Journal of Advances in Medical and Biomedical Research
Volume:16 Issue: 63, 2008

B-thalassemia is an autosomal recessive disease characterized by reduction or complete absence of b-globin gene expression. It has been estimated that more than 2,000,000 carriers as well as 20,000 patients affected with b-thalassemia are living in Iran, a country with more than 70 million population and great ethnic diversity. In this study we aimed to find out the b-globin gene frequency and determine the spectrum of b-globin gene mutations in Zanjan province (northwest region) of Iran. 5527 individuals who were referred for pre-marriage tests to Zanjan clinic as well as 27 thalassemia patients were studied. Altogether one hundred and five chromosomes from 78 unrelated B-thalassemia patients or carriers were examined for b-globin gene mutations by ARMS-PCR and direct gene sequencing. Based on the previous information on common mutations in Mediterranean populations 24 sites were analyzed. It was found that the b-thalassemia frequency is 1.2% for Zanjan region. Using the above techniques, the mutations for 90/105 (86.7 %) of b-thalassemia chromosomes (13 different mutations) were identified. Fifty eight percent of the mutations were of common “Mediterranean” type. Of which, IVS-I 110 mutation showed the highest frequency (29.5%) followed by IVS-II-1 (13.3%), IVS-I-1 (12.4%) and IVS-I-6 (2.9%). 10.5% of mutations were of common Asian Indian mutations (Fr 8/9, 6.7% and IVS-I-5, 3.8%) respectively. CD5 and CD30 and CD36-37 mutations accounted for 13.3% of the mutations. (5.7%, 0.95% and 6.7% respectively) Mutations in 14 chromosomes (13.3%) remained uncharacterized. These data suggests that the spectrum of mutations in Zanjan province differs from those reported from other parts of Iran, but Mediterranean type of mutations are more frequent in Zanjan region. Therefore, in order to save the time and cost, it is recommended that for prenatal diagnosis of thalassemia in Zanjan province analysis of Mediterranean mutations should be considered as a front line screening strategy.

Saffron is widely used as a food flavor and has well known medicinal effects. Recent studies have revealed that main components of saffron including carotenoids: crocin, crocetin, picrocrocin and safranal have a large number of physiological effects on different biological systems. We decided to assess the possible effect of saffron extract on concentratians of LH, FSH and testosterone in mice. Four groups each including eight adult male Balb/C mice weighing 30 5g were chosen. Normal saline was administered as placebo to control group and saffron extract in doses of 25, 50 and 100 was injected intraperitoneally for 20 days to test groups. Serum FSH, LH and testosterone, were measured using ELISA. The level of FSH, LH and testosterone significantly increased in 100 saffron treated group, as compared with with placebo group. No significant differences were observed between other test groups and placebo. The study indicates efficacy of saffron extract in dose of 100 mg/kg/ 48h on pituitary-testis axis in mice. However further studies are needed to determine the effect of saffron on human reproductivity.

Effects of electeromagnetic exposure on different parts of neruous system and memory of humans and animals has been established. In spite of important human studies, animal studies have been more precise and comprehensive. Extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF, <300Hz), have been reported to induce a variaty of behavioral and physiological function changes in animals. The object of present study was to determine the delay and durartion time of convulsions induced by co- exposure of ELF and strychnine. The effects of ELF on convulsions induced by strychnine (1mg/Kg) were investigated in 60 albino mice. Animals were devided into 6 groups (n=10), including control (I), 100Hz and 20Volt (II), 25Hz and 20Volt (III), 25Hz and 260Volt (IV), 100Hz and 260Volt (V), and 100Hz and 260Volt (VI). Delay time (Det) and duration time (Dut) of convulsions were measured respectively. Increase and decrease in Det and Dut were determined and were compared in control and five ELF exposed groups. There was no significant difference in Det and Dut parameters between control (I) and III, IV and VI groups. In all these groups the convulsions terminated in animal death after a low Dut. In contrast there was a significant difference (P<0.001) in Det parameters between control (I) and the other groups (II and V). No deaths happened in groups (II and V). Co-exposure of higher ELF frequency and strychnine may decrease the epileptic effects of the drug.

