مجله دانشکده پزشکی اصفهان
پیاپی 210 (هفته چهارم آذر 1391)

Acne vulgaris is one of the most common diseases of pilosebaceous unit characterized by papules and pustules on the face and trunk of young people. Different factors have been suggested to influence acne including diet, stress, changes in hormonal cycles, and some medications. In fact, the authors have recently received numerous complaints regarding the exacerbation of acne in patients who have undergone rhinoplasty surgery. Accordingly, we determined to compare the severity of acne before and after the surgery. This prospective analytical study was performed on 32 patients referred to plastic surgery clinics of Alzahra hospital during 2010-2011. Acne severity preoperatively and within one week, one month and four months after surgery was assessed using the acne severity index. The mean acne severity index before and one week, one month and four months after surgery were significantly different (P < 0.001). However, the severity one month after surgery was significantly higher than the other time-points (P < 0.05). Because rhinoplasty surgery is often performed to improve the appearance of people, the exacerbation of acne after this type of surgery affects patient satisfaction. Therefore, considering acne preventive measures before the surgery is recommended.

Osteoporosis, which is the most common systemic skeletal disease in middle-age and old people, is accompanied with decreased bone density, microscopic changes in bone tissues, and increased risk of fractures. This study was performed in order to find out the relation of food insecurity, physical activity, and some socio-economic factors with osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. This case-control study was done in 2012 on 160 postmenopausal women between the ages of 50 to 60 years referred to Isfahan (Iran) Bone Density Assessment Center. 80 participants diagnosed with osteoporosis were compared with the rest who had normal bone density. In this research, a general as well as a food security and physical activity questionnaire were used. Items which had statistically significant effect on bone density were husband job, the financial status of family, the number of households, the amount and period of activity in sleep and rest, amount of activity in stand position, and food insecurity. After the adjustment of confounding factors, we found out that the amount of activity in sleep and rest, husband job, and food insecurity are independent factors affecting the bone density. Considering the effect of food insecurity on osteoporosis in postmenopausal women, preventive measures seem necessary.

Telomeres are special structures at the ends of chromosomes, especially in eukaryotes, that include repetitive sequences of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and non-nucleosomal proteins. These structures are essential to protect chromosomes from recombination and degradation. Telomeres are gene-poor repetitive sequences, but they are close to the more gene-rich subtelomeric regions. Proteins associated with telomeres are able to interact directly with the TTAGGG repeats and also can bind to other factors to form large protein complexes. These proteins are involved in DNA repair and telomere stability. Therefore, defects in the synthesis of these proteins could induce imperfections in telomere maintenance and DNA repair; and accordingly, should cause a number of genetic syndromes.

Recent therapeutic advances in cardiovascular diseases are indebted to the discovery of endothelial progenitor cells (EPC). Nitric oxide (NO) and stromal cell derived factor-1α (SDF-1α) play roles in migration, homing, and differentiation of EPCs in mature endothelial cells. The incidence of cardiovascular diseases is higher in men than women. This fact suggests the influence of sex hormones on the pathophysiology of cardiovascular diseases. 24 adult female Wistar rats weighing 160–180 grams were randomly divided into four groups (n = 6): 1) sham-treated by sesame oil, 2) ovariectomized (OVX)-treated by sesame oil, 3) OVX-treated by 10 µg/kg/day testosterone, 4) OVX-treated by 100 µg/kg/day testosterone. After 21 days from injection, the animals were euthanized and blood samples were stored for the determination of serum levels of NO and SDF-1α. The serum levels of NO in sham, OVX, OVX-10 µg/kg/day testosterone, and OVX-100 µg/kg/day testosterone groups were 30.7 ± 1.4, 22.4 ± 0.3, 18.3 ± 1.7, and 19.2 ± 0.4 µmol/l, respectively. Moreover, the corresponding values for the serum level of SDF-1α were 125 ± 42.4, 70.6 ± 10.3, 69.4 ± 15.2, and 166 ± 62 pg/ml. The serum concentration of NO in testosterone treated groups was significantly lower than the other groups (P < 0.05). Nonetheless, there was no significant differences in SDF-1α levels between the study groups (P = 0.6). In conclusion, this study suggests that testosterone might influence cardiovascular diseases by reducing vascular healing factors such as nitric oxide.

