Neurodegenerative, with expression ATF-2 by p38 in cortical neurons

DNA damage, as an important initiator of neuronal cell death, has been implicated in numerous neurodegenerative conditions. We previously delineated several pathways that control embryonic cortical neuronal cell death evoked by the DNA-damaging agent, camptothecin. The topisomerase-1 inhibitor, camptothecin, has been shown to induce cortical neuronal cell death in a reproducible and synchronistic manner. Primary embryonic neuronal cell culture cortical neurons were prepared. In the study, the survival % of neurons in camptothecin P38 group, after 6 hours (85%), 24 hours (64%) and 48 hours (50%), compared to camptothecin ATF-2 and P38 group after 4 hours (97 and 95%), have been significantly lower, and the expression % of neurons in camptothecin P38 group , after 6 hours (20%), 24 hours (40%) and 48 hours (55%), compared to camptothecin ATF-2 and P38 group after 4 hours (5 and 3%) have been significant lower (p<0.05). The expression % of neurons in camptothecin P38 group, after 24 hours (40%), compared to camptothecin ATF-2 group after 24hours (30%), have been significant lower (p<0.05). This study revealed that camptothecin induces P38 expression and P38 in embryonic cortical neurons to determine the importance of the P38 pathway in neuronal death following DNA damage, and P38 is induce phosphorylation of ATF-2 in embryonic cortical neurons following DNA damage.

A new Tb3+-selective fluorescent sensor based on 2-(5-(dimethylamino)naphthalen-1-ylsulfonyl)-N-henylhydrazinecarbothioamide

A novel fluorescent chemosensor 2-(5-(dimethylamino)naphthalen-1-ylsulfonyl)-N-phenylhydrazinecarbothioamide (L) has been synthesized, which revealed an emission of 530 nm and when excited at 360 nm. The fluorescent probe undergoes a fluorescent emission intensity quenching upon binding to terbium ions in MeCN solution. The fluorescence quenching of L is attributed to the 1:1 complex formation between L and Tb(III) which has been utilized as the basis for the selective detection of Tb(III). The linear response range covers a concentration range of Tb(III) from 4.0 x 10(-7) to 1.0 x 10(-5) M and the detection limit is 1.4 x 10(-7) M. The association constant of the 1:1 complex formation for L-Tb(+3) was calculated to be 6.01 x 10(6) M(-1), and the fluorescent probe exhibits high selectivity over other common metal ions mono-, di-, and trivalent cations indicate good selectivity for Tb(III) ions over a large number of interfering cations.

Effects of microinjection of angiotensin II and captopril to VTA on morphine self-administration in rats

The dopaminergic mesolimbic system is considered to be crucial in rewarding actions of opiates. Recent studies have suggested probable interaction between the renin-angiotensin and mesolimbic dopaminergic systems. The present study was undertaken to investigate the effects of Ang II and captopril injection into VTA on morphine self-administration. Male Wistar rats were initially trained to receive small pellets of food by pressing the active lever in self-administration apparatus. The animals were divided into 4 groups (saline, morphine, captopril and Ang II) and were placed in self-administration apparatus and allowed to self-administer morphine (0.5 mg per infusion all test groups) or saline (saline group) during consecutive days, for 2 h/sessions. Captopril (30 mug) and Ang II (0.25 nmol) were injected into the VTA in the corresponding groups before each session. The numbers of active and passive levers pressed in each group have been recorded. The number of active lever pressing of morphine group was significantly higher than saline group (p < 0.001). In Ang II group, the number of active lever pressing was significantly lower than morphine group (p < 0.01). This study suggests the probable interaction between Ang II and opioid system in the VTA.

Molecular analysis of human influenza virus in Tehran, Iran

BACKGROUND

To date there are no reports of molecular and phylogenetic analyses of human influenza virus in Tehran, Iran.

OBJECTIVES

We isolated and characterized circulating influenza viruses in a sample of patients in Tehran.

METHODS

Nasal and pharyngeal swabs were collected from 57 individuals who were suspected of having influenza between October 2005 and January 2007. These samples were cultured and subsequently genotyped by RT-PCR and sequencing analyses.

RESULTS

Twelve of 57 samples (21%) were positive for human influenza virus. Out of the 12 positive samples, 7 were A/H3N2 (58%), 3 were A/H1N1 (25%) and 2 were B subtypes (17%). The phylogenetic analysis of the hemagglutinin gene showed that the H1N1 isolates were close to the A/New Caledonia/20/99 and the H3N2 isolates were close to the A/Panama/2007/99 and A/Moscow/10/99 vaccine strains.

CONCLUSION

In a sample of clinical patients in Tehran, Iran, the predominant subtype of human influenza virus was determined to be A/H3N2, followed by A/H1N1 and B. In addition, phylogenetic analysis on H1 showed some genetic drifts from vaccine strains, but the phylogeny of H3 demonstrated that these isolates were from the previous vaccine strains.

