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Objective: To investigate and predict the effects of climate change on the potential distribution of the main vector and reservoir hosts of the disease in Yazd province in the future. Methods: Distribution data for vector and reservoir hosts of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis in Yazd province were obtained from earlier studies conducted in the area. MaxEnt ecological niche modeling was used to predict environmental suitability. BCC-CSM1-1(m) model and two climate change scenarios, RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 were used for horizons 2030 and 2050 climate projections. Future projections were based on data of a regional climate change model. Results: With both scenarios in 2030 and 2050, the results of jackknife test indicated that the mean temperature of wettest quarter and temperature annual range had the greatest effect on the model for the vector and the reservoir hosts, respectively. Conclusions: The climate conditions are the major determinants of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis incidence rate in Yazd Province. These climate conditions provide favorable habitats for ease transmission of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis in this endemic area. Habitats suitability for the vector and reservoir will be expanding in the coming years compared with the current conditions, such that, in horizon 2030 & 2050, the probability of the presence of the vector and reservoir within 38 580 and 37 949 km
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Background: MicroRNAs [miRNAs] are implicated in various biological processes including anticoagulation. However, the modulation of miRNA by pharmacological intervention such as warfarin treatment in patients receiving warfarin has not been disclosed yet. The aim of this study work was to assess the effect of warfarin drug on expression level of mir-133a-3p in patients with mechanical heart valve replacement
Methods: In this research, the expression level of miRNA-133a-3p was analyzed in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear cells [PBMCs] from mechanical valve replacement patients who had received warfarin for at least 3 months continuously. Quantitative RT-PCR method was used for this assay
Results: Our findings indicated a significant diffrence between the rate of miR-133a-3p expression in individuals receiving warfarin and the control group [p<0.01]. There was also a statistically significant difference in miR-133a-3p expression in patients with different ages [p<0.05] suggesting that the rate of miR-133a-3p expression in persons receiving warfarin is related to age. However, other variables like warfarin dose, International Normalized Ratio [INR], gender, and Body Mass Index [BMI] were not significantly effective on the miR-133a-3p experssion rate in individuals receving warfarin
Conclusion: Based on our results, it can be concluded that miR-133a-3p is involved in the coagulation pathway. The recent result indicates that warfarin affects the expression of miR-133a. This expression may be potentially important for treatment by anticoagulants. Awareness of the time course of miRNA expression profile can improve efficiency of response to warfarin
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Statement of the Problem: Odontogenic keratocyst [OKC] is a developmental odontogenic cyst with specific histopathological features, high recurrence rate, and aggressive clinical behavior. Angiogenesis might be considered as an important factor for the growth, expansion, and distribution of this lesion
Purpose: The aim of the present study was to determine the mean vascular densities [MVD] of OKCs and dentigerous cysts to evaluate their relationship with the biolog-ic behavior of these lesions
Materials and Method: In this cross-sectional analytical study, angiogenesis was assessed in OKC and dentigerous cyst by measuring the MVD. Immunohistochemis-try was carried out using CD34 and CD105. The results were analyzed with inde-pendent samples t-test. The data were analyzed, setting p value at 0.05
Results: The MVDs with the use of CD34 and CD105 markers were significantly higher in OKC compared to dentigerous cyst [p< 0.05]. In addition, MVDs obtained by CD105 in dentigerous cysts and OKC were significantly less than those based on CD34 [p< 0.05]
Conclusion: Based on the results of the present study, it can be suggested that angi-ogenesis might be one of the possible mechanisms involved in higher aggressive biologic behavior and greater recurrence rate of OKC compared to dentigerous cysts
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Background: Due to many physical and mental disorders that occur in multiple sclerosis patients, identifying the factors affecting coping based on the experiences of patients using qualitative study is essential to improve their quality of life. This study was conducted to explore the antecedents of coping with the disease in patients with multiple sclerosis
Methods: This is a qualitative study conducted on 11 patients with multiple sclerosis in 2015 in Tehran, Iran. These patients were selected based on purposive sampling. Data were collected using semistructured and in-depth interviews and coded. These data were analyzed using the conventional content analysis. The rigor of qualitative data using the criteria proposed by Guba and Lincoln were assessed
Results: Five main categories were revealed: [1] social support, [2] lenience, [3] reliance on faith, [4] knowledge of multiple sclerosis and modeling, and [5] economic and environmental situation. Each category had several distinct sub-categories
Conclusions: The results of this study showed that coping with multiple sclerosis is a complex, multidimensional and contextual concept that is affected by various factors in relation to the context of Iran. The findings of the study can provide the healthcare professionals with deeper recognition and understanding of these antecedents to improve successful coping in Iranian patients suffering from multiple sclerosis
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Adult , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Young Adult , Qualitative Research , Chronic Disease/psychology , Adaptation, Psychological , IranABSTRACT
Introduction: Clearly, there are some challenges and difficulties in fulfilling social accountability which should be identified and dealt with in order to reach the ultimate goal. The main objective of this study was to identify the challenges associated with social accountability
