Tehran University Medical Journal

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L-fucose (6.deoxy. L.galactose) is the only monosacharide which is placed in non reducting position of glycoproteins structure in L-deoxy form. L-fucosidase and fucosy 1 transferase directly take part in the elevation or decrease of sorum L-fucose levels. Tumors may directly induce enzymes that release L-fucose from glycoproteins formed in the neoplastic tissue, or the glycoproteins may be released indirectly as a result of body-defense metabolic secretion of glycoproteins and their filtration in glomeruls, and has a close correlation with glomerular filtration rate (GFR). In this study we compared urinary L-fucose of 30 known cases of cancer versus 40 healthy people. Fifteen patients had Gastrointestinal (GI) cancer and 15 patients Gyneclologic (Gyn) cancer. There was significant difference between urinary L-fucose of patients with GI cancer and controls (P<0.01), and also we saw the same result (P<0.01) in Gyn patients in comparison with controls. Significant elevations of urinary L-fucose, in GI and GY cancers may lead us in the way to further evaluation of its relationship with L-fucose levels to make its early diagnosis and better prognosis in susceptible individuals and those at a high risk of developing cancer, possible.

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Introduction: It has been shown that repeated large volume paracenthesis associated with intravenous albumin infusion is a rapid, effective and safe therapy of massive ascites in cirrhosis. Our aim was to investigate wether IV infusion of albumin is necessary in large volume paeacenthesis therapy of cirrhotic ascites. Methods: 37 patients with tense cirrhotic ascites who were intractable to diuretic therapy were randomly assigned in two groups. 16 patients (group A) were treated with paracenthesis of 4 lit/day plus intravenous albumin infusion (7 gr/lit), and 21 (group B) with paracenthesis without albumin infusion. Hemodynamic status, liver and kidney function and serum lectrolytes were assessed before, while and after paracenthesis. Results: Paracenthesis without IV albumin did not induce significant changes in standard renal function tests, serum albumin, serum electrolytes and liver function tests. One patient from each group developed renal impairment. Two patients from group A and 3 from group B developed asymptomatic hyponatermia. One patient from group A died due to hepatic encephalopathy during paracenthesis. Conclusion: Intravenous albumin infusion is not necessary during large volume paracenthesis for treatment of tense ascites in cirrhotic patients.

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Nowadays immunochemical techniques have played a very important and valuable role in quantitative and qualitative assays of liquid compounds of the body. Producing antibody against immunogenes is the first step to make immunochemical kits. In this study production and purification of polyclonal antibody against melatonin has been considered. This hormone which has several important functions in physiological conditions such as migraine, cirrhosis, mammary gland cancer and other diseases, is the most important pineal gland secretion. This gland is a circumventricular organ of brain and according to histological and anatomical studies, it is a high secretory organ, that secretes active biological substances like melatonin, oxytocin, serotonin and ect. In this study, melatonin has been considered as hapten and has become an immunogen by being linked to the bovine serum Albumin. Then, by the immunization of three white New Zeland rabbits that had the booster injections in regular intervals, the antibody titer was detected to be 1/2000, by using checkboard curves, and with the use of melatonin linked to penicillinase as a labeled antigen, the titer was detected 1/200. Finally an antibody with high purification rate has been obtained, which can be used in immunochemical assays like RIA, ELISA, and EIA.