The prevalence of cagA and cagE genes in Helicobacter pylori strains isolated from different patient groups by polymerase chain reaction

The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of cagA and cagE genes in H. pylori strains isolated from different patient groups with Non-Ulcer Dyspepsia (NUD), Duodenal Ulcer (DU), Gastric Ulcer (GU) and Gastric Cancer (GC). The patients admitted to the gastroenterology unit at Sharyati hospital in Tehran in 2006 were included in this study. Gastric biopsy specimens were obtained from the antrum of the stomach from each patient then cultured for detection of H. pylori. Identification of H. pylori was performed according to the standard bacteriological methods. Genomic DNA was extracted using a commercially available Qia gene kit. PCR was done using primers cagA-F, cagA-R and cagE-F, cagE-R to detect the target genes cagA and cagE, respectively. Amplified products of target genes were confirmed by sequencing. The cagA and cagE were detected among 85 and 86% of H. pylori isolates, respectively. Prevalence of cagA and cagE genes in the patients with NUD, DU, GU and GC were 22 (64.7%), 28 (100%), 18 (90%), 10 (100%) and 25 (73.5%), 27 (96.4%), 19 (95%), 7 (70%), respectively. The current study demonstrated a significant correlation between peptic ulceration and the presence of H. pylori isolates carrying cagE and cagA genes in Iranian patients.

Photon echoes generated by reversing magnetic field gradients in a rubidium vapor

We propose a photon echo quantum memory scheme using detuned Raman coupling to long-lived ground states. In contrast to previous three-level schemes based on controlled reversible inhomogeneous broadening that use sequences of pi pulses, the scheme does not require accurate control of the coupling dynamics to the ground states. We present a proof-of-principle experimental realization of our proposal using rubidium atoms in a warm vapor cell. The Raman resonance line is broadened using a magnetic field that varies linearly along the direction of light propagation. Inverting the magnetic field gradient rephases the atomic dipoles and re-emits the light pulse in the forward direction.

Effects of alfalfa on lipoproteins and fatty streak formation in hypercholesterolemic rabbits

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) is a leguminous plant with high contents of phytoestrogen and saponin which are both useful in preventing cardiovascular disorders. This study was designed to evaluate the preventive effect of dietary alfalfa on the development and the progression of atherosclerosis in hyperlipidemic rabbits. Twenty male rabbits were obtained and kept under standard conditions. After 2 weeks of accommodation to the new place, the animals were semi-randomly distributed into four groups of five each. Animals in Group 1 received basic diet and the ones in Group 2 received the same diet to which 1% cholesterol was added. Groups 3 and 4 received similar diets as Groups 1 and 2 respectively, but supplemented with alfalfa. Each of the four groups was fed with its respected diet for a period of 12 weeks. Fasting blood samples were collected from all animals at the beginning and at the end of the study and blood factors were measured. At the end of the study samples from the right and the left coronary arteries as well as the aorta were collected from all animals for pathological evaluations. Though dietary alfalfa decreased total cholesterol, LDL and triglyceride and this effect was not significant, but dietary alfalfa significantly increased HDL. The formation of fatty streaks in the aorta, the right and the left coronary arteries were significantly reduced under the influence of dietary alfalfa. The indication that dietary alfalfa may have preventive effects on the progression of fatty streak formation calls for more studies to clarify the mechanisms of the effect.

The risk factors and laboratory diagnostics for post renal transplant tuberculosis: a case-control, country-wide study on definitive cases

BACKGROUND

Tuberculosis (TB) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in renal transplant recipients and, because of its infrequency and the lack of medical awareness, it is usually misdiagnosed. This study was carried out to determine frequency and weight of multiple risk factors for post kidney transplantation TB.

METHODS

A total of 44 cases (0.3%), out of 12,820 patients from 12 major kidney transplantation centers in Iran from 1984 to 2003, were compared with 184 healthy transplant subjects who were transplanted by the same surgical team.

RESULTS

The mean age of cases and controls was 37.7 (13-63) and 35.6 (8-67) years (P=0.3), respectively. The mean duration of pre-transplantation hemodialysis was 30.3 (3-168) months in cases and 18.2 (1-180) months in controls (P=0.03). A positive past history of TB was detected in 2 cases and 1 control (P=0.3). The mean doses of initial and maintenance immunosuppressive drugs in cases and controls were not significantly different. A total of 25 cases (56.8%) and 60 controls (32.6%) had rejection before diagnosis of TB (P=0.004; OR=2.7, CI(95%): 1.3-5.6).

CONCLUSIONS

To our knowledge, this is the first study that demonstrated an increase in the risk of post-transplant TB by increasing the duration of pre-transplant hemodialysis and the number of post-transplant rejection episodes as 2 immunocompromised states. Further study is needed to clarify our new findings, specifically in relation to different immunosuppressive regimens.

Prevalence of smoking among high-school students of Tehran in 2003

This study in 2003 determined the prevalence of smoking and its associated factors among high-school students in Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran. Out of 1095 students aged 14-18 years, 29% (31% boys, 26% girls) were occasional and 5% (6% boys and 2% girls) daily smokers. Among occasional smokers, 21% had family members who also smoked, whereas for students who had never tried smoking, no family members smoked. Of 316 occasional smokers, 12% lived with a single parent compared with only 5% of never smokers. Regression analysis showed that significant risk factors for daily smoking were: having a brother or sister who smokes (OR = 8.58) and having more than 1 family member who smokes (OR = 6.33).

