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  Background and Objectives: Leishmanin skin test (Montenegro test) is a best indicator for evaluation of delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction and cell-mediated immunity in leishmaniasis. A standard antigen is needed for this test. In this research, several batches of leishmanin antigen were produced under standard conditions, and their immunogenicity, specificity, sensitivity and potency were evaluated.

  Methods: In order to produce leishmanin, standard strain of Leishmania major (MRHO/IR/75/ER) was cultured in equal volume of�liquid medium of D-MEM and Tc Medium 199 in large scale. Parasites from stationary phase of growth were harvested and washed under strict standard conditions and used for preparation of leishmanin. Immunogenicity of prepared antigen was tested by skin testing in pre-immunized guinea pigs. Specificity of the reagent and abnormal sensitization were evaluated by skin testing in healthy individuals in non-endemic areas of Tehran and Tabriz. Sensitivity and potency of leishmanin reagent were evaluated by skin testing in recovered individuals from cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) in endemic areas of rural and urban areas.

  Results: The findings indicated the productions of leishmanin are sterile and safe with high immunogenicity. Specificity of the products was shown to be higher than 99% with no abnormal sensitization to reagent. Sensitivity and potency of preparations were determined > 96% with mean induration between 15-18 mm in endemic areas of rural CL, and > 93% with mean reactivity of 12-14 mm in endemic areas of urban CL.

  Conclusion: The findings indicated that this product is safe and sterile with high immunogenicity, specificity, sensitivity and potency and has no abnormal sensitization. These products which are easily available inside the country could be used easily for skin testing and detection of delayed-type hypersensitivity response in leishmaniasis.

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  Background & Objectives: Coronary artery disease is the main cause of mortality in developing and industrial countries. Recently the involvement of infectious agents as a risk factor for Acute Coronary syndrome is drafted. So this study was designed to investigate the probable association between Acute Coronary syndrome and Helicobacter pylori infection.

  Methods: This case-control study was carried out on 300 hospitalized patients with the diagnosis of Acute Coronary syndrome (UA and MI) and 300 hospitalized patients without the history of coronary heart disease. Anti Helicobacter pylori Antibody level was determined by as an indicator of infection history. Using chi-square and t- test the results were analyzed in SPSS software.

  Results: Results showed that 79 patients (26.3%) in control group and 122 patients (40.6%) in case group were seropositive and the difference was significant. Relationship between cronory diseases risk factors and levels of IgG was not significant. Also the results showed that the rate of hypertension in seropositive patients in case group was significantly upper than control group.

  Conclusion: Regarding the findings of this study we can conclude that Helicobacter pylori infection probably is a risk factor for Acute Coronary Syndrome. Thus, further studies are needed to elucidate the association between Helicobacter pylori infection and Acute Coronary Syndrome.

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Background & objectives: Parasitic infections are among important health problems all over the world especially in developing countries. Considering the epidemiological importance of parasitological diseases and necessity to evaluation the parasites prevalence in different areas and populations, current study aimed to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites in patients admitted to the laboratories of Baqiyatallah Hospital in Tehran.

Methods: This is a retrospective cross sectional study in which stool examination reports of all referred patients (70978) to central and emergency laboratories of Baqiyatallah hospital were evaluated during 2010-2014. In this course, at least one stool sample of patients was assessed by direct smear and formalin-ethyl acetate methods. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics in SPSS 16. Chi-square test was used for comparison of the prevalence.

Results: From 70978 patients, 42421(59.77%) and 28557(40.23%) were male and female, respectively. From 2617 infected individuals, 1841(70.3%) and 776 (29.7%) were males and females, respectively. The prevalence of pathogen and non-pathogen intestinal parasites was 2283(87.23%) and 334(12.76%) respectively. Also the prevalence of intestinal helminthes and protozoa in infected population was 0.42% and 99.57%, respectively. Blastocystis hominis and then Giardia lamblia were the prevalent parasites.

Conclusion: In current study the prevalence of parasites is lower than those reported in other investigations. Differences in geographical location, sample size, duration and type of study (prospective or retrospective) and study population may be effective agents. The higher prevalence of "Blastocystis hominis" in comparison with other parasites can attract more attention to improve the quality of laboratory and clinical diagnosis of this protozoa

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Background & objectives: This study was designed to compare the effect of general and spinal anesthesia on hemoglobin and hematocrit values in women following cesarean section.

Methods: This clinical trial study performed on 88 ASA class 1 pregnant women who were candidate for elective cesarean. Forty six patients received general anesthesia with isoflorane 0.75, N₂O 50% and O₂ and also 42 patients received spinal anesthesia with 12 mg of bupivacaine. The patients with a systemic disease or other causes of intraoperative excessive bleeding were excluded. All the operations were performed by same surgeon. Pre- and post-operative Hb and HCT values and Apgar score were recorded in both groups.

Results: Previous cesarean section history was the cause of surgery in 21 patients in group one and 22 patients in group two. Both groups were similar in age, weight, height and parity. The preoperative mean Hb or HCT values did not differ significantly between two groups. In both groups, postoperative mean Hb and HCT values were decreased significantly. Postoperative Hb and Hct reduction was significantly higher in general anesthesia group (p<0.05). There was no significant difference between two groups regarding Apgar score.

Conclusion: This study showed higher postoperative Hb and Hct reduction in general anesthesia than spinal anesthesia.

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Introduction: Skin defect reconstruction following tumor resection, is a challenge for surgeons. Nose as a key point of aesthetics has a significant role in this scenario. One of the practical approaches is dorsal nasal flap (Rintala) to cover lower 1/3 nasal defects. The disadvantages of this method are limitation to reach lower areas, especially nose tip, flap ischemia and wound dehiscence.
Case report: A 47 years old man with supratip BCC lesion underwent tumor resection and prepared for dorsal nasal flap reconstructive surgery, in which dorsal hump resection caused relaxed flap transfer and ultimately more acceptable profile view.
Conclusion: Advancement of the dorsal nasal flap more distally can be achieved by dorsal hump reduction in selected patients, which makes patients more satisfied with their new nasal form and appearance and reduces the risk of distal flap ischemia.

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Background & objectives: The role of spirituality with its different levels in different countries and societies should be considered for investigating the elderly's health. Therefore, it is necessary to evaluate spirituality with a scale specifically designed to measure spirituality. This study investigated the psychometric properties of the Persian version of the Attitudes Related to Spirituality Scale (ARES) in the elderly.
Methods: In this psychometrics study, the study population included all the elderly of Ardabil city, among whom 459 individuals were randomly selected to fill ARES. The data was analyzed by SPSS and Amos Software.
Results: The reliability of ARES was 0.94 by Cronbach's alpha. Its construct validity, calculated by confirmatory factor analysis, showed that the model for measuring attitudes related to spirituality in the elderly had a suitable fit and its one-factor structure was confirmed (RMSEA=0.001, GFI=0.99, CFI=1).
Conclusion: The Persian version of the Attitudes Related to Spirituality has a one-factor structure, and could be used in psychological studies in Iranian samples due to its acceptable necessary validity and reliability.