Psychometric properties of acute stress disorder questionnaire for people exposed to Kerman earthquake.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Some people exposed to disasters will suffer from acute stress disorder (ASD) due to the negative consequences of these disasters. Evaluating this disorder at a large scale requires a credible and standardized tool. Therefore, the current study aims to investigate the psychometric properties of the ASD questionnaire for people exposed to Kerman earthquake. METHODS: This is a descriptive-tooling study, conducted on 435 men and women older than 18 years living in earthquake-affected areas of Kerman Province (Kouh-e-Banan). The study was carried out using the Persian translating of the English version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition ASD questionnaire on accessible individuals living in temporary residence tents in two initial and final stages and different stages of validity and reliability evaluation was carried out. The findings were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Pearson's correlation coefficient. RESULTS: During the evaluation of content validity, no questions were eliminated. To carry out factor analysis, sampling competence, and suitability of sample size were confirmed through Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin and Bartlett's tests. In the factor analysis stage, 14 items in three factors were defined. The factors were included reexperiencing and analysis, arousal (continuous irritability), and avoidance factors which together explained 59.43% of percentage distribution. In the next stage of evaluating divergent validity, the results indicated a significant and inverse correlation between ASD score and quality of life score (r = -0.43, P = 0.002) of the participants, while there was also a positive and significant correlation between ASD score and general health disorder score of the participants (r = 0.47, P < 0.0001). The reliability of the questionnaire was investigated using Cronbach's alpha, and inner class correlation coefficient was calculated to be 0.9. CONCLUSIONS: The tool investigated in this study has suitable validity and reliability and is effective for use by psychologists and relief workers for necessary interventions and prevention of ASD in disasters.

FcγR Binding and ADCC Activity of Human IgG Allotypes.

Antibody dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) is an Fc-dependent effector function of IgG important for anti-viral immunity and anti-tumor therapies. NK-cell mediated ADCC is mainly triggered by IgG-subclasses IgG1 and IgG3 through the IgG-Fc-receptor (FcγR) IIIa. Polymorphisms in the immunoglobulin gamma heavy chain gene likely form a layer of variation in the strength of the ADCC-response, but this has never been studied in detail. We produced all 27 known IgG allotypes and assessed FcγRIIIa binding and ADCC activity. While all IgG1, IgG2, and IgG4 allotypes behaved similarly within subclass, large allotype-specific variation was found for IgG3. ADCC capacity was affected by residues 291, 292, and 296 in the CH2 domain through altered affinity or avidity for FcγRIIIa. Furthermore, allotypic variation in hinge length affected ADCC, likely through altered proximity at the immunological synapse. Thus, these functional differences between IgG allotypes have important implications for therapeutic applications and susceptibility to infectious-, allo- or auto-immune diseases.

Detection of Cryptosporidium infection by modified ziehl-neelsen and PCR methods in children with diarrheal samples in pediatric hospitals in Tehran.

AIM: The aim of this study is evaluation of molecular assay and the standard staining method. BACKGROUND: Cryptosporidium is a protozoon from coccidian subclass, which is one of the most important causes of diarrhea in children and immunocompromised individuals around the world. Diagnosis and treatment are necessary for mentioned cases. Usual diagnostic method for this parasite is fecal smear preparation, modified ziehl-neelsen staining, microscopic consideration and oocyst observation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A totally of 2510 stool samples collected from children with diarrhea of 4 pediatric hospitals. Direct smears prepared from fresh fecal samples and from the sediment of formalin-ether method of the same samples. The smears stained with modified ziehl-neelsen method then considered with microscope. The 30 positive samples with staining method considered with DNA extraction and PCR method for cryptosporidiosis infection determination and sensitivity evaluation. 114 random negative samples considered with DNA extraction and PCR method for cryptosporidiosis infection diagnosis and specificity evaluation. RESULTS: 30 positive cases from 2510 fecal samples detected by modified ziehl-neelsen staining and PCR method. We did not have any false positive cases by staining method but 2 cases of negative samples by staining method were positive by PCR technique, which informed us of 2 false negative. The positive samples sequenced for reconfirmation. CONCLUSION: Thus, sensitivity of staining method was computed to be 94% and specificity was 100% but sensitivity and specificity of PCR method was calculated to be 100%.

Application of Multiplex PCR for Detection and Differentiation of Entamoeba histolytica, Entamoeba dispar and Entamoeba moshkovskii.

BACKGROUND: Entamoeba moshkovskii and E. dispar are impossible to differentiate microscopically from the pathogenic species E. histolytica. Multiplex polymerase chain reaction (Multiplex PCR) is a widespread molecular biology technique for amplification of multiple targets in a single PCR experiment. METHODS: For detection and differentiation of the three-microscopy indistinguishable Entamoeba species in human, multiplex PCR assay using different DNA extraction methods was studied. A conserved forward primer was derived from the middle of the small-subunit rRNA gene, and reverse primers were designed from signature sequences specific to each of these three Entamoeba species. RESULTS: A 166-bp PCR product with E. histolytica DNA, a 580-bp product with E. moshkovskii DNA and a 752-bp product with E. dispar DNA were generated in a single-round and multiplex PCR reaction. CONCLUSION: We recommend this PCR assay as an accurate, rapid, and effective diagnostic method for the detection and discrimination of these three Entamoeba species in both routine diagnosis of amoebiasis and epidemiological surveys.

Efficacy of Berberis vulgaris aqueous extract on viability of Echinococcus granulosus protoscolices.

BACKGROUND: Surgery is one of the best choices for the treatment of hydatidosis. To prevent the secondary infection, it is essential to use effective scolicidal agents during surgery for hydatid cyst. Up to now, no effective and safe agent has been identified for this purpose. Berberis vulgaris called "Zereshk" in Persian has been traditionally used as a herbal remedy for the treatment of different complaints. Many studies have shown that Berberis vulgaris has antibacterial, antifungal, and antiparasitic effects. METHODS: In our study, the scolicidal effect of barberry with different concentrations (0.5, 1, 2, and 4 mg/ml diluted form) and at different exposure times (5, 15, and 30 min) was evaluated. For this purpose, we obtained sheep liver hydatid cysts from a slaughterhouse. Viability of protoscolices was assessed by 0.1% Eosin staining. Normal saline and hypertonic saline were used as negative and positive controls, respectively. RESULTS: All the different concentrations of Berberis vulgaris aqueous extracts had scolicidal effect. The strongest effect was observed to be in 4 mg/ml concentration, which acted as positive control. Scolicidal activity of 2 mg/ml dilution was close to 4 mg/ml and the least scolicidal effect was observed in 0.5 mg/ml. Scolicidal activity of extracts had significant differentiation between 5th and 30th min of exposure. CONCLUSION: The scolicidal activity was very effective in low concentration (4 mg/ml) and short exposure time (5 min). Therefore, after being examined in vivo and additional experiments, it may be used as a suitable and effective scolicidal in surgery.