Measuring tuberculosis burden, trends, and the impact of control programmes

The targets for tuberculosis control, framed within the United Nations' Millennium Development Goals, are to ensure that the incidence per head of tuberculosis is falling by 2015, and that the 1990 prevalence and mortality per head are halved by 2015. In monitoring progress in tuberculosis control, the ultimate aim for all countries is to count tuberculosis cases (incidence) accurately through routine surveillance. Disease prevalence surveys are costly and laborious, but give unbiased measures of tuberculosis burden and trends, and are justified in high-burden countries where many cases and deaths are missed by surveillance systems. Most countries in which tuberculosis is highly endemic do not yet have reliable death registration systems. Verbal autopsy, used in cause-of-death surveys, is an alternative, interim method of assessing tuberculosis mortality, but needs further validation. Although several new assays for Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection have recently been devised, the tuberculin skin test remains the only practical method of measuring infection in populations. However, this test typically has low specificity and is therefore best used comparatively to assess geographical and temporal variation in risk of infection. By 2015, every country should be able to assess progress in tuberculosis control by estimating the time trend in incidence, and the magnitude of reductions in either prevalence or deaths.

Low distribution of integrons among multidrug resistant E. coli strains isolated from children with community-acquired urinary tract infections in Shiraz, Iran

Although integrons by themselves are not mobile, due to their presence in plasmids and transposons, they can be transferred horizontally. For these reasons integrons are a major mechanism for the spread and maintenance of multidrug resistance (MDR). This study describes the distribution of integron gene cassette classes in a collection of uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) isolated from children with community acquired urinary tract infection in Jahrom, Iran. E. coli strains isolated from urine samples were tested for susceptibility to 14 different antibiotics using the disk diffusion method and for integron classes by RFLP-PCR. Totally 96 strains of E. coli were isolated from urine samples. High prevalence of resistance to ampicillin (80.2%), co-trimoxazole ((76%) and tetracycline (70.8%) was seen among the UPEC isolates. All isolates were 100% sensitive to imipenem. Sixteen strains (16.6%) had the evidence ofintegron sequences with the prevalence of 6.25% (n = 6) and 10.41% (n = 10) for intI1 and intI2, respectively. No intI3 was detected in the isolates. The presence of integrons was significantly associated with resistance to certain antibiotics including gentamicin and ampicillin. Considering the MDR patterns and the low prevalence ofintegrons among the E. coli strains under the study, we suggest that the antibiotic resistance cassettes in these strains presumably are mostly carried on the other transposable elements rather than integrons.

Thinness, overweight and obesity in a national sample of Iranian children and adolescents: CASPIAN Study

BACKGROUND

This study was conducted to assess the national prevalence of different grades of nutritional status (underweight, normal weight, overweight and obesity) among Iranian school-students and to compare the prevalence of overweight and obesity using three different sets of criteria.

METHODS

This cross-sectional national survey was conducted on a representative sample of 21 111 school students including 10 253 boys (48.6%) and 10 858 girls (51.4%) aged 6-18 years, selected by multistage random cluster sampling from urban (84.6%) and rural (15.4%) areas of 23 provinces in Iran The percentage of subjects in the corresponding body mass index (BMI) categories of the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) and the obtained national percentiles were assessed and compared.

RESULTS

There was no gender differences in BMI, but was higher in boys living in urban than in rural areas (18.4 +/- 3.88 vs. 17.86 +/- 3.66 kg/m(2) respectively, P < 0.05). The prevalence of underweight was 13.9% (8.1% of boys and 5.7% of girls) according to the CDC percentiles, and 5% (2.6% of boys and 2.4% of girls) according to the obtained percentiles. According to the CDC, IOTF and national cut-offs, the prevalence of overweight was 8.82%, 11.3% and 10.1% respectively; and the prevalence of obesity was 4.5%, 2.9% and 4.79% respectively. The prevalence of overweight was highest (10.98%) in the 12-year-old group and that of obesity (7.81%) in the 6-year-old group. The kappa correlation coefficient was 0.71 between the CDC and IOTF criteria, 0.64 between IOTF and national cut-offs, and 0.77 between CDC and national cut-offs.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings of this study warrant the necessity of paying special attention to monitoring of the time trends in child obesity based on uniform definitions, as well as to design programmes to prevent and control associated factors.

Kinetic model of a granular sludge SBR: influences on nutrient removal

A mathematical model was developed that can be used to describe an aerobic granular sludge reactor, fed with a defined influent, capable of simultaneously removing COD, nitrogen and phosphate in one sequencing batch reactor (SBR). The model described the experimental data from this complex system sufficiently. The effect of process parameters on the nutrient removal rates could therefore be reliably evaluated. The influence of oxygen concentration, temperature, granule diameter, sludge loading rate, and cycle configuration were analyzed. Oxygen penetration depth in combination with the position of the autotrophic biomass played a crucial role in the conversion rates of the different components and thus on overall nutrient removal efficiencies. The ratio between aerobic and anoxic volume in the granule strongly determines the N-removal efficiency as it was shown by model simulations with varying oxygen concentration, temperature, and granule size. The optimum granule diameter for maximum N- and P-removal in the standard case operating conditions (DO 2 mg L(-1), 20 degrees C) was found between 1.2 and 1.4 mm and the optimum COD loading rate was 1.9 kg COD m(-3) day(-1). When all ammonia is oxidized, oxygen diffuses to the core of the granule inhibiting the denitrification process. In order to optimize the process, anoxic phases can be implemented in the SBR-cycle configuration, leading to a more efficient overall N-removal. Phosphate removal efficiency mainly depends on the sludge age; if the SRT exceeds 30 days not enough biomass is removed from the system to keep effluent phosphate concentrations low.