Off pump coronary artery bypass graft can be done with or without using intracoronary shunt. We have compared these two methods in early postoperative period, in this study. 208 candidate patients for off pump coronary artery bypass graft were devided in to two groups randomly for using intracoronary shunt or not. Variables including peri and postoperative changes in electrocardiography and echocardiography, rate of myocardial infarction, mortality, morbidity, and cardiac enzymes, were estimated. There was no significant difference between two groups in electrocardiographic changes, myocardial infarction, left ventricular ejection fraction,hospital mortality and intensive care unit stay but Creatine Kinase Myocardial Band enzymes were higher in group not using intracoronary shunt. In contrast troponin I was increased in group using intracoronary shunt. Using intracoronary shunt in off pump coronary artery bypass graft leads to lesser change in cardiac enzymes but does not impact peri and postoperative evidence of myocardial infarction, left ventricular ejection fraction,mortality and morbidity. Using intra coronary shunt is suggested however because of simpler surgical procedure and less intra operative hemodynamic changes.

Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by self-limited episodes of fevere and painful recurrent polyserositis that predominantly affects Mediterranean races. In recent years some reports have shown high prevalence of FMF in North-west Iran, with M694V and E148Q being most frequent reported mutations. The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical manifestations of FMF in patients with these mutations. A cross sectional- descriptive study was performed in a 1 year period (January 2007 – January 2008). 71 patients younger than 18 years with clinical diagnosis of disease proved in Children Hospital of Tabriz-Iran were referred to genetic lab for mutation analysis. ARMS-PCR & PCR-RFLP were used to detect mutations. Only 45 patients were shown to have identified mutations and 41 patients among them had M694V and E148Q mutations which were assessed for various clinical manifestations. M694V and E148Q mutations were seen in 55.7% and 35.5% patients respectively. Patients homozygous for M694V were found to have earlier age of onset, longer duration of attacks, higher prevalence of positive family history and more complications. In our patients, prevalence of some manifestations differed from other ethnic groups reported previously. M694V mutation in FMF patients especially in homozygous state is accompanied with more severe disease and more complications.

Several studies have reported significant disturbances in vertical posture during various standing and walking conditions, but there is little evidence about the behavior of related muscles in dynamic conditions such as external perturbation, so this study was done to investigate and to compare the delay in response of upper trapezius and sternocleidomastoid muscles as two superficial muscles in the neck area, in posterior-anterior perturbation among patients with chronic neck pain and healthy subjects. This study was a case-control study with simple nonprobable sampling.32 subjects (16 healthy subjects and 16 patients with chronic neck pain) participated the study. Data collection was done using questionnaire and test performance. The equipments included dynamometer, chronometer and surface kinesiology electromyography. Dropping the weight equal to 10% of total body weight, performed using electrical magnet, followed by pulling of the trunk inducing perturbation was performed. There were significant statistical differences in response onset of upper trapezius(p=0.032) and sternocleidomastoid(p=0.012) muscles between two groups.This meant the response onset in patients was longer than healthy subjects. Pain can change the onset of response of trapezius and sternocleidomastoid muscles and possibly decrease muscle activity in deep muscles and change the pattern of muscle activation and possibly it can increase the risk of injury in patients with chronic neck pain.

This study was conducted to evaluate the clinical and reproductive outcomes after Laparoscopic Ovarian Drilling (LOD) performance in infertile women with Clomiphene resistant Poly Cystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). Regular menstrual cycles, ovulation and pregnancy rates have been considered as three main outcomes being evaluated in this study. 72 Clomiphene-resistant anovulatory women with PCOS in Karaj Hospital were taken into account in this study from 2002-2005. Laparoscopic Ovarian Drilling (LOD) using a needle cautery was performed. Each ovary was punctured at 6 points. Patients were followed for 24 months for evaluating the outcome. After laparoscopy, regular menstruation occurred spontaneously in 82.6% and maintained regular at least for 6 months. The incidence of conception at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months after surgery was % 14.7, %36.8, %58.5, %67.6 respectively. Laparoscopic ovarian drilling is an effective treatment in Clomiphene-resistant anovulatory women with PCOS.

