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Introduction: Gastric ulcer caused by Helicobacter pylori is one of the common diseases in humans, which is transmitted through eating and drinking. This bacterium has the ability to settle in the stomach of some animal species, including dogs and cats. In some cases, the carrier animals are the source of infection for humans. The present study aimed to assess the amount of Helicobacter pylori infection in people having contact with pets, and the pets themselves in Isfahan. Material & Methods: To dis end, 115 fecal samples were taken from the owners of domestic dogs and cats and microbial culture and polymerase chain reaction tests were performed to identify Helicobacter pylori. Results: The results indicated that 36% of domestic dog owners, 80% of domestic cat owners, and 8% of dogs themselves were infected. In addition, no positive cases of infection were observed in cats. In the chi square test (Pearson's test), the infection of domestic dogs and cats showed a significant relationship with the infection of their owners (P<0.05). Discussion & Conclusion: The relatively significant infection of dogs to Helicobacter pylori and the possibility of its transmission to humans makes the observation of health care more important more than ever. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: The bacterium Capnocytophaga canimorsus is a relatively newly recognized gram-negative, facultative, slow-growing bacillus that forms part of the normal oral flora of dogs and cats. Considering the pathogenicity of this bacterium in humans, determining its prevalence is very important for public health as well as the health of dog owners. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to investigate the prevalence of Capnocytophaga canimorsus in the normal oral flora of healthy dogs. METHODS: After taking samples from the saliva of 32 healthy dogs without oral, dental or digestive diseases at different ages, breeds, and sexes, they were placed in a test tube containing 10 mL of sterile peptone water with sterile plastic brushes, and immediately sent to the bacteriology laboratory under sterile conditions. The samples were cultured on a chocolate agar medium containing 5 % defibrinated sheep blood. Then, all the samples were kept in a greenhouse for 48 hours at a temperature of 37 °C and under anaerobic conditions. Using a loop, the grown pink colonies were isolated and to confirm the identification of the isolates, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test was used in three main steps: Gene extraction, PCR reaction, and electrophoresis. RESULTS: Out of 32 saliva samples, four positive cases of Capnocytophaga canimorsus bacteria were identified by PCR diagnostic method. CONCLUSIONS: Given that Capnocytophaga canimorsus bacterium is present in the oral flora of healthy dogs, dog owners should have sufficient and favorable knowledge about this bacterium and related diseases. The PCR method can be used to detect this bacterium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bartonella species are lesser-known pathogenic bacteria that infect a wide range of domestic and wild animals as well as humans. Currently, out of 40 Bartonella species/subspecies, at least 17 are associated with clinical signs in humans and animals. However, despite the zoonotic importance of bartonellosis, there is limited information about prevalence and species infecting dogs and cats in Iran. The aim of this study was molecular identification of Bartonella species in dogs and arthropods infesting them in Hamedan and Kermanshah cities in the west of Iran. Blood genomic DNA (gDNA) was extracted from 100 dogs (45 from Hamedan and 55 from Kermanshah) and, of 25 Ctenocphalides canis fleas, six Pulex irritans fleas and 12 Rhipecephalus sanguineus ticks collected from nine infested dogs were examined for the presence of Bartonella species. Conventional PCR targeting fragments of ITS and rpoB genes was performed, and PCR-positive samples were sequenced bidirectionally and analyzed phylogenetically. Out of 100 dogs, 14 dogs (14%, ten from Hamedan and four from Kermanshah) were found infected with Bartonella species. Nucleotide sequencing confirmed the presence of four Bartonella species in the examined population i.e. Bartonella vinsonii subsp. berkhoffii and Candidatus B. merieuxii in dogs. None of the examined fleas scored positive but one Rh. sanguineus tick from a blood-negative dog was infected with Bartonella DNA. Results of the present study showed the presence of different zoonotic Bartonella species in dogs of Hamedan and Kermanshah cities highlighting the importance of this vector-borne infection. Effective ectoparasite control strategies, regular examination of pet and urban dogs and cats and successful chemoprophylaxis are suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of Two drug combinations of Torsemide-Enalapril-Digoxin and Furosemide-Enalapril-Digoxin on the cardiovascular system in the treated dogs. For this purpose, five 1.5-year-old mixed breed dogs were selected to undergo echocardiography at three times (The first time as