Effects of dietary red clover on blood factors and cardiovascular fatty streak formation in hypercholesterolemic rabbits

Phytoestrogens with a biological activity like estradiol are naturally found in many plants. This study was designed to investigate the effect of red clover, a phytoestrogen-rich member of the legume family (Trifolium pratense) on the development of atherosclerosis in male hyperlipidemic rabbits. Twenty rabbits were semi-randomly distributed into four groups of five each. Two groups received either normal diet or normal diet supplemented with red clover. Two other groups received similar diets to both of which 1% cholesterol was added. Dietary use of red clover (RC) in hyperlipidemic rabbits significantly decreased C-reactive protein (CRP), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) whereas, HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) was significantly increased in those animals (p < 0.05). Fatty streak formation was also significantly lower in aorta and left and right coronary arteries in the same animals due to use of dietary RC supplementation. These findings suggest that dietary RC may reduce cardiovascular risk factors.

Restriction fragment length polymorphism of virulence genes cagA, vacA and ureAB of Helicobacter pylori strains isolated from Iranian patients with gastric ulcer and nonulcer disease

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the distribution of different genotypes of major virulence factors cagA, vacA and ureAB among Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) strains isolated from patients with ulcerative and nonulcerative diseases.

METHODS

This study was performed in Clinical Microbiology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran, during November 2004 to October 2005. Sixty-five H. pylori strains, 30 from patients with gastric ulcer (ulcerative disease) and 35 from patients with gastritis (nonulcerative disease) were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to investigate the presence of cagA, vacA and ureAB genes. The amplified fragments were then digested with the restriction enzymes HaeIII (for ureAB) HinfI (for cagA) and HphI (for vacA).

RESULTS

We found a significantly higher prevalence of vacA-positive strains in ulcerative disease (UD) than that in nonulcerative disease (NUD) patients (p<0.05). Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis revealed 2 different patterns for cagA gene. The prevalence of pattern beta with 3 bands was significantly higher in both groups of patients. HaeIII digestion resulted in a strictly homogeneous pattern for 83.33% of the vacA+ strains isolated from the patients with UD. This pattern was significantly associated with UD status (p<0.05). The ureAB polymorphism analysis revealed 10 distinguishable DNA banding patterns among them the pattern named ureAB 5a was the most prevalent (47.61%) in all isolates. No association between a specific DNA pattern and clinical disease was observed for cagA and ureAB (p>0.05).

CONCLUSION

It seems that in our patients, the presence of cagA gene may not necessarily be a risk factor for ulcer disease, while a homologous genotype of vacA appears to be associated with an increase risk of UD development. Lastly, despite the existence of a high degree of genomic variability within ureAB, conserved DNA banding profiles are distributed in our areas.

Embolisation of arteriovenous malformation of the maxilla

We describe a 20-year-old male patient who presented with gingival bleeding. Physical examination showed gingival swelling of the right maxilla and loosening of the molar teeth. The initial diagnosis of gingivitis was made, but further examination revealed a lytic lesion of the maxilla. On suspicion of fibrous dysplasia, biopsy was attempted but was unsuccessful due to severe haemorrhage. Further evaluation showed palpable and audible bruit on the gingiva, which caused the suspicion of vascular malformation. Angiography was performed and demonstrated arteriovenous malformation (AVM). Embolisation therapy with polyvinyl alcohol was performed. Post-embolisation angiogram demonstrated complete obliteration of the lesion.

Potentiation of pentobarbital hypnosis by Rosa damascena in mice

Rosa damascena has been found to act on central nervous system including brain. It inhibits the reactivity of the hypothalamous and pituitary systems in rat. In traditional medicine hypnotic effect of Rose is also suggested. In the present study hypnotic effect of ethanolic, aqueous and chloroformic extracts of R. damascena was investigated in mice. Hypnotic method was based on potentiation of pentobarbital induced sleeping time by extracts. Three doses of extracts (100, 500 and 1000 mg/kg) were injected i.p. in comparison with diazepam (3mg/kg) as positive control and saline as negative control. After 30 min of injection of extracts, pentobarbital (30mg/kg) was injected and increase in sleeping time by extracts was recorded. The results showed that the ethanolic and aqueous extracts in 500 and 1000 mg/kg doses significantly increased pentobarbital induced sleeping time which was comparable to diazepam. The chloroformic extract had no hypnotic effect.

