Association between Visual Evoked Potential and Disease Severity, Disease Duration and Visual Hallucination in Patients with Idiopathic Parkinsonism

Background: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder impairing motor, verbal and other abilities. Visual evoked potential (VEP) assessment is a useful method for analysis of visual system and its function. The present study was designed in order to evaluate whether VEP changes are associated with PD.Materials and Methods: In the present study, 100 subjects encompassing 40 patients with Idiopathic Parkinson’s Disease (Idiopathic PD) and 60 aged-matched controls were selected and assigned into case and control groups, respectively. VEP analysis was conducted in either group and the results were compared.Results: In the present study, 16 patients (40%) showed prolonged P100 latency. P100 latency in the case group was significantly longer than in controls. P100 Amplitude was significantly higher in case group than control. There were no significant association between prolonged VEP and sex and diseases duration, in the participants. Also from our participants who suffer from visual hallucination, P100 latency was significantly longer than in the controls.  There was a significant association between prolonged P100 latency and severity of disease in the case group.Conclusion: We suggest that prolonged VEP latencies and amplitude are associated with PD and might be associated with a predisposition for visual hallucinations

Neuroprotective, antimicrobial, antioxidant, chemotherapeutic, and antidiabetic properties of Salvia Reuterana: A mini review

Objectives: Herbal medicine is known as a valid alternative treatment. Salvia Reuterana, which has been used in the Iranian traditional medicine, is mostly distributed in the central highlands of Iran. Salvia Reuterana is a medicinal herb with various therapeutic usages. The aim of the present review is to take account of pharmacological properties of Salvia Reuterana. Materials and Methods: The present review summarizes the literature with respect to various pharmacological properties of Salvia Reuterana. Results: Salvia Reuterana possesses neurological, antimicrobial, antioxidant, chemotherapeutic, and antidiabetic properties. Conclusions: Salvia Reuterana can be used as an alternative for treatment of several disorders

Detection of t(8;14) c-myc/IgH gene rearrangement by long-distance polymerase chain reaction in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

AbstractObjective/backgroundSpecific chromosomal translocations are found in human leukemias and lymphomas. These translocations are closely related to particular histological and immunological phenotypes. In Burkitt’s lymphoma, translocation t(8;14)(q24;q32), which involves the c-myc gene (8q24) and the immunoglobulin heavy-chain (IgH) locus (14q32), accounts for 90–95% of all chromosomal translocations. This translocation can be found in 2–5% of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Long-distance polymerase chain reaction (LD-PCR) assays, which can identify oncogene/Ig gene rearrangement, can detect these fusion genes. The objective of this study was to detect t(8;14) c-myc/IgH gene rearrangement by LD-PCR in patients with DLBCL.MethodsIn this study, 54 DLBCL cases were tested by LD-PCR with specific primers. LD-PCR was used for two breakpoints in both the IgH gene (joining region and γ switch region) and the myc gene (Exons 2 and 3).ResultsAs much as 1.85% of the samples were positive for the γ constant region and Exon 2 of the myc gene.ConclusionLD-PCR can be used for the detection of t(8;14) c-myc/IgH gene rearrangement in patients with DLBCL

Two small molecule lead compounds as new antifungal agents effective against Candida albicans and Saccharomyces cerevisiae

 Background: Antifungal drug resistance and few numbers of available drugs limit therapeutic options against fungal infections. The present study was designed to discover new antifungal drugs. Materials and Methods: This study was carried out in two separate steps, that is, in silico lead identification and in vitro assaying of antifungal potential. A structural data file of a ternary complex of fusicuccin (legend), C terminus of H+-ATPase and 14-3-3 regulatory protein (1o9F.pdb file) was used as a model. Computational screening of a virtual 3D database of drug-like molecules was performed and selected small molecules, resembling the functional part of the ligand performing ligand docking, were tested using ArgusLab (4.0.1). Two lead compounds, 3-Cyclohexan propionic acid (CXP) and 4-phenyl butyric acid (PBA) were selected according to their ligation scores. Standard Strains of Candida albicans and Saccharomyces cerevisiae were used to measure the antifungal potential of the two identified lead compounds against the fungi using micro-well plate dilution assay. Results: Ligation scores for CXP and PBA were -9.33744 and -10.7259 kcal/mol, respectively, and MIC and MFC of CXP and PBA against the two yeasts were promising. Conclusion: The evidence from the present study suggests that CXP and PBA possess potentially antifungals properties.

