Tehran University Medical Journal

Applications of comparative genomic hybridization in cancer and genetic disorders: a review article

Mohammad Reza Noori-Daloii

Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE AR-SA MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 Since the recognition of true number of human chromosomes in 1956, many techniques have been developed to detect chromosomal aberrations. A number of those, such as karyotyping and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), are valuable tools in both research and diagnostics. But these techniques have defects that limit their application. One of the important limitations is resolution resolution limitations make it impossible to detect small aberrations. The other major defect is the disability to analyze whole genome. In 1997 Solinas-Toldo introduced a new technique that could cover other techniques' defects. This new technique called microarray-based comparative genomic hybridization (array CGH). Array CGH, with the powerful resolution of FISH and also the ability of whole genome analysis in single experiment accelerated the genetic research. Array CGH has resulted in to a great progress in oncology and genetic disorders research. In addition, this technique has the ability to be used in diagnostics too. This review article, witch include the data of recent published papers and our experiences, gives an overview of the array CGH and compare it with the other molecular cytogenetic techniques. Its application in oncology and genetic disorder is also discussed.

The effect of long term administration of ascorbic acid on the learning and memory deficits induced by diabetes in rat

Parisa Hasanein

Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE AR-SA MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 Background: Ascorbic acid improves cognitive impairments in several experimental models. Diabetes causes learning and memory deficits. In this study we hypothesized that chronic treatment with ascorbic acid (100mg/kg, p.o) would affect on the passive avoidance learning (PAL) and memory in control and streptozocin-induced diabetic rats.
Methods: Diabetes was induced by a single i.p. injection of STZ (60mg/kg). The rats were considered diabetic if plasma glucose levels exceeded 250mg/dl on three days after STZ injection. Treatment was begun at the onset of hyperglycemia. PAL was assessed 30 days later. Retention test was done 24 h after training. At the end, animals were weighted and blood samples were drawn for plasma glucose measurement.
Results: Diabetes caused impairment in acquisition and retrieval processes of PAL and memory in rats. Ascorbic acid treatment improved learning and memory in control rats and reversed learning and memory deficits in diabetic rats. Ascorbic acid administration also improved the body weight loss and hyperglycemia of diabetics. Hypoglycemic and antioxidant properties of the vitamin may be involved in the memory improving effects of such treatment.
Conclusion: These results show that ascorbic acid administration to rats for 30 days from onset of diabetes alleviated the negative influence of diabetes on learning and memory. Comparing with other nootropic drugs, vitamins have fewer side effects. Therefore, this regimen may provide a new potential alternative for prevention of the impaired cognitive functions associated with diabetes after confirming by clinical trials.

Poly T polymorphism consideration in normal individuals and cystic fibrosis patients in Mazandaran province, Iran

Haleh Akhavan Niaki

Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE AR-SA MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 Background: Cystic fibrosis is a monogenic recessive disorder founds predominantly in caucasian population causes exocrine glands function defect. This disease arises from mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene. Because of heterogeneity of the mutations in CFTR gene, phenotypic symptoms in this disease are very variable. In this study we consider poly T polymorphism (T₅, T₇, T₉) in the intron 8 of CFTR gene in normal individuals and cystic fibrosis patients in mazandaran province.
Methods: Forty cases of cystic fibrosis patients and 40 normal individuals were screened for poly T polymorphism in intron 8 of CFTR gene using Reverse Dot Blot method.
Results: T₇ allele is the most prevalent in normal individuals and CF patients and it's abundance is approximately 75%. T₉ and T₅represent approximately 20% and 5% of normal or mutant alleles respectively. T₇/T₇ genotypes in normal individuals and CF patients are the most prevalent with 72.5% and 60% prevalence rate, respectively. T₅/T₉ and T₅/T₅ genotypes were not found. 22.5% of normal individuals and 30% of CF patients had heterozygote genotypes.
Conclusion: The abundance of T₅, T₇, T₉ alleles and the presence of 22.5-30% heterozygote genotypes in normal individuals and CF patients indicates that poly T polymorphism in intron 8 of CFTR gene can be used as a marker for detection of normal and mutant alleles in prenatal diagnosis or can be used in carrier assessment in families with previous history of the disease.

Number and subtypes of natural killer cells in patients with allergic rhinitis in comparison to healthy subjects

