Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Based on Climate Regions in Iran (1998-2021): A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background

Climate change can facilitate the expansion of leishmaniasis and create the suitable habitat for vector and reservoir species. The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) at the climatic regions of Iran.

Materials and Methods

The literature search was conducted to identify all published studies reporting the prevalence or incidence of CL in humans in Iran. A total of 350 articles that reported leishmaniasis in Iran were retrieved, due to eligibility criteria, only 42 studies were selected to the final systematic review and meta-analysis procedure. Random effects meta-analysis was done with the estimate of heterogeneity being taken from an inverse-variance model. Subgroup analysis was conducted and it stratified the studies according to climatic regions. Between-study heterogeneity was assessed by using I ² and Cochran's Q method I ² value of heterogeneity. Meta regression was used to investigate factors potentially contributed the between-study heterogeneity.

Results

Individual studies showed that prevalence per 100,000 population estimated the range from 1.5 to 318.7 with the overall random pooled prevalence of 83.3 (95% confidence interval 74.5-92.1). Subgroup analysis by climatic regions showed that many studies were conducted in the desert areas and also, it has more prevalent than the other climatic regions.

Conclusions

Leishmaniasis was more prevalent in regions with dry and desert climates than the other climatic regions. One of the advantages of this work is that the majority of selected studies have been conducted on population-base. However, some of the studies have been designed poorly or have had a lack of internal validity.

GIS-based risk mapping of cutaneous leishmaniasis: a survey in an endemic area of Central Iran

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a vector-borne infectious disease that is affected by various environmental agents. The main objective of this study was to determine the spatial distribution of CL incidence by using Geographical Information System (GIS). This is a cross-sectional study that was conducted during 5 years from 2014 to 2018 in Isfahan, Iran. We used the required data on each leishmaniasis patient that were recorded from 44 counties of Isfahan in the databases and archive of the Provincial Health Centre. We used GIS for determining the incidence of CL in the high-risk foci. Moran index was used to identify high risk points (clustering in similar values) compared to the values of neighborhood points. Hot spot analysis was conducted by Getis-Ord-Gi. The highest incidence of the disease occurred in the age group of 18-64 years and 61.6% of patients were male. According to seasonal distribution, autumn (58.6%) had the highest frequency. Time trend of incidence showed that it had both decreasing and increasing, and there was a sudden upward trend of disease in 2018 except only two counties. The hot spots were involved the central areas of the Isfahan province slightly toward to the north and southeast of the province. Moran index showed that the differences for all points were not significant (p-value>0.05). Varzaneh (placed in southeast of Isfahan) was the hottest spot and had the worst position for leishmaniasis compared to all years and all cities.

Histological evaluation of inferior alveolar nerve injury after osteotomy of mandibular buccal cortex using piezoelectric versus conventional rotary devices: a split-mouth randomised study in rabbits

Up until now, only a limited number of evidence-based studies with different results has evaluated traumatic nerve injury after maxillofacial surgery using piezoelectric devices versus rotary instruments. The present experiment was performed to evaluate damage to the inferior alveolar nerve (IAN), histologically, after osteotomy of the buccal cortex of the mandible using piezoelectric devices versus surgical handpieces. Forty rabbits underwent bilateral osteotomy of the mandibular buccal cortex. For the osteotomy of one side, piezoelectric devices were used, and for the other, conventional rotary handpieces. After cleavage of the osteotomised cortical bone segments, the exposed part of the IAN was excised and examined histologically for nerve injury. IAN damage was scored histologically from Grade 0 (no nerve damage) to Grade 4 (complete nerve transection). It was found that 25% and 17.5% of nerves had Grade 0; 17.5% and 10% had Grade 1; 25% and 20% had Grade 2; 17.5% and 27.5% had Grade 3; and 15% and 25% had Grade 4 injury in piezosurgery and rotary groups, respectively. Statistical analyses revealed no significant difference between groups in damage to the IAN. The present study showed that piezosurgery devices, similar to conventional rotary instruments, have the potential to cause severe nerve damage during surgery and should therefore be used with care.

Role of attachment style in prediction of behavior of 3 to 6-year-old children

PURPOSE

Efficient communication with children is the basis of pediatric dentistry and is a prerequisite for provision of pediatric dental care. Prediction of the behavior of children and their reaction to therapeutic procedures is a challenge for many pediatric dentists. This study aimed to assess the attachment styles of children to predict their behavior during a dental visit.

