ORIGINAL_ARTICLE *Correspondence: M. Ghazi-Khansari. Ph.D., Department ofPharmacology, 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) is a by-product o f t he trichlorophenol (herbicide) production and is also produced through a variety of combustion processes. It appears that TCDD is a ubiquitous chemical, particularly in industrialised countries, and the liver is the target organ of its toxicity. The prominent hepatotoxic effect of TCDD is progressive centrilobular necrosis. The isolated rat liver perfusion system approaches the normal physiology of the liver and is ideal for studying biochemical alterations of the liver since hepatocytes are easily exposed to various concentrations of chemicals with minimum neural-hormonal effects. In this study, the liver was perfused with Krebs-Henseleit butfer containing different concentrations of TCDD (0.3, 3, 20 and 30).lg/L). During the perfusion many factors including gross liver appearance, bile formation, and aminotransferase activities were assessed as indicators of liver viability. Consequently, sections of liver tissue were examined for any histopathological changes. The results showed that histopathological changes in liver tissues were related in a dose-dependent manner to TCDD concentrations. In this instance doses of 20 and 30 ).lglL caused a significant (p<0.05) histopathological change in liver sections. Liver necrosis and hemorrhage were also increased significantly in a dose-dependent manner. http://mjiri.iums.ac.ir/article-1-826-en.pdf 2001-05-15 55 60 TCDD Liver perfusion Krebs-Henseleit buffer Histopathological necrosis. M KARAMI 1 From the Department of Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences AUTHOR M GHAZI-KHANSARI ircongpp@nrcgeb.ac.ir 2 the Departments of Pharmacology School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, I.R. Iran AUTHOR M REZAYAT 3 the Departments of Pharmacology School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, I.R. Iran AUTHOR B MINAEI 4 the Departments of Histology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, I.R. Iran AUTHOR M ABDOLLAHI 5 From the Department of Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences AUTHOR O SABZEVARI 6 From the Department of Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences AUTHOR
ORIGINAL_ARTICLE A NOVEL METHOD OF PURIFICATION OF SPECIFIC HYDATID CYST ANTIGEN Hydatid cyst fluid has been used as a source of antigen for the serodiagnosis of Echinococcus granulosus infection. Due to cross-reactions with antigens shared by other helminthes, the specific antigen from hydatid cyst fluid was purified by many workers. We used a relatively simple technique for purification of specific antigen from sheep hydatid cyst fluid. Isopycnic ultracentrifugation with 30% KEr was used followed by SDS-PAGE to check the purity of the antigen. The antigen was of 48 kDa and used in ELISA and IRA with high sensitivity and specificity. http://mjiri.iums.ac.ir/article-1-825-en.pdf 2001-05-15 49 53 Echinococcus granulosus specific antigen isopycnic ultracentrifugation Z ZAMANI 1 AUTHOR M ASSMAR 2 From the Departments of Parasitology and Biochemistry, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, I.R. Iran. AUTHOR N PYAZAK 3 AUTHOR K WAFAIE 4 AUTHOR M ASSADIAN 5 AUTHOR A AMIRKHANI 6 AUTHOR
ORIGINAL_ARTICLE NMDA RECEPTOR ANTAGONISTS ATTENUATE TOLERANCE INDUCED BY MORPHINE AND NERVE LIGATION IN MICE The effect of NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) receptor antagonists on tolerance to morphine antinociception was investigated in mice. Daily subcutaneous administration of 50 mg/kg of morphine hydrochloride for three days induced tolerance to different (3,6 and 9 mg/kg) test doses of morphine. The tolerance obtained was decreased by pretreatment of animals with single or repeated doses of competitive NMDA receptor antagonists D-( -)-2-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid (DAP5 0.1-0.3 mg/kg) and D-(-)-2-amino-7-phosphonoheptanoic acid (DAP7 0.1-0.3 mg/kg). Tolerance to morphine response was also obtained 7, 14, 21 and 30 days after unilateral sciatic nerve ligation. Single or repeated doses (0.2 mg/kg) of DAP5 or DAP7 increased the antinociceptive response induced by morphine (9 mg/kg) in the nerve ligated animals. We report that these agents attenuate the development of morphine tolerance, and increase the antinociceptive effect of morphine on sciatic neuropathic pain in mice. http://mjiri.iums.ac.ir/article-1-824-en.pdf 2001-05-15 41 47 GR TAGHIZADEH-JAHROMI 1 AUTHOR M REZAYAT 2 AUTHOR MR ZARRINDAST 3 From the Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, I.R. Iran. AUTHOR
