JOURNAL OF ISFAHAN MEDICAL SCHOOL (I.U.M.S)
Year:2013 | Volume:31 | Issue:251|Papers Count:7

Background: Substance abuse is an important worldwide health problem and also a brain disorder. The main aim of this research was the comparison of executive functions in methamphetamine and heroin users versus non-users.Methods: The research method of current study was Ex-post facto. The method of sampling in both methamphetamine and heroin group was purposeful; but non-users group has been selected randomly. Statistical population in this study was heroin and methamphetamine dependents or abusers in the Isfahan city, Iran, which were referred to medical rehabilitation centers and psychiatric clinics in this city in 2012. Finally, 75 patients were selected in the three equal (n=25) groups, methamphetamine, heroin and non-users groups, according to criteria of drug abuse or dependence in DSM-IV-TR; they were evaluated based on the Tower of London and Stroop Neuropsychological Tests.Findings: The non-users group had better performance in the Tower of London and Stroop tests than substance dependents groups (P<0.05). Heroin group show better performance than methamphetamine group in the Tower of London test (P<0.05). However, these two groups did not show significant differences in the Stroop test.Conclusion: Methamphetamine and heroin use causes prefrontal cortex and executive dysfunctions and neurological disturbances in fronto-striatal systems function. According to our findings, we can design professional cognitive rehabilitation programs to rehabilitate them to be ready to comeback to personal, occupational and social life.

Background: DNA polymerases are enzymes directing the synthesis of DNA molecules from deoxyribonucleotides. They are essential tools for molecular biology. Pfu DNA polymerase was initially isolated from Pyrococcus furiosus, anaerobic hyperthermophilic archaeon lived in geothermally heated marine sediments with temperatures between 90oC and 100oC. This enzyme possesses 3’ to 5’ exonucleotic activity; so that makes correcting the errors made in DNA replication.Methods: In this research, the DNA fragment encoding Pfu DNA polymerase was cloned in to pET-15b expression vector. Then, by changing expression conditions such as isopropyl b-D-1-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG) concentration, and time and temperature of the induction, the expression of this enzyme was optimized. Finally, Pfu DNA polymerase was produced in large scale in optimized conditions and purified with simple method. Then, purified enzyme was used in polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for evaluating the activity.Findings: Transformation of recombinant vector produced some colonies that most of them have the plasmid. The expression of Pfu DNA polymerase resulted in a bond approximately 90 kDa in sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Maximum amount of protein production was observed in IPTG concentration of 0.75 mM, at 37oC, 3 hours incubation.Conclusion: Protein purification with using the method based on Desai protocol caused a product that had the activity like commercial one in PCR reaction.

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a complex syndrome defined as rapid decrease in glomerular filtration rate and therefore, retention of metabolic waste substances. The risk of AKI in candidates for coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery usually is highlighted. The main objective of this study was to determine the AKI prevalence after CABG surgery.Methods: This observational study was performed on 1534 patients undergoing CABG surgery in Sina cardiac surgery center, Isfahan, Iran during 2006 till 2010. The information of patients was collected from hospital data sheet and recorded in a questionnaire. AKI was determined by laboratory data.Findings: 76.4% of the patients were men. The patients were 60.8±8.9 years old with the average body mass index (BMI) of 27.0±4.3 kg/m2. The prevalence of AKI was 49.1%. In overall, the hospital mortality rate was 2.7% and 0.7% of patients were assigned for dialysis.Conclusion: Our results indicated that the prevalence of AKI was considerably high. Special attention and hospital take cares are needed to reduce this prevalence.

Background: Pneumothorax is more common in neonatal period than the rest of the life. In term infants, pneumothorax is usually asymptomatic. However, premature neonates usually have symptoms particularly when they need mechanical ventilation. The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of pneumothorax among premature infants.Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out in Alzahra and Shahid Beheshti University hospitals, Isfahan, Iran, in 2010. Neonates with gestational ages of 26-37 weeks hospitalized in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) were included. Demographic features including gestational age, sex, and birth weight were collected. All neonates who had sudden changes in breathing status were evaluated for pneumothorax using chest X-ray (CXR). Data were analyzed using Student-t and X2 tests.Findings: Among 303 studied neonates, 29 (9.6%) were suffered from pneumothorax. Birth weight, gestational age, number of pregnancy and mothers’ chronic diseases were significantly different in two groups (P<0.001 for all). Chest compression, ventilation with bag and mask and needing intubation were statistically different between the two groups, too (P<0.001).Conclusion: Premature neonates are at higher risk for pneumothorax due to lower birth weight, lower gestational age, higher number of mother’s pregnancy, mother’s diseases during pregnancy; also, interventions such as chest compression, ventilation with bag and mask and intubation procedure is more needed for them. Thus, many cautions during medical intervention must be done for prevention of pneumothorax.

Background: Hypothalamic hamartoma is a rare cause of central precocious puberty in female children. Hamartoma is a malformation composed of ectopic gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRh) neurons which secrete pulsatile gonadotropine releasing hormone.Case Report: We present a case of a 1.5-years-old female baby who presented with precocious puberty associated with hypothalamic hamartoma. Serum concentrations of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) and estradiol were elevated. She was treated with GnRh agonist and gamma-knife surgery. The size of breast and pubic hair returned to normal after 6 months of therapy.Conclusion: This case report emphasized how this condition should be evaluated and how the girl was managed.