Tehran University Medical Journal

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Background: Paranasal sinus disease is one of the most common problems of patients that refer to ENT centers. Adding to clinical examination imaging plays an important role in diagnosis and treatment. Also the imaging of paranasal sinuses is necessary before surgery. Although computed tomography is the modality of choice for these areas, it has some disadvantages which the most important one is its high patient's dose. The aim of this study is the comparison between cone beam volumetric tomography and conventional computed tomography computed tomography, in evaluation of these areas.

Methods: In this descriptive-analytic study Coronal computed tomography imaged and cone beam volumetric tomography images were performed for 40 patients referred to ENT department of Amir Aelam Hospital in Tehran, Iran. Computed tomography images were observed by general radiologist and cone beam volumetric tomography images by Maxillofacial radiologist and their results' were recorded. Also ENT surgeon recorded her observations during surgery. Data were analyzed using McNemar test with Kappa and weighted Kappa agreement coefficient.

Results: No statistical difference was shown between the efficacy of computed tomography and cone beam volumetric tomography in evaluation of paranasal sinuses (p> 0.05).

Conclusion: As there was not any difference between conventional computed tomography and cone beam volumetric tomography in the assessment of paranasal sinuses and additional advantages of the later, cone beam volumetric tomography is suggested for paranasal sinus imaging before surgery.

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Background: Gall stone is an important health problem in the world for which different risk factors have been characterized. Gall stone and cardiovascular disease have common risk factors. Homocysteine is accepted as one of the risk factors for cardiovascular disease. We aimed to study the effect of homocysteine level on gall stone formation.
Methods: 54 patients with gall stone-related diseases and 54 patients without stone (control group) were studied from January 2007 to December 2008. Control group consisted healthy subjects with ultrasound proven normal gallbladder. Serum homocysteine level was checked in both groups. Homocysteine level of equal or more than 15 mmol/l was considered as abnormally high.
Results: Cases included 43 women (79.6%) and had mean age of 50.76±15.23 years. Homocysteine level was significantly higher in patients with gallstone in comparison to control group (p=0.014). Risk of gall stone increased 3.4 times in persons who have homocysteine level equal or greater than 15mmol/l (p=0.019). The mean level of homocysteine was higher in men than women (p=0.03). The mean level of homocysteine did not differ significantly in patients with simple gallstone and patients with gallstone-related inflammation disorders (cholecystitis, cholangitis, and pancreatitis). Additionally, one unit increase in BMI level was associated with 1.12 times increase in the risk for gall stone formation (p=0.035).
Conclusion: The homocysteine level is increased in patients with gall stone-related diseases. Homocysteine may be considered as a risk factor of gall stone formation.

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Background: Numerous use of Beta Lactame in treatment of bacterial infections resulted in increments of drug resistance of such bacteria. One of difficulties in treatment of hospital infections is Extended Spectrum Beta Lactamase (ESBL) among isolated clinical strains of E.coli. Since some of ESBL strains shows double reaction in drug sensitivity test at in vitro and in vivo condition, therefore it makes difficulties in selection of right treatment. In the last years, CTX-M enzymes have become the most prevalent ESBLs in worldwide. The prevalence of ESBL types largely remains unknown in many parts of the Iran. This study was made to find the prevalence of ESBL-producing E.coli and molecular detection of CTX-M-1 in Tabriz.

Methods: In the present study, 400 urine samples collected between November 2009 and April 2010, from Tabriz Hospitals were studied. Out of the 400 samples, 188 E.coli isolates were detected by standard biochemical tests. Susceptibility to antimicrobial agents was tested to 10 antibiotics by the disk agar diffusion (DAD) method. ESBL production was screened by phenotypic test that included both separate and combined disk agar diffusion techniques. The screened isolates were investigated by PCR assay to detect CTX-M-1 gene.

Results: From the total 188 E.coli isolates, 82 (43.6%) were shown to produce ESBLs by phenotypic test. During the PCR method on the 82 isolates, 69 (84.1%) were confirmed as CTX-M-1 producing group.