Mehrnaz Mesdaghi

Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE AR-SA MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 Background: Allergic rhinitis is a common disorder with great morbidity. Its prevalence has increased during recent years, therefore attracting attentions to its mechanisms. Type 2 cytokines play a major role in allergies. It has been proposed that Natural killer (NK) cells may be able to produce type 2 cytokines. This study was done to evaluate NK cells number and subtypes in patients with allergic rhinitis, comparing healthy subjects.
Methods: In a case control study, patients with allergic rhinitis were compared to healthy non-atopic subjects. Allergic rhinitis was diagnosed according to ARIA guidelines. NK cells quantity was studied by staining of peripheral blood mono nuclear cells with anti-CD16-FITC and anti-CD56-PE and evaluated by two color flowcytometry. Intracellular cytokines were evaluated by tri-color flowcytometry. NK cells were separated by magnetic beads, and cultured for 72 hours. Secretion of IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, IL-13, and IFN-γ was measured by ELISA, in stimulated and unstimulated conditions.
Results: Patients had more CD16+ CD56+ NK cells than control group. IL-4+ NK cells were significantly higher in patients (p<0.001), but the number of IFN-γ+ NK cells was not different. Cytokine secretion of NK cells was similar in case and control groups. Although IL-13 level after stimulation seemed higher in patients, the difference was not significant.
Conclusion: NK cells number is increased in patients with allergic rhinitis and a considerable number of them produce IL-4.

A report of multiple sclerosis patients treated by CinnoVex™ in Iran

Masood Etemadifar

Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE AR-SA MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 Background: Recent studies present a high prevalence of multiple sclerosis (MS) in Iran. Treatment with interferon is now the first choice in management of MS. CinnoVex^TM (an interferon beta 1-a) is available in Iran, with achievement of the technology of producing beta interferon. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of CinnoVex^TM in a national study named CINA study.

Methods: This study was conducted from 2007 to 2008 in cities of Tehran, Isfahan, Mashhad, Tabriz, and Shiraz. Patients with relapsing/remitting MS with 16-50 years of age and EDSS of <4 received CinnoVex^TM (30µg/week, IM) after diagnosis by a neurologist. EDSS, drug side effects, and frequency of relapse were evaluated for one year in four 3-month visits.

Results: A total of 1050 patients entered the study. Complete data were collected from 627 (60%) patients. Mean age was 30.7±8.6 year and 514 (82%) were female. The most common onset presentations were sensory symptoms (44%). Changes of EDSS through the study showed a significant decrease in the last 3-month of evaluation (p<0.05). Drug side effects were observed in 47%, 50%, 61%, and 61.4% (p>0.05) and relapse was occurred in 13.4%, 15.7%, 16.9%, and 2.4% of the patients in the first, second, third, and forth evaluation visits (p=0.001), respectively.

Conclusion: CinnoVex^TM prevents progression and improves clinical course of MS. The conventional side effects of beta interferon therapy, however, are observed with CinnoVex^TM.

Oral candidiasis in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infected individuals in Iran

Farzad Katiraee

Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE AR-SA MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 Background: Oropharyngeal candidiasis is the most frequent fungal infection in HIV patients. The aims of this study were to appraise prevalence of oropharyngeal candidiasis and to determine factors associated with oropharyngeal candidiasis and oral yeast colonization among Iranian HIV patients.
Methods: The patients were composed 150 Iranian HIV positive individuals referred to Iranian Research Center for HIV & Aids (IRCHA), Imam Khomeini Hospital complex in Tehran, Iran. Oral samples were obtained and cultured on mycological media. TCD₄ lymphocyte count/percentage was measured and patients were categorized. Patients evaluated for some risk factors for oropharyngeal candidiasis and oral candida colonization.
Results: Fifty nine percent of patients were presented with oropharyngeal candidiasis and the carriage rate of yeasts was 116 (77.2%). The most frequent isolated candida species were Candida albicans (102) 50.2% and Candida glabrata (45) 22%. Thrush in 57(38%), perleche in 30(20%) and erythematous lesions in 7(4.7%) of patients were observed. Significant differences in TCD₄count (p=0.01), gender (p=0.02), antifungal therapy (p=0.001), smoking (p=0.02), and intravenous drug use (p=0.03), between asymptomatic and symptomatic patients were observed.
Conclusion: Oral candidiasis is a frequent complication among Iranian HIV individuals. C. albicans and C. glabrata are most important etiologic agents of oral candidiasis. In Iranian HIV individuals TCD₄count, antifungal therapy, gender, smoking and intravenous drug use are important risk factors for oropharyngeal candidiasis. Denture wearing and age are predisposing factors for oral colonization.

Epidemiology of superficial and cutaneous mycosis in 5500 suspected patients in Tehran

Seyyed Jamal Hashemi

Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE AR-SA MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 Background: Identification of the determatophytosis species and superficial mycosis agents may be useful in directing the survey for environmental and animal sources of infection to educate the danger of acquiring infections from infected persons and other animals. Based on this background the identification of cutaneous mycosis distribution was the main purpose.
Methods: From March 2005 to Feb 2009 we examined 5500 patients suspected to superficial and cutaneous mycosis referred to medical mycology labs in Tehran, Iran for Medical Mycology examination. Skin, hair and nail sampling were taken by scraping from patients and collected for diagnosis. Diagnosis was confirmed by direct microscopy and culture according to the mycology routine laboratory methods.
Results: A total of 2271 cases (41.3%) suffered from superficial and cutaneous mycosis. The most common infections were dermatophytosis 1279 cases (56.31%), Tinea Versicolor 356 cases (15.47%), Erythersma 283 cases (12.46%), cutaneous candidiosis 243 cases (10.7%) and sacrophytic cutaneous mycosis 110 cases (4.83%). Tichophyton mentagrophytes was the most common etiological agent with 198 cases (41.56%). The most common clinical type of cutaneous candidiasis was onychomycosis and Candida albicans was the most common etiological agent. The common sites of involvement of tinea versicolor were neck and trunk and Malassezia globosa was most common etiologic agent.
Conclusion: This study highlights a common problem (Antropophilic species) in Tehran and suggests that further measures regarding public health and especially personal hygiene should be undertaken to reduce the risk of superficial and cutaneous mycoses.