Esophageal cancer is the 6th common cancer in Iran. Affected patients have a relatively short lifetime, as this cancer is usually diagnosed in advanced stages. This study was conducted to estimate survival and factors related to it in patients with esophageal cancer. All patients definitely diagnosed as esophageal cancer, registered in Fars Cancer Registry Center, were investigated. Required information was gathered from cancer registry forms and other resources. 1- to 5-year survival rates were estimated using life-table method. Wilcoxon test was used to compare survival rates between subgroups. All data were analyzed by SPSS software. Of 161cases, 61.5% were male. Mean age of patients was 64.6±13.10 years and 57.6±11.9 years in male and female, respectively. Overall survival rates at 1- to 5-years after diagnosis were: 58, 33, 18, 15 and 9 percent, respectively. Factors such as age at time of diagnosis, Presence of metastasis, histologic grade, type of first treatment, occupation in males, ethnicity and number of household showed to have a significant effect on prognosis. According to this study and similar studies carried out, screening and early detection of patients (in lower ages, and lower stages) is emphasized.

Asthma is a common respiratory disease caused by acute and chronic bronchial inflammation. Clinical manifestations of the disease are closely related to genetics. IL-4 is a cytokine of TH2 lymphocytes, polymorphism in prompter region, C-589T, is associated with IL-4 production, while IFN-γ, is a cytokine of TH1, and A+874T polymorphism in interon 1 of IFN-γ is associated with it’s production and release. Cytokine gene polymorphisms could influence pathogenesis of asthma with TH1/THh2 ratio, being of great importance. 81 unrelated asthmatic patients were selected according to ATS characteristics and separated into two groups of controlled and uncontrolled asthma. 80 normal subjects were chosen as control group. After collection of peripheral blood and DNA extraction, PCR-RFLP method was used for genotyping of IL-4, -589 position. For evaluation of polymorphism in +874 position of IFN-γ ARMS-PCR method was used. Distribution of frequency of IFN- (A+874T) and IL-4(C-589T) polymorphisms didn’t show any statistically significant difference between two patient groups and healthy control group (p≥0.05). There was neither any significant difference (p≥0.05) among other parameters. Studies in field of cytokine polymorphism have had variable results. So many studies have mentioned a relationship between cytokine gene polymorphism and susceptibility and/or severity of asthma and some studies have shown that there is no association between these factors we believe that there may exist factors different from IL-4 and IFN-γ polymorphism which coner the effects of these genetic vaciants in pathogenesis and severity of asthma.

Preterm delivery has considerable social, economical and mental effects on neonate and related family. Factors predisposing to, and preventing preterm delivery are still not clearly recognized. However some studies have shown psychological factors to play some role. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of anxiety in inducing preterm delivery. In this cohort study conducted in sari (1384-85) a consecutive series of 282 pregnant women with singleton pregnancies reffered for routine prenatal care were included. Anxiety was assessed using self-administered Spielberger's state-trait anxiety questionnaire. The 75th percentile was used for anxiety scores. Mean score of state and trait anxiety of cases was 38.59.9 (20-74) and 41.29.2 (20-77) respectively. There was a meaningful statistical relationship between state anxiety and preterm delivery (P=0.02, RR=2.71) and trait anxiety and preterm delivery (P=0.009, RR= 1.59). Further studies incorporating multiple psychosocial domains, gaining information about women's social environment, life circumstances and possible biologic pathways through which anxiety and stress operates may reinforce our understanding of the role of stress in pregnancy.