Conclusion: The present study showed that CTX-M-producing isolates were increasing among E.coli strains and indicated the need for adequate susceptibility tests in laboratories for choosing the appropriate antibiotics for treatment.

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Background: Prevalence of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA), estimated by various studies, ranged from 4.1% to 14.2% in men older than 60 years. Most cases of AAA are asymptomatic and often discovered incidentally. Approximately the initial presentation in 12% of cases of AAA is sudden rupture with subsequent high mortality. This study was performed to evaluate the prevalence and screening necessity of AAA among Iranian men older than 65 years old.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, men older than 65 years, who referred for ultrasound examination to three different centers in Tehran, Iran at the year 2008 were included for evaluation of size of the abdominal aorta and presence of AAA.

Results: A total of 240 men older than 65 years enrolled in this study. AAA was found in 24 of the participants with prevalence rate of 10% in the studied population. Mean diameter of detected aneurysms was 3.931.435 cm. In 4 (1.7%) subjects, aneurysms greater than 5.5 cm in diameter were detected. One of these four subjects had the history of coronary artery disease and one was cigarette smoker. Three out of four had history of hypertension.

Conclusion: Considering the estimated prevalence rate of AAA by the current study and the population of Iranian men older than 65, implementing of mass screening for AAA in this group would detect 986 asymptomatic cases each year. Therefore, the authors recommend further studies about the cost-effectiveness of mass screening for AAA among Iranian men above 65 years.

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Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE AR-SA MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 Background: Breast cancer is the most common form of hereditary cancer worldwide and is an important cause of morbidity and mortality. Approximately 5-10% of breast and ovarian cancers are due to the highly penetrating germline mutations in cancer predisposing genes. Two genes, BRCA1 and BRCA2, account for at least half of these cases. The demand for BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation screening is rapidly increasing as their identification will affect the medical management of people at increased risk for the disease. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate BRCA1/2 mutations in 100 high risk Iranian families.
Methods:  One hundred families who met the minimal risk factors for breast/ovarian cancer were screened among the families referred to Kawsar Human Genetics Research Center for the diseases in 2009-2011. The entire coding sequences and each intron/exon boundaries of BRCA1/2 genes were screened for by direct sequencing and MLPA in both patients and the controls.
Results:  In the present study, we could detect the following novel mutations: p.Gly1140Ser, p.Ile26Val, p.Leu1418X, p.Glu23Gln, p.Leu3X, p.Asn1403His, p.Asn1403Asp, p.Lys581X, p.Pro938Arg, p.Thr77Arg, p.Leu6Val, p.Arg7Cys, p.Leu15Ile, p.Ser177Thr, IVS7+83(-TT), IVS8 -70(-CATT), IVS2+9(G>C), IVS1-20(G>A), IVS1-8(A>G), p.Met1Ile, IVS2+24(A>G), IVS5-8 (A>G), IVS2(35-39)TTcctatGAT, IVS13+9 G>C in BRCA1 and p.Glu1391Gly, p. Val1852Ile, IVS6-70(T>G), 1994-1995 (InsA) in BRCA2.
Conclusion: Ten mutations seemed to be pathogenic and the disease-causing mutations were seen in 16% of the families. In addition, from the total number of substitutions and reassortments (42), 80% related to BRCA1 and 20% to mutations in BRCA2 genes.

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Background: Epidemiological studies have reported positive, negative, U-shaped or J-shaped association between high blood pressure and cognitive function as well as dementia whereas other studies have not reported any significant association. The aim of this study was to examine the association between hypertension and cognitive impairment in the elderly residents of Kahrizak Charity Foundation (KCF).

Methods: This cross sectional study was done in Kahrizak Charity Foundation in suburban areas of Tehran, Iran during 2008. The data were collected over one week. Among the 850 elderly residents of the Foundation who were ≥ 65 years old, 185 individuals were chosen randomly. The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) was completed for all. Mean of all blood pressure readings were recorded while anthropometric and biochemical measurements were performed.

