Medical Sciences Journal of Islamic Azad University,Tehran Medical Branch
Year:2011 | Volume:20 | Issue:4|Papers Count:15

Background: Alzheimer is a progressive demential disease with destruction of brain neurons and severe deficiency of memory. For many years, plenty efforts was devoted to find an appropriate and efficient way for treatment of the disease. The present study was designed to assess if the herbal medicine Lavandula Angustifolia shares the Morris water maze training in improvement of learning behavior of the Alzheimeric rats.Materials and methods: This experimental study was carried out on 40 wistar male rats randomly divided in 4 groups: Two control groups (CO and ALZ) received 1 ml normal saline, and the other 2 groups (CO+E and ALZ+E) received 1000 mg/kg body weight Lavender extract, intra-peritoenally. To assess spatial learning of the animals, they were introduced to the Morris water maze to locate a fixed hidden platform. Probe test was applied to evaluate the memory consolidation. The time elapsed and distances passed in the correct quadrant were analyzed by ANCOVA test.Results: The CO group spent less time and distance to find the hidden platform than ALZ group. Also, CO+E and ALZ+E compared to CO and ALZ expended more time and distance to find platform. There was no difference between groups in probe trial test.Conclusion: The behavioral training positively influenced the maze learning in the Alzheimeric subjects. Lavender extract with dose of 1000 mg/kg is effective on improvement of the Alzheimer's disease.

Background: Ischemia-reperfusion induces cell death and inflammatory reaction. It is a common clinical problem associated with acute renal failure and renal transplantation. In this study, the effects of pentoxifylline on rat kidney function and cell injury after ischemia-reperfusion were evaluated.Material and methods: In this experimental study, 20 male wistar rats with mean weight of 250-300g were assigned randomly into control and treatment groups (each group 10 rats). In control group, celiotomy was performed by ventral midline incision. The left kidney was isolated, and then both the renal artery and vein were clamped. After 60 minutes of warm ischemia, the vessels were unclamped and the right kidney was removed. 72 hours after reperfusion, tissue samples from the left kidney were taken for histopathologic examination after death. The same procedures were repeated in the treatment group after administration of 45mg/kg/PO pentoxifylline, 3 hours before surgery. This treatment was continued every 12h until death. Apoptotic changes were compared between two groups by Mann-Whitney U test. Statistical significance was considered at p<0.05.Results: The treatment group showed lower levels of cell death than the control group (P<0.05).Conclusion: Pentoxifylline alone might play a role in attenuation of renal ischemia-reperfusion injury and Apoptosis.

Background: Despite the reported role of three common mutations of the CARD15/NOD2 gene including R702W, G908R and 1007fs in Crohn’s disease (CD), only about 30% of Iranian CD patients carry one of these three variants (R702W). The aim of this study was to screen the hot points of NOD2 gene to find any novel sequence variations in Iranian patients with CD.Materials and methods: Eighty non-related Crohn's patients from Iranian origin, referred to a tertiary center in a three-year period (2006-2009), were enrolled in this study. The hot points of NOD2 gene (including exons 4 and 8) were evaluated by direct sequencing after amplification of related sequences with polymerase chain reaction (PCR).Results: A total of 17 sequence variations were identified among these exons of NOD2 gene including 7 novel ones. Three of these new mutations had an allele frequency more than 5%. All new mutations were a consequence of a single nucleotide change, 4 resulted in an aminoacid change while one formed a stop coden. No deletion or insertion mutation was observed in this part of the gene.Conclusion: This study demonstrated the existence of uncommon NOD2 variants in Iranian patients with CD. It is possible that these mutations play a role in susceptibility to CD in Iranian population.

Background: Recent studies suggested the role of IVIG in decreasing immune hemolytic jaundice of the newborn and need to exchange transfusion using. This study evaluated the effects of IVIG on hemolytic jaundice of newborn due to ABO and Rh isoimmunization.Materials and methods: This clinical trial study was performed on 80 hospitalized newborns with hemolytic jaundice due to ABO and Rh isoimmunization in neonatal ward of Tehran Mahdieh hospital between October 2007 and October 2008. Neonates were assigned randomly to control (phototherapy) and case (phototherapy plus IVIG) groups. IVIG was administered as 500 mg/kg during 4 hours and up to maximum 3 doses, if it was required. Severity of jaundice, duration of phototherapy, hospitalization stay, need to exchange transfusion and complications of IVIG administration were evaluated. Data was analysed using SPSS software and by Chi-square and independent T tests.Results: Duration of phototherapy, hospitalization and exchange transfusion were significantly lower in neonates who took IVIG in addition to phototherapy than control group. No complications of IVIG were observed.Conclusion: Administration of IVIG is an effective and safe method for decreasing severity of immune hemolytic jaundice of newborns and need to exchange transfusion using.

