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Background: Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) are the foundation of spermatogenesis, because they have the capacity of self-renewal, and differentiation into spermatozoa. Freezing is the most common long-term preservation approach for SSCs. The present study aimed to investigate the cryoprotective impacts of FBS (Fetal Bovine Serum) and trehalose on caprine SSCs. Materials and Methods: SSCs were isolated from prepubertal goat testis by enzymatic digestion and differential plating. Cells were divided into 9 groups. The control group included SSCs without cryoprotective agents. In the treatment groups 1, 2, 3 and 4, concentration of 10% FBS, and various concentrations of trehalose (0, 50, 100 and 200 mM), and in the treatment groups 5, 6, 7, and 8, concentration of 20% FBS and various concentrations of trehalose (0, 50, 100 and 200 mM) were used respectively. The viability rate of the cells was assessed immediately after isolation, following addition of cryoprotectant agents and after thawing. Identification of cells was confirmed by immunocytochemical staining against PGP9.5 antigen. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA test. Results: The viability rate of SSCs in various treatments following addition of FBS and trehalose were similar to viable cells immediately after isolation. Furthermore, higher viability rates of SSCs after thawing were observed in freezing medium containing 10% FBS and 200 mM trehalose (P

Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) maintain spermatogenesis through self-renewal and differentiation. The proliferation of SSCs in culture systems can provide a valuable source of germ cells. Several studies have investigated new reproductive technologies, including the production of transgenic animals and recombinant proteins secreted from milk in goats. While studies in other species exist, research on goat SSC culture remains limited. We investigated the impact of different testosterone concentrations on the survival and colonisation of cocultured goat SSCs with Sertoli cells. Cells were isolated from immature goats using two-step enzymatic digestion and enriched by differential exclusion method. DMEM/F12 culture medium containing 1% antibiotic and 5% FBS, supplemented with GDNF (20 ng/mL), EGF, bFGF and LIF (10 ng/mL), was used with different testosterone concentrations (0, 60, 120 and 240 μg/mL) and cultured for 10 days. SC subpopulations were confirmed using PGP9.5 immunocytochemistry, and the expression of germ cell markers (ID-4, UCHL-1, THY-1, β1-integrin, BCL6B, VASA, PLZF and OCT-4) was evaluated through RT-PCR. Alkaline phosphatase activity provided additional SSC presence. The survival rate of SSCs after isolation and the number and area of colonies on Days 4, 7 and 10 were measured using an inverted microscope. The presence of PGP 9.5 antigens and germ cell markers (ID-4, UCHL-1, THY-1, β1-integrin, BCL6B, VASA, PLZF and OCT-4) was confirmed by immunocytochemistry and RT-PCR, respectively. According to the results, the group with 60 μg/mL testosterone had the highest number and area of colonies. The number of colonies in the 60 μg/mL testosterone group was significantly higher than the control group (p < 0.05), but no significant difference was observed compared to other groups (p ≥ 0.05). This study suggests that a low testosterone concentration (60 μg/mL) is optimal for goat SSC colonisation and viability in coculture with Sertoli cells, potentially leading to advancements in goat reproductive technologies., (© 2024 Wiley‐VCH GmbH. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Background: Dengue fever (DF) is one of the most prevalent arboviral infections worldwide. In Iran, the dengue-positive serological cases as well as the presence of the dengue vector Aedes aegypti have raised health concerns, highlighting the need to enhance the dengue surveillance system. This study aims to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of healthcare professionals (HCPs) regarding dengue fever in a large and high-risk region of southeastern Iran., Methods: A total of 492 HCPs were recruited using a multi-stage sampling method from May 2022 to July 2023. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire. Data analysis was done using independent t-tests, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), one-factor and multi-factor general linear models, and simple and multiple regression models., Results: About two-thirds (71%) of the participants did not receive any training on DF. A small percentage of participants were familiar with ovitrap (32.6%) and only 21.7% knew that destroying larval breeding sites could not eliminate the dengue vector. The knowledge of disease symptoms among HCPs was found to be lower in border areas compared to non-border areas (P = 0.018). However, the practice situation in HCPs working in border areas was better than in non-borders (P = 0.003). According to the multiple regression model, the most influential factors associated with knowledge, attitude, and practice were the type of healthcare facility and passing the DF training course. Additionally, education level, work experience, and gender were identified as other factors associated with it, respectively. Significant correlations were found between knowledge and practice (P < 0.001), indicating that higher knowledge led to better practice. Similarly, a positive attitude was significantly linked to better practice (P < 0.001)., Conclusion: Regular, targeted, and continuous training courses are necessary to improve the knowledge level of HCPs, particularly those with lower education levels working in low-level health centers. Utilizing comprehensive dengue KAP studies to evaluate the status and impact of health education programs and identify gaps between knowledge and practice should be a research priority., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

The critical role of groundwater in meeting diverse needs, including drinking, industrial, and agricultural, highlights the urgency of effective resource management. Excessive groundwater extraction, especially in coastal regions including Urmia Plain in NW Iran, disrupts the equilibrium between freshwater and saline boundaries within aquifers. Influential parameters governing seawater intrusion-groundwater occurrence (G), aquifer hydraulic conductivity (A), the height of groundwater level above the mean sea level (L), distance from the shore (D), impact of the existing status of seawater intrusion (I), and thickness of the saturated aquifer (T)-merge to shape the GALDIT vulnerability index for coastal aquifers. This study enriches the GALDIT framework by incorporating two additional hydrogeological variables: hydraulic gradient (i) and pumping rate (P). This expansion produces seven distinct vulnerability maps (GALDIT, GAiDIT, GAiDIT-P, GALDIT-i, GALDIT-iP, GALDIT-P, GAPDIT). In the Urmia Plain, the traditional GALDIT index reveals vulnerability values ranging from 2 to 8.1, categorized into six classes from negligible to very high vulnerability. However, the modified indices, GAiDIT and GAiDIT-P, yield a three-class categorization, ranging from low to high vulnerability. The introduction of the "i" and "P" parameters in GALDIT-i and GALDIT-iP enhances the precision of vulnerability mapping, altering class distribution and intensifying vulnerability ratings. The eastern, central, and coastal areas of the Urmia Plain demonstrate high to very high vulnerability levels, in contrast to the lower vulnerability observed in the western regions. Both the GALDIT-P (r = 0.82) and GALDIT-iP (r = 0.81) indices show strong correlations with Cl concentration, thereby improving mapping accuracy over the traditional GALDIT index (r = 0.72). A sensitivity analysis highlights the critical influence of the "i" parameter, suggesting its weighting should be revised. Parameter recalibration serves to amplify the significance of "G," "L," "D," and "i" parameters, while diminishing others. The integration of multiple hydrogeological variables considerably enhances the precision of groundwater vulnerability assessments., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