Evaluation of deltamethrin-impregnated bed nets and curtains for control of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis in a hyperendemic area of Iran

In the study carried out in the rural district of Borkhar (Isfahan, Iran) from March 2003 to March 2004 efficacy of deltamethrin impregnated bed nets (IBs) and curtains (ICs), polyester mesh size 156 holes/ inch2, (25 holes/cm2) were compared to that of non-impregnated bed nets (NIBs) and curtains (NICs), in relation to zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL) control. Deltamethrin impregnated bed nets and curtains at 25 mg a.i./m2 were distributed among 168 households in one of the villages and NIBs plus NICs among the same number of households in another village. In the third village similar numbers of households were used as control. Health education messages were disseminated to ensure the population's compliance with the proper use of bed nets and curtains in the two intervention areas. Entomological surveys using sticky paper traps were carried out in ten households in each village for the collection of sand flies from indoors and outdoors, every two weeks to assess the impact of insecticide impregnated bed nets and curtains on the density of Phlebotomus papatasi. Deltamethrin susceptibility tests and also bioassay tests were carried out on this species by WHO standard method. Case findings were done by house-to-house visits once a season and all the inhabitants of the selected households in each village were examined. The results showed that IBs and ICs can provide a definite personal protection against sand fly bites and interrupted the transmission of ZCL in the intervention village. NIBs and NICs did not provide any protection against the disease. There was no significant difference in monthly density of P. papatasi in indoors and outdoors among the villages (P > 0.05). Susceptibility tests showed that this species was susceptible to deltamethrin in the field population in the area. Bioassays confirmed that the treated nets with deltamethrin remain effective for more than three months and was an excellent mean of individual protection. It is recommended that IBs and ICs can be used widely in the control of ZCL in other similar foci such as hyperendemic and mesoendemic areas of Iran.

Preliminary Report of a Nationwide Case-Control Study for Identifying Risk Factors of Tuberculosis Following Renal Transplantation

BACKGROUND

Tuberculosis (TB) is an important infection encountered posttransplantation, especially among patients in developing countries, where there are high incidences of morbidity and mortality.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

One hundred and twenty subjects (1%) from 15 major kidney transplantation centers in Iran from 1984 to 2003 were compared with 440 controls who were matched for operative time, treatment center, and surgical team.

RESULTS

Mean ages of research subjects and controls were 38.6 and 36.6 years (P = .04), respectively. The mean duration of pretransplantation hemodialysis was 29 months (range, 2 to 192 months) in research subjects and 20 months (range, 1 to 180 months) in controls (P = .003). Positive past history of tuberculosis was detected in 4 (3.3%) research subjects and in 7 (1.5%) controls (P = .2). Fifty-two research subjects (43.3%) and 241 controls (54.8%) had pretransplantation purified protein derivative of tuberculin less than 5 mm (P = .02). Mean dosages of initial and maintenance immunosuppressive drugs in research subjects and in controls were not significantly different. Sixty research subjects (50%) and 152 controls (34.5%) had rejection prior to diagnosis of TB (P = .03).

CONCLUSION

To our knowledge, this is the first study that demonstrates an increased risk of posttransplant TB by prolonged duration of pretransplant hemodialysis and number of posttransplant rejection episodes. Further study is needed to clarify these findings specifically with respect to various immunosuppressive regimens.

Expression of E-selectin and its transcripts during intestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury in pigs

BACKGROUND

Ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) can result in severe organ dys- or nonfunction. Interaction of leukocytes and endothelial cells mediated by E-selectin appears to be a key step for disturbed microcirculation. Therefore we studied gene and protein expression as well as localization of E-selectin during intestinal IRI.

METHODS

Intestinal tissue samples were obtained from extracorporeal perfused intestines (cold ischemia time [CIT] 2 or 20 hours, each n = 5) and additionally in intestinal transplanted pigs (CIT 2 or 20 hours, each n = 1). Mucosal damage was graded according to the Chiu classification. E-selectin mRNA was determined by PCR and quantitative RT-PCR. Localization of E-selectin mRNA was performed by in situ hybridization and of the protein by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

Histologically, mucosal damage occurred during reperfusion and was earlier and more severe after 20 hours of CIT. E-selectin mRNA expression was detected by PCR already after laparotomy and was elevated after reperfusion. Interestingly, mRNA expression was already increased after 20 hours of CIT. E-selectin mRNA was localized to the luminal surface of muscular, submucosal, and mucosal endothelial cells and the protein was detected on submucosal arterial endothelium as early as 2 hours after reperfusion.

CONCLUSION

Prolongation of CIT results in more severe mucosal damage during reperfusion, which is associated with protein expression of E-selection that might be used as a marker for activated endothelial cells. Increased E-selectin mRNA at end of 20 hours of CIT might indicate a preactivated state of endothelial cells potentially triggered by bacterial translocation or products.

Kinetics and localization of interleukin-2, interleukin-6, heat shock protein 70, and interferon gamma during intestinal-rerfusion injury

BACKGROUND

Intestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) represents an exaggerated inflammatory cascade with a complex pathophysiology. IL-2, IL-6, HSP70, and INF-gamma are mediators of the inflammatory process. Therefore, we investigated their kinetics and localization during intestinal IRI.

