Archives of Advances in Biosciences

Comparing dietary pattern and related socio-economic factors among adolescent girls in the North and South of Tehran, the capital of Iran. This cross-sectional and analytical study 210 adolescent girls, aged 14-17 years, from high schools in the North district of Tehran (n=105; high socio-economic level) and the South district (n=105; low socio-economic level) were selected by the two-step, cluster random sampling method. Demographic data, including mothers´ and fathers´ educational levels and parents´ occupation were gathered, using a validated self-administered questionnaire. Three questionnaires of food frequency, one-day 24-hour food recall and one-day 24-hour food record were used for assessing dietary pattern. The results showed that the frequency consumption of certain fatty foods, including dairy products and meat group, and fats in district 1 are higher than in district 19 adolescent girls; based on many differences such as life style and food accessibility. This indicated that there is a significant difference in the quality pattern of fat intake between the two districts. It is suggested to design and implement nutritional intervention programs for adolescent girls, particularly in the low socio- economic districts.

    Evaluation of life dissatisfaction should be one of the main components of managers’ efforts to perform appropriate policies for promoting quality of work life and improving productivity of nurses. Thus the aim of the present study was to examine life satisfaction level and its determinants among a sample of Iranian nurses.In this descriptive study, 309 nurses qualifying in medical care network, randomly selected from eight medical centers using stratified random sampling method were included. Information of different aspects of living and working situations were collected by a questionnaire and life satisfaction was also measured by the Life Satisfaction Index A (LSIA).Data were analyzed by descriptive and stepwise logistic regression model at p < 0.05 using SPSS 19. Mean score of the LSIA questionnaire was 25.47 ± 6.51; 253 (81.9%) nursing staffs reported were satisfied and only 56 (18.1%) dissatisfied. The satisfaction rate was higher in men compared with women (95.7% versus 80.8%). All nurses working in surgery and psychiatry wards satisfied in lives; whereas dissatisfaction rate was the highest among emergency ward (23.7%) and operating room (23.1%) nurses. There was a positive correlation between life satisfaction score and nurse’s income (R = 0.173, p = 0.002). In married ones, multivariable stepwise regression analysis showed that male gender was a main determinant of higher life satisfaction score (p = 0.027). Among single nurses, only higher workload as having a second job had an adverse correlation with life satisfactions score (p < 0.001). Life satisfaction among nurses can be potentially influenced by gender and high work load indicators as well as level of their income. The results also provide empirical support for a positive relationship between work condition and nurses life satisfaction.

Acute meningitis in children is predominantly aseptic and does not require specific treatment. However, meningitis has a bacterial origin in about 5% of patients and carries a risk of fatal outcome or severe neurological sequelae, especially when diagnosis and antibiotic administration are delayed. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the value of determining procalcitonin levels to discriminate between bacterial and non-bacterial meningitis in young children or infants and describe the variation in serum PCT levels over time during the treatment of meningitis.

A total of 50 children with meningitis admitted to a University Hospital were followed in this prospective study. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum levels of procalcitonin were measured. The diagnosis of meningitis was based on clinical findings, gram staining, culture, and chemical analysis of CSF. Twenty-five children were diagnosed as bacterial meningitis and the other 25 children as non-bacterial Meningitis.The mean procalcitonin level on admission in patients with acute bacterial meningitis was 18.3 ng/mL, and the lower level was 4.6 ng/mL, while the higher level in patients with non-bacterial meningitis was 0.62 ng/mL (mean level, 0.38 ng/mL). It  is  clear  from  the  range  of  serum procalcitonin level that, there are no overlapping values seen  for  serum  procalcitonin  in  both  groups.serum PCT levels can be used in the early diagnosis of acute bacterial meningitis and is more valuable than the other predictive marker. Similarly, they may be useful adjuncts in differential diagnosis of bacterial and non-bacterial meningitis and diminishing the value of 2^nd lumbar puncture performed 48-72 hours after admission to assess treatment efficacy.

