Avicenna Journal of Clinical Medicine
Year:2005 | Volume:12 | Issue:1 (SN 35)|Papers Count:14

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that in most cases has no specific etiology. It has been reported in some articles that some relationship may exist between psoriasis and hepatitis C virus. For this reason, this study was done to determine the prevalence of hepatitis C antibody in psoriatic patients in Kerman.In this study, 132 patients with psoriasis and 149 blood donors or patients without psoriasis as controls were tested for HCY-Ab with using ELISA method and if positive, checked with RIBA method as well.4 of 132 psoriatic patients (3%) and 3 of 149 controls (2%) were positive for HCY-Ab, confirmed by RIBA method. There was no significant statistical difference between the two groups (P=0.71). Furthermore, in comparison with blood donors population in Kerman with an approximate prevalence of 1% positive HCY-Ab, our data showed no significant statistical difference between psoriatic patients and this group as well (p=0.39). In psoriatic cases, there is no difference between HCY-Ab positive and HCY-Ab negative patients regarding age, sex, clinical patterns of psoriasis, HCY related risk factors and the chronicity of the disease(P>0.05).According to this study, we didn't find a significant relationship between psoriasis and HCY in our patients in Kerman.

T cell proliferation is a standard method to evaluate cellular immune responses against intracellular infectious agents. Recently, intracellular cytokine assay is a valuable procedure for studying of the immune response to various stimuli such as intracellular microbes. The present study was undertaken to assess cell-mediated immune responses in patients with acute and chronic brucellosis.Diluted whole blood samples of patients with acute (n=14) and chronic brucellosis (n=13) with age 35.33±21 years, and sex and age-matched healthy volunteers (n=22) were cultured in the presence of either mitogen; heat inactivated bacteria or medium alone. Intracellular IFN-g expression in CD3+ cells was detected by flow cytometry. Lymph proliferation was determined by titiated thymidine incorporation using scintillation counter, to evaluate DNA synthesis.In all groups, incubation with mitogen induced proliferation of Iymphocytes and intracellular IFN-g expression of CD3+ cells. In contrast, only brucellosis patients responded with cell proliferation and IFN-g production against heat killed Brucella melitensis. However, blastogenic responses and IFN-g -producing CD3+ cells were significantly decreased in response to antigen in chronic group compared to patients with acute brucellosis of patients (P<0.001). There was a close correlation between the number IFN-g-producing CD3+ cells only in acute group which shown polarization of immune responses to Th1 type.Methods used in this study were useful to evaluate immune responses against specific antigen or polyclonal stimulation. Our data was shown patients with acute infection responded to Brucella antigens by IFN-g expression and proliferation and induced production of T helper 1 (Th1) cytokines, whereas chronically infected patients do not.

Lumbar puncture (LP) is the only way to diagnose meningitis, however some concerning points regarding its complication especially brain herniation are usually noted. Several factors including difficulties of neurologic examination especially in infants, absence of cooperation when performing the LP, incorrect myths and legal issues as well as unavailability of CT equipment, X-ray exposure and charges; makes evaluation of such requests reasonable.One hundred infants and children, 2 months to 12 years old who were suspicious to have meningitis were enrolled in this cross-sectional, descriptive study: Two groups were formed based on requesting a B.CT (Brain CT scan) before LP or performing the procedure directly. Demographic and clinical parameters were analyzed among two groups using a questionnaire and CT results were recorded. Chi-square test was used for statistical analysis; P value<0.05 was considered as significant. B.CT was requested for 21 patients (case group) in which the results led to postponing the procedure in 14% (3) of cases. Toxic appearance, poor general condition, bulging fontanel and impaired consciousness (GCS score<8) were significantly related to such a decision making. There was also a trend toward ordering B.CT for those patients with recent cardiopulmonary arrest, focal signs, papilledema, hemiparesis and bradycardia. Two cases of brain herniation were identified in the control group, both had severe irritability and projectile vomiting at presentation.According to other studies, severe impairment of consciousness and presence of focal signs and symptoms are acceptable criteria for such a request, however ordering B.CT solely based on general condition or presence of a bulge fontanel seems to be unreasonable for which we couldn't identify any supportive study. Larger scale studies considering the pediatric differential diagnosis and characteristics are required to generate proper, scientific and supportive protocols in this regard.