ORIGINAL_ARTICLE LEVELS OF ANTI-STREP TOKINASE AND ANTI-MYCOBACTERIAL HEAT SHOCK PROTEIN 65 KILODALTON (ANTI-MHSP 65) ANTIBODIES IN PATIENTS WITH AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES Bacterial and viral triggers are suspected agents in the initial etiology of autoimmune diseases. There are some studies on the etiology of autoimmune disorders which have focused on streptococcal infection and a possible relation with microbial heat shock proteins (hsp) which show significant homology with human heat shock proteins. In addition, some serotypes of streptococci cross-react with human hsp, namely 65kD hsp. Therefore, we have examined isotype specific antibody responses to streptokinase, the antigen released during infection with the common bacterium streptococcus, together with IgG responses to mycobacterium heat shock protein 65 (mhsp 65), a possible superantigen for autoimmune diseases. The levels of these antibodies were examined in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), thyroiditis and Henoch Schonlein purpura (HSP) and a group of normal controls. Patients with RA showed a statistically significant elevation in levels oflgM anti-streptokinase antibodies compared to the control group (p<0.001). In Henoch Schonlein purpura patients, the levels of lgG and neutralising anti-streptokinase antibodies correlated with the levels of IgG anti-mhsp 65 (r= 0.56, p<0.09 and r= 0.57, p<0.08, respectively). According to these findings, we suggest that streptococcal infections may have an important role in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis and Henoch Schonlein purpura. http://mjiri.iums.ac.ir/article-1-823-en.pdf 2001-05-15 37 40 Streptokinase Heat shock protein (hsp) autoimmune. A AFSHARI Afshari2000@yahoo.com 1 From the Department of Pathobiology, Section of Immunology, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences & Health Services, Qazvin, I.R. Iran AUTHOR D BURNIE 2 the Departments of Cardiology and Immunology, Western Infirmary, Glasgow, U.K. AUTHOR ER HOLME 3 the Departments of Cardiology and Immunology, Western Infirmary, Glasgow, U.K. AUTHOR
ORIGINAL_ARTICLE APPLICATION OF DOT IMMUNOASSAY (DIA) FOR DETECTION AND TITRATION OF MEASLES VIRUS ANTIBODIES Measles is one of the most contagious human diseases. Although mass vaccination programs have reduced the incidence of this disease, measles is still an important cause of morbidity and mortality among children in developing countries. Therefore the use of sensitive techniques to evaluate vaccine efficacy and level of immunity among members of susceptible communities is crucial. Serum neutralization test (SNT) and Dot immunoassay (DIA) are among the best methods utilized for evaluating measles virus antibodies. In this study, DIA was applied for detection and titration of measles virus antibodies. This test was developed for the first time in Iran in the Virology Department of the School of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modarres University. Viral antigen was first prepared and titrated. Then human IgG was isolated by affinity chromatography. Anti-human immunoglobulin was prepared by immunizing rabbits with human IgG and was later conjugated with peroxidase. DIA was applied using these reagents. The results indicated that the specificity and sensitivity of DIA in comparison with SNT was 96% and 89%, respectively. This study demonstrated that DIA is a rapid and simple test which can be applied for the detection of mass immunity against the measles virus. http://mjiri.iums.ac.ir/article-1-822-en.pdf 2001-05-15 31 35 Measles virus Serum neutralization test DIA Anti-human immunoglobulin. F FOTOHI 1 From the Department of Virology, School of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modarres University, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran AUTHOR MH ROUSTAEE 2 AUTHOR H SOLEIMANGAHI 3 AUTHOR AR KHABIRI 4 AUTHOR M MALEKANE 5 AUTHOR F SABAHI 6 AUTHOR