    This is a descriptive study with research population coming from "telesurgery information management systems" in 23 teaching hospitals  of  Shahid  Beheshti and Tehran universities of medical sciences in 2011.The study used stratified and simple random sampling methods for subject selection, followed by observation and interview for data collection.  According to the results, video camera with 100%  application, was the most frequently used equipment in the hospitals for telesurgery data gathering.  Visual data analysis for developing three dimensional models was common just in 10% of hospitals.  Fiber Optic and satellite, with 40% application rate, were the most frequently used telecommunication equipments in the hospitals. The study indicated the significance of accurate and appropriate management of telesurgery information as the first step for appropriate implementation of telesurgery programs in Iran.

      Psychological disorders are universally common problems. Social support contributes much to the health of individuals. Focusing upon social support and upon vicissitudes of life can help prevent the depression-induced disorders. The present paper investigated the relationship between perceived social support, depression and perceived stress in university students.The descriptive-analytical study was carried out on 390 students living in Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sceince campus, whom were selected based on a simple random selection method. The related questionnaires of multidimensional scales of perceived social support, Beck’s depression, and perceived stress then were distributed during midterm among students to collect the necessary data. Data was fed into SPSS 16 and analysed using ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficient, independent t-test, Chi-square, and Fisher exact test.Our results indicated that 49.7 per cent of students suffered from specific degrees of depression. 30.5 per cent of students had given educational progress and employment as sources of stress in living in the campus. The perceived social support scores were 28.32±9.56, depression, 12.10±9.02, and for perceived stress was 26.84±8.27. A significant relationship was shown to be between perceived social support, depression, and perceived stress (p<0.001) The conclusion made in the paper is that considering depression and stress is crucial to the health of the students. Also, forming workgroups to increase social support for students can help alleviates depression and stress in university students.

The risk of disease spread through water, fruits and vegetables contaminated through unclean waters varies from region to another. Springs and underground water resources are essentially free of germs or they have tolerable levels of germs; unless they are infected by surface water or human excreta. Scientific reports have shown that outbreaks of food-borne illnesses especially foods such as fresh fruit and vegetables are rising. The aim of the study is to evaluate the effect of washing procedures in eliminating of microbial and parasitic contamination of vegetables consumed in Ilam city. Multiple samples of vegetables were collected from five regions of the city (North- South- West- East- Center) about 1 kg from each shop and transferred to the laboratory. Then we put apiece in a dish containing five liters water; vegetable was washed into it and a sample was collected. Then we added to dish, 20 drops of dish soap and mixed it for a few minutes so that all of vegetable dipped in the foam. After a few minutes, the vegetable were washed with pure water. Another sample was collected from sewage of this water. For detection of microbes, we used two methods: formalin eater and direct microscopic observation. 86 samples were collected from five regions of city. 40.6% of them had parasitic contamination in scantling water of washing with pure water, and 43% had parasitic contamination in scantling water of washing with dish soap. 70.9% of them had parasitic and bacterial contamination in both wastewaters. There was no significant difference between washing with water and washing with dish soap for parasitic or bacterial contamination. Methods of washing in some types of vegetable may reduce effectively parasitic infection; but we found that washing with dish soap didn’t have any significant effect on reduction of microbial contamination.  

Albumin has a fundamental role in human body. Its main tasks in blood are to regulate osmotic blood pressure, maintaining the pH, and transporting metabolites and drugs throughout the vascular system.  Pharmacological studies of the interaction of drugs on HSA are important due to structural and functional changes of this vital protein; thus, here in this research the effect of valproate as a common drug for epilepsy disorders is evaluated in the presence of hexadecyl pyridinium bromide (HPB) as a positive surfactant in normal and fever condition. Electrochemical method was used to investigate the binding number of HPB molecules to HSA in the absence and presence of valproate by evaluating the concentration of free HPB in 37oC and 42oC temperatures. HSA affinity for valproate binding studied via ligand binding process for normal and fever temperatures. The findings indicate that, there is a significant difference in valproate binding to albumin at physiological and pathological temperatures. The consequences are the same in the presence of HPB; in other words, HSA binding tendency to HPB in the presence of valproate was totally altered because of HSA major conformational changes in fever condition. In conclusion, corrected dosage of valproate is needed for fever condition relative to normal temperature and the patients under prescription of different medications in fever condition should have different orders due to the interferences of drugs. 

