Peak bone mass of Iranian population: the Iranian Multicenter Osteoporosis Study.

Osteoporosis is a major public health problem in the Western countries and is projected to have a similar impact in the Middle East. It has been suggested that peak bone mineral density (BMD), a major determinant of osteoporotic fractures later in life, may be lower in this part of the world compared with the Western world. The purpose of the Iranian Multicenter Osteoporosis Study was to determine peak bone mass in a randomly chosen sample of healthy Iranian subjects. A total of 5201 participants (2340 males, mean age 42.7+/-13.8) were recruited based on randomized clustered sampling from all regions of five major cities across the country. In women, peak lumbar BMD (1.182+/-0.127 g/cm2) occurred in the 29- to 33-yr age group, whereas peak total femur BMD (1.006+/-0.126 g/cm2) occurred in the 32- to 36-yr age group. In men, peak lumbar BMD (1.181+/-0.153 g/cm2) and femoral BMD (1.096+/-0.159 g/cm2) both occurred in the 20- to 24-yr age group. When standardized to mg/cm2 units using established formulas, Iranian peak bone mass values are comparable with that of Western countries and are generally higher than that of Eastern Asian and Middle Eastern countries.     

Low doses of cholestyramine in the treatment of hyperthyroidism

The enterohepatic circulation of thyroid hormones is increased in thyrotoxicosis. Bile-salt sequestrants bind thyroid hormones in the intestine and thereby increase their fecal excretion. Based on these observations, the use of cholestyramine has been tried. The present study evaluates the effect of low doses of cholestyramine as an adjunctive therapy in the management of hyperthyroidism. In a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 45 patients with newly diagnosed hyperthyroid Graves' disease were randomly assigned into the following treatment protocols: group I, cholestyramine 2 g BID, methimazole and propranolol; group II, cholestyramine 1 g BID, methimazole and propranolol; group III, placebo powder, methimazole and propranolol. The fixed dose of methimazole (30 mg/d) and propranolol (40 mg/d) was used. The study period was 4 weeks. Serum total triiodothyronine and free thyroxin were measured at baseline, and at the ends of the second and the fourth week of the study. The serum thyroid hormone levels decreased more rapidly and to a greater extent in the cholestyramine-treated groups. All of the patients in group I had achieved euthyroid state at the end of the study. We conclude that low dose of cholestyramine is an effective and well-tolerated adjunctive agent in the treatment of hyperthyroid Graves' disease.     

Expression analysis of mTOR-associated lncRNAs in multiple sclerosis

Metabolic Brain Disease - mTOR has been shown to be involved in the regulation of immune responses and differentiation of immune cells. This protein is a candidate molecule for unraveling the...     

Safety of transcatheter patent ductus arteriosus closure in small weight infants

Background: Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is a frequent congenital heart disease. Its transcatheter closure has become the treatment of choice in children and adults. However, the device closure of PDA in children with low weight is still challenging with high rate of complications. The aim of this study was to report further experience with trancatheter closure of PDA using the Amplatzer Duct Occluder(ADO) for children weighing less or equal to 8 kg. Methods: Twenty‐two patients (5 male, 17 female) underwent transcatheter closure of a PDA using ADO at a median age of 10 months (range 4 to 26) and a median weight of 7 kg (range 4.3 to 8). Follow‐up evaluations were performed with Doppler echocardiography at 24h, and at 6 and 12 months. Results: The device was implanted successfully in all patients. The median fluoroscopy time was 17.25 min (range 10 to 29). Within 24h, color Doppler revealed complete closure in 15 patients (68%), the other patients had a small residual shunt. No deaths were associated with the procedure. Two patients had a slight aortic protrusion of the device without coarctation and in one patient the device encroached partially on the left pulmonary artery without significant acceleration on Doppler echocardiography. All patients were discharged home the next day. All patients completed the 6‐month follow‐up with complete closure in 18 patients (81%). At the last evaluation in all patients at any time, there has been documentation of complete PDA closure in 20 (91%) of 22 patients. Conclusion: In patients weighing less or equal to 8 kg, percutaneous closure of PDA using an ADO is a safe and effective procedure. (J Interven Cardiol 2012;25:391–394)     

The rs594445 in MOCOS gene is associated with risk of autism spectrum disorder

Metabolic Brain Disease - Molybdenum cofactor sulfurase (MOCOS) gene encodes an enzyme which is involved in purine metabolism. Recent experiments have shown down-regulation of MOCOS in adult nasal...     