ORIGINAL_ARTICLE ETIOLOGY OF END STAGE RENAL DISEASE (ESRD) IN SHIRAZ PEDIATRIC HEMODIALYSIS CENTER One-hundred and sixteen children with ESRD were registered in Shiraz Pediatric Hemodialysis Center in Nemazee Hospital, a referral center in the south of Iran, from 1990 to 1999. Very small children are not dialysed in this center due to technical problems. The age range of children in this center was 2-16 years, mean age was 10.4±3.6 years and male to female ratio was 1.4. Major causes of ESRD in order of frequency were glomerulopathies 23 (19.83%), reflux 15 (12.93%), chronic pyelonephritis without reflux 11 (9.5%), neurogenic bladder 10 (8.62%), cystic diseases 10 (8.62%), stone disease 9 (7.75%), posterior urethral valve 7 (6.03%), ureteropelvic junction obstruction 7 (6.03%), and unknown 12 (10.35%). Despite the low number for statistical analysis, reflux, neurogenic bladder, FSGS, nephronophthisis and stone disease were found to be more common here compared with other centers, which means more consideration is required. Thirtynine of these children (33.6%) have been transplanted, mostly from parents. http://mjiri.iums.ac.ir/article-1-821-en.pdf 2001-05-15 23 26 End-stage renal failure Pediatrics Etiology Epidemiology Ira A A. DERAKHSHAN 1 From the Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Nephrology, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, I.R. Iran AUTHOR
ORIGINAL_ARTICLE VASCULAR COMPLICATIONS IN 417 CONSECUTIV E RENAL TRANSPLANTS The vascular complications, their management and results of treatment in 417 consecutive renal transplantations performed at Taleghani Hospital from September 1989 to December 1997, are presented. There were 7 (1.6%) vascular complications. Among them renal artery stenosis occurred in 2 cases (0.4%), renal artery thrombosis in 2 cases (0.4%), renal vein thrombosis in one case (0.2%), bleeding from the venous suture line in the immediate peri operative period in one case and renal pelvic necrosis in another one. Arterial reconstruction was performed in 2 patients and allograft removal took place in 3 patients. There was no death due to vascular complication. http://mjiri.iums.ac.ir/article-1-820-en.pdf 2001-05-15 19 21 I GHODOUSSI 1 From the Department of Vascular Surgery and Organ Transplantation, Taleghani Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, I.R. Iran AUTHOR P AZIMI NEZHADAN 2 AUTHOR H PEYRAVI 3 AUTHOR MT SALEHIAN 4 AUTHOR I FAZEL 5 AUTHOR
ORIGINAL_ARTICLE KIDNEY TRANSPLANTATION AND PREGNANCY: A REPORT OF 50 CASES A retrospective study was conducted on 50 pregnancies in 41 kidney transplant recipients. 37 pregnancies were successful (74%), while in 13 cases the pregnancy was lost (7 abortions,S intra-uterine fetal deaths and one therapeutic termination). The pregnancy course was uneventful in 38 cases (76%) but in 12 there were complications, such as hypertension or slight rise in serum creatinine. Pregnancy was terminated in one case because of acute rejection, which then responded well to treatment and graft function returned to normal. Two cases of congenital anomaly were detected. http://mjiri.iums.ac.ir/article-1-819-en.pdf 2001-05-15 17 18 Kidney transplantation renal transplantation congenital anomaly pregnancy. S GHAZIZADEH 1 From the Department of Nephrology, Imam Khomeini Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, I.R. Iran. AUTHOR M LESAN PEZESHKI 2 AUTHOR B EINOLLAHI 3 AUTHOR MR KHATAMI 4 AUTHOR
ORIGINAL_ARTICLE RANDOMIZED TRIAL COMPARING ROLLERBALL ABLATION WITH CUTTING LOOP ENDOMETRIAL RESECTION IN THE TREATMENT OF MENORRHAGIA In order to compare the clinical efficacy, safety, success rate and probable complications of rollerball ablation with cutting loop endometrial resection in the treatment of menorrhagia, eighty-three women in reproductive age suffering from menorrhagia who did not respond to medication were treated in a randomized study comparing cutting loop endometrial resection with hysteroscopic rollerball ablation for treatment of menorrhagia between Sep. 1995-Aug. 1999 at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences' affiliated hospitals. After at least twelve months of follow up, results indicated that both techniques significantly reduced menstrual blood flow with no clinically significant difference between the two groups as reflected by return to normal bleeding or less (rollerball 95% and endometrial resection 93%). Rate of amenorrhea was 20.5% in rollerball and 25% in the resection group. Rate of post-op