the control group, the second time as the first group and the third time as the second group). No drugs were used in the control group. In the first group, 2.5 mg/kg of furosemide, 0.5 mg/kg of enalapril and 3 µg/kg of digoxin and in the second group, 0.3 mg/kg of Torsemide, 0.5 mg/kg of enalapril and 3 µg/kg of digoxin were administered orally. Echocardiography of the dogs was done after one hour of drug administration. Measured echocardiographic parameters included: Left ventricular size during systole, left ventricular size during diastole, heart rate and fractional shortening. The results of each group were evaluated using chi square analysis method. The results of this study showed that changes in heart rate and left the ventricular size changes during diastole were not significant between the control and other groups. Although left ventricular size during systole was significantly lower in the torsemide-enalapril-digoxin group than the other groups, in this study, it was found that the fractional shortening changes in the group receiving torsemide-enalapril-digoxin were significantly higher than the other two groups. The results of this study indicate better effects of torsemide than furosemide in improving heart function and increasing short fractional shortening, but both drugs have similar effects on other cardiac parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objective: Dogs are associated with more than 60 types of common diseases with humans, among which parasitic diseases play an important role in public health. This study aimed to estimate the frequency of gastrointestinal helminths fauna among dogs in Gorgan, Iran. Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was done on 70 dogs (37 male and 33 female) consisting of 40 shelter dogs, 18 pet dogs and 14 guard dogs in Gorgan (Iran) from November 2019 to January 2020. Age, gender and housing places of the dogs were recorded, and dogs' fecal samples were examined for gastrointestinal helminths by flotation method with Sheather's solution. Results: The eggs of gastrointestinal helminths were detected in 41 dogs (58.6%), including Toxocara canis (29.3%), Echino-taenia (26.8%), hookworms (24.4%), Trichuris vulpis (7.3%) and Toxascaris leonina (12.2%). The highest and lowest rates of infection were related to Toxocara canis (31.8%) in female dogs Trichuris vulpis (5.3%) in male dogs, respectively. Also, in female dogs, 69.7% of the samples were infected with at least one gastrointestinal parasite, and there was a significant relationship between parasitic disease and female gender (P

Background & Aims: Leptospirosis is a common infectious disease between humans and animals, which is of particular importance in terms of global spread. The cause of the disease is Leptospira bacteria. This bacterium is gram-negative and spiral-shaped and belongs to the Leptospiraceae family and the Spirochetes branch (1,2). The genus Leptospira is divided into 20 species (9 pathogenic, 5 intermediate and 6 saprophytic) based on phylogenic and DNA analysis. Saprophytic species (eg L. biflex). Leptospira species cause a common disease called leptospirosis. Leptospira settle in the kidney tubules of animals (susceptible mammals) and because of this the host animals remain infected for a long time and expel the bacteria (7). Livestock (cows and sheep) are sources of leptospirosis and should be taken care of to prevent transmission of the disease to humans (8,9). Leptospira species remain in the environment for a long time, transfer to humans through damaged skin and mucous membranes, mortality and economic losses are considered as an important global health issue (2,7,10). Every year, half a million cases of leptospirosis (45 cases per 100,000 people) are reported worldwide (11). Leptospirosis is more common in hot seasons and in tropical and rainy regions of the world (11,12). The incubation period of leptospirosis in humans is about 10 days and may be asymptomatic (12). The clinical face of this disease is so variable that it is considered as a disease with a thousand faces and it can never be diagnosed based on clinical signs and symptoms alone, so diagnosis is more based on trusting the laboratory in showing and observing the cause of the disease. And the accuracy of laboratory methods is stable. Definitive diagnosis of leptospirosis is based on laboratory tests such as bacterial culture, ELISA test, MAT and PCR (16), which is the standard serological method for identifying leptospirosis antibodies according to the World Health Organization (WHO) Microscopic agglutination test (MAT), which is a method It is cheap with acceptable sensitivity and it is possible to access it (17) and it shows the wide presence of Leptospira in the world (16). Bacteremia develops within 7-10 days after symptoms of infection by Leptospira and antibodies can be detected in the blood (18,19). The aim of the present study was to investigate leptospirosis seroepidemiologically among the farmers of Kohdasht in Lorestan province by microscopic agglutination method (MAT) and also to determine and obtain the serovars infecting people in Kohdasht