This paper investigates aggregated risks in aquifers, where risk exposures may originate from different contaminants e.g. nitrate-N (NO 3 -N), arsenic (As), boron (B), fluoride (F), and aluminium (Al). The main goal is to develop a new concept for the total risk problem under sparse data as an efficient planning tool for management through the following methodology: (i) mapping aquifer vulnerability by DRASTIC and SPECTR frameworks; (ii) mapping risk indices to anthropogenic and geogenic contaminants by unsupervised methods; (iii) improving the anthropogenic and geogenic risks by a multi-level modelling strategy at three levels: Level 1 includes Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) and Support Vector Machines (SVM) models, Level 2 combines the outputs of Level 1 by unsupervised Entropy Model Averaging (EMA), and Level 3 integrates the risk maps of various contaminants (nitrate-N, arsenic, boron, fluoride, and aluminium) modelled at Level 2. The methodology offers new data layers to transform vulnerability indices into risk indices and thereby integrates risks by a heuristic scheme but without any learning as no measured values are available for the integrated risk. The results reveal that the risk indexing methodology is fit-for-purpose. According to the integrated risk map, there are hotspots at the study area and exposed to a number of contaminants (nitrate-N, arsenic, boron, fluoride, and aluminium)., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Background: Major depression disorder (MDD) is a mental disorder that affects millions of people worldwide. This disease has negative impacts on quality of life and psychological-related functions. This is a multifactorial disorder; both genetic background and environmental factors have their role. Antidepressants are prescribed as the first line of treatment for patients with depressive disorders. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants are used to treat MDD and anxiety; however, some patients do not respond to them. Regarding that, magnesium plays a major role in mood regulation; therefore, this study aimed to investigate the role of magnesium supplement in patients with MDD and under an SSRI treatment regimen., Methods: In this randomized, double-blind controlled trial, 60 patients with major depressive disorders based on the DSM-V diagnosis referred to Golestan Hospital in Ahvaz, Iran, were included. The eligible patients were categorized randomly into two thirty-people groups receiving magnesium (intervention) and placebo (control) along with SSRI for 6 weeks. To evaluate the depression status, the Beck II test was applied. Subjects were examined before and after the intervention., Results: There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of demographic characteristics ( P > 0.05). The mean Beck scores at the beginning of the study and the second week after the intervention were not different between the two groups ( P = 0.97, P = 0.56), whereas the mean Beck scores were lower in the intervention group than in the control group in the fourth and sixth weeks after the intervention ( P = 0.02 and P = 0.001, respectively)., Conclusion: Administration of Mg supplement for at least 6 weeks might improve depression symptoms. It can also be considered as a potential adjunct treatment option for MDD patients who are under SSRI treatment., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright: © 2023 Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care.)

Background: The present study aimed to investigate the prognostic value of porta-hepatis lymphadenopathy (PHL) in children with hepatitis A virus., Methods: The present prospective cohort study included 123 pediatric patients with a definite diagnosis of hepatitis A who were divided into two groups based on the presence or absence of PHL in their abdominal ultrasound: Group A included the patients with a porta-hepatis lymph node of >6 mm in diameter, whereas the patients with a porta-hepatis lymph node of <6 mm in diameter were classified in Group B. The patients were also classified based on the presence or absence of para-aortic lymphadenopathy: Group C had bisecting para-aortic lymph nodes, whereas Group D did not have such findings in their ultrasound. Afterward, the groups were compared in laboratory investigation results and hospital stay., Results: According to our results, Group A ( n = 57) was significantly higher in aspartate and alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase levels compared to Group B ( P < 0.05), whereas these two groups were not significantly different in the hospital stay. Furthermore, except bilirubin, all laboratory test results were significantly higher in Group C ( n = 3) than in Group D. However, there was no significant correlation between the patients' prognosis with the absence or presence of porta-hepatis or para-aortic lymphadenopathy., Conclusion: We concluded that there was no significant relationship between porta-hepatis or para-aortic lymphadenopathy and the prognosis of the children with hepatitis A. However, ultrasound findings can help determine the disease severity in pediatric patients with hepatitis A., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they are not financially or personally related to other people or organizations., (Copyright: © 2022 Journal of Medical Ultrasound.)

One of the appropriate ways to prevent groundwater contamination is identifying the vulnerable areas of the aquifers. The DRASTIC framework, for assessing the intrinsic vulnerability of the aquifer, is a common method which uses a specific parameter's weight and a uniform distributed contaminant in overall the aquifer. Therefore, it should be calibrated for specific aquifer and contaminant distribution conditions. In this research, random forest (RF) and genetic algorithm (GA) methods were used for DRASTIC framework optimization in Miandoab plain (NW of Iran). In optimizing the basic DRASTIC framework (BDF) using GA, decision variables are the weight of DRASTIC parameters and weight values for each data layer are the outputs of the optimization. The final optimized map (BDF-GA map) was obtained using overlaying the layers with optimized weights based on the GA method. In optimization of BDF using RF, the model is made up of from 1 to 100 trees and the m parameter or split variables was optimized by changing the number of variables between one and the maximum variables of each subset. Also, the feature selection method is used to reduce the dimensions and increase the accuracy of the model. To induct the nitrate contaminant model, raster layer data of 7 BDF parameters, together with the target variable (VI of BDF map), were used. In the final step, variables' importance was identified by the RF method and then, the vulnerability map was obtained based on variable importance. In validation and comparison of methods with CI and ROC methods, the BDF-RF method with the higher CI and ROC values was ranked as the most accurate approach in groundwater vulnerability evaluation. The optimized map using the RF method (BDF-RF map) showed that 14.5, 13, 18, 26.5, and 28% of the plain are located in areas with very low, low, moderate, high, and very high vulnerability categories, respectively., (© 2021. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH, DE part of Springer Nature.)