Methods: In this qualitative study, focus groups and in-depth semi-structured interview were used to obtain the opinions and experiences of 35 people with 4 focus groups of students, faculty members, patients and their companions in Jahrom University of Medical Sciences. Purpose-based sampling was performed. The participants asked "What is social accountability?" And then it continued with the more specific question, i.e. "What factors increase or decrease social accountability?" After identifying the categories and sub-categories, conventional content analysis was used to analyze the data
Results: Overall, 97 codes were extracted from the text and five main categories were revealed: notification, sense of responsibility, practical education, and professional status and ethics
Conclusion: Since there are numerous challenges in the field of social accountability, it is essential that we understand the challenges and barriers and take effective steps to implement reforms
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Runt-related transcription factor 2 [RUNX2] and osterix [OSX] as two specific osteoblast transcription factors and distal-less homeobox 5 [DLX5] as a non-specific one are of paramount importance in regulating osteoblast related genes including osteocalcin, bone sialoprotein [BSP], osteopontin and collagen type I?1. The present study sets out to investigate whether epigenetic regulation of these genes is important in osteoblastic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells [MSCs]. In this experimental study, MSCs were differentiated to osteoblasts under the influence of the osteogenic differentiation medium. DNA and RNA were extracted at days 0, 7, 14 and 21 from MSCs differentiating to osteoblasts. Promoter regions of RUNX2, OSX, DLX5 and BSP were analyzed by methylation-specific PCR [MSP]. Gene expression was analyzed during osteoblastic differentiation by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction [PCR]. MSP analysis revealed that promoter methylation status did not change in RUNX2, DLX5 and BSP during MSC osteoblastic differentiation. In contrast, OSX promoter showed a dynamic change in methylation pattern. Moreover, RUNX2, OSX, DLX5 and BSP promoter regions showed three different methylation patterns during MSC differentiation. Gene expression analyses confirmed these results. The results show that in differentiation of MSCs to osteoblasts, epigenetic regulation of OSX may play a leading role
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The aim of the current study was to assess the mRNA levels of two mitochondria-related genes,including nuclear-encoded NRF1 [nuclear respiratory factor 1], mitochondrial transcription factor A [TFAM], and mitochondrial-encoded cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 [MT-CO1] genes in various stages of the human oocyte maturation. Oocytes were obtained from nine infertile women with male factor undergoing in vitro fertilization [IVF]/intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection protocol. Mitochondrial-related mRNA levels were performed by single-cell TaqMan real-time PCR. the expression level of the target genes was low at the germinal vesicle stage [P>0.05]. Although the mRNA level of NRF1gene remained stable in metaphase I, the mRNA level of TFAM and MT-CO1 increased significantly [P<0.05].In metaphase II, the expression level of all genes increasedcompared to metaphase I [P<0.05]. The overexpression levels of NRF1, TFAM, and MT-CO1 genes are related to the oocyte maturation. Therefore, the current study could be used clinically to improve the successrate of IVF.
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Statement of the Problem: Stem cells are considered as new implement for tissue regeneration. Several niches in adult human body are colonized by multipotent stem cells but access to these potential reservoirs is often limited. Although human dental pulp stem cells isolated from healthy teeth have been extensively characterized, it is still unknown whether stem cells also exist in reactive lesions of oral cavity such as pyogenic granuloma and peripheral ossifying fibroma which are deliberated as inflammatory proliferation of different cell families
Purpose: The aim of this study was to explore for clues to see whether pyogenic granuloma or peripheral ossifying fibroma contain dental mesenchymal stem cell [DMSC]
Materials and Method: Four pyogenic granuloma and four peripheral ossifying fibroma specimens were collected by excisional biopsy and preserved in PBS-EDTA at -86 [degree]C. Then we cut them in 5?m diameter using Cryostat. Having been rinsed with PBS, the samples were stained with a primary mouse anti-human STRO-1 monoclonal IgM antibody. Afterward, a secondary goat anti-mouse IgM-FITC antibody was applied to detect STRO-1+ cells as probable stem cells by immunofluorescence technique
Results: Immunofluorescence microscopy revealed presence of STRO-1+ cells in these lesions, particularly localized on perivascular zone. The negative control group was not glowing
Conclusion: Based on these results, it was found that reactive lesions of pyogenic granuloma and peripheral ossifying fibroma have STRO-1 positive cells, which raises the possibility that these cells may be DMSCs
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Nanotechnology has opened a new field in medicine as well as in other sciences. The aim of this study was to seek the capability of nanotechnology for the treatment of various reproductive diseases. In this study, we analyzed all articles about "nanotechnology and reproductive medicine" published in 2000-2015, indexed in Google Scholar, PubMed and Science Direct. This study indicated that nanotechnology has been extensively used for different reproductive applications, e.g. disease detection, drug delivery, diagnostic imaging, etc. particularly in cancer diagnosis and treatment. The available evidences regarding the use of nanomaterials as experimental tools for the detection and treatment of reproductive diseases are summarized here. Nanoparticles have potential and promising applications in reproductive biology. Treatment and imaging of reproductive system-related cancers can be performed by engineered nanoparticles. Also, some non-cancerous diseases can be treated by nanotechnology, e.g. endometriosis. The benefits and concerns associated with their use in a highly delicate system of reproductive tissues and gametes have been investigated. Nano-based methods are innovative and potentially controversial approaches in the clinical settings, and give us the opportunity for better understanding of mechanisms underlying reproductive diseases