region. The results obtained from the present research can provide a lot of help to researchers in medical and veterinary sciences of the country, and it is also very useful in human and animal health and rapid diagnosis and treatment of patients. Methods: The study was conducted on the blood samples of 200 cattle farmers of Kohdasht in February 2013. After selecting the livestock farms, he went to the livestock farm and took 10 cc of blood samples from the hand veins of the people who were active in livestock farming. After the complete collection of samples, microscopic agglutination test (MAT) and measurement of serum contamination were performed to determine the contamination of serum samples with Leptospira serovars on blood serum samples. The results obtained from the MAT method were analyzed with SPSS software (Version 16) through Chi-square and Fisher's test. P<0.01 was considered as significant difference. Results: 48 serum samples (24%) were positive among 200 tested sera at the 1:100 dilution. Serum samples were shown positive reaction with two L. Grippotyphosa and L. canicola serovars. The prevalence of Grippotyphosa 66.67% and Canicola 33.33% were resulted by MAT. 31 samples (64.58%) were related to males and 17 cases (35.42%) females among 60 positive samples. The highest prevalence of Leptospira serovars was founded in more than 50 years group with 16 cases. P. value based on gender was 0.01. (p<0.01). Conclusion: Leptospira pathogenic species can survive for a long time under suitable environmental conditions (humidity and temperature). Domestic animals (cows, sheep and dogs) are considered important as hosts of this bacterium in the spread of leptospirosis and play a significant role (20). Leptospira is released into the environment through the urine of animals. Human infection with leptospirosis is caused by contact with the urine of infected animals (21). Diagnosis of leptospirosis is difficult for many doctors, and its definitive diagnosis is possible with laboratory methods. The MAT method is universally used as a reference test for the diagnosis of leptospirosis. In the present study, the prevalence of leptospirosis among farmers in Kohdasht was 24%, and the serovars Gripotiphosa and Canicula had the highest prevalence, respectively. The P value of p<0.01 was significant for gender and showed that leptospiral infection is different according to gender. All over the world, studies on the prevalence of leptospirosis have been carried out. In Iran, in 2004, the prevalence of leptospirosis in Gilan University Hospital was reported by Honarmand et al. to be 24.6% (22). In 2016, in a serological study of leptospiral infection of sheep using the MAT method in Ahvaz, Hajikolaei et al. reported the occurrence of 14.9% leptospirosis and the highest number of leptospirosis serovars was related to Pomona with 14 cases (43.8%), respectively. canicula with 7 cases (21.9%) and ictrohemorrhage with 4 cases (14.5%) (23). This study showed that transmission of leptospirosis is carried out by sheep as hosts, so livestock farmers are prone to leptospirosis. A study was conducted on dairy cows in Hamedan industrial farms in 2009 by Bahari et al., out of 80 blood samples, 18 were positive for Leptospira and the highest serovar prevalence was Canicula (21.25%) (24). This study is another proof of the susceptibility of livestock farmers to leptospirosis. In 2008, Agampodi et al. conducted a study on 404 patients with fever in Sri Lanka using the MAT method, of which 155 patients were found to have leptospirosis. In this study, the prevalence of serovars Pyrogenesis (28.7%) and Hardjo (18.8%) was reported (25). In 2012, Ngbede et al. conducted a study in Nigeria using the MAT method on 142 blood samples of cows slaughtered in a slaughterhouse, and 5 samples were found to have antibodies against Hardjo serovar (26). Goris et al. in 2013 in the Netherlands in a study they conducted on sick people concluded that serovars Ictrohemorrhagia, Hardjo, and Gripotyphosa cause severe leptospirosis in humans (27). In 2014, Dreyfus et al. used the MAT method to investigate the risk factors of leptospirosis among 567 slaughterhouse workers in New Zealand. They found that 11% of the workers had antibodies against Hardjo and Pomona serovars in their blood serum (28). Leptospirosis is related to occupation and environment (29). Floods and inundation as well as contact with animal waste are the most important factors of leptospirosis infection (30). Leptospirosis may lead to failure of liver, kidney and many organs of the body. In general, leptospirosis is spreading, so disease control should be considered. it is concluded that livestock farmers are one of the groups at risk of leptospirosis due to the presence of different leptospira serovars in animals. Livestock farmers can prevent the occurrence of leptospiral infection by controlling their safety and health. The results of this study are very useful in the research of medical and veterinary sciences as well as human and animal health and rapid diagnosis and treatment of patients and provide a lot of information to researchers in disease