Aim: Transferring an accurate copy of the patient's soft and hard tissue to the dental laboratory is of essential importance. Various methods of implant impression have different outcomes on dimensions of final cast. This study aimed to compare two methods of implant impression on abutment level with and without impression coping on two parallel implants., Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, a resin model with two holes for fixing the implant was made. The first and second implants had a 4 and 11 mm distance to canine respectively. In this study two methods were used for impression: first was direct (without impression coping) and second was indirect (with the impression coping). Ten impressions were prepared for a total of 10 stone casts. For analyzing the abutment analogs positions, each cast was analyzed using a cruicial malformation and malarticulatoin (CMM) in three dimensions (X, Y, and Z). The difference in dimensions of final casts and laboratory models were analyzed using Independent t-test., Results: The results did not show a significant difference between direct and indirect methods in Z and Y axis in absolute transmission (Δr). The dimensional changes in the X-axis in the direct method was 0.647 ± 0.155 which is 0.067 ± 0.146 more than the indirect method. A significant difference (p = 0.044) was observed between the two methods in X-axis., Conclusion: Based on the results, this research found the indirect impression on abutment surface to be more accurate than the direct one. In general, two methods were not significantly different, and dentists can use the simple method of the direct impression for making implant prosthetics., Clinical Significance: Reconstruction of implant's accurate position in the process of impression, along with a tension-free insertion, is the first step in having an accurate prosthesis. Abutment level impression with the impression coping is slightly more accurate than the one without impression coping.

New self-assembled architectures have received great interest in nanotechnology, and are a highly desired target in recent studies. Among self-assembled architectures, noble metal aerogels are an important class owing to their collective characters as well as widespread applications. The synthesis of noble metal aerogels still faces several obstacles such as long hydrogel creation time and complicated multistep strategies. In this paper, we propose an efficient and useful approach to create the three-dimensional network of a Pd-Cu aerogel. This way offers a number of advantages including one-pot synthesis, simplicity, and short time to prepare the hydrogel. The Pd-Cu aerogel was prepared by the reduction of H 2 PdCl 4 and CuCl 2 in the presence of sodium carbonate by using glyoxylic acid monohydrate as a reducing agent followed by supercritical CO 2 drying. The Pd-Cu aerogel was applied as an anode catalyst for electrooxidation process of formic acid, and depicts much higher electrocatalytic activity and durability compared to the Pd/C. We believe that the exceptional three-dimensional nanostructures fabricated by this route are powerful and promising catalysts for application in direct formic acid fuel cells (DFAFCs), which may open great opportunities for widespread applications such as catalysis, sensors, optoelectronics, electrochemical energy systems, etc., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts to declare., (This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry.)

Constructing accurate and reliable groundwater risk maps provide scientifically prudent and strategic measures for the protection and management of groundwater. The objectives of this paper are to design and validate machine learning based-risk maps using ensemble-based modelling with an integrative approach. We employ the extreme learning machines (ELM), multivariate regression splines (MARS), M5 Tree and support vector regression (SVR) applied in multiple aquifer systems (e.g. unconfined, semi-confined and confined) in the Marand plain, North West Iran, to encapsulate the merits of individual learning algorithms in a final committee-based ANN model. The DRASTIC Vulnerability Index (VI) ranged from 56.7 to 128.1, categorized with no risk, low and moderate vulnerability thresholds. The correlation coefficient (r) and Willmott's Index (d) between NO 3 concentrations and VI were 0.64 and 0.314, respectively. To introduce improvements in the original DRASTIC method, the vulnerability indices were adjusted by NO 3 concentrations, termed as the groundwater contamination risk (GCR). Seven DRASTIC parameters utilized as the model inputs and GCR values utilized as the outputs of individual machine learning models were served in the fully optimized committee-based ANN-predictive model. The correlation indicators demonstrated that the ELM and SVR models outperformed the MARS and M5 Tree models, by virtue of a larger d and r value. Subsequently, the r and d metrics for the ANN-committee based multi-model in the testing phase were 0.8889 and 0.7913, respectively; revealing the superiority of the integrated (or ensemble) machine learning models when compared with the original DRASTIC approach. The newly designed multi-model ensemble-based approach can be considered as a pragmatic step for mapping groundwater contamination risks of multiple aquifer systems with multi-model techniques, yielding the high accuracy of the ANN committee-based model., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: This study was carried out on Iranian female adolescents to understand health needs for the purpose of designing health promoting intervention in schools., Methods: In this exploratory qualitative study, two focus group discussion (15 teachers) and 30 individual in-depth interviews were conducted among female adolescents in the eighth grade in Zahedan, Iran. Qualitative content analysis was used for data evaluation., Results: The views of students and teachers demonstrated nine of needs including: informing students about the schools' health project aims, education and training all dimensions of health with an emphasis on mental health, use of experts in various fields for education from other organisations, employing capable and trusted counselors in schools, utilisation of a variety of teaching methods, activating reward systems for encouraging students' participation in group activities, teaching communication and the ability to establish good relationships with parents and strategies for resolving family conflict, teaching parents and students high-risk behaviours and strategies for handling them as well as reforming wrong attitudes and indigenous sub-culture., Conclusion: This study found the different needs of Iranian female students compared to other cultures about a health promoting school programme. Therefore, their contribution can provide an insight for formulating policies and intervention in schools.

Background: Selenium (Se) and zinc (Zn) have antioxidant and anticancer properties., Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the serum levels of Se and Zn and the correlation between the levels of these two elements with risk of incidence of esophageal cancer (EC) and gastric cancer (GC)., Materials and Methods: In a case-control study, we selected sixty patients with GC or EC as the intervention group and 120 age-matched individuals as the control group. Exclusion criteria were the individuals with kidney and liver failure and the consumer of dietary supplements such as Se and Zn. Measurement of serum Se was done in a graphite furnace system and atomic absorption device of Varian and of serum Zn was done by a flame photometer system (flame) and atomic absorption device of Varian., Results: In thirty patients of ECs, 90% were squamous cell carcinoma and 10% adenocarcinoma, and out of thirty patients of GCs, 90% were intestinal type and 10% diffuse type. The level of two elements in cancer patients was lower than the control group ( P < 0.05). There was no significant different between two cancer groups for level of Se and Zn, but there was a significant difference between the control group with two other groups., Conclusion: Our study confirmed the findings from previous prospective studies and randomized trials that reducing of lower levels of Se and Zn can effect on incidence of cancer., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest.