Gastroenteritis is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in infants and children worldwide. In this age group, rotavirus is the most common cause of viral gastroenteritis, which in turn is the most prevalent form of gastroenteritis. Rotavirus accounts for an estimated up to 125 million gastroenteritis episode in children less than 5 years old and causes up to 600000 deaths a year throughout the world. Rotavirus gastroenteritis causes more dehydration, severer illness, and longer hospitalization. Therefore, investigation of the epidemiology of rotavirus infections is of a great importance in most countries. Considering the high burden of the disease, we decided to determine the frequency of this disease in children less than 3 years old in Isfahan. This cross-sectional study was carried out on 150 stool specimens of children under 3 years old with gastroenteritis during spring and summer of 2012 in Alzahra hospital, Isfahan, Iran. Stool specimens were examined by gel electrophoresis for the presence of rotavirus genome. The acquired information was registered in data collection forms. From 150 stool specimens, 12.66% (n = 19) were positive for Rotavirus. The mean age of children with Rotavirus gastroenteritis was 6 to 12 months. 13.7% of Rotavirus infected children were male and 11.7% were female. Rotavirus was the cause of 12.66% of gastroenteritis in children under 3 years old in spring and summer in Isfahan. Children who are kept in nursery, formula fed babies, and children 6 to 12 months of age are more prone to this infection. It seems that more studies are necessary to determine the frequency of rotavirus infection in autumn and winter to be compared with our findings

Insulin resistance has a basic role in the pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome, which is directly correlated with obesity and other cardiovascular risk factors. Recent studies show that insulin resistance is more prevalent in patients with migraine. Further supportive to the association, the risk of cardiovascular diseases in migraineurs has been reported to be higher than the normal population. The present study aimed to compare the severity, duration, and frequency of headaches in migraine patients with and without metabolic syndrome. 200 patients with migraine were selected for this study. Migraine was diagnosed according to the International Headache Society criteria. The enrolled patients were divided into two groups, with and without metabolic syndrome, diagnosed based on the Adult Treatment Panel III criteria. The severity, duration, and frequency of migraine headaches were compared between the two groups at baseline, and 30, and 60 days afterwards. 34 patients (17%) had metabolic syndrome. They were older (P < 0.001) and mostly female. The duration of migraine headaches was also longer than the other group (P = 0.03). The difference of the mean frequency (9.1 versus 10.1 per month, P = 0.54) and severity (7.6 versus 7.3, P = 0.31) of headaches did not reach a statistically significant level between groups. Our study showed that metabolic syndrome is present in 17 % of patients with migraine. Metabolic syndrome was correlated with patient’s age and the duration of their headache. 30 and 60 days after the first visit, the severity, frequency, and duration of headaches were decreased significantly but not differently in both groups.

Intussusception is the most common abdominal emergency in children younger than two years of age. Delay in diagnosis and treatment can ultimately lead to ischemia, perforation, peritonitis, and death. The aim of the present study was to investigate the diagnostic value of abdominal ultrasound in the primary diagnosis of intussusception in clinically suspected children in addition to estimate the mean age and sexual distribution of affected children. This cross-sectional study investigated 85 patients with clinically suspected Intussusception. A standard questionnaire contained age, sex, ultrasonographic signs, and final diagnosis has been used. The sensitivity, specificity, positive, and negative predictive values of abdominal ultrasound in primary diagnosis of intussusception as well as the mean age and sexual distribution of participants were calculated. From the enrolled children, 69.1% were male and 30.9% were female. 85.5% of children were equal to or less than 2 years of age. The sensitivity, specificity, positive, and negative predictive values of abdominal ultrasound were 98.2%, 93.3%, 96.4%, and 96.6%, respectively. Abdominal ultrasound is a sensitive and specific diagnostic procedure in primary diagnosis of intussusception in children. Thus it may be considered as a substitute of barium enema to decrease the costs.