Molar pregnancy and co-existent foetus: A report of two cases

Molar pregnancy with a co-existent foetus will lead to preterm labour, severe preeclampsia or bleeding in most of the cases and may need urgent intervention. However, if it does not become complicated with preeclampsia or preterm Labour, the outcome is usually good, with minimal post partum complications and so such pregnancies can be managed with watchful waiting and close observation. The first case was a 29 year-old at 19 weeks of gestation, with hypertension, oedema and severe epigastric pain. Karyotypic assessment of the contents of the uterus revealed a 46-XX foetus with no chromosomal abnormality, as well as the molar placenta also suggesting a complete mole with 46-XX. The second case was a 19 year old woman in labour. A pathological study of the delivered contents of the uterus revealed a complete hydatidiform mole and a normal placenta

Effect of lead intoxication and D-penicillamine treatment on hematological indices in rats

Lead is one of the most important environmental pollution which is toxic to many organ systems. D-penicillamine (D-P) is a chelator drug which is used for treatment of lead toxicity for several years. This study was conducted in order to evaluate the efficacy of D-P in reducing the effects of lead on hematological indices. This study was done on 36 male adult, 6-8 weeks albino Wistar rats in Gorgan University of Medical Sciences. At first male adult rats were exposed to lead acetate in their drinking water. After 8 weeks, 6 rats were selected and blood samples were prepared to assess the effects of lead toxicity. The remained lead exposed rats were divided into recovery and treatment groups where distilled water and D-P was administered for them, respectively. After lead exposure, red blood cell count increased slightly, but hemoglobin and hematocrite were decreased. Also MCV and MCH were significantly decreased (P<0.05). RDW, PDW and MPV were significantly higher in lead exposed rats (P<0.05). After recovery period, most of parameters were close to normal while there were no significant differences between recovery and treatment groups. This study showed that hematologic effects of lead are reversible and D-P administration do not play an important role in subchronic lead intoxication

Morphometric changes of rat testis after subchronic oral lead intoxication and D-penicillamine treatment

Lead poisoning is a worldwide health problem and its treatment is under investigation. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of D-Penicillamine in reducing lead induced morphometric changes in rat testis. Male adult rats were exposed to 0.4% lead acetate in drinking water for 8 weeks. After this period 6 rats were sacrificed and testes were removed to evaluate the effects of lead intoxication. The remained lead exposed rats were divided into two groups, one group received distilled water and the other group received oral D-P treatment for six weeks, after one week of recovery. Testis morphometric changes were studied in H and E stained sections. After 8 weeks, width of germinal epithelium and number of sertoli cells in test group were decreased compared with negative and positive control rats (p<0.05), while no changes were observed in the number of spermatogonia or primary spermatocytes. After recovery or treatment, germinal epithelium and sertoli cells were still significantly lower than control group (p<0.05). Primary spermatocytes and spermatogonia were decreased after both recovery and treatment periods which was not significant. This study showed that subchronic oral lead intoxication induces some changes in adult testis which are not reversible even after D-P administration. © 2006 Asian Network for Scientific Information

Effect of intrauterine morphine sulfate exposure on cerebellar histomorphological changes in neonatal mice

Neurotoxic effects of morphine sulfate in adult cerebellar cortex and neonatal cerebral cortex have been studied in animal models. This study was done to determine the neurotoxic effects of prenatal morphine exposure on the histo morphological changes of cerebellar cortical layer and Purkinje cells in mice neonates. In this experimental study 30 female mice were randomly allocated into cases and controls. In the case group, animals received morphine sulfate 10 mg/kg/body weight intraperitoneally for 7 days. After mating, dams received morphine sulfate 10 mg/kg/body weight intraperitoneally for 20 days of gestation. Animals in the control group received normal saline. On the day of delivery (P0), the cerebella of six neonates for each group were removed and stained with cresyl violet. Quantitative computer-assisted morphometric study was done on the cortical layer of the cerebellum. Morphine exposure caused a non-significant increase in fetal weight in the case group. Purkinje cells in cases were decreased in comparison with controls (p < 0.05). Histomorphometric examination revealed that the thickness of Pur kinje and internal granular layers of the cerebellar cortex decreased in the morphine-exposed group (p < 0.05). This study revealed that morphine administration before and during pregnancy can cause Purkinje cell loss and reduction of thickness of the Purkinje and internal granular layer of the cerebellar cortex and size of Purkinje cells in neonatal mice

Can we rely on public data as a source of information for cancer registry in developing countries?

