QOM UNIVERSITY OF MEDICAL SCIENCES JOURNAL
Year:2007 | Volume:1 | Issue:2|Papers Count:11

Background and objectives: Augmentation of Th2 mediated responses such as elevation of serum IgE is the characteristic feature in atopy and asthma. CpG oligonucleotides (CpG ODN) have been used during the recent two decades as the potent immunomodulatory agents in allergic conditions. In this paper, we aim to report the anti-inflammatory effects of CpG ODN in murine model of asthma.Methods: In this study, BALB/c mice were sensitized with ch.a. allergen and then treated intranasally with CpG ODN. Following the challenge with allergen inhalation, mice were sacrificed and their splenocytes were cultured in the presence of antigen. After three days of culture, supernatants were examined for IFN- g levels by ELISA method, as an indication of Th1 response, and the results were compared with those in control mice without CpG therapy.Results: The results indicate that the mice in the test group, which received CpG ODN, showed higher levels of systemic INF- g, and lower levels of serum IgE compared with either the antigen or CpG negative ODN-treated groups.Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, which shows higher INF-g levels in mice received CpG ODN, it can be concluded that CpG motifs have immune response modulation potential apparently through the deviation of Th2 into Th1 responses, which lead to a decrease in IgE antibody level. Accordingly, we suggest that these components can have therapeutic effects in the asthma caused by ch.a. allergen.

Background and objectives: Local pain and painful defecation are common patients’ complaints after anal surgery. Topical diltiazem, a calcium channel blocker, can decrease the tonicity of smooth muscles of anal sphincter and probably decrease the aforementioned painful condition. This study evaluates the efficacy of topical diltiazem gel on these complaints.Methods: In this double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study, patients received either diltiazem gel or placebo (a gel not containing diltiazem), in inch at the site of operation, twice per day. All patients were followed up on 2nd and 7th postoperative days for scoring of complaints.Results: The pain and painful defecation decreased significantly in second day in patients received diltiazem. Pain was completely alleviated in all patients received diltiazem in 7th postoperative day. But, in the placebo group, pain was reported by some of the patients in this day. No unwanted effect was reported in patients received diltiazem.Conclusion: Topical 2% diltiazem gel is effective on alleviation of pain and pain during defecation after standard anal surgery.

Background and objectives: As a common infectious disease in childhood, shigellosis has a variety of seasonal and microbiologic patterns and there is a concerning trend of resistance in various parts of the world and even a single country. Inappropriate empiric therapy for any acute episode of gastroenteritis, which might be based on lab studies, could potentially lead to even further resistance. In this report, the erythrocyte sedimentation rate was studied in patients with acute gastroenteritis.Methods: Medical records of 117 patients were reviewed in this study. The mean and standard deviation of some of the acute phase inflammatory indicators were compared in two groups of shigellosis and viral gastroenteritides using independent samples t test.Results: The mean age of the patients was 49 months, and almost half of them were male. Shigella sonnei was the commonest species isolated from these patients. Shigellosis was found to be more frequent during August to October. After 2001, resistance to ampicillin and cotrimoxazole was observed in 75% and 90% of isolates respectively. A few cases were resistant to third generation of cephalosporins (< 3%). In shigellosis, the erythrocyte sedimentation rate was significantly higher than viral gastroenteritis.Conclusion: Empiric use of cotrimoxazole is no longer recommended in children suspicious of contracting shigellosis in Tehran. To avoid unnecessary prescription of antibiotics for acute gastroenteritis, a normal result of erythrocyte sedimentation rate might be helpful.

Background and objectives: 2% of all pregnancies terminate before 32 weeks and 12.5% of them before 37 weeks of gestation. Medical treatment by contraction inhibitors is the most common strategy for management of preterm labor pain. Nicardipine is a dihydropyridine used for inhibition of contractions in animal models. In the clinical setting, the most common medication used for management of preterm labor pain is magnesium sulfate. This study aims to compare the effectiveness and side effects of oral nicardipine and intravenous magnesium sulfate in treatment of preterm labor pain.Methods: 125 pregnant women with a gestational age of 24-34 weeks and preterm labor pain were entered into this clinical trial. They were randomly divided into two groups of nicardipine and magnesium sulfate. The medications were administered in loading and maintenance doses.Results: Two groups were not significantly different in terms of gestational age, and cervical dilatation, but their gravity differed significantly. But response to treatment and the time needed for complete inhibition of contractions were significantly different in these groups.Conclusion In magnesium sulfate group, the response to primary treatment was higher and the time needed to stop the contractions was shorter in comparison to the nicardipine group. But,maternal side effects were higher in the former group.

