Acta Medica Iranica
Volume:39 Issue: 4, July - Aug 2001

Abstract: In this study the effects of 5-HT2A receptor blockers in CA1 region of rat hippocampus on spatial learning were assessed in a T-maze, a spatial discrimination task. Rats were connulated and bilateral injection of vehicle (saline) and 5-HT2A- selective antagonist, ketanserin (0.6, 1.2 or 2.4 µg/0.5 µl) were injected through the connulae 30 miutes before training each day. Results indicated that direct ketanserin and pirenperone injection did not affect spontaneous alternation. They also did not show a significant effect on trials to reach criterion and errors made by animals throughout spatial discrimination and reversal learning and reversal stages. During extiction, no change was observed in the choice of the previously reinforced arm in both ketanserin and pirenperone groups. The slope of latency in highest dose of ketanserin (2.4 µg/0.5 µ/l) compared to the sham operated group but not in the pirenperone group.These findings suggest that 5-HT2A receptors blockade (ketanserin, not prienperone) in the CA1 region may decrease decision time and increase behavioural flexibility in T-maze

Abstract: Intracranial hemorrhage and entrapment neuropathy are the most serious and disabling complications in hemophilia.The occurance of these neurological complications was studied in 214 hemophiliac patients during a 3 month period. Nine patients (4.2%) suffered intracranial hemorrhage (One epidural and others intracerebral). All of intracranial hemorrhage patients had the sevee form of disease (<1% factor VIII or IX). 6 out of 9 intracranial hemorrhage cases mentioned a history of head trauma. Entrapment neuropathy was presen in 10 patients (femoral neuropathy 5, ulnar n. 3, radial n. 1 median n. 1) all of entropament neuropathy patients described a history of trauma to the extremities. Eight patients in the latter group had severe disease and two patients had moderate disease (1-5%). The proportion of intracranial hemorrhage following head trauma (20% in this series) was greater than other studies. In conclusion, early diagnostic evaluation and replacement therapy may be beneficial in hemophilic patients with trauma.

Abstract: Central nervous system’s disorders including chronic meningitis (CM) have considerable mortality and irreversible complications, and diagnosis and treatment of CM is difficult. In this retrospective study we reviwed epidemiological and clinical findings, treatment results and prognostic factors of 97 patients with CM admitted in Imam Khomeini hospital for the last 10 years. Important etiological factors in this study included: Mycobacterium Tuberculousis (8.2%) Brucellae SP (5.2%), malignancies (1%) and unknown (85.5%); the sexual ratio was 2:1 (Male/Female) and the most common clinical manifestations were: fever, headache, cranial and motor neuron involvement, seizure and ataxia. Treatment regimens used included antituberculosis agents with or witout corticosteroids, in which the prognosis was better in patients who had been treated with antituberculosis agents alone. The mortality rate was 22.7%, which was in accordance with other studies. We suggest using of antituberculosis treatment alone in comparison with antituberculosis and corticosteroid. Last but not least a double blind randomized clinical trial for a longer period is needed to further substantiate the results of this study.

Abstract: Different classes of autoantibodies against two antigenic forms of modified low density lipoprotein (mod-LDL) were detected in 140 patients by indirect ELISa method. Investigated autoantibodes included total immunoglobulins (IgT). Immunoglobulin G (IgG), and immunoglobulin M (IgM) against oxidized LDL with copper ions (ox-LDL) and modified LDL with malondialdehyde (mal-LDL) (IgT-O) IgT against mal-LDL (IgT-M), IgG against ox-LDL (IgG-O), IgM against ox-LDL (IgM-o), and IgM against mal-LDL (IgM-M) were significantly (P<0.05) higher in patient with coronary atherosclerosis than normal individuals, whereas titer of IgG against mal-LDl (IgG-M) didn’t show any significan difference between these groups. In this study, no correlation was found between autoantibody titers and severity of coronary artery stenosis. The results indicate that titers of these autoantibodies are dependent on an active atherogenic process.