A new look at an old dogma: wound complications in two methods of skin closure in uncomplicated appendicitis

Hamid Ghaderi

Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE AR-SA MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 Background: Appendicitis is more common during the second and third decade of life and appendectomy scar is important in terms of cosmetic issues. The scar is an important factor in the patient's satisfaction. Conventional teaching has an emphasis on the closure of skin incision with "separate" sutures. The aim of this study was to reconsider this dogma.
Methods: Among 321 patients with acute appendicitis who came to the emergency unit of Imam Khomeini Hospital in Tehran, Iran since april 2007 till april 2008, 278 (86.6%) patients had uncomplicated appendicitis and were enrolled in our clinical trial. The patients were randomly assigned to two groups of interrupted suture closure (n=139) and subcuticular suture closure (n=139). Anesthesia method and surgical technique were similar between the two groups. All patients were followed up post-operatively (four weeks) for the presence of infectious drainage, pain, erythema, swelling and warmness at the surgical site.
Results: The patients' sex and their mean age were not statistically different between the groups. There was no significant difference in the frequency of surgical site complications between the two groups (five cases in the "interrupted" group and eight cases in the "subcuticular" group p=0.415).
Conclusion: This study showed that appendectomy incision closure with subcuticular sutures did not increase the risk of wound complications. From the point of better cosmetic outcome of subcuticular sutures, this method may be the method of choice for the closure of appendectomy incisions in uncomplicated appendicitis.

Hydrocephaly and Intraventricular hemorrhage in premature neonates in Yazd University Hospitals

Ahmad Shajari

Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE AR-SA MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 Background: Cerebrovascular accidents are the most common complications in premature neonates (gestational age <37 weeks). Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) and hydrocephaly are the most common presentations of these accidents. Premature neonates less than 28 week age or 1000 gr have maximum risk of cerebrovascular accidents with prevalence of 30 percent. Early screening in high risk pregnancies with real-time ultrasonography can detect these lesions and affect on final prognosis. The purpose of this study is evaluation of brain ultrasonongraphic findings of 60 premature neonates born in Yazd University Hospitals, Yazd, Iran and relationship between these findings and delivery types.
Methods: In this descriptive cross sectional study 60 cases of premature neonates (less than 37 week) who were born from January to July 2007 in Yazd hospitals were evaluated ultrasonographically to detect cerebrovascular accidents.
Results: Among 60 premature neonates, 52(86.67%) were low birth weight and 8(13.33%) neonates weighted more than 2500gr. IVH was seen in five (9.6%) LBW neonates and hydrocephaly was seen in five (9.6%) LBW neonates. One LBW neonate (1.9%) had haloprocencephaly. Eight normal weight neonates had no abnormal ultrasonographic findings.
Conclusion: All factors that induce preterm delivery and high risk pregnancies can increase cerebrovascular accidents in premature infants. Neonatal weight had most powerful relationship with neonatal ultrasonograohic findings.

Prevalence of hearing loss among high risk newborns hospitalized in hospitals affiliated to Tehran University of Medical Sciences

Ali Zamani

Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE AR-SA MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 Background: American pediatric Association proposes to screen all neonates with Oto-Acoustic Emission (OAE). In developing countries, because of several limitations, health policy makers recommend to screen only in high risk patients. This study is performed with the aim to screen hearing loss in 950 high risk newborns hospitalized in hospitals affiliated to Tehran University using the OAE test.
Methods: A total of 950 neonates hospitalized in the Neonatal and NICU wards of Vali-e-Asr, Shariati, Medical Center and Bahrami Hospitals during the years 2004-2006 who showed at least one risk factor using TEOAE hearing test were enrolled into this cross-sectional descriptive analytical study and were diagnosed with mild deafness and total deafness. Blood exchange due to hyperbillirubinemia, septicemia, congenital heart disease, the fifth minute apgar scores below six, PROM more than six hours, epilepsia, need to NICU more than five hours, pneumonia and Oto-Toxic drugs were considered as risk factors. Data was past medical history, current disease, admission cause, sign & symptoms and complications of disease.
Results: Multivariate logistic regression and paired t-test showed that blood exchange, low birth weight and low first minute Apgar scores had the highest independent risk for hearing loss among newborn.
Conclusion: Despite of the low prevalence of neonatal hearing loss, screening of hearing loss at early stages is important.