METHODS

The participants included 117 healthy children aged 3 to 6 years presented to the Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, in 2017-2018. A postgraduate dental student examined the children. The parents were requested to fill out the Kinship Center attachment questionnaire (KCAQ) regarding their children, while waiting in the waiting room. The children who met the inclusion criteria in the first visit were scheduled for a dental procedure in the second visit. Another postgraduate student of pediatric dentistry assessed the behavior of children during the dental procedure according to the designed questionnaire and based on the Frankl scale. A third examiner along with the second examiner evaluated the behavior of children on a random basis to determine the inter-examiner agreement. Data were analyzed using the Chi-squared test, t test, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and linear regression.

RESULTS

The results showed that 67.5% of the children were cooperative, including 54.7% of boys. The mean age of children was 5.1 ± 0.95 years. Also, 80.3% of children had secure and 19.7% had insecure attachment styles (11.97% insecure avoidant and 7.69% insecure ambivalent). A significant association existed between the insecure ambivalent attachment style and child-dentist communication. A significant inverse correlation was also noted between the total score of the questionnaire and parent-child separation in dental office.

CONCLUSIONS

The current findings revealed no significant difference in the attachment styles of cooperative and uncooperative children. Significant associations only existed between the insecure ambivalent attachment style and child-dentist communication, and also between mother-child separation and secure attachment style. Thus, the children's behavior in dental office cannot be predicted based on their attachment style.

Complete genome sequencing of H1N1pdm09 swine influenza isolates from Nigeria reveals likely reverse zoonotic transmission at the human-animal interface in intensive piggery

Prevailing agro-ecological conditions and intermingling of human and animals in intensive farms in urban and peri-urban areas in Africa favour cross species transmission of pathogens at the human-animal interface. However, molecular epidemiology studies of zoonotic swine influenza viruses in this region are limited. In this study, isolates of pandemic influenza virus (H1N1pdm09) obtained from pigs in Nigeria were fully sequenced. BLAST of swine influenza virus genes from Nigeria was carried out in GenBank and gene alignment was done using MEGA version 7. Maximum likelihood method (PhyML program) was used to determine gene evolutionary relationships with other viruses and phylogenetic trees were constructed to infer genomic clusters and relationship. Swine influenza viruses isolated and sequenced in this study were monophyletic and 99% congenetic with human isolates from Nigeria, Cameroon, Ghana and USA suggesting reverse zoonotic transmission from humans to pigs in intensive husbandry. A Q240R and S31N substitution among others were detected in the haemagglutinin and matrix genes, respectively, indicating potentials for mutations during interspecies co-mingling and transmission. The A/H1N1pdm09 viruses circulating in pigs that are also exposed to avian influenza in the same epidemiological zones could engender emergence of novel viruses with zoonotic or pandemic potential requiring enhanced surveillance and monitoring.

Effect of several try-in attempts of crimped preformed metal crowns on their circumference

AIM

To assess whether several try-in attempts change the circumference of preformed metal crowns (PMCs).

METHODS

This in vitro, experimental study was performed on 68 PMCs of maxillary and mandibular molars that required crimping. First, a photograph was obtained of the gingival margin of each crown using a digital camera (fixed at a specific distance). Crown margins were then crimped using 114 pliers. The second photograph was obtained under the same conditions as the first one. After crimping, the crowns were removed using an excavator to assess the amount of crimping. This was repeated for the second time and a photograph was obtained after each time of PMC removal. The crown was crimped again and tried on the tooth and a photograph was obtained after completion of each phase. Photographs were saved in a computer and the circumference of the crowns was calculated using AutoCAD software.

RESULTS

The reduction in circumference of the crowns following the first crimping was greater for the primary second molars than for the primary first molars and was on average 0.87%. After trying the crowns on teeth, the circumference of the crowns increased on average by 0.33%. This increase was 0.53% after trying the crowns for the second time. The reduction in circumference after the second crimping was 0.51%. There was an increase in circumference after re-trying of 0.35%. Changes in circumference of the crowns after the first (p = 0.037) and second (p = 0.00) try-in attempts were statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONS

Re-crimping is necessary after trying the crown on tooth and prior to cementation.