METHODS

Pig intestinal specimens were obtained during cold preservation (cold ischemia time 2 hours) and extracorporeal perfusion. Mucosal damage was graded according to the Chiu classification. MRNA expression was determined by Northern blot (IL-2, IL-6, IFN-gamma) or by quantitative RT-PCR (IL-6, HSP70) and localized by in situ hybridization.

RESULTS

Histologically, mucosal damage occurred during reperfusion. Expression of IL-2 mRNA was up-regulated after HTK perfusion and was highest at the start and 7 hours after reperfusion. Expression of IL-6 mRNA increased at 2 hours after reperfusion and HSP70 at 3 hours after reperfusion. IFN-gamma mRNA was expressed after HTK perfusion, with expression of this cytokine increasing to 1 hour after the start of reperfusion, and decreasing thereafter. IL-2 mRNA was localized to endothelial cells (EC) and leukocytes and in close relation to ganglion cells (GC): IL-6 mRNA in EC, smooth muscle cells (SMC), and GC: HSP70 mRNA in EC and SMC; and IFN-gamma mRNA in leukocytes.

CONCLUSION

IL-2, IL-6, HSP70, and INF-gamma are parameters of early mRNA expression during intestinal IRI. EC, SMC, leukocytes, and GC have been identified as sources of transcripts that might afford potential targets for intervention strategies to attenuate IRI.

Identification of tick vectors of ovine theileriosis in an endemic region of Iran

This study was made to determine the population of ticks in infected sheep and attempting to identify the tick vectors of ovine theileriosis in an endemic area of Iran from 2000 to 2001. A total of 188 suspected cases of ovine theileriosis from 28 flocks were clinically examined and investigated for the presence of Theileria lestoquardi in appropriate blood smears and any tick species on body of sheep. In this study, 36.17% of sheep were infected to T. lestoquardi with a parasitemia of 0.01-15%. There was no significant differences between the rate of parasitemia in sheep and the frequency of infected ticks. We found that 61.1% of the animals harboured Hyalomma a. anatolicum, 33.42% Rhipicephalus sanguineus and 0.05% Hyalomma m. marginatum. The examination of 345 tick salivary glands showed that (15%) of salivary glands of H.a. anatolicum and (4%) of R. sanguineus contained Feulgen positive bodies. Seasonally, the prevalence of Theileria infection and H.a. anatolicum infestation in sheep reached the highest level in July (62.5%) and June (23.6%), while a decrease was observed in September (24.5%) and August (17.39%), respectively. The prevalence of Theileria infection in all age groups and between male and female sheep was statistically non-significant.

Echinococcosis/hydatidosis in western Iran

In the present study, 115 stray dogs (56 males and 59 females, mixed breed), 86 golden jackal (Canis aureus, 42 males and 44 females), 60 red foxes (Vulpes vulpes, 33 males and 27 females), and three female wolves (Canis lupus) were examined for Echinococcus granulosus infection, as well as, 32,898 sheep, 10,691 goats, 15,779 cattle and 659 buffaloes for hydatid infection from five provinces in western Iran during 3 years (1997-2000). Meanwhile fertility rates of different types and forms of cysts isolated from infected animals and the viability of protoscolices were also determined. Results indicated that 19.1% of the dogs, 2.3% of the golden jackals and 5% of the red foxes were infected with Echinococcus granulosus. 11.1% of the sheep, 6.3% of the goats, 16.4% of the cattle and 12.4% of the buffaloes were also found to be infected with hydatid cyst. The cysts isolated from liver and lungs of the sheep show higher fertility rate than the cysts of liver and lungs of goats, cattle and buffaloes.

A Schiff base complex of Zn(II) as a neutral carrier for highly selective PVC membrane sensors for the sulfate ion

Novel polymeric membrane (PME) and coated graphite (CGE) sulfate-selective electrodes based on a recently synthesized Schiff base complex of Zn(II) were prepared. The electrodes reveal a Nernstian behavior over wide SO4(2-) ion concentration ranges (5.0 x 10(-5)-1.0 x 10(-1) M for PME and 1.0 x 10(-7)-1.0 x 10(-1) M for CGE) and very low detection limits (2.8 x 10(-5) M for PME and 8.5 x 10(-8) M for CGE). The potentiometric response is independent of the pH of the solution in the pH range 3.0-7.0. The electrodes manifest advantages of low resistance, very fast response, and, most importantly, good selectivities relative to a wide variety of other anions. In fact, the selectivity behavior of the proposed SO4(2) ion-selective electrodes shows a great improvement compared to the previously reported electrodes for sulfate ion. The electrodes can be used for at least 3 months without any appreciable divergence in potentials. The electrodes were used as an indicator electrode in the potentiometric titration of sulfate and barium ions and in the determination of iron in ferrous sulfate tablets.

