Journal of Kerman University of Medical Sciences
Year:2000 | Volume:7 | Issue:3|Papers Count:9

In Iran, the hydrogenated vegetable oil have a high content of trans fatty acids and high per capita consumption. This study was aimed to evaluate the effects of substitution of hydrogenated oil by sunflower liquid oil on plasma levels of LDL, HDL, total cholesterol and triglycerides in normal subjects. Thirty six healthy inmates participated in this research. They were consuming hydrogenated oil before the study, and were maintained on sunflower diet for one month. Then they were switched to hydrogenated oil regimen for the next two months. Blood samples were collected for measuring the levels of HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, total cholesterol and triglycerids at the beginning and 15 days intervals during the study. The results showed that omission of hydrogenated oil from the diet significantly increases the serum HDL-cholesterol (P<0.001) level and reswitching from sunflower oil to shortening regimen reverts such beneficial effects. No significant difference was observed for the other measured parameters between the two lipid regimens.

This prospective case-control study was carried out to evaluate the prevalence of positive cases of anti-HCV Ab in 107 thalassemic patients and 107 children without any previous history of blood transfusion as a control group. ELISA generation II was used for serologic investigation and then positive cases were confirmed by RIBA generation I. The average age of thalassemic patients was 9.2±‏4.3 years and those of control group was 8.9±4.2 years. 45.1% of the case group and 39.2% of the control group were female and 54.9% of the case group and 60.8% of the control group were male. Anti-HCV Ab was positive in 22.4% of the thalassemic patients while there was no positive case in the control group and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.001). The average number of transfusions was 104±‏58.2 in anti-HCV Ab positive thalassemic patients and 85.3‏±50.6 in anti-HCV Ab negative patients and the difference was not statistically significant (P=0.126). According to the results of this study, the prevalence of contamination with HCV was zero in normal population of Kermanian children and 22.4% in thalassemic patients. Therefore screening of donated bloods for anti-HCV Ab in order to eliminate the contaminated bloods has a significant importance in preventing HCV transmission in highrisk group.

Aluminium is a blocker of voltage sensitive calcium channels which entere the body from different sources. This ion interferes with biological function of Ca++ ion. Because GnRH synthesis, secretion and spermatogenesis are dependent on calcium ion, this study was performed to investigate the effect of aluminium on vas deferens and epididymis sperm count and weight of these organs in male rats. The study was performed on four group of rats (n=49), in whom the arcuate nucleus was bilaterally cannulated by sterotaxic surgery. Test group recieved 100 nl ACSF containing 0.15 pmol aluminium in each side of the arcuate nucleus for 20 days. Two groups of animals were recieved the same volume of ACSF with pH=7.2 and 3.4. The sham control group did not recieve any agent after cannulation. At the end of experiment, animals were anesthetized with nesdonal (sodium thiopental) and then vas deferens and epididymis were removed and weighted. These organs were cut and diluted with normal saline. Sperms were counted by hemocytometer and calculated per gram of tissuse. Results showed that sperm count per gram of tissue in vas deferens and epididymis control group were 107.9±3.1, 76.2±3.7 million and in test group 45.0±2.9, 67.3±4.9 million respectively (P<0.05). The weight of these organs in AlCl3 group were 103.5±5.01 and 462.3±19.2 mg, and in control group were 117.5±2.5 and 515±16.3 mg respectively. The value of testosterone in control and test groups were 2.11±0.4 and 0.8±0.28 ng/ml (P<0.05). Overall the results indicate that injection of aluminium in male rat arcuate nucleus, can decrease sperm count in vas deferens and epididymis. In addition the weight of this organs and serum testosterone were also decreased.

The purpose of this case - control study was to compare successful labor induction between preeclamptic and non-preeclamptic women admitted to delivery ward of Shahid Bahonar hospital. 200 preeclamptic women were selected as case and 200 non-preeclamptic as control group and received labor induction. Two groups were similar regarding to age, parity, gravidity, abortion, first and scecond phase induction, and Bishop score of cervix, but there was significant differences based on gestational age (P<0.0001) and membrane ruptuer (P<0.001). Gestational age and ruptured membrane of preeclamptic women were less than non-preeclamptics. Successful induction in preeclamptic and non-preeclamptic women occured 53.5% and 77% respectively and this difference was significant (P<0.001). In two groupsthere was significant differenc in successful induction with bishop score (P<0.01 and P<0.001 respectively), so that the higher bishop score was with higher successful labor. In summary, induction of labor in preeclamptic women may carry a higher risk of failed induction and of cesarean delivery compared to non-preeclamptic women.