THE SPATIAL DIFFERENTIATION OF SOIL SALINITY AT THE YOUNG SALINE COASTAL PLAIN OF THE CASPIAN REGION

The study is focused on the pattern of soil salinity at the young loamy coastal plains of the Caspian Sea in Russia and Iran which were released from water less than 300 years ago. At two key sites of 45×30 m (Russia) and 25×20 m (Iran), the soil sampling with 1 to 5 m grid was performed to the depth of 1 m. The electrical conductivity (1 : 2.5) was measured in soil samples and soil sa-linity maps were compiled. Soils are represented by solonchaks with 2–3% of salts in the top layer or highly saline soils partly leached in the upper 5–10 cm. The ground water table is shallow (2–2.5 m). The studied sites are different in terms of climate, microtopography, and vegetation cover but spatial differentiation of soil salinity is quite similar what is evidenced from the similar distributions (mean values and variance) of electrical conductivity in almost all studied depths. The redistribution of salts is mainly observed in the upper 50 cm with the maximal manifestation in the upper 5 cm.

PCR-RFLP analysis of Plasmodium vivax reticulocyte binding protein2c gene in field isolates of Iran

A family of reticulocyte-binding proteins of Plasmodium vivax (PvRBP) is localised at the apical pole of the merozoites and appears to bind to reticulocytes specifically and has also been involved in identifying host cells. Protein component produced by the Pvrbp2c gene is highly antigenic. The aim of this study was to detect the genetic diversity in the Pvrbp2c gene of Iranian P. vivax field isolates using the polymerase chain reaction- restricted fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) technique. A total of 79 P. vivax malaria patients with fever participated in the study. Alu1 and Apo1 restriction enzymes were independently used to identify allelic variants of the Pvrbp2c gene. All of the samples exhibited a single band of about 2 Kb in nested PCR. Among 79 P. vivax field isolates in the RFLP with Apo1 and Alu1 restriction enzymes, 15 and nine patterns were observed, respectively. In total, 24 various patterns were detected from the combined findings of both Alu1 and Apo1 fragments in RFLP. This study revealed that Pvrbp2c has genetic diversity in southeast Iran. Genotyping of Pvrbp2c not only shows the heterogeneity of P. vivax but also provides important information that could be used to control vivax malaria.

Serological evidence of H9N2 avian influenza virus exposure among poultry workers from Fars province of Iran

Background

Since the 1990s, influenza A viruses of the H9N2 subtype have been causing infections in the poultry population around the globe. This influenza subtype is widely circulating in poultry and human cases of AI H9N2 have been sporadically reported in countries where this virus is endemic in domestic birds. The wide circulation of H9N2 viruses throughout Europe and Asia along with their ability to cause direct infection in mammals and humans, raises public health concerns. H9N2 AI was reported for the first time in Iran in 1998 and at present it is endemic in poultry. This study was carried out to evaluate the exposure to H9N2 AI viruses among poultry workers from the Fars province.

Methods

100 poultry workers and 100 healthy individuals with no professional exposure to poultry took part in this study. Serum samples were tested for antibodies against two distinct H9N2 avian influenza viruses, which showed different phylogenetic clustering and important molecular differences, such as at the amino acid (aa) position 226 (Q/L) (H3 numbering), using haemagglutination inhibition (HI) and microneutralization (MN) assays.

Results

Results showed that 17 % of the poultry workers were positive for the A/chicken/Iran/10VIR/854-5/2008 virus in MN test and 12 % in HI test using the titer ≥40 as positive cut-off value. Only 2 % of the poultry workers were positive for the A/chicken/Iran/12VIR/9630/1998 virus. Seroprevalence of non exposed individuals for both H9N2 strains was below 3 % by both tests. Statistical analyses models showed that exposure to poultry significantly increases the risk of infection with H9N2 virus.

Conclusions

The results have demonstrated that exposure to avian H9N2 viruses had occurred among poultry workers in the Fars province of Iran. Continuous surveillance programmes should be implemented to monitor the presence of avian influenza infections in humans and to evaluate their potential threat to poultry workers and public health.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12985-016-0472-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Effect of high-dose phytase supplementation in broilers from 22 to 42 days post-hatch given diets severely limited in available phosphorus