Results: The findings indicated that in participants with cognitive impairment, systolic blood pressure, diastolic and mean blood pressures were higher than people with normal cognitive function but the differences were not significant statistically. The odds ratio of cognitive impairment in patients with and without hypertension was 1.52 and 1.58, respectively (P>0.05).

Conclusion: This study did not show any significant association between hypertension and cognitive impairment in the elderly residents of Kahrizak Charity Foundation.

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Background: Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is one of the ways to non-oral feeding in patients with dysphagia caused by conditions such as stroke, oropharyngeal malignancy and motor neuron disease. The aim of study was assessment of early outcome of PEG in hospitalized patients according to clinical situation and underlying disease.
Methods: This study was cross- sectional and prospective. Sixty five patients were included with PEG from April 2011 to July 2012, at Sina University Hospital, Tehran, Iran. Tube function, feeding, and patients' symptoms were assessed and patients were followed six month at least to one year after procedure .The follow up of patients were stopped if the patient died or removal of tube.
Results: Sixty five patients (33 men, 32 women) enrolled in this study. The mean age of patients was 57.45±16.83 years (19-94 years). Head trauma and postoperative thoracic surgery were in 15 (23.1%) and 4 (6.2%) cases. 36 of patients (55.39%) had no symptoms. The complications include lickage (11 cases), stenosis (9 cases), cellulitis (7 cases), and PEG separation (2 cases). A total of 29 patients were complicated and 21 patients (72%) of them complicated 2 -5 months after PEG. No statistical significant differences between two sexes in PEG complication. 27 patients (41%) died that have no relation to complications of PEG.
Conclusion: Finally, the study showed the PEG is a safe method to enteral nutrition. The advantages of this method include its simplicity, no need to general anesthesia and low rate of complications especially in inpatient under the supervision of medical staff. Therefore it can be used as a favorable method.

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Background: Detection of retained foreign bodies remains a significant problem in the emergency department. Foreign bodies can go undetected causing infectious complications ultrasonography is too inaccessible and expensive. The purpose of this study is comparison of ultrasonography with radiography for the detection of cervical esophageal foreign bodies
Methods: This cross-sectional study evaluated 58 patients referred with suspected upper esophageal foreign body in the Emergency Department, Amir Alam. Patients were evaluated with ultrasonography and x-ray. After surgical exploration, different type of foreign bodies were recorded. The SPSS statistical software was used for analysis. For applicable efficacy outcome measures, a Spearman correlation was used. Differences were significant when P<0.05. All values were expressed as the frequency and present.
Results: Fifty eight patients were studied. 25 patients (43.4%) were male and 31 patients (56.9%) were female, in 28 (48.2%) patients foreign bodies were detected in radiography. 30 patients (51.8%) were not recorded in techniqe. It was found in patients 22 (78.6%) organic body, and six cases (21.4%) non-organic body. radiographic outcomes in patients with foreign bodies were positive in 26 patients (92.9%) and in two patients (7.1%) were negative. Ultrasound results were positive in 27 patients (96.4%) and in one patient (3.6%) were negative. Association of ultrasound and radiography results were significant in patients with foreign body (Spearman correlation=0.896, P=0.001 Kappa=0.890).
Conclusion: These reports suggest that result of ultrasound with radiography for the detection foreign bodies in cervical esophagus have good agreement. The use of ultrasonography in the emergency department to detect and eventually remove foreign bodies by emergency physicians is an important issue because there is not always an ultrasound technologist or radiologist available.