Background and objectives: Several studies have demonstrated that antisperm antibody (ASA) can interfere with fertilization. ASA can be detected in the serum or semen by different tests. In this study, the percentage of ASA-IgG was determined by the direct mixed antiglobulin reaction (MAR) test in men from infertile couples in Khorramabad city. Furthermore, the risk factors of formation of ASA were evaluated to determine the correlation between these factors and presence of ASA.Methods: 200 men were tested for ASA as a part of the infertility evaluation. Patients were grouped according to percentage of ASA of < 10% or ≥ 10%. Risk factors for ASA (varicocele, hernia, and genitourinary infections) were considered for each group. Statistical analysis was performed using Fisher’s exact test.Results: ASA was detected in 18.5% of the studied cases. Prior varicocele was significantly associated with presence of ASA detected by direct MAR. Prior hernia was not associated with presence of ASA detected by direct MAR. Prior genitourinary infections were significantly associated with presence of ASA detected by direct MAR.Conclusion: These findings suggest that manipulation of cord structures including vas deferens is not associated with formation of ASA; however, varicocele and prior genitourinary infections are significant risk factors for the development of ASA.

Background and objectives: Hemodialysis is one of the therapeutic modalities of the end stage renal disease (ESRD). As inadequate dialysis is considered a risk factor leading to higher morbidity and mortality, determination of adequacy of dialysis is necessary. This study was conducted to determine adequacy of dialysis in continuous hemodialysis patients in Kamkar and Hazrat Vali Asr Hospitals in the state of Qom, Iran.Methods: This cross sectional descriptive-analytic study was conducted in 2006. The study variables were age, gender, height, weight and duration of dialysis. Data were collected by a questionnaire and URR, dKt/V, eKt/V and pKt/V were calculated. For statistical analysis, ttest, Fisher’s exact test and Pearson correlation were employed.Results: Of 238 patients, 51.7% and 48.3% were males and females respectively. The average age was 55.27 ± 16.79 years. Mean values of dKt/V, eKt/V, pKt/V and URR were 1.03 ± 0.232, 0.89 ± 0.196, 1.18 ± 0.254, and 57.46 ± 8.42 respectively. The percent of adequate dialysis in eKt/V, pKt/V and URR were 26.5%, 44.5% and 21% respectively. The mean age of insufficient eKt/V group was higher than adequate eKt/V group and t test showed a significant statistical correlation. Fisher’s exact test showed a significant correlation between adequate eKt/V and female gender, and also between eKt/V and URR. But chi-square test did not show a significant correlation between eKt/V and underling disease.Conclusion: We found that hemodialysis is inadequate in a high number of patients. Further studies with larger sample numbers are recommended to determine the underlying cause of this inadequacy.

Background and objectives: Wound repair after a surgical operation or traumatic injuries is a coordinated process, which is highly dependent to the pre- and post-operative or traumatic care. There is no consensus on the best wound care method and application of topical therapeutic agents including diluted oxygen peroxide solution and antibiotics. This study is aimed to compare the healing effects of oxygen peroxide and tetracycline ointment in management of traumatic facial injuries.Methods: 76 patients divided into two groups were entered into this randomized clinical trial. All patients sustained facial injuries requiring primary repair. The first group received 2% topical oxygen peroxide solution for 5 days, and the second group received sterile 1% tetracycline topical ointment for 5days. At the end of the fourth day, wound healing status was assessed with a chart designed for this purpose.Results: No statistically significant difference was observed between the tetracycline and hydrogen peroxide groups in regards to the distance of wound margins, erythema and dehiscence.Conclusion: According to our results, there is no difference in the effects of hydrogen peroxide solution or tetracycline ointment on the healing of traumatic facial wounds.

Background and objectives: Arterial aneurysm is defined as a dilatation that exceeds 1.5 times the normal diameter. Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) frequently involves infra-renal arteries. The common iliac and internal iliac vessels may also be involved. This disease usually involves males with a familial and sex-linked pattern. In this article, a case of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) along with bilateral iliac arteries aneurysm and right ectopic kidney is reported.Case: The patient was a 71-year-old man, smoker, who suffered from vague abdominal pains for 3 months without any changes in bowel habits or other symptoms. The pain was localized in mid-abdomen and upper abdomen, radiating to the back, and aggravating by physical exercise, but it would not change with feeding or position. In past medical history, hypertension was noticed for which the patient was on antihypertensive medications. Physical examination revealed a pulsating palpable mass in mid-abdomen. CT scanning showed dilation of abdominal aorta below the renal arteries, as well as bilateral iliac artery aneurysms. The right kidney was ectopically located in right pelvis and other abdominal organs were found normal.