Background: Vertical root fracture (VRF) is a diagnostic challenge for dentists. Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans provide accurate three-dimensional images of teeth enabling detection of VRFs. This in-vivo study compared the accuracy of CBCT and exploratory surgery for detection of VRFs in endodontically-treated teeth., Methods: Forty endodontically-treated teeth of 40 patients with clinical signs and symptoms of VRFs were evaluated. No fracture line was detectable on periapical radiographs. The CBCT scans with limited FOV were obtained of the teeth and inspected separately by a radiologist and two endodontists. Exploratory surgery was performed for all patients as part of their treatment to ensure the presence/absence of VRF (gold standard)., Results: The kappa coefficient was 0.71 (95% CI: 0.59 to 0.84). The CBCT scans had 93% sensitivity, 78% specificity and 88% accuracy for detection of VRFs., Conclusions: The results showed low specificity of CBCT imaging in detecting VRFs in endodontically-treated teeth.

Vulnerability indices of an aquifer assessed by different fuzzy logic (FL) models often give rise to differing values with no theoretical or empirical basis to establish a validated baseline or to develop a comparison basis between the modeling results and baselines, if any. Therefore, this research presents a supervised committee fuzzy logic (SCFL) method, which uses artificial neural networks to overarch and combine a selection of FL models. The indices are expressed by the widely used DRASTIC framework, which include geological, hydrological, and hydrogeological parameters often subject to uncertainty. DRASTIC indices represent collectively intrinsic (or natural) vulnerability and give a sense of contaminants, such as nitrate-N, percolating to aquifers from the surface. The study area is an aquifer in Ardabil plain, the province of Ardabil, northwest Iran. Improvements on vulnerability indices are achieved by FL techniques, which comprise Sugeno fuzzy logic (SFL), Mamdani fuzzy logic (MFL), and Larsen fuzzy logic (LFL). As the correlation between estimated DRASTIC vulnerability index values and nitrate-N values is as low as 0.4, it is improved significantly by FL models (SFL, MFL, and LFL), which perform in similar ways but have differences. Their synergy is exploited by SCFL and uses the FL modeling results "conditioned" by nitrate-N values to raise their correlation to higher than 0.9.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), as major stem cells for cell therapy, have been studied from different aspects in preclinical and clinical settings for more than a decade. These cells modulate the immune system (humoral and cellular immune responses) in vitro by producing soluble factors (anti-inflammatory molecules) and/or making cell-cell contacts. Hence, they could be used in regenerative medicine, tissue engineering and immune therapy. MSCs-based therapy have been recently used for treatment of cancer regarding the migratory potential of these cells towards tumor cells which makes them considerable candidates, also for cell therapy in both allogeneic and autologous settings. So, this review attempts to focus on the factors secreted by MSCs such as cytokines, their functional role in mounting and controlling immune responses mediated by different immune cell subpopulations and their significance in regenerative medicine in clinical trials. Although, further studies remain to be done to increase our knowledge of regulating development mechanisms, homeostasis and tissue repair in order to provide new tools to implement the efficacy of cell therapy trials. Although MSCs have been proved safe and effective for cell therapy, there are still challenges to overcome before widely applying MSCs in clinic.

This research presents a Supervised Intelligent Committee Machine (SICM) model to assess groundwater vulnerability indices of an aquifer. SICM uses Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) to overarch three Artificial Intelligence (AI) models: Support Vector Machine (SVM), Neuro-Fuzzy (NF) and Gene Expression Programming (GEP). Each model uses the DRASTIC index, the acronym of 7 geological, hydrological and hydrogeological parameters, which collectively represents intrinsic (or natural) vulnerability and gives a sense of contaminants, such as nitrate-N, penetrating aquifers from the surface. These models are trained to modify or condition their DRASTIC index values by measured nitrate-N concentration. The three AI-techniques often perform similarly but have differences as well and therefore SICM exploits the situation to improve the modeled values by producing a hybrid modeling results through selecting better performing SVM, NF and GEP components. The models of the study area at Ardabil aquifer show that the vulnerability indices by the DRASTIC framework produces sharp fronts but AI models smoothen the fronts and reflect a better correlation with observed nitrate values; SICM improves on the performances of three AI models and cope well with heterogeneity and uncertain parameters., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: Periodontitis is the inflammation of the periodontal supporting tissues. The response of periodontal tissues to local bacteria leads to bone resorption and destruction of periodontal junction. Given the possible association between periodontitis and low bone mineral density, the aim of present study was to find if measurement of salivary biomarkers as a less invasive method, can provide an appropriate screening method for assessment of bone mineral density in patients with chronic periodontitis?, Methods: A case-control study was conducted on 53 people, including 28 patients with severe chronic periodontitis and 25 healthy people between April 2014 to March 2015 in Zahedan (southeast of Iran). Following Periodontal examination, salivary samples were collected, and the concentration of salivary calcium and phosphate were measured and reported as mg/dl. Bone mineral density of participants was measured using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry and reported as gr/cm2., Results: No significant association was found between concentrations of salivary calcium and phosphate levels with bone mineral density in either healthy people or in patients with severe chronic periodontitis, despite a significant bone density reduction (in the femur neck and lumbar spine L2-L4) in the periodontitis group compared to healthy people (P=0.006, and P=0.009 respectively)., Conclusion: Concentration of salivary calcium and phosphate do not appear to be good indicators of bone mineral density. Further prospective studies with larger sample size are recommended.

Aim: To develop and statistically optimize nanoethosomal formulation for transdermal delivery of vinpocetine as an anti-Alzheimer's drug., Materials and Methods: Box-Behnken experimental design was applied for optimization of nanoethosomes. The independent variables were phospholipid (X 1 ), Tween 80 (X 2 ) and Ethanol (X 3 ) while entrapment efficiency (Y 1 ), particle sizes (Y 2 ), elasticity (Y 3 ) and flux (Y 4 ) were the dependent variables., Results and Conclusion: Optimized nanoethosomal vinpocetine formulation with mean particle size 50.57 ± 26.11 nm showed 97.51 ± 0.86% entrapment efficiency, achieved mean transdermal flux 925.60 ± 39.80 µg/cm 2 /h and elasticity of 86.61 ± 2.88. Ex-vivo study of nanoethosomal formulation showed a significant increase flux and entrapment efficiency compared with control vinpocetine solution. Our results suggest that nanoethosome is an efficient carrier for transdermal delivery of vinpocetine as compared to its oral form.

