Tehran University of Medical Sciences

About: Tehran University of Medical Sciences is a education organization based out in Tehran, Iran. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Medicine. The organization has 35661 authors who have published 57234 publications receiving 878523 citations. The organization is also known as: TUMS.

Phase II Study of Single-Agent Arsenic Trioxide for the Front-Line Therapy of Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia

Abstract: Purpose The long-term follow-up results of patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) treated with all-trans retinoic acid and chemotherapy show high cure rates. Several studies have shown high efficacy of single-agent arsenic trioxide in newly diagnosed APL. However, long-term follow-up results are needed. Patients and Methods One hundred ninety-seven patients with newly diagnosed APL were treated with arsenic trioxide 0.15 mg/kg daily intravenous infusion until complete remission (CR). After achieving CR, the patients received one to four more courses of therapy with arsenic trioxide as consolidation and were observed with reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction studies from peripheral blood (to detect of minimal residual disease) every 3 months or until relapse or death. Results The morphologic CR rate was 85.8%. The most common cause of remission failure was early death owing to APL differentiation syndrome (13.2%). The most important prognostic factor for early mortality was a high WBC count at presentation. The 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) rate was 66.7% 4% (SE). Relapse after 5 years in CR was rare. The 5-year overall survival (OS) rate by intention-to-treat analysis was 64.4% 4%. In patients who achieved CR, OS and DFS were identical.

Obesity and associated lifestyle behaviours in Iran: findings from the First National Non-communicable Disease Risk Factor Surveillance Survey

Abstract: Objective: To assess the national prevalence of overweight and obesity, as well as some associated lifestyle behaviours, for the first time in Iran. Design and Settings: This population-based study was performed in early 2005 as part of the World Health Organization (WHO) STEPwise approach to noncommunicable diseases’ risk factor surveillance. Dietary and physical activity habits were assessed by WHO questionnaires. Subjects: The study population comprised 89532 subjects aged over 15 years living in the 28 provinces of Iran. Results: Overall, 50.4% (n 545113) of the participants were male and 64.6% (n 557866) were from the urban areas. The national estimates of overweight, obesity and morbid obesity were 28.6%, 10.8% and 3.4%, respectively. Body mass index (BMI) $25kgm 22 in men, women, urban residents and rural residents were found in 37%, 48%, 46.7% and 35.5%, respectively. Abdominal obesity was present in 43.4% of women, 9.7% of men, 28.5% of the urban residents and 23% of the rural residents. Overweight as well as generalised and abdominal obesity were more prevalent in the 45‐64-year age group. Although there was no significant difference in frequency of consumption of the food groups in subjects with different BMI categories, various kinds of physical activities showed a steady decline with increasing BMI. Conclusions: The findings of the present study provide alarming evidence for health professionals and policy makers about the very high prevalence of generalised and abdominal obesity in Iran. The unhealthy lifestyle habits, notably sedentary lifestyles in our community, are the major contributing factors for this emerging public health problem.

Graphene oxide strongly inhibits amyloid beta fibrillation

Abstract: Since amyloid beta fibrillation (AβF) plays an important role in the development of neurodegenerative diseases, we investigated the effect of graphene oxide (GO) and their protein-coated surfaces on the kinetics of Aβ fibrillation in the aqueous solution. We showed that GO and their protein-covered surfaces delay the AβF process via adsorption of amyloid monomers. Also, the large available surface of GO sheets can delay the AβF process by adsorption of amyloid monomers. The inhibitory effect of the GO sheet was increased when we increase the concentration from 10% (in vitro; stimulated media) to 100% (in vivo; stimulated media). Conclusion: our results revealed that GO and their surface proteins inhibit AβF by decreasing the kinetic reaction.

Rituximab in intractable ocular lesions of Behcet's disease; randomized single-blind control study (pilot study).

Abstract: Background: Ocular lesions, the main morbidity of Behcet’s disease (BD), are the most difficult to treat. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of rituximab. Methods: Inclusion criteria were retinal vasculitis and edema, resistant to cytotoxic drugs. Twenty patients were randomized to a rituximab group (RG) or cytotoxic combination therapy group (CCTG). Rituximab was given in two 1000-mg courses (15-day interval). Subjects received methotrexate (15 mg/weekly) with prednisolone (0.5 mg/kg per day). The CCTG received pulse cyclophosphamide (1000 mg/monthly), azathioprine (2‐3 mg/kg per day) and prednisolone (0.5 mg/kg per day). The primary endpoint was the overall state of patients’ eyes and the Total Adjusted Disease Activity Index (TADAI). Secondary endpoints were: visual acuity (VA), posterior uveitis (PU), and retinal vasculitis (RV). The baseline data were compared at 6 months by paired sample t-test and analysis of variance. Results: TADAI improved significantly in the RG (t = 3.340, P = 0.009), but not in the CCTG (t = 2.241, P = 0.052). For secondary endpoints (RG/CCTG), the mean VA improved in two patients versus three (2/3), remained unchanged in 1/1, and worsened in 7/6 patients. The mean PU improved significantly in the RG (t = 3.943, P = 0.001), not in the CCTG (t = 2.371, P = 0.028). RV improved, but not statistically (t = 2.027, P = 0.057 vs. t = 1.045, P = 0.31). Edema of retina, disc and macula improved significantly in both, but much better for the RG (t = 2.781, P = 0.012 vs. t = 2.707, P = 0.014). Conclusion: Rituximab was efficient in severe ocular manifestations of BD, TADAI improved significantly after 6 months with rituximab, but not with CCT.

Zinc sulfate as an adjunct to methylphenidate for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children: A double blind and randomized trial [ISRCTN64132371]

Abstract: Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder is an early-onset, clinically heterogenous disorder of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness The diagnosis and treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder continues to raise controversy, and, there is also an increase in treatment options In this 6-week double blind, placebo controlled-trial, we assessed the effects of zinc plus methylphenidate in the treatment of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first double blind and placebo controlled clinical trial assessing the adjunctive role of zinc in ADHD Our subjects were 44 outpatient children (26 boys and 18 girls) between the ages of 5–11 (mean ± SD was 788 ± 167) who clearly met the DSM IV diagnostic criteria for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and they were randomized to methylphenidate 1 mg/kg/day + zinc sulfate 55 mg/day (with approximately 15 mg zinc element) (group 1) and methylphenidate 1 mg/kg/day + placebo (sucrose 55 mg) (group 2) for a 6 week double blind clinical trial The principal measure of the outcome was the Teacher and Parent ADHD Rating Scale Patients were assessed by a child psychiatrist at baseline, 14, 28 and 42 days after the medication started The present study shows the Parent and Teacher Rating Scale scores improved with zinc sulfate over this 6-week, double blind and placebo controlled trial The behavior of the two treatments was not homogeneous across the time The difference between the two protocols was significant as indicated by the effect on the group, the between-subjects factor (F = 415, df = 1, P = 004; F = 450, df = 1, P = 004 respectively) The difference between the two groups in the frequency of side effects was not significant This double-blind, placebo-controlled study demonstrated that zinc as a supplementary medication might be beneficial in the treatment of children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder However, further investigations and different doses of zinc are required to replicate these findings in children with ADHD