Prevalence of Suicide Thoughts,Plans and Attempts in a Community Sample from Karaj,Iran

Aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of suicide ideation and behavior in a community sample of an Iranian city, Karaj. Study sample consisted of 2,300 subjects, chosen randomly from the community. The WHO/SUPRE-MISS survey questionnaire, used in this study. Lifetime prevalence for suicide thoughts, plans and attempts were 12.7, 6.2 and 3.3%, respectively and for the previous year they were 5.7, 2.9 and 1%, respectively. Although it is not possible to generalize the results to the country, but in some area of Iran, the prevalence of suicide ideation, plan and attempt appeared to be similar to that of many developed countries.     

Keratoacanthomas frequently show chromosomal aberrations as assessed by comparative genomic hybridization

Keratoacanthomas are commonly occurring benign skin lesions localized to sun-exposed areas. They typically develop rapidly and may show cellular atypia and infiltration like cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas, but they finally regress spontaneously. This benign lesion shows a high degree of genetic instability as assessed by comparative genomic hybridization, with 35.7% (25 of 70) of the analyzed lesions harboring chromosomal aberrations. The same frequency of genetic imbalance was found in lesions from immunosuppressed organ transplant recipients (36.4%, 20 of 55) and in patients with keratoacanthomas without immunosuppression (33.3%, five of 15), indicating a common pathway in both situations. Recurrent aberrations, given as a fraction of lesions with aberrations, were gains on 8q (20.0%), 1p and 9q (each 16.0%), and deletions on 3p (20.0%), 9p (20.0%), 19p (20.0%), and 19q (16.0%). Many of the most frequently appearing aberrations in keratoacanthomas were not detected in any of the 10 squamous cell carcinomas analyzed, whereas some aberrations were shared by both types of lesions. Aberrations were found in early and late stages of keratoacanthoma development, indicating a role for genetic instability in the progression as well as involution of keratoacanthomas. There were no significant correlations between cytologic atypia and genetic imbalance, or between degree of infiltration and genetic aberrations, although there was a trend for keratoacanthomas with severe atypia to have aberrations. Thus malignant phenotypic development does not appear to be driven by the detected genetic aberrations. More detailed studies of chromosomal areas with recurrent aberrations are needed for the localization of putative genes that determine the biologic behavior of keratoacanthomas, and that may distinguish them from squamous cell carcinomas.     

Role of third intracellular loop of galanin receptor type 1 in signal transduction

To determine the domains essential for G-protein coupling of the human galanin receptor type 1 (GalR1), we have used both GalR1 mutants and synthetic receptor-derived peptides in(125)I-galanin and [(35)S]-GTPgammaS binding studies. Replacement of potential phosphorylation sites by Leu in the third intracellular loop (IC3) of GalR1 did not affect K(D)values for the receptor. Peptides derived form the IC3 loop, and especially the N-terminal part of it were able to increase the rate of [(35)S]-GTPgammaS binding to the trimeric Gialpha1beta1gamma2, but not to Gsalphabeta1gamma2, whereas the peptides corresponding to the IC1 and IC2 loops had no such effect. IC3 loop peptides also inhibited the binding of(125)I-galanin to GalR1 in membranes from Rin m5F cells. Our results suggest that the IC3 loop of GalR1, especially its N-terminal part, defines the coupling of the receptor to the Gialpha1beta1gamma2 protein and consequently, to the signal transduction cascade.     

A six-year study on Vibrio cholerae in southeastern Iran

Cholera continues to be an important public health problem among many poorer communities. In order to determine the epidemiology of Vibrio cholerae in southeastern Iran, 3,594 patients with watery diarrhea, who were referred to the hospitals from Zabol city and 45 neighboring rural populations of Sistan-Blouchestan province, were investigated over a period of 6 years (1997 - 2002). V. cholerae strains were isolated from 362 samples (10.07%). Isolation of V. cholerae in this sample decreased from 22.47% in 1997 to 0% in 2002. Individuals of all ages and social and economic strata were affected. Among the patients with cholera in the present study, only 24 (6.6%) lived in an urban area; 270 (74.6%) of the patients had been referred from rural areas, and the remaining 68 (18.8%) were from neighboring Afghanistan. V. cholerae O1 Ogawa and NAG vibrios were found in 92.8 and 7.2% of patients, respectively. Among the 362 samples, 244 were collected from inpatients and 118 were from outpatients. Twelve of these patients died because of the severity of their disease, severe dehydration and electrolytes imbalance. The priorities for cholera control remain public health interventions through improved water and sanitation, improved surveillance and access to health care facilities, and further development of appropriate vaccines.     