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Body is exposed to oxidants and free radicals since birth. These compounds are highly reactive and react with different biomolecules. However living organisms possess an antioxidant system to face these compounds. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) in immune system cells, like other cells, are produced both as a part of the normal cell metabolism and during specific activities such as phagocytosis. By prevention of oxidative damages to different parts of immune cells, antioxidants provide the conditions for optimal immune system function.
Methods and Materials: This study had been carried out in Immunology section, Central laboratory of Iran blood transfusion organization and Immunology department of Medical sciences university of Tehran during March 1999 - October 1999. Correlation method was used in this study in which the correlation between plasma total antioxidant power and two main immune cells functions including lymphocytes proliferation response (LTT test by ELISA method) and neutrophils directed movement (chemotaxis test) were investigated. Sample population in this study were 60 healthy males and females aged 21-60. On each blood sample, plasma total antioxidant power (FRAP method), LTT, and chemotaxis tests were carried out. Then statistical spearman correlation between these variables were obtained.
Results: Our results reveal that there are significant correlations (P< 0.0001) between plasma total antioxidant power and the cited variables.
Conclusion: It seems what is important in the functions of the immune system, is the fair balance between oxidants and antioxidants level in the body thus we should be able to use this parameter to evaluate the functions of immune system in health and/ or disease situation.

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The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of overweight and obesity among guidance-and high school students and its relation to modifiable environmental factors.
Materials and Methods: The subjects have been 1000 girls and 1000 boys aged between 11-18 years, selected by multi-stage random sampling, their parents (2000 subjects) and their school staffs (500 subjects) in urban and rural areas of two provinces in Iran. Data have been analyzed by SPSSV10/ Win software.
Results: The prevalence of 85th < BMI<95th percentile and BMI>95th percentile in girls was significantly higher than boys (10.67±1.1%, 2.9±0.1% VS. 7.37±0.9%, 1.87±0.1% respectively, p<0.05). The mean BMI value was significantly different between urban and rural area (25.38±5.2 VS. 23.25±7.1, P< 0.05). BMI > 85th percentile was more prevalent in those with lower educated mothers (9.2+2.1 vs. 11.5+2.4 years of mothers education respectively). The mean of the total energy intake was not different between overweight or obese and normal- weight subjects (1825±90Kcal VS. 1815±85Kcal, P>0.05) but the percent of energy derived from carbohydrates was significantly higher in former than the latter (69.4% VS. 63.2%, P<0.05). Regular out-school sport activities were significantly lower and the time spent on television watching was significantly higher in overweight or obese than non-obese subjects (300±20 VS. 240±30 minutes/day, P<0.05). Significant linear association was shown between the consumption frequency of rice, bread, pasta, fast foods and fat/salty snack and BMI (p=0.05-0.06, p<0.05). A significant correlation was shown between BMI percentiles with serum triglyceride, high density lipoprotein-cholesterol and systolic blood pressure (Pearson r=0.38,-0.32 and 0.47 respectively).

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Acute Pyelonephritis (APN) is one of the most common bacterial infections seen in children that may lead to renal scarring. Vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) is an important risk factor of renal damage but not the only one.

Materials and Methods: In order to determine the association between dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) scintigraphic and voiding cystourethrographic findings, a retrospective study was performed on 50 children (100 renal units) with APN that had been admitted to Bahrami Hospital from 1995 through 1998. Voiding cystourethrography (VCUG) and DMSA scan were performed in all patients within 1 to 2 weeks after termination of treatment and a second scan was performed 6 months later in patients whose kidneys showed cortical defects in the first one. The grade of reflux was based on international reflux classification (I-V). The DMSA scans were considered abnormal if one or more areas of decreased cortical uptake were noted (cortical defect). The scar was defined as persistence of these defects in the second scan. DMSA cortical defect and VUR were demonstrated in 42 (42%) and 26 (26%) of renal units respectively.
Results: Fourteen out of 26 renal units (54%) with reflux had cortical defects and 28 out of 74 renal units (38%) without reflux had cortical defects (P=0.15). Permanent renal scarring was noted in 25/ 42 of renal units (62 %) in second scan.

Conclusion: It seems that VCUG alone is insufficient as a screening modality to identity those kidneys at risk of damage and DMSA scan may provide additional information about this.

 

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Background: Migraine is a chronic hereditary and relapsing headache. With regard to the prevalence of this ancient disease and its economic complications in country, in this study , nocturnal serum melatonin of migraine patients and control subjects have been evaluated and compared by ELISA kit.