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Background: The role of gram-positive cocci especially Staphylococci species in causing urinary tract infection are well known. Among the Staphylococci species Methicillin Resistance Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is the most important. The rate of MRSA is increasing worldwide. This is alarming because the danger of these organism in public health. Therefore the aim of this study was to determine the sensitivity of gram-positive cocci, as well as MRSA to vancomycin and other antibiotics.
Methods: This was a descriptive study, and were carried out on 300 patients with urinary tract infections (UTI) caused by gram-positive cocci, referred to Imam Khomeini hospital during eight months. Prior to the antibiotic sensitivity testing all the isolates were identified according to the standard conventional biochemical procedure, and then the antibiotic susceptibility test were carried out according to Bauer-Kirby method.
Results: Among the gram positive cocci causing UTI, the most abundant were Staphylococcus saprophyticus (37.7%), followed by Staphylococcus epidermidis (22.3%) and Staphylococcus aureus (18%) respectivley. The sex distribution of patients were 163 female (54.3%) and 137 male (45.7%) respectively, and the prevalence rate of urinary tract infections in female was (8.6%) higher than male. The rate of sensitivity of isolated Staphylococci were as followed, sensitive to vancomycine (100%), Ciprofloxacin (89.2%), rifampin (87.6%), and amikacin (71.8%) respectivley, but were resistant to penicillin and amoxicillin (100%). The antibiotic sensitivity rate of isolated  Streptococci was to vancomycine (85.1%), ciprofloxacin (50.7%) and penicillin (79.1%) respectively.
Conclusion: Vancomycin is still a suitable antibiotic for the treatment of Staphyloco-ccus infections. Although 6% rate of enterococci resistance to vancomycin is alarming, and use of this antibiotic in the treatment of other gram-positive bacteria should be done with precaution.

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Background: The purpose of this study was evaluation of risk factors of peripheral artery disease (PAD) and effective markers on it.
Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was done during 2010-2011 in the surgical units of Khorramabad Shohada Hospital. Fifty patients who had symptoms of PAD undergoing CT angiography and biochemical markers for them were measured. The investigated variables were family history, site of arterial obstruction, underlying diseases, smoking history, physical activity and stress level. A control group was considered for the study. The comparison was made between these two groups.
Results: Aging showed a significant role in prediction of PAD (70% sensitivity and 64% specificity). Homocysteine had the highest sensitivity (80%) in prediction of PAD, compared with other biomarkers. CRP (74% sensitivity) was the best marker that had positive predictive value for PAD. Fasting blood sugar (FBS) showed a significant role in prediction of true positive cases of PAD (72% sensitivity and 74% specificity). HbA1C with 68% sensitivity and 64% specificity and TG with 50% sensitivity and 44% specificity could be considered as factors related with PAD.
Conclusion: The levels of C-Reacative protein, homocysteine, and FBS were correlated with PAD, HbA1C and TG levels were associated with PAD, but lower than the previously named markers. In this study a significant relationship between lipoprotein levels and PAD was also observed. PAD was associated with sex and age.

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Background: The aim of this study was to assess the association of serum adiponectin and a set of traditional cardiovascular risk factors with carotid artery intimal-medial thickness (CIMT) and coronary artery calcium score (CACS), as markers of subclinical atherosclerosis in subjects with early type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Methods: Carotid artery intima- media thickness (measured by B-mode ultrsonography), coronary artery calcium score (determined by high resolution computed tomography), serum adiponectin, Fasting blood sugar, serum lipids, body mass index (BMI), systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and mean arterial pressure were measured in 123 asymptomatic newly diagnosed cases of type 2 diabetes mellituss and 152 age and sex matched healthy control subjects.

Results: Serum adiponectin and lipids were significantly lower in those with type 2 diabetes mellitus (P<0.01). Left, right and mean carotid artery intima- media thickness, coronary artery calcium score, fasting blood sugar, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and mean arterial pressure were significantly higher among diabetic patients compared to healthy controls (P<0.05). Mean carotid artery intima- media thickness was positively and independently related to age (P<0.001) and triglyceride (P=0.01) in diabetic group. Coronary artery calcium score was associated positively with age (P=0.004) and inversely with high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (P=0.002) among diabetics.

Conclusion: Although adiponectin was lower in diabetics compared to controls, it had no significant association with carotid artery intima- media thickness and coronary artery calcium score as markers of subclinical atherosclerosis. In patients with type 2 diabetes in addition to age, serum triglyceride levels are correlated with carotid artery intima- media thickness, while HDL cholesterol is inversely correlated with coronary artery calcium score.