Background/aims: Although a "hospital-based cancer registry" is important in improving patient care, a "population-based cancer registry" with emphasis on epidemiology is important in allocating health care resources and prioritizing public health programs. Because of its reliance on retrieved clinical and para-clinical documents, there is some limitation in registering all cancer incidents in this system, especially in developing countries. In this study we examined the possibility of using public data as a complementary source of information for recording cancers in a population-based cancer registry. Methods: Along with the annual census in rural areas, a survey was performed in Golestan province in March 2004 to identify public awareness about cancer incidents in the community. Individuals were questioned about history of cancer in their close relatives during the last two years. Those who reported cancer in their relatives were also asked to name the main organ of involvement. A similar list was retrieved from the cancer registry at the Ministry of Health in Gorgan, and cases with upper GI (esophagus and gastric) cancer diagnosis from 21 March 2002 through 20 March 2004 were selected for this study. Finally, these two lists were compared for examining accuracy of the collected data. Results: We included 137 cases in our study with rural residence and known addresses. Only 35 (25.5%) cases were reported by the relatives and among them only 20 (57.1%) relatives correctly reported the tumor location. Although we found a difference in accurate reporting of cancer incidents by year of diagnosis (more correct cases reported during the second versus the first year), the difference was not statistically significant between the two years. Conclusion: In this study, we examined the possibility of using public awareness about cancer incidents as a complementary source of information for a population-based cancer registry. We found that this approach is not ideal for reducing limitations. Therefore, we recommend a nationwide cancer registry to record all cancer-related information at the time of diagnosis. This strategy will reduce the need for performing retrospective surveys in collecting cancer-related information

Hepatitis B/C virus co-infection in Iran: A seroepidemiological study

Background/aims: As hepatitis B and C virus have the same transmission routes, dual infection may occur. The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of HCV in HBsAg-positive subjects. Methods: 139 HBsAg-positive subjects were enrolled in the study. Serum samples were tested using ELISA method for anti-HCV antibodies. Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests were used to compare the proportions. Results: There were 68 (48.9%) males and 71 (51.1%) females. The mean age was 41.89±11.30 years. One case was excluded because of inadequate blood sampling. Anti-HCV antibody was positive in 17 (12.3%) of the 138 remaining subjects. Seropositivity of HCV was similar between female and male patients (p=0.69). Conclusion: The seroprevalence of co-infection with hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus in our study was higher than such reports from some countries (Italy), but was in line with worldwide prevalence (>10%)

HBV/HCV co-infection in Iran: A seroepidemiological based study

The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of HCV in HBsAg positive subjects. In a population based single stage cluster sampling in Golestan province of Iran, 139 HBsAg positive subjects were detected and enrolled in the study. Serum samples were tested using ELISA method for anti-HCV antibodies. Chi-square and Fishers exact tests were used to compare the proportions. There were 68(48.9%) male and 71(51.1 %) female. The mean age was 41.89±11.30 years (25-64 years). One case was excluded because of inadequate blood sampling. Anti-HCV antibody was positive in 17(12.3%) of 138 remaining subjects. Seropositivity of HCV in female was higher than male (14.1% versus 10.4%, respectively) but the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.52). No significant relationship was seen between Anti-HCV seroprevalence and demographic factors such as age, place of residence and marital status. The seroprevalence of co-infection with HBV and HCV in our study was higher than such reports from some countries (Italy); but it was in line with worldwide prevalence (>10%). A careful longitudinal evaluation of the viremia levels of both HBV/HCV viruses is essential for making a correct diagnosis and tailoring the appropriate therapeutic schedule in co-infected patients. © 2006 Asian Network for Scientific Information

Goiter frequency is more strongly associated with gastric adenocarcinoma than urine iodine level