Materials and Methods: Fifty migraine patients (mostly women) were compared to a control group (mostly men) matched according to age. Results: Statistical analysis revealed a decrease in nocturnal serum melatonin levels for migraine patients (32.9 28.4) compared to the control one (75.6 56.8). With using of t-test by ELISA kit showed significant difference (p=0.0064).

Conclusion: With regard to this, the pineal gland has the main role in the synchronization of the organism with the environmental conditions and migrainous headaches.

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Background: This research was conducted for the purpose of determining the effect of hormonal and non-hormonal contraception on the mother milk and infants growth among lactating women received by south Tehran’s Health Centers. In this regard a broad spectrum study from December 2000 until February 2001 was done by Tehran university.

Materials and Methods: By sampling method, 200 lactating women were chosen randomly. They were divided into two groups according to their preferred method of contraception: 67 women chose hormonal method and 133 women chose non –hormonal method.

Results&Conclusion: During the time of the study on infants growth (increase in head circumstances, increase in height, increase in weight), There was no significant difference between the two groups. If we take the effect of contraceptive methods into consideration, the Triglyceride levels in non-hormonal group were increased considerably compared to the other group. Other ingredients were almost the same.

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Background and Aim: Spasticity is a velocity-dependent increase in tonic stretch reflexes (muscle tone) with exaggerated tendon jerks, resulting from hyperexcitability of the stretch reflex. The measurement of spasticity is necessary to determine the effect of treatments. The Modified Ashworth Scale is the most widely used method for assessing muscle spasticity in clinical practice and research. The purpose of this study was to investigate the interrater reliability of Modified Ashworth Scale in hemiplegic patients.

Materials and Methods: Thirty subjects (16 males, 14 females) with a mean age of 59.40 (SD =14.013) recruited. Shoulder adductor , elbow flexor , wrist dorsiflexor , hip adductor , knee extensor and ankle plantarflexor on the hemiplegic side were tested by two physiotherapists.

Results: In the upper limb, the interrater reliability for shoulder adductor and elbow flexor muscles was fair (0.372 and 0.369, respectively). The reliability for the wrist flexors was good (0.612). The difference in Kappa value for the proximal muscle (shoulder adductor 0.372) and the distal muscle (wrist flexor 0.612) was significant (²X=33.87, df=1, p<0.05). In the lower limb, the reliability for the hip adductor was fair (0.350), but for the knee extensor and ankle plantar flexor was moderate (0.518 and 0.542, respectively). The Kappa value for the proximal muscle (hip adductor: 0.350) and distal muscle (ankle plantar flexor0.542) had no significant difference (²X =1.35, df=1, p >0.05). The mean value for the upper limb (0.505) and the lower limb (0,.516) was not significantly different (²X=0.1407, df=1, p>0.05).

Conclusion: The interrater reliability of Modified Ashworth Scale was not good . The limb, upper or lower, had no significant effect on the reliability. In the upper limb, the reliability for the proximal and distal muscle was significantly different. However. The difference in the lower limb was not significant.When using the scale, one should consider it&aposs limitation.

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Background and Aim: The better understanding of immunopathologic mechanism of tuberculosis (TB) is necessary for the production of new vaccines and adjunctive immunomodulator drugs. Intended to this object, the following study including the measurement of serum concentrations of Th1 (Interferon (IFN)-y and interkeukin (IL)-2 and Th2 cytokines(IL-4AND IL-10 ) in patients with sputum smear-positive pulmonary TB and comparisons of them with PPpositive healthy persons, was designed.

Materials and Methods: The HIV-negative patients that had sputum smear-positive pulmonary TB as defined WHO criteria and hospitalized in the infectious diseases ward of Imam Khomeini hospital or referred to health care centers in the south of Tehran, were included in the study. The PPD-positive healthy persons who were close contacts with pulmonary TB patients, were considered as control group.