Background: Collagen is a protein with specific importance in pharmacy and medicine. The aim of this study was extraction of collagen type I by optimum using of Iranian fishes of Persian Gulf and also debris of Shilat industry.Materials and methods: Extraction of collagen type I from the proper specimens was performed by two methods of acidic and alkaline. In acidic method, first, the lipids separated, then, by using HCL 5%, calcium elements were extracted. The pH of medium neutralized and hydrolysis was performed in high stream water vapor. The material have been filtered and in the vicinity of heat in vacuum state collagen concentrated. Then the sheets of collagen, grinding was done. In the alkaline method, the specimens were treated by sodium hydroxid 4% for 3 weeks at room temperature.Results: The rate of separated collagen from fish hasn’t significant difference between alkaline and acidic methods. For example, mean rate of 20.81% for collagen extraction from skin of fishes in alkaline method and mean of 19.76% in acidic method was detected. The collagen specimens extracted by these methods have equal or higher quality in comparison with specimens extracted from other sources.Conclusion: According to costless of primary materials, such as debris of fishes, in the production of collagen in Iran and import of collagen is expensive, domestic production is saving money.

Background: Cholera is a diarrheal disease caused by different serotypes of Vibrio cholerae. More than 200 O-antigen serotypes have been identified. Interestingly, only the O1 and O139 serotypes are known to cause epidemic disease. Different cases of Ogawa and Inaba serogroups have been found during last years in Iran. In this study, seroepidemiology of cholera in Iran between 2004 and 2008 was studied. Materials and methods: In this descriptive study, fecal specimens (stool or rectal swabs) were cultured in a selective plating media like TCBS. Overnight growth of V. cholerae colony on TCBS was cultured on BHI. Colonies grown on BHI, used for biochemical and biotyping and serotyping tests.Results: Among 93 clinical strains isolated during 5 consecutive years (2004-2008), different serogroups of V. cholerae O1 (Ogawa, Inaba and Hikojima) biotype El Tor were identified.Conclusion: This study showed significantly decreasing number of Ogawa strains compared with Inaba strains in recent years in Iran. However, some rare cases of Hikojima strains have been detected in Iran in 2007 and 2008.

Background: More than 20% of Iranian population is in 10-19 years old age group, absolutely their health and progress have an important role in socio- economical future of country. According to results of different researches, their knowledge among nutrition is not adequate. So, this study was conducted to evaluate opinions of adolescence about nutritional habits and believes.Material and methods: in this qualitative study, data gathering conducted through 8 Focus Group Discussion [FGD]. 6-11 participants were selected according their gender and educational level in each group.Results: Although the majority of participants agreed with the importance of nutrition on health, they mostly tend to use modern and publicized fast foods. Most female and male participants mentioned that there is difference between diet selection of girls or boys. They believed that girls had more attention to diet selection and taste and health of foods than gluttony and carelessly of boys.Conclusion: Adolescence knowledge to problem derived from unsafe nutritional habits were insufficient. It is remarkable that youth participation in scheduling have a great influence in their health program promotion.

Background: Anemia is a common problem among patients with cancer, particularly among those undergoing chemotherapy. The purpose of this study was to determine the association between hemoglobin levels and severity of fatigue and quality of life in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.Materials and methods: This is a descriptive– correlative study that utilized a purposeful sampling. One hundred twenty one outpatients with cancer participated in this study. Data collected by interview. The instruments used included the sample selection and demographic data form, Fatigue Severity Scale, European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30). Hemoglobin level was reviewed from medical records. Grading of anemia based on hemoglobin level according to the National Cancer Institute classification.Results: Prevalence of anemia in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy was 63.6 percent, 57 percent had mild anemia and 6.4 percent had moderate to severe anemia. There were significant differences between mean score of severity of fatigue (p<0.001) and quality of life (p=0.003) in relation to hemoglobin level. There found negative significant correlation between hemoglobin levels and quality of life or severity of fatigue (p<0.001).Conclusion: Anemia is prevalent among cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. During chemotherapy, decreased hemoglobin levels are associated with increased fatigue and reduced quality of life. Nurses can help by appropriate intervention and patient's education about self care intervention to reduce anemia and fatigue and also improve quality of life.

