Showing 5 results for Erfani
F.a. Nakhjavani, F. Bonakdar Hashemi, M.t. Kalani, B. Kazemi, K. Nouri, N. Azadi, M. Haghi Ashtiani, M. Aligholi, U. Erfani, M. Abedini,
Volume 19, Issue 2 (8-2005)
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Background: A polymerase
chain reaction (PCR) assay with primers from "hpd" gene was compared
with culture for the detection of Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) in CSF
samples from children suspected of meningitis.
Methods: 300 cerebrospinal
fluid (CSF) samples from suspected meningitis cases were studied by culture (Leventhal
& Chocolate Agar) and PCR.
Results: The latter method
could detect Hib in all 5 culture positive and in 2 of 295 culture negative
cases, showing sensitivity, specificity, and an accuracy index of 100%, 99% and
99%, respectively. The PCR result was available within a day.
Conclusion: This study has
shown that PCR is a rapid, sensitive, and specific diagnostic test for Hib from
CSF samples. Futthermore, to maximize management of meningitis cases to reduce
the morbidity, mortality, and complications of invasive Hib infection a
combination of culture and PCR is necessary for the detection ofHib infection. The
incidence ofHib meningitis among children in Children's Medical Center in Tehran
based on culture and PCR results were 2.4% and 1.7% respectively. Based on culture
results, Hib causes 15.6% of all cases ofbacte1ial meningitis in children.
Abbas Abbasi-Ghahramanloo, Sepideh Soltani, Ali Gholami, Mohammadreza Erfani, Somayeh Yosaee,
Volume 30, Issue 1 (1-2016)
Abstract
Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS), a combination of coronary heart disease and diabetes mellitus risk factor, refer to one of the most challenging public health issues in worldwide. The aim of this study was to identify the subgroups of participants in a study on the basis of MetS components.
Methods: The cross-sectional study took place in the districts related to Tehran University of Medical Sciences. The randomly selected sample consists of 415 subjects. All participants provided written informed consent. Latent class analysis was performed to achieve the study’s objectives. Analyses were conducted by using proc LCA in SAS 9.2 software.
Results: Except systolic and diastolic blood pressure, the prevalence of all MetS components is common in female than male. Four latent classes were identified: (a) non MetS, (b) low risk, (c) high risk, and (d) MetS. Notably, 24.2% and 1.3% of the subjects were in the high risk and MetS classes respectively.
Conclusion: Most of the study participants were identified as high risk and MetS. Design and implementation of preventive interventions for this segment of the population are necessary.
Masoumeh Erfani Khanghahi, Farbod Ebadi Fard Azar,
Volume 32, Issue 1 (2-2018)
Abstract
Background: Evaluation is one of the most important aspects of medical education. Thus, new methods of effective evaluation are required in this area, and direct observation of procedural skills (DOPS) is one of these methods. This study was conducted to systematically review the evidence involved in this type of assessment to allow the effective use of this method.
Methods: Data were collected searching such keywords as evaluation, assessment, medical education, and direct observation of procedural skills (DOPS) on Google Scholar, PubMed, Science Direct, SID, Medlib and Google and by searching unpublished sources (Gray literature) and selected references (reference of reference).
Results: Of 236 papers, 28 were studied. Satisfaction with DOPS method was found to be moderate. The major strengths of this evaluation method are as follow: providing feedback to the participants and promoting independence and practical skills during assessment. However, stressful evaluation, time limitation for participants, and bias between assessors are the main drawbacks of this method. Positive impact of DOPS method on improving student performance has been noted in most studies. The results showed that the validity and reliability of DOPS are relatively acceptable. Performance of participants using DOPS was relatively satisfactory. However, not providing necessary trainings on how to take DOPS test, not providing essential feedback to participants, and insufficient time for the test are the major drawbacks of the DOPS tests.
Conclusion: According to the results of this study, DOPS tests can be applied as a valuable and effective evaluation method in medical education. However, more attention should be paid to the quality of these tests.
Azar Moezy, Azadeh Erfani, Ali Mazaherinezhad, Seyed Ali Javad Mousavi,
Volume 32, Issue 1 (2-2018)
Abstract
Background: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), in addition to its respiratory problems, is accompanied by several musculoskeletal consequences. The aim of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of eccentric exercise in the form of downhill walking (DW) on respiratory capacity, physical function and quality of life (QOL) in patients with COPD.
Methods: The randomized controlled trial was carried out during 2014 - 2015 in Hazrat-e-Rasool Hospital in Tehran, Iran. The study design was as an assessor blind RCT on 32 patients with COPD that randomly assigned to the eccentric training (ET) and control (CON) groups. Patients in ET group received a 12-week DW exercise on the treadmill while the patients in the control group were only treated by COPD conventional medications and walked on paved surfaces. Functional tests, FEV1, FEV1 to FVC and St. George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) were used to assess the subject’s physical status and QOL pre and post-intervention.
Results: The FEV1 (p=0.008), FEV1/FVC (p=0.002), six-minute walk test (p=0.029), timed up & go test (p=0.023), SGRQ symptom (p=0.022), SGRQ activity (p=0.007), SGRQ impact (p=0.033) and total score of SGRQ (p=0.013) improved significantly in the ET group compare to the CON group.
Conclusion: DW could have positive influence on physical status and QOL of patients with COPD.
Jamshid Mehrzad, Mahdieh Dayyani, Mohammadreza Erfanian-Korasani,
Volume 34, Issue 1 (2-2020)
Abstract
Background: Several environmental and genetic factors have contributed to the development of colorectal cancer (CRC). We aimed to investigate the independent and combined effects of some selected risk factors and Arg399Gln XRCC1 polymorphism on CRC.
Methods: A total of 180 patients with CRC and 160 healthy individuals who were matched for sex, age, and place of residence (Northeast of Iran) participated in this case-control study. Before collecting blood samples and filling out questionnaires, a written consent form was obtained from all participants. Genotypes were determined by RFLP-PCR. The comparison of genotype and allele frequencies was performed using p value based on the results of chi-square test. The odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated by employing a logistic regression model. All statistical calculations were performed using SPSS. Each of the 2-sided p values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant.
Results: The level of literacy, physical activity, consumption of vegetables and fruits, and tea intake of the patients were significantly lower than healthy individuals, but gastrointestinal disorders, family history of cancer, BMI, and fast food consumption were significantly higher in cases than in controls. No significant difference was observed between the 2 groups regarding smoking, opioid addiction, alcohol consumption, diet, fish consumption, and liquid intake, using the kitchen hood, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Arg/Gln + Gln/Gln and Arg/Gln genotypes were involved in increased CRC risk (The crude OR =1.781 with a 95% CI of 1.156-2.744 and OR = 1.690 with a 95% CI of 0.787-3.630). Also, Gln/Gln genotype was more frequent in CRC group than in control group. However, none of the risk factors interacted with polymorphism, and thus did not have an effect on CRC.
Conclusion: Some risk factors, such as reducing the consumption of vegetables and fruits or reducing physical activity as well as polymorphism of the XRCC1 Arg399Gln alone, increase the risk of CRC, but they do not interact with each other.