Results: In this research 34 active pulmonary TB patients (including17men and 17 woman)and 23 healthy persons with PPD skin test results  or = 10mm (including 12men and 11 woman) were studied. The mean ages of the patients and the healthy persons were 73 and 41 years and 74 and 27 years, respectively. The mean serum IFN-Y concentration was significantly higher in TB patients but the mean serum IL-2 IL-4and IL-10 concentrations were significantly higher in healthy persons. The com parison of the mean serum levels of these cytokines before and during treatment (about 2 months after starting treatment) showed that the amounts of IFN-y and IL4 were increased and the amounts of IL2 and IL-10 were decreased but only the changes of IL-10 were statistically significant. There were no effect on the cytokine changes before and during treatment by age and gender of the patients.

Conclusion: The results of the study of serum Th1 and Th2 cytokines in pulmonary TB patients were different in comparison with the results of the studies of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) stimulated with M.tuberculosis antigens. SO, the simultaneous measurement of them in serum, pleural fluid, BAL fluid and the medium culture of PBMCs stimulated with the antigens is recommended.

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Background: The outcome of acute hepatitis B infection may be influenced by host genetic factors like human leukocyte antigen (HLA). To investigate the association between the HLA-DRB, DQA1 and DQB1 alleles and chronic hepatitis B infection, 50 patients with chronic hepatitis B (based on 6 months positive of HBsAg and HBc antibody and HBeAg and antibody by serological test), were selected from Turkman population in north east of Iran .Allele frequency in patients were compared with a 65 aged and sex match control group from healthy blood donor of that ethnic population.
Methods: HLA DRB, DQA1 and DQB1 alleles were determined using polymerase chain reaction based on sequence specific primer (PCR-SSP) method. Allele frequencies in patients and control subjects were compared by Epi-info statistical soft-wear.
Results: There was a significant increase and positive association in HLA-DRB1*0301, DQA1*0501 and DQB1*0604 allele frequency in patients group while the frequency of HLA-DRB1*1301, 1501 and DQB1*0401 and DQA1*0401, 0102 were lower in patients than control group and shows negative association.
Conclusion: In Iranian Torkman population, HLA DRB1*0301, DQA1*0501 and DQB1*0604 have an important role in susceptibility to chronic hepatitis B infection and HLA DRB1*1301, 1501, DQB1*0401 are associated with protection to chronic hepatitis B infection. Larger case control studies may be helpful to confirm our investigation.

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Background: Germ cell tumor (GCT) account for approximately 2-3% of all malignancies in childhood. About 20% of patients with GCT are still resistant to therapy.
Methods: This study was undertaken on 57 patients with Germ cell tumor who were admitted to Ali Asghar Children’s Hospital during 1990-2004. Through this study, information about sex, age type of pathology, clinical sign, treatment and survival (5-year period) was gathered in order to have better treatment and follow up. This study was carried out as across-sectional survey and the obtained data was analyzed via Spss 10 soft ware.
Results: The findings showed that the mean age of patients was 4/9 ± 0/1 (1mo -14y), male 54%, female 46%, male/female, ratio=1/1. Site of tumor: saccrococcygeal 57/8 %( 33), gonadal 42% (24). Pathological type is yolk sac 61/4% (35), dysgerminoma 12/2% (7), malignant teratoma 14% (8), embryonal carcinoma 10/5% (6). The most common clinical sign were buttock mass 31/5% (18), abdominal pain 10/5% (6), abdominal mass 17/5%(10), testicular mass 28% (16). All of the patients were treated with chemotherapy (bleomycine, vinblastin, cisplatinum) mean of duration follow up were 48/4 months. In all of patients 31/5% (18) of the cases were alive and 70% (40) of patients were relapse and 15/7% (9) no information, 52/6% (30) of cases were expired. Five years survival of patients was 62%.
Conclusion: The analysis of the patients treated shows that extragonadal location of primary tumor (specially sacrococcygeal), level of AFP above 10 ng/ml in patients ,6 or more months of age and metastatic disease were the most unfavorable factors for overall survival.

