KOWSAR MEDICAL JOURNAL
Year:2005 | Volume:10 | Issue:Part 1|Papers Count:13

Objective: Dendritic cells (DC) are potent inducers of anti-tumor immune responses. There is increasing interest to use them in various fields of research and clinical treatment. In the present study we generated DCs from peripheral blood monocytes of healthy donors and breast cancer patients and investigated their characteristics for use in research and immunotherapy. Materials and Methods: Plastic adherent peripheral blood mononuclear cells were cultured for 5 days in the presence of granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM - CSF) and interleukin - 4 (IL -4) in RPMI 1640 supplemented with 10% FBS or human AB serum. The cells were then cultured for more 2 days with tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF - α) as maturation factor. Morphological analysis of the cells was made by light microscopy, phenotyping carried out using now cytometry and their capacity to stimulate allogenic and autologous mixed leukocyte reaction (MLR) determined by [3H]- thymidine uptake test. Results: After 5 days of culturing in the presence of GM - CSF and IL - 4 adherent PBMCs (mainly monocytes) appeared as loosely adherent clamps or isolated noating cells with the typical dendritic morphology. Analysis of their surface markers showed that the large cells are homogeneous and expressed high levels of CD1a, CD11c and HLA - DR and low level of CD14. Addition of TNF - α as a maturation factor for 2 days caused increase of cell size, membrane processes as well as expression of CD83 and HLA-DR. From the functional point of view these cells were potent in stimulating allogenic and autologous MLR (Mean stimulation Index (SI) was 20 and 8 respectively). Conclusion: On the basis of these results large numbers of nomocyte-derived dendritic cells can be generated in vitro and pulsed with tumor-associated antigens to use as natural adjuvant in tumor immunotherapy and research.        

Objective: Clostridium botulinum is one of the important causes of food-borne intoxication in the world. This bacterium is produced the most lathal bacterial toxin in nature. The aim of this study was to evaluate the distribution of pathogen types of Clostridium botulinum (types A, B, E) in some natural fishes of Iran. Materials and Methods: Two hundred and forty samples (120 gill and 120 intestine samples) of four species of fish consisting of Salmo trutta fario, Sander lucioperca, Pamadasys argenteus, and Scombromorus cormmerson were examined. Each of samples after enrichment and centrifugation, were adjusted to pH 6.2 and divided into three (heated, untreated, and tripsinized) portions and mouse bioassay tested for detection of C. botulinum toxin. Monovalent standard antitoxins were used for detection of toxin type. Result: The results showed the contamination rate of C. botulinum in Northern and Southern fishes were 8.33% and 1.66% respectively. Among different species of aquatic fishes, the most rate of contamination belong the Sander lucioperca (10%), Salmo trutta fario (6.66%), Pamadasys argenteus (3.33%) and the least rate of contamination observed in Scombnromorus cormmerson fishes (without contamination). This study also demonstrated that type E was predominant type in both northern and southern aquatic fishes. From total positive cases, 50% are related to E type, 25% B type, and 16.6% A type respectively. Conclusion: According to studied data on Botulism epidemiology in the country, preservation of products under 3°c and use of fishes at proper temperature are necessary to prevent food borne Botulism intoxications.    

Objective: Fumes generated during electric welding are comprised a group of gases (03, CO2, CO, NO and N02) and Particulate matter (Mn, Zn, Fe and Cu), which have many harmful effects on humans. Although much research has been done in this field, there is very little information about the histopathological effects of these fumes on the lungs and trachea The aim of this study was to identify the histopathologkal effects of these fumes on the epithelium of the trachea and alveoli in conditioned medium of exposure chamber. Materials and Methods: A total number of 60 male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into two experimental (n=40) and control groups (n=20). Rats of each group were further subdivided into four (2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks) groups. Experimental rats were exposed to fumes for 2 hour/day and 5 day/week in exposure chamber. The rate of turn over of air in exposure chamber was fixed to 12-15/hour. The amount of welding gases and particulate matters were measured. According to the timetable, samples from the trachea and lungs were taken and paraffin blocks were prepared. Prepared sections with 5-7 mm in thickness were stained by H-E, PAS, Alcian Blue pH=2.5, Van Gaisson, PNA & WGA lectins. Data were analyzed by Kruskall Wallis and Mann Whitney tests. Results: The results of this study showed many quantitative and qualitative changes in epithelium of trachea and alveoli. There were significant differences for the thickness of respiratory epithelium and interalveolar septa between experimental and control groups (P < 0.001). The number of alveolar macrophages and the amount of collagen fibers in the periphery of the bronchioles and blood vessels were increased in experimental compare to control group. The architectural disorganization and mucopolysacharide changes in the experimental group showed dysplastic changes in the epithelium. Conclusion: Although there were some early adaptative responses to fumes in rats, it seems that welding fumes can cause many structural changes in the lungs and trachea. The severity of these changes was dependent on the variety of the fumes and the duration of exposure.      

