Showing 12 results for Karim
Nasrolahi Omran A, Bay A, Poorshamsian Kh, Karimi Kh, Hashemi M, Maghsodlo B,
Volume 5, Issue 1 (spring-summer[PERSIAN] 2011)
Abstract
Abstract Background and objectives: Microbial, physical and chemical properties of drinking water, considering type and quantity of the drinking water, are the factors for determining the acceptability of water. The effect of each of the above components on increasing the quality of water or threatening the health of consumers is also considerable. We aimed to investigate the trace amounts of microbial, physical and chemical parameters of drinking water in Gorgan, comparing to national and international standard. Material and Methods: In this cross sectional study, 50 samples were taken, per month, from four pilot stations in urban water network of Gorgan during one year (2009- 2010). We used instant sampling and performed Enumeration of Coliforms in water culture with most probable number (MPN).Samples taken from the stations during the month were investigated in two general categories of device test and heading-meter. All experiments were performed using standard reference method. Results: of 598 water samples 551 (92.2%) have not Coliforms, 47 (7.8%) contain Coliforms and 16 (2.7%) of them have thermo-tolerant Coliforms. Mean water hardness is 413mg/L, base on carbonate calcium. The amount of fluoride about 0.35 mg and the residual chlorine about 0.6 mg is less than national standard amount. Conclusion: The results show that Gorgan water network is, in view of microbial contamination, safe during almost all days. All the tested samples in terms of physical and chemical parameters are in the range of nation and international standards. Hardness of drinking water of Gorgan is one of the highest. Key words: Bacteriological, Physiochemical, Drinking Water, Gorgan.
F Sadighian, Z Abedian, A Saane-Ei, Z Mirkarimi,
Volume 7, Issue 3 (Autumn 2013)
Abstract
Abstract
Background and Objective: Nowadays, nosocomial infection is one of the greatest problems in hospitals. Normal flora of staff’s hands and the bacterial agents on the surface of medical equipment can become progressively colonized with potential pathogens during patient care. This study was carried out to determine the bacterial agents existed on staff’s hands and in the wards of hospital to step in to control nosocomial infection.
Material and Methods: In this descriptive study, during 17 months (22.mar.2010- 30.aug.2011), 403 samples, using sterile swab , were randomly obtained from the staff’s hands and medical equipment of emergency departments , ICU, male operation room and female surgical unit . The samples were cultured on Blood agar (BA) and Eosin methylene blue (EMB). Then, identification of isolated bacteria was done with diagnostic tests.
Results: Of 430 samples, 530 bacteria were isolated from staff’s hands (N= 291) and medical equipment (N= 234). The most common bacterium from personnel’s hands (144 49.5%) and medical equipment (24 10%) is Staphylococcus aureus. Also, three isolates of pseudomonas aeruginosa from staff’s hands of male surgical ward and medical equipment of ICU, and two isolates of Acinetobacter.spp from ICU’s medical equipment were identified.
Conclusion: With regard to the findings, it seems that applying the appropriate disinfectant agents by using standard procedures is necessary.
Keywords: Medical Equipment Staff’s Hand Nosocomial Infection Staphylococcus Aureus
H Tavilani, R Setarehbadi, A Fattahi, Sh Nasrollahi, J Karimi, G Shafiee, M Hosseinipanah,
Volume 7, Issue 4 (winter[PERSIAN] 2014)
Abstract
Abstract
Background and objective: There is increasing evidence for the role of oxidative stress in female reproductive tract. The purpose of this study was to determine the activity of antioxidant enzymes during menstrual cycle. In addition, the relationship between activity of antioxidant enzyme and sex hormones was evaluated.
Materials and methods: In this study the activity of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, catalase and total antioxidant capacity during the menses, follicular and luteal phases of the menstrual cycle in twenty women with regular menstrual cycle were studied. Furthermore, the correlation between activity of antioxidant enzymes and estradiol, progesterone, LH, FSH and testosterone were evaluated.
Results: There was no significant difference between activity of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, catalase and total antioxidant capacity during the menses, follicular and luteal phases of the menstrual cycle (P>0.05). We found significant correlation, in luteal phase, between superoxide dismutase and FSH (P<0.05، r=0.44) and LH P<0.05،r=0.54). Also it is observed between LH and glutathione peroxidase (P<0.05، r=0.44).
Conclusion: Based on the results, there is no significant difference between antioxidant enzymes and total antioxidant capacity of plasma during menstrual cycle. In other words, physiologic system of women with regular menstrual cycle can protect body against oxidative stress and this is probably performed due to action of FSH and LH hormones.
