impaired fasting glucose (IFG) in 16 subjects (17.4%), and normal fasting glucose in 62 subjects (67.4%). However, when OGTT was employed, DM found to be present in 36 subjects (39.1%), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) in 26 subjects (28.3%), and normal glucose tolerance (NGT) in 30 subjects (32.6%). Comparison of FBS and OGTT (as gold standard test) showed that there was a significant difference between two tests (p<0.001). The sensitivity of FBS test to diagnose DM was 46.7% with a specificity of 96.7%. The P. P. V and NPV were 96.7% and 46.7%, respectively. The FBS cut off was estimated at 83.50 mg/dl. Conclusion: The determination of FBS level seems to be insufficient in detecting DM in patients with liver cirrhosis. Thus, in addition to FBS measurement, the OGTT, as a routine test for cirrhosis, is recommended.

Background: Evaluating the diagram of acoustic rhinometryin normal Iranian population can be very helpful in identifying the function of nasal air flow. The aim of the present study was to examine the diagram of acoustic rhinometry in normal Iranian population with no breathing problem. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study in which 166 persons free of any breathing complaint underwent acoustic rhinometry test (GM acoustic rhinometry apparatus equipped with an ultrasound system) at Rasool-e-Akram hospital in Tehran. Later, the diagram of the minimum nasal cross section surface and volume was recorded and the data were further analyzed using t-test. Findings: While the minimum cross sectional surface in acoustic rhinometry test of 66.8% of individuals was 0.5597 cm3 at an average distance of 1840/4 cm from the anterior concha it was 0.6166 cm3 in 33.2% of individuals at a distance of 2.3355 from the anterior nostril. No significant correlation was found between the gender and both the volume and the minimum cross sectional surface although the nostril distance from the inferior concha was significantly lower in women compared to men (P<0.05). Also, no significant relationship between the height and age of study population and the volume and nasal cross section diameter was established. Conclusion: Regarding the differences found between the results of acoustic rhinometry in various races, it could be claimed that the findings of the present study obtained from Iranian population might be a suitable measure in diagnosis of nasal airway diseases leading to selection of the most appropriate method of treatment (medical or surgical) and also the possibility of comparing the pre- and post-operation results.

Background: Recognition of kinesthesia impairs after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear and reconstruction surgery can significantly improve the situation. Objective: The objective of the present study was to compare the Kinesthesia in patients with ACL tear before and after reconstruction surgery at acute phase. Methods: In this Quasi- experimental study, 30 patients with ACL tear were recruited. The patients included 16 males and 14 females selected in a non probability sampling manner. The C. P. M, as a dependent variable, was used to test the Kinesthesia motion sense. Data were analyzed using paired t-test, ICC, SEM, and K-S tests. Findings: The kinesthesia in the affected knee and at the speed of 0.5 m/s before and after surgery was 5.02±0.36 and 3.23±0.25 and at the speed of 2 m/s 1.95±0.16 and 0.85±0.04, respectively. The difference between the pre- and post-surgery was significant at both speeds employed (p<0.05). Conclusion: It seems that the reconstructive surgery in patients with ACL tears at the acute phase is of high value in improving the kinesthesia.

Background: Development of stone depends on certain physicochemical factors. Several treatment methods including increased fluid intake and dietary modification, medical therapies such as potassium citrate and use of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) and finally surgery methods are used for treatment of urolithiasis. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the level of response to medical therapy with polycitra-K in children with urolithiasis. Methods: The study population comprised all patients less than 14 years old with urolithiasis visited at Mofid and Labafi Nejad hospitals within the last five years. All patients with an initial ultrasonography showing stone in urinary tract. At the end of study, the complete resolution or passage or a decrease in the size of stone in later sonography was defined as response to treatment. Findings: From 109 patients, 91 cases continued medical therapy with polycitra-k and 51 patients (56%) responded to treatment. Hypercalciuria and hyperuricosuria were found to be the etiological factors in 25% and 19% of patients, respectively. The stone analysis revealed that 50% were composed of ca-oxalate. Stone disease was more common between the ages 1-3 years and the most common complaint was hematuria (20%). Calcium Oxalate stones were the most frequent stones which responded to polycitra. The response rate in girls and boys was similar and in different age groups it was almost equal. Conclusion: Based on the response rate of medical therapy with polycitra-k is recommended for treatment of urolithiasis in children.