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Background: Hydatid disease or echinococcosis is a common parasitic disease of human and bovine, caused by infection with larva of the cestode echinococcus. Liver is the most common organ that is involved in this disease. Pelvic involvement and neurological symptoms, due to mass effect of pelvic involvement, in lower extremities are very uncommon manifestations of the disease.
Case presentation: A forty six year old man was referred to clinic of surgery at Ghaem Hospital, Medical University of Mashhad, Iran. The patient complained about weakness and motor impairment in right lower extremity accompanied by numbness and radicular pain over past two months. Physical examination demonstrated muscular atrophy and reduced muscular strength in right lower extremity. Computed tomography and ultrasonographic studies showed a cystic mass in right side of the pelvic cavity with extention to the sciatic notch and another cystic mass in right gluteal region. Surgical operation revealed a cystic mass deep in pelvic cavity with the extention to the right sciatic notch with compression of nerve roots. The cystic mass was contained of daughter cysts which confirmed the diagnosis of hydatid cyst disease. This diagnosis was confirmed by pathologic assessment.
Conclusion: Although uncommon, but hydatid disease can involve the pelvic cavity and make a pelvic, usually cystic, mass that can make compression on nerve roots and so making neurologic symptoms in lower extremities. So in endemic areas for hydatid disease, such as Iran, pelvic hydatid cysts should be considered as a possible differential diagnosis in patients presenting with the sciatic pain and neurological manifestations in whom a pelvic mass has been found too.

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Background: Lack of precise diagnostic criteria and sufficient findings in support of biopsy sampling during upper gastrointestinal endoscopy is one of the special challenge in endoscopy assessment in Barrett's esophagus. The aim of this study was to evaluate the mucosa in the distal esophagus tissues through a biopsy during upper gastrointesti- nal endoscopy in gastroesophogeal reflux disease patients whose symptoms don't im- prove or only partially resolve with treatment. Methods: A cross-sectional study was done in patients with gastroesophogeal reflux disease medically resistant to treatment. The patients were assessed by gastroenterology department in Sina Hospital, Tehran, Iran, since September 2012 to September 2013. Patients with coagulopathy, esophageal varicose, esophageal cancer, earlier detection of developing Barrett's esophagus, history of irritable bowel syndrome, psychological dis- orders and using of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin, were excluded. Esophageal squamous epithelium and cylindrical tissue of stomach was carefully checked by endoscope. Then 2 to 4 biopsy of the Z-line above the gastroe- sophageal mucosa were obtained. Results: One hundred and fifty three patients included 78 men (51%) and 75 females (49%) with a mean age of 47.92±17.57 years participated in the study. The mean of body mass index of patients was 25.05±4.17 kg/m2 and body mass index in 45.8 % of the patients more than 230 kg/m2. Biopsy specimens were taken in 31 cases were not enough for histological examination. In other patients, 25 cases (20.5%) were normal and 97 cases (79.5%) had the following pathological diagnosis: mild esophagitis (49 cases 40.2%), moderate esophagitis (24 cases 19.7%), severe esophagitis (14 cases 11.5%), Barrett's esophagus (8 cases, 6.5%), fungal esophagitis (1 cases, 0.8%), and eosinophilic esophagitis (1 cases 0.8%). 117 patients (76.5%) had H. pylori infection. Sensitivity and specifity of endoscopy for detection of Barrett's esophagus during upper gastrointestinal endoscopy were 100% and 84.13% (CI 95%:78.53-89.09%), respec- tively. Conclusion: Our data showed that doing of accurate and adequate biopsy samples from lesions in upper GI endoscopy can be helpful in the diagnosis of Barrett's esophagus