Keywords: Antioxidants Menstrual cycle Sex hormones
Zare, M, Karimi Akhormeh, A, Takhshid, Ma,
Volume 9, Issue 2 (may,jun 2015[PERSIAN] 2015)
Abstract
Background and Objective: Prevention of medical laboratory errors is a major goal of quality control programs. Hemolyzed specimen is one of the common issues causing medical laboratory errors. Apart from the visual assessment, the measurement of serum hemoglobin concentration can be another method to evaluate the intensity of hemolysis. We aimed to assess hemolyzed serum specimens using two quantitative and qualitative methods.
Material and Methods: the serum samples (n=890) were evaluated for the presence and degree of hemolysis, using quantitative and qualitative methods. In qualitative method, the samples were investigated visually and in quantitative with the measurement of serum free hemoglobin concentration. Furthermore, the relative frequency of hemolyzed specimens was calculated.
Results: the hemolyzed samples were 23.4 % in qualitative and 65.8% in quantitative method. In quantitative, 71.2% of the specimens had mild hemolysis (sfHB<50 mg/dL), 26.8% intermediate (50mg/dL< sfHB <250mg/dL), and 2% high (sfHB >250 mg/dL). The percentage of hemolyzed specimens was higher in intensive care unit than those of other departments (P < 0.05).
Conclusion: given that hemolysis in small amount is not detectable visually, we recommend using quantitative method for evaluating hemolyzed specimens.
Keywords: Hemolysis, Diagnostic Errors, Qualitative Research, Quantitative Research
Mohammadzadeh, Ghorban , Fatemeh Karimpour, Mohammad Ali Ghaffari, Alireza Kheirollah, Azadeh Saki,
Volume 9, Issue 5 (Nov,Dec-2015 2015)
Abstract
Abstract
Background and Objective: Diabetes mellitus is the most common risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD). Cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) TaqIB polymorphism is associated with changes in lipid profile and may be a risk factor for CAD in patients with diabetes. This study aimed to evaluate the association of CETP TaqIB polymorphism with CAD in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Methods: In this case-control study, 292 diabetic patients were divided into two groups based on angiography reports (150 participants with normal angiogram as the control group and 142 participants with more than 50% stenosis of at least one coronary artery as the case group). The CETP TaqIB genotypes were determined by PCR-RFLP analysis. Fasting blood glucose was measured using glucose oxidase and lipid profile (triglycerides, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein-cholesterol and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol) by an enzymatic method.
Results: There was no significant difference in the frequency of genotypes and alleles between the case group and controls (the control group: B1B1, 17.3%; B1B2, 63.3%; and B2B2, 19.3%; the case group: B1B1, 18.3%; B1B2, 64.1%; and B2B2, 17.6%) (P=0.92). In the control group, heterozygous participants (genotype B1B2) had higher levels of cholesterol compared with other genotypes (B1B1 and B2B2). Also, the patients with genotype B1B2 had significantly higher weight (P=0.013).
Conclusion: There is no significant correlation between CETP TaqIB polymorphism and the increased risk of coronary artery disease in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Keywords: Cholesterol Ester Transfer Protein, Polymorphism, Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2, Coronary Artery Disease
Esmat Barooti , Soodabeh Darvish , Nourossadat Kariman , Ghasem Yazdanpanah ,
Volume 13, Issue 1 (Jan-Feb 2019)
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Background and objectives: Accurate diagnosis of preterm rupture of membrane (PROM) is critical during pregnancy, and researchers are seeking ways to decrease the rate of false negative results in diagnostic tests. In the present study, we compare diagnostic properties of Amnisure test and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) test for diagnosis of PROM.
Methods: The study was performed on singleton pregnant women (gestational age: 20 to 41 weeks) who were referred to the Taleghani Hospital in Tehran (Iran) between December 2016 and December 2017. The study included 44 PROM patients and 44 control pregnant women. Speculum examination for cervicovaginal fluid washing, hCG test and Amnisure test were performed for all of patients. Statistical analysis of data was performed in SPSS software package (Version 18, Chicago, IL, USA) using t-test, Chi-square test, and Mann-Whitney test. P-values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant.
Results: The Amnisure test had better sensitivity and specificity compared with the β-hCG test (95.5% and 97.7% vs. 93.2% and 95.5%). The Amnisure test also had higher positive and negative predictive values than the β-hCG test (97.7% and 95.5% vs. 93.3% and 94.3%). Diagnostic accuracy of the Amnisure test was also higher than that of the β-hCG test (96.6% vs. 94.3%).
