Scientific Journal of Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences
Year:2011 | Volume:16 | Issue:1 (SERIAL NUMBER 59)|Papers Count:13

Background and Aim: Among nosocomial infections, ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP) is very important which can lead to increased mortality rate in the patients. The aim of the present study was to determine the incidence of VAP and its bacterial resistance pattern at the intensive care unit (ICU) of Besat Hospital in Sanandaj.Material and Methods: In a prospective descriptive study carried out between September 2007 and June 2008, 149 endotracheal samples were obtained from the patients after 48 hours of hospitalization in ICU units of Besat Hospital. The samples were sent to the microbiology laboratory of Besat Hospital. Bacteriologic diagnosis was performed by using Edward &Ewings standard methods and antibiotic susceptibility pattern was determined by CLSI system guidelines. Demographic data were collected and recorded in a check list. Data were introduced into SPSS software and analyzed by means of descriptive statistical tests.Results: Among 149 samples from endotracheal tube of the patients, 48 were positive for VAP with an incidence rate of 32.2%. Mean standard deviation of duration of hospitalization was 23.4±10.2 days. Microorganisms isolated from endotracheal tube were essentially Enterobacteriacae and included Klebsiellaspp, enterobacterspp, and E.coli. Acintobacterspp and Staphylococcus epidermidis, Pseudomonas spp and Staphylococcus aureus were detected from 3, 3, 2 and 1 samples respectively. The maximum and minimum antibiotic resistance by gram negative bacteria were 93.3% to cefalotin and 50% to amikacin.Conclusions: The VAP incidence rate of 32.2% needs serious attention. Clinical isolates in the present study had a high antibiotic resistance especially to the third generation of cephalosporins. Close attention to the standards of infection control for prevention of VAP is recommended.

Background and Aim: Leukemia is a malignant and progressive disorder in which genetic defects in hematopoietic cells lead to uncontrolled proliferation of blood cells. Different drugs have been proposed for the treatment of leukemia but none of them resulted in complete remission. Recently, anti-cancer effects of carbenoxolone (CBX), that is a 3-hemisuccinate, have been reported in several cell lines. In the present study we evaluated the effects of CBX on K562 cell line as an experimental model of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML).Material and Methods: K562 cells were cultured and treated for various time intervals with different concentrations of CBX (50-300µM). Trypan blue exclusion test and tetrazolium salt absorption test (MTT) were used to evaluate the growth inhibitory and apoptotic effects of the drug. Fluorescence microscopy and DNA fragmentation assay were used to study apoptosis.Results: The results of this study showed that CBX induced growth inhibition of K562 cells in a dose- and time- dependent manner. For example, growth inhibition rates after 48 hours treatment with concentrations of 50 µm, 100 µm, 150 µm, 200 µm and 300 µm were 11%, 41%, 59%, 79% and 92%, respectively. Furthermore results of fluorescence microscopy and DNA fragmentation assays indicated that apoptosis, is the cause of cell death induced by CBX.Conclusion: Considering the growth inhibitory and apoptotic effects of CBX on human myeloid leukemia K562 cells, the drug can be considered as a potential candidate for further studies on CML treatment.

Background and Aim: One of the important sources of environmental pollution existing in different industrial wastewater, including loom wastewater are dyes which are harmful for human health and environment. The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficiency of photochemical and sonochemical processes combined with hydrogen peroxide in removal of DB71 from aqueous solution.Material and Methods: This study was an experimental - laboratory study. At first, a reactor was designed and made. Then, optimum pH was determined which was 7 for photochemical and 3 for sonochemical process in constant condition. The effects of initial concentration of hydrogen peroxide, DB71 and contact time were studied at the constant optimum pH. Then data were interpreted and analyzed by use of Excel software and regression coefficient.Result: The results of this study showed that with increased initial concentration of DB71, its removal decreased. But removal efficiency of DB71 increased by increasing contact time and initial concentration of hydrogen peroxide. In addition, kinetic parameters were obtained by application of first–order (Langmuir-Hinshelwood) equations.Conclusion: The results showed that UV/ H2O2 and US/H2O2 processes can be effective in the removal of DB71 from aqueous solutions. Considering dye removal efficiency and availability, photochemical process combined with hydrogen peroxide can be recommended as a fast effective method for removal of dyes from aqueous solutions.

