Showing papers by "Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences and Health Services published in 1994"

Activation of vasopressin neurons in aging and Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract: The supraoptic (SON) and paraventricular nuclei (PVN) of the human hypothalamus are production sites of vasopressin (AVP) and oxytocin (OXT). Although the hypothalamus is affected in Alzheimer's disease (AD), previous work has not only shown that in these two nuclei no neurons are lost, neither during aging nor in AD, but that the number of AVP-expressing neurons and their nucleolar size had even increased with age. These observations indicated that the peptide synthesis of the AVP neurons was activated in the oldest age-groups. Recently published, qualitative observations, using the area of the Golgi Apparatus (GA) as a sensitive parameter for neurosecretory activity, confirmed the activation of SON and PVN neurons with age in human; however, in this report the neurons were not identified according to their neuropeptide content. In the present quantitative study we determined whether the AVP neurons were indeed activated as a result of the aging process in controls and AD patients. We applied a polyclonal antiserum directed against the medial cisternae of the GA on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections taken from the dorsolateral SON (dl-SON) of 10 controls and 10 AD patients, and performed our measurements in this area that is known to be predominantly occupied (90–95%) by AVP neurons. In addition, the sparse OXT cells present in the area of study, were excluded from the measurements on the basis of alternative sections stained for OXT. In the dl-SON, the area occupied by the GA and the cellular profile area per patient were quantified by means of image analysis. The results show a significant increase in GA area with age in controls and in AD, demonstrating an activation of the AVP neurons in the dl-SON of the human hypothalamus in these two conditions. No changes were observed in the cellular profile areas with age, neither in the controls nor in AD, suggesting that the GA area is a much more sensitive parameter for monitoring activity changes in post-mortem material than neuronal size. It is proposed that this activation of AVP cells with age, which has been suggested to be a compensatory response to the age-related loss of AVP receptors in the kidney, might be the basis of the stability of these neurons in aging and AD.

Surgical management of intraretinal foreign bodies.

Abstract: PURPOSE To identify the clinical features in eyes with intraretinal foreign bodies (IRFBs) and evaluate the results of surgical management in these cases. METHODS The records of 75 patients (76 eyes) with IRFBs were retrospectively reviewed. All eyes underwent vitrectomy. The IRFBs were removed with intraocular forceps in 45 eyes (59.2%) and by magnetic extraction in 31 eyes (40.8%), either through pars plana sclerotomy or through the sclera over the IRFB after precise localization. Laser photocoagulation or cryotherapy was performed around the IRFB before surgery in 38 eyes. RESULTS The average follow-up period was 34 months. Of the 75 patients, 46 (61.3%) were injured at war. The IRFBs were metallic in 71 (93.4%) eyes. Of these, 59 (83%) were ferromagnetic. In these 76 eyes, final visual acuity was 20/15-20/40 in 37 (48.6%), and 20/50-20/200 in another 10 (13%). In 19 eyes (25%), partial or total retinal detachment was present at the final follow-up examination. CONCLUSION Surgical management of IRFBs is a complicated procedure. The appropriate route of removal may be determined by the type and site of the embedded IRFB. Performance of a meticulous vitrectomy is mandatory, and an attempt should be made to minimize the rate of iatrogenic peripleral retinal breaks. Preoperative retinopexy around the site of the embedded foreign body is recommended, if possible, to reduce the risk of retinal detachment. The prognosis in eyes with IRFBs and rhegmatogenous retinal detachment is guarded.

Temporary keratoprosthesis for surgical management of complicated combined anterior and posterior segment injuries to the eye: combat- versus noncombat-injury cases.

Abstract: We used a Landers-Foulks temporary keratoprosthesis lens to combine penetrating keratoplasty with vitreoretinal surgery in 21 eyes of 21 patients. Ten of these patients were victims of combat injuries; 11 had traumatic injuries unrelated to war. After a mean follow up of 11 months, satisfactory overall results, ie, an attached retina and a clear cornea, were obtained in nine eyes (42.8%). In two, the retina was attached but the corneal graft was rejected. Eight eyes achieved a visual acuity of 5/200 or better. The visual prognosis as well as the rate of retinal reattachment for the combat-injured eyes were poorer than those for the traumatic noncombat-injured eyes. At the last follow-up examination, 60% of the combat-injured eyes were considered visually lost, as compared with 36.3% of the noncombat-injured eyes.

Seroprevalence of toxoplasma antibodies among pregnant women in kerman shah

Abstract: Sera from 495 pregnant women were examined for toxoplasma antibodies by indirect fluorescent antibody testing (IFAT). Antibodies were positive in 32.7%. Seropositivity was not increased significantly with age but showed a statistically significant rise in accordance with frequency of parity, abortion and contact with cats. The high rate of seronegativity (67.3%) observed in pregnant women represents a high risk group for acquiring toxoplasma infection and also congenital toxoplasmosis. MJIRI, Vol. 8, No.2, 93-95, 1994. Volume 8 Number 2 Summer 1373 Augu�t 1994

Carotid body tumors our experience with 20 patients

Abstract: In this report of 20 patients with 24 carotid body tumors which is the largest series reported so far from Iran, we have evaluated the various char­ acteristics of this relatively rare tumor in our population and compared our results with that of the literature. Although the prevalence of the tumor is cited to be equal among both sexes, we found a female to male ratio of 2.3 to I, as 14 of our patients were female and 6 were male. The tumor was as equally frequent on the right as it was on the left, and was bilateral in four cases. The average tumor size was 5.3 em in diameter and was found to be malignant in four cases. The results we obtained following the careful surgical technique which is described in detail compares quite favorably with that in the literature: 3 cases of cranial nerve injury (12.5%) compared to an average of 45% nerve injury in the reports, and no perioperative death versus 2% perioperative mortality in the literature. Also we had no instances of stroke, transient ischemia, Horner's syndrome, or other complications. We propose the surgi­ cal technique detailed by the author as the method of choice for treatment of carotid body tumors in Iranian patients. M1IRI, Vol. 8, No.3, 141-147, 1994. Volume H

Neurofibromatosis presenting as scrotal elephanti asis

Abstract: Neurofibromatosis being manifested as scrotal elephantiasis is a very rare condition and in review of the literature no such presentation was found. Here we report a 20 year old man who presented with scrotal elephantiasis and consequently, a pathological diagnosis of neurofibromatosis was reached. MIINI, \\101.8, No.2, 137-139, 1994. Keywurds: Scrotal mass. Neurofibromatosis. Elephantiasis, Scrotal lymphedema Volumc M Number 2. Summer 1373 August J994