KOWSAR MEDICAL JOURNAL
Year:2005 | Volume:10 | Issue:3|Papers Count:14

Objective: In this study the radiation sensitivity and repair kinetics in peripheral leukocytes obtained from prostate cancer patients and healthy volunteers, were compared using the alkaline comet assay (single-cell alkaline gel electrophoresis). Materials and Methods: Blood samples obtained from 30 prostate cancer patients and 32 healthy volunteers were assayed in vitro without radiation and immediately after exposure with 1 Gy gamma rays from a 60Co source at a dose rate of 277.48 ± 11.51 cGy/min. To study the repair kinetics of radiation induced DNA damages, blood samples from 5 prostate cancer patients and 5 healthy volunteers were irradiated with 4 Gy gamma rays and assayed immediately after various time intervals, with alkaline version of the comet assay. The comets were analyzed by visual classification and the level of DNA damage was measured in controls and prostate cancer patients using standard comet classification. Results: The levels of baseline DNA damage were 1.4-fold higher in prostate cancer cases than in controls. The radio-induced damage showed that the two groups had a similar response when analyzed immediately after irradiation. But in repair experiments, while the healthy donors presented a considerable reduction of damage after 3 h, the patients had a higher residual damage even 24 h after exposure. The repair capacity of blood leukocytes from the patients was slower than that of leukocytes from healthy donors. Conclusion: Results indicate that leukocytes from the prostate cancer patients presented aninitial radio sensitivity similar to that of healthy subjects but a deficient repair mechanism in cancer patients caused higher baseline DNA damage and also presence of unrepaired DNA damages after 24 hours. Thus prostate cancer patients may be more vulnerable to the genotoxic effects of ionizing radiation due to deficiency in DNA damage repair mechanisms.      

Objective: The effect of activity of adenosine A1A receptors of the CA1 region of the hippocampus on piriform cortex–kindled seizures was investigated in rats. Material and Methods: After electrical kindling of animals, CGS21680hydrochloride (CGS), an adenosine A2A receptors agonist, at doses of 10, 200 and 500 μM and ZM241385 (ZM), an adenosine A2A receptor antagonist, at doses of 50 and 100 μM were microinjected into the CA1 region of the hippocampus. The animals were stimulated 15 min after drug injection. In each case, 15 h prior to the drug injection, animals received ACSF (drug solvent) and were stimulated in the same way and results were recorded as control values. At 6 least 6 rats were used in each group. Results: Bilateral microinjection of CGS, at doses of 200 and 500 μM into the hippocampal CA1 region increased the after discharge duration (ADD) and had no effects on S4L, S5D and SD. Bilateral microinjection of ZM had no effect on seizure parameters. Pretreatment of animals with ZM (50 μM) before CGS (200 μM), prevented the effect of CGS on seizure parameters significantly. Conclusion: Thus, it may be suggested that the adenosine A2A receptors of the hippocampal CA1 region may have a facilitatory role in seizure activities elicited from the piriform cortex.    

Objective: The NAC and OTC effects in the presence of acetaminophen as an oxidative stress on GSH concentration in cultured HF2FF cells were studied. The protective effect of GSH on sulfur mustard injuries in cultured cells was also investigated. Materials and Methods: In this research the effects of N-acetlcysteine (NAC) and OTC with presence of an inducer such as acetaminophen on intracellular Glutathione (GSH) and γ -GCS and GSSGR activities in induced hemogenate were investigated. After induction of GSH concentration in cells, induced, normal and control cells were expressed with 180 μM HD for 1h and after washing, fresh media were added and incubated 24h, the cell viability was investigated by the GV method. Results: The addition of 0.1 mM NAC to HF2FF cells incubated with 25mM acetaminophen increased the GSH, γ-GCS and GSSGR activities respectively from 0.331±0.12 M/mg protein to 0.784±0.11 M/mg protein, 11.7±3.25 nmol NADH/min/mg protein to 39.8±4 nmol NADH/min/mg protein and 0.962±0.7 nmol NADPH/min/mg protein. Incubation of both NAC and OTC (0.1mM and 1mM) augmented the GSH level to 0.962±0.7M/mg protein and γ -GCS activity to 112.28 ± 11.85 nmol NADH/min/mg protein, but, GSSGR activity was not significantly increased. The viability of induced cell compared to normal in the presence of 180 μM of HD was significant (P<0.001), (47% to 73%), which was 1.55 times greater in viability. Discussion: These observations indicate that the NAC not only act as a precursor for GSH but also increased GSSGR activity which converted GSSG to GSH. On the other hand, OTC increased the rate-limiting enzyme (γ -GCS) in GSH biosynthesis pathway which increased the GSH levels without inhibition of γ -GCS. It is probably that OTC induces γ -GCS expression.      

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare culture with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to determine the prevalence of M. hominis in endocrinal specimens from infertile women. Materials and Methods: Duplicate endocervical swab samples were taken from 312 infertile women. DNA was extracted by the Cadieux method. The specific 16 S rRNA genes were amplified to detect M. hominis by PCR, and culture was done with liquid-solid methods in H broth and H agar media. Results: M. hominis was detected in 17.3 of the specimens by both culture and PCR methods. 5.1% of the samples were PCR positive as well as culture positive, 16% were positive only by PCR, and 6.41% were positive only by culture. The PCR had a sensitivity of 92%, while that of culture was 37%. There was an association between the presence of M. hominis and cervicitis. No difference was detected regarding the incidence of M. hominis relative to age and or other clinical symptoms or signs. Conclusion: The results indicate that PCR is a sensitive, specific, easy, and rapid method for detection of M. hominis in genital samples.      