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Growing and developing are influenced by genetic, social and environmental factors and it's most important and initial phase step is formed of the early life of the fetus and infant. According to the world health organization, the incidence of preterm birth and low birth weight are increasing in most countries that most of it related to developing countries. Low birth weight (LBW) and preterm birth are one the most important causes of death in the world and therefore are considered as one of the major health problems that can affect growing and developing so that it can threaten public health. Advances in medical technology in recent decades at intensive care unit, increased survival of premature infants and high-risk specialist care is needed, but failed, to reduce the complications of premature birth but it couldn’t reduce complications of preterm birth. There is also an increased recognition of the potential disconnect between perinatal outcomes and long-term outcomes. The administration of oxygen and postnatal steroids are prime examples of interventions that may have immediate positive effects but negative long-term effects. Many premature babies will be encounter with mobility problems, cognitive, neurosensory impairments, cerebral palsy, cognitive and language delays, neuromotor developmental delay, blindness and hearing loss, behavioral and psychosocial disorders, learning difficulties and dysfunction in scholastic performances in the future. These disadvantages appear to persist into adulthood and therefore have broad implications for society. Without a doubt, one of the tragedies of the world is people with physical or mental damage caused by premature birth, many of these disorders are not early diagnosed and the prediction of long term complications of infants discharged from the NICU is difficult. Although nourodevelopmental follow-up of these babies is a necessary part of the neonatal assessment but there is no standard process for it. The present review article aims to introduce the care process and tools that is used for following-up these babies, also introduces the application of screening tools for neuro-developmental care.

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Background: Respiratory distress syndrome is developmental immaturity of lungs, that is caused by lack of surfactant. Lack of surfactant lead to wide atelectasis and arterial hypoxemia which is a life-threatening lung disorder. The aim of this study was to compare the function of cochlear in infant who suffer respiratory distress syndrome with normal infants by transient evoked otoacoustic emission (TEOAE) test. Methods: This descriptive- analytic cross sectional study was carried out on 21 respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) infants (42 ear) that consists of 11 male and 10 female, 21 normal infants (42 ear) that consists of 10 male and 11 female in Mirza Koochakkhan Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran, which all of them were 3 to 6 month year old, to collect informations about the health of infants we used the files in hospital and to assess the cochlear function we used computerized recording by TEOAE instrument. Statistical analysis carried out by SPSS software version 17 and Chi-square test. Results: The results of TEOAE test demonstrated that in normal group there is no statistical differences between ears and gender, also there was no statistical differences between ears in respiratory distress syndrome group but there was statistical differences between gender in this group. The frequency of pass result (show normal function of outer hair cell in cochlea) was greater in male than female in male the frequency of pass result was 17 ear (77.3%) but in female was 8 ear (40%). In TEOAE test results there was statistical differences between two groups of study. The frequency of pass result in normal group was 34 ear (81%) and in respiratory distress syndrome group was 25 ear (59%) which was significantly more in normal group than in respiratory distress syndrome infants (P= 0.032). Conclusion: According to results, it seems that the respiratory distress syndrome could affects the cochlear and the function of outer hair cell in it so in infants who suffer respiratory distress syndrome we should use the test battery of hearing.

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Background: Diarrhea is the most common bacterial infections, and the main cause of death in the children. Worldwide, food and waterborne diseases are estimated to cause more than two million deaths per year. Foodborne diseases and resistance to antimicrobial agents are two problems worldwide and are increasing. However, standard surveillance systems do not routinely collect information on controls. The aim of this study was to analysis epidemiological data of foodborne outbreaks at the country level. Methods: This is a descriptive study, in total 305 fecal swab samples from 73 outbreaks during one year from April 2012 to March 2013 in different provinces of Iran, were collected and transferred to the microbiology laboratory of Public Health School of Tehran University of Medical Sciences to identify the cause’s diarrhea. The patterns of antibiotic-resistance were determined by using Kirby Bauer method. Results: In total 73 food borne outbreaks that were studied, the largest number 26 (35.6%) were found in Hamadan province with 103 samples (34.2%). Out of 73 outbreaks 40 (54.79%) of were related to foods, 6 (8.22%) to water, and 27 (36.98%) were unspecified (P< 0.0001). Fifty seven outbreaks (78.08%) in the city and 16 outbreaks (21.92%) occurred in rural areas (P< 0.0001). The most dominated Gram-negative isolated organisms were Shigella (6.9%) and Gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus (12.8%). The dominated age group was under five years (16.4%), and dominant gender group was men 186 (61.8%) (P< 0.0001). In total 69 (22.9%) were hospitalized and 11 deaths were reported. Most clinical symptoms of abdominal cramping (82%), nausea and vomiting (68.4%), bloody diarrhea (23.3%), and non-bloody diarrhea (76.7%). All the isolated gram-negative were sensitive to ciprofloxacin and resistant to clindamycin. The gram-positive were sensitive to cephalexin and resistant to penicillin. Conclusion: The knowledge of bacterial agent of foodborne diseases and determination of antimicrobial resistance pattern are helpful to reduce the rate of foodborne outbreaks, the cost of treatment. The prevention control of outbreaks is also very important.