Homocystein (Hcy), one of the thio-amino acid is known as a risk factor in some cardiovascular diseases with releasing O2 radical. It has also been reported that; there is oxidative stress effects of Hcy in cholestasis. The aim of this study is to determine plasma Hcy alteration and nitric oxide (NO) .in liver and its effects on pathologic dysfunction.In this study, 150 Spraque - Dawley male rats with 200±20g body weight were used in the experiments and they were randomly divided in three control, SHAM and bile duct ligation (BDL) groups (n=10-12). In 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th days cholestasis was observed in BDL group, the animal were anesthetized with ether and then blood samples were taken from heart directly and analysed for cystein , methionine by HPLC and HPLC-UV. Two hours before blood sampling, 40 and 100 mg/kg methionine were injected (I.P).All data are expressed as mean±SEM. Statistical evaluation of data performed by SPSSs of ware using analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by post hoc test. P-values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. The results suggest that billirubin and hepatic enzymes were significantly elevated in BDL rats compared with SHAM and controls (P<0.05). Homocystein concentration was significantly rised in 14th day in BDLgroup (P<0.05). The plasma cystein and methionine level were significantly elevated in BDLrats compared with SHAM and control groups (p=0.01). Plasma nitrate / nitrite ratio were significantly increased in BDL rats compared with SHAM and control rats (P<0.05). With these data we suppose that some of the systemic oxidative stresses in BD Lrat model of cholestasis contribute possibly through NO-dependent mechanisms disorders.

Cardiovascular system is severely influenced with chronic renal failure Although dialysis and renal transplantation have been improved the survival of the patients with chronic renal failure in past 30 years, but cardiovascular disease is the most common cause of their death yet. Dialysis could regress many of the changes accompanied with chronic renal failure, if begins soon enough.This study was an analytical time series study that 40 patients with chronic renal failure that were on maintenance dialysis, were studied by echocardiography, before and after one of their dialysis cession and left ventricular Ejection Fraction (EF) of before and after and the results were compared.The mean of EF before and after echocardiography were 58.08%±9.18 and 64.67±8.01 respectively. After analysis with Paired samples test, this difference was obviously significant (P=0.00).It was concluded that hemodialysis can increase the left ventricular ejection fraction in hemodialysis patients.

The important base of orthodontic treatment is correct diagnosis. One of the diagnostic tools is lateral cephalogram. There are some differences in normal standards between different races. The present study was carried out with the aim of determining and assessing the cephalometric standards of boys with the age of 17 to 20 years old in Hamadan.Among 1204 boys of preuniversity centers, 27 persons were selected based on IOTN and normal occlusal standards. Lateral cephalograms were obtained in Natural Head Position. 22 cephalometric variables (15 angles, 5 lines, 2 ratios) were determined and measured three times by an orthodontist. Student t - test used for analysis.Mean age of the cases were 18.2±1.4 years. Range of reliability coefficient was between 0.901 to 0.986 In comparison with similar studies following variables were statistically different at p<0.05 level: Articular Angle=146, Gonial Angle=118, NPog-TH =89, AB-TH=4.6 , L1-TH=116, Go Gn-TH=20, Ant. Cranial Base=76mm.The length of anterior cranial base in our study was significantly less than Michigan standards and there was a tendency to more straight profile in this / evaluation. In comparison with the Cooke standards there was less protrusion in mandibular incisors and more counter-clockwise rotation of mandible. In comparison with similar study on girls (with normal occlusion and 18.2±1.1 years old) linear measurements were generally greater in boys. Therefore it is important to consider the ethnic and racial variations in our ideal treatment plan.