Contribution of ionotropic glutamate receptors and voltage-dependent calcium channels to the potentiation phenomenon induced by transient pentylenetetrazol in the CA1 region of rat hippocampal slices

The role of ionotropic glutamate receptors and voltage-dependent calcium channels (VDCCs) in potentiation phenomenon and epileptic activity induced by a transient pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) application in the CA1 region of rat hippocampal slices was investigated. Also we examined whether adenosine as an inhibitory neuromodulator would interact with expression of the long-lasting effect of transient PTZ. Population spikes (PS) were recorded in the CA1 cell body layer of the hippocampal slices following stratum radiatum stimulation. Changes in the PS amplitude potentiation and number of extra PS, which induced by transient PTZ were used as indices to quantify the effects of drugs. PS input-output curve was significantly increased 10 min after PTZ application and persisted at least for 60 min after PTZ washout. Polyspikes also appeared, but did not persist. Both ketamine and APV reduced the extent of potentiation of PS amplitude but had no effect on number of extra PS. The selective non-NMDA receptor antagonist CNQX prevented the amplitude potentiation and the generation of extra PS. The blocker of VDCCs, verapamil, prevented the amplitude potentiation and inhibited polyspike activity. Co-application of adenosine and PTZ produced a rapid and reversible decrease in the PS amplitude, but PTZ-induced potentiation phenomenon was observed after washout. It is concluded that ionotropic glutamate receptors as well as VDCCs involve in the PTZ-induced LTP of PS amplitude. PTZ-induced LTP is also insensitive to adenosine. The epileptiform activity induced by a transient PTZ application could be attributed to VDCCs. The polyspikes mediated by VDCCs are dependent on prior activation of AMPA receptors.     

Dysphagia Lusoria Caused by Aberrant Right Subclavian Artery, Kommerell’s Diverticulum, Legamentum Ring, Right Descending Aorta, and Absent Left Pulmonary Artery: A Report of a Unique Vascular Congenital Disease Undetected until Adulthood and a Review of the Literature

An active otherwise healthy and middle-aged woman presented with left supraclavicular pulsation, right upper extremity claudication, and mild dysphagia. Evaluation revealed an aberrant right subclavian artery, Kommerell’s diverticulum with aneurysmal degeneration, legamentum arteriosum completing vascular ring, and absent left pulmonary artery with multiple collateral supply to the left lung. She underwent successful surgical repair via right thoracotomy, including division of the vascular ring, resection of the diverticulum and aneurysm, and finally reimplantation of the right subclavian artery to the aortic arch. Her symptoms resolved completely, and she was able to resume normal activities.     

Multifocal polypoid endometriosis presenting as huge pelvic masses causing deep vein thrombosis

We describe a case of multifocal polypoid endometriosis presenting with advanced bulky disease at a variety of pelvic sites. The extent of tumor and clinical features such as vaginal bleeding and pulmonary embolus were suggestive of a malignant process. Histopathology demonstrated glands that were neither crowded nor complex, with intervening fibromatous stroma that contained occasional endometrial stromal cells. These features were consistent with the newly described condition of polypoid endometriosis. Despite the endometrioid appearance of this tumor, there was florid ciliary cell change. An association has been suggested between polypoid endometriosis and prior tamoxifen use, although this patient had no history of prior hormone use.     

Reversal of pentylenetetrazol-induced potentiation phenomenon by theta pulse stimulation in the CA1 region of rat hippocampal slices

The effect of theta pulse stimulation (TPS) on pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-induced long-term potentiation of population spikes was studied in the CA1 region of rat hippocampal slices. The field excitatory postsynaptic potential (fEPSP) and population spikes (PS) were recorded from strata radiatum and pyramidale, respectively, following stimulation of Schaffer collaterals. A transient PTZ application produced a long-lasting enhancement of PS amplitude. A 3-min episode of TPS delivered at test-pulse intensity failed to reverse the PTZ potentiation. However, the same stimulation at a higher intensity produced complete reversal of the PTZ potentiation when delivered during the last minutes of PTZ application. Prior application of high-intensity TPS also decreased the amount of PTZ potentiation, whereas it had no long-lasting effect on baseline synaptic responses. High-intensity TPS induced reversal was blocked by adenosine A1 receptor antagonist and, furthermore, was reduced by protein phosphatase 1 inhibitor. The results suggest that mechanism of PTZ-induced LTP reversal involves activation of adenosine receptors and protein phosphatases.