Abstract: Optical rehabilitation of the patient with aphakia who cannot tolerate contact lenses present a therapeutic challenge. In the absence of capsular support, anterior chamber lenses have been widely used. On the other hand intraocular lens implantation of scleral sutured posterior chamber intraocular lens during penterating keratoplasty or insufficient iris support is recommended. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the clinical outcome and complication in 17 patients who underwent scleral-fixation of an intraocular lens.We studied prospectively the results of posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation by scleral fixation in 17 eyes of 17 patients without a complete posterior lens capsule support at farabi Eye Hospital. Uncorrected visual acuity improved from counting finger to 20/40 or better in 9 eyes (53 percent). The following complications were observed during the mean postoperative follow-up of 7.2 (range 3-12) months; increased intraocular pressure in 5 eyes, vitreous hemorrhage and icr hyphema in 2 eyes, cystoid macular edema (CME) and vitritis in one eye, and endophthalmitis and retinal detachment in one eye. Posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation by scleral fixation is a relatively safe procedure and can be recommended for

Abstract: Congenital double lip anomaly is an infrequent developmental abnormality affecting the lips, more commonly the upper lip. 5 cases of double lip are being reported for the first time from Iran and all confined to the upper lip. A new surgical excision is being introduced which is called transverse cupid bow-like elliptical incision. The previous traditional method was a simple elliptical excision. The new method gives the cupid’s bow a more natural apperance and keeps the normal shape of the upper lip.Surgical excision with transverse cupid bow-like elliptical excision in undertaken with regional nerve block anesthesia.It was interesting to observe that in the upper lip, the buccal portion of the double lip appeared on either side with a midline constriction. Surgical excision with the new method under regional nerve block anesthesia provides good result. The embryology and clinical appearances are discussed with a review of the literature.Congenital doble-lip anomaly is rare, and 5 cases are beint reported. All the patients were males, and there was no hereditary history, relation of the parents or any obvious acquired etiologic factor for the development ot this molformation.

Abstract: To evaluate the maternal serum dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) sulfate levels as a factor influencing labor ‘efficiency’ at term and unsuccessful labor induction. This is a prospective study. In this study the mean (± standard error) maternal serum DHEA sulfate levels of 90 singleton pregnant women in 3 groups with spontaneous labor, need for augmentation and need for induction were compared.Pregnancies complicated by diabetes mellitus, hypertension, fetal growth restriction, tobacco consumption, corticosteriod use or chorioamintis were excluded. Bishop score of all cases was less than 5. Serum DHEA sulfate levels were measured by radioimmunoassay. Dehydroepiandrosteone sulfate levels and other obstetric variables were correlated retrospectively with the clinically determined requirements of oxytocin augmentation of labor, and the outcome of each induction attempt. The t-test, Variance analysis Kruskal –Wallis test, Mann-Whitney test, chi-square (X2) distribution, linear correlation and regression were used for statistical analysis. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. This study showed that the mean (± standard error) maternal serum DHEA sulfate level was not significantly higher in women who progressed spontaneously through labor (n=30) than in those who required augmentation (n=30) (60.78±4.22 versus 70.38±5.84). No significant difference was found between the mean DHEA sulfate levels of spontaneous labor group (n=30) and cases who had prolonged latent phase (n=21) (66.78±4.22 versus 67.02±7.13) or prolonged active phase disorders (n=9) (60.78±4.22 µg/dl versus 78.22±10.23 µg/dl p=0.25)This study showed that the mean maternal serum DEHA sulfate level was significantly higher in women with spontaneous labor (n=30) than in those who needed induction (n=30) (60.78±4.22 µg/dl versus 39.49±4.56 µg/dl, respectively; p=0.001).In the group who needed induction, the mean DHEA sulfate level waa significantly higher in women who progressed to active labor (n=18) than in whom attempts were unsuccessful (n=12). (48.83±6.48 µg/dl versus 26.96±5.10, respectively p=0.035). in the group who were induced, the main cause of C/S was failure of labor progression (77.8%).The mean DHEA level was significantly higher in women with spontaneous labor (n=28) than in those requiring cesarean delivery (n=7) (61.01±4.22 µg/dl versus 24.67±7.06, respectively; p=0.001). The maternal serum DHEA sulfate level did not correlate significantly with cervical Bishop score on admission (r=0.02, p=0.78). DHEA sulfate may be an important factor iin successful labor induction, and in efficient labor