Three-year follow-up after rotational atherectomy for the treatment of diffuse in-stent restenosis: predictors of major adverse cardiac events

Restenosis remains the major limitation of coronary stent implantation, especially in diffuse forms of in-stent restenosis. In this study, rotablation (RA) with adjunct angioplasty of in-stent restenosis was performed in 84 patients. Clinical follow-up and control angiography were obtained 6-month postprocedure. The rate of recurrent restenosis after rotablation for in-stent restenosis at 6-month angiographic follow-up was 45%, resulting in a rate of major adverse cardiac events of 35%. At 3-year follow-up, the cumulative event-free survival rate was 57% for the entire population. The only predictor of MACE at 3-year clinical follow-up by multivariate logistic regression analysis was in-stent lesion length. RA for the treatment of diffuse in-stent restenosis is thereby characterized by high procedural success rates and recurrent angiographic restenosis in 45% of patients with diffuse lesions. Major adverse cardiac events occur most likely within the first 6 months postprocedure. Three years after rotablation of in-stent restenosis, 43% of patients had experienced at least one major adverse cardiac event. Cathet Cardiovasc Intervent 2001;53:334-340.

Educational experiences and quality of life of gastroenterology fellows in the United States

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to investigate the education and quality of life of United States gastroenterology fellows.

METHODS

A 3-page, 74-question survey incorporating a 5-point Likert scale was designed. All US gastroenterology fellowship program directors were contacted by mail and asked to distribute the survey to graduating fellows. Surveys were sent on 3/29/1998 and collected until 6/1/98.

RESULTS

Fellows who would not train at the same institution again had less supervision, clinical instruction, research mentorship, and support services than those who would. Fellows who had loans had lower personal satisfaction scores than those who did not. Fellows who did not hold second jobs (moonlight) had higher job satisfaction scores. Those with vision or dental insurance had higher job and personal satisfaction scores. Regarding quality of life, only 23% of fellows agreed they were not overworked, 23% agreed they were not stressed, 25% agreed they were financially stable, 54% agreed they were happy with fellowship, and 84% agreed they were happy with their career choice. Regarding education, 56% agreed there was more emphasis on productivity than on education, 39% agreed they received adequate mentorship for research, 86% agreed there was adequate supervision, 48% of fellows agreed they had autonomy in making clinical decisions, and 41% agreed they had continuity of care in seeing patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Most fellows were happy about their career choice and clinical instruction, but there were deficiencies regarding quality of life (stress, overwork, financial security), education (research support, continuity of care) and job benefits (health coverage).

Body mass index reference curves for Iran

Body Mass Index (BMI) charts for boys and girls aged 2-18 years in Iran are presented. The charts are based on a random cluster sample survey of 1702 boys and 1599 girls living in urban Tehran, whose height and weights were measured in the 1990-1992 National Health Survey of the whole country. Charts were constructed using Healy's method as modified by Pan, Goldstein and Yang (1990), and for boys at one point were smoothed manually. The resulting charts are shown to fit the data well and adequately describe raw BMI centiles of urban and rural children elsewhere in Iran. Comparison of these BMI charts with corresponding UK charts showed substantial differences at every age and emphasizes the necessity for the use of locally based BMI norms for assessing body mass of Iranian children.

Weight-for-height of children in Iran

Weight and height data were obtained from the 1990-1992 National Health Survey, a random cluster sample survey of 1 in 1000 families in Iran. Weight-for-height centiles of children and adolescents aged 2 to 18 in Tehran have been computed from relationships between weight for age and height for age Z-scores. The resulting centiles are compared to weight-for-height centiles based on BMI (weight/height2) charts. Investigation of the data points age by age revealed that there are very few observations between the two sets of 3rd and 97th centiles, so that the normal range of BMI for age is effectively equivalent to the normal range of weight-for-height by age. Further analysis shows that BMI charts based on the subset of children living in urban Tehran may be reliably used for all children in Iran to determine the normal range of weight-for-height except for short children aged 2 to 5 for whom a table of the upper centiles is given.

Metastatic esophageal cancer leading to gastric perforation after repeat PEG placement

Various complications from percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy have been reported. We describe a case of pneumoperitoneum after percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy placement because of gastric wall weakening from malignant stomal seeding and, possibly, from chemoradiation.

Standardized percentile curves of body mass index of Iranian children compared to the US population reference

OBJECTIVE

To present standardized percentile curves of body mass index (BMI) for Iranian children, and compare these to the US population reference.

SUBJECTS

1599 boys and 1702 girls aged 2-18 y living in urban Tehran as a part of a random cluster sample survey of 1 in 1000 families throughout Iran.

MEASUREMENTS

Heights (cm) and weights (kg) were collected by trained health staff.

RESULTS

Standardized BMI reference curves for Iranian boys and girls were constructed. The curves are shown to fit the data well. The development pattern of BMI for boys and girls are compared.

CONCLUSIONS

The major differences observed between Iranian and the US BMI charts underline the need for population-specific reference data. For children over six years the 5th and 95th percentiles of our data may be used provisionally as cut-off points for defining thinness and obesity for Iranian children and adolescents.

