Jundishapur Scientific Medical Journal
Year:2008 | Volume:6 | Issue:4 (55)|Papers Count:18

Objective: Breast cancer is the most common cancer affecting women and 1: 12 of the population will develop breast cancer before the age of 70. Of those, 5 to 10% of these cases develop breast cancer due to autosomal dominant predisposing gene mutation at BRCA1 and BRCA2. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of these mutations among breast cancer patients and their relatives in Ahwaz.Subjects and Methods: For this purpose, 38 and 32 blood samples from breast cancer patients and their healthy relatives respectively were tested for possible presence of mutation in exon 3 of the BRCA1 gene using single strand conformational analysis method.Results: the results showed that 10.5% of the patients with breast cancer carried the mutated gene.Conclusion: These results demonstrated that the prevalence of BRCA1 gene mutation in our area is similar to its global pattern.

Objective: b-Thalassemia is one of the most common inherited gene disorders in Iran. Iran is on the thalassemia world belt map and around of 5-10% of Khuzestanian population is carriers of b-thalassemia gene. On the other hand, since Khuzestanian population is a mixture of different ethic groups, the aim of this study was to determine frequency and distribution of mvtations in this part of country during prenatal diagnosis.Subjects and Methods: In this perspective crossed-sectional study, we studied the genetic mutations of 116 affected patients whom were resident in different place of Khuzestan by simple random sampling method. The technique applied in this research was reverse dot bolt hybridization. EDTA blood was taken for DNA analysis using Vinea-Lab kit (Austria).Results: From 116 cases (59% were females) altogether 232 chromos were analyzed. Thalassemia major chromosome was detected in 78.4% of cases. Codon 36/37 (14.7%) was the most common mutative found in our study. The descending order of prevalence of other gene mutations were: IVSIIO, IVSII-I, Codon 8 and Codon 5 were 14.2, 6.9, 6.5 and 5.2 % respectively. Remaining mutations (21.6%) were undiagnosed with this technique.Conclusion: Codon 36/37 is the most common mutation in Khuzestan, Iran

Objective: Environmental exposure to cadmium (Cd) occurs via food, occupational industries, terrestrial and aquatic ecosystem. Increasing evidence indicated that Cd induced toxicity in human and animals. However, the mechanism by which it’s produced toxicity is not completely understood. It has been shown that lipid peroxidation is involved in Cd-related toxicity. Vitamin E is an effective antioxidant and tree radical scavenger. The aim of this study is to investigate the preventive effect of vitamin E on cadmium-induced toxicity in rat liver and kidney. .Materials and Methods: Adult NMARI male rats were treated with 5mglkg vitamin E or corn oil (vehicle) only. 30 min later animals were given Cd CL2 (ip) at doses of 0.5, 1, 1.5 and 2mg/kg. The control group received normal saline (vehicle). All animals were treated for 7 consecutive days. 24 hr after last administration all rats were killed with over dose of sodium pentobarbital. The blood was collected for determinations of ALT, AST, ALP, BUN and creatinine. The liver and kidney tissues were removed, fixed and processed for light microscopy, using H&E staining method. CdCl2 induced dose-dependent injury in both liver and kidney tissues.Results: Statistical analysis showed significant increase all biochemical parameters in CdCl2 treated rats when compared to control groups (p>0.05). Vitamin E had no effect on rat liver or kidney. However, this agent protected cells against CdCl2 toxicity.Conclusion: The results of this study support the view that vitamin E has potential to protect rat liver and kidney tissues against CdCl2 toxicity.