Objective: Esterase activity in Candida albicans and characterization of some of its properties was the aim of the present study. Materials and Methods: C.albicans was grown under different conditions then using a colorimetric method, the esterase activity of the medium supernatant, as well as cell wall and cytoplasmic extract of the harvested yeast cells were assessed. The effect of some variables was also tested and optimal conditions for enzyme activity determined. Results: The results indicated that after growth on YPG medium, the cytoplasmic extract of C.albicans shows esterase activity after incubation at 37º C, pH 7.5, phosphate buffer 10 mM, and incubation time equal to 9 minutes to provide its optimal activity. The maximal activity was observed against α-Naphthyl acetate follow by β-Naphthyl acetate as substrate. Activity decreased by increasing the substrate’s carbon atoms number. Therefore, the enzymatic activity was respectively decreased against α-Naphthyl caprilate, α -Naphthyl laurate, and α -Naphthyl palmitate. Conclusion: C.albicans has a kind of intracellular esterase activity and its expression is not affected by the lipase induction medium. Evaluation of enzyme activity as a diagnostic or therapeutic target is recommended.      

Objective: The aim of present study was to determine the maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max) and maximum heart rate (HRmax) in chemically injured patients who had normal functional tests but suffer from exertional dyspenea, and to compare the data with predicted values. Materials and Methods: VO2max and HRmax were measured in 19 chemically injured patients underwent the exercise test and then compared with predicted values. Results: Data showed that measured VO2max and HRmax were significantly lower than predicted values (P<0.05). There was a relatively strong correlation between measured VO2max and HRmax (r=0.75, P<0.05). Conclusion: VO2max and HRmax in chemically injured individuals is lower than predicted values, in spite of normal functional tests it also seem possible to predict VO2max after determination of HRmax.          

Objective: This study assessed the relation of recurrent coarctation and repair in infancy and complications after subclavian flap aortoplasty. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective study, 31 patients who underwent subclavian flap aortoplasty between 1994 and 2004 were evaluated. The median age was 1.3±1 years, 61.3% of patients were males and 38.7 were females. The frequency of associated heart malformation was: PDA (77.4%), VSD (29%), AS (19.4%), and MS (9.7%). Results: The average follow up period was 34 months (1-126 months). The pre-operative median peak gradient was 64±21.5 mm Hg and the post-operative median peak gradient was 15.4±12.8. Recurrent coarctation was seen in one patient (3.2%) in angiography who was treated with balloon angioplasty. Acute arm ischemia or gangrene and left arm malfunction was not seen. There were no paraplegia, bleeding, or chylothorax. The early mortality was 3.2% (1 patient) due to heart failure. Conclusion: We believe surgical repair for coarctation in neonatal & infantile gives no rise to incidence of re-coarctation and also decreases postoperative complications such as hypertension. Therefore, it should be done as soon as possible. SCFA remains an effective technique for repair of aortic coarctation with excellent results and low morbidity and mortality.      

Objective: Descending mediastinitis is a highly fetal disease originating from odontogenic pharyngeal, or cervical infection that descends along facial planes into the mediastinum. Materials and Methods: We present a retrospective 5 years study series of 47 patients with diagnosis of deep neck infection treated surgically between 1977 – 2002 Patients with serious complications admitted to the I.C.U and developed mediastinitis that were documented by C.T. scan. Operative procedures included wide neck incision and thoracotomy. Results: 47 patients were admitted, 3 patients underwent medical therapy, and 44 patients underwent both medical and surgical treatment. Seven patient developed serious post – operative complications and were admitted to the I.C.U. Four patient had parapharyngeal infections and developed acute mediastinitis, myocarditis, lung abcess and were operated successfully. Serious postoperative complications followed by delayed in diagnosis and surgical treatment. The mean duration from symptom to operation was 4 days. Conclusion: The main cause of this delay was referral of patients from other centers. Patients that developed mediastinitis underwent early operative procedure including wide neck incision and thoractomy with multiple antibiotic therapies to lower the incidence of mediastinitis and mortality.      

Objectives: The purpose of this randomized, prospective study was to evaluate the efficacy of tocolysis in the prolongation of pregnancy and neonatal outcome in the preterm premature rupture of the membranes (PPROM).Materials and Methods: Patients with documented PPROM between 26 and 36 weeks gestation were prospectively randomized to group 1: aggressive tocolysis with intravenous magnesium sulfate, or to group II: no tocolysis. Both groups received weekly steroids and antibiotics. The study group involved in 80 patients.Results: Magnesium sulfate was successful in suppressing preterm labor in PPROM, deliveries within 48 hours (40% versus 75%) and a week (92% versus 65%) of PPROM occurred more frequently in the expectant management group. Tocolysis was not effective in the method of delivery. There were no relations between gestational age and results of tocolytic management. Magnesium sulfate therapy did not appear to improve neonatal outcome.Conclusion: Our data suggest that tocolysis in PPROM increases intrauterine time but doesn't improve neonatal outcome.      

Hydatid disease is a common parasitic disease, caused by the tapeworm Echinococcus granulosus, it generally involves the liver and lung. Any other organ may be involved but is usually secondary to visceral infection. Musculoskeletal hydatidosis is very rare and represents 1%-5.4% of all cases. Treatment is surgical excision, but medical treatment with antihelmentics maybe useful in the endemic areas; physicians must be familiar with diagnosis and treatment of this disease and its different presentations. In this report, we present a case of primary hydatid cyst in paravertebral muscles as a rare presentation of this disease.        

At present there are substantial numbers of pharmacists working in military organizations in Iran. However, there is no clear job description for them. Pharmacists are capable of working in different areas of management, research and education. Military pharmacists who are pharmacists per se could play major roles in military operations and disaster control. In this paper some duties and capabilities of military pharmacists are discussed.