Background: Breast cancer is one of the most common types of cancer prevalent among women worldwide. Preventive behaviors such as early diagnosis through screening tests play an important role in prevention and control of the disease. This study aimed to determine the effects of educational intervention using a health belief model on breast cancer preventive behaviors., Methods: This interventional study was conducted on 130 female employees of Zahedan University of Medical Sciences who were randomly divided into intervention and control groups. A questionnaire, made and validated by the researcher, was completed before and one month after training by the study subjects. Data were analysed using regression analysis, independent sample T-test, chi-square and Pearson's correlation coefficient using the SPSS software 18., Results: There were significant changes in the training group, following educational intervention in the awareness construct and in some constructs of the model including perceived susceptibility, perceived benefits, and perceived barriers, as well as in practice compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Nevertheless, perceived barriers remained as the only predictor in the model, such that for every unit increase in this variable, the behavior score increased by 18%., Conclusion: The use of educational intervention based on Health Belief Model had positive effect on knowledge of breast cancer preventive behaviors among participants.

The management of dental solid waste continues to be a major challenge, particularly in most healthcare facilities of the developing world. In Iran, few studies on management of dental solid waste and its composition are available. An effort has been made through this study to evaluate the hazardous and infectious status of dental solid waste, keeping in mind its possible role in cross-infection chain. For this study, 123 private dental centres and 36 public dental centres were selected and the composition and generation rate of dental solid waste produced were measured. Dental solid waste was classified to four main categories: (i) domestic-type; (ii) potentially infectious; (iii) chemical and pharmaceutical; and (iv) toxic, which constituted 11.7, 80.3, 6.3, and 1.7%, respectively, of the total. Also, the results indicated that the dental solid waste per patient per day generation rate for total, domestic-type, potentially infectious, chemical and pharmaceutical, and toxic wastes were 169.9, 8.6, 153.3, 11.2, and 3.3 g/patient/d, respectively. Furthermore, the per day generation rates for total, domestic-type, potentially infectious, chemical and pharmaceutical, and toxic wastes were 194.5, 22.6, 156.1, 12.3, and 3.4 kg/d, respectively. According to findings of this study, for best management of dental waste it is suggested that source reduction, separation, reuse, and recycling programmes be implemented and each section of dental waste be collected and disposed of separately and in accordance with related criteria.

1. The objectives of this study were to compare the hatchability, chick body and internal organs weights and plasma testosterone concentration of hatchlings after in ovo administration of royal jelly (RJ) on d 7 of incubation. 2. Fertile eggs (n = 150) were injected into the air sac or yolk sac with 0.5 ml normal saline solution or normal saline and pure RJ. The eggs were randomly divided into 5 groups of 30 eggs each: NC, control eggs receiving no injection; ASA, air sac-injected eggs given normal saline solution; ARJ, air sac-injected eggs injected with pure RJ; YSA, yolk sac-injected eggs receiving normal saline solution and YRJ, yolk sac-injected eggs given pure RJ. 3. Injection of RJ significantly decreased hatchability (46.7%) compared with injection of saline solution (68.3%). Hatchability was lower in ARJ (33.3 %) and YRJ (60.0%) groups than in the NC group (90.0%). Hatchability in ASA (70.0%) and YSA (66.66%) groups were comparable to the NC group. 4. In ovo injection of RJ into both sacs increased chicks' absolute and relative body, heart, liver and testes weights compared to the control group whereas plasma testosterone concentration was similar among the different groups. 5. It was concluded that in ovo injection of RJ may be an effective method to increase the body weight of hatched chicks as an absolute value (CWT) and chicks' internal organ weights.

Background: Osteoporosis is a major health problem worldwide and is included in the WHO list of the top ten major diseases. However, it is often undiagnosed until the first fracture occurs, due to inadequate patient education and lack of insurance coverage for screening tests., Methods and Material: In our study of 78 patients with metaphyseal long bone fractures, we searched for a correlation between anamnestic risk factors, bone-specific laboratory values, and the bone morphogenic density (BMD). Each indicator was examined as a possible diagnostic instrument for osteoporosis. The secondary aim of this study was to demonstrate the high prevalence of osteoporosis in patients with metaphyseal fractures., Results: Of our fracture patients 76.9% had decreased bone density and 43.6% showed manifest osteoporosis in DXA (densitometry) measurements. Our modified LOS Questionnaire, identifying anamnestic risk factors, correlated highly significantly (p=0.01) with reduced BMD, whereas seven bone-specific laboratory values (p=0.046) correlated significantly., Conclusion: Anamnestic risk factors correlate with pathological BMD more than bone-specific laboratory values. The LOS Questionnaire used in this study would therefore function as a cost-effective primary diagnostic instrument for identification of osteoporosis patients.

Background: Until now the exact biochemical processes during healing of metaphyseal fractures of healthy and osteoporotic bone remain unclear. Especially the physiological time courses of 25(OH)D(3) (Vitamin D) as well as PTH (Parathyroid Hormone) the most important modulators of calcium and bone homeostasis are not yet examined sufficiently. The purpose of this study was to focus on the time course of these parameters during fracture healing., Methods: In the presented study, we analyse the time course of 25(OH)D3 and PTH during fracture healing of low BMD level fractures versus normal BMD level fractures in a matched pair analysis. Between March 2007 and February 2009 30 patients older than 50 years of age who had suffered a metaphyseal fracture of the proximal humerus, the distal radius or the proximal femur were included in our study. Osteoporosis was verified by DEXA measuring. The time courses of 25(OH)D(3) and PTH were examined over an eight week period. Friedmann test, the Wilcoxon signed rank test and the Mann-Withney U test were used as post-hoc tests. A p-value ≤ 0.05 was considered significant., Results: Serum levels of 25(OH)D(3) showed no differences in both groups. In the first phase of fracture healing PTH levels in the low BMD level group remained below those of the normal BMD group in absolute figures. Over all no significant differences between low BMD level bone and normal BMD level bone could be detected in our study., Conclusions: The time course of 25(OH)D(3) and PTH during fracture healing of patients with normal and low bone mineral density were examined for the first time in humans in this setting and allowing molecular biological insights into fracture healing in metaphyseal bones on a molecural level. There were no significant differences between patients with normal and low BMD levels. Hence further studies will be necessary to obtain more detailed insight into fracture healing in order to provide reliable decision criteria for therapy and the monitoring of fracture healing.