Objective: Several chronic illnesses are associated with obesity, such as hypertension, Type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of aerobic swimming and aerobic running on lipid-lipoproteins profiles in obese adolescents.Subjects and Methods: Study participants consisted of 45 young boys (15 controls, 15 swimming, and 15 running) overweight (BMI between 27.3 to 33.2 kg.m-2) adolescents, aged 15 to 18 yr, studied before and after an 8-wk swimming and running. LDL-C, HDL-C, triglyceride (TG), and total cholesterol (TC) were assessed via blood samples drawn from an antecubital vein.Results: There were significant differences in the experimental group for HDL-C compared with the control group (P<0.05). However, there were no significant differences between running and swimming group in HDL-c (P>0.05). There were significant differences between experimental groups and control for TG (P<0.05). There were no differences between experimental groups and control for TC (P>0.05). There were significant differences between experimental groups and control for LDL-C (P<0.05), but no significant differences were recorded in the swimming and running group in LDL-c.Conclusion: The results from this study suggest that in order to get suitable balance in lipid lipoproteins, obese adolescents must participate in aerobic exercise such as running and swimming.

Objectives: Systemic lupus erythematous (SLE) is a multi-systemic disease of unknown aetiology that may affect any organ system. Lupus nephritis (LN) remains an important problem in patients with SLE. Clinically significant renal involvement in SLE is more common in children than in adults. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical course, histopathology and the efficacy and safety of high-dose pulse cyclophosphamide in children with LN.Subjects and Methods: Retrospectively, 20 children under 16 years of age with LN at the Ahwaz Abouzar children's hospital were studied: from 1995 to 2006. All patients under went percutaneous renal biopsy and were followed up for at least 36 months. Histopathological evaluations of the biopsies were performed or reconfirmed at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. The clinical and serologic parameters at the time of renal biopsy were recorded. Based on renal biopsy (WHO class: fication for LN), the patients were treated with the following regimens: one patient (class I) with low-dose prednisolone, 7 (class II, III) with high-dose of prednisolone, diuretics and anti-hypertensivedrugs, 12 (class IV) with high-dose prednisolone and 13 received intermittent intravenous cyclophosphamide pulses (monthly for 6 months and then every 3 months) followed bymycophenolate mofetil (MMF) as maintenance therapy.Results: The sample consisted of 13(65%) girls and 7(35%) boys. The mean age at the time of diagnosis of SLE was 10.2 (ranging 5- 13) years. Eighteen patients (90%) were more than 8 years old. Sixty percent of the patients were presented as nephritic-nephrotic syndrome. Based on biopsy results, there was 1 patient (5%) with class I, 5 (25%) with class II, 2 (10%) with class III, 12 (60%) with class IV and none with class V. Eighty five percent of cases went in remission, one was hemodialytic and 2 died due to renal failure and central nervous system involvement. Among 12 cases with class IV, 11 responded to prednisolone and intravenous cyctophosphamide pulses. There was no evidence, short-term or long-term side effects.Conclusion: It seems that intravenous pulse cyclophosphamide induces remission of clinical and renal disease in the majority of early diagnosed children with severe LN. Furthermore, it appears that MMF is an appropriate drug for maintenance therapy. Further studies to confirm the long-term efficacy and safety of cyclophosphamide pulse therapy on larger numbers of patients are prudently needed.

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the mental health of nurses of different shift work.Subjects and Methods: The population of this study comprised nurses who were working in different state hospitals in Ahwaz. The sample consisted of 120 female nurses, selected randomly from a list of nurses who were working in different shift works. SCL-90R was used as measurement instrument.Results: One-way ANOVA data analyses revealed that there was a significant difference between mental health of nurses working in three, two and a single shift works. Lower mental health was associated with higher shift works.Conclusion: These results showed that working on shift, even when the age and the years of service were controlled, still had a specific effect on mental health of nurses.

Objective: Trauma of the anterior teeth is a common problem among children and adolescents. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence and the risk factors of trauma to the anterior teeth among 7-11 year girls and boys students in Hoveizeh city in 2003.Subjects and Methods: The present cross sectional-descriptive study was carried out on 382 students with traumatic teeth which included 200 boys and 182 girls. Clinical examination for each of student was made and a questionnaire was filled.Results: The result showed that the incidence of teeth injuries 67.2 % in boys 67.2 % and 33.8% in girls. The age of highest rate of teeth trauma was at the age 10-year among boys and at age of 9-in girls. While the lowest age of incidence of teeth injury in both boys and girls was at the age of 8 years. The highest incidence of type of teeth injury in the both sexes was the central maxilla (65%). The incidence teeth injuries in these students with over jet were higher (56.3%) than others.Conclusion: These results showed that the teeth trauma in the both sex were notably high. Perhaps increase in awareness of the dangers associated with teeth injury among students and their families is an important precautionary measure for prevention of this type of trauma.

