Tehran University Medical Journal

Humoral immune variation in drug addicts

A Masoud

Studies were undertaken to evaluate content of IgG, IgM, C3, C4, CH50 and proteines of sera from 53 drug addicts by immunological methods. Results shows an increase of IgG and no significant variatrion in the level of other Ig(S). In the same time we have seen an augmentation of gamma globuline in the protein electrophoresis pattern. The level of C3 and C4 of complement component rest unchanged.

Trial survey of alpha-interferon effect on 16 patients with chronic viral hepatitis

N Daryani

Alpha-interferon therapy has been approved for treatment of chronic hepatitis C and B. Candidates for treatment are patients with well-compensated liver disease and histologic evidences of chronic hepatitis who have demonstrated abnormal aminotransferase levels for more than 6 months. From 30 patients with chronic hepatitis with diseases prolonged more than 6 months, we selected only 16 patients with necessary criteria for interferon therapy (10 patients with chronic HBV and with evidence of viral replication, and 6 patients with chronic HCV). Dose of interferon used for hepatitis B was 5mu TIW for 16 weeks and for hepatitis C was 3mu TIW for 24 weeks. At the end of treatment, HbeAg was eliminated from 3 patients. From 10 patients chosen, from none of them the HBsAg was not eliminated at the end of 4 months treatment. In comparison with 10% elimination of HBsAg in treated groups that have been reported in other countries, our results demonstrated that interferon therapy is less effective in Asian patients in comparison with western patients.

Study of T-cell subsets, B and NK cells in Iranian patients with Behcet's disease by monoclonal antibodies

M Rayyani

Behcet disease (BD) is a systemic inflammatory disease of the unknown etiology. There is however, some evidence to suggest that immunological abnormalities are important in its pathogenesis, furthermore several T-cell abnormalities which may be quite relevant to autoimmune origin of the disease have been described. We report here our study of T-cell subsets, B and NK cells in 68 patients with BD in comparison to 30 normal controls, by monoclonal antibodies against CD3 (pan T-cell), CD4 (Helper) CD8 (Suppressor/cytotoxic), CD22 (B-cell) and CD16 (NK-cell) markers. The results show the increase (P=0.008) of T (CD3), T (CD4) (P<0.000001) and decrease of T (CD8) (P<0.000001) and reduction in ratio of CD4/CD8 cells (P<0.000001), but any alteration in B and NK cells number were not seen. In patients with BD 69.8% negative PPD test and above results suggests that the cellular immunity in these patients is anergic, which may be an important etiological factor.

A survey of common prevalent psychiatric disorders among a group of Iranian repatriated prisoners of war

A Nourbala

The present survey covers a number of 91 Iranian repatriated war prisoners who, six months after their freedom, approached three psychiatric clinics in Tehran during 1989 and spring 1990. Of these, 34 persons (37.4%) who showed higher symptoms of disorders were hospitalized and 57 (62.6%) who showed milder signs of disorders were carefully diagnosed mentally and psychologically as outpatients. The prevalent disorders revealed by this study were adjustment disorders (48.3%), mood disorders (22%), schizophrenia (11%), anxiety disorder (9.9%) and organic mental disorders (7.7%). The survey showed statistically the existence of a meaningful relation between the disorder severity with such factors as negative opinion of the prisoner's family on his going to the war front, and observance of martyrdom of co-fighters by the patient. However, no significant relation was observed between the severity of disorders and such factors as being involuntarily dispatched to the front, duration of captivity, type of being captive (singular or in group), having a previous record of solitary imprisonment, observing the treason of co-fighters during his captivity.

Distribution of HLA antigents in Turkman race

B Nikbin

The Turkmans are one of the Iranian ethnic population. HLA typing (class I and II) was performed in this population. The data obtained from this study was compared with different populations of the world. We observed that the Turkman population is most similar to the Northern chinese and Uigur population. The distributions of HLA antigens in Turkmans are somewhat between Iranian population, Northern chinese and Uigur population. Natural selection and gene alteration select the people who could better adopt themselves with new conditions. Investigation of Turkman's HLA in comparison with Iranian's HLA reveals more details in genetics of Behcet's disease. Behcet's disease is very rare in Turkmans (index 0.5) whereas its frequency is high in other Iranians and Northern chinese. Distribution of susceptible antigens like B5 is the same in Turkmans and Northern chinese (19.5%) but much higher in other Iranians, whereas B35 have almost the same distribution in Turkmans and Iranians (37% and 33% respectively). DQW1 and CW4 antigens which were suspected to have a negative association with Behcet's disease are the most frequent antigens in Turkmans.

Giant papillary conjunctivitis: A study of 700 cases

A Javadian

In view of the rapid expansion of contact lens amongst the users, new dimensions have been added to the domain of ophthalmology: Giant papillay conjunctivitis, a disease caused by different kinds of contact lens, appears weeks or months after they are used, although some patients are struck years later. The predominant symptoms are increased awareness of lenses, ocular itching, blurred vision and excessive lens movement. The predominant signs are the formation of papillae, the presence of excessive mucus, and contact lens coatings. The syndrome occurs mostly with the soft lens and is more intense. Other independent studies show that the rate of prevalence of the disease with soft lenses and hard lenses is 10% and 5% respectively. The study comprised 550 soft lenses and 150 hard lenses. The diagnosis of the disease was based on the symptoms and signs of the disease. Eleven percent of the patients using soft lens and 4% of the patients using hard lens had the disease at some stage. Almost all of the patients were using dirty and low grade lenses. The therapy protocol of the disease consisted of changing the polymer type of the lens and administering cromolyn 4% drop. In cases that the therapy was unsuccessful, a temporary suspension of the lens and administration of cromolyn 4% was recommended before using the new lens.

