Zahedan Journal of Research in Medical Sciences
Volume:13 Issue: 1, 2011

Malaria is endemic in southeastern Iran including Jiroft district and in favorite epidemiological condition could threaten the people health. Anopheles fluviatilis complex is a malaria vector in Iran and consists of three species of S, T, and U and 7 genotypes of S, U, T1, T2, Y, X and V which are different in vectorial capacity. The aim of this study was to identify species composition of An.fluviatilis complex using D3 and ITS2 sequences in Jiroft district. Mosquitoes of An. fluviatilis have been captured using total catch, pit shelter, and human/animal night baits. PCR amplification was done against the 28S D3 and ITS2-rDNA and the products were sequenced. The specimens were identified to species and genotype level using phylogenetic trees and comparison of sequences with entries available in GenBank. Both ITS2 and D3 loci were successfully amplified and produced 514 bp and 376 bp bands respectively. Sequence analysis of ITS2 and D3 regions revealed that the specimens of Jiroft district were matching to the Y and T2 haplotypes of species T of the complex. Anopheles fluviatilis T is the only species in the region and based on the previous studies can be incrim inated as the main malaria vector in the region.

During critical periods of growth, evolution dependent of sensory experience has a deep effect on the formation and proper function of mammal’s CNS. The aim of this study is to assess the interaction of melatonin and its antagonist, luzindole on rat’s spatial learning and memory processes treated in darkness using the Morris Water Maze (MWM). This experimental study was carried out on 60 Wistar male rats of 45 days which randomly distributed in two groups. Animals of the control group experienced 12 hour-periods of darkness & light and the test group developed in complete darkness. Each group has 3 subgroups: Control, receiving Melatonin and receiving Luzindole (n=10 for each). Using MWM, the learning process and memory consolidation of animals were evaluated for 5 nights and 4 times each night. The results of this study showed that the learning stage in animals deprived of light phase needed more time to find the platform than the control group (p=0.011). Also, melatonin can increase this time in the control rats (p=0.012). Darkness treatment and melatonin were not effective on memory consolidation of these animals. Luzindole in control rats needed less time spending in the target quadrant (p=0.009). Darkness treatment causes impairment in spatial learning process in rats and melatonin will make it difficult spatial learning in control animals. None of the above two interventions are effective on the process of memory consolidation.

Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is one of the most important pathogen in hospitals. Healthcare personnel are the main source of nosocomial infections and identification and control of MRSA carriers can reduce incidence of infections. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of MRSA and their antibiotic susceptibility profile among healthcare workers in Gorgan.

333 healthcare workers were participated in this cross-sectional study in 2009. Samples were taken with sterile cotton swabs from both anterior nares and hands. Swabs were plated immediately on to the mannitol salt agar. Suspected colonies were confirmed as S. aureus by Gram staining, catalase, coagulase and DNase tests. Minimum inhibition concentration by micro dilution broth method was used to determine methicillin resistant strains. Antimicrobial susceptibility to other antibiotics was performed according to NCCLS guidelines by disc diffusion method.

Frequency of S.aureus and MRSA carriers among healthcare workers was 24% and 3% respectively. The highest rate of S. aureus and MRSA carriers were observed in operating room staff. Resistance to penicillin was seen in 97.5% of isolates and all strains were sensitive to vancomycin.

Frequency of S. aureus and MRSA in healthcare workers was median and rather low respectively. Continual monitoring and control of carriers can reduce distribution of this organism and their infections.

Concerning the importance of improving nutrition in teen girls, the purpose of this study was to determine the effects of educational program on the nutritional behavior among second-grade middle school female students based on BASNEF model. This experimental study were done on 72 students who was selected randomly in two equal groups of 36 students (experimental and control groups). The instruments for data collection were the BASNEF model and 24-recall questionnaires (before and 1 month after intervention). Educational interventions were performed in 3 sessions and data were collected and analyzed by repeated measures of ANOVA, Friedman, Mann-Whitney U, independent and paired t-tests using SPSS-17 software. Our findings indicated that mean scores of knowledge and BASNEF Model variables were significantly increased in the experimental group compared to the controls after intervention. Also, nutritional behavior improved significantly among the experimental group, compared to control group. Our finding shows the importance of nutritional education based on BASNEF model on improving nutritional behaviors in students