Breast cancer (BC) accounts for one of the major health problems around the world. Since the diagnosis process can have great effect on therapy outcomes, we studied the biomarkers specific to breast tumors stage I based on examining different Iranian patients. Cases from different stages were examined to discover their highly expressed proteins. In addition, pathologic evaluations were performed as the diagnosis procedure. Considering positive percentage of over-expressed protein in different stages in the population, it is guessed that over-expression of ErBb2 and PR are positively correlated, while P53 is in negative correlation with them. Therefore, these molecules can probably account for stage I biological marker. This study suggests that alterations in over-expression of specific biomarkers in different stages may be associated to the stage classification, and can help achieve more effective therapies of this malignancy.

Studying CSF (cerebro spinal fluid) is a simple and fast measure for diagnosing meningitis in children. For this reason, LP [umbar puncture] is used to treat csf.  Regarding the side effects of LP, we decided to determine the positive points observed in the patients’ files than total patients confined to bed in our selected population. In this study conducted by descriptive retrospective method, the records of 1705 infants and children suspected to meningitis, confined in Tajrish Shohada and Tehran Mofid Hospitals for LP test, were investigated. Data collected from these cases were statistically analyzed. Studies indicated that in 93.7% of infants and children tested by LP as well as csf tested, the results were negative, therefore due to the fact that LP is considered as a risky method for children, performing a test doesn’t seem necessary in most cases. Results of this study also indicated that maximum rate of infection was among males and occurred in autumn.

    The genus Teucrium (germander) belongs to the family Lamiaceae, within the subfamily Ajugoideae.Teucrium polium L. (Labiatae) has long been recognized in folk medicine in the treatment of many pathophysiological implications, such as gastrointestinal disorders, inflammations, diabetes and rheumatism. In this study antimicrobial activity of two crude extracts obtained from Teucrium polium L. was tested against bacterial species. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) for both species determined by using “dilution method”. The antimicrobial effects of extracts were evaluated on Streptococcus pyogenes PTCC 1447, Pseudomonas aeruginosa PTCC 1310 and Staphylococcus epidermidis PTCC 1435 by “using the method of Collins” and “disk agar diffusion method”. The results showed that aqueous and ethanolic extracts were quite effective in 2000 μg/ml concentration on Streptococcus pyogenes and Staphylococcus epidermidis and were prevented from growth them on medium, while both extracts have no certain antimicrobial effect on Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In “disk agar diffusion method”, 10, 20, 30 and 40 mg/ml aqueous and ethanolic extracts concentrations, was inhibition effect on Streptococcus pyogenes and Staphylococcus epidermidis, and 30 and 40 mg/ml aqueous and ethanolic extracts concentrations, has inhibition effect on Pseudomonas aeruginosa prevent them growing, but at 10 and 20 mg/ml concentrations, no inhibitory effect on Pseudomonas aeruginosa was observed. The results indicate that ethanolic and aqueous extracts of Teucrium polium L. have the greatest effect on gram-positive bacterium Streptococcus pyogenes (p<0.05).  Results showed, aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Teucrium polium L., have been strong antimicrobial activity against many food pathogen bacteria.

Today, in parallel to growing in acceptance of functional products, various additives are used to improve the characteristics of functional food products. The coenzyme Q₁₀ plays a vital role in cellular energy production. It also increases the body's immune system via its antioxidant activity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the addition of coenzyme Q₁₀ on physicochemical properties of pomegranate fruit juice. The variables were concentrations of coenzyme Q₁₀ (10 or 20 mg in 300 ml) and storage temperature (25°C and 4°C) and the parameters were pH, titrable acidity, brix, viscosity, turbidity and sensory evaluation during three months of storage. By increasing time and temperature, pH was decreased and with increasing concentration of coenzyme Q₁₀, pH was increased. Time and temperature had direct influence on acidity, and the concentration of coenzyme Q₁₀ had the opposite effect on the acidity. With increasing storage time and concentration of coenzyme Q₁₀, Brix, viscosity and turbidity levels were increased and with increasing time and concentration of coenzyme Q10, the Brix, viscosity and turbidity were increased. The addition of coenzyme Q₁₀ in grape juice showed no negative effect on the physicochemical and sensory properties.