Conclusion: According to the results, the two tests have almost equal diagnostic power for detection of PROM during pregnancy.
Keywords: Chorionic Gonadotropin, Fetal Membranes, Premature Rupture
Mojtaba Raeisi, Kamal Mirkarimi, Behrooz Jannat, Bahman Rahimi Esboei, Abdol Sattar Pagheh, Zahra Mehrbakhsh, Fatemeh Ghaffarifar, Oghlniaz Jorjani, Masoud Foroutan,
Volume 14, Issue 4 (Jul-Aug 2020)
Abstract
Background and objectives: Leishmaniasis is a tropical disease caused by protozoan parasites from the genus Leishmania. In this study, we aimed at investigating the in vitro anti-leishmanial effect of essential oils of Rosmarinus officinalis, Mentha pulegium, Foeniculum vulgare, Lippia citriodora and Pelargonium graveolens.
Methods: The essential oils were prepared from freshly dried and powdered plants with steam-distilled water. Iranian strain of Leishmania promastigotes was cultured in RPMI medium and the inhibitory effects of different concentrations (25, 32, 62.5, 125, 250, 500 and 1000 μg/ml) of the essential oils were investigated at 24, 48 and 72 hours. The number of live parasites before and after treatment with the essential oils was counted by trypan blue 10% staining and using neobar lam.
Results: The essential oils significantly decreased the number of promastigotes in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.05). However, the inhibitory effects of F. vulgare and R. officinalis essential oils were more profound compared to other essential oils. Moreover, concentrations of 500 and 1000 μg/ml of these two essential oils exerted equal and more anti-leishmanial potency compared to glucantime, the first-line drug used for treatment of leishmaniasis.
Conclusion: Based on the results, it is recommended to evaluate the in vivo anti-leishmanial effects of the tested essential oils, particularly F. vulgare and R. officinalis.
Maryam Karimi, Mahtab Moazzami, Najmeh Rezaeian,
Volume 15, Issue 1 (Jan-Feb 2021)
Abstract
Background and objectives: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a common debilitating neurodegenerative disease caused by inflammatory demyelinating processes in the central nervous system. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of core stability training on serum levels of progranulin and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in women with MS.
Methods: The study population consisted of 24 women with MS (aged 25 to 40 years) in Bojnourd (Iran) with expanded disability status scale score of 2-5. Patients were randomly divided into two groups of core stability training (n=12) and control (n=12). The training group performed 30-40 minutes of core stability training, three sessions a week for eight weeks. Blood sampling was done 24 hours before the first session and 48 hours after the last training session. Serum levels of progranulin and TNF-α were measured using commercial ELISA kits. Analysis of covariance was used to assess data at a significance level of 0.05 .
Results: The eight-week core stability training was associated with a significant increase in serum level of progranulin (P=0.037) and a significant decrease in the level of TNF-α (P=0.000).
Conclusion: The findings indicate that the eight-week core stability training could significantly change serum levels of progranulin and TNF-α and improve the condition of women with MS. Therefore, this type of training could be applied as a complementary therapy for MS patients.
Mohsen Najjari, Mohammadreza Karimazar, Mohammad Ebrahimipour, Christine M. Budke,
Volume 16, Issue 2 (Mar-Apr 2022)
Abstract
The current study aimed to introduce key ethical issues related to laboratory-based diagnostics that any individual may encounter during the provision of healthcare services. In a systematic review, relevant studies published on electronic databases including the PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Medline and Cochrane Library were collected for the years 1975 to 2020. The ethical issues related to clinical laboratories diagnosis and patients, colleagues, and society in different phases of laboratory testing were surveyed in this study. Considering ethical issues must be prioritized in each clinical laboratory for better dealing with clients, collaborators, and the community.
Mahmoud Karimizadeh Esfahani, Mohsen Najjari, Saeed Hosseini Teshnizi, Somayeh Dolatabadi, Mohammad Javad Najafzadeh,
Volume 16, Issue 5 (Sep-Oct 2022)
Abstract
Background and objectives: Mycotic keratitis is a fungal infection of the cornea that can cause blindness. Its incidence, risk factors, and the etiological agents vary worldwide and nationwide. Therefore, proper documentation of these data is essential for better disease management. In this review, we aimed to make a clear picture of this infection in the Middle East.
Methods: Data on fungal keratitis from 1986 to 2018 in the Middle East were systematically collected from five English databases (PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, Web of Science, and Google Scholar) and four Persian databases (Magiran, Scientific Information Database, IranMedex, and Irandoc). A total of 35 studies were included in the review.