Background and Aim: Several laboratory factors such as ESR, CRP and leukocyte count, have been used for the diagnosis of placental membrane infection. However, results of studies on this subject had been different and sometimes controversial. This study was conducted to determine the role of CRP, ESR and leukocyte count in the diagnosis of infection of placental membranes in mothers with premature rupture of membrane.Material and Methods: This was a descriptive and analytical observational study. The study population included all patients with premature rupture of membrane before 37 weeks of gestation. Sample size included 70 subjects. Sampling method was census. Data of the eligible patients were extracted from interview and laboratory results. Data were introduced into SPSS software and analyzed by means of T test and if necessary, by X2 and non -parametric tests.Results: This study included 70 patients. None of the patients had history of hypertension before 20 weeks of gestation, hypertension in previous pregnancy and history of drug use. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of CRP test for detection of chorioamnionitis were 16.7%, 67.7%, 4.5% and 89.8%, for WBC count 16.7%, 63.1%, 4% and 89.1%; and for ESR 66.7%, 50.8%, 11.1% and 94.3% respectively.Conclusion: The results of this study was compatible with those of the previous studies and showed controversy about the predictive value of CRP for clinical and pathological diagnosis of chorioamnionitis. On the other hand lack of correlation between ESR values and WBC counts with chorioamnionitis which is not compatible with the results of some of the previous studies will reflect the need for future studies with larger sample sizes.

Background and Aim: Type 1 and type 2 herpes simplex (HSV) virus cause infection of central nervous system (encephalitis) in human. The molecular techniques are the best methods for detection of HSV. In this study we evaluated the novel molecular technique of LAMP for detection of HSV-1 and HSV-2.Material and Methods: In this experimental study 184 cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples were collected from Mofid Hospital. DNA of every sample was extracted by use of Sinagen DNP Kit. Based on the HSV DNA polymerase gene, a set of 6 primers were designed and sensitivity and specificity of this method were determined. By adding SYBER Green, LAMP product was identified. The results of LAMP method were compared to those of PCR by chi-square test.Results: Sensitivity of LAMP method determined to be 5 copies/ tube and sensitivity of PCR method determined to be 50 copies/ tube. Both LAMP and PCR methods showed 100% specificity for detection of HSV type 1 and type2. Among 184 samples, 60 samples were positive by LAMP but 45 samples were positive by PCR method. Sensitivity of LAMP was 10 times higher than that of PCR. Comparison of the results of the two methods by means of chi-square test showed a significant difference (p‹0.05).Conclusion: LAMP method had high sensitivity and specificity for detection of type 1 and type 2 HSV in CSF samples.

Background and aim: Labor pain is very severe. Unrelieved labor pain can increase catecholamine levels and have adverse effects on the mother and infant. Labor pain is usually accompanied by fear, which can cause slow progress of labor. Analgesic medications are not prescribed because of their adverse effects on women and their infants. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of Hoku Point (LI4) acupressure and San-Yin-Jiao (SP6) acupressure on pain intensity in primiparous women during the active phase of labor in Iran Hospital in Iranshahr city in 2008-2009.Material and Methods: This was a randomized controlled trial and included 90 primiparous women in Iran Hospital in Iranshahr. The subjects were randomly assigned into 3 equivalent groups (n=30): Hoku, SanYinJiao and control groups. Data of each woman were recorded in a questionnaire. Labor pain was measured by means of a subjective labor pain scale (VAS), before and after the intervention at the stages of 4, 6, 8 and 10 cm cervical dilation. Length of delivery time was calculated in two stages: from 4 cm cervical dilation to10 cm cervical dilatation, and 10cm cervical dilatation to the delivery. The SanYinJiao group received acupressure at SanYinJiao point (four-finger widths patient’s fingers above the tip of the inner malleous, just posterior to the border of tibia above the ankle), for 20 minutes on two feet during contractions. Hoku group received acupressure at Hoku Point (over the area of the web of skin between the thumb and the forefinger) in the same manner on both hands of the subjects. Using SPSS software, data were analyzed by ANOVA and Tukey HSD tests.Results: The results indicated that there was a significant difference between the severity of the pain pre and post intervention at 4 cm dilatation, and post intervention at 4, 6 and 8 cervical dilation in the 3 groups (p<0/001). There was not a significant difference at the stage of 10 cm cervical dilation between the groups (p=0.7). There was a significant difference in the duration of the active phase of labor between 3 groups (p<0/001). There was not a significant difference in the length of delivery time between the groups (p=0.7).Conclusion: According to the results of this study, it seems that acupressure affects the intensity of labor pain and shortens the duration of the active phase of labor. Also acupressure may be useful for the women who prefer a nonpharmacological analgesia without side-effects.

