1 1023-5922 Islamic Azxad University, Tehran Medical Branch 18 Nutrition Sciences Effect of different glucose concentrations on PC12 cells apoptosis: role of Bax and Bcl2 proteins Farhadi M Parivar K Sharifi AM Zeinali S Mousavi SH Bakhshayesh M 1 12 2005 15 4 161 166 06 09 2006 Background: In diabetics, hyperglycemia is associated with neuropathy, nephropathy, and retinopathy. However, direct toxic effects of glucose on neurons are still largely unknown. Materials and methods: Firstly, cellular vital capacity was determined by MTT. Then, effects of different glucose concentrations and the role of Bax protein-induced apoptosis in PC12 cells was examined by Hoechst staining and western blotting techniques, respectively. Results: During MTT, cells revealed to have a meaningful apoptosis at hours 48, 72, and 96 when compared with controls (p<0.01). Apoptosis was induced suitably at a glucose concentration of 13.5mg/dl after 72 hours. Western blotting showed a significant expression of Bax protein in PC12 cells treated with increased glucose concentrations for 72 hours. Conclusion: Increment in glucose concentration may induce apoptosis in PC12 cells. This process occurred under the intense influence of Bax protein.
24 Nutrition Sciences Refractory anemia after Epoetin therapy in patients with chronic renal failure 1 12 2005 15 4 173 178 06 09 2006 Background: Anemia is the most frequent complication of chronic renal failure. Epoetin therapy reveals to be an effective therapy however, development of anti-erythropoietin antibodies has been reported. The present study was conducted to determine the etiology of refractory anemia after Epoetin therapy in patients with chronic renal failure. Methods: All adult patients (530 patients) who had been prescribed regular hemodialysis and rHUEPO for at least three months were followed in seven hemodialysis units in Tehran. During a 6-month period, Venofer-Eprex dose and hemoglobin was recorded monthly. Having ruled out hemolysis and iron deficiently state in severe anemic patients, bone marrow examination was ordered. Results: Of 530 patients, 58% were men with median age of 59 years. About %80 of patients had received baseline dose of at least 4000 units Eprex per week, prescribed subcutaneously after hemodialysis. Approximately, 21% were not anemic, while 19% did suffer from severe anemia (Hb<8). There were statistically significant associations between severity of anemia and age (p<0.001), longer Epoetin therapy (p<0.001), co-treatment with Venofer (p<0.011) and lack of underlying disease (p<0.04). Bone marrow aspiration was performed for 30 patients and the most frequent findings were anemia due to chronic disease, bone marrow dysplasia, amd megaloblastic anemia. Conclusion: In case of poor response to Epoetin therapy, discontinuing the drug is strongly recommended. Bone marrow examination is an appropriate tool to find the cause of refractoriness to Epoetin therapy in hemodialysis patients. 15 Nutrition Sciences CTLA-4 polymorphism at position 49 in exon 1 and susceptibility to type 1 autoimmune hepatitis Hajialiasgar S Agah MR Rezvani MR Zali MR 1 12 2005 15 4 179 183 06 09 2006 Background: CTLA-4 expressed on activated T cells, binds to B7 molecules and functions as a negative regulator of T cell activation. In theory, reduced expression or function of CTLA-4 might augment autoimmunity. Recently an A-G polymorphism in exon 1 of the CTLA-4 gene was associated with predisposition to AIH type1 (AIH-1) and several other autoimmune diseases in white individuals in distinct populations. We investigated the frequency of this polymorphism in Iranian patients with AIH-1, using a case-control association analysis. Materials and methods: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells’ DNA were prepared from AIH patients (n=76) and healthy controls (n=185). Determination of CTLA-4 genotypes was carried out by Polymerase Chain Reaction-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism method. Results: The allele frequency for G allele was 25.6% and 24.3% in patients and healthy controls, respectively that shows no significant difference in subjects with AIH as compared to the healthy controls. Meanwhile, the frequencies of AA, AG and GG genotypes in patients and in healthy controls revealed no statistical difference in the distribution of CTLA-4 genotype in the studied groups. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that susceptibility to AIH in Iranian population is not influenced by exon 1 CTLA-4 gene polymorphisms at position 49. This polymorphism may either have a recent founder population or be associated with AIH only among the Caucasians. 