Nowadays, the multiple drug resistance and resistance to different antimicrobial are observed in a wide variety of bacteria. One of these agents is U.V. ray that sometimes used to sterilize the operation room space and utensils and gamma ray to sterilize some medical Instruments such as disposal syringes & cottons and etc. If resistance emerges against the above mentioned factor, fighting microbs by these factors will encounter more problems.Therefore; In this research the multiple resistance of pathogenic strains of S. aureus isolated from different infections were studied. The M.I.C and M.B.C to penicillins were determined, using dilution tube method and plate cultured respectively. The influence of U.V rayon the growth of bacteria under hood of laminator flow was measured by photon-meter, during different times (0, 30, 60, 120, 240 Sec) at intensity of radiation 0.25 J/m2.S-1. The study of gammd rayon the growth of these bacteria was done by Iridium 192 source projector sentinel 660 as a gamma ray generator. Gamma irradiation was used at the intensity of 20 Gy/min and with dose of 500, 750 and 1000 Gray. The statistical study of the results obtained in different experiments was processed using S.A.S software. The standard strains were used as control and comparison. In these results, the strains of S. aureus showed maximum and minimum of MIC = 0.125%-65mg/ml and MBC=1-128 mg/ml, respectively. For the study of bacterial level of resistance to U.V. ray, The most important resistance strains to antibiotics have been selected. The mean number of the colonies grown in the culture medium area after 120 and 240 seconds of U.V. radiation were Log N/No=21.8, 6.9 respectively in the strain of Staphylococcus. Resistance of isolated strains of S. aureus in this research was higher than those of standard strains.

The previous studies have shown that the endogenous opiate system depress the baroreflex sensitivity in morphine dependent persons. Nucleus Tractus Soloitarii (NTSis) the main termination site of baroreceptor afferent neurons. The aim of this study was to determine the role of electrical stimulation of Nucleus Tractus Solitarian baroreflex sensitivity in morphine-addicted rats. Male Wister rats were addicted during scheduled 10 days with morphine sulphate (i.p.) and anesthetized by Urethane (150mg/100gr body weight i.v.) then cannulated with PE50tubes filled with Saline/heparin (200u/ml) in femoral artery and vein for recording mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) respectively. The electrodes were implanted in NTS, according Paxinous atlas in streotaxic instruments for applying electrical stimulation. Phenylepherine was used as a vasoconstrictor to induce acute arterial pressure. Bar reflex sensitivity was evaluated (DHR/DMAP) before and after electrical stimulation application in NTS.Control group was received saline instead of morphine. The results showed that bar reflex sensitivity decreased in morphine addicted rats compared to control. There was no significant changes in mean arterial pressure and HR after electrical stimulation application in NTS in both morphine and control groups, but bar reflex sensitivity increased after application of electrical stimulation in NTS in morphine addicted rats (P<0.05).It is suggested that application of electrical stimulation in NTS can modulate neurotransmission in central nervous system such as GABAergic function; therefore this modulation may prevent some abnormality in cardiovascular area in addicted rats.

