BackgroundFemale prisoners are at risk of acquiring sexually transmitted infections (STIs). There has been no previous study regarding the epidemiological status of STIs among female prisoners in Isfahan, central Iran.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of the aforementioned infections among women incarcerated in the central prison, Isfahan, to determine appropriate prevention measures.Patients and MethodsIn a cross-sectional study, all of the 163 women incarcerated in the central prison, Isfahan in 2009, were voluntarily enrolled by the census method. After completing a checklist consisting of demographic, social, and risk factors, a 5ml blood sample was taken from each individual. The sera were analyzed for markers of the hepatitis B virus (HBV; HBsAg, HBsAb, HBcAb), hepatitis C virus (HCV; HCV antibodies), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV; HIV antibodies), and syphilis (RPR). Confirmatory tests were performed on HCV antibody-positive cases.ResultsThe mean age of the participants in the study was 34.54 ± 11.2 years old, 94.3% of these women were Iranian, and many of them had only a primary level of education. The prevalence of HBsAg, HBcAb, HBsAb, and HCV antibodies were; 1.2%, 7.4%, 12.9% and 7.4% respectively. No positive RPR or HIV antibodies were detected.ConclusionsA significant relationship was seen between the HCV antibody, drug injection and illegal sex in the women, and also between HBc-Ab and drug injection. Regular screening, educational programs, and facilitation of access to suitable treatment care should be widely implemented in the prison population. Testing for immunity against HBV should be considered on admission, and afterwards vaccination of all prisoners and an appropriate preventative approach should be applied.

HEV seroprevalence in Isfahan Province is lower than that previously reported in other parts of Iran and the Middle East area. More studies in other parts of Iran are needed to obtain a prevalence map for creating preventional strategies.

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We did not find a difference between E-cadherin expression of complete and incomplete IM of stomach. However, we did not subtype intestinal metaplasia, which is one of the shortcomings in this study.We did not find a difference in the pattern of staining or percent of Ki-67 immunoreactive cells in the surface epithelium between the two groups. These results indicate an unexpectedly high proliferative activity of GIM. Further studies are needed to confirm the clinical significance of this high proliferative index and E-cadherin loss in follow up and treatment of patients with GIM.

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections are among the most occupational hazards in the world, including Iran. Barbers have continued to expose to different infectious diseases. They may often be exposed accidentally to the blood and body fluids of their customers, through needle pricks, scissor cuts, tattooing and other beauty treatments. Objectives: The aim of the present study was to determine the seroprevalence of HBV, and HCV infections and to investigate the correlation between the HBs-Ab titer and some of the risk factors in the barbers of Isfahan city, Iran. Patients and Methods:This cross-sectional seroepidemiological study was performed on 479 male and female barbers during July to September 2012 in Isfahan Province, Iran. Data were collected using a self-reporting questionnaire including demographic characteristics and main risk factors for HCV and HBV infections. A 5-mL venous blood sample was obtained from each subject. The levels of antigen and antibodies (HBs Ag, HBc Ab, HBs Ab, and HCV Ab) were measured by the enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics by SPSS software, version 16. Results: The mean age of the individuals was 39.6 ± 11.4 years. Two hundred and thirty-three cases (48.6%) were men and 246 (51.4%) were women. All the subjects were negative for HCV Ab. The seropositivity of HBV was 6.6%. No significant correlation was found between risk factors and being HBV-seropositive. Among our participants, it was found that most barbers had been exposed to razors or scissor cuts. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that both HCV and HBV infections may not constitute occupational hazards for barbers; however, it is essential to promote awareness of these risks among barbers and effective HBV vaccination should be performed among them.

Presentations e85inclusion criteria for the study. Of the 121 neonates, 89 (73.6%) presented with various risk factors for sepsis prior to or at the time of diagnosis and maternal risk factor was the highest reported (37.2%). Culture and sensitivity was negative or not conducted in about 74% of the patients. Among those with positive culture tests, methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and methicillin-resistant staphylococcus epidermidis (MRSE) constituted the most prevalent microbial isolates (32.3%). All the patients received some form of empiric antibiotic therapy, but only 26 (21.5%) received culture-directed therapy. Crystalline penicillin G plus gentamicin regimen was the most commonly prescribed empiric therapy (69.4%). There was about 9 folds difference between the acquisition costs of the most widely and the second most widely used regimen (RM 29.32 per patient vs. RM 264.74 per patient). Four patients (3.3%) died during hospitalization in the NICU and 107 (88.4%) were discharged clinically well.Conclusion: This study has an important implication in guiding policy for developing comprehensive, evidencebased practice guidelines, adherence to which may lead to improved rational antibiotics use, costs reduction and improvement of overall care of patients with neonatal sepsis.

Background: Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is still a significant clinical problem In the whole Word. It is estimated that 2 milliard people had contact with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and 400 millions suffer from CHB or its remote consequences. The study was aimed at remote analysis of the incidence of seroconversion in HBeAg/anti-HBe and HBsAg/anti-HBs after antiviral treatment and their relation to age at infection as well as evaluation of aminotransferase activity and chosen biochemical parameters.Methods: The study included 310 children (220 boys and 90 girls) with diagnosed CHB who underwent antiviral treatment with interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) or lamivudine. 177 children were treated with IFN-alpha, 25 with lamivudine and 107 children were treated with lamivudine after prior lack of response to IFN-alpha treatment. Mean age at HBV infection diagnosis was 4.14 ± 3.23 years. Mean age At the beginning of observation was 6.93 ± 3.69 years. Mean length of follow-up was 7.11 ± 2.39 years.Results: In 222 children (71.6%) seroconversion in HBeAg/anti-HBe was present -on the average 6.69 ± 3.02 after the diagnosis and 2.19 ± 1.47 after the introduction of antiviral treatment. The group of children treated with IFN-alpha was introduced 3.72 ± 2.12 years and lamivudine 6.38 ± 3.71 years after the diagnosis of HBV infection. Reverse relation was found between the incidence of seroconversion and the age at diagnosis (r = −0,30; p < 0,001). ALT and AST activity at HBV diagnosis was compared in children with and without seroconversion. Children with HBeAg/anti-HBe seroconversion had higher aminotrasferase at the diagnosis of HBV infection in comparison with patients without seroconversion. Viral load in children with seroconversion revealed significant alterations in the following years of the follow-up period in children with seroconversion (p < 0.0089). Similar changes were not present in children without seroconversion.Conclusion: Age at infection seem to be a significant factor influencing the incidence of seroconversion. ALT and AST activity at the diagnosis is a good prognostic factor of HBeAg/anti-HBe and HBsAg/anti-HBs seroconversion.