Incidence and review of hydatidiform mole chorioadenoma, destruens and chorio carcinoma in Mirza Kochek Khan Hospita

V Ghaffari

Initial management, incidence and review of hydatidiform mole, chorioadenoma and destruens and chorio carcinoma in Mirza Kochek khan hospital department of ob.gyn and gynecology oncology of women's hospital Tehran-Iran school of medicin from September 1985 to March 1990, 209 patients received primary management for hydatidiform mole at oncology department of Mirza Kochek Khan hospital medical school of Tehran Iran. All of these women HAD complete record available for analysis, of these, 167 women bydatidiform mole, 12 patients chorioadenoma-destruens 30 patients chorio carcinoma a survey was made of factors likely to provide an important clinical perspective patient aye and the status of pregnancy were noted. 41 patient only sharp curettage and 55 patients suction curettage to remove the hydatidiform mole. 97 patient require chemo terapy, suction curettage of the uterus is clearly the best means of management in the most cases their eyperince documents that hydatidiform mole is an high risk pregnancy that requires prompt and in tensive management.

Heat stroke in Hajj ceremonies

S Sh Sadr

Three hundred and seventy seven patients with different degrees of heat stroke were treated by the haji medical team of the Islamic Republic of Iran in 1371 (1992). Studies were carried out on sex of the patients, time and intensity of occurance and the vital signs after a medical examination. The most important method of treatment employed for intense heat stroke was iced bath. This procedure leads to 64.5% of patients being treated in te specific heat stroke unit and 35% were sent to a general hospital ward for furthur treatment. Morbidity and mortality were seen in less than 0.5% of the patients.

Embryo toxicitic effects of Ranitidine

B Nasrallah Zadeh

In this work, we tried to know something more about the embryotoxicity effects of the doses of 50, 200, 400 mg/kg/day of ranitidine of (H2 antihistaminic agent) by intraperitoneal administration on mice. The studies were performed on albino mice kept under specific conditions and a constant dark-light cycle at 24+1C and 55+5% relative humidity. Generally, the animals were acclimatized for four weeks before mating. Two female mice at 12-14 weeks of age were placed overnight with a male of proven fertility. The day on which a vaginal plug was found, was taken as day one of pregnancy. Also the vaginal smear was prepared for further proof. Treatment of pregnant females was started from day 7 and continued up to the 15th day of gestation and then on day 18 they were necropsied for routine teratological observations. The live fetuses were weighed and inspected for gross external abnormalities under a dissecting microscope. Resorption plus dead fetuses less than 6mm of length were designated early death and dead fetuses of more than 6mm of length were consequently called late death. The statistical study was done by student t-test. One-third of the fetuses were fixed in bouin's fluid to detect visceral malformations by the rasor- section technique. There was no significant difference in the frequency of late death between the control groups and the groups given ranitidine. Differences were observed in the number of implantation sites except for 400 mg/kg/day. Data pooled from all experimental groups clearly show that pig tail, deformed cranium, low body weight and skeleton, unshaped external ear and jaw and polydactyly are the most common external abnormalities. Results of this study show the hazards o the ranitidine used during early pregnancy.

Non-protein enzymes: RNA can act as an enzyme

M Dousti

Within the past few years, neat scheme has been overturned by the discovery that RNA can act as an enzyme. What does the starting finding of RNA enzymes imply? Thre first implication is that one can no longer assume a protein lies behind every catalytic activity of the cell. It now appears that several of the operations that tailor an RAN molecule into its final form are at least in part catalyzed by RNA. The finding that RNA can be a catalyst as well as an informational molecule suggests that when life originated, RNA may have functioned without DNA or proteins.

Biologic resurfacing of the patella bone versus patellectomy

M Motamedi

In the past years, there was a tendency to excise the patella in pathologic conditions affecting this bone. The patella has many critical effects in the function of the knee joint. For example, after its exicision the force of quadriceps muscle decreases by forty percent (40%) and the knee joint becomes prone to early osteoarthritic changes. For these reasons, in the recent years the "biologic resurfacing of patella" has been used in pathologic conditions instead of its complete removal. In this new method after resection of the diseased part of the bone, the fascia of the quadriceps muscle, with its intact base, is used to cover the resected part of the bone. In practice, after pain relief, the active motion of the joint is started. Then the limb is placed in a splint or brace and after a period of 3 weeks, passive motion is begun.

A survey of the effects of low-dose Dapsone plus Folic Acid in cystic acne

S M Rohani

Forty-six cases of patients suffering from acne cystica (conglobata) were treated by low-dose dapsone plus folic acid (1 mg/day). This study has been performed on patients that had no response to other treatments. Several essential and careful tests and examinations were performed on patients before and during treatment. Ten patients of 46 above-mentioned cases were excluded from treatment protocol, because of the reasons that have been mentioned in this article. In 33 cases of 36 patients that recieved the treatment, the cystic lesions were disappeared without any exception and had satisfactory response to treatment.