Objective: The qualitative morphologic study of the effects of organophosphate (OP) agents on development of neural cells in culture is promising a primitive step for further physiologic, electrophysiologic and molecular investigation. Parathion is an OP used as an agricultural insecticide. Improper handling of this agent causes poisoning characterized by convulsive seizures which may sometimes lead to death. Since parathion has been observed to be responsible for more cases of poisoning than any other OPs insecticide, it is vitally important to investigate other mechanisms, besides cholinesterase inhibition, which can contribute to the neurotoxitcity of paraoxon (metabolite of parathion). Materials and Methods: In the present study, hippocampal cells taken from rat's neonate were introduced into the neurobasal medium supplemented with B27 serum. The neuronal growth in the control groups and those exposed to different dose of paraoxon were compared. Phase contrast microscope and cell staining (MAP-2, Neutralred, Trypan blue) were used to study cell morphology and viability. Statistical analysis was carried out. using one way ANOVA. Results: There was no clear morphologic differences between neurons in the control group and those exposed to10µM paraoxon; however, deformity of the soma was clear in pellets containing higher concentration of paraoxon. The processes (neurites) did not grow in media containing 100µM paraoxon or more. Viability decreasd with increasing paraoxon especially above 100µM paraoxon.Conclusion: The present data reveales decrease of cell growth, cell swelling and neuronal death elicited by higher than 30µM concentrations of paraoxon.

Objective: In this study of in vitro maturation, resumption of meiosis and development of immature mouse oocytes with MEHP were evaluated. Material and Methods: Immature oocytes recovered from NMRI mouse strain (4-6 weeks) in 4 different experimental groups and control groups. Control group: 198 immature oocytes matured in MEM-α medium contain FCS5%, rFSH 100 mIU/ml hCG7.5 IU/ml sham's group: 203 immature oocytes were matured in MEM-a medium containing FCS 5%, hCG 7.5 IU/ml, rFSH 100mIU/ml and DMSO 100µm. Group 1: 201 immature oocytes were matured in MEM- α medium containing FCS5%, hCG 7.5 IU/ml rFSH 100mIU/ml and 50 MEHP5. Group 2: 209 immature oocytes were matured in MEM- α medium containing FCS5%, hCG 7.5 IU, rFSH 100mIU/ml and 100 µm MEHP. Group 3: 203 immature oocytes were matured in MEM- α medium containing FCS5%, hCG 7.5 IU/ml rFSH 100mIU/ml and 200µm MEHP. Group 4: 204 immature oocytes were matured in MEM- α medium containing FCS5% , hCG 7.5 IU/ml rFSH 100mIU/ml and 400 µm MEHP. Fertilization and embryo development were done in T6 medium. Results: The resumption of meiosis in experimental groups was 75%, 63%, 60%, 56% spectively. The methaphase II in experimental groups was 53%, 49%, 42%, 37%. Maturation was significant compared with a control group (86%, 90% resumption of meiosis) and 49%, 75%. Embryo formation in the experimental groups were 60%, 57%, 44%, 28% decreased in compared with control group (74%, 61%). Conclusion: The results of this study showed that MEHP had negative effect on resumption of meiosis and in vitro maturation and development of immature mouse oocytes.      

Objective: Myopia is a kind of refractive error & due to its ethnical diversity, financial aspects and socio exonomic outcomes in modification of this refractory error, and management of its associated complications, many statistical studies in various societies are performed to determine the prevalence of myopia and its relation to various factors. Materials and Methods: In our study 1600 (812 male) normal subjects without eye problems between age 7 to 40 years old were assessed for reftactive errors in Baqiyatallah hospital, with auto refractometer (Topcon RMA 2003TM). Results: 27.9% of our subjects were myopic (pure myopia: 20.9%). Prevalence of myopia was significantly higher in workers and city dwellers, but there were no statistical differences between the two genders. Conclusion: The prevalence of myopia in our subjects was near the average universal rate, myopia is highly correlated to occupation, graduation, and urbanization but not to gender.      