Abstract: Prolonged local consumption of Anethum graveolens leaves, as an antihyperlipimic and antihypercholesterolemic agent, has been associated in some patients with skin disorders such as darkening and pigmentation mainly in the exposed areas such as face and hands.Anethum graveolens belongs to the umbelliferae family which is belived to be rich in photoactive furocoumarins. An oraganic extract of the powdered leaves was analysed for the photosensitive compounds. Al least six different photosensitive compounds.Al least six different photosensitive components were detected in the TLC chromatogram of the extract. Two of the most photosensitive components were purified compounds into two different purifed plasmid DNAs were observed. In addition, photoreacted DNA samples were easily fragmented by heat treatment in comparision to control samples not treated with the furocoumarins.

Abstract: Fasciolosis, or liver fluke disease, caused by parasites of the genus Fasciola is emerging as an important disease in man and animals, in the world and Iran, particularly in nortern parts. The economical losses in domestic animals are considerable. In the recent decade there were two major outbreaks of human fasciolosis in the Caspian region, northern part of Iran with 7000-10000 infected cases. Sicne it is impossible to diagnose fasciolosis in acute phase using coprological methods and even in chronic phases its sensitivity is low, evaluating and establishing a reliable and cost-effetive test is indispensable and notewortly.In the present survey, we produced and examined the sensitivity and specificity of liver fluke homogenate (LFH), excretory-secetory (ES) and cysteine proteinase (CP) antigens of F. hepatica using IgG-ELISA test. A 25-27 kilo Dalton coomassie blue-stained band was observed and using of specific inhibitors indicated that this antigen belongs to the class of cysteine proteinase. The sensitivity of LFH, ES and CP antigen in IgG-ELISa was 100% for each, while their specificity was 97.8%, 98.8% and 98.8% respectively. There was a significant difference in mean OD values between cases of proven fasciolosis and other true negative cases, including healthy control individuals and patients with other parasitic diseases.This present report is the first to demonstrate the purification and evaluation of F. hepatica cysteine proteinase antigen by IgG-ELISA test for the diagnosis of fasciolosis in Iran. In conclusion, the IgG-ELISa using ES and CP show high sensitivity and specificity and would be a valuable tool to diagnose human fasciolosis in Iran, particularly in endemic areas.

Abstract: Treatment of acute asthma is based on rapid reversal of bronchospasm and arresting airway inflammation. This study was done to determine the effect of intravenous MgSO4 for improvement of pulmonary fuction in patients with acute asthma non-responding to routine therapy. This randomized, double –blind controlled study was conducted on 48 patients, magnesium sulfate group, n=48 aged 12-85 years, 26 men, 22 women, and control (saline) group, n=33, aged 15-80 years, 17 men, 16 women, who had not responded to routine treatment. Peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) was done before MgSO4 (25 mg/kg) and normal saline (100 ml) as a baseline criteria and after infusion of drugs at 30 mm and 3 hr. All patients were also given bronchodilators. The main outcome was PEER. Data were analyzed by X2 and t-test and differences between each point, were considered significant at P<0.05.The peak expiratory flow rate 3 hrs after baseline increased in MgSO4 group in comparison with saline group (82.60±5.8 veruss 47.8±87 p=0.002). the number of breating in MgSO4 was also increased at 30 mm and 3 hr after baseline. Cyanosis, diaphoresis and use of respiratory accessory muscles by patients were decreased in MgSO4 in comparison with saline group.According to the results, it is suggested that MgSO4 can be an adjunct agent for the treatment of patients with acute non-responding asthma

Abstract: A case of pleomorphic adenoma in sweat gland is reported here. The histopathologic report confirmed the diagnosis. Pleomorphic adenoma is most common in salivary glands but very rare in sweat glands. Pleomorphic adenoma in sweat gland and the similar tumors of eccring sweat gland are described that bear a striking resemblance to pleomorphic adenomas of salivary gland. Upon closer examination, the tumor contained areas of apocrine decapitation secretory activity, and primitive hair follicles indicating cutaneous rather than mucosal origin. One year follow-up examination has revealed no evidence of recurrence.