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Background: The relationship between serum homocysteine levels and cardiovascular diseases has been elucidated since many years ago. In this study, the association between serum levels of homocysteine, folic acid, and vitamin B12 with the pulse wave velocity and Buckberg index or subendocardial viability ratio was assessed in individuals with diabetes and also non-diabetic subjects. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 58 individuals with type 2 diabetes and 36 non-diabetic people, from April to October 2013 were enrolled in Dr. Shariati Hospital affiliated to Tehran University of Medical Sciences. Anthropometric and blood pressure measurements were performed with standard methods. Fasting serum glucose, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, Triglyceide, A1C, vitamin B12, folic acid and serum homocysteine levels as well as, highly sensitive complement-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were measured. Artherial stiffness was assessed by calculating pulse wave velocity and aortic agumentation index via Sphygmocor. In addition, Buckberg index (Subendocardial viability ratio) was assessed by dividing myocardial oxygen supply to dimand expressed as percent. The normality of distributions was evaluated by Kolmogorov-Smirnov test and linear regression models were utilized to detect associations. Results: Diabetic and non-diabetic subjects differed in terms of age, history of hypertension, serum levels of homocysteine, and LDL-C (P< 0.05). The pulse wave velocity in subjects with diabetes and without diabetes were 60.91 m/s and 41.91 m/s, respectively (P= 0.01). After adjustment for confounding factors in multivariate regression analysis pulse wave velocity was associated with age and homocysteine levels in non-diabetic group, (β equal to 0.441 and 0.345, respectively), and it was related to age, diastolic blood pressure and serum levels of c-reactive protein in subject with diabetes (β= 0.417, 0.302, and 0.262, respectively). Conclusion: Homocysteine levels in non-diabetic individuals were associated to sub-clinical atherosclerosis markers but we could not find this association in diabetic participants.

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Background: Human leukocyte antigen E is a member of non-classical HLA class I. Interaction between HLA-E molecule on the target cells and inhibitory CD94/NKG2A receptor on the cell surface of natural killer (NK) cells has an important role in the regulation of immune system against pathogens; therefore different cell surface expression of HLA-E molecule plays an important role in host resistance against viral infections as well as host response to treatment. Considering this fact, we analyzed the frequency of different HLA-E genotypes (HLA-E*01010101, HLA-E*01030103, HLA-E*01010103) in major thalassemic patients who underwent frequent transfusion therapy and are thus more susceptible to infectious diseases.

Methods: This study was a cross-sectional study of 104 major thalassemic patients who referred to Tehran Thalassemia Clinic between the years 2015 to 2016. Blood DNA was extracted and proliferated by sequence-specific primer polymerase chain reaction (SSP PCR). The PCR product was subjected to electrophoresis on 1.5 percent agarose gel then DNA fragment bands on the gel were detected by exposing to UV light. Furthermore, PCR products were also subjected to sequencing analysis for further confirmation.

Results: From 104 patients in this study, 49 (47.1%) were man and 55 (52.9%) were women. These patients were in the age range of 16 to 43 years (mean+SD; 31.03±4.7 year). The frequency of HLA-E*01010103 genotype (64.4 percent) was significantly (P= 0.001) higher than the genotypes of HLA-E*01010101 (15.4%) and HLA-E*01030103 (20.2%) whereas there was no difference between the frequency of HLA-E*0103 allele (52.4%) and HLA-E*0101 (47.6%).

