Hemorrhoid Disorder and Anal Intercourse: Is There a Solution?

Archives of Sexual Behavior -     

Carbapenem inactivation: a very affordable and highly specific method for phenotypic detection of carbapenemase-producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates compared with other methods

This investigation was undertaken to compare phenotypic and molecular methods for detection of carbapenemase-producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa. A total of 245 non-duplicated isolates of P. aeruginosa were collected from hospitalized patients. Disc diffusion method was used to identify carbapenem-resistant bacteria. Three phenotypic methods, including Modified Hodge Test (MHT), Modified Carba NP (MCNP) test and Carbapenem Inactivation Method (CIM) were used for investigation of carbapenemase production. In addition, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect carbapenemase encoding genes. Of 245 P. aeruginosa isolates investigated, 121 isolates were carbapenem-resistant. Among carbapenem-resistant isolates, 40, 39 and 35 isolates exhibited positive results using MHT, MCNP test and CIM, respectively. PCR indicated the presence of carbapenemase genes in 35 of carbapenem-resistant isolates. MHT showed low sensitivity and specificity for carbapenemase detection among P. aeruginosa isolates in comparison to PCR. CIM was most affordable and highly specific than MCNP test compared with the molecular method.     

Fauna and abundance of medically important flies of Muscidae and Fanniidae (Diptera) in Tehran, Iran

ObjectiveTo determine the faunal diversity of Muscidae and Fanniidae flies in Tehran, Iran.MethodsA net-capturing by direct observing method and fly trap were used to capture adult flies. To determine the fauna of flies in different habitats, 4 biotopes including corpse (human, birds, livestock), garbage and decaying organic matters, animal carcasses and human indoor habitat were selected. Big hashing nets (95 cm in diameter) have been used for adult flies capture in these biotopes.ResultsIn this study, totally 2 418 adult flies from 8 families including Muscidae, Fanniidae, Calliphoridae, Sarcophagidae, Tachinidae, Syrphidae, Anthomyiidae and Conopidae were captured. Among these, 1 279 belong to Muscidae and Fanniidae families. Four genera and 5 medically important species captured from two above mentioned families.ConclusionsBased on scientific documentation, 2 species of Muscina stabulans (M. stabulans) and Fannia scalaris (F. scalaris) are reported for the first time in Iran. However M. stabulans is a cosmopolitan species and its presence in Iran was probable.     

Effect of IFN-ß therapy on the frequency and function of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells and Foxp3 gene expression in relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS): A preliminary study

Interferon-ß (IFN-ß) is an immunomodulatory drug of choice to control relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis (RR-MS), although its function is still unclear. A reduced suppressive function of CD4⁺CD25⁺ regulatory T cells (T_reg) has been shown in RR-MS patients. In this study, to understand the effect of IFN-ß on CD4⁺CD25⁺ regulatory T cells, we analyzed the frequency and function of these cells and Foxp3 gene expression before and after treatment.We evaluated the frequency and function of CD4⁺CD25⁺Foxp3⁺ regulatory T cells by flow cytometry and co-culture inhibition test respectively and gene expression of Foxp3 by real-time PCR in a longitudinal follow-up study in 18 relapsing–remitting MS patients. Our data revealed that IFN-ß significantly improved frequency and suppressive function of T_reg cells (P < 0.05) without any significant effect on gene expression of Foxp3 after 6 months. The results of the present study indicate that IFN-ß therapy in some of patients with RR-MS may restore function of regulatory T cells and control the unchecked immune cascade activity. Larger longitudinal studies on more MS patients are required to confirm our findings.     

Fast-track open transperitoneal nephrectomy

OBJECTIVE: Hospital stay after open transperitoneal nephrectomy is usually 5-10 days, the limiting factors being pain, ileus, stress-induced organ dysfunction and fatigue. Recent studies have shown that aggressive multimodal rehabilitation may improve recovery and shorten hospitalization after other abdominal procedures. We therefore studied the effect of a multimodal rehabilitation regimen in patients undergoing open transperitoneal nephrectomy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 25 consecutive patients scheduled for elective transperitoneal nephrectomy were studied after the introduction of a multimodal rehabilitation regimen (continuous epidural analgesia, enforced mobilization and oral nutrition and revision of the transurethral catheterization and drain regimen) and compared with 50 consecutive patients treated before the introduction of this regimen. RESULTS: The multimodal rehabilitation regimen decreased hospital stay from 8 to 4 days (p < 0.001) with mobilization for approximately 6 h on the first postoperative day and 8 h on the second and third days. Use of a drain was shorter with the multimodal regimen (1 vs 4 days; p < 0.001), as was transurethral catheterization (1 vs 5 days; p < 0.001). "Medical" 30-day morbidity was low (6-8%) in both groups. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that a multimodal rehabilitation regimen with optimized pain relief, enforced mobilization, early oral nutrition and short-term transurethral catheterization and drain placement may reduce hospital stay after open transperitoneal nephrectomy.     

Effects of Frequent Announced Parasitology Quizzes on the Academic Achievement

Background

The effect of frequent examinations on the students’ learning has had inconsistent results. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of frequent announced quizzes on the learning of a representative sample of Iranian medical students.

Methods

This experimental study was conducted among 37 fifth semester medical students who had taken the course in Protozoology and Helminthology, in which the same basic information were provided about different types of protozoa and worms. Initially, in the teaching of helminthology, ten routine sessions were handled with lectures and interactive questions and answers. Then at the beginning of the protozoology topic in the beginning of all of the next 9 sessions, the students were informed that they will have a quiz at the end of each session. At the end of the semester, the total scores of quizzes were compared with the mean final scores of protozoology and helminthology using paired t and repeated measure tests.

Results

The mean final scores of the protozoology lesson were not significantly different from that of the helminthology (10.45 ± 2.75 vs.11.25 ± 2.56 on the scale of 20, respectively, P=0.13). There was no significant difference in the mean score of the five quizzes compared with the mean final term score of protozoology. The overall mean scores in the helminthology lesson (11.25±2.56), protozoology lesson (10.45±2.75), and the quizzes (9.16 ± 3.55) were significantly different (P <0.0001).

Conclusion

Frequent announced quizzes were not effective on increasing the medical students’ motivation and learning.