21 Nutrition Sciences Effect of heroin used in Iran on fertility in mice (Balb/c) Fazelipour S Tootian Z Kiaei M Bokaei S 1 12 2005 15 4 185 190 06 09 2006 Background: Heroin as opium is being used in two pure and impure forms with known disastrous effects on different body organs including genital system. The aim of this study was to determine the changes in testosterone secretion, the percentage of fertility, changes of the body and testis weight, and gonado somatic index in mice (Ballb/c). Materials and methods: A total of 90 adult male and female mice were selected and male mice were assigned into three control and two experimental groups. Different experimental groups of heroin-dependant mice (50 mg/kg IP for 3 days, twice daily), were divided into two groups. One of which received heroin 5 mg/kg IP and the other 5 mg/ml IP twice daily for a period of 40 days. Then the serum of 24 male mice was studied. After copulation of the male and female mice, the rate of infertility was estimated and the proportion of body and testis weight and gonado somatic index in tested groups was determined. Results: Serum testosterone showed insignificant difference between the control groups, however, its level did differ significantly between the control and experimental groups (p<0.05). Meanwhile, fertility rate did not differ between the control groups, but showed a significant difference between the control and the experimental groups (p<0.05). Body and testis weight differed significantly between the control and the experimental groups (p<0.05). Conclusion: Heroin may reduce the testosterone level and testis weight, while it is associated with infertility. 19 Nutrition Sciences Evaluation of micronutrient intakes (vitamins and minerals) in university students Najmabadi S Nojomi M 1 12 2005 15 4 191 196 06 09 2006 Background: Prior investigators have emphasized on the key role of nutrition in preventing health disorders. This study is a part of an exhaustive research to assess nutritional status in Iran medical sciences university students. Indeed, we aimed to assess and evaluate daily nutrient intake among male and female university students. Materials and methods: For this cross sectional study, 1000 university students were selected by multistage random sampling from six faculties of Medicine, Nursing and midwifery, Paramedical, Health, Management and medical information and Rehabilitation. Data were collected by 24-hour dietary (food) recall questionnaire and were analyzed using DFP (N3, FP2), and SPSS soft wares. The intake of vitamins and minerals were compared with RDA. Results: Results showed that the mean intake of vitamins C, A, E, folic acid and panthetonic acid were lower than RDA measures and differed significantly between male and female subjects. The mean intake of minerals showed inadequate levels of Ca, Fe, Zn, Mg, K. Conclusion: It seems that daily dietary in medical university students has some insufficiency in vitamins E,C,A, folic acid and panthetonic acid and minerals calcium, magnesium, and iron (only in females). 16 Nutrition Sciences Effect of eradicating Helicobacter Pylori on gastroesophageal reflux disease Vahedi H Montazeri G Noori N Olfati G Golestan Sh Estakhri A Abedian Sh Malekzadeh R 1 12 2005 15 4 191 196 06 09 2006 Background: The effect of helicobacter pylori either in provoking or protecting GERD is unclear and the results of studies are conflicting. We aimed to study the effect of H.pylori eradication on GERD by 24-hour ph monitoring. Materials and methods: 14 patients with duodenal ulcer or erosive duodenitis without any endoscopic and clinical evidences of GERD were enrolled. 24-hour ph monitoring were performed before and 12 month after H-Pylori eradication. The score was based on DeMeester scoring system. H.Pylori was diagnosed by rapid urease test before eradication and by urea breath test (UBT) after eradication. Results: The mean age was 41.610.2 years. The mean scores of 24-hour ph monitoring were 6.84.3 and 5.43.9 before and after eradication, respectively. The differences were not statistically significant (NS). Epigastric pain changed significantly before and after the therapy (p<0.01). Conclusion: H.pylori eradication did not have any effect on scores of 24-hour esophageal ph monitoring. Epigastric pain significantly decreased after eradication. 