Short-latency somatosensory evoked potentials correlate with the severity of the neurological deficit and sensory abnormalities following cerebral ischemia

Short-latency somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs) were studied in 49 patients who had suffered hemispheric or thalamic ischemia, including 6 patients with transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) and 3 patients with reversible ischemic neurological deficits (RINDs). SSEPs were abnormal in 30 patients (61%). SSEP abnormalities correlated with the presence of sensory deficit and the degree of neurological deficit. SSEPs were normal following TIA but were abnormal in 2 of 3 patients with RINDs. SSEPs were abnormal in some patients without sensory deficits suggesting that sensory pathways may be affected when clinically inapparent.     

CYP1B1 mutation profile of Iranian primary congenital glaucoma patients and associated haplotypes

The mutation spectrum of CYP1B1 among 104 primary congenital glaucoma patients of the genetically heterogeneous Iranian population was investigated by sequencing. We also determined intragenic single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) haplotypes associated with the mutations and compared these with haplotypes of other populations. Finally, the frequency distribution of the haplotypes was compared among primary congenital glaucoma patients with and without CYP1B1 mutations and normal controls. Genotype classification of six high-frequency SNPs was performed using the PHASE 2.0 software. CYP1B1 mutations in the Iranian patients were very heterogeneous. Nineteen nonconservative mutations associated with disease, and 10 variations not associated with disease were identified. Ten mutations and three variations not associated with disease were novel. The 13 novel variations make a notable contribution to the approximately 70 known variations in the gene. CYP1B1 mutations were identified in 70% of the patients. The four most common mutations were G61E, R368H, R390H, and R469W, which together constituted 76.2% of the CYP1B1 mutated alleles found. Six unique core SNP haplotypes were identified, four of which were common to the patients with and without CYP1B1 mutations and controls studied. Three SNP blocks determined the haplotypes. Comparison of haplotypes with those of other populations suggests a common origin for many of the mutations.     

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) in peripheral arterial occlusive disease of the lower extremities

The results of 185 percutaneous transluminal angioplasties (PTA) of the iliac (n = 62) and femoropopliteal segment (n = 123) with a double-lumen balloon catheter (Olbert) are presented. The mean age of the 150 patients was 64 years (range 39 to 91). While there were 87% stenoses and only 13% occlusions of the iliac segment, in the femoropopliteal segment the respective ratios were 46% and 54%. 71% of the patients suffered from intermittent claudication and 29% were severely ischaemic cases (Fontaine stages III and IV). Platelet inhibition was induced by means of acetylsalicylic acid 1 g/day prior to and during the procedure, and afterwards heparin was also administered for 4 days. The primary success rate in the iliac segment of 88.7% (of which 12.9% were classified as a partial success) was identical with that in the femoropopliteal region. Stenoses were successfully treated in 94.6% cases (9.9% being partial successes), occlusions in 79.7% (partial success in 16.2% of these cases). Complications occurred in 8.6% of cases, whereby surgical correction was required in half of these. When the procedure was complicated by major embolization into the distal popliteal artery, this was handled successfully by means of local thrombolytic therapy. Over the follow-up period of up to 21 months reocclusion--or high-grade restenosis--occurred in 26 patients. The cumulative patency rate 1 year after PTA was 92% for the iliac and 70% for the femoropopliteal segment.     

A severe case of vascular thoracic outlet syndrome

We report a 21-year-old patient who presented at the outpatient department of angiology with incipient necroses in the fingertips of the right hand. Colour-coded duplex sonography and angiography demonstrated occlusion of the right brachial, ulnar and radial arteries, obviously resulting from an embolism from the subclavian artery narrowed by a cervical rib. After partly successful local thrombolysis this accessory rib was resected. We review angiologic signs and neurological symptoms of the thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) and analyse the current literature regarding diagnostic procedures and treatment. This complicated and severe case of TOS in a young patient ending with paresis of the right arm and partial finger amputation emphasises the importance of early diagnosis of this condition.     

Mucormycosis in Iran: A six-year retrospective experience

Mucormycosis is a devastating infection caused by Mucoralean fungi (Mucormycotina, Mucorales). Data concerning the global epidemiology of mucormycosis are scarce and little is known about the characteristics of mucormycosis in Iran. In this study, we aimed to understand the distribution of this infection in Iran retrospectively and to ascertain whether the patterns of infection are associated with specific host factors or not. A total of 208 cases were included in this study occurring during 2008–2014 and were validated according to (EORTC/MSG) criteria. A rising trend as significant increase from 9.7% in 2008 to 23.7% in 2014 was observed. The majority of patients were female (51.4%) with median age of 50 and the infections were seen mostly in autumn season (39.4%). Diabetes mellitus (75.4%) was the most common underlying condition and sinus involvement (86%) was the mostly affected site of infection. Amphotericin B (AmB) was the drug of choice for the majority of cases. Sixty four isolates did not show any growth in the lab and only 21 cases were evaluated by ITS sequencing, among them; Rhizopus arrhizus var. arrhizus was the dominant species. Considering the high mortality rate of mucormycosis, early and accurate diagnosis, with the aid of molecular methods may provide accurate treatments and improve the survival rate. Therefore, increased monitoring and awareness of this life-threatening disease is critical.     

Anti-Vibriocholerae IgY Antibody Inhibits Mortality in Suckling Mice Model

Background

Regarding to the importance of cholera in Iran and the potential advantages of egg yolk antibody (IgY) for immunotherapy, the aim of this study was to produce IgY antibody against V. cholerae Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and determine its potential for V. cholerae treatment.

Association of asymptomatic Chlamydia trachomatis infection with male infertility and the effect of antibiotic therapy in improvement of semen quality in infected infertile men

The role of asymptomatic infections caused by Chlamydia trachomatis in male infertility and the efficacy of antibiotics in the treatment of this condition are not yet definitely determined. A total of 165 infertile males having abnormal semen parameters (study group) as well as 165 healthy fertile men (control group) were included. Semen samples were taken from all participants and after analysing for semen parameters, undergone real‐time PCR, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) as well as total antioxidant capacity (TAC) assays. Infected individuals of study group were treated with antibiotic. One month after the treatment completion, second semen samples were taken and undergone all the tests mentioned. The frequency of C. trachomatis was significantly higher in the infertile men compared with the fertile ones (4.2% vs 0.6%). Most of the semen parameters were improved and reached their normal range, the level of TAC elevated and ROS level as well as ROS/TAC ratio reduced after antibiotic treatment. Moreover, wives of three infected infertile men (42.9%) became pregnant 4 months after the treatment completion. Our data suggest that asymptomatic infection caused by C. trachomatis is correlated with male infertility and antibiotic therapy can improve the semen quality and fairly treat the male infertility.