East Of Tehran Research Articles

Prevalence of Hepatitis B and C among hemodialysis and thalassemic patients in a special medical center in East Tehran in 2011

The blood born transmitted viral hepatitis occurs after frequent blood infusions among patients with thalassaemia and hemodialysis disease, and in a large number of these patients severe and chronic liver disease developed. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of hepatitis B and C serology among hemodialysis and thalassemic patients in a special medical center in East of Tehran in 2011. This was a descriptive cross-sectional study performed on 62 patients (49 hemodialysis and 13 thalassemic patients) in the same center. Initially, demographic information and data associated with possible risk factor were collected for each patient followed by testing blood samples for presence of anti-hepatitis C virus antibody (anti-HCV-Ab), anti-hepatitis B virus antibody (anti-HCV-Ab), and other serologic tests. By using SPSS software, t test and chi-square statistics data were analyzed. Anti-HCV-Ab (ELISA) was positive in 4 patients (6.1%). Confirmation of positive samples was carried out using HCV RNA PCR but the results in all patients (100%) were negative. Serologic markers of hepatitis B such as hepatitis B surface antigen (HBs-Ag), hepatitis B surface antibody (HBs-Ab) and hepatitis B core antibody (HBcAb)HBc-Ab were negative in all patients. Regarding the current practice of safe blood-transfusion program in our country, it is concluded that eliminating of risk factors and the use of screening tests with higher sensitivity could be among the key elements in controlling the prevalence of HCV/HBs infection among thalassemia/hemodialysis patients. Serologic markers of hepatitis B and C should be evaluated in periodic manner and HCV-RNA PCR should be evaluated yearly in all patients, because defect of cellular and humoral immune system could be present in these patients. Key words: Prevalence, thalassemia/hemodialysis patients, hepatitis B and C.

Microseismicity and seismotectonics of the Firuzkuh and Astaneh faults (East Alborz, Iran)

In 2007 and 2008, we installed two local seismological networks of 10 stations around the two active faults of Firuzkuh and Astaneh, which are part of the Sharud fault system located in Central Alborz, ~ 150 km east of Tehran, Iran. These networks were deployed for about 7 months each and recorded 785 and 1194 earthquakes, respectively. We analyzed the seismicity and focal mechanisms together with data from the permanent network of the Institute of Geophysics (University of Tehran). The tectonics of this area shows a pull-apart relay (Bashm and Chashm faults) between the 2 left-lateral strike–slip faults of Firuzkuh and Astaneh. Firstly, we computed the velocity structure which minimizes the travel time residuals and obtained a sedimentary cover of 4 km overlying an 8 km-thick upper-crust with a Moho located at a depth of 33.5 km. Secondly, we located the seismicity which is distributed mainly on the Astaneh fault and Chashm fault. Seismicity is also associated with the North Semnan fault located farther south. Cross sections show that the North Semnan fault is dipping north and both the Chashm and Astaneh faults are vertical. The Garmsar, Bashm and North Alborz faults seem to be less active. Focal mechanisms associated with the Chashm and Astaneh faults show mainly strike–slip motion (left-lateral on a NE–SW trending active plane) with no difference between the 2 faults, suggesting they behave similarly.

Risk Factor Profiles of Adverse Neuromotor Outcome in Infants

Objective Assessment of risk predictors for adverse neurodevelopmental outcome at 1 year of age in term and near-term infants. Material & Methods This case-control study was a representative sample of infants from different health-care centers of north and east of Tehran. The association between risk factors and delayed motor development (developmental quotient below 70 indicating a significant delay) was analyzed using correlating risk factors; including the perinatal and neonatal data to the developmental status. The case group consisted of 143 infants whose DQ score was less than 70 and the control group consisted of 140 infants who had a DQ score of more than 70. Results Neonatal seizures, Apgar score less than 3 after 5 minutes of birth (OR = 2.87 [95% CI; 1.68, 4.92]), low birth weight (OR = 5.86 [95% CI; 3.07, 11.18]), preterm delivery (OR =6.17 [95% CI; 3.04, 12.52]), Premature rupture of membranes (PROM)>24 hours (OR = 6.18[95% CI; 2.07, 18.51]) and hyperbilirubinemia leading to phototherapy or exchange transfusion (OR =3.75 [95% CI; 2.12, 6.65]) were associated with an increased risk for neuromotor delay on developmental examination at 1 year. Conclusion This study identified distinct risk factors for an adverse outcome in infants. In this environment, perinatal risk predictors are most important.

