Zahedan Journal of Research in Medical Sciences
Year:2011 | Volume:13 | Issue:7|Papers Count:13

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is still an important heath issue in developing countries. According to low sensitivity of sputum smear and prolonged declaration of culture results, we reviewed rapid diagnostic tests for tuberculosis in this article.Materials and Method: Electronic databases (PubMed and Embase) were searched from 1990 to 2010 for rapid diagnostic tests. key words like tuberculosis, Mycobacterium tuberculosis and rapid tests were used. In this review article we discussed about the accuracy of rapid diagnostic tests for the diagnosis of tuberculosis.Results: Serologic and enzyme tests such as adenosine deaminase and cytokines revealed different results. Nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATS) provided higher accuracy for sputum positive pulmonary TB. The specificity of NAATS was high in pulmonary and extra pulmonary tuberculosis. Automated liquid culture (radiometric and non-radiometric) had higher speed and accuracy in comparison to conventional solid media culture.Conclusion: Despite many efforts for rapid detection of TB, sputum microscopic smears and cultures remain the principal diagnostic tests for TB patients. Sophosticated equipments and experienced personels are usually required for performing some of the newer rapid diagnostic tests. Investigation for novel rapid diagnostic tests are ongoing.

Background: At present, nanosilver particles are used against a broad spectrum of microbial agents. The objective of this study was to evaluate the anti-leishmanial effect of nanosilver solutions on L. tropica promastigotes as compared with the trivalent antimony compound by colorimetric assay.Materials and Method: Promastigots of L. tropica were cultured in RPMI-1640 consisting of 10% fetal calf serum (FCS) and antibiotics at 24±10oC. The effect of various concentrations of nanosilver solutions was evaluated in comparison with tartar emetic. Optical density as the result of tetrazolium salts (MTT) reduction by the promastigotes into a formozan product and it was calculated by Elisa reader and IC50 (50% inhibitory concentration), subsequently.Results: Both, nanosilver particles and tartar emetic inhibited the growth of L. tropica promastigotes. The IC50 for nanosilver solutions was significantly higher (14.9 mg/mL) than the corresponding value (5.3 mg/mL) for the control drug (p<0.001).Conclusion: Since nanosilver particles showed an effective anti-leishmanial activity, further works are required to evaluate the effect in animal model or human volunteers.

Background: Cisatracurium is used to facilitate endotracheal intubation. However, conventional doses have slow onset time. The higher doses of this drug may eliminate this problem but may be associated with significant hemodynamic changes. The present study was designed to compare the effects of three doses of cisatracurium (0.15, 0.20, and 0.25 mg/kg) on hemodynamic parameters and the appropriate time required for endotracheal intubation.Materials and Method: One hundred and twenty three patients, aged 20-40 years old with ASA class 1 or 2 were randomly allocated to receive one of the cisatracurium doses: 0.15 mg/kg; 0.20 mg/kg; and 0.25 mg/kg. After induction of anesthesia, the mean arterial pressures and pulse rates were measured at the baseline, after induction of anesthesia, and after endotracheal intubation at one minute interval for 5 minutes. The appropriate time for intubation (time of achieving TOF=0 and PTC=0) and TOF recovery after administration of cisatracurium, were also measured and compared accordingly.Results: After induction of anesthesia, the patients of all three groups showed a significant decrease in their mean arterial pressures (p<0.001). We also noticed a drop in pulse rates (p>0.05). The changes were more marked in the 0.15 mg/kg, 0.25 mg/kg, and 0.20 mg/kg group, respectively. However, these changes were not clinically significant and did not require any intervention. The time required for endotracheal intubation (to achieve TOF=0) in 0.15, 0.20 and 0.25 mg/k-group were 191.50±35.16, 145.40±25.08 and 100.20±25.59 seconds, respectively (p<0.001). The time of TOF recovery in 0.15, 0.20 and 0.25 mg/kg-group were 2696.20±324.25, 3422.20±253.00 and 3378.90±626.15 seconds respectively (p<0.001).Conclusion: We concluded that doses of 0.20 and 0.25 mg/kg in comparison to 0.15 mg/kg of cisatracurium provide a shorter time required for endotracheal intubation but are associated with more significant changes in blood pressure and pulse rates. However, these changes are not clinically significant and need no intervention.

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of attention deficit/ hyperactivity disorder in students of Sistan and Balouchestan University.Materials and Method: This cross sectional study was performed during second educational semester (2010). The sample included 403 students of Sistan and Balouchestan university who were selected by non random sampling after filling two questionnaires, including the demographic characteristics questionnaire and the Canner′s adult attention –deficit/hyperactivity (CAARS-S: OV) questionnaire. To analyze data we used SPSS-16 software.Results: Based on test scores of Canner′s adult test, results showed about 39 students (9.7%) in inattention-memory index and 32 students (7.9%) in the hyperactivity index had higher or much higher scores than average. In addition, 27 students (6.7%) and 38 others (9.4%) had higher or much higher scores in impulsivity-emotional index and problem with self concept, respectively.Conclusion: According to the results, we suggest that the symptoms of hyperactivity and attention deficit are common among university students of Sistan and Balouchestan. For preventing educational problems and high risk behaviors such as drug use, further studies and appropriate preventive and treatment programs highly recommended.