Background: Rotavirus is one of the most common cause of diarrhea and one of the major causes of sever gastroenteritis in very young children. Objective: To follow up and genotype the agents of rotavirus infection as well as assessing the bacterial and parasitic organisms among hospitalized children with gastroenteritis in the city of Jahrom, Iran. Methods: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study carried out during October 2006 to October 2007. A total of 163 stool samples from hospitalized children less than 5 years old with severe diarrhea were collected from two hospitals in Jahrom. Culture, microscopy, EIA, and RT-PCR were used for detection of bacterial, parasitic and rotaviral agents. Data were analyzed using SPSS 14 and descriptive statistics including chi-square test, ANOVA, and Fisher exact test. A p value less than 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Finding: Of total samples, 46.02% were positive for group A rotavirus by EIA. The predominant genotypes were G1 (17.33%), G4 (30.66%), and nontypable (30.66%). Also, E. coli, Shigella spp. , Shigella spp. + E. coli, E. coli + rotavirus, Salmonella spp. , E. histolytica/E.Dispar, and other infectious agents were identified in 7.97%, 17.18%, 1.83%, 15.20%, 3.66%, 10.84%, and 6.28% of cases, respectively. Conclusion: According to the data obtained from the present study, rotavirus infections in Jahrom mostly occur within the cold months of the year, epidemiologically.

Background: Septic arthritis is one of the most common causes of joint destruction. Objective: The aim of this study was to assess management of definitive or suspected cases of septic arthritis in educational hospitals of Qazvin University of Medical Sciences within 2003 to 2008. Methods: This was an observational study performed based on existing data. The medical files of patients with arthritis in three hospitals were assessed. Patients were hospitalized in orthopedic, rheumatology and pediatrics wards. Intravenous antibiotic receivers for arthritis (more than three days) were analyzed (174 cases) and all necessary information was collected. Data were analyzed by SPSS software using descriptive statistics. Finding: Of total study population, 57.5% of cases were males, 70.6% under the age 12 years, and 85.2% with mono-articular involvement. The most common joint involved was knee in adults (39.6%) and hip in children (47.2%). Trauma was the most common predisposing factor (73%) whereas limitation in movement found to be the most frequent (85.6%) clinical manifestation at the time of admission. Only 57 patients underwent arthrocenthesis and positive culture results were found in 8 cases. Essential considerations such as smear, gram staining and assessing the presence of crystals in synovial fluid were not accomplished to an acceptable level yet the less important criteria such as lactate dehydrogenase, protein, and glucose concentrations of synovial fluid were tested for majority of patients. Antibiotic regimen composed of an anti-staphylococcal agent in most cases. Within the first four hours following admission, 54.6% of cases received intravenous antibiotics and 24.7% of cases received IV antibiotic therapy for longer than two weeks. Conclusion: According to inappropriate management of patients with definite and suspected septic arthritis, attempts should be made to consider parameters such as careful history and physical examination, correct duration of antibiotic therapy, and the process of determining the type of microorganisms causeing septic arthritis including smear and culture of synovial fluid as well as taking necessary measures to improve the current conditions.

Background: Fire and explosion hazards are considered as the first and second major hazards in process industries. Objective: The aim of this study was to quantitatively assess the fire and explosion hazardsas well as relative classification of such hazards in a petrochemical industry. Methods: This wasa quantitative study in which the process units were selected based on parameters affecting the risk of fire and explosion. Later, these parameters were analyzed using DOW’s fire and explosion index (F&EI). Technical data to determine the index were obtained through process documents and reports as well as the fire and explosion guideline. Following calculating the DOW’s index, the high and low risk process units were determined. Findings: The stripper column with a rank of 226 and the naphtha tank with a rank of 64 were determined as the most and least disastrous process units. The level of hazardwas determined as severe for columns (F&EI>158), heavy for magna-former reactor and gasoline furnace (127< F&EI£158), and moderate for hydrodealkylation reactor and naphtha tank (61< F&EI£96). The radius of exposure was calculated at 57 meters for stripper column. Conclusion: The fire and explosion index is a suitable measure to determine the high and low risk areas of an industry. The stripper column as the most disastrous process unit needs more sensitive methods for hazard assessment.