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Background: Meningiomas are common benign tumors of the brain. Meningioma patients have optimal functional recovery after surgical removal of their tumors. Some patients experience recurrence months or years after surgical resection. In this study, we try to determine the prevalence of recurrent meningioma and the correlation between recurrence and certain factors.
Methods: This retrospective descriptive-analytical study included all patients with recurrent meningioma at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences-affiliated hospitals during a 20-year period (1983 to 2003). We evaluated a series of data for each patient including age, gender, tumor volume, tumor shape, bone changes, brain edema, tumor location, histological subtypes, degree of tumor resection and duration between operation and recurrence. Finally, correlations between these factors and recurrence were investigated using SPSS software version 11.5, by the descriptive method.
Results: Among the 644 patients enrolled in this study, the recurrence rate of intracranial meningioma was determined to be 9.6%. Multivariate analysis revealed a statistical correlation between edema, bone changes, tumor volume, tumor volume, tumor shape and histological subtype, but no relationship was found between age, gender and tumor location. Our study shows a statistical correlation between radiotherapy and reduced chance of recurrence. Patients with malignant and atypical meningiomas have shorter periods between surgery and recurrence than those with benign types.
Conclusion: We recommend that all patients with these prognostic factors receive adjuvant therapy and closer follow-up. In consideration of the statistical correlation between the degree of tumor removal and recurrence in this study, we suggest more complete tumor resection to decrease the risk of recurrence.

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Background: Depending on the lung volume in radiotherapy fields, breast cancer radiotherapy has documented side effects on pulmonary function, which can be determined by pulmonary function tests. Central lung distance (CLD), the distance from the chest wall to the edge of the field at the central axis, is an indicator of lung volume within the radiotherapy fields. In this study, we aim to detect the relationship between CLD and pulmonary function tests.

Methods: In this study we included 50 patients with breast cancer receiving postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy at Imam Hossein Hospital, Tehran, Iran. The patients received radiotherapy with a total dose of 4800-5000 cGy. For all patients, the central lung distances were measured using simulation of tangential fields, in addition to determination of pulmonary function, including force vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) determined before radiotherapy, one month and three months after radiotherapy.

Results: There is no significant statistical difference between the FEV1 and FVC values before radiotherapy and those measured one month after radiotherapy however there was a significant statistical decrease in the FEV1 and FVC before radiotherapy and those measured three months after radiotherapy (P<0.001 and P<0.006, respectively). There is a positive statistical correlation between the change in the FEV1 three months after therapy and the CLD (r=0.71, p<0.01) and that of the FVC three months after therapy and the CLD (r=0.59, p<0.01). Linear regression for the prediction of FEV1 and FVC three months after radiotherapy was designed according to the CLD, FEV1 and FVC values before radiotherapy.

Conclusions: Three months after breast radiotherapy, the FEV1 and FVC values decrease, and the CLD is a proper predictor of these changes.

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Background: Lead poisoning has proven to be one of the most important environmental health problems among developing countries with both direct and indirect effects on human life. Lead is known to cross the blood-brain barrier and placenta, and accumulates in soft and hard tissues. Lead can be excreted in urine, stool, milk, sweat, nails and saliva. During pregnancy and lactation, lead is released from bones into the blood along with Ca²⁺. The toxic effects of lead on various human tissues have been studied extensively, but few studies have addressed its impact on fetal development during pregnancy. Blood levels of lead are higher in people living in lead-polluted regions. It has been reported that Tehran (central and southern parts) is the most problematic city in terms of lead poisoning.

Methods: From 86 sets of mothers and newborns in a non-polluted area of rural Rasht, Iran, we examined specimens of maternal blood, cord blood and colostrum (86×3=258) and specimens from 85 sets of mothers and newborns in a polluted area of Tehran, Iran (85×3=255) for lead levels using atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS) and analyzed the results by t-test, SPSS, and linear regression.