1. Two trials were conducted from 22 to 42 d post-hatch to evaluate the effectiveness of high concentrations of supplemental phytase in maize-soya bean meal-based diets severely limited in available phosphorus (P). Growth performance, plasma P and tibia ash (TA) were measured. 2. Each trial used 220 21-d-old male broilers in 20 pens with 11 birds per pen. Dietary treatments included a positive control [PC, 4.3 g/kg nonphytate P (NPP)], negative control [NC, 2.3 g/kg NPP (Trial 1) or 1.4 g/kg NPP (Trial 2)] and NC plus 1000, 2000 or 4000 phytase U/kg of the diet. 3. Birds fed on the PC diet had higher average daily gain (ADG), gain to feed ratio (G:F), plasma P (Trials 1 and 2) and TA (Trial 2) than those fed on the NC. 4. In Trial 1, ADG and G:F values of the NC plus 1000, 2000 or 4000 phytase U/kg reached those of the PC. Plasma P values of the NC plus 2000 or 4000 phytase U/kg reached that of the PC. Although TA values of the NC, NC + 1000 or NC + 2000 reached that of the PC, TA of the NC + 4000 was more than that of the PC. 5. In Trial 2, ADG and G:F values of the NC plus 4000 phytase U/kg reached those of the PC; nevertheless, plasma P values of the NC diets did not come up to that of the PC. While TA values of the NC, NC + 1000 or NC + 2000 did not reach that of the PC, TA of the NC + 4000 was greater than that of the PC. 6. Results of this study showed that, in the diets with 2.3 and 1.4 g/kg NPP, respectively, 1000 and 4000 phytase U/kg can be sufficient to obtain a comparable performance in broilers to those given diets adequate in available P.

Spinal anesthesia reduces postoperative delirium in opium dependent patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting

We investigated the effect of high spinal anesthesia on postoperative delirium in opium dependent patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). The study was conducted in a tertiary referral university hospital on a population of 60 opium dependent patients undergoing CABG surgery. Patients were divided into two groups based on anesthesia protocol. One group were given general anesthesia (GA Group), the other group additionally received intrathecal morphine and bupivacaine (SGA Group). Postoperative delirium (POD) was defined as the main outcome of interest. Incidence of POD was significantly higher in patients of GA Group as compared with those in SGA Group (47% and 17% for GA and SGA respectively; P-value = 0.01). Time to extubation was on average 2.2 h shorter in SGA than in GA (7.1 h and 9.3 h respectively, P-value < 0.001). Intrathecal morphine and bupivacaine reduced the risk of POD after CABG in a population of opium dependent patients.

Domestic and peridomestic risk factors associated with transmission of cutaneous leishmaniasis in three hypo endemic, endemic, and hyper endemic areas: A randomized epidemiological study

BACKGROUND

Leishmaniasis is an infection caused by leishmania protozoa. Knowledge about health effects associated with environment situation and human behavior in national and local levels seems to be very necessary.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This cross-sectional case-control study was carried out in three adjacent counties of Isfahan province in Iran. Data were collected by face-to-face interviewing and recorded structured questionnaire. Statistical analysis was performed using Chi-square test and logistic. P < 0.05 was considered as significant.

RESULTS

The economic level had significant association with cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) transmission (P < 0.05). However, there was no significant association between existence of food storage and transmission of CL. We, however, found significant reduction of CL transmission following use of insect control measures (P < 0.05). The odds ratio for peridomestic transmission was 0.420 for houses that weren't round with any old or ruined houses.

CONCLUSION

We conclude that among aforementioned risk factors, the impact of peridomestic factors is stronger in CL transmission when compared with domestic and behavioral factors.

The Relationship of Severe Early Childhood Caries and Body Mass Index in a Group of 3- to 6-year-old Children in Shiraz

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

Early childhood caries can cause pain, discomfort and also inability to have a healthy nutrition .Malnutrition can be characterized when there is a weight, height, and body mass index (BMI) deficiency.

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the severe early childhood caries (based on the dmft index) and BMI in pre-school children in Shiraz.

MATERIALS AND METHOD

A descriptive analytical cross-sectional study was enrolled on 202 healthy preschool children with the age range of 3-6 years recruited from the kindergartens of different socio- economical parts of Shiraz, Iran. The Anthropometric measurements, weight and height were evaluated. The Z-scores were calculated employing WHO Anthro software (www.who.int/childgrowth/software/en/ index.html) to elucidate the subject's status on the age- and sex-specific growth chart. Every Child who has received two Z-scores under the normal value (< -2) was considered as abnormal. The relationship between dmft index and BMI was then investigated.

RESULTS

The mean of dmft was 4.13. From children with severe early childhood caries, 12.5%were under weight, 5% had height deficiency and 19.5% had BMI deficiency, however, there was no significant relationship between increasing dmft and the height, weight and BMI deficiency.

