Journal of Isfahan Medical School
Year:2009 | Volume:27 | Issue:99|Papers Count:11

Background: Hydatidosis, caused by the metacestode stage of Echinococcus granulosus, is a major zoonotic disease of worldwide distribution. Any success in recognition of immunological reaction of intermediate hosts and in production of vaccine can lead to a decrease in human infections and also in economic loss of animals.Methods: Immunization was achieved by inject on of surface proteins of Echinococcus granulosus protoscoleces (PSC) in 30 male mice (C57BL/C6). Surface proteins of PSC were prepared by using of solution nonionic detergent Mega-10. Then 100 µg of this protein was emulsified in Freunds Incomplete Adjuvant (FIA) and injected intraperitoneally to immunized mice and 15 normal mice as a control group. For immunization, mice were boosted similarly after 27 days and they were challenged by intraperitoneally injection of 2000 bovine viable protoscoleces after two weeks. Resistant rate (size, weight, number of cysts) were determined after challenge.Findings: Autopsies of mice were carried out 240 days post challenge. In immunized mice, cyst either were not observed, or in compare with control group smaller cysts were observed. The mean weight of cysts was 0.39±0.36 and 1.7±1.8 grams in immunized and control groups respectively (P<0.015). The average size of cysts in these two groups were 10.7±15.6 and 7.4±4.2 mm (P<0.006), and the mean number of cysts were 10.7±15.6 and 52.6±44.2 (P<0.002) respectively.Conclusion: In this study the observed protection with immunization was 76.6-79.7 percent. Results of this study showed that surface protein of protoscoleces emulsified in Freunds Incomplete Adjuvant probably can be used for immunization of intermediate host.

Background: Ischemic heart disease is the leading cause of mortality and morbidity in the world. Vascular inflammation is the noticeable risk factors of ischemic heart disease. In this study the relation between intracellular adhesion molecule (ICAM) and vascular adhesion molecule (VCAM) as inflammation indicator with extent of coronary involvement were evaluated.Methods: In this cross sectional study, 82 patients with stable angina who candidates for angiography were studied. Those with acute coronary syndrome, and recent surgery, inflammatory disease, some drug consumption, kidney and liver disease, Phlebitis and PTE are excluding from study. Then blood sampling for biochemical VCAM and ICAM analysis were drawn. After it, coronary angiography was done via standard method.Findings: Mean ages of the patients were 58.4±10.1 year old with 72% male. The mean of ICAM and VCAM were 183.9±78 and 150.3±136 ng/dl, respectively. There isn’t any correlation between VCAM and ICAM and the severity of coronary artery disease. In linear regression analysis even with considering of hypertension, hyperlipidemia and diabetes as cofounders, there was not any relation between these factors and CAD.Conclusion: According to our findings, inflammatory markers (VCAM and ICAM) didn’t add any further information about extent of CAD.

Background: Previous studies have shown an association between opioid addiction and impairments in learning and memory. Due to the fact that exercise has positive effects on many physiological systems, including the central nervous system, the present study, evaluated the effects of treadmill running on learning and memory in opioid addicted rats.Methods: Forty two male wistar rats (300-350 g) were divided into four groups, the control group, the control - exercise group, the morphine group and the morphine-exercise group. In Morphine - treated groups, Morphine was injected intraperitonealy as follow: first 3 days 10 mg/kg, next 3 days 20 mg/kg and during the last 3 days 40 mg/kg. In exercise groups, the exercise program was treadmill running at 17 meters per minute (m/min) at 7o inclination for 60 minutes per day (min/day), 7 days/week, for 3 months. Passive avoidance learning and memory was investigated by shuttle box in the rats after 3 months of addiction and exercise.Findings: Data showed that learning and memory was impaired significantly in the morphine-rest group with respect to the control group; however, exercise has improved learning and memory in the morphine-exercise group and in the control-exercise group.Conclusion: The present results suggest that learning and memory is affected under the condition of morphine addiction, but treadmill running prevents these effects. The data correspond to the possibility that treadmill running is helpful in the prevention and alleviation of the cognitive decline in opioid addiction.