Toxoplasmosis is a disease caused by a ubiquitous, obilgate intracellular protozoan "Toxoplasma gondii". The present study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of Toxoplasma infection in Kerman province of Iran. A total of 690 blood samples, collected from patients in Kerman hospitals were serologically tested by indirect fluorescent antibody technique (IFA) for Toxoplasma antibodies. 46.9 percent of the samples were found positive with antibody titers of 1:16 and higher. For all ages the prevalence in males (48.6%) is not significantly different from the prevalence of 44.9% in females. Although there seems to be a trend toward increasing seropositivity with increasing age, there was no statistical significance increase in the prevalence of seropositivity with increasing age. The highest prevalence rate (52.5%) was observed in the age group of 10-19 years with GMRT (Geometric Mean of Reciprocal Titer) 77.4. No association was found between the seropositivity rate and contact with domestic cats. Also, there was no significant correlation between the consumption of improperly cooked meat and seropositivity rates.

Benzo (a) Pyrene is a carcinogen polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon which diffuses into the environment from combustion of organic materials. Based on various epidemiological evidences it is related to lung, skin and liver cancer. Mutagen city, and immunosuppressivity are among important biological effects of Benzo (a) pyrene. After absorbtion and distribution in the body, it undergoes epoxidation by cytochrome P-450 system in the cells. Some of the electrophilic metabolites covalently bind to cellular macromolecules and in particular to DNA. Its metabolites are partially detoxified by conjunction to cellular glutathione (GSH), glucoronic acid, and sulphate. Biological effects of B (a) P and its metabolits depend on various factors such as species, age, sex, tissue, diet, dose, genetic system, etc. The fundamental physiological differences between newborns and adults are variations in susceptibility to chemical carcinogens observed between the two age groups. In this paper we studied the level of binding of B (a) P to calf thymus DNA and formation of DNA adduct in the incubation systems which contained adult and newborn rat liver and skin microsomes. Results indicate that in both age groups liver microsomes in comparison to skin microsomes cause a higher increase in the level of DNA adduct and the ratio of DNA adduct in the liver of adults compared to animal skin was 4.2 to 1. The quantity of adduct in the incubation systems containing liver microsomes of newborn was 1.51 higher than that of skin microsomes. Moreover phenobarbiton failed to induce cytochrome P-450 and any increase in DNA adduct level of B (a) P in the newborns rat. The level of cytochrome P-450 in adults liver was 2.86 times higher than that in newborns' liver.

Alum had been used in traditional medicine for treatment of oral lesions in Iran. The main aim of this study was to find out a suitable formulation for the mucoadhesive form of alum. In this study some materials such as alum, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and Arabic Gum were used. Different bases of Gum and CMC were made and titration of alum was performed with suitable buffer and the rate of water absorption from gingiva was used as an index of active ingredient release. The mean weight of released alum with CMC base (10% alum) at minute 60 compared to minutes 15, 30, 90, 120 and alum 10% with Gum base in minutes 15, 30, 60, 90 each compared to minute of 120 showed significant differences (P<0.01). Also the mean weight of released alum with CMC base (10% alum) in minute 60 compared to alum with Gum base in minutes 15, 30, 60, 90, 120 showed significant differences (P<0.01). The volume increasing of patches after 60 minutes in Gum was 1.5 times more compared to those of CMC. There were significant differences between mean weight variations at minutes 20, 40, 60 (P<0.05). On the basis of these findings, the best suggested base for formulation of alum is Gum base with alum 2% using up to 30 minutes and CMC base with alum 10% using up to 15 minutes.

Primary amyloidosis is a rare disorder which is diagnosed by extra cellular deposition of proteinaceous material in different organs. In this report, a case of this disease with prominent hepatic involvement is presented. The case is a 63 years old male who refered with abdominal enlargement, weight loss, generalized pruritus, anorexia and vague abdominal pain started from six months ago. On physical examination excoriation mark and hepatomegaly with liver span about 20cm were noted. Jaundice, splenomegaly, ascitis, edema and skin lesions were absent. Based on laboratory report there were anincrease in alkaline phosphatase 3 times above the normal range and mild elevation in aminotransferases. Proteinuria was 2.7 grams in 24hr urine collection. Liver biopsy revealed homogenous and amorphous deposition of extra cellular material with green birefringence in Congo red staining.Therefore the diagnosis of primary amyloidosis after exclusion of other causes was confirmed.

Fournier's gangrene as an infectious necrotizing fascitis of the genitalia is a rare urologic emergency. Pediatric cases have been successfully managed with a more conservative surgical approach and have had a significant lower mortality rate compared to adults. In spite of this fact we report two cases in two 6 and 7 year old boys following circumcision which ended up in death. Failure in treatment was due to late referring and diabetes in one of them.