CONCLUSION

There was not a linear correlation between severe early childhood caries and BMI, height, and weight deficiency. An incidence of 55% was yielded for severe early childhood caries which was an additional finding of this study.

Antigenic and genetic analyses of isolate APMV/wigeon/Italy/3920-1/2005 indicate that it represents a new avian paramyxovirus (APMV-12)

Isolate wigeon/Italy/3920-1/2005 (3920-1) was obtained during surveillance of wild birds in November 2005 in the Rovigo province of Northern Italy and shown to be a paramyxovirus. Analysis of cross-haemagglutination-inhibition tests between 3920-1 and representative avian paramyxoviruses showed only a low-level relationship to APMV-1. Phylogenetic analysis of the whole genome and each of the six genes indicated that while 3920-1 grouped with APMV-1 and APMV-9 viruses, it was quite distinct from these two. In the whole-genome analysis, 3920-1 had 52.1 % nucleotide sequence identity to the closest APMV-1 virus, 50.1 % identity to the APMV-9 genome, and less than 42 % identity to representatives of the other avian paramyxovirus groups. We propose isolate wigeon/Italy/3920-1/2005 as the prototype strain of a further APMV group, APMV-12.

Assessment of the efficacy of 8 weeks of primaquine for the prevention of relapse in vivax malaria patients using SSCP-PCR and sequencing in South and South-East Iran, 2008-2011

BACKGROUND

Treatment of vivax malaria with primaquine prevents the risk of relapse. This study was designed to assess the efficacy of 8 weeks of primaquine treatment in prevention of relapse in patients with vivax malaria in south and south-east Iran by SSCP-PCR and sequencing.

METHODS

A total of 163 symptomatic vivax malaria cases were followed up in Hormozgan and Sistan, Baluchestan provinces in south and south-east Iran between December 2008 and December 2011. DNA was extracted from primary and secondary positive samples. A variation region of PvMSP-1 gene was selected and amplified by PCR. The obtained fragments were processed in polyacrylamide gel for single-strand conformational polymorphism (SSCP) and then sequenced.

RESULTS

Among 145 patients treated with chloroquine plus primaquine who completed the study period, two patients (1.4%) experienced a secondary infection after the initial episode of Plasmodium vivax. The comparison between primary and secondary isolates by SSCP indicated different banding patterns and electrophoretic mobility. Alignment of nucleotide sequences between pair primary and secondary isolates revealed dissimilar homology. Secondary isolates of both patients were considered as reinfection. Five of the 18 cases (28%) treated with chloroquine only revealed secondary infection. Analysis of nucleotide sequences and SSCP patterns indicated the relapse in all of them.

CONCLUSION

This survey indicates that intake of primaquine, 0.75 mg/kg, weekly for 8 consecutive weeks, is effective for the prevention of relapse in vivax cases in Iran.

Readiness assessment of electronic health records implementation

Introduction:

During the past 20 years, with huge advances in information technology and particularly, in the areas of health, various forms of electronic records have been discussed, designed or implemented. Although making health records automatically has many advantages but unfortunately in some cases, creation of an Electronic Health Record (EHR) system seems to be complicated. E-health (Electronic health) readiness assessment, as a part of the assessment before implementation is considered essential and prior to implementation. Readiness assessment aims to evaluate preparedness of each organizational component. This process can lead to the correct decision making. Therefore, identifying areas and requirements for such an assessment is so essential. Using the results of this assessment can identify deficiencies in the existing electronic health records to plan their strategies. The aim of this study was first; to show the situation of readiness assessment in EHR implementation roadmap, second, to recognize requirements associated with electronic readiness assessment and main areas of EHR readiness assessment.

Results and discussion:

This study reviewed the literature on EHR readiness assessment with the help of library and also searches engines available at Google. For our searches, we employed the following keywords and their combinations: readiness, assessment, implementation, Electronic Health Record (EHR), Information Technology, road map in the searching areas of title, keywords, abstract, and full text. In this study, more than 100 articles and reports were collected and 45 of them were selected based on their relevancy.