Prey size selection of the Eurasian Otter, Lutra lutra (Linnaeus, 1758), at the Jajrood River, Iran

Eurasian Otters, Lutra lutra (Linnaeus, 1758), prey at the River Jajrood, east of Tehran, generally on fish between 3 and 21 cm in length, but the size range varied with different species and at different sites. The length of Alburnoides bipunctatus in the diet correlates with the length of fish found in the river, but a similar correlation is not found regarding Leucuscus cephalus and Capoeta spp. Otters appear to select these two species according to their size: L. cephalus and Capoeta spp. with a size between 9 and 15 cm and A. bipunctatus with a size between 3 and 9 cm. At site 2, a significant correlation was found between the length of A. bipunctatus in the diet and in the river, but there was no similar correlation for L. cephalus and Capoeta spp. As at site 1, otters appear to select L. cephalus and Capoeta spp. according to their length. At site 3, finally, we found a significant correlation between the length of A. bipunctatus and L. cephalus in the diet and in the river, but not in Capoeta spp. These results emphasise the diverse spectrum of the diet of the Otter in Iran. The differences between the three sites on the same river suggest that the Otter preys opportunistically.

Effects of bilateral eyestalk ablation on gonadal maturity, moulting and biochemical changes in the hemolymph of female Potamonpersicum crabs (Decapoda, Brachyura, Potamidae)

Adult female crabs (Potamonpersicum; n=65) were collected from the Jajrood River in the east of Tehran, Iran. Both eyestalks were removed in crabs that weighed 27.6 ± 2.1 g. Changes in the levels of glucose and protein titers in the hemolymph, the number of hemocytes, gonadal and hepatic indices, body weight and carapace length were determined. The level of glucose in the hemolymph was significantly decreased at the end of the first week following eyestalk ablation and significantly increased by the end of the second and third weeks following eyestalk removal compared to the control groups with intact eyestalk (p < 0.05). A significant increase was observed in the total protein level of the hemolymph of destalked crabs at the end of the third week compared to those in the control group (p < 0.05). The fractions of total protein showed significant changes at the end of the third week compared to the control group (p < 0.05). The mean total hemocytes count (THC) in the hemolymph was significantly increased in ablated crabs at the end of the second and third weeks compared to the control group (p < 0.05). The gonadal and hepatic indices of the ablated crabs were significantly increased and decreased, respectively, at the end of the second week compared to the control groups (p < 0.05). The mean body weight of the ablated crabs was increased significantly at the end of the second and fourth weeks compared to the control group (p < 0.05). No significant change was observed in the mean carapace length of the ablated crabs at the end of the second week, but it had increased significantly by the end of the fourth week compared to the control group (p < 0.05). The ablated crabs moulted four weeks after the removal of their eyestalks, but no precocious moulting was observed in the control group.

Habitat selection of the Eurasian Otter, Lutra lutra, in Jajrood river, Iran

The Jajrood River, with 140 km length in the east of Tehran, was selected for this study. To study otter distribution, 16 sites at about 5 km intervals were selected and otter signs, habitat parameters such as vegetation cover, river width and the presence of fish in the river were recorded for each 600 m stretch by walking its entire length. A total of 599 signs of otter presence (spraints, tracks, holts, rolling places and passes) were identified over the whole study period, the most common being spraints. Otter spraints were found in 6 of the 16 sites, and three core distribution areas were identified. A seasonal change was found in spraint frequency in the study area. Multiple linear regressions was used for predicting the variables that influence sprainting activity. Significant and positive relationships were found between the number of otter signs, the altitude and the presence of pools.

Effective contraceptive use: an exploration of theory-based influences

The purpose of this study was to explore factors that influence oral contraceptive (OC) use among women in Iran using the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) and concept of self-efficacy (SE). The study sample consisted of 360 married OC users, aged 18-49 years recruited at public health centers of Mashhad, 900 km east of Tehran. SE had the strongest association with the intent to use after the clinic visit (r = 0.784) and with actual use (r = 0.452). Family planning self-efficacy combined with TPB variables accounted for 65% of the variance for intent and 27% of the variance in behavior. The results provide support for a theory-based approach to improved family planning care that specifically addresses more effective use. Development and evaluation of culturally appropriate public education and changes in clinical efforts designed to enhance the sense of SE are discussed.