Aims: To evaluate the accuracy and applicability of Plusoptix photoscreener in screening pre-verbal children at risk of amblyopia., Methods: In this cross-sectional population-based study 996 children aged 6-36 months were screened with the Plusoptix. The children underwent complete examinations that included a manual cycloplegic retinoscopy, slit lamp examination, cover test, the Hirschberg test and an assessment of fixation pattern. In addition, the prevalence of amblyogenic risk factors was estimated, the Plusopix measurements were compared with cycloplegic retinoscopy, and the referral criteria were modified to improve the accuracy of the device., Results: Amblyogenic hyperopia >+3.50 D, myopia >-3.00 D, astigmatism >1.50 D in the orthogonal meridian or >1.00 D in the oblique meridian, or anisometropia >1.50 D was detected in 4.7%, 0.0%, 12.3% and 0.5% of the samples, respectively. The average difference between retinoscopy and photorefraction for spherical equivalence was -0.16 ± 1.0 D (p<0.05). Testability was 98.1% for the Plusoptix. The Plusoptix vision screener referred 47.8% of these children for sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and false-negative rates of 100%, 38.7%, 19% and 100%, respectively. These same measurements with the modified referral criteria (hyperopia ≥ 2.00 D in children under 12 months and astigmatism ≥ 1.25 D) were 93.6%, 51.2%, 21.7% and 98.2%., Conclusion: The Plusoptix is a useful objective screening instrument, but still has low specificity for detecting amblyopia risk factors in the paediatric population.

Objectives: Echinococcosis is a human parasitic disease common in sheep-rearing regions, which is caused by the larval stage of Echinococcus granolosus and can involve any heart region. We report 11 cases of cardiac hydatidosis who were treated medically and surgically., Patients and Methods: Eleven patients diagnosed with cardiac echinococcosis were referred to the Cardiac Surgery Department of Shahid Madani Hospital from 1992 to 2004. Symptoms included dyspnea, palpitation, limb ischemia, fever, weight loss, hemiplegia, and loss of consciousness. Patients underwent surgical removal of the cyst followed by medical treatment until the titer of echinococcus hemaglutination test came to normal., Results: Hospital stay and recovery time were uneventful in nine patients. One patient died due to acute renal failure before hospital discharge (9%) and another patient experienced cerebral hydatidosis 12 months after surgery (probably due to cyst embolism). The other nine patients had no complications during five years of follow-up., Conclusion: Surgical excision using cardiopulmonary bypass combined with medical therapy provides the most optimal treatment for cardiac echinococcosis.

Purpose: PCNL (percutaneous nephrolithotripsy) is usually performed in the prone position. The supine position has potential advantages comparing with the prone position. Our objective is comparison between the outcome of PCNL in the complete supine position and the standard prone position., Material and Methods: A total of 80 patients who underwent PCNL from February 2008 to June 2008 evaluated in a prospective manner, were randomly divided into two groups: 40 patients underwent prone PCNL and 40 patients underwent complete supine PCNL. We performed complete supine PCNL with no rolled towel under the flank and no change in leg position. Results in both positions were compared regarding technical aspects, operative time, stone free rate, complications and hospital stay, and were analyzed using t-test and chi-square. We considered P < 0.05 as significant., Results: Regardless the position, the pelvicaliceal system could be successfully approached in all patients. Mean operative time in supine group was 74.7 +/- 25.1 min and less than prone group (106.87 +/- 17.5) with a significant statistical difference (P < 0.0001). Stone free rate was 80% and 77.5% in prone and supine position respectively. Mean hospital stay was similar in both groups. Bleeding requiring transfusion in two groups had not significant statistical difference. We had not colon injury., Conclusion: PCNL in supine position is safe, effective and suitable for the patients. It offers the potential advantages of better urethral access, less patient handling, needing drape only once, ability to perform simultaneous PCNL and ureteroscopic procedures, better control of the airway during procedures, thus reducing over-all operative time compared to traditional prone position and performing PCNL while the surgeon is sitting. It may be considered for most patients requiring PCNL.

In regenerative medicine, there is an approach to avoid expansion of the mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) before implantation. The aim of this study was to compare methods for instant MSC therapy by use of a portable, automatic and closed system centrifuge that allows for the concentration of MSCs. The main outcome measures were the amount of MSCs per millilitre of bone marrow (BM), clusters of differentiation (CD), proliferation and differentiation capacities of the MSC. A volume reduction protocol was compared to the traditional laboratory methods of isolation using a Ficoll gradient and native BM. Fifty millilitres of BM were obtained from haematologically healthy male Caucasians (n=10, age 8 to 49 years). The number of colony forming units-fibroblast (CFU-F)/ml BM was highest in the centrifuge volume reduction protocol, followed by the native BM (not significant), the centrifuge Ficoll (p=0.042) and the manual Ficoll procedure (p=0.001). The MSC of all groups could differentiate into the mesenchymal lineages without significant differences between the groups. The CD pattern was identical for all groups: CD13+; CD 44+; CD73 +; CD90+; CD105+; HLA-A,B,C+; CD14-; CD34-; CD45-; CD271-; HLA-DR-. In a further clinical pilot study (n=5) with 297 ml BM (SD 18.6), the volume reduction protocol concentrated the MSC by a factor of 14: there were 1.08 x 10(2) MSC/ml BM (standard deviation (SD) 1.02 x 10(2)) before concentration, 14.8 x 10(2) MSC/ ml BM (SD 12.4 x 10(2)) after concentration, and on average 296 x 10(2) MSC (SD 248.9 x 10(2), range 86.4-691.5 x 10(2)) were available for MSC therapy. The volume reduction protocol of the closed centrifuge allows for the highest concentration of the MSC, and therefore, is a promising candidate for instant stem cell therapy.

