Zahedan Journal of Research in Medical Sciences
Volume:13 Issue: 5, 2011

Cancer development is not restricted to the genetic changes, but also to epigenetic changes. Epigenetic processes are very important in the development of hematological malignancies. The main epigenetic alterations are aberrations in DNA methylation, post-translational modifications of histones, chromatin remodeling and microRNAs patterns, and these are associated with tumor genesis. All the various cellular pathways contributing to the neoplastic phenotype are affected by epigenetic genes in cancer. These pathways can be explored as biomarkers in clinical use for early detection of disease, malignancy classification and response to treatment with classical chemotherapy agents and epigenetic drugs. A literature review was performed using PUBMED from 1985 to 2008. Cross referencing of discovered articles was also reviewed. In chronic lymphocytic leukemia, regional hypermethylation of gene promoters leads to gene silencing. Many of these genes have tumor suppressor phenotypes. In myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), CDKN2B (alias, P15), a cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor that negatively regulates the cell cycle, has been shown to be hypermethylated in marrow stem (CD34+) cells in patients with MDS. At present both Vidaza and Decitabine (DNA methyltransferase inhibitors) are approved for the treatment of MDS. Unlike mutations or deletions, DNA hypermethylation and histone deacetylation are potentially reversible by pharmacological inhibition, therefore those epigenetic changes have been recognized as promising novel therapeutic targets in hematopoietic malignances. In this review, we discussed molecular mechanisms of epigenetics, epigenetic changes in hematological malignancies and epigenetic based treatments.

Postoperative nausea (PONV) and vomiting is the most common complication after surgery that might prolong discharge time and cause some morbidity. Dexamethasone can effectively reduce PONV. This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of different doses of dexamethasone on PONV. In a double blind clinical study we investigated the efficacy of three doses of dexamethasone (0.1mg/kg‚0.3mg/kg‚0.5mg /kg) in ASA class I or II patients randomly allocated into three groups for cataract surgery. The patients were tracked for the frequency of development of PONV in the recovery room and the ward and were compared accordingly. The patients were similar with respect to demographic parameters and duration of anesthesia. PONV occurred in 4%‚ 4% and 6% in patients in the 0.1mg/kg‚ 0.3mg/kg and 0.5mg/kg group, respectively (p= 0.577) We concluded that lower doses of dexamethasone could reduce PONV as much as higher doses. We suggest the lowest dose to reduce both the cost and side effects.

Sore throat is one of the major post-operative complications. Despite efforts to reduce sore throat, this complication is still one of the main problems after surgery. The aim of this study was to analyze the effectiveness of ketamine gargle on sore throat after tracheal intubation. This double blind clinical trial was performed on 120, ASA-I and II, patients undergoing elective surgery for herniorrhaphy under general anesthesia. Patients in group 1 were gargled 40 mg ketamine in 30mg saline and in group 2, only 30ml saline. For third group we did not do any intervention. Postoperative sore throat was graded at 0, 2, 4 and 24 h after operation on Verbal Analogue Scale (0-4). Postoperative sore throat occurred less frequently in group 1, when compared with groups 2 and 3, but the difference was not significant. Frequently sore throat was reported at two hours after surgery. In this study, there was no severe (score 3) or very severe (score 4) sore throat. No systemic or local side effects were observed. In this study, ketamine gargle reduced the incidence and severity of post-operative sore throat. Therefore, gargling of ketamine solution is recommended for cases that need to tracheal intubation, especially when the probability of difficult intubation and post-operative sore throat is high.

Non-syndromic hearing loss may be induced by mutations in both nuclear and mitochondrial genes. Mutations in mtDNA are present in less than 1% of the children with pre-lingual deafness but are more prevalent later. Most of the molecular defects responsible for mitochondrial disorder, associated with hearing loss may be induced by mutations in the 12SrRNA and tRNA genes. This aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of three common mtDNA mutations including A1555G, A3243G and A7445G in a cohort of autosomal recessive non-syndromic hearing loss (ARNSHL) subjects in Sistan va Baluchestan province. In this descriptive- experimental based study, a total of 110. ARNSHL subjects from Sistan va Baluchestan province were investigated for three common mtDNA mutations using PCR-RFLP procedure. The possible mutations were confirmed by direct sequencing. None of the A1555G and A7445G mutations were detected in this study. However, we found one sample to carry A3243G mutation (0.9%). Moreover abolishing a MTTL1 restriction site close to A3243G mutation revealed a G3316A allelic variant in 0.9% of patients studied. This study showed that mtDNA mutations are responsible for less than 1% of pre-lingual ARNSHL associated subjects. The present study will improve the genetic counseling of hearing impaired patients in Sistan va Baluchestan province, Iran.