Background: This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy, safety and complications of Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) as a retreatment of residual myopia after previous laser insitu keratomileusis (LASIK).Methods: In this descriptive study, with the consideration of inclusion and exclusion criteria, the 92 cases were selected and underwent PRK with mitomycin C.Findings: This study was performed on 170 eyes of 92 patients with the mean age of 35 years old (56 women and 36 men). The average interval between two procedures was 17.5 ± 3.2 months. After 1 year, 94.7% of the eyes had uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) (20/40 or better) and 65.8% of eyes had UCVA (20/20 or better). 135 eyes (79.4%) were within ± 0.5 diopter (D) and 168 eyes (98.8% were within±1.00 D of target refraction. 2 eyes lost one line of best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and 14 eyes had BCVA gain. After 12 months four eyes had corneal haze of grade 2. Before and after PRK, Spheric equivalents of eyes were -1.84±0.6 and -0.15±0.2 D respectively (P<0.001), mean UCVA was 0.34±0.23 and 0.92±0.14 of lines (P<0.001) and the mean pachymetry was 428±20 and 407±12 microns respectively (P=0.032).Conclusion: PRK is an effective and safe procedure as a retreatment of post LASIK residual myopia.

Background: There is an important concern about the intake of foods which contains trans fatty acids due to their harmful effects on human health. Although adverse affects of trans fatty acids on the cardiovascular system were established, but a few data are available on the trans fatty acids contents of Iranian foods, including fast foods. In this study we quantify the amounts of the common fatty acids exist in several Iranian fast foods, with specific focus on trans fatty acids.Methods: Seven samples of the most common consumed fast foods in Iran, sausage, calbas, hamburger and pizza, were randomly selected from products which available in the supermarkets and restaurants. Each time 10 g sample was drawn and prepared for fatty acid analysis. Total and individual fatty acids were quantified by gas chromatography (GC) with 60 meter capillary column and flame ionization detector.Findings: The most common saturated fatty acid (SFA) in Iranian fast foods was stearic acid (C18:0) with range of 14.0% to 20.9%. SFAs in calbas were significantly higher than other groups. Trans fatty acids constitute almost 23.6% to 30.6% in these products. The most common trans fatty acids in these fast foods were elaidic acid (C18:1 9t). Total cis unsaturated fatty acid content of tested fast foods was varied from 25.3%( in sausage) to 46.8% (in calbas) with oleic acid (C18:1 9c) followed by linoleic acid (C18:2) being the most common fatty acids in these products.Conclusion: This study showed higher contents of trans fatty acids in Iranian commercially available fast foods compared to the amounts recommended by dietary guidelines (maximum 2%). Because of the adverse effects of trans fatty acids on health, it is recommended that the amount and type of the fatty acids, especially trans fatty acids, declare in the nutrition label of all foods.

Background: Several studies showed that obesity and fat deposition in the tissues along with inflammatory response may induce insulin resistance and finally type II diabetes. Salsalate can inhibit IKKβ and NF-KB inflammatory pathway. The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of salsalate as an anti-inflammatory drug in blood glucose decrement of diabetics.Methods: This was a double blind case - control trial. Sixty newly diagnosed diabetic patients were randomized in the drug and the placebo groups. The drug group used were received 3g Salsalate per day (two 750 mg tablets every 12 hours orally) for one month.Findings: At baseline there was no significant differences between drug group mean fasting plasma glucose level (124 mg/dl) and placebo group (127 mg/dl) (P=0.628). Twenty eight patients in drug group and 23 ones in placebo group finished the study. Salsalate had reduced significantly the fasting glucose in the drug group (20 mg/dl) in comparison to placebo group (P< 0.05).Conclusion: This study showed that using 3 grams of Salsalate for one month reduces 15.5% of baseline blood glucose level of diabetic cases. These acceptable results may open a new approach in the treatment of diabetes.

Background: The Shiraz Liver Transplant Audit collects information on all liver transplantations that are carried out in Iran. In this paper, we describe these transplantations and their outcomes in adult patients according to the primary liver disease diagnosis, type and period of transplantation.Methods: A prospective cohort study carried on 364 orthotropic liver transplantations in Shiraz Namazi hospital from June 2002 to July 2008. Actual survival rates, calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method, were compared using the log-rank test. To determine independent prognostic factors for survival, the Cox regression model was used.Findings: Among the 364 patients included in this study (age range: 13-39 years; 327 [68.1%] men), the most common causes of liver disease were hepatitis B and C virus infection (25.8). Overall patient survival rates at 1, 2, 5 and 6 years after Orthotopic Liver Transplantation (OLT) were 83.7%, 82%, 82% and 82%, respectively. Mean and SE of Survival time of patients were 64.6±1.7 (CI95%: 61.2-67.9). Short time and long time survival of these patients in both sexes and between age groups were similar. Multivariable analysis demonstrated that these improvements only be explained by donors age between 20-40 years old.Conclusion: In summary, Orthotopic Liver Transplantation has developed into a safe and successful treatment for end-stage liver disease with satisfactory long-terms results. Our experience with liver transplantation indicates comparable success rate to similar reports.