Objective: Infection is one of the Complication of burns. UV-C has an antibiotic effect on bacteria and so we conducted a research to investigate antibiotic effect of UV-C on infected burned patients with second degree burns. Materials and Methods: 36 patients with second degree Burns in infected and semiinfected units were selected and two similar areas in patients were considered as test and control areas. UV-C was applied on the test area unit as experimental group. All patients were under proper treatment until the wounded areas were ready for skin grafts. Results: Average recovery time in control area was 20.8 days and in test area was 16.9 days. Age, sex and body did not significantly effect on UV-C efficiency. Conclusion: UV-C had a significant effect on infected burned ulcers and decreased the recovery time.      

Objective: Metabolic disturbances such as obesity, diabetes mellitus, and dyslipidemias are among the most important medical problems. Dysipidemias are among the most important causes of atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease (CHD). Exercise has protective effects against coronary arterial disease. Incidence of hyperlipidemia is high in Iran. This study was performed to delineate the level of physical activity and its influence on serum lipids. Materials and Methods: An epidemiological cross-sectional study was carried out on about 11000 persons selected randomly in Tehran urban district 13 with a minimum age of 20 years and over. We measured fasting blood sugar, 2 hours after 75 grams oral glucose, triglyceride, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, alkaline phosphatase and TSH. Degree of physical activity was registered according to the lipid research clinics classification and anthropometrical data were exactly delineated. Social status, family history and smoking were also delineated. Our patients were divided into two groups: those having normal lipid profile and dyslipidemics. The latter group was further divided into two subgroups: primary (without any risk factor for dyslipidemia) and secondary (having one or more risk factors such DM...). Results: In our study the total prevalence of dyslipidemias was 68.5%. According to the degree of physical activity all participants were divided into three groups: Low (62.8%), moderate (13%) and high physical activity (24.2%). Prevalence of dyslipidemia was 69.4%, 68.5%, and 65.5% respectively. Conclusion: The Tehran of population suffers from dyslipidemia. Low physical activity is one of the known causes of dyslipidemia and in our study this relation was delineated but also low physical activity found to be popular.    

Objective: In this investigation we evaluated postoperative analgesic effects of intrathecal midazolam added to lidocaine in hemorrhoidectomy. Material and Methods: For this proposes we conducted a descriptive double blind clinical trial investigation in 40 patients ASAI/II that randomly divided in to two equal groups. The control group received 1 mllidocaine (5%) and the case group received 1 ml Lidocaine (5%) with 0.4ml midazolam (0.5%) via intrathecal route at L4-L5 vertebral interspace via 25G needle in sitting position. After 5-min the patients were placed in supine position and surgery begun. Time of return sensation, time to first analgesic drug request and time of achieved out patient criteria (urination) was recorded. Data are expressed as mean (SD) and statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software (Version 12.0, SPSS Inc, Chicago, IL, USA). Results: Return sensation time in the case group was significantly (P<0.00l) longer than the control group (140.2 min vs.77.9min). Time to first analgesia in the case group was significantly (p<0.001) longer than the control group (159.5 min Vs.93.05 min). There was no significant difference (p=0.965) in time of urination between the groups (313.1min in the case group vs. 314.45 min in the control group). No clinically important adverse events were observed in either group. Conclusion: We conclude that, adding 2mg midazolam increase analgesic effects of spinal blockade with lidocaine in patients undergoing hemorroidectomy.    

Objective: The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is the most important intra articular stabilizer of the knee. In 1980 the orthopedic sport medicine community focused on injury of the ACL as a major cause of athletic disability. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcome of the ACL reconstruction by two different current techniques. Material and Methods: a prospective randomized clinical trial study was performed on 50 patients with ACL rupture during a two year period (2002 - 2003). 25 of these were operated with Zarins & Rowe (Z&R) technique. The other 25 cases were operated with Bone Patellar the Bone (BPB) technique. The mean time for follow up was 16 months. Results: All patients were men, with an average age of 27 years (range 20-40), 32 cases (68%) were left and 18 (36%) right knee. The original cause of damage was military training in 23 (46%) knee, sport injury in 15 (30%) and traffic accidents in 12 (24%) cases. Meniscal and cartilage injuries were detected in 31 (52%) and 9 (18%) of the knees respectively. All patients were returned to pre-injury activity 6 months after operation. 96% patients of the Z & Rand 32% of the BPB groups had anterior knee score of 95 points compared with 68% BPB and lysholm knee score 88 points. The remainder in the both groups was rated as good. The results were similar in both groups (P>0.05). In the assessment of relation between associated injuries and chronicity of ACL injury with decreasing of lysholm knee scores and patients dissatisfaction, we found a positive correlation (P=0.00).But there was no relationship between meniscal injury and patient disfunction (P>0.05). Conclusion: According to our overall results both reconstruction techniques are comparable but improvement of patient satisfaction was noted with ACL reconstruction in the early stages of the ACL rupture.