     Boophilus genus ticks are responsible for transferring some pathogens and reducing production factors in cattle. Tropomysin (TPM) protein has actin regulator activity and playing important role in immune and allergic reactions. The main goal is to determine different aspects of phylogenetic, similarity, homology, structure and allergenicity of TPM protein. In prior study, we identified TPM by using Mass-spectrometry in Boophilus anulatus larva proteins extraction. Analysis by NCBI and Mascot software showed complete similarity of this protein with Boophilus microplus. TPM Blasting, invertebrates TPM sequences retrieval, aligning and analyzing of conserved and variable regions along sequences were next steps. Also, construction the phylogenetic tree, overall mean distances estimation, homology protein secondary structure, allergencity analysis was achieved. The most similar sequences to Boophilus genus TPM are Haemaphysalis sp., Scolopendra sp. and etc., respectively. The multiple sequence alignment showed that conserved and variable regions stretched in different part of TPM. The close relationships in Phylogenetic tree between Ticks and Mites were seen, although the TPM sequences in ticks are more similar to each other than to mites and assume as the nearest relatives. Insects TPM like worms, located in two separated clades, and Trichinella spiralis in worm clades are more related taxa to members of ticks and mites groups. Furthermore, overall mean distances over sequence pairs reflects TPM conservation during speciation. TPM has high homology in different species and has two domain of α-helix that cannot form disulfide bonds. Finally, allergenicity analysis by separated and hybrid approach showed it undoubted is allergen and candidates some peptides as responsible for allergenicity of TPM. The comprehensive analysis of TPM has never been easy, especially when we attempt to make statements from different aspects about this protein.  Our study revealed the some unique and valuable aspects of TPM protein of Boophilus genus, and will help to further studies on mentioned protein.

    Foods contaminations with Mycotoxin producing fungi is the common problem in production and maintenance of foods leads to production and presence of many types of Mycotoxins with extensive clinical effect on human called Mycotoxicosis. The aim of this study is to determine humidity percent and fungal contaminations of flour which is used in bakeries of Tabriz city. From 89 bakeries that were baking every kind of wheat bread, flour samples were collected .At first, humidity percent of samples was measured with standard method; Then experimented with standards of Iran(997 and 2393):10 gram flour sample were dissolved in 90cc of ¼ sterile Ringer solution; then10^-2 ,10^-3 ,10^-4,10^-5and10^-6 dilutions were prepared. From each dilution, 1cc were spilled in different sterile plates; afterward, 15-20cc of  sterile YCGA culture medium were spilled on the plates and they were shacked slowly; hereafter, they were left until the culture mediums were coagulated. Thereupon, the plates were incubated in 25 ºc for 5 days. Finally, fungi colonies were identified and counted. From 89 samples, 28 samples (31,5%)contain fungi contaminations more than 104colonies/gram of flour(allowable limit) [p<0.05]. Results showed the most fungi were Aspergillus niger and Acromonium. Mean of humidity percent in samples was12.8±0.76 which was in standard level (≤14%) (p=0.000). Findings of this study are according to results of other studies. With respect to wheat is a staple food of Iranians, attention and follow up in all steps of production, distribution and maintenance of wheat and flour with the aim of minimizing fungi contaminations is necessary. 

Thiopental Sodium is an ultra short-acting barbiturate. Due to its redistribution characteristic, its first injection has a short term effect. In order to elongate its anesthesia duration, more injections are needed. As these additional injections extend the recovery length , weaken respiration and causes other dangerous effects; its repeated use is considered unsafe. Citicoline is a natural substance with neuroprotective effects. Regarding the various effects of citicoline on central nervous system which is the place where many anesthetics leave their effects, this  research aims at studying the effects of citicoline  on the anesthesia induced by Thiopental Sodium and also at Measuring the parameters such as heart and respiration rate,rectal temperature and SPO2. To do this,6 dogs were anesthetized by intravenous injection of 20 mg ∕ kg of 2.5%  Thiopental sodium . After the appearance of recovery signs, 250 mg of citicoline was slowly injected intravenously into the experimental dogs, and immediately the second injection of Thiopental sodium using the  initial protocol  was given. Before the second injection, 2ml of normal saline  was intravenously injected into the dogs in the control group.Heart and respiration rate ,SPO2 and rectal temperature were then measured,recorded and statistically analyzed.Results indicated a significant increase in heart and respiration rate,an insignificant increase in SPO2 and an insignificant decrease of rectal tempreture in animals that had received citicolin before anesthesia by Thiopental Sodium.The results of this study can be used in predicting the vital signs of patients when taking these two drugs simultaneously.