Background: Colorectal cancer is the second most common cause of death and illness in developed countries. Previous reviews have suggested that obesity may be associated with 30% to 60% greater risk of colorectal cancer, but little consideration was given to the possible effect of publication bias on the reported association., Methods: Relevant studies were identified through EMBASE and MEDLINE. Studies were included if they had published quantitative estimates of the association between general obesity [defined here as body mass index (BMI) > or = 30 kg/m(2)] and central obesity (measured using waist circumference) and colorectal cancer. Random-effects meta-analyses were done, involving 70,000 cases of incident colorectal cancer from 31 studies, of which 23 were cohort studies and 8 were case-control studies., Results: After pooling and correcting for publication bias, the estimated relative risk of colorectal cancer was 1.19 [95% confidence interval (95% CI), 1.11-1.29], comparing obese (BMI > or = 30 kg/m(2)) with normal weight (BMI <25 kg/m(2)) people; and 1.45 (95% CI, 1.31-1.61), comparing those with the highest, to the lowest, level of central obesity. After correcting for publication bias, the risk of colorectal cancer was 1.41 (95% CI, 1.30-1.54) in men compared with 1.08 (95% CI, 0.98-1.18) for women (P(heterogeneity) <0.001). There was evidence of a dose-response relationship between BMI and colorectal cancer: for a 2 kg/m(2) increase in BMI, the risk of colorectal cancer increased by 7% (4-10%). For a 2-cm increase in waist circumference, the risk increased by 4% (2-5%)., Conclusions: Obesity has a direct and independent relationship with colorectal cancer, although the strength of the association with general obesity is smaller than previously reported.

A trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of FGA (Fluorogestone acetate) and CIDR (Controlled internal drug release) on the induction of estrus and pregnancy and fecundity rates of the Sanjabi and Lori sheep. A total of 360 Sanjabi and Lori sheep were randomly grouped into two treatments with intravaginal devices inserted for 13 days: Group FGA (40 mg FGA, n = 180) and Group CIDR (n = 180). All ewes received an i.m. injection of 400 IU eCG (equine chorionic gonadotrophin) at devices removal. Estrous was assessed by exposing all ewes to vasectomized rams at 12 h intervals. Cervical artificial insemination was performed 12 h after estrus onset. The overall estrus response was 72.5%. The source of progestin did not influence the efficiency of estrus response but a significant difference (p<0.05) was found between the breed groups (Lori: 88.6%, Sanjabi: 58.3%). Among the sheep that received either CIDR or FGA, estrus response was significantly (p<0.05) higher in the Lori (CIDR: 82.2%, FGA: 91.1%) than in the Sanjabi (CIDR: 64.4%, FGA: 52.2%) breed. The lambing and fecundity rates for all groups were 60.2% and 1.2 +/- 0.03, respectively. No significant differences in term of the lambing and fecundity rates were recorded between CIDR and FGA groups and among Lori and Sanjabi breed. The results of this study indicate the source of progestin or sheep breed did not influence the pregnancy and fecundity rates. The sheep breed influences the estrous response rate while the source of progestin did not affect the estrous response.

The present study was conducted during the period May 2003 to October 2003 in 616 children less than three years of age with and without diarrheal disease presenting at the pediatric clinic of teaching hospitals in Kermanshah, Iran. Single stool specimens were collected from 515 diarrheic and 99 non-diarrheic children. Two smears were made from each stool samples and were stained by a modified Ziehl Neelsen technique. Cryptosporidium parvum (C. parvum) were detected in 10.4% of children. The C. parvum infection rate was significantly higher in diarrheic children (11.6%) than in non-diarrheic children (4.0%). C. parvum was observed more frequently in stool samples of children who lived in rural areas (15.2%) than those who lived in urban areas (7.2%). In regard to the presence of animals, the infection rate was 18.5% among children who lived in association with animals in comparison with 8.2% among those who lived in compounds with no animals. The majority of C. parvum cases occurred in children between the ages of 0-12 months (11.9%), followed by in children between the ages of 13-24 months (9.2%) and in children between the ages of 25-36 months (3.0%). The data suggest that C. parvum is relatively endemic in young children and that Cryptosporidium may be an important pathogen associated with diarrhea in young children.

Three hundred and nine strains of Escherichia coli isolated from infants and children with diarrhoea but not belonging to any recognised classes of diarrhoeagenic E. coli were investigated for their ability to adhere to HeLa cells in the presence of D-mannose. An enteroadherent-aggregative pattern (EAgg) was observed in 32.03%, localised adherence (LA) in 4.5%, diffuse adherence (DA) in 5.8%, and LA/DA and EAgg/LA in 1.9% and 1.2% of the isolates respectively. The results obtained with 100 control isolates were: EAgg 17%, LA 2%, DA 2%, LA/DA 2%, EAgg/LA 6% and DA/EAgg 1%. No adherence was manifested by 168 (54.36%) of 309 diarrhoeal isolates and 70% of the 100 control isolates. The results of this study showed that amongst non-enteropathogenic E. coli, strains exhibiting the EAgg pattern are significantly associated with diarrhoea (p < 0.005). Most of these strains showed a pattern of multiple drug resistance.

A total of 132 isolates of the Havana serovar of Salmonela enterica were studied for their adhesion to and invasion of Hela cells in the presence of D-mannose. A total of 124 (93.9%) isolates were adherent, and 51% of these were invasive. Of these 124 strains 82 (66%) adhered to HeLa cells with a pattern typical for enteroaggregative (EAgg) Escherichia coli whereas the remaining 34% adhered in a non-aggregative (non-EAgg) pattern. Of the 82 strains showing the EAgg pattern 60% were invasive whereas only 33% of the 49 non-EAgg isolates invaded HeLa cells (P < 0.01). The action of mannose-sensitive type 1 pili was inhibited by the addition of D-mannose. Therefore we conclude that type 1 pili are not important in adhesion and invasion of Havana.

A collection of 86 strains of Salmonella of serotype Typhimurium isolated from children with gastroenteritis in Tehran, Iran was examined for biochemical phenotype, phage type and antibiotic-resistance pattern. Twenty-seven biochemical phenotypes (BPTs), 14 discrete phage types (PTs) and 18 resistotypes (RTs) were identified. Fifty-three strains (62%) belonged to two major and probably related BPTs, whereas the other 33 isolates belonged to less common BPTs. The two predominant BPTs contained 26 strains of the same PT and 23 strains of the same RT. Different PTs and RTs of strains with similar BPT were sometimes observed, possibly reflecting antibiotic pressures in Iran. These results suggest that two major "clones" of Typhimurium strains are particularly common in Iran and, although each method alone adequately detected these and other less common "clones", biochemical fingerprinting provided additional information about relationships among strains.

