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Biomedical subjects

F Ansari

Publications and source records attributed to F Ansari.

12 recordsLinked to original sources

Application of attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectrometry to the determination of cephalosporin C in complex fermentation broths.

An analytical procedure has been developed for quantitative determination of cephalosporin C in complex fermentation broths. The method is based on the partial least-square treatment of data obtained by attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectrometric method in the wavenumber range of 1227-1257 cm(-1). Absorbance spectra were employed for measurement using a set of eleven binary aqueous standard solutions of cep halosporin C and deacetoxycephalosporin C. The method is simple, rapid and accurate (to within +/-1.49%). The developed method has been used to measure cephalosporin C in aqueous solution of biosynthetic samples only after freeze drying the sample at -30 degrees C and dissolving it in distilled water.

Calibration↗

Clonal identity of Candida albicans in the oral cavity and the gastrointestinal tract of pre-school children.

The clonal relationship between oral and fecal Candida albicans isolated from children of pre-school age was examined using RAPD analysis. Significantly higher levels of C. albicans were found in saliva, dental plaque, carious specimens and stools of 56 patients with severe caries as compared to 52 healthy control subjects. The highest prevalence was found in carious specimens and a strong correlation was observed between its presence in saliva, dental plaque, carious specimen and feces. RAPD analysis of isolates from 23 patients with simultaneous oral and fecal C. albicans revealed clonal counterparts present in both oral and stool samples in 15 cases; five patients harbored closely related strains; and three patients harbored unrelated strains. Our results demonstrate a strong correlation between oral and gastrointestinal C. albicans colonization. We assume that carious teeth may constitute an ecologic niche for C. albicans potentially responsible for recurrent oral and non-oral candidiasis.

Abscess↗

Quasi-distributed fiber-optic strain sensor: principle and experiment.

Sensors capable of making distributed measurements allow for monitoring of the entire structure. Optical fiber sensors are especially attractive for this purpose, since they are geometrically versatile and can be readily integrated within various types of structure and material. Development and characteristics of a quasi-distributed intrinsic fiber-optic strain sensor based on white-light interferometry are described. The research presented here describes the development of a new optical fiber sensor system for measurement of structural strains based on double white-light interferometry. Individual segments of single-mode optical fibers forming a common-path interferometer are linked in series, and a scanning white-light interferometer provides for distributed sensing of strain signals from various locations in the structure. The system is configured for automatic compensation of drift due to environmental effects, i.e., temperature and vibration. Strain gauges were employed for comparison and verification of strain signals as measured by the new system. The experimental results demonstrate the linearity of the system and the capability for distributed sensing of strains.

Journal Article↗

Utilization review of systemic antiinfective agents in a teaching hospital in Tehran, Iran.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the pattern of systemic antiinfective use in Bouali teaching hospital (BH) within a standardized methodology. METHODS: To perform a standardized and repeatable study, the Anatomic-Therapeutic-Chemical classification and defined daily dose (ATC/DDD) methodology was used for the first time in Iran. The number of systemic antiinfectives (J class) prescribed for inpatients over a period of 6 months was converted to DDDs. DDD per 100 bed-days was used as a quantitative indicator, and the expenditure share of these drugs was computed. Data were compared with those of similar studies in other countries. RESULTS: Total prescription of systemic antiinfectives was 101.92 DDD/100 bed-days, of which 62% related to parenteral forms. 58% to broad-spectrum agents, and 40.2% to broad-spectrum parenteral agents. The five most commonly used drugs were ampicillin, cefazolin, ceftizoxime, gentamicin, and cefalexin. Antiinfectives prescribed for inpatients accounted for 25.2% of total drug sales of the hospital pharmacy. Most prescriptions occurred in infectious diseases ward. followed by the intensive care unit, gynecology, obstetrics, and ear-nose-throat wards. CONCLUSION: Prescribing patterns in different wards, relationships between use and cost. and monthly variations are identified and discussed. High utilization rate and irrational prescription of antiinfectives in BH, along with inadequate hospital and national drug policies may be concluded from this study. Drug utilization research study is a useful tool to highlight patterns of drug use.

Anti-Infective Agents↗

Use of systemic anti-infective agents in Iran during 1997-1998.

OBJECTIVE: Conduction of standardized national drug utilization review to investigate the pattern of systemic anti-infective agent use in Iran. METHODS: The wholesale data were used. The Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) classification and the defined daily dose (DDD) methodology was employed. Data were presented as DDD/1,000 inhabitants"day. Results were compared using national drug statistics of Norway, Sweden, and Denmark. RESULTS: The overall sales of systemic anti-infective agents was 43.5 DDD/1,000 inhabitants/day. The parenteral form of drug accounted for 4.20% and broad-spectrum systemic antibacterial agents accounted for 86.2%. The three most commonly used agents, accounting for 74.1% of total sales, were amoxicillin, co-trimoxazole, and ampicillin. Seven kinds of anti-infective agents (17% of total available agents) accounted for 90% of antibacterial use, with dominance of broad-spectrum agents. Comparison showed differences in pattern and intensity of use. The sales of systemic anti-infective agents in general, particularly antibacterials and anti-tuberclotics, were greater in Iran than in three European countries. Broad-spectrum antibacterial agents accounted for a larger proportion of total sales in Iran. CONCLUSION: The high use of systemic antibacterial agents in general, particularly broad-spectrum agents, suggest the possibility of irrational prescribing, higher prescribed daily doses than DDDs, and a drug wastage. This survey, as a first attempt, provided an overview of anti-infective use in Iran. Thus, it may serve as a basis for further investigative studies and advanced drug policies.

Amoxicillin↗

Controlled trial of the prolactin inhibitor bromocriptine (Parlodel) in the treatment of severe cyclical mastalgia.

Fifty pre-menopausal women with severe and persistent cyclical mastalgia entered this randomised, double-blind, parallel group study comparing bromocriptine and placebo. Patients were treated for three months followed by a further three months on the same medication if treatment was satisfactory. Symptoms were assessed before treatment and after one, two and three months of treatment. For patients whose mastalgia was not controlled after three months, the treatment code was broken and either the dose of bromocriptine increased or the patient given active medication instead of placebo. Bromocriptine, compared with placebo, caused a significant (p less than 0.01) and sustained improvement in breast pain, tenderness and nodularity together with a reduction in serum prolactin levels (p less than 0.01). Adverse events were experienced by 9/23 (39 per cent) of patients taking bromocriptine and 2/22 (nine per cent) taking placebo. The majority of side effects reported were mild or moderate. This study shows that bromocriptine, at a dose of 5 mg/day for three months, effectively controls the symptoms of cyclical mastalgia with minimal side effects.

Adult↗

Iron status and socioeconomic determinants of the quantity and quality of dietary iron in a group of rural Iranian women.

Iron intake and status were investigated in 471 mothers (age range: 16-53 years) from rural areas in Khorramabad, Islamic Republic of Iran. Although average total iron intake was acceptable, only 6.4% of women derived at least 4% of their total intake from animal iron. Average energy and protein intakes were inadequate. Low iron status was seen in 8.2%-28.7%, depending on the parameter used, with 28.3% experiencing iron-deficiency anaemia. Significantly higher animal iron intakes were found in literate or employed women, or those of family size fewer than six people. Increasing employment opportunities, income levels and literacy rates for women will result in better iron intake and status and should receive particular attention in national planning.

Adolescent↗