Background and Aim: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is considered a major problem in the world. This strain colonizes nose and causes increased incidence of nosocomial infections, mortality and morbidity. Rosemary (Rosmarinusofficinalis) is a herbal medicine widely used all over the world. The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro antimicrobial activity of rosemary essence on MRSA isolated from patients and food.Methods and Material: 200 strains of MRSA, 100 from patients and 100 from food samples, were collected and analyzed in Tehran, during the last year. 28 MRSA strains and multi drug resistant (MDR) strains were isolated. The antimicrobial activity of the rosemary essence against different isolates of the microorganism was evaluated by disk diffusion and macro broth dilution methods.Resualts: MRSA isolates belonged to 25% and 60% of food and clinical samples, respectively. The results showed effective and similar antimicrobial activity of Rosmarinusofficinalis on both clinical and food samples with an inhibition zone of 20mm in diameter. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) in our study were 1.40 mg/ml and 2.81 mg/ml, respectively.Conclusion: Overuse of antibiotics has led to extensive bacterial resistance to antibiotics, which demonstrates the need for use of new antimicrobial agents. Considering increasing prevalence of MRSA strains and the beneficial effect of rosemary essence on these strains, this essence can be recommended for the treatment of MRSA infections.

Background and Aim: Plan of integration of the schools of medicine and health systems was approved in 1985. Considering the importance of the opinion the faculty members on achieving success on this issue, we decided to perform this study.Material and Methods: We used a questionnaire consisted of 27 questions in various fields. Also the questions were categorized in the education, research, treatment, health and social fields. After completing the questionnaire, score of every question was determined. According to demographic information of the participants, scores of the different fields and also between different fields were analyzed by means of ANOVA, Friedman and paired T test.Results: From the viewpoint of the faculty members, achievement of the goals of integration on the average was 52.37±1.07 (Mean ± SEM) percent of the maximum scores. The highest scores belonged to health services and health indicators (59.87% ±1.21) and the least scores were related to research facilities and activities and social purposes of integration plan(49.19% ± 1.20) ( P=0.0001).Conclusion: From the viewpoint of the faculty members, success in achieving integration plan goals is still far from ideal state. Success of this plan in the health field was significantly higher than that of education and treatment fields. Also the success of this plan in the research and social fields (such as changing the sociological insight of the graduates and faculty members) was significantly lower, compared with the other fields. These differences may be due to a failure in the current system to achieve some of its goals. Similar studies on this subject, in other centers are recommended.

Background and Aim: Personality traits are the fundamental factors that can influence the quality of couples’ relationships. Several studies have indicated that marital satisfaction has been affected deeply by couples’ personality traits. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between personality traits of the five factor model and marital satisfaction.Material and Methods: Using descriptive-correlation method, 240 married students were selected randomly from Islamic Azad University in Sanandaj. Data were collected by using NEO-five factor criteria, marital satisfaction questionnaire, and a researcher made questionnaire and were analyzed by means of descriptive and inferential statistical tests such as correlation and multiple linear regression.Results: The results of this study showed a significant negative correlation between neuroticism and marital satisfaction, and a significant positive correlation between extroversion, conscientiousness, agreeability with marital satisfaction.Conclusion: Couples’ personality traits are significant determinants predicting marital satisfaction.