Bacteriophage is a kind of virus that infect bacteria, and is distinct from the animal and plant viruses that could have either lytic or lysogenic cycle. Lytic phages known as candidates for phage therapy, since they rapidly replicate into their host and lyse them. Theoretically, phages have more than a few benefits over routine antibiotics. They are extremely specific and for their targeted hosts and also are safe for human, because they have no activity against eukaryote cells. Over this time, phages were used to treat various infections. Although, phages have a lot of advantages against antibiotics, their industrial production as a commercial production have been ceased in most of the western European countries.These days, by raising of antibiotics resistance and inefficiency of antibiotic to overcome bacteria biofilm,  there is renewed global attention in phage applications as a potentially powerful antibacterial agents. Different published paper through the world indicates bacteriophage could be recruited as suitable agent for therapeutic purposes in medicine and food industry. Therefore, here we tried to review most of these ideas about phage application as a rapid review.

Pennyroyal, an aromatic herb, is considered by food and medicine industries. It grows in different countries and provides various technological and functional properties. Essential oils (especially ‘Pulegune’) are the effective materials of pennyroyal that causes anti-microbial, anti-oxidant and aromatic properties. These essential oils have significant effects on preventing growth of several species of pathogenic and spoilage bacteria. Furthermore, these oils maintain food quality by preventing the oxidation of fatty acids and increasing product shelf life. Therefore, it seems that pennyroyal is an appropriate alternative for synthetic antioxidants. On the other hand, it can be used in treatment from medicinal point of view. Overall, pennyroyal essential oils are a good, natural and economical alternative for food and medicine industries. The present article focuses on the healthful and technological characteristics of pennyroyal essential oils.

Nephrotic syndrome is the commonest glomerular disease. Typical symptoms could be proteinuria, low serum albumin and oedema. The mechanism of proteinuria in nephrotic syndrome is a defective glomerular filtration barrier. Renal biopsy is the gold standard for diagnosis of nephrotic syndrome currently which is invasive and based on histopathological features, therefore it seems to be necessary to search for noninvasive biomarkers to be used as the complementary tests in the diagnostics and prognostics of glomerular diseases, particularly when renal biopsy is limited or contraindicated. While a big proportion of urinary proteins originate from kidney tissue and these tissue specific proteins excrete more in kidney injury, therefore the identification of urinary proteins can further our understanding of renal dysfunction and renal disease including nephrotic syndrome. The interest of scientist to  urinary proteomics is also growing for biomarker discovery. This review focuses on some types of nephrotic syndrome and proteomic studies applying urine specimen which have been reported.

     Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory demyelinating disease which the exact etiology is still are far to be clear. Reasons for this autoimmune disease are unknown origin. The aim of present study was to evaluate serum levels of selenium in patient with MS compare to healthy subjects. A total of 46 subjects were enrolled in the study, Sera of 23 MS cases and 23 healthy normal cohorts as control group were obtained. Atomic absorption spectrophotometer was employed for estimating serum selenium level. Serum
selenium levels were significantly lower in MS than in control cohorts (60.87±13 compared with 85.74±12, P-value < 0.0001). Serum selenium levels may thus be a marker of MS; the decreasing levels of serum selenium may be host defense strategies of body.

Para-veterinarians are professionals in having a liaise between veterinary doctors and livestock owners beside their ability to achieve some of the veterinarians activity such as Collecting information about sick animals, using thermometer, using needles and syringes, Calculating, diluting and using antiseptic, knowledge about live and inactive vaccines, oral treatment of animals, herbal medicine, rectal palpation for detection of pregnancy, hoof treatment, treatment of chronic inflammation by using old methods such as blister and intervention in some large surgical operations such as abomasal displacement. According to our knowledge, This is the first review that highlight on the role of para-veterinarians in the Egypt as a co-aid for veterinary doctors.