Conclusion: This is the first study that examined the HLA-E polymorphisms in Iranian thalassemic patients referred to Tehran Thalassemia Clinic. This study has shown that the frequency of HLA-E*01010103 genotype was significantly higher than other genotypes of HLA-E whereas there was no difference between the frequency of HLA-E*0103 allele and HLA-E*0101 allele. Whether different frequencies of HLA-E genotype may affect thalassemic patients’ susceptibility to blood-borne infections will be of interest for future studies.

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Background: Burns and its complications are regarded as a major problem in the society. Skin injuries resulted from ultraviolet radiation, radioactivity, electricity or chemicals as well as respiratory damage from smoke inhalation are considered burns. This study aimed to determine the epidemiology and outcome of burn patients admitted to Motahari Hospital, Tehran, Iran.

Methods: Two hundred patients with second-degree burns admitted to Motahari Referral Center of Burn in Tehran, Iran. They were studied during a period of 12 months from May 2012 to May 2013. During the first week of treatment swabs were collected from the burn wounds after cleaning the site with sterile normal saline. Samples were inoculated in blood agar and McConkey agar, then incubation at 37 C for 48 hours. Identification was carried out according to standard conventional biochemical tests. Treatment continued up to epithelial formation and wound healing. Results of microbial culture for each patient was recorded. Healing time of the burn wounds in patients was recorded in log books. Chi-square test and SPSS Software v.19 (IBM, NY, USA) were used for data analysis.

Results: Our findings indicate that the most causes of burns are hot liquids in 57% of cases and flammable liquid in 21% of cases. The most cases of burns were found to be in the range of 21 to 30 percent with 17.5% and 7% in male and female respectively. Gram-negative bacteria were dominated in 85.7% and among them pseudomonas spp. with 37.5% were the most common cause of infected burns, followed by Enterobacter, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Acinetobacter and Klebsiella spp.

Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the most cause of burns in both sex is hot liquid. Men were more expose to burn than women and this might be due to the fact that men are involved in more dangerous jobs than female. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the most common organism encountered in burn infection.

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Background: Acne vulgaris is self-limiting, multifactorial disease involving sebaceous glands. Omeprazole is a proton pump inhibitor with in vitro antibacterial effects against staphylococcus aureus and anti-androgen that can be potential treatment of acne vulgaris. This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of oral omeprazole and erythromycin 4% compared to doxycycline combination therapy in the treatment of acne vulgaris. Methods: In this clinical trial study, patients with moderate acne were referred to Skin Diseases and Leishmaniasis Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Science, Iran, during August 2014 until November 2015 and were randomized into two groups receiving topical erythromycin 4% plus omeprazole (34 patients) or doxycycline (35 patients) for 3 months. Moderate acne, lack of sensitivity to proton pump inhibitors, lack of warfarin, phenytoin, diazepam consumption, lack of active liver or kidney disease, being older than 12 years, were considered as inclusion criteria. Pregnant or lactating patients, patients with drug allergy history, patients taking oral contraceptives, acne topical medications (including retinoids) or systemic treatment within 30 days of study, patients with oligomenorrhea, hirsutism, acne conglobata, acne fulminant or body acne alone were excluded from the study. All patients were tested for Helicobacter pylori test at the beginning of the study. Results: Both inflammatory and non-inflammatory lesions decreased in both groups with negative correlation with age (P< 0.05). There was no significant correlation between positive Helicobacter pylori test and inflammatory or non-inflammatory lesion reduction (P= 0.794, P= 0.514). Also, patient satisfaction and rate of total drug side effects was not different between two treatment groups. Rate of skin reactions was 20.58% in omeprazole treated group and 11.42% in doxycycline group. For side effects, other than skin it was 2.94% versus 14.28% respectively. Conclusion: Omeprazole could be suggested as an alternative for doxycycline in the treatment of patients with moderate acne vulgaris especially in non-inflammatory lesions.