Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences and Health Services

About: Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences and Health Services is a education organization based out in Tehran, Iran. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Medicine. The organization has 19456 authors who have published 33659 publications receiving 365676 citations.

Consanguinity in Primary Immunodeficiency Disorders; the Report from Iranian Primary Immunodeficiency Registry

Abstract: PROBLEM:Primary Immunodeficiency Disorders (PiD) are a heterogeneous group of genetic disorders, with different modes of inheritance. This study was accomplished in order to determine the frequency of consanguineous marriages in the families of patients with PiD. METHOD:In this study, the records 515 Iranian PiD patients were reviewed during a 25-year period. RESULTS:The mean proportion of consanguineous marriages was 65.6% among PiD patients, while the overall rate was 38.6% in the country. The rate of consanguinity was 77.8% in cellular immunodeficiencies, 75.8% in combined immunodeficiencies, 72.5% in defects of phagocytic function, 58.6% in other immunodefiiencies, 54.1% in predominantly antibody deficiencies, and 50% in complement deficiencies. Moreover all patients with immunodeficiency associated with other diseases had consanguineous parents. Such marriages were most common in the parents of patients with Chediak-Higashi syndrome, severe combined immunodeficiencies, primary CD4 deficiency, ataxia-telangiectasia, selective IgG class deficiencies, chronic granulomatous disease, and Schwachman syndrome. CONCLUSIONS:It is important to inform the general population about the dangers of consanguinity, which is very common in some areas such as Iran. Premarital examination to avoid genetic diseases could be suggested, especially in a community where the rate of consanguineous marriage is high.

Lifestyle Modifications to Prevent and Control Hypertension.

Abstract: Hypertension is the most important, modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease and mortality. High salt intake may predispose children to develop hypertension later. A modest reduction in population salt intake worldwide would result in a major improvement in public health. Regarding smoking as another risk factor, there are various strategies that can be used to promote smoking cessation. Physicians are in an excellent position to help their patients stop smoking. Targeted weight loss interventions in population subgroups might be more effective for the prevention of hypertension than a general-population approach. A diet rich in high-potassium fruit and vegetables is strongly recommended. Fresh products are best; normal potassium content is reduced when foods are canned or frozen. Calcium supplementation reduces blood pressure in hypertensive individuals during chronic nitric oxide synthase inhibition and high calcium diet enhances vasorelaxation in nitric oxide-deficient hypertension. Magnesium should be considered by anyone seeking to prevent or treat high blood pressure. The foundation for a healthy blood pressure consists of a healthy diet, adequate exercise, stress reduction, and sufficient amounts of potassium and magnesium, but further investigations are required before making definitive therapeutic recommendations on magnesium use. Alcohol usage is a more frequent contributor to hypertension than is generally appreciated. For hypertensive patients in whom stress appears to be an important issue, stress management should be considered as an intervention. Individualized cognitive behavioral interventions are more likely to be effective than single-component interventions.

Antifungal and antibacterial activities of allicin: A review

Abstract: Background Up until the early twentieth century infectious diseases were the most common and serious health problem worldwide, with degenerative disorders only dominating in certain parts of the world, such as Europe, relatively recently. As one of the most important challenges in the treatment of infection, much attention is currently focused on natural products as an alternative strategy against antibiotic resistance, due to their high therapeutic effects and low adverse reactions. Garlic is a well-known spice from the Alliaceae family that is widely used in traditional medicine for its wide variety of therapeutic properties, especially its potent antimicrobial effects. This species contains a unique class of organosulfur compound called allicin. A wide range of evidence has revealed the therapeutic effect of this compound on fungal and bacterial infection. Scope and approach This paper critically reviews the available evidence of the antifungal and antibacterial activities of allicin. Its chemistry, bioavailability and natural sources are also discussed. Key findings and conclusions During the past two decades, much attention has been focused on the antibacterial and antifungal potential of allicin against multi-drug resistant microorganisms. Despite promising in vitro results, the in vivo activity of allicin has not yet been well documented in preclinical and clinical efficacy trials. Due to some adverse effects, further studies are required to confirm the potential therapeutic use of allicin as an antimicrobial agent. Pharmacokinetic studies should be performed in order to improve the bioavailability of allicin by employing different delivery systems.

Pentacam top indices for diagnosing subclinical and definite keratoconus.

Abstract: Purpose To determine pachymetric, aberrometric, and topometric indices in patients with definite and subclinical keratoconus and the validity of these indices in the diagnosis of keratoconus.