Objective: The main purpose of this research was to study the correlation of psychosocial development and mental health of the elderly in various cities in Khuzestan province.Subjects and Methods: Towards this end, a random sample consisting of 469 elderly included 237 women and 232 men were selected froma list of 600 families existing in Central Computer of Tehran Statistics. This sample was studied on the basis of the Modified Erikson Psychosocial Stage Inventoy (MEPSI) and the Symptom Checklist- 90 Revised (SCL-90- R). For analyzing the data the correlation method was used.Result: The testing figures have shown that there is a positive meaningful correlation between each of the Erikson's stages of psychosocial development and various mental health aspects of elderly people in Khuzestan. Conclusion: Solving psychosocial development crises successfully is related positively with the mental health of the elderly.

Objective: Low back pain (LBP) is the second common cause of chronic pains after the headache chronic pain, which can cause anxiety and depression. The purpose of the present study was assessment of psychological problems in LBP patients.Subjects and Methods: The subjects of this cross sectional study were 92 volunteers (50 male and 42 female) referrals suffering LBP to Ahwaz clinical centers aging between 19-63 years, with different occupations who were selected non-randomly and problem oriented. They all completed SCL- 90-R. Results: Of all the cases, 71.7% of patients suffered from psychological problems (66% male, 78.6% female). The males mean of Global Severity Index (GSI) (T=68) was more than in the females (T=63). Females reported more frequent psychological problems in comparison to males who reported more intensive problems. In males, a significant relationship was observed between their job and psychological problems (p<0.01).Conclusion: Our findings showed some common psychological problems in LBP patients. The study's findings suggest psychological assessment and therapy for these patients additionally to required their other routine treatments.

Objective: From the point of chemical safety, chlorine gas is one of the dangerous chemicals, which is mainly used in water treatment industry for production of drinking water. In Tehran metropolis, the chlorination stations are one of the most crisis focuses, because of high number of chlorination stations, their dispersion in the city, population trachoma near these stations and their continuous 24 hr operation. In addition, there is insufficient information on its method of spreading compounded by lack of knowledge on how to confronting accident involving it’s spreading by fire-fighting organizations. The aim of the present study was to assess the event probability of an accident over one year in Tehran chlorination stations.Subjects and Methods: Fault Tree Analysis Technique was used to recognize the most effective factor in assessment of chlorine gas release. Then, compound method and their relation in form of terminal event, intermediate event and "OR" & "AND" gate were allocated. According to qualitative and quantitative analysis of Fault Tree, the most important factor in such event was recognized. Probability in safety assessment and calculation of event rate during one year were estimated.Results: The most important factors in the probability of occurrence of an event were non-existing training courses for staff and managers, high work pressure, inexistence of codified guidelines and rules and also unsuitable design of stations. The collected data on the probability of chlorine gas release was 21 times/year.Conclusion: These results suggest that safety training courses for both staff and managers are urgently needed. Reformatory modifications in staff shift work and in control team are also recommended.