The Komisenian Dialect of Aftar

A Northwest Iranian dialect, Aftari, is grouped both diachronically and typologically together with the other dialects spoken around the town of Semnān, east of Tehran. For this group the designation Komisenian, after the old name of the province, is proposed in the article. As is the case with the neighboring Caspian dialects to the north, Aftari is the language of postpositions, and it has a relatively elaborate system of personal and demonstrative pronouns. Aftari shares with Tabari the element -enn- in the present indicative, a remnant of the Old Iranian present participle *-ant-. In terms of ergativity, Aftari holds a position somewhere between Tabari, which has none, and the Central Plateau Dialects which have preserved the system. Remnants of the Middle Iranian ergativity remain in Aftari as a distinct set of personal endings for the past transitive; in the past, these acted as agents of transitive verbs. Thus, transitivity still plays a role in the past conjugation, but there are indications that the difference is fading away, most notably in 3 rd person singular forms. The intransitive past tenses are marked by -st- preceding the personal endings, except for the 3 rd person singular, which has neither. The perfect tense has various constructions, often merging with the preterit, and thus may not be authentic to Aftari.

Molecular and phylogenetic analysis of HIV-1 variants circulating among injecting drug users in Mashhad-Iran

Genetic and phylogenetic information on the HIV-1 epidemic in Middle-East Countries, and in particular in Iran, are extremely limited. By March 2004, the Iranian Ministry of Health officially reported a cumulative number of 6'532 HIV positive individuals and 214 AIDS cases in the Iranian HIV-1 epidemic. The intra-venous drug users (IDUs) represent the group at highest risk for HIV-1 infection in Iran, accounting for almost 63% of all HIV-infected population. In this regards, a molecular phylogenetic study has been performed on a sentinel cohort of HIV-1 seropositive IDUs enrolled at the end of 2005 at the University of Mashhad, the largest city North East of Tehran. The study has been performed on both gag and env subgenomic regions amplified by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and characterized by direct DNA sequence analysis. The results reported here show that the HIV-1 subtype A is circulating in this IDUs sentinel cohort. Moreover, the single phylogenetic cluster as well as the intra-group low nucleotide divergence is indicative of a recent outbreak. Unexpectedly, the Iranian samples appear to be phylogenetically derived from African Sub-Saharan subtype A viruses, raising stirring speculations on HIV-1 introduction into the IDUs epidemic in Mashhad. This sentinel study could represent the starting point for a wider molecular survey of the HIV-1 epidemics in Iran to evaluate in detail the distribution of genetic subtypes and possible natural drug-resistant variants, which are extremely helpful information to design diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.

3rd IIW International Congress in the Middle East Tehran — Iran 01–03 December, 2003

3rd IIW International Congress in the Middle East Tehran — Iran 01–03 December, 2003

Familial clustering of obesity and the role of nutrition: Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study.

To clarify the hypothesis that parent's dietary intakes are associated with their offspring's body mass index. Observational analytical cross-sectional survey among inhabitants of district 13 in the east of Tehran. A total of 117 healthy families comprising 474 subjects including 240 offspring (3-25 y old). Weight and height were measured by a standard protocol and body mass index (kg/m(2)) was calculated. Dietary intakes were assessed by means of a 2 day dietary recall questionnaire. The prevalence of overweight was 11.8% in offspring of normal-weight parents, 19.0% in offspring of overweight fathers and normal-weight mothers, 25.4% in offspring of overweight mothers and normal-weight fathers and 40.8% in offspring with both parents overweight. The Offspring's overweight was significantly and independently associated with high-energy intake of both parents (odds ratio; 95% CI 2.7; 1.6-4.5). Adjusted for the sex of parents, the chances of offspring being overweight were higher in overweight (3.8; 1.5-9.2) and high-energy-intake mothers (2.6; 1.2-5.6) and high-energy-intake fathers (2.0; 1.1-3.9) as compared with children of normal-weight parents. High fat intake of husbands was an independent risk factor increasing the chances of their wives being overweight (2.1; 1.5-3.6) and vice versa (1.8; 1.2-2.8). The observed familial obesity pattern was shown to be associated with the familial dietary intakes. Hence, familial intervention seems essential to stop the accelerated rise in the prevalence of overweight and obesity in our community.

Second IIW International Congress in the Middle East Tehran — Iran, 10–13 March 2002

Second IIW International Congress in the Middle East Tehran — Iran, 10–13 March 2002