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(Received 29 Nov, 2008 ; Accepted 8 Apr, 2009)AbstractBackground and purpose: Early and accurate diagnosis of bacterial meningitis is critical concern. Optimum and rapid laboratory facilities are not routinely available for detecting the etiologic agents of meningitis. The objective of this study was the comparison of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay with culture, for the detection of bacteria in CSF samples from patients suspected of meningitis in Hospitals of Qazvin.Materials and methods: 100 CSF samples were obtained and divided in two parts. One part of samples was used for standard bacterial culture and gram staining. The remaining was used for DNA extraction. A PCR assay was performed with universal primers for 16S rDNA gene of bacteria. Performance characteristics of the test were determined.Results: The PCR method was able to detect bacteria in 36 cultures (..) positive and in 38 of 64 cultures were negative cases, showing sensitivity, Specificity of 100% and 40.6% respectively. Positive predictive value (PPV) was 48.6% and its negative predictive value (NPV) was 100%, however, Kappa coefficient showed the correlation of 2 methods to be at 0.33.Conclusion: There are advantages and disadvantages in performance characteristics of the conventional CSF culture and universal CSF 16S rDNA PCR. Therefore, it is recommended to use both methods in clinical practices, particularly in suspicious contaminated samples, with presumable presence of fastidious or slow growing bacteria and antibiotic consumption.J Mazand Univ Med Sci 2009; 19(69): 14-21 (Persian)

Objective We aimed to determine the relationship between serum glutathione peroxidase and febrile seizure. Materials & Methods In this case-control study, 43 children with simple febrile seizure (case group) were compared with 43 febrile children without seizure (control group) in terms of serum glutathione peroxidase level, measured by ELISA method. This study was conducted in Qazvin Children Hospital, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences in Qazvin, Iran in 2012-2013. The results were analyzed and compared in two groups. Results From 43 children 24 (53%) were male and 19 (47%) were female in children with simple febrile seizure, and 26 (60%) were male and 17 (40%) were female in febrile children without seizure (control group) (P=0.827). Serum glutathione peroxidase level was 166 U/ml (SD=107) in the case group and 141 U/ml (SD=90.5) in the control group of no significant difference. Conclusion There was no significant relationship between serum glutathione peroxidase and simple febrile seizure. Thus, it seems that glutathione peroxidase, an essential component of antioxidant system, does not play any role in the pathogenesis of simple febrile seizure.

Objective: Micro-RNAs (miRNAs) are a class of posttranscriptional regulators that play crucial roles in various biological processes. Emerging evidence suggests a direct link between miRNAs and development of several diseases including type 2 diabetes (T2D). In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of predicted miRNA and target genes on insulin resistance. Materials and Methods: This experimental study was conducted on the C2C12 cell line. Using bioinformatics tools miRNA-135 and two respective target genes-insulin receptor (Insr) and vesicle associated membrane protein 2 (Vamp2)- were selected as potential factors involved in insulin resistance process. Levels of glucose uptake miRNA expression and respective gene targets were determined after cell transfaction by miR-135. Results: It was determined that Insr gene expression was significantly down-regulated in miR-135 transfected C2C12 cell line (P≤0.05). Interestingly; these transfected cells have shown a significant difference in glucose uptake incomparision the positive control cells, while it was similar to the insulin resistant cell line (P≤0.05). In contrast, no significant alteration of Vamp2 gene expression was observed. Conclusion: Our data indicated no change on the Vamp2 expression level after miRNA transfection, while expression level of Insr was reduced and miR-135 expression was contrarily increased leading to poor stimulation of glucose uptake through insulin, and development of insulin resistance phenotype in C2C12 cell line.

Background: Early diagnosis and treatment of leukemia patients remains a fundamental aim in clinical oncology, especially in developing country. Present study highlights the basic requirements of these patients in Iran. Better understanding of these issues may lead to improve the healthcare standards toward leukemia diagnosis and treatment. Methods: This descriptive study included 101 specialists in hematology-oncology and pathology serving in oncology centers. The participants were then asked to fill out a standard questionnaire on the issues around diagnosis and treatment of blood malignancies. Results: According to specialists, unfair distribution of facilities across the country, delayed diagnosis of disease, absence of psychological support for patients, and insufficient financial support were the main reasons of inappropriate diagnosis and treatment in leukemia patients. Conclusions: Our results show that making an amendment to health policies by preparing well-equipped medical centers in all provinces, improving the morale of patients through consultation during the process of treatment, and above all, subsiding leukemia patients' financial problems will promote the health standard regarding the leukemia diagnosis and treatment in Iran.