Results: The mean blood lead concentrations of mothers, cord blood of newborns and colostrum were 7.6±4.1, 5.9±3 and 4.2±2.5 μg/dl, respectively, in the non-polluted area and 9.1±8.4, 6.5±5.2 and 5.8±5.5 μg/dl, respectively, in the polluted area. The mean weights of the newborns in non-polluted and polluted areas were 3.2±0.5 kg and 3.2±4.5 kg, respectively.

Conclusions: Our data revealed an association between mean concentrations in blood lead of mothers and newborns and between mean concentrations of colostrum lead and newborn blood lead in both areas (p=0.01). There was no association between mean blood lead concentration of mothers with the weight of their newborns (p=0.89).

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Background: Despite major diagnostic and industrial progresses in the technology and use of Ionizing radiations, they have been found to be harmful to the health of the radiology and nuclear medicine staffs. Since Ionizing radiations have the potential to produce free radicals, therefore, it is likely that the total plasma level of anti-oxidant in medical and nuclear medicine staffs could be reduced.

Methods: In this case-control study the relationship of total anti oxidant level of plasma and the function of immune cells such as lymphocyte proliferating response using MTT method, Neutrophil chemotaxi, Intensity of respiratory burst (NBT) and evaluation of IL-2 and IL-4 (ELISA) were investigated. 101 samples were collected for this study and they were assigned as two groups: 61 samples cases from radiology and nuclear medicine staffs of Tehran University Of Medical Science hospitals (Shariaty, Imam Khomeyni, Ghalb-e-Tehran) were assigned as the exposed group, whereas, 40 samples from Pediatric, Orthopedic, Infirmary and Emergencies wards were assigned as control group. Using heparinized syringes, 8 to 10 ml of blood samples were collected from each person with age between 25 to 50, averaging 36.4±7.2, and several assays including Anii Oxidant Capacity of Total Plasma (FRAP Method), T cell proliferative response to PHA mitogen (MTT Method), Chemotaxi of neutrophils and Magnitude of respiratory burst were carried out on these samples. The results were analyzed using spirman correlation analysis.

Results: The results showed that exposure to ionizing radiation chronically with low dosed had no effect on chemotaxis of neutorophils and intensity of respiratory burst, but could have effect on lymphocyte function specially in cytokines secretion like IL-2 which are essential in the immune responses.

Conclusion: This study indicates that long term low dose ionizing radiation may have effect in some parts of the immune function.

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Background: Spider bites are common in most parts of the world. In some areas, where snake or scorpion bites are common, spider bites may not be considered a significant problem by the general public and those who have been bitten by spiders may not go to a hospital. However, significant problems are observed in the victims of certain species of spiders including: widow spider (of the genus Latrodectus), including the black widow and brown spiders (of the genus Loxosceles), such as the brown recluse.

Case: We report a six-year-old boy, admitted to the hospital two weeks after suffering a spider bite. The patient presented with a severe nose bleed, ecchymosis and purpura, as well as anemia, indicating a clotting disorder. Laboratory results revealed abnormal values for prothrombin time (PT) >50 sec, partial thromboplastin time (PTT) >120 min and fibrinogen = 0 mg/dl, whereas factor VIII was normal according to a mixing study, with a normal platelet count of 350,000/µl. The patient was managed with fresh frozen plasma every 12 h, and was discharged one week after hospital admission. At present, the patient is well with more normal laboratory results one month after treatment: PT=13.4 sec, PTT= 34 sec, fibrinogen=105 mg/dl.        

Conclusions: Although spider bites are uncommon in Iran, severe systemic reactions may occur in the pediatric population requiring admission to the pediatric intensive care unit. These systemic reactions may include hemolytic anemia coagulopathy and renal failure.