20 Nutrition Sciences Prevalence of tuberculosis in patients with chronic cough Jamshidi MM Zanganeh M Askarani F Khamesan M 1 12 2005 15 4 197 200 06 09 2006 Background: Identifying cases of pulmonary TB and their prompt treatment is an effective tool in order to control TB. Chronic cough is an important sign for screening tuberculosis. This study was performed to evaluate the prevalence of tuberculosis in patients with chronic cough. Materials and methods: In this cross sectional study, 546 suspicious patients with chronic cough were evaluated by preparing sputum smear and culture and chest radiography, when appropriate. Results: Of 546 cases, 53.7% were male and 46.3% were female. Totally, 80 (15.6%) had smear-positive pulmonary TB, 39 (7.7%) had smear-negative pulmonary TB, and 427 (77.7%) had other diagnosis or were improved cases following antibiotic therapy. Conclusion: Results have revealed that 15% of sputum cultures were positive for acid fast bacilli that is quite higher than other reports, therefore, patients who are referred with chronic cough and do not respond to antibiotic, should be advised to perform sputum culture and chest radiography. 22 Nutrition Sciences Prevalence of unwanted pregnancy and multivariate analysis of its correlates in Tabriz city, 2004 Mohammadpoorasl A Rostami F Ivanbagha R Torabi S 1 12 2005 15 4 201 206 06 09 2006 Background: Despite relatively easy access to contraceptive, the prevalence of unwanted pregnancy is high. The purpose of this study was to estimate the proportion of unwanted pregnancies and related factors among mothers delivering at 6 hospitals in Tabriz. Materials and methods: In this cross-sectional study, 1576 women attended to 6 hospitals for delivery or abortion in September 2004 in Tabriz were interviewed. The questionnaire surveyed demographic characteristics, fertility history, contraceptive use, and willingness to pregnancy. The data were analyzed by multivariate logistic regression using SPSS and EPI software. Results: Totally, 414(26.7%) women had unwanted pregnancy. Higher age (OR=1.06), higher number of live children (OR=1.37), and having history of unwanted pregnancy (OR=4.34) were associated with unwanted pregnancy. Conclusion: Unwanted pregnancy is quite common in the region, thus, appropriate policies should be considered to eliminate this maternal health concern. 23 Nutrition Sciences Evaluating the effect of education on knowledge and attitude of high school girl students towards friendship with the opposite sex Sahebazzamani M Safavi M Riazi SR 1 12 2005 15 4 207 213 06 09 2006 Background: Friendship with the opposite sex is a need for adolescence however, this kind of friendship is prohibited according to the Islamic laws in our country, therefore, parents, school authorities and disciplinary force may have intense reactions with their adolescence. These reactions may lead to secret relationship which it naturally associated with anxiety, depression and nervousness in adolescence which in turn may lead to mental disorders. Education could change attitude and increase teenagers' knowledge towards a suitable behaviour in friendship with the opposite sex. Materials and methods: It was a quasi experimental study that was performed on 90 girl students of two high schools (case and control groups) in Tehran district 14.They were selected by cluster randomly sampling. Data were gathered through questionnaires. Having collected the initial data, six sessions were run for the case group (each 90 minutes), then, all the subjects were requested to recomplete the questionnaire. Results: Results have revealed that in the pretest analysis, most of the subjects had a moderate attitude and knowledge, however, following the education, most of the cases acquired suitable attitude and knowledge (p<0.001), while the differences among controls were not statistically significant. Conclusion: Results demonstrated the necessity of regular effective educative programs for high school students in order to promote their knowledge and attitude towards the friendship with the opposite sex. 303 Nutrition Sciences Central catheter-induced pleural effusion a case report Mousavi SR Kharazm P 1 12 2005 15 4 215 217 14 09 2010 Pleural effusion is a rare complication of central catheter insertion. This may occur due to mispositioning of the catheter. We present a 74 year-old severely ill Iranian patient who underwent transhiatal esophagectomy because of esophageal carcinoma. After anesthesia induction, a catheter was inserted in right jugular vein. Postoperative radiography revealed right-sided pleural effusion that was managed with a chest tube. During the following days, the patient secreted two liter of a yellow fluid. Fluid analysis failed to show any remarkable results. His secretion was discontinued after the catheter was removed.