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Sexual dysfunction is considered as an important health problems. Chronic diseases such as diabetes can have negative effect on sexual function. This study aims to determine the level of sexual dysfunction in male patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 in Yazd Diabetics Research Center. This descriptive study involved 69 male patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in Yazd Diabetes Research Center- 2014. The Questionnaire consisted of two parts: demographic characteristics of patients and the IIEF questionnaire [the International Index of sexual function]. Data analysis was performed by using SPSS software version 21, and by using descriptive statistics, mean, standard deviation and statistical tests of Fisher' exact and T-test. The mean of age, height and weight of participants were 51.44 year, 171.14 cm, 77.55 kg, respectively. Through 15 items surveyed, lowest mean is related to the question attempted to intercourse [1.20+0.40] and the highest average related to the question marriage satisfaction [3.50 +/- 0.50]. According to the results, most of the participants were in trouble in making erection and frequency of intercourse. Informing the patient as the first and most effective ways of prevention and treatment is essential
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Statement of the Problem: Fixed retainers were developed to maintain incisor alignments after orthodontic treatments. Although the effects of fixed retainers on periodontal health are clinically studied, no studies have still evaluated the histological changes in the periodontium after the placement of thefixed retainers
Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of customised retainers on periodontium histologically
Materials and Method: Forty pairs of maxillary and mandibular central incisors of twenty rabbits were randomly divided into four equal groups: The first group was considered as the control and in the second group, Fiber Reinforced Composite [FRC], in the third group, 0.014 inch stainless steel [SS] wire and in the fourth group, 0.175 inch multistrand stainless steel [MSS] wire were bonded on the labial surfaces of the incisors. After sixty days; animals' periodontium were evaluated histologically
Results: The number of bone resorption lacuna in the control group was significantly less than FRC and 0.014 SS groups. The periodontal vessel count and their diameter in the control group was significantly lower than the other groups. The pulp vessel count and their diameter in controls were significantly more than the 0.014 SS and the 0.175 MSS groups
Conclusion: Findings of this study suggest that FRC fixed retainer might cause detrimental effects on the periodontal ligaments and supporting bone and the 0.014- inch and 0.175- inch fixed retainers can cause hyalinization and possibly the necrosis of the pulp
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Statement of the Problem: Alveolar bone necrosis induced by Herpes zoster infection is considered as a rare manifestation of osteomyelitis and few case reports are presented in the literature
Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate mandibular osteomyelitis caused by herpes zoster in the immunocompromised patients with histopathologically documented osteomyelitis in the mandible and herpes zoster infection
Materials and Method: 30 patients were recruited in this cross-sectional study. 19 patients were completely edentulous, 4 patients were partially edentulous and 7 with complete dentition. In all cases, specimens were analyzed using a conventional polymerase chain reaction [PCR] test for varicella zoster virus
Results: 16 patients underwent dialysis, 9 patients received chemotherapy treatments and 5 patients had transplantation [four kidneys and one liver]. Histopathological assessment demonstrated a nonspecific bone necrosis exhibiting an eosinophilic, homogeneous non-vital bone tissue with peripheral resorption surrounded by reactive connective tissue. PCR test was positive in 21 cases
Conclusion: This study demonstrated that the frequency of osteomyelitis induced by herpes zoster could be more than the records provided by previous studies. Histopathological findings might be nonspecific in such patients. PCR test was not positive for all HZ induced osteomyelitis patients
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Intravitreal injections of anti-vascular endothelial growth factors [antiVEGFs] have become more popular quickly in recent years. Bevacizumab is an anti- vascular endothelial growth factor agent [anti-VEGF] used to treat choroidal neovascularization and retinal vascular disorders. Rare long lasting ocular adverse events are reported in the intravitreal injection of this drug that include intraocular inflammation, retinal tears, vitreous hemorrhage, endophtalmitis, and lens changes. One important concern about intravitreal injection of anti-VEGF drug is intraocular pressure [IOP] elevation. There are two kinds of IOP elevation. First one is an acute elevation of IOP [after few minutes] and the second is delayed IOP elevation [after few months]. The prevalence of IOP elevation immediately after injection is significantly high and seems to have the potential risk for optic nerve fiber loss results in decreased vision but fortunately this IOP elevation seems to be transient in most of studies
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Interleukin (IL) 17 is produced by T-helper (Th) 17 with a vigorous effect on cells of the immune system playing important roles in pathogenesis of immune-mediated diseases, including autoimmune disorders and cancers. Therefore, the aim of current study was to determine the serum levels of IL-6, IL-17, and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) in Iranian bladder cancer patients, and to correlate them with disease status. Blood samples were collected from 40 bladder cancer patients and 38 healthy individuals with no history of malignancies or autoimmune disorders. The serum levels of IL-6, IL-17, and TGF-beta were measured by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The results showed that the levels of IL-17 (p<0.0001) and TGF-beta (p<0.0001) were significantly lower in the patients compared to the controls. No significant differences in the level of serum IL-6 (p=0.16) was observed between the patients and controls. In addition, demographic characteristics between control and patients groups were not significantly different. As most of the cases studied in this investigation were in stage I and II, it is concluded that reduced Th17-related cytokines can be used as indicators for following the course and clinical stages of bladder carcinoma progress and immune response to cancer.