The diagnosis of adrenal insufficiency in a patient with Allgrove syndrome and a novel mutation in the ALADIN gene

Allgrove syndrome is a genetic disorder inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern and characterized by a triad of adrenal insufficiency, achalasia, and alacrima. The gene affected by the mutation in patients with Allgrove syndrome is termed either AAAS or ALADIN (alacrima/achalasia/adrenal insufficiency/neurologic disorder). Adrenal insufficiency in patients with this disorder may develop as late as the third decade of life. We describe a 24-year-old female with Allgrove syndrome, in whom initial testing with 250 microg corticotropin (ACTH) stimulation test performed on 3 occasions produced normal serum cortisol values and results of the 1-microg ACTH stimulation tests performed on 6 occasions were conflicting. Insulin-induced hypoglycemia produced a nadir serum glucose value of 36 mg/dL without adequate serum cortisol stimulation, confirming presence of adrenal insufficiency. Gene sequencing identified 2 mutations in the triple A gene: an IVSC14 + 1 G to A mutation, which has been previously reported, and a novel R155P exon 6 mutation. We conclude that a novel R155P mutation in the ALADIN gene is associated with Allgrove syndrome and that insulin-induced hypoglycemia, rather than ACTH stimulation tests, should be used for accurate diagnosis of adrenal insufficiency in this disorder.     

Brain metastasis from esophageal carcinoma

Brain metastasis from esophageal carcinoma is rare. In our center, among 301 cases of esophageal cancer referred for radiotherapy during a 14-year period, brain metastasis from esophageal carcinoma was detected in one case. An unusual case of esophageal carcinoma that presented with brain metastasis is reported.     

Prevalence and pattern of antimicrobial resistance of Shigella species among patients with acute diarrhoea in Karaj,Tehran, Iran

The study was carried out to determine the prevalence and pattern of antimicrobial resistance of Shigella species among patients with acute diarrhoea in Karaj, Tehran, Iran. The study included all acute diarrhoea patients who visited the hospitals and treatment centres of Karaj during November 2001-October 2002. Of 734 stool samples collected from patients with acute diarrhoea and analyzed for Shigella spp., 123 (16.8%) yielded Shigella spp. (7.5% Shigella flexneri, 5.2% S. sonnei, 2.6% S. dysenteriae, and 1.5% S. boydii). Of the Shigella isolates, 90.8% were resistant to one or more antimicrobial agent(s), and 87.8% were multidrug resistant. The most common resistance was to tetracycline (73.5%), trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole (70.4%), and amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (50.0%). Resistance to cefixime, ciprofloxacin, ceftriaxone, and nalidixic acid was observed in 6.1%, 3.1%, 2.0%, and 1.0% of the isolates respectively. These findings suggest that Shigella spp. may be an important aetiological agent of diarrhoea with a high rate of drug resistance in this region, which requires further study.     

Pentoxifyllin Attenuates the Systemic Inflammatory Response Induced During Isolated Limb Perfusion With Recombinant Human Tumor Necrosis Factor-α and Melphalan

Background: Isolated limb perfusion (ILP) with recombinant human tumor necrosis factor- (rhTNF-) and melphalan harbors the risk of septic shock–like syndrome. Pentoxifyllin (PTX) produced a beneficial effect on cytokine response and survival in animal experiments of septic shock, and we were interested to explore its effect during TNF-ILP in humans.Methods: Eighteen consecutive patients underwent TNF-ILP and received PTX (30 mg/kg/day), whereas another 13 consecutive patients did not. PTX was given systemically after the limb extracorporeal circulation was started. Cardiac index, systemic vascular resistance (SVR), and pulmonary vascular resistance were recorded via a Swan-Ganz catheter. Blood levels of TNF-, interleukin-6, procalcitonin, and lipopolysaccharide-binding protein were determined before, during, and after ILP.Results: After reperfusion, systemic levels of TNF- were significantly less increased in the PTX group (peak, 2.8 vs. 1.3 ng/mL; P < .05), as were interleukin-6 values (peak, 68 vs. 22 pg/mL; P < .02) and lipopolysaccharide-binding protein plasma levels (peak, 215 vs. 105 g/mL; P < .03). Differences in cardiac index, SVR, and mean arterial blood pressure were not significantly different. Norepinephrine or dobutamine to maintain SVR was less required in the PTX group.Conclusions: PTX attenuates systemic cytokine production and influences components of the systemic inflammatory response after TNF-ILP. PTX may play a beneficial role in the management of septic shock–like syndrome, particularly in patients with leakage from the ILP circuit.Presented at the 55th Annual Meeting of the Society of Surgical Oncology, Denver, Colorado, March 14–17, 2002.     

Intrathecal administration of PNA targeting galanin receptor reduces galanin-mediated inhibitory effect in the rat spinal cord

Peptide nucleic acids (PNA) are nucleic acid analogues containing neutral amide backbone, forming stable and tight complexes with complementary DNA/RNA. However, it is unclear whether unmodified PNA can efficiently penetrate neuronal tissue in order to act as antisense reagent. Here we show that intrathecal (i.t.) injection of an unmodified antisense PNA complementary to the rat galanin receptor type 1 (GalR1) mRNA is able to block the inhibitory effect of i.t. administered galanin on spinal nociceptive transmission. Autoradiographic ligand binding studies using [125I]galanin show that the unmodified PNA is able to reduce the density of galanin binding sites in the dorsal horn. Thus, unmodified PNA applied i.t. appears to function as an effective antisense reagent in rat spinal cord in vivo.     

Sleep patterns and habits in high school students in Iran

Background  

Sleep patterns and habits in high school students in Iran have not been well studied to date. This paper aims to re-address this balance and analyse sleep patterns and habits in Iranian children of high school age.