ARCHIVES OF IRANIAN MEDICINE
Year:2018 | Volume:21 | Issue:6|Papers Count:8

Background: Pancreatic cancer is the fourth most common cause of mortality due to cancer, globally. It has a poor prognosis and is usually diagnosed at later stages when tumor resection is not possible. Heritability for pancreatic cancer is relatively high and clinically significant. Methods: A group of 24 pancreatic cancer patients with young age at onset, from a referral hospital in Tehran University of Medical Sciences were screened for mutations in 710 cancer relevant genes using next generation sequencing technology. Results: Two patients had pathogenic mutations in known pancreatic cancer susceptibility genes, BRCA1/2. Two other patients also had potentially pathogenic mutations in 2 novel candidate genes including PARP4 and EXO1. Conclusion: BRCA1/2 genes are the most commonly mutated pancreatic cancer susceptibility genes that should be considered in all pancreatic cancer cases with young age at onset or a family history of cancer. PARP4 and EXO1 also are potential candidate genes for susceptibility to pancreatic cancer. Identifying the hereditary cases of pancreatic cancer will help to offer more targeted treatments to the patients and also to prevent cancer in family members who might be a mutation carrier.

Background: Patients with Behç et’ s disease (BD) are recognized with increased risk for venous and/or arterial thrombosis. Thrombotic tendency of BD is not known. Vascular injury, loss and dysfunction/hyperfunction of endothelial cells are believed to play a role in thrombosis development. Injury and inflammation due to vasculitis can cause platelet response with increase in mean platelet volume (MPV) and thrombosis in BD. In this study, we aimed to compare the levels of MPV between patients with BD and healthy controls, and also show its effect on thrombosis. Methods: One hundred patients with BD and 100 healthy controls were evaluated for MPV levels with clinical findings in age-gender matched case-control study. The variables of patients and controls were compared and correlated using chi-square, Mann-Whitney U and Spearman tests. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine independent predictors of vascular involvement and thrombosis. Results: Mean MPV was significantly higher in patients with BD than healthy controls (MPV; Patients: 9. 2 ± 0. 9 [7. 3– 12. 9] vs. Controls: 8. 2 ± 0. 6 [6. 8– 10. 6] fl; P < 0. 0001). Platelets levels were lower than controls, but not significantly (236 ± 52. 3 [112– 451] vs. 245 ± 52. 8 [141– 467] x109/L, P = 0. 55). Negative correlation was found between platelet count and MPV in patients (r =-0. 51, P = 0. 01). Presence of erythema nodosum (EN) and MPV were determined as predictors for vascular involvement and thrombosis (EN: P < 0. 0001, OR [95% CI] = 35. 4 [6. 3– 178. 2]; MPV: P < 0. 0001, OR [95% CI] = 12. 8 [4. 1– 24. 3]). Conclusion: MPV is a simple measurement for indirect monitoring of platelet activity and thrombotic potential. MPV and EN may be independent risk factors for vascular thrombosis in BD. Patients with higher MPV levels and EN in BD, might have been pursued closely for enhancing thrombosis. We advise to check the MPV and put the patients on anticoagulation if it is high.

Background: Coronary artery anomalies (CAAs) include clinically and anatomically diverse types of congenital heart defects occurring in a complicated spectrum. The aim of the present study is to describe congenital anomalies of coronary arteries (CAs) and their variations, and also identify the prevalence of these anomalies in our center. Methods: The study included a total of 6237 consecutive patients. Cine-angiographies and digital data of all patients undergoing coronary angiography (CAG) were reviewed by at least 2 independent and experienced observers. The Basic Anatomic Classification method was used to classify patients with CAAs. Results: Of a total of 6237 patients, 2, 313 were females (37. 1%) and 3924 (62. 9 %) were males. CAAs were detected in 247 out of 6237 patients (3. 9%, 95% CI: 3. 4– 4. 4). Of these patients, 48 (19. 4%, 95% CI: 14. 4– 24. 2) had absent left main coronary artery (LMCA), 21 (8. 5%, 95% CI: 5– 11. 9) had anomalous origin from the appropriate sinus, 23 (9. 3%, 95% CI: 5. 7– 12. 9) had anomalous origin from structures other than appropriate sinus, 31 (12. 6%, 95% CI: 8. 5– 16. 6 ) had anomalous origin from the opposite sinus, 101 (40. 9%, 95% CI: 34. 8– 46. 9) had myocardial bridge, and 23 (9. 3%, 95% CI: 5. 7– 12. 9) had a coronary artery fistula. Conclusions: Our study results suggested that the total rate of coronary anomaly was found much higher than those reported in various invasive angiographic studies.