Objective: Contrast nephropathy is the cause of 5% to 30% of in patients with acute renal failure. Although recovery is high, but may need dialysis in 10% to 25% of cases and increase the duration of admission and increase mortality by five folds. The aim of this study was to assess the role of N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) as an antioxidant agent, in prevention of radio contrast- induced nephropathy in high risk patients among candidate for angiography in Golestan hospital in Ahwaz, Iran.Subjects and Methods: One hundred patients, who had at least one of the following risk factors: age >60 years, diabetes mellitus, heart failure (ejection fraction <35%) or renal insufficiency (creatinine³1.5mg/dl), were studied. Fifty patients who were administered NAC (600mg twice a day orally plus 1 litre of normal saline, the day before and again after angiography) were compared with 50 patients who received only normal saline. Angiography was done by Omnipaque or Ultravist contrast media. Before and 48 hours after angiography, serum creatinine, was determined. Radio-contrast-induced nephropathy was defined as an increase increment of creatinine level of more than 0.5mg/dl.Results: The patients were 40-78 years old, 58 patients were male and 42 were female. Diabetes mellitus was recognized in 36% of patients, CHF in 16%, renal insufficiency in 25% and age >60 years in 23%. Contrast nephropathy occurred in 5 patients of control group (2 of them had diabetes mellitus, 2 had renal insufficiency and one was age >60 years), but -no one in NAC. The difference in two groups was significant (p< 0.05). In NAC group, mean of serum creatinine level decreased 0.08mg/dl but in controls, increased 0.16mg/dl (p< 0.05). NAC had no side effects in patients.Conclusion: The incidence of radio-contrast-induced nephropathy in the NAC group was significantly lower than in the control group. NAC is a safe and effective agent in prevention of radio-contrast-induced nephropathy in high risk patients

Objectives: Anatomical variations of nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses are more important nowadays because endoscopic sinus surgery is performed more frequently by otorhinolaryngologist. While some anatomic variations such as Haller cell, concha bullosa, big agger nasi cell, pneumatized uncinate process may be a predisposition for chronic sinusitis or nasal polyposis. CT-scan is important as a preoperative evaluation for functional endoscopic sinus surgery. Coronal CT-scan can clearly visualize details of mucosal abnormalities, paranasal sinus involvement and anatomic variation of the bone. In this study we aimed to evaluate the frequency of occurrence of anatomical variations of paranasal sinuses and nasal cavity among patients scheduled for elective endoscopic sinus surgery using computed tomography.Subjects and Methods: The subjects of this study included 204 patients with sinus disease (sinus group) suffering from chronic sinusitis and sinonasal polyposis. A further 75 patients (non-sinus group) who were diagnosed for hypophysialtumour and recurrent dacryocystitis, ophthalmologic diseases and other for reasons were subjected to CT scanning. The results of CT scanning were analysed for their anatomicalvariations.Results: This study included 163 male, 116 female. Anatomic variations were detected as follows: 57.7% (septal deviation), 48.2% (Agger nasi cell), 28% (concha Bullosa) and 13.5% (large Bulla cell), 0.9% (Haller cell), uncinate process with medial bent (12.1%) or lateral bent (5.2%).Conclusion: The finding of this study showed that septal deviation is the most common and unicate process with lateral bent being least common types of the anatomical variation nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses of anatomical. Prudently, in order to prevent the development of complications during the surgery, this aspect need to be considered for each individual patient elected for endoscopic sinus surgery.

Objective: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is characterized by the presence of multiple plaques within the central nervous system, manifesting as remission and exacerbation of neurologic dysfunction over variable time courses. Sensorineural hearing loss is an uncommon symptom of multiple sclerosis. Clinical presentation of multiple sclerosis is highly heterogeneous. The aim of this study was to determine the quality of hearing in MS and to evaluate prognosis.Subjects and Methods: We studied 16 cases with confirmed MS who visited ENT clinic of Emam Khomeini Hospital of Ahwaz Jundishapur University between April 2003 to March 2005. Clinical, electrophysiological, auditory brain stem response (ABR), ??? (ENG) and MRI radiological assessments were undertaken. In addition, the cochleovestibulat systems of these patients were also evaluated after treatment.Results: The cases studies included were 7 males and 9 females with mean age of 32.5 years. In MS patients a wide range of symptoms due to lesions in different areas of the brain and spinal cord were recoded. Two of 16 cases had sensory neural hearing loss, with abnormal ABR, both patients had normal tympanometry and had no acoustic reflex.Conclusion: Further research is required to explore the variability in the levels of ability and functioning. The findings of this research work suggest that in patients with MS can show various abnormalities in the vestibulocochlear system and a multidisciplinary evaluation is required to be undertaken by investigating otolaryngologists.