Background: The aim of this research was to determine the relationship of thought control strategies with eating disorders in female students in Yazd.Materials and Method: This is a cross sectional research study. Statistical population was all female students of Payame- Noor University of Yazd in the academic year of 2009-2010.220 students were randomly selected via simple random technique. To gather data, the following two instruments were used: Thought Control Questionnaire (TCQ) and eating attitude questionnaire. Pearson correlation coefficient and stepwise regression analysis were used for statistical analysis.Results: The relationship between general factor of TCQ and self-punishment, worry, reappraisal and distraction with eating disorder were significant (p<0.0001), but the relationship between social control with eating disorder was not significant (p>0.05). In this research, self-punishment and worry both were the best predictors of eating disorder.Conclusions: Result has been explained and clinical implications of the findings are also discussed.

Background: The one step in evaluation of binocular vision is determination of type and amount of deviation. For this purpose objective and subjective methods were used. The purpose of this study is was to compare the measured heterophoria with objective (cover test) and subjective methods (von Graefe, Maddox rod, phi phenomenon) considering motor dominancy.Materials and Method: In this semi-experimental study, 100 students of Zahedan University of medical sciences who had inclusion criteria, selected, randomly. Refractive errors and dominant eye were determined by retinoscopy and hole in the card test, respectively. The deviation was measured objectively by using alternate prism cover test and subjectively by von Graefe, Maddox rod and phi phenomenon tests so dominant and nondominant eye were fixed alternatively. Data were analyzed in SPSS-15 software using repeated measurement of ANOVA and correlation tests.Results: There were considerable statistical difference between different measurement methods considering the dominancy of fixator eye (p<0.001). In the correlation test, the most and least correlations were related to phi phenomenon (dominant eye fixator) and phi phenomenon (non dominant eye fixator) and von Graefe and phi phenomenon (with dominant eye fixator), respectively.Conclusion: The most accurate heterophoria measurement methods were phi phenomenon, cover test, Maddox rod and von Graefe, respectively. Although accuracy of phi phenomenon was more than other methods in determination of deviation, because subjective methods cannot be used in all conditions, cover test is the best method in measuring eye deviation. Also, measured deviations in all of methods were lower when dominant eye was fixator.

Background: Internet occupies a large part of youth’s life and each year more reports are published a bout Internet addiction disorder (IAD).This study argues the validity and reliability of Young Diagnostic Questionnaire (YDQ) correspondence Iranian society and culture.Materials and Method: This is a cross-sectional and descriptive-analytical research. For these purpose 400 students of Isfahan universities were subjected. Sampling method was quota sampling. Cases completed demographic questionnaire, Compulsive Internet Use Scale (CIUS) and YDQ (Young Diagnostic Questionnaire). Finally we performed a psychiatric interview (based on DSM-IV-TR) for all of the samples. For data analysis we used face, discriminative and concurrent validity, Chronbach a, split half, test-retest and ROC Curve by SPSS-14 Software.Results: Concurrent validity was (r=0.78, 0.81), discriminative validity was (r=0.62). Besides YDQ shows internal consistency (a=0.70), split-half validity (r=0.64), test-retest reliability (r=0.74, p<0.01). The best cut off point for this questionnaire is number 4.Conclusion: The result showed that Persian version of YDQ is valid and reliable. Considering lack of a valid and reliable questionnaire for measuring addiction to the internet, YDQ could be a suitable tool for measuring internet addiction in future research.

Background: Preeclampsia (PE) is a serious problem of pregnancy and its etiology is still unknown. There are some evidence that vascular complications play an important role in development of PE. Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) is a key enzyme in folate metabolism and the C677T polymorphism of the MTHFR gene is associated with decreased MTHFR activity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between MTHFR gene C677T polymorphism with PE development in south-east of Iran.Materials and method: This study was performed in 106 preeclamptic pregnant women and 107 control individuals.The C677T polymorphism of the MTHFR gene was determined by PCR-RFLP method. Results: The CC, CT and TT genotypes frequency of C677T polymorphism of MTHFR gene were 77, 22 and 1 percent in preeclamptic women and 73, 19.5 and 7.5 percent in control group. They were not significantly different (p=0.06). However, the frequency of TT genotype was significantly higher in control group (OR=8.5; 95% CI 1.1-71; p=.018). There was not any significant difference in T allele distribution between preeclamptic women (12%) and control group (17%).Conclusion: Our results showed that there was not any correlation between the C677T polymorphism and PE but the TT genotype of C677T polymorphism seems to be a protective factor for preeclampsia.

Background: b-lactamase is an enzyme that can inactivate b–Lactam family antibiotics. High prevalence of b- lactamase producer bacteria on the staff hands, due to antibiotic resistance and nosocomial infection in hospitalized patients. The objective of this study was to assess the frequency of b-lactamase positive bacteria and antibiogram pattern in bacterial flora isolated from staff hands of the Al-Zahra hospital in Isfahan.Materials and Method: This laboratory research was performed during of 2005-2007 in Al-Zahra hospital in Isfahan. According to statistical formula, we randomly selected 80 samples from staff hands. Staff hand samples collected with finger print method. Bacterial identification was performed with microbiological methods and b–lactamase production was performed with Acidometric method and antibiogram pattern was performed with Kirby Bauer method.Results: According to the acidometric test results of 80 isolated staff hands, 61.85% of strains produce b–lactamase. Staphylococcus spp., Bacillus spp. and Enterobacteriaceae were the most important producers respectively (70.83%, 64.72% and 50%). According to antibiogram test results, penicillin and vancomycin had the highest and lowest resistance.Conclusion: High frequency of b–lactamase in bacterial survey represents colonization of bacteria in staff hands; may be due to facility transmission b–lactamase plasmid genes in bacteria. We suggest better hand washing in hospitals and prescription of b–lactame antibiotics was based only on antibiogram results.