Background: Blood gas analysis is very important in the patients with respiratory problems. Arterial puncture may cause complications such as pain, local hematoma, infection and nerve injury. The procedure itself can be technically difficult. In contrast, venous sampling is an easier procedure with fewer complications. Therefore, this study aims to determine the possibility of replacement of venous blood gas (VBG) values by ABG values in ICU wards admitted patients. Methods: In this study, 155 paired blood gas samples collected from patients admitted to ICU wards in Motahari hospital, Marvdasht, Fars, Iran. Statistical means of blood gas parameters, including PO2, PCO2, HCO3 and PH have been compared in both, arterial and venous, blood samples in parallel using paired t-test. Results: Mean difference of arterial and venous gas parameters, PO2, PCO2 and HCO3, was significantly differ. All paired gas parameters in arterial and venous blood samples were significantly correlated, while this correlation was stronger between PCO2 and HCO3. Conclusion: To predict the arterial blood gas parameters from VBG parameters, single regression models are of more statistical value compared to multiple regression models. Defined single regression prediction models could be used to predict arterial PCO2 and HCO3, which may reduce arterial sampling in ICU wards.

7-Background: Prostate cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer related deaths in males worldwide. Overexpression of 15-lipoxygenase-1 (15-LOX-1) enzyme and high activity of its metabolic pathway is reported to be a driver for prostate cancer malignancy. Farnesyloxycoumarin derivatives (3f, 4f and 7f) inhibit lipoxygenase enzyme. We hypothesized that farnesyloxycoumarins may exert an anti-cancer effect on prostate cancer cells due to their 15-LOX-1 inhibitory potential. Methods: The enzyme inhibitory activity of 3f, 4f and 7f was initially evaluated on PC-3 and DU145 prostate cancer cell lines. MTT assay was performed on cancer cell lines and HFF3 cell line to assess cytotoxicity of the compounds. The apoptotic morphology of cells after treatments was assessed by DAPI staining and single cell gel electrophoresis. Propidium iodide staining was also performed to detect cell cycle variations after treatment. Results: 7f inhibited 15-LOX-1 at IC50 = 4. 3 μ g/mL, while 3f and 4f did not show high inhibitory activity. 7f reduced cell viability in PC-3 cells at IC50 = 22-31 μ g/mL, however, no significant cytotoxicity was revealed on normal cells. DAPI staining and comet assay confirmed apoptosis and DNA damage in PC-3 cells after 7f treatment, while flow cytometry results revealed G1 arrest in PC-3 cells. Conclusion: The results are indicative of a distinctive cytotoxic mechanism for 7f compared to other coumarins, possibly due to its 15-LOX-1 inhibitory potential. Thus, this compound is valued for further assessments with the aim of developing a promising targeted therapy for prostate cancer patients.

Background: The probability of HIV transmission through contaminated blood and blood products is eye catching. 5%-10% of blood products are contaminated with HIV. Therefore, it is essential to provide safe blood supply to prevent transmission of infectious diseases. Current systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the weighted prevalence of HIV in Iranian blood donors. Methods: This study was reported according to PRISMA checklist for systematic reviews and meta-analysis. Required data were collected by using key words such as “ HIV” , “ blood donation” OR “ blood donors” , “ epidemiology” OR “ prevalence” , “ blood transfusion” and “ Iran” , in international databases including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane, Embase and national databases including Magiran, IranMedex and Scientific Information Databank. Papers were searched until December 2017. Cochran’ s Q test and I2 index were used to assess the heterogeneity among studies. Results: A total of 49 studies including 5 403 170 donors entered this meta-analysis. According to analysis, the prevalence of HIV-positive patients among Iran blood donors was estimated 7. 9/100 000 (95% CI: 0. 000052-0. 000121%). The highest prevalence was related to the central region of Iran (11. 3/100, 000 [95% CI: 0. 000063-0. 0002%]) and Kermanshah province (49. 2/100 000 [95% CI: 0. 000273-0. 000888%]) and the lowest prevalence was related to the eastern region (1/100 000 [95% CI: 0. 000001-0. 000072%]) and Khorasan Razavi province (0. 9/100 000 [95% CI: 0. 000001-0. 000139%]. Conclusion: The overall HIV prevalence in Iranian blood donors is low and satisfying. However, the high prevalence in some regions and provinces should be reviewed more meticulously.

Dr. Ahmad Fayaz is one of the famous scientists in Iran in the field of rabies, and the most prominent person in controlling and prevention programs in the country in recent decades. One of his most important scientific achievements was introducing a new rabies vaccine produced in human diploid cell cultures to treat people exposed to rabies infection. Following that, anti-rabies serum therapy and injection of five doses of the cellular vaccine were entered into WHO protocol. Dr. Fayaz, as an expert and consultant of WHO, traveled to several countries and recommended appropriate ways to control rabies. This paper intends to celebrate his scientific contributions through reviewing his services and researches.

Dear Editor, Finding stem cell researcher guilty of data fabrication at Kyoto University was surprising news in the first month of 2018. 1 The news was referring to the fabricated figures which had an inevitable impact on the final conclusion. 1 The affiliated university called for retraction of this paper. ...