Considering the prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and its well-known complications; different studies indicate the success of rehabilitation techniques to improve quality of life for those patients. The present study was conducted to determine the effect of the implementation of pulmonary rehabilitation techniques on quality of life in patients with COPD. This quasi-experimental research was performed in the selected teaching hospitals in Isfahan on 80 elderly patients with COPD with moderate intensity during their 85-86 years. The patients divided randomly into two groups (40 patients in case group and 40 patients in control group). The disease severity was evaluated based on spirometry results. Data were collected by using quality of life questionnaire (SF-12). First, the quality of life of patients in both groups was evaluated by SF-12 and then the 20 minutes pulmonary rehabilitation programs in the case group were performed every morning and evening for two months. At the end of two months, the qualities of life in both groups were measured again. The results were analyzed using SPSS-10 software. The results showed that there is a significant direct relationship between some demographic characteristics and their quality of life score (p=0.03). Pulmonary rehabilitation program enhanced the quality of life in those patients (p =0.01). Regarding these findings, it should be consider that demographic characteristics of patients and their rehabilitation programs should be included the pulmonary rehabilitation program to improve quality of life.

Studies of the prevalence of substance abuse in rural and urban population in different countries revealed variable results regarding to the study method, study population, age group and measuring tools. The purpose of this research is to compare the patterns of substance abuse disorders in urban and rural population in Mashhad. Two groups consecutively admitted patients who referred to substance treatment clinics of Mashhad, were selected (110 urban and 100 rural patients). Samples were evaluated with structured demographic questionnaire and Structured Clinical Interview (SCID) for DSM-IV. Data were analyzed by χ2 and independent t-test. This study showed statistically significant differences between two groups in marital status, education level, monthly income and job. Also the samples were differed in substance type, history of injection and quit, abuse of nicotine, cannabis and alcohol in long life. Rural and urban societies have differences in patterns of substance abuse that can be originated from social-context differences.

Parents obesity has a direct relation with their children obesity. The aim of this study is to determine the effect of two methods of weight loss in obese parents and their children. We conducted a randomized clinical trial. It was performed among 60 parents with obesity or overweight that referred to cardiovascular research center of Isfahan to control their children obesity in 2005-2007. They were divided into two groups and followed up for one year. The first group received diet with calorie restriction and the second group received food recommendation without calorie restriction according to the World Health Organization dietary guideline. Anthropometric characteristics such as body max index (BMI), waist circumference, waist to hip ratio were measured using standard methods. Data were analyzed by paired and independent t-tests. There was a significant difference in the mean of BMI in children who received diet recommendation (p=0.01) before and after trial. There was no significant difference in mean changes of anthropometric characteristics in parents, before and after receiving diet and diet recommendation. Family education and supporting may play an effective role on controlling children weight. Decreased anthropometric characteristics showed that healthy food recommendations can be effective on weight loss as well as diet prescription.

Nurses are vulnerable to various sleep disorders because of the nature of their job. If nurses do not experience a good general health, they will not be able to do their job (patient care) well. We conducted a descriptive-comparative study in 180 nurses that were selected with the stratified sampling method who have been working in different work shift hours in teaching hospitals. We used PSQI and GHQ-28 questionnaire for collecting data. The study results showed a statistically significant difference in sleep quality and general health of nurses based on two questionnaires (p=0.01; p=0.05) respectively. According to our findings we suggest fixed working shifts versus rotating one for nurses to reduce the side effects.

Rubella is an acute viral infection. There are disastrous malformations in fetus (congenital rubella syndrome (when pregnant women expose to the virus, especially in the first trimester. Affected or vaccinated people have permanent immunity. Measurement of IgM and IgG serum titer against rubella is the most reliable indicator of immunity status and is helful for finding of nonimmune people. In this study we selected 427 women (age range: 15-30) who were referred to our center for anti-rubella IgG, IgM measurement during 1386 and 138. Rubella antibodies were measured by Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) test. Immunity of women against rubella in Kermanshah was 83.66% which was lower than the mean rate reported in Iran. We recommend vaccination of susceptible women before marriage.