Haplotypes across the human caveolin 1 gene upstream purine complex significantly alter gene expression: implication in neurodegenerative disorders

We have previously reported a polymorphic purine complex at the 1.5 kb upstream region of the human caveolin 1 (CAV1) gene that is conserved across several species in respect with sequence motifs and the location of the complex. The IRF and Ets transcription factors have common binding sites for this region across those species. We have also shown skew in the homozygote haplotype compartment of this complex in two neurodegenerative disorders, sporadic late-onset Alzheimer's disease (AD), and multiple sclerosis (MS), versus disease-free controls (p<0.0000001). In the current study, we analyze the functional implication of the disease homozygote haplotypes (i.e. 102-bp and 142-bp) vs. control homozygote haplotype (110-bp) in three neuronal cell lines, LAN-5, U-87 MG, and N2A, using dual luciferase reporter system. A significant increase in gene expression was observed in the cell lines with the disease haplotype constructs vs. control haplotype in the three cell lines (t-test p<4 × 10(-4), 1 × 10(-6), and 3 × 10(-4)), respectively. We conclude that the human CAV1 upstream purine complex modifies gene expression. An additive effect of the haplotypes in the homozygous status is speculated based on the skew in the homozygote haplotypes in neurodegenerative disorders.

Genetic Variation of MSP-1 Gene in Plasmodium vivax Isolated from Patients in Hormozgan Province, Iran using SSCP-PCR

BACKGROUND

The main goal of present study was to detect polymorphism in MSP-1 gene which is a major blood stage candidate for vaccine in Plasmodium vivax by Single Strand Conformational Polymorphism-Polymerase Chain Reaction (SSCP-PCR).

METHODS

During 2008 to 2010 fifty samples were collected from Iranian patients with P. vivax in Hormozgan Province, southern Iran. All of the samples were detected by microscopical examination. Amplification of MSP-1 gene was done by PCR after DNA extraction. Single strand DNAs due to using in SSCP, was electrophoresed on polyacrylamid- Bisacrylamid gel then banding patterns were revealed by silver-staining method. Sequencing as a typing method was performed for some isolates.

RESULTS

All of the 50 isolates were positive microscopically. Totally 12 (24%) isolates showed 440 bp and 38 (76%) showed 500 bp in PCR assay. SSCP analysis revealed four banding patterns. Pattern I (10/50), Pattern II (12/50), Pattern III (27/50), and Pattern IV (1/50). The results sequencing analysis of the MSP-1 gene in 19 isolates revealed diversity in nucleotides and amino acid in Iranian P. vivax isolates.

CONCLUSION

Our study confirms that the SSCP-PCR is a rapid method for detecting polymorphism in MSP-1 gene in P. vivax. The presence of different haplotypes in MSP-1 gene shows that several P. vivax strains exist in malaria endemic areas of Iran.

In vivo Susceptibility of Plasmodium vivax to Chloroquine in Southeastern Iran

BACKGROUND

Plasmodium vivax is the predominant species causes of malaria with about 90% total annual reported malaria in Iran. This study conducted to determine the susceptibility of Plasmodium vivax isolates to chloroquine in Sistan and Balochistan Province, southeastern Iran.

METHODS

A total 270 subjects with symptomatic malaria and confirmed P. vivax infection completed the designed 28-day in vivo study. The thick and thin film blood smears were screened for malaria parasites by microscopy. The nested PCR was applied using the Plasmodium 18 subunit ribosomal ribonucleic (Ssr RNA) genes for detecting mixed infections and diagnosis of parasites in the samples with low parasite on days 0, 5, 6, 7, and 28.

RESULTS

P. vivax was cleared in 15%, 50%, 95%, and 100% of patients on days 1, 2, 3, 4 respectively by microscopy assessment. Six patients were exhibited specific P. vivax band in nested PCR on day 5. No recurrence was observed on days 7, 14 and 28. Mean (±standard deviation) parasite clearance time was 2.41 (±0.8) days.

CONCLUSION

P. vivax is still susceptible to chloroquine in Southeatern Iran. This finding is compatible with results of neighboring countries Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Exceptional human core promoter nucleotide compositions