Asymmetric or combined lifting of objects is considered as the most important biomechanical factor in increasing the prevalence of low back pain (LBP) in the working environments. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of increasing resistance level on reaction time and electromyographic activity of trunk muscles during combined trunk motion. In this interventional study; after entering cases into the study consecutively, thirty young healthy men aligned with B200 isostation dynamometer in upright standing position randomly performed combined trunk motion against different levels of resistance (minimal resistance, 25, 50, 75% of MVC). The way of test performance was five combined trunk motion trip in two phases of upward and downward movements. The.Rout Mean Square of trunk muscles and temporal parameters of motor control was recorded by the Data Link device. Analysis of variance with repeated measures was used to test the effect of levels of resistance. The results of present study showed that in general, increasing resistance level associated significantly with the amount of RMS of trunk muscles (p=0.001) and motor time (p =0.004). Reaction time has also been increased but it had not any significant difference (p=0.058). Premotor time was not changed significantly (p>0.05). With increasing the level of resistance, trunk controllability reduces and the amount of error in motion system and internal loading will increase. Finally greater stress and strain impose into the annulus fibers, facet joints, soft tissue will increase the risk of injury.

Worksite Intervention Project from Isfahan Healthy Heart Program aiming at modifying life style of workers and staff in Isfahan and Najafabad (intervention areas), and Arak (reference area) carried out for 5 years. Nutritional interventions are one of the interventions of this project. This research aiming at studying the effect of these interventions on food consumption pattern changes carried out in workers and staff of Isfahan and Najafabad. Food consumption pattern by food frequency questionnaire and demographic information of this group were collected before, after and annually during the intervention. Data were analyzed by Genera Linear Models (GLM), descriptive and trend analysis. Beverage and hydrogenated oil consumption decreased and fruits and vegetables increased in workers and staff of intervention area more than reference area (p<0.003). Non-hydrogenated oils usage increased in workers of intervention area more than reference area but for the office staff increase was significantly more in reference than intervention areas (p<0.001). Nut usage significantly increased only in workers of intervention area (p<0.001). Poultry consumption significantly increased in workers and staff of reference more than intervention society (p=0.04). Use of fish showed no significant difference in workers and staff of both areas (p>0.27). Compare to reference society fast food consumption in office staff of intervention society was increased (p<0.001). We conclude that nutritional interventions have favorite effects on practice of workers and staff of this Iranian population and interventions used in this study can use as applicable interventions for similar societies.

Periodontal disease and dental caries are one of the most important factors of tooth loss and the most common oral health problem, therefore the present study was performed to assess oral hygiene index in the 12-years-old students in Zahedan city. In this descriptive-analytical study, Zahedan city (2009) was divided based on socio-economical situation in to two areas and 10 school (boys & girls school) from each area, and 47 students from each school, were selected randomly. Oral hygiene status of 942 12-years-old male and female students was assessed with OHI-S index. Data were analyzed by SPSS software version-15 (t-test and chi-square). The mean OHI-S was 1.43±0.72 and 44.7% persons had well OHI-S, 50.3% had medium OHI-S and 5% had poor OHI-S. The mean OHI-S was 1.42 in boys and 1.44 in girls. Correlation between OHI-S with father occupation (p=0.03) and sequences of tooth brushing (p=0.001) was significant. Oral hygiene status of studied students was in the middle and people who brushes their teeth more time, had higher OHI-S indices.

Formaldehyde is a chemical active material with stabilizer and disinfectant applications in pathology laboratories. One of its side-effects is respiratory problems which were studied in this research. Thirty-eight subjects exposed to formaldehyde and 23 unexposed personals at pathological laboratories were studied with regard to their respiratory symptoms and functions. “Exposure Questionnaire”, spirometry and environmental measurement were used for this purpose. Nasal and throat burning were achieved the highest incidence; and other symptoms including hoarseness, cough and dyspnea in exposure group, respectively. Many symptoms were significantly associated with time-pattern and/or exposure intensity. Unchanged spirometric values could be due to intermittent exposure. However, regarding to the high incidence rate of respiratory symptoms and high concentration of the formaldehyde in laboratories, effective ventilation.

Hyperimmunoglobulin E (HIE) syndrome is a rare immunodeficiency disorder. HIE syndrome has multiple abnormalities include recurrent skin abscesses (hence, the name Job syndrome), pneumonia, high serum levels of IgE, Facial, dental and skeletal features. We presented a case of HIE with dermatologic findings, recurrent productive cough and facial features. The diagnosis of HIE require differentiation from other disease. No definitive therapy is available for the treatment. The mainstay of treatment is the control of bacterial infections.