Rapid screening of embryonated chicken eggs for bluetongue virus infection with an antigen capture enzyme linked immunosorbent assay

The sensitivity and specificity of an antigen capture ELISA have been compared with virus isolation in cell culture. Bluetongue virus (BLU) (serotype 23) from the blood of a sheep was titrated by inoculating embryonated chicken eggs (ECEs) and detecting viral antigen in chicken embryo livers using an antigen capture enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) (Stanislawek et al., 1996. Detection by ELISA of bluetongue antigen directly in the blood of experimentally infected sheep. Vet. Microbiol. 52, 1-12). Five days after inoculation of ECEs with lysed red blood cells from the infected sheep the embryo livers were harvested and homogenised. The supernatant from the homogenate was used in the antigen capture ELISA to determine which livers were infected and the virus titre calculated as CEID50/ml packed red blood cells. These results were compared with a standard cell culture isolation protocol which passaged the liver homogenate supernatant through Aedes albopictus cells and up to three passages in BHK21 cells. The antigen capture ELISA showed 100% sensitivity and specificity with no false negatives or false positives when compared to cell culture isolation of the virus. The major advantage of the combination of ECE inoculation and antigen capture ELISA is the reduction in the time to less than 7 days from a maximum of 35 days for the ECE/cell culture system. The procedure is easy to undertake, cost effective and does not require expensive specialist cell culture facilities.

Gastrointestinal mucormycosis mimicking ischemic colitis in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus

This report describes the case of a 42-yr-old woman with systemic lupus erythematosus who presented with septic shock. Initially, a source of infection could not be found and the patient was started on stress dose corticosteroids and antibiotics. A CAT scan revealed thickened colon and endoscopy revealed possible ischemic colitis. She soon developed peritonitis, and was taken to surgery where gastrointestinal mucormycosis was found. The patient died despite amphotericin therapy.

Growth charts for Iran

Growth charts for children aged 2-18 years old in Iran are presented. The charts are based on a random cluster sample survey of 3301 children living in urban Tehran, whose heights and weights were measured during the 1990-1992 National Health Survey of Iran. Because of differences between the data from the different provinces, these data were used as a representative subset of the total data. Charts were constructed using Healy's method, as modified by Pan, Goldstein and Yang, and are shown to fit the data well. Simulations show that the structure of the data does not affect the centile estimates. These charts may be used for all urban children in Iran and modifications are suggested to enable them to be used for rural children, who are generally smaller than urban children.

Growth of children in Iran

Weights and Heights of 22,349 children and adolescents aged 2 to 18 in Iran are reported. Data are from the 1990-1992 National Health Survey, a random cluster sample survey of 1 in 1000 families in all provinces of Iran. Multilevel models (Goldstein 1995) which take account of the survey design, reveal significant differences between provinces and between urban and rural children. Differences between urban and rural children, like differences between girls and boys, persist across all provinces and are certainly real. Differences between provinces may be partly due to differences in calibration. Charts based on the homogeneous subset of children living in urban Tehran may be used for all urban children, and in modified form, for all rural children. All the centiles of these charts are substantially below those of the NCHS charts, but the spread is similar so that there is no suggestion that the difference is due to the prevalence of gross malnutrition. The difference shows that the use of locally based growth charts are essential for assessing the growth of children in Iran.

Using artificial neural networks to classify the activity of capsaicin and its analogues

Back-propagation artificial neural networks (ANNs) were trained with parameters derived from different molecular structure representation methods, including topological indices, molecular connectivity, and novel physicochemical descriptors to model the structure--activity relationship of a large series of capsaicin analogues. The ANN QSAR model produced a high level of correlation between the experimental and predicted data. After optimization, using cross-validation and selective pruning techniques, the ANNs predicted the EC50 values of 101 capsaicin analogues, correctly classifying 34 of 41 inactive compounds and 58 of 60 active compounds. These results demonstrate the capability of ANNs for predicting the biological activity of drugs, when trained on an optimal set of input parameters derived from a combination of different molecular structure representations.

Nitric oxide synthase in the olfactory mucosa of the larval sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus)

The use of nitric oxide, a product of enzymatic reduction of L-arginine by nitric oxide synthase, as a modulator of processes within the olfactory mucosa was investigated in larval sea lampreys, extant fish of ancient vertebrate origin. In the present study, we demonstrated that the sea lamprey olfactory mucosa is specifically sensitive to L-arginine, that the L-arginine responses are inhibited by an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase, N omega-nitro-L-arginine, and that nitric oxide synthase is present in olfactory receptor cells, sustentacular cells, and basal cells. Electron microscopic examination using NADPH-diaphorase histochemistry revealed intense labeling within secretory vesicles of sustentacular cells and in proximity to mitochondria within olfactory receptor cell dendrites and sustentacular cells. At the base of the olfactory epithelium, NADPH-diaphorase staining was intense in the perinuclear cytoplasm of a subpopulation of basal cells, moderate in sustentacular cell foot processes, and scattered in olfactory receptor cell axons. Throughout axons in the olfactory epithelium and the lamina propria, labeling predominated in axonal profiles with mitochondria. These physiological and ultrastructural studies imply that in sea lamprey larvae, nitric oxide modulates peri-receptor events of L-arginine chemostimulation, olfactory receptor cell axonal activity, and developmental processes.

Orbital floor reconstruction with autogenous bone harvested from the mandibular lingual cortex

A new technique which uses mandibular lingual plate as a source of cortical bone for reconstructing orbital floor defects is described. The mandible provides a readily available alternative source of bone for grafting, whilst minimising postoperative complications and morbidity.