Selegiline is an inhibitor of B-Mono amino oxidase (MAO-B). In view of its usages in treatment of nervous illnesses such as Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and depression the side effects of selegiline on the endocrine axises are very important. In this research the effect of selegiline on pituitary- gonad axis and spermatogenesis in adult male rats were studied.For experimental and control groups 32 adult male rats from wistar race were divided into 4 groups of 8. The experimental groups (B,C,D) were given oral doses of 5,10,15 (mg/kg.B.W) selegiline for the period of 30 days and the control group (A) received saline. The blood samples were taken 8 hour after receiving last dose at 30th day and the concentration of LH, FSH and testosterone was measured by RIA. In adition at the 30th day the testes were separated and histological changes was studied among experimental and control groups. The results were evaluated by using ANOVA and Duncan test.The statistical analysis of the results indicated that receiving different dosages of selegiline showed a significant increase in concentration of LH hormone in comparison with control group, but concentration of FSH did not show significant difference compared to the control group. In addition concentration of testosterone in response to different dosages in relative to the control group showed a significant decrease.According to the results we suggest that through LHincrease, selegiline causes a decrease in concentration of testosterone via down-regulation receptors on leydig cells. Furthermore selegiline causes increase in dopamine concentration in striatum area as an inhibitor of MAO-B and intern causes decrease in concentration of prolactin. The decrease in prolactin secretion reduces the effect of LH hormone on leydig cell. In addition histological studies showed significant effects caused by selegiline such as decreased number of spermatozoa in somniferous tubules, leydig cells and reduced spermatogenesis, and these effects were dose dependent.

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is one of the most common cause of mortality in almost all countries of the world. According to this fact that thrombus formation and coronary obstruction are the basic pathophysiology of AMI, early thrombolysis and reperfusion of coronary artery have important role in the reduction of mortality rate and it's complications. So, recognition of the preventive causes of thrombolytic therapy is very important. This research was a cross sectional study which was performed on 166 patients with AMI who needed thrombolytic therapy and were admitted in CCU ward of Hamadan's Ekbatan hospital. Duration time between the onset of symptoms and hospital admission, duration between admission and beginning of thrombolytic therapy (Enter to Needle time) and causes of omit doing thrombolytic thrapy were assessed.45.8% of these patients did not receive thrombolytic therapy: 12.7% due to misdiagnosis, 16.3% due to thrombolytic therapy contraindication and 16.8% in consequence of late hospital admission. The average time between the onset of symptoms and hospital admission was 5.4 hours and mean enter to needle time was 45.22 minutes.Although the rate of patients with misdiagnosis and delayed hospital admission was acceptable, it is necessary to improve both of them. In our study the enter to needle time albeit acceptable but was 15 minutes longer than optimal time which mentioned in references that should be improved.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the symptomatic carpal tunnel syndrome " frequency among dentists working in Hamadan and to compare with those of physicians and also to determine some other related factors.Our studied population was all dentists and physicians working in Hamadan with at least one year working experience. This study was analytical cross sectional and was performed on 100 dentists whom were matched by age, sex and-BMI with control group (physicians). Presumes suspected to have symptomatic carpal tu nnel syndrome were examined electrodiagnosticatly.Results of this study indicated that the frequency of symptomatic carpal tunnel syndrome was higher in dentist rather than physicians working in Hamadan but the difference between this two groups was not statistically significant and there was no relationship between symptomatic carpal tunnel syndrome and age, sex and BMI.There was no relation between back pain and neck pain in dentist working in Hamadan with sex, age and BMI.

Infection with human T cell lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) causes multiple neurologic disorder, due to the retroviruses. Spinal cord disease of this type is named TSP (tropical spastic paraparesis) that were drawn to the attention of neurologists 45 years ago. The clinical picture is one of the slowly progressive paraparesis with increased tendon reflexes & Babinski signs; disorder of sphincteric control is usually an early change. Parenthesis, reduced vibratory & position senses, & ataxia have been described. The diagnosis is confirmed by the detection the antibodies to the virus in serum. There are anecdotal reports of improvement with IV-administration of gamma globulin. But HTLV1-infection has other clinical manifestations. This report presents a rare case with bilateral facial weakness as primary manifestation.This case is related to a 41 years old woman. The clinical picture was bilateral facial weakness and approximately after 2 months, she referred to hospital with myelitis. In primary exams and evaluation, the diagnose was HTLV-I infection. The diagnosis was confirmed by the detection of the antibodies against the virus in her serum. She dead after 2.5 months of the first sign due to disease severity and bulbar palsy.Possible transmission routes and the risk of encountering the disease outside endemic areas must be attended, and it is recommended to evaluate antibodies in the children of the patients.