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Background: Rationalize of drug use in societies is one of the main responsibilities of health policy makers. In our country irrational use of dugs has increased in the recent years, for example one study in 1998 has shown that average number of medicines per prescription was 3.6, percentage of prescriptions containing antibiotics was 43% and percentage of prescriptions containing Injections was 39%. One of the best tools for evaluation of drug use is the WHO guideline for calculating prescribing indicators. In this study, we had an assessment about prescribing patterns in South of Tehran, Islamshahr and Rey Health Centers.
Methods: In order to evaluating prescribing indicators in Tehran University of Medical Sciences region 35 facilities which had pharmacy were selected according to WHO gridline and 4190 prescription from these facilities were studied. Indicators were calculated according to formulas has explained in article. Results: The average number of drug per prescription was 2.58, percentage of drug prescribed by generic name: 99.8%, percentage of encounters prescribed Antibiotics: 62.39% percentage of encounters prescribed Injection: 28.96% & the percentage of drugs prescribed from PHC formulary 99.46%. These findings were almost similar in the three Health Centers.
Conclusions: Health facilities are one of the most important bases to improve rational use of Drugs and general practitioners are the major chain in RUD cycle. Results show that we need to design intervention especially educational interventions to improve two WHO prescribing indicators, percentage of encounters prescribed Antibiotics & Injections in this region. For reaching this goals we need to design educational programs for physicians, pharmacists and people too. These educations can be as workshops, seminars, conferences or printed materials such as books, leaflets and etc

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Background: Hypertension is a very common and important disease. There are conflicting reports about mercury, a trace element, in the genesis of hypertension.

Methods: In this study we examined the relationship between blood mercury levels and hypertension prevalence in a population-based sample of hypertensive and normotensive patients at the Shariati Hospital and the Tehran Heart Center in Tehran, Iran. A cross sectional sampling of 224 patients, aged 40-80 years, who participated in physical examinations conducted in 2006 were included in this study. The population that participated in this study were sample of hypertensive (n=112) which had essential hypertension and normotensive (n=112) patients which had no history of essential hypertension at the Shariati Hospital and the Tehran Heart Center in Tehran. The consent of all the patients were taken in the written form before the experiments. After selecting the patients the range of blood mercury levels were measured with Flame atomic absorption.

Results: The range of blood mercury levels was 0 to 39.55 µg/dL. The mean blood mercury level of hypertensive patients (10.75 +1.23 µg/dL) was higher than that of normotensive patients (1.6 +1.02 µg/dL). There was a significant difference in the mean blood mercury level of normotensive men (1.74 +1.56 µg/dL) versus that of hypertensive men (11.9 +1.38 µg/dL). The mean blood mercury level of normotensive women (1.5 µg/dL) was also significantly different from that of hypertensive women (9.65 +0.53 µg/dL) (p<0.001).

Conclusions: In this population, there is a positive relationship between the concentration of blood mercury levels and the presence of hypertension.

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Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE AR-SA MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 Background: Paraquat is an herbicide produced and used prevalently worldwide. Studies have shown that lung fibrosis induced by paraquat can be prevented or delayed by certain antioxidants, iron chelating agents, melatonin, and, recently, blood pressure lowering drugs such as captopril.
Methods: The protective effects of captopril on paraquat toxicity were studied using RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry to determine the gene and protein expression of p53 and Bcl-2 in lung tissue samples from rats treated with captopril before and after exposure to paraquat.
Results: We found no significant difference in the gene and protein expression of p53 in different tissue samples, except for mRNA levels in the lung tissue of captopril-treated rats. However, the protein expression of Bcl-2 is greater in tissue from rats exposed to paraquat alone and paraquat together with pre- and posttreatment with captopril compared to tissue from untreated control rats and from those treated with captopril alone, which can be due to inflammatory responses of lung tissue. By RT-PCR, we were unable to detect Bcl-2 in lung tissue samples.
Conclusion: These results show that paraquat does not induce significant DNA damage therefore, the gene and protein expression of p53 was not changed. Paraquat does induce lung tissue inflammation, which in turn increases Bcl-2 protein expression. Finally, captopril had no significant effect on the lung tissue toxicity induced by paraquat. Considering these results and the cellular interactions in lung tissue, we suggest that complementary assays and in-vitro cell culture experiments be performed to further elucidate the molecular events underlying paraquat lung toxicity.