Association of MS4A6A, CD33, and TREM2 gene polymorphisms with the late-onset Alzheimer’s disease

Introduction: Alzheimer’s disease (AD), which is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder, causes structural and functional brain disruption. MS4A6A, TREM2, and CD33 gene polymorphisms loci have been found to be associated with the pathobiology of late-onset AD (LOAD). In the present study, we tested the hypothesis of association of LOAD with rs983392, rs75932628, and rs3865444 polymorphisms in MS4A6A, TREM2, CD33 genes, respectively. Methods: In the present study, 113 LOAD patients and 100 healthy unrelated age- and gender-matched controls were selected. DNA was extracted from blood samples by the salting-out method and the genotyping was performed by RFLP-PCR. Electrophoresis was carried out on agarose gel. Sequencing was thereafter utilized for the confirmation of the results. Results: Only CD33 rs3865444 polymorphism revealed a significant difference in the genotypic frequencies of GG (P = 0.001) and GT (P = 0.001), and allelic frequencies of G (P = 0.033) and T (P = 0.03) between LOAD patients and controls. Conclusion: The evidence from the present study suggests that T allele of CD33 rs3865444 polymorphism is associated with LOAD in the studied Iranian population

A novel TNFRSF1A gene mutation in a patient with tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated periodic syndrome

© 2016 King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research CentreTumor necrosis factor receptor-associated periodic syndrome (TRAPS) is a periodic fever syndrome inherited in an autosomal dominant fashion. It stems from mutations in the TNFRSF1A (accession number: NM_001065) gene expressing the receptor for tumor necrosis factor α. A patient with TRAPS may present with prolonged episodes of fever attacks, abdominal pain, severe myalgia, and painful erythema on the trunk or extremities. Here, we report an 8-year-old boy with febrile attacks occurring every 1–2 months and continuing for 3–4 days. The patient experienced 40 °C-fever attacks without chills. Approximately 80% of fever attacks were accompanied by abdominal manifestations. Direct sequencing analysis was used to assess the genomic DNA of the patient, and a heterozygous R426L mutation in exon 10 of the TNFRSF1A gene in an autosomal dominant inheritance fashion was identified. Further genetic analyses were also carried out on his parents. Due to the fact that the mutation was not inherited from the parents, it was likely that R426L was a de novo and novel mutation in the TNFRSF1A gene, which can trigger TRAPS or TRAPS-like symptoms

Involvement of 5HT3 Receptors in Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Tropisetron on Experimental TNBS-Induced Colitis in Rat

Introduction: There is a pressing need for research leading to the development of new effective drugs with lower side effects and more efficacy for treating inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties of 5-Hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)-3 receptor antagonists have been shown in in vivo and in vitro studies. The present study was designed to investigate the effects of tropisetron, a 5-HT3 receptor antagonist, on an immune-based animal model of IBD. Methods: In the present study, the trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS) model of colitis in the rat was used. Two hours after induction of colitis in rats, tropisetron (2 mg/kg), dexamethasone (1 mg/kg), meta-chlorophenylbiguanide (mCPBG, 5 mg/kg), a 5-HT3 receptor agonist, or tropisetron + mCPBG were intraperitoneally (i.p.) administrated for 6 days. Animals were then sacrificed; macroscopic, histological, biochemical (myeloperoxidase [MPO]) assessments and ELISA test (tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-6 and interleukin-1 beta) were performed on distal colon samples. Results: Tropisetron or dexamethasone treatment significantly reduced macroscopic and microscopic colonic damages. In addition, a significant reduction in MPO activity and colonic levels of inflammatory cytokines was seen. The beneficial effects of tropisetron were antagonized by concurrent administration of mCPBG. Conclusion: The present study indicates that the protective effects of tropisetron on TNBS-induced colitis can be mediated by 5-HT3 receptors

Effect of Vitamin B6 on Clinical Symptoms and Electrodiagnostic Results of Patients with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Purpose: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) refers to a cluster of signs and symptoms that stems from compression of the median nerve traveling through carpal tunnel. Surgery is a definite treatment for CTS; however, many conservative therapies have been proposed. The present study set out to assess the effect of vitamin B6 in patients with CTS. Methods: Forty patients (67 hands) with mild-moderate CTS were initially selected and randomly assigned into two groups as follows: 1) Case group with 20 subjects (32 affected hands) receiving vitamin B6 (120 mg/day for 3 months) and splinting. 2) Control group with 19 subjects (35 affected hands) only received splinting. One subject from the control group dispensed with continuing participation in the research. Daily symptoms and electrodiagnostic (NCV-EMG) results were assessed at baseline and after 3 months. Results: Nocturnal awakening frequency due to pain, daily pain, daily pain frequency, daily pain persistence, hand numbness, hand weakness, hand tingling, severity of nocturnal numbness and tingling, nocturnal awakening frequency owing to hand numbness and tingling, and clumsiness in handling objects improved significantly in the vitamin B6-treated patients; even so, only problem with opening a jam bottle and handling phone significantly reduced in the control group. The median nerve sensory latency mean decreased following the treatment; and the median nerve sensory amplitude mean and sensory conduction velocity mean increased. Conclusion: The present study suggests that vitamin B6 treatment improves clinical symptoms and sensory electrodiagnostic results in CTS patients, and thus is recommended for CTS treatment