Result: The pooled prevalence of fungal keratitis in the Middle East was estimated at 26% (95% confidence interval: 19-32%; I2=98.88%, p<0.001) using random-effect model, with considerable variation among the countries. The prevalence of fungal keratitis was highest in Egypt (36%) and Iran (34%) and lowest in Oman (9%). Aspergillus and Fusarium spp. were the most common causative agents (28%) among filamentous fungi, and Candida (13%) was the predominant yeast species causing fungal keratitis. Based on the data, fungal keratitis was more prevalent in males (39%) than in females (23%).
Conclusion: Our study is the first systematic review on mycotic keratitis among the Middle Eastern countries. These epidemiological estimates can be used by policy makers to improve treatment strategies, especially in this part of the world.
Background and objectives: Mycotic keratitis is a fungal infection of the cornea that can cause blindness. Its incidence, risk factors, and the etiological agents vary worldwide and nationwide. Therefore, proper documentation of these data is essential for better disease management. In this review, we aimed to make a clear picture of this infection in the Middle East.
Methods: Data on fungal keratitis from 1986 to 2018 in the Middle East were systematically collected from five English databases (PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, Web of Science, and Google Scholar) and four Persian databases (Magiran, Scientific Information Database, IranMedex, and Irandoc). A total of 35 studies were included in the review.
Result: The pooled prevalence of fungal keratitis in the Middle East was estimated at 26% (95% confidence interval: 19-32%; I2=98.88%, p<0.001) using random-effect model, with considerable variation among the countries. The prevalence of fungal keratitis was highest in Egypt (36%) and Iran (34%) and lowest in Oman (9%). Aspergillus and Fusarium spp. were the most common causative agents (28%) among filamentous fungi, and Candida (13%) was the predominant yeast species causing fungal keratitis. Based on the data, fungal keratitis was more prevalent in males (39%) than in females (23%).
Conclusion: Our study is the first systematic review on mycotic keratitis among the Middle Eastern countries. These epidemiological estimates can be used by policy makers to improve treatment strategies, especially in this part of the world.
Israa Elgaily, Abdelkarim A. Abdrabo,
Volume 18, Issue 5 (Sep-Oct 2024)
Abstract
Background: Various analytes are used to assess glycemic control in laboratory medicine. Glucose measurements show current glucose levels, but sample stability can be influenced by diet and stress. Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) is the best marker for long-term control but can be affected by elevated urea levels. This study compared glycated albumin (GA) and HbA1c in diabetic patients undergoing hemodialysis.
Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample size of 280 volunteers. Among these, there were 115 diabetic patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), 95 diabetic patients without ESRD, and 75 non-diabetic patients with ESRD. Laboratory measurements included HbA1c, GA, urea, and creatinine, assessed using standard laboratory techniques. Data analysis was carried out using SPSS statistical software.
Results: Levels of HbA1c were lower in diabetic patients with ESRD compared to diabetic patients without ESRD. In contrast, GA levels were higher in diabetics with ESRD. A significant negative association was observed between HbA1c levels and urea levels. However, creatinine levels were not associated with either HbA1c or GA.
Conclusion: The estimation of glycated hemoglobin levels can be affected by high blood urea. Therefore, GA may be a better glycemic indicator for diabetic patients with ESRD.
Saif Karim, Mahdi Zahedi, Nahid Poursharifi, Mehdi Khorami, Mohsen Tatar,
Volume 19, Issue 2 (3-2025)
Abstract
Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of smoking on blood homocysteine, folic acid, and vitamin B12 levels in patients with cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Methods: We collected 90 participants with cardiovascular complications who were divided into two groups: Smokers (n=46) and non-smokers (n=44) groups. The serum levels of homocysteine, folic acid, and vitamin B12 were determined by the ELISA. Additionally, the systolic, diastolic blood pressure, and BMI were taken from patients. Results: Our results illustrated that the serum level of folic acid was significantly decreased in smoker patients (22.41±5.95) compared with the non-smokers group (28.05±4.13, p=0.000). In contrast, the serum level of homocysteine (p=0.958) and vitamin B12 (p=0.578) was not altered significantly between both groups. Our data also showed a negative correlation between folic acid and systolic blood pressure. No relationship was observed between folic acid and vitamin B12 and homocysteine in the smoking group. Conclusion: Our study showed that the levels of folic acid significantly decreased in CVD patients with smokers compared with non-smokers. A significant negative relationship was observed between folic acid and systolic blood pressure.