Objective: The HLA region on the short arm of chromosome 6 (6p21.3) contains the most polymorphic coding sequences in the human genome. The frequency of HLA class I alleles and their linkage disequilibrium patterns differ significantly among human populations that determination of this variation is very important in, for example, Anthropology, disease susceptibility studies and organ transplantation. The aim of this study was to find out the frequency of HLA class I (HLA-A, HLA-B, and HLA-C) loci at the allele level by serologic methods.Subjects and Methods: The frequency of HLA-A, B and C antigens were determined by serologic method in 1420 subjects from ethnic group’s living in Khuzestan province.Results: The most frequent class I alleles of the ethnic groups living in Khouzestan province were HLA-A2 (37.2%), -B35 (51.4%) and -CW4 (29.1%).Conclusion: This study is the first report of HLA class I antigens frequencies in Khouzestan province. These data should therefore be useful for anthropologic studies, transplantation settings and for studies on the associations between HLA haplotypes and diseases in this population.

Objective: Major b -thalassemia is a fatal and severe haemolytic anaemia that causes failure to thrive, body organs dysfunction and iron over load. Cardiac complications are the major cause of death among patients with b -thalassemiamajor. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the cardiac function in patient with b thalassemia major after treatment with the captoprilSubjects and methods: Sixty patients from 110 major b-thalassemiccases, aged between 10 to 21 years, we are selected and underwent this pilot clinical trial. Patients were divided into two groups: before and after receiving captopril or received placebo. Two-D and Doppler echocardiography were taken. The data were statistically analyzed with SPSS soft-ware using students’ t-test and correlation coefficient methods.Results: After treatment with captopril in comparison with the before treatment, the mean Ejection Fraction increased from 54.35%±7.7% to 58.74%±8.7% (p<0.05), Shortening Fraction increased from 28.12±5 to 31.03±6 (p<0.05), Left Ventricular E/A ratio decreased from 1.88±0.37 to 1.69±0.41 (p<0.05), PEPIET in left side decreased from 0.38±0.05 to 0.32±0.08 (p<0.05), deceleration time of mitral inflow increased from 122±24 to 142±32msec (p<0.05), and LVESD decreased from 3.4±0.5 to 3.1±0.4 (p<0.05). In the control group, after treatment with placebo compared before treatment, mean of EF decreased from 58.73%±5.3% to 54.63%±8% (p<0.05), Shortening Fraction decreased from 31.63±4 to 28.6±5 (P<0.05), deceleration time of mitral inflow increased from 140±19 to 192±18msec (P<0.05).Conclusion: These results showed that captopril is effective in improving the cardiac function in major thalassemic patients. Furthermore, it is also useful in subsets of patients with heart failure, especially in those with restrictive filling pattern.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to analyze the natural history, treatment and prognosis of Esthesioneuroblastoma (ENB), a rare malignancy of the head and neck, based on the literature review.Subjects and Methods: A retrospective study conducted on ENB patients who were treated at Qhaem and Omid hospitals, since 1994 to 2004.Results: Eleven patients (mean age 44 years) with ENB identified and analyzed. The patients generally presented with unilateral nasal obstruction (72.7%) and epistaxis (63.6%). The right side was affected in 36.4% of patients. While the left side was involved in 54.5% and both side of the nasal cavity were involved at presentation in 9.1%. Kadish stage C was seen in 54.5% of patients. No patients had distant metastases and two patients (18.2%) had neck lymphadenopathy at presentation. Surgery was performed in 8 patients (72.7%). Radiation therapy was employed in 11 cases and chemo-therapy in 3. Recurrence occurred in one patient. Five-year survival was 80% and ten-year survival was 48%.Conclusion: ENB is rare tumor that is potentially curable by surgical resection and radiation therapy.