Background: Efficient health information management can lead to timely and useful decision in the system. Objective: To assess health information management in health system of Qazvin Province. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2008. The 3 levels of Health Care System of Qazvin were assessed. By targeted sampling; 10 Health Houses, 5 Rural Health Centers & Shahid Bolandian Health Center of Qazvin city were selected to study. Questionnaires and Checklists were used for data collection. The data were analyzed with spss13 software. Findings: From 9262602 units of information were produced in health system, about 683563 units (7.3% of total information) were sent to higher levels. The frequency distribution views of experts which were gathered about situation of health system about data collection and information transfer were as: moderate (23.2%), fair (76.8%) and data processing and analyzing: weak (0%), moderate (15.9%) and fair (84.1%). concerning the interpretation of information: weak (1.4%), moderate (23.2%) and fair (75.4%), and method of data control: moderate (21.7%) and fair (78.3%). Conclusion: With respect to findings for effective decision making, it is necessary to pay attention to screening subject in low levels and educating of information interpretation methods to statisticians in these levels.

Background: The Main reason for using productivity and efficiency analysis in all areas of management, in particular hospitals, is the resources constraint. Objective: The aim of this study was to measure the productivity in general hospitals of Ardebil province. Methods: This was a descriptive analytical retrospective study, carried out in 10 general hospitals within the Province of Ardebil in 2008. The Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) technique and the Malmquist Total Factor Productivity Index were employed to measure the productivity and variables such as the number of GPs, number of active beds, number of admissions, and the days of hospitalizations were taken into account. Collection of data within the last 7 years was accomplished using the Standard Forms designed by the Ministry of Health and Medical Education’s Statistical Department. Data analysis was performed using the Deap2 software. Findings: Based on our data, the Total Factor Productivity mean was 1.033 indicating a decrease of 3.3% in productivity within this period. The technical efficiency change and also the technological change as component of productivity were 1.044 and 1.029, respectively. The trend of productivity over the study period failed to follow any particular trend. In the first three years, the productivity was reduced while within the next two years it was increased. Nevertheless, the productivity again faced a decrease within the next year. Conclusion: The total factors productivity during the study period showed a decreased productivity. The productivity losses were largely due to technological changes. Numerous studies carried out in other countries, particularly in low income countries, produced similar results in which the major cause of lower productivity was attributed to technological changes.

Background: There is growing rise in rate of annual cesarean delivery worldwide. Considering the morbidity associated with cesarean section, a safe preventive strategy to reduce the use of this procedure is needed. Objective: To estimate the effect of health education on the rate of cesarean section. Methods: In an interventional study 440 pregnant women were randomly divided into 2 groups. The first group attended the educational classes while given usual prenatal care whereas the second group received the standard prenatal care alone. A month following delivery, every member of both groups was interviewed and a questionnaire completed by health care officer. Findings: While the total rate of cesarean section was 59.8%, the rate of c/s among the first and second groups was 41.41% and 74.8%, respectively. Also, the rate of elective c/s was 14.63% among the first group and 54.14% in second group. Conclusion: Providing pregnant women with a prenatal educational supportive course could reduce the rate of cesarean section.

The aim of this study was to determine the environmental tobacco smoke exposure status in adolescents of the city of Yazd (Iran) and its associations with health beliefs and social pressure. A total of 281 subjects entered the present cross-sectional study using a clustered sampling. Data were collected through completion of a questionnaire for each subject and further analyzed using spearman correlation coefficient, Mann-Whitney test and Kruskal-Wallis test. Of total study population, 42.7% reported of at least one exposure within the last seven days to cigarette smoke while staying with a smoker in a room. Similarly, 53.3% mentioned of at least one exposure to smoke while in a taxi within the last 7 days and finally 52.7% stated of at least one exposure to smoke within the previous 7 days while in open space. Perceived social pressure was found to be significantly associated with the environmental tobacco smoke exposure. A high percentage of Iranian youths are being exposed to environmental tobacco smoke and perceived social pressure is considered as an important related factor. Regarding the extent of health problems associated with passive smoking, interventional education programs are necessary.