Background: Cataract is opacity of the lens that distorts the image projected onto the retina and that can progress to blindness. Behind rheumatoid arthritis and coronary artery diseases, cataract is one of the prevalent factors causing disability in the aged people. It could be mentioned that cataract causes 50% of people's blindness all over the world. The aim this study is evaluation of age related cataract among the patients referring to ophthalmology centers.Materials and methods: This is a descriptive, mono variable and mono group study. The samples included in this study were 322 patients who were suffering from age related Cataract. Sampling method is based on the availability and the purpose of the study. Data (individually predisposing, environmental, systematic and other factors in patients’ profile) were collected through filling questionnaire and interviewing samples.Results: The majorities of the samples were 65-75 years of age, housewives, BMI 25-30 kg/m2, illiterate and had insufficient monthly income. Chi square test indicated a significant relationship between the age of the patients, and their siblings who were suffering from cataract, wearing sun hat, Hypertension, taking Aspirin and Atenolol, high blood urea and creatinine, foods (animal fat, red meat with low fat, cereals) (p<0/050). Moreover, there was significant relation between gender and BMI, cigarette smoking, space of work place, wearing sun hat, Radiation Hypertension, Hyperlipedemia, Rheumatoid Arthritis, using supplementary, Atenolol, Statines and blood creatinine ( p<0/050 ). Conclusion: The results of this study were same as previous studies. The study indicated significant relation between age related cataract and individual, environmental, systematic factors, some of drugs (medicines) and increase of blood urea and creatinine.

Background: Sleep sufficiency and quality affects medical students’ academic learning and understanding. So, this study was conducted to assess sleep quality and its associated factors among medical students. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive cross- sectional study, 407 medical students (269 interns and 138 externs) were chosen by a multi-stage random sampling method from five hospitals in Tehran, Iran and questioned using Sleep and Day- Time Habits Questionnaire (S&DHQ). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistic methods and Spearman correlation coefficient test.Results: 407 medical students with mean (± SD) age of 25±1.67 were studied. 257 (63.1%) and 150 (36.9) were female and male, respectively. 9.1% of students reported their sleep quality as excellent, 36.1% good, 39.3% satisfactory, 13.5% unsatisfactory and 2% poor. There was statistically significant relationship between students’ sleep quality and awakening due to environmental noises, day time napping duration, uncommon bed entry time, early morning awakenings, and day time fatigue and drowsiness in class rooms (P<0.001).Conclusion: This study showed that sleep disorders are prevalent among medical students, intern and extern.

Background: Bernard soulier syndrome (BSS) is a rare congenital bleeding disorder characterized by thrombocytopenia. BSS causes bruising, epistaxis, gingival bleeding, menorrhagia, post partum bleeding, gastrointestinal bleeding and post traumatic hemorrhage, but there is no report of hemoptysis in BSS.Case Report: A 14 year-old girl was referred to our center due to massive hemoptysis. Her chest x-ray revealed complete collapse of the right lung. Rigid bronchoscopy was preformed and the intrabronchial clots were removed. Smear and culture of direct sputum was positive for Mycobacterium tuberculosis. She received anti-tuberculosis treatment. During treatment, she developed a massive vaginal bleeding, because of drug interaction between rifampin and low dose contraceptive (LD), which she had been taking for control of massive menstrual bleeding. Her vaginal bleeding was controlled by platelet infusion and recombinant factor 7 infusion. After 2 months of anti-TB treatment, sputum smear and culture for BK converted to negative. One year after treatment, the pulmonary tuberculosis was completely cured and no hemoptysis occurred.Conclusion: When hemoptysis occurs in patients with Bernard soulier syndrome, we should consider other differential diagnoses, and further diagnostic evaluation is recommended.

Background: Skin metastasis from abdominal cancers occurs as infiltration or paraneoplastic syndromes. Liver and lung are the most common locations of distant metastases of colorectal cancer (CRC), but CRC skin metastases are very rare.Case Reports: We describe a 55- year old patient with wide spread cutaneous metastasis from a previously treated known case of adenocarcinoma of the colon. Interestingly, liver and lung, as the most common site of metastasis of CRC, had not been involved.Conclusion: Although, skin metastasis is a worse prognostic factor, its occurrence in CRC patient doesn’t necessarily present end stage disease. So, it could be treated by early diagnosis of susceptible cutaneous lesions.