control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Fish tapeworms of the genus Diphyllobothrium are pseudophyllidean cestodes transmitted through the consumption of raw or inadequately cooked fish. Objective: The current systematic review and meta-analysis aim to estimate the global prevalence of Diphyllobothrium in dogs and cats based on published literature. Methods: Multiple English databases (PubMed, Scopus, ProQuest, Web of Science, and Google Scholar) were explored for relevant papers published until December 2021. Findings: Among the 37 studies that were included, 32 documented Diphyllobothrium infection in dogs and five in cats. The pooled prevalence (95% confidence interval) was 0.060% (0.030%-0.100%). The analysis based on country showed that the highest pooled prevalence in dogs and cats was observed in Bangladesh (0.250%, 0.149%-0.366%) and Indonesia (0.254%, 0.182%-0.333%), respectively. Based on the continent, Africa (0.109%, 0.017%-0.264%) and Asia (0.060%, 0%-0.345%) were the most common regions for infection in dogs and cats, respectively. Among different diagnostic methods, the highest pooled prevalence was related to molecular (0.661%, 0.573%-0.743%) and parasitological techniques (0.041%, 0%-0.217%) for dogs and cats’ studies, respectively. Conclusion: The findings show the importance of establishing a prevention and control measure focused on improving regular deworming and enhancing awareness of parasitic zoonotic diseases to minimize the transmission risk.

Background and Objective: Dogs are associated with more than 60 types of common diseases with humans, among which parasitic diseases play an important role in public health. This study aimed to estimate the frequency of gastrointestinal helminths fauna among dogs in Gorgan, Iran. Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was done on 70 dogs (37 male and 33 female) consisting of 40 shelter dogs, 18 pet dogs and 14 guard dogs in Gorgan (Iran) from November 2019 to January 2020. Age, gender and housing places of the dogs were recorded, and dogs' fecal samples were examined for gastrointestinal helminths by flotation method with Sheather's solution. Results: The eggs of gastrointestinal helminths were detected in 41 dogs (58.6%), including Toxocara canis (29.3%), Echino-taenia (26.8%), hookworms (24.4%), Trichuris vulpis (7.3%) and Toxascaris leonina (12.2%). The highest and lowest rates of infection were related to Toxocara canis (31.8%) in female dogs Trichuris vulpis (5.3%) in male dogs, respectively. Also, in female dogs, 69.7% of the samples were infected with at least one gastrointestinal parasite, and there was a significant relationship between parasitic disease and female gender (P<0.05). Also, the highest infection rate was observed in shelter dogs (61%). Conclusion: The frequency of gastrointestinal helminths among dogs in Gorgan is high, particularly among female dogs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intermittent chest compression is still routinely used in resuscitation for hemorrhagic shock patients. There is a possibility that by using a different resuscitation method with interposed abdominal compressions, through forcing the blood from abdominal organs into the circulation and increasing intraperitoneal pressure, more blood pumps to heart. Therefore, in this study, chest compression resuscitation and interposed abdominal compressions resuscitation were compared in dogs with induced experimental hemorrhagic shock and electrocardiographic changes evaluated as an important diagnostic and monitoring tool in heart conduction and rhythm disorders. Thus hemorrhagic shock was induced by drawing blood from femoral artery in 15 dogs under anesthesia and continued until pulseless electrical activity achieved. The dogs were kept pulseless for 20 minutes, then were randomized to three treatment groups - fluid resuscitation alone with Ringer's lactate solution, chest compressions with fluid resuscitation, and interposed abdominal compression with fluid resuscitation. Resuscitation was conducted until reaching the point of return of spontaneous circulation. Electrocardiograms were recorded before the induction of hemorrhage, at the time that the pulse was lost, after 20 minutes of pulseless state and at the point of return of spontaneous circulation. Changes in P and QRS waves amplitudes, QT interval, heart rate, and electrical axis and morphology of ST segment was significant in different times within groups. but there were no significant changes in P and QRS durations and PR interval and heart rhythm. There were no significant changes in any parameter with different type of resuscitation method. Finally mixed effect of time and groups were also statistically insignificant in all parameters. In conclusion, it seems that there is no positive impact in electrocardiographic parameters using either of chest compression only or interposed abdominal compression resuscitation methods in dogs with induced hemorrhagic shock. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Acute lung injury is characterized by accumulation of neutrophils in the lung, interstitial edema, and damage to the alveolar epithelium. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) causes an inflammatory response and the release of reactive oxygen species and cellular and tissue damage to the lungs. Considering the role of oxidative stress in infections and proving the antioxidant properties of montelukast in several studies, the effect of montelukast on acute lung injury induced by lipopolysaccharide (as a model of infection) in dogs was investigated in this study. METHODS: In this experimental study, 20 healthy dogs (both male and female dogs of native breed with an average weight of 20 kg) were divided into four equal groups. The first group received oral montelukast (1 mg/kg), the second group received intravenous LPS (0.1 µg/kg), the third group received montelukast one hour before LPS and the fourth group received montelukast one hour after LPS. Bronchoalveolar lavage and blood sampling were performed at hour zero and 1.5 hours after the start of the test and the amount of malondialdehyde, catalase activity, glutathione peroxidase and total antioxidant capacity in serum and lavage fluid were measured using a kit. FINDINGS: LPS significantly increased malondialdehyde levels (from 10.5 to 139.8 μmol) and decreased catalase activity (from 0.018 to 0.007 μmol) (p= 0.0001), glutathione peroxidase (from 259 to 76.5 nmol) and the total antioxidant capacity (from 0.41 to 0.04 nmol) compared to hour zero. These changes were significantly adjusted by montelukast (p≤ 0.02). CONCLUSION: The results of this study showed that montelukast can enhance antioxidant defense against acute lung injury induced by LPS.

Introduction: Antidepressant drugs are the most commonly prescribed classes of pharmacologic agents in the public. The drugs have been shown to have a role in the regulation of bone cell function and as a result affecting the orthodontic tooth movements. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of Amitriptyline and Sertraline on the tooth movement, root resorption and alveolar bone remodeling after load application in dogs. Materials & Methods: In this experimental study, 9 male dogs were randomly divided into three groups, first group sertraline, second group Amitriptyline and the control group (normal saline). A nickel titanium spring (200 gr) was used between second premolar and canine after 1st premolar extraction. After 2 months, the reduction of distance between 2nd premolar and canine was measured. The percentages of root resorption and bone formation were determined. The data were analyzed using repeated measures analysis at significance level of 0.05. Results: In the three groups of amitriptyline, sertraline and control, the mean of teeth movement (p value = 0.483), external root resorption (p value = 0.608), total bone mineral density (p value = 0.078), bone formation percentage (p value = 0.616) and immature and lamellar bone formation (p value = 0.083), there was no statistical difference in any group and in premolar teeth Conclusion: The rate of tooth movement and the percentages of bone formation and root resorption in dogs decreased with systemic administration of amitriptyline and sertraline; although this reduction was not statistically significant in comparison with control group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Intestinal helminthesof dogs are a serious threat to human health and may cause dangerous diseases such as: hydatidosis and visceral larva migrans,thatwhich cause severe complications in human. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalenceof intestinal helminthes of stray dogs in Hamadan city, Iran.. Methods: A total of 103 stray dogswere shot in the inner and around of the city in year 2015. Following necropsy, the intestineschr('39') contents of dogs were examined for helminthes macroscopically. Then, the collected worms, after washing with saline,were counted and identified according to being Nematode, Cestodeor Acantcephala. Then, collected Nematodes were put in glass containers containing 70% ethanol-glycerine and Cestodes after processing on slides were put in the 10% formalin. To identify the species of helminthes, the Cestodes were stained using carmine acid and Nematodes were cleared in lacto-phenol. Results: Result indicated that, 74(71.8%)stray dogs were infected at least by one species of intestinal helminthes. The species of parasites were as follows: Echinococcus granulosus 37.9%, Dipylidium caninum 51.5%, Toxocara canis 19.4%, Taenia hydatigena 24.3%, T. multiceps 2.9%, T. ovis 1.9%, Mesocest oideslineatus 4.9%, and Acantho cephala 5.8%.There was no association between insex, season and region with prevalence of intestinal helminthes (P > 0.05). On the other side, there was a significant deference (P < 0.05) between the prevalence of intestinal helminthes and dogschr('39') age. Conclusions: This study indicatesd that,infection rate of helminthes in stray dogs is washigh in Hamadan city. These parasites are important in terms of human health and economic aspects. Therefore, it is more essential that public health authoritiesto develop control strategies for stray dogschr('39') population.