Purpose: We designed our study to evaluate the hypothesis that gastric cancer is correlated with iodine deficiency or thyroid dysfunction. Materials and Methods: We investigated the total body iodine reserve, thyroid function status and autoimmune disorder in 40 recently diagnosed gastric adenocarcinoma cases versus 80 healthy controls. The participants came from a region with high gastric cancer rate but sufficient iodine supply due to salt iodination. The investigation included urine iodine level, thyroid gland clinical and ultrasonograph-ic examination, and thyroid function tests. Results: Goiter was detected more frequently in the case group (P=0.001); such a finding, however, was not true for lower than normal urine iodine levels. The free T3 mean level was significantly lower in the case group compared to the control group (P=0.005). Conclusions: The higher prevalence of goiter rather than low levels of urinary iodine in gastric adenocarcinoma cases suggests that goi-ter, perhaps due to protracted but currently adjusted iodine deficiency, is more likely to be associated with gastric adenocarcinoma com-pared to the existing iodine deficiency itself. © 2013 by The Korean Gastric Cancer Association

RANK/RANKL/OPG pathway: genetic associations with stress fracture period prevalence in elite athletes

Context: The RANK/RANKL/OPG signalling pathway is important in the regulation of bone turnover, with single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes within this pathway associated with bone phenotypic adaptations. Objective: To determine whether four SNPs associated with genes in the RANK/RANKL/OPG signalling pathway were associated with stress fracture injury in elite athletes. Design, Participants, and Methods: Radiologically confirmed stress fracture history was reported in 518 elite athletes, forming the Stress Fracture Elite Athlete (SFEA) cohort. Data were analysed for the whole group, and were sub-stratified into male and cases of multiple stress fracture group. Genotypes were determined using proprietary fluorescence-based competitive allele-specific PCR assays. Results: SNPs rs3018362 (RANK) and rs1021188 (RANKL) were associated with stress fracture injury (p<0.05). 8.1% of stress fracture group and 2.8% of the non-stress fracture group were homozygote for the rare allele of rs1021188. Allele frequency, heterozygotes and homozygotes for the rare allele of rs3018362 were associated with stress fracture period prevalence (p<0.05). Analysis of the male only group showed 8.2% of rs1021188 rare allele homozygotes to have suffered a stress fracture while 2.5% of the non-stress fracture group were homozygous. In cases of multiple stress fractures, homozygotes for the rare allele of rs1021188, and individuals possessing at least one copy of the rare allele of rs4355801 (OPG) were shown to be associated with stress fracture injury (p<0.05). Conclusions: The data support an association between SNPs in the RANK/RANKL/OPG signalling pathway and the development of stress fracture injury. The association of rs3018362 (RANK) and rs1021188 (RANKL) with stress fracture injury susceptibility supports their role in the maintenance of bone health, and offers potential targets for therapeutic interventions

Prevalence of hepatitis D virus infection in HBsAg positive subjects in Iran

Abstract This study was carried out to determine the seroprevalence of hepatitis D virus among HBsAg positive individuals in the northeast part of Iran. One hundred thirty nine HBsAg positive subjects detected from a population based single stage cluster sampling in Golestan province of Iran were enrolled. All cases were evaluated for the presence of anti-HDV antibodies using commercially available ELISA kits. Logistic regression was used to determine the relationship between independent variables and HDV seropositivity. Of 139 cases, 68(48.9%) were males and 71(51.1%) were females. The mean age was 41.89±11.30 years (25-64 years). Anti-HDV antibody was positive in 8 (5.8%) subjects with female predominance (9.9% versus 1.5%, p = 0.06; odds ratio = 7.32, 95%CI: 0.87-61.23). No significant relationship was seen between anti-HDV seropositivity and demographic factors such as age, place of residence and marital status. These findings showed that HDV infection was endemic in Golestan province (northeast) of Iran. Seroprevalence of Anti-HDV in the present study was higher than some previous studies from other parts of Iran. Our results suggest that the prevalence of HBV/HDV co-infection in Iran has increased during the last decade. Therefore, practitioners and all health care managers should be made aware of the risk of dual infection with HBV and HDV. © 2007 Asian Network for Scientific Information