The proximal promoter sequences contain basic motifs for the expression of the downstream genes. We present genome-scale computational analyses of the 120-bp immediate upstream sequences to the +1 transcription start sites (TSSs) of 10,117 human protein-coding genes, and unravel exceptional genes in respect with the core promoter nucleotide composition. Our data reveal that while in 99% of the genes the absolute purine/pyrimidine ratio ranges between 0.2 and 2.5, certain genes show exceptional skew in this balance (e.g. ratios of 82.3 in VWA3A, 61.5 in Sox5, and 24.0 in BRWD3), and consist of islands of purines or pyrimidines. Furthermore, while over 95% of the genes lack more than one short tandem repeat (STR) in their core promoters, certain gene promoters are exceptionally rich in multiple STRs (e.g. eight consecutive STRs in UBE2QL1, and six STRs in GRIA2). We found sequence bias for the majority of those promoters across species, supporting functional roles for them in gene expression. Genes downstream to those promoters were also found to be of ontologic importance (i.e. we were able to track the majority of those genes to the lower species such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Caenorhabditis elegans). The exceptional promoters presented in this study lack the conventional motifs for the TATA, and TATA-less promoters, hence offering novel mechanisms for gene expression. They may also provide potential mechanisms for inter-individual variations in gene expression, and complex traits/disorders.

Margin Status Influence on the Outcome of Patients Treated with Breast Conserving Surgery

BACKGROUND

Breast conserving surgery (BCS) followed by local radiotherapy is the standard treatment for early stage of breast cancer. Margin status may have an important impact on local recurrence and overall survival of patients treated with BCS, but this has not been defined adequately. In this study, we investigated the relationship between microscopic margins and outcome of BCS.

METHODS

Three hundred eighty four patients treated with BCS between 1999 and2010 were included in our study. All surgeries were performed by a single surgical team. Margins were defined as close if surgical margins were less than 2 mm, as free if surgical margins were more than 2 mm and as positive if malignant cells were present in one of the tissue edges. Demographic, clinical, and pathological factors as well as biological markers, recurrence, and survival rates were compared between the close and the free margins groups.

RESULTS

The mean age of patients at the time of diagnosis was 54.2 years. There were 34 (9%) recurrence cases and overall survival was 128.7 months and ten years survival rate was 81%. There was no significant difference between the close and the free margins groups in terms of demographic parameters, tumor characteristics, biological factors (estrogen and progesterone receptor status) and lymphovascular invasion. Also recurrence rate did not differ significantly between these two groups.

CONCLUSION

Our study indicates that there is no significant difference between the patients with close and the free margins in terms of treatment results. There is no clear consensus in the surgeons' community over the definition of acceptable margin width in BCS, so additional studies are required to find the right answer.

Is screening for IgG antibody to cytomegalovirus and Epstein-Barr virus infections mandatory in potential renal transplant recipients and donors in Iran?

OBJECTIVE

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) and/or Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infections in renal transplant recipients may cause significant morbidity and mortality. To manage these infections, established guidelines suggest that both the recipient and the donor be routinely tested for anti-CMV and anti-EBV antibodies prior to renal transplantation. The aim of this study was to assess the value of screening among people living in Iran.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed the incidences of CMV and EBV infections among 925 and 710 potential renal allograft donors and recipients, respectively, between 2005 and 2008. All cases were first transplantations. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) were performed to determine whether there were antibodies to CMV (IgG) or EBV viral capsid antigen (VCAIgG). Finally, we analyzed the seroprevalence and demographic factors.

RESULTS

Five hundred sixty-eight (61.40%) potential renal transplant donors and 483 (68.02%) potential renal transplant recipients were men. Donor ages ranged from 18 to 50 years (mean +/- SD, 34.7 +/- 8.1 years) and recipient ages ranged from 18 to 60 years (mean +/- SD, 45.9 +/- 7.3 years). Pretransplant CMV (IgG) and EBV (VCAIgG) seroprevalence was 100% among all donor, and recipient ages and sexes.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggested that kidney transplant centers in Iran do not need to perform routine screening for IgG antibodies to CMV and EBV among renal transplant recipients and donors of ages >or=18 years.

Sublethal effects of imidacloprid and pymetrozine on the life table parameters of Aphis gossypii Glover (Homoptera: Aphididae)

In this study we report the sublethal effects of recommended concentrations of imidacloprid and pymetrozine on cotton aphid's reproduction. Fecundity life table parameters for AG were studied on cucumber under conditions of 25+/-1 degrees C, 70+/-5% RH and photoperiod of 16:8 (L:D). Leaf discs of cucumber immersed in the recommended concentrations of the above mentioned insecticides and controls and the new born female was released on the lower surface of leaf discs. Values of parameters such as adult longevity and daily fecundity rate were recorded. Standard error of population growth parameter was calculated using the Jacknife method. The results show that these two insecticides significantly reduce life table parameters compared with control.