From September to December 2007, fecal specimens of 100 stray and pet dogs in Tabriz were examined by saturated salt flotation and Telmann sedimentation methods to determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal helminth infestation. Helminth infestation was encountered in 31 (31%) of the fecal samples examined. The eggs of two different cestodes and three different nematodes were identified in the contaminated fecal samples. The helminth eggs found were identified as Taenia hydatigena (4%), Dipylidium caninum (6%), Toxocara canis (10%), Ancylostoma caninum (6%) and Trichuris vulpis (5%). No trematoda eggs and nematode larvae were found in this study.

The objective of this research was to investigate and study the clinical, laboratory and pathologic complications following needle biopsy of the prostate. This study was conducted on 10 male dogs. Prior to biopsy, urine and blood samples were collected and compared with those taken on days 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 12 and 15 after the biopsy. The biopsy was done under ultrasound guidance using No. 20 Vim Tru- Cut needle. Fifteen days after the biopsy, the animals were euthanized and their prostate glands collected for pathologic evaluations. Results of the blood examinations were analyzed statistically. Clinically, there were no complications other than edema of the biopsy region. Also, significant hematological alterations were not observed and the increase in the levels of acid phophatase was not statistically significant. Pathologic evaluations revealed capsular and glandular hemorrhage and also the process of healing. In light of the clinical, laboratory and pathologic findings and statistical analysis, it can be stated that the observed complications were limited and this technique does not induce any necrotic complications in the gland and the tissue architecture of the prostate is maintained. Because sufficient tissue samples are obtained for pathologic investigations, this technique provides the possibility for better diagnosis of prostatic diseases.

Background and purpose: Salmonellosis is one of the most important zoonotic diseases with global distribution. Rural dogs may not show clinical signs of salmonella infection. But could remain the bacteria carrier for a long period. The aim of this study was to assess the potential role of rural dogs in epidemiology of salmonellosis in Golestan and Mazandaran provinces. Materials and methods: Rectal swabs of 210 asymptomatic rural dogs from Golestan and Mazandaran provinces (2013-2015) were cultured and evaluated by PCR using universal primers ST 11 and ST 15 at the genus level. Salmonella isolates were serotyped and tested for antimicrobial susceptibility applying standard methods. Results: Salmonella spp. were isolated from 40 (19.4%) samples. Three salmonella serotypes were observed including S. enteritidis (50%), S. typhymurium (35%), and S. dublin (15%). Salmonellosis was more prevalent in autumn (P<0.05). Highest antimicrobial resistance was found against streptomycin, ampicillin, and neomycin. Conclusion: Isolation of Salmonella spp. from asymptomatic dogs makes them dangerous source of Salmonella and a treat for human and animal health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study is an overview of the causes of patient complaints against physicians and the medical staff in Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex, and strategies to reduce the complaints. For this purpose, complaints that had been filed with the clinical governance office of Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex in 2012 and 2013 were investigated. The information in the forms included age and sex of the plaintiffs, their level of education, type of complaint and similar details. Of the 309 complaints, 174 had been recorded in 2012 and 135 in 2013. The plaintiffs were males with a mean age of 50.5, and 69.6% of them had high school diplomas or lower. Most (16.2%) of the complaints pertained to the emergency department, while 48.5% and 22.7% of the complaints were related to doctors and nurses respectively. In 62.5% of the cases, the accused had been acquitted and 34% had been convicted. The main cause of complaint involved treatment and care at 40.1% and 36.6% respectively. In general, the most common causes of complaints were treatment and care for doctors, and lack of respect for nurses and others. Thus, more attention should be paid to the continuous education of medical students and residents during training years in order to increase the knowledge and skills of physicians. Other measures that can reduce complaints are: providing sufficient information to patients before diagnostic or therapeutic procedures; improving the equipment in health centers; educating the society and raising public awareness of the treatment process; offering the necessary information during medical procedures; obtaining informed consent; careful choice of the medical team and assigning them to the right position; and holding communication skills workshops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the past decades, the need for organ donation has increased while consent rate continues to remain inadequate. One of the most important limiting factors in organ donation is families' refusal to grant consent, and therefore it is important to determine the circumstances influencing the phenomenon. The aim of this study was to investigate the factors affecting consent to organ donation in families of brain death patients in hospitals affiliated with Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences. For this purpose, a self-made questionnaire was distributed among 54 family members of brain death patients admitted in hospitals affiliated with Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences between 2003 and 2013. The data were reported as mean, frequency and percentage using the SPSS16 software. The