A computerised typing method based on biochemical fingerprinting was used to investigate biochemical phenotypes (BPTs) among 70 strains of Salmonella of serotype Havana isolated from human cases of gastroenteritis in Iran and other parts of the world. A total of 16 BPTs comprising five common and 11 single phenotypes was identified. The most frequently found BPT contained 24 isolates from Iran and nine from other countries. Three common BPTs with two, seven and 15 isolates were found among Iranian strains only and one common BPT with two isolates was found among non-Iranian strains only. Antibiotic-resistance patterns and virulence properties of strains from these common BPTs suggested that they might be unique clones. Forty-two Iranian isolates shared multi-resistance to between three and seven antibiotics. In contrast, none of the isolates from other countries was resistant to antibiotics. Furthermore, 43 Iranian isolates showed mannose-resistant adhesion to HeLa cells and 24 of them possessed an aerobactin-mediated iron-uptake system, whereas none of the isolates from other countries possessed any of these virulence properties. These findings suggest that four unique clones of Salmonella Havana with different BPTs and virulence properties are common in Iran; two particular clones were responsible for a majority of Havana infections there. However, the most prevalent BPT found among Iranian strains was also common in strains from other countries. It is concluded that biochemical fingerprinting, as used in this study, is a reliable method for identifying clonal groups of Havana strains. The method is reproducible, easy to perform and can be used alone, or in combination with other typing methods, in epidemiological studies of serotype Havana.

The occurrence of colonization factor antigens I and II (CFA/I and II) and type 1 somatic pili was investigated in 197 enterotoxigenic Esch. coli (ETEC) isolated from 197 patients of diarrhoea (aged under 3 yr) during February 1985 to March 1986 in Tehran, Iran. Among ETEC strains, 154 strains were heat-stable enterotoxin (ST) producers, 27 strains were heat-labile enterotoxin (LT) producers, and 16 strains produced both toxins. Sixty five (33%) strains showed mannose-resistant haemagglutination (MRHA) of human and/or bovine erythrocytes; of these, 51 (86%) strains were positive for CFA/I and II. Seventy one (36%) strains also exhibited type 1 somatic pili. CFA/I was found in 4 (15%) LT producing, 24 (16%) ST producing, and 2 (13%) LT/ST producing strains. In contrast, CFA/II was only found in ST producing strains (17 strains) and those producing both toxins (4 strains). Patients having CFAs-positive ETEC strains had a significantly (P less than 0.001) higher number of stool evacuation per day and a longer duration of diarrhoea than those having CFAs-negative strains. Fifty nine patients had mixed infections of ETEC strains and other enteropathogens. CFA/I or II (CFAs)-positive and CFAs-negative ETEC strains were found in 17 and 42 patients with mixed infections respectively. The mean number of stool evacuations per day was much higher in patients with ETEC and rotavirus than those with only ETEC infection (P less than 0.001). However, severity of the disease was not affected by the presence or absence of CFA/I or II in ETEC strains found in these patients.

The aetiology of diarrhoeal diseases was investigated among 715 patients admitted to four Children's Hospitals in Tehran, during February 1986 to March 1987, and also among 443 patients attending the central Out-Patient Clinic in Sanandaj, State of Kordestan, during October 1986. Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) were the most common pathogens found in both areas. Almost 26.7% of the patients in Tehran and 20.1% of the patients in Sanandaj were infected with EPEC. Enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) were the next most frequent groups found (17.1% both in Tehran and Sanandaj), with heat-stable enterotoxin (ST)-producing strains being dominant. Of 122 ETEC strains isolated in Tehran, 94 (77%) strains produced ST, 15 (12.3%) strains produced heat-labile enterotoxin (LT) and 13 (10.7%) strains produced both LT and ST. Almost the same pattern of toxigenicity was observed among ETEC strains isolated in Sanadaj. Of the 76 ETEC strains isolated in this area, 70 (92.1%) strains were ST producers, followed by those producing both LT and ST (five strains) and LT only (one strain). One strain of enteroinvasive E. coli (EIEC) was also isolated from a patient in Tehran. The rates of salmonella and shigella isolation were 8.8 and 5.7% in Tehran and 3.8 and 4% in Sanandaj respectively. Enterohaemorrhagic E. coli, Vibrio cholerae and V. parahemolyticus were not isolated but a mixture of two or more pathogens was found in 59 patients (8.2%) in Tehran and in 20 patients (4.5%) in Sanandaj. These findings suggest that diarrhoegenic E. coli are the most important cause of diarrhoeal diseases in infants and young children in these areas in Iran.

508 salmonella strains isolated during 1983-1986 in Tehran, Iran from cases of diarrhoea in children less than 5 were tested for sensitivity to 10 antimicrobial drugs and their ability to transfer the resistance determinants. Salmonella typhimurium and S. havana were most common (45.7% and 30.9%, respectively) followed by S. typhi (2.9%) and S. larochelle (2.4%). The antimicrobial agents used were chloramphenicol (C), gentamicin (G), tetracycline (T), ampicillin (A), cephalothin (Cf), trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (SXT), kanamycin (K), nalidixic acid (Na), streptomycin (S), and furoxone (F). 91% of the salmonellae isolates contained resistance determinants, of which 89.6% were resistant to more than one agent. Strains resistant to 4-7 drugs comprised 85.6% of the total isolates. Ampicillin resistance was found in 85.4% and nalidixic acid in 2.7%. 58 different patterns of resistance to the antimicrobial agents used were observed, of which C/T/A/SXT/K/S and C/T/A/SXT/K/S/Cf were the most frequently encountered. 71.9% of the resistant strains contained transferable resistance factors and S. typhimurium had the highest rate of transfer (80.8%). Resistance to chloramphenicol had the highest rate of transfer among the agents used (77.4%) and streptomycin the lowest (20.0%). The pattern most frequently transferred was C/T/A/SXT/K (41.9%).