amenorrhea, hypomenorrhea and normal menses was almost similar in both series and the method of ablation had no influence on success rate. Only five patients (6%) were considered treatment failures, two from the rollerball and three patients from the resection group. Four of these required reoperation and one patient became amenorrheic after starting medication. None of the eighty-three patients experienced intra- or postoperative complications. Endometrial ablation by either rollerball or resection methods is therefore a successful, safe and cost-effective alternative for hysterectomy in the treatment of intractable menorrhagia. http://mjiri.iums.ac.ir/article-1-818-en.pdf 2001-05-15 11 16 Endometrial ablation Endometrial resection Menorrhagia Hysteroscopy. S ALBORZI alborzis@sums.ac.ir 1 From the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Endoscopy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, I.R. Iran. AUTHOR ME PARSANEZHAD 2 AUTHOR
ORIGINAL_ARTICLE ULCERATIVE COLITIS AND HLA CLASS II PHENOTYPING IN IRAN Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a nonspecific acute and chronic inflammatory bowel disease that diffusely involves the colonic mucosa. The etiology of UC has not yet been elucidated fully. However, many studies have found that immunologic disorders may play a role in the pathogenesis of UC. In addition, due to an increased frequency of UC in families, especially an increased monozygotic compared with dizygotic twin concordance, many implicate genetic factors in the development and regulation of the immune responses, such as the HLA class II genes, as candidates for conferring the genetic susceptibility. We studied the distribution of HLADR and DQ antigens and duration of sickness in 42 Iranian patients suffering from DC using the standard microlymphocytotoxicity technique. The phenotypic frequencies ofHLA-DR2 were present in 24 of 84 controls and 18 of 42 patients (p= 0.24, corrected p, not significant). The present study reveals no association between HLA class II antigens and UC, suggesting that the HLA-DR2 is not a predominant susceptibility gene for UC in the population studied. http://mjiri.iums.ac.ir/article-1-817-en.pdf 2001-05-15 7 9 Ulcerative colitis; HLA phenotyping H FOROOTAN 1 From the Departments of Internal Medicine and Immunogenetics, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran AUTHOR B NIKBIN 2 the Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, I.R. Iran. AUTHOR GH ANANI SARAB 3 From the Departments of Internal Medicine and Immunogenetics, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran AUTHOR
ORIGINAL_ARTICLE VARIATIONS IN THE CIRCULUS ARTERIOSUS OF WILLIS: AUTOPSY FINDINDS IN 101 HUMAN CADAV ERS In order to evaluate the microvascular anatomy and the interconnections, 101 fixed brains from human cadavers with a mean age of 41.3 years were subjected to objective scrutiny. Symmetry was visualized with an unaided eye and measurements made under microscopic magnification technique using a micrometer. Classic symmetry was observed in only 19 of the specimens, whereas the rest of the 82 specimens revealed considerable variations in the form of diverse anomalies. These anomalies consisted of hypoplasia (45 cases), duplication (40 cases), triplication (6 cases), fenestration (6 cases), aplasia (5 cases), aneurysm (2 cases), common trunk (1 case) and a rare presentation where the internal carotid artery was found to have anastomosis with the posterior cerebral artery. The frequency of anatomic variations and the presence of prevalent anomalies at the circle of Willis underscore the difficulty in understanding various cerebral vascular diseases and their anatomical knowledge and information serve to adopt effective strategies in tackling such microvascular diseases. http://mjiri.iums.ac.ir/article-1-816-en.pdf 2001-05-15 1 5 Cerebral arteries Circulus arteriosus Circle of Willis Arterial anomalies Autopsy fi GHOLAMHUSSAIN KHOSRAVI 1 From the Depts. Of Neurosurgery, Neurology Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, I.R. Iran. AUTHOR SEYED ALI FAKHR TABATABAI 2 AUTHOR MAJID GHAFARPOUR 3 From the Depts. Of Neurosurgery, Neurology Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, I.R. Iran. AUTHOR HASSAN TOUFIGHI 4 From the Depts. Of Forensic MedicineTehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, I.R. Iran. AUTHOR