average age of the deceased was 31.38 ± 13.72 years, and car accidents were the most frequent cause of brain death (59.3%) in this study. In addition, 72.2% of the deceased were male and 90.7% of them lived in or around the city of Shahrekord. About 37% of the families consented to organ donation. The average age of the family members who participated in the study was 42.15 ± 8.9 years. The most frequent reasons affecting families' consent to organ donation were religious rewards (100%), confidence in the medical team and staff (100%), and confidence in physician diagnosis (100%). The findings of the study show that religion, faith and family ties affect the willingness for organ donation, and therefore specific attention should be given to these factors in educational programs. In the present study, religious beliefs and confidence in the performance of health care workers were highlighted as the most effective factors in consent to organ donation in brain dead patients' families. Consequently, in order to increase organ donation rate, special attention to these factors and proper planning is necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the modern world, reproductive right is considered among the basic human rights in countries such as America and Britain. There has been growing interest in the subject and its various aspects including contraception and assisted reproductive technologies, which are giving rise to the ongoing debates. National and international legislators, governments and religions are striving to resolve the controversy among individuals and between individuals and governments and devise the perfect legislation that will cover all aspects of the subject and control all activities in this area. In the realm of bioethics and law, the issue is introduced as a right not duty, while in Christianity and Judaism it falls under the category of duty. In Islam, on the other hand, childbearing decision-making is left to the couple, which highlights the teachings of Islam regarding reproduction. In this paper, we attempted to offer a comparative study of four different points of view regarding the issue of reproductive rights. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays, electronic communications technology propounds new forms of the patient-physician relationship in the field of medicine. Effective communication between the patient and the physician can play a crucial role in the process of treatment. This new form of communication greatly influences promotion of the health system by improving access to inexpensive and fast services regardless of geographic boundaries. In times of crisis, telemedicine plays an important role in delivering health services to deprived areas in a just manner. Usage of communications technology is inevitable, and due to the virtual nature of this kind of medical communication, recognition of certain ethical considerations seems essential. Successful examples of telemedicine are abundant throughout the world and usage of this technology is a helping solution for inadequacies in the healthcare system. In Iran, because of the geographical extent of the country, this technology can provide access to medical services in some cases. In order to achieve the best outcome in telemedicine, it is essential to respect confidentiality, privacy, informed consent and commitment to professionalism in this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The precepts of Islamic education are founded on a practical and all-inclusive system that is aimed to develop man in all aspects of his life based on Quranic guidance (Quran and Ravayat). The individual is at the heart of Islamic education, and therefore has a specific place in Islam and is considered sacred and blessed. As a rule, medicine is targeted at the physical wellbeing of man. Consequently, Islamic education can play can play an important role in medical training and may be traced in the Quran and Revayat. Instructors and students are at the core of education and learning, and their development will result in the moral, spiritual and technical advancement of the society. Medical schools aim to cultivate young talents and educate experts in the health industry, and are naturally essential for the development of a nation. This can be achieved through the attempts of capable and motivated instructors within the educational system. The present study is a review of the Islamic approach to medical training and the techniques of developing motivated and capable scholars and students in order to achieve Islamic educational goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Virtue ethics is an agent-centered approach that is concerned with good and bad character rather than right or wrong action. It is based on the virtues and moral character of the agent. Morality of the physician is emphasized in medicine as well, which demonstrates its affinity with virtue ethics. Nevertheless, a theory of applied or medical ethics should provide a criterion for ethical decision making by instructing what should be done, something which, according to some philosophers, is incompatible with virtue ethics. This article aimed to demonstrate how virtue ethics can offer rules and guidelines by resorting to the moral agent and emphasizing virtues, and help physicians to make decisions when faced with dilemmas. For this purpose, examples about abortion and selling kidneys for transplantation were provided. Some of the most important advantages of virtue ethics include: context-dependence and attention to relevant realities; the importance of emotions and the likely motivations of the people involved; and finally emphasis on exemplar based on the sensitivity and practical wisdom of the virtuous agent. These advantages cause virtue ethics to be better positioned than other approaches to solving problems in medical ethics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]