Subject(s)
Humans , Cytokines , Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay , Immune System , Interleukin-17 , Interleukin-6 , Interleukins , Transforming Growth Factor beta , Urinary Bladder , Urinary Bladder NeoplasmsABSTRACT
Multiple sclerosis [MS] is a demyelinating disease of the central nervous system that causes many problems in patients. Since training should be done in according to the educational needs, this study is performed to assess the educational needs of MS patients. This is a descriptive cross-sectional study, and its tool was a questionnaire on the educational needs of MS patients. Fifty patients referred to the MS society were selected through simple sampling. Based on the obtained results, 60% of patients were female, 52% were single, and 16% were high school undergraduates. Seventy-eight percent of the patients needed training about disease nature, 82% about treatment and care, 46% about nutrition, and 32% about physical activity. The findings showed that patients need more education about treatment and self-care.
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Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation [CPR[has been used by medical professionals to save the life of dying patients. To achieve more success rates in CPR, the timing factor is of great importance; as any delay in starting CPR will reduce the success rate. The aim of this study was to examine the impact of the time elapsed between CPR code announcement and start of resuscitation on CPR outcome. In this cross-sectional study, data was collected from June 2004 till June 2005 using checklists that were routinely used in CPR protocol. A total number of 327 cases of CPR were studied and the data was analyzed by SPSS software. Our results showed that 163 cases of CPR [49.9%] were immediately successful. Of those cases with immediate successful CPR, only 46 cases [28.2%] discharged from hospital and 117 cases [71.8%] died afterwards. In the other words, only 46 cases [14.06%] out of 327 patients who underwent CPR, discharged from hospital and the rest [85.94%] died. The mean time elapsed between CPR code announcement and the start of CPR operations was 1.63 minute and 1.87 minute in immediate successful and unsuccessful CPRs, respectively. This difference is statistically significant [P
Subject(s)
Humans , Time Factors , Emergency Service, Hospital , Hospital Rapid Response Team , Treatment Outcome , Survival Rate , Cross-Sectional StudiesABSTRACT
Since AIDS is not only a vital medical problem, but also a socioeconomic complication, therefore increasing people's knowledge and replacing their unhealthy behavior by a healthy one is of important consideration. Women, specially in reproductive ages of their life, have a special situation regarding the probability of pregnancy and infection of their fetus. The aim of this study was to explore pregnant women's knowledge about HIV/AIDS, their perception of risk, risk behavior and management, and their attitudes towards AIDS. In a cross sectional study, a total of 120 pregnant women, who referred to family health clinics in Yazd, were selected by simple random sampling. Information was collected via a special designed questionnaire containing 22 questions for evaluating knowledge and 6 questions for evaluating attitude. Statistical analysis was performed using Chi-square test with SPSS software. The knowledge of pregnant women about AIDS was not significantly different in different age groups [p=0.151], while it had a significant relationship with their education [p=0.000]. There was a correlation between general knowledge and attitude in pregnant women [p=0.033] [r=0.126]. The attitude about AIDS in pregnant women was fairly good and there was a significant difference in this regard related to their education [p=0.000], while there was not significant difference regarding their age [p=0.410] [Mean =19.8]. There is an urgent need for HIV prevention efforts, such as health education and focusing on the pregnant women in developing world. Health educators should tailor education programs for women at risk, particularly those with lower education, to enhance their knowledge about HIV and to improve their attitude about AIDS