[Vitamin d alterations in food regimens and synaptic transmission in neuronal circuit]

In nervous system, through specific channels and some ionotropic receptors, calcium ion involves in synaptic transmission vitamin D takes an important role in cellular regulation as well. Calcium ion plays an important role in synaptic transmission through specific channels and some receptors such as NMDA receptors in the nervous system. In the present study we asked if alterations in vitamin D content of food regimens influence electrophysiological phenomena in hippocampal neuronal circuits. Adult rats under normal food regimen [CON], vitamin-D-free regimen [CON-D] or with a supplement of calcitriol [CON+D] were used in this study. Stimulating Schaffer colateral excitatory post synaptic field potentials [EPSP] were recorded in CA1 area of hippocampus. For inducing of long term potentiation [LTP] high frequency stimulation [HFS] was used as a tetanic stimulation. Changes in the amplitude of EPSPs were considered for comparison of the 3 tested groups. Our findings indicated that there was no difference between EPSP amplitude of the CON, CON+D and CON-D rats. On the other hand, LTP was induced only in the CON and CON+D animals. According to the findings, it seems that vitamin D deficiency considerably affect potentiation of the synaptic transmission. The probable mechanism can be vitamin D regulation of intracellular calcium concentration

[Effect of vitamin D deficiency and calcitriol supplementation on adult rats' learning and memory in Morris water maze]

Background: Vitamin D receptors have been presented in the areas involved in learning and memory. This study was done to assess the effect of the vitamin D deficiency and calcitriol supplementation on spatial learning and memory

Materials and Methods: Twenty seven male rats were divided into three groups [n=9 for each]: receiving normal [Control], diminished vitamin D [C-D] and calcitriol supplement [C+D] regimens for 45 days. The animals were introduced to the Morris water maze [MWM] trials [4trials/day for 5 consecutive days]. The delay in finding and distance passed to reach the target platform were measured as spatial learning. The probe test was performed on the 5[th] day of experiment

Results: The C-D group needed a longer time to reach the platform than the control and C+D animals [P<0.0001], demonstrating that vitamin D deficiency negatively affected the maze learning. On the other hand, calcitriol supplementation did not significantly influence the spatial learning. The probe trial was not affected by either vitamin D deficiency or calcitriol supplementation

Conclusion: Although vitamin D deficiency deteriorates the maze learning it dose not affect the spatial memory consolidation. Also, calcitriol supplementation for 45 days is not effective in cognitive phenomena

[Effects of omega 3 on serum level of malondialdehyde and homocysteine in type 2 diabetic patients]

Diabetes is regarded as a serious condition for both the individual and the society. One of the most important mortality reasons in diabetic patients is atherosclerosis. Many epidemiological studies have shown that the total homocysteine concentration is a risk indicator for cardiovascular disease. Malondialdehyde [MDA] also is a highly toxic by-product formed in part by lipid oxidation derived free radicals. Many studies have shown that its concentration increases considerably in diabetes mellitus. Epidemiological data indicate that the consumption of omega-3 unsaturated fatty acids [O3FA] leads to a reduction in cardiovascular disorders may protect against metabolic diseases. In recent years, numerous researches on omega-3 fatty acids have been done but it cannot be used as a confident additive. So in order to evaluate and compare the effects of omega 3 on malondialdehyde [as fat peroxidation indicator] and homocysteine on diabetic type 2 patients, this research was carried out in Tehran University. A randomized double blind placebo controlled clinical trial was conducted on 81 type 2 diabetic patients, 45-85 years old with diabetes for at least 2 years. Diabetic patients were randomly assigned to one of the case or control groups, each subject received 3 capsules per day of omega-3 or placebo for a period of 2 months. 10 ml blood was collected from each subject at the beginning and at the end of a 2-month trial. Serum MDA was determined with Tiobarbituric acid for more sensitivity and homosystein was measured by Hitachi autoanalyzer with Enzymatic Cycling method. Nutrients intakes were estimated using 24 h dietary recall questionnaire at the beginning and at the end of the 2-month trial for 2 days and analyzed by FPn. T-test also was used to compare groups. Comparing the meant +/- S.D of BMI and food intake in both groups showed no significant differences. MDA level degreased 0.72 nmol/ml in case group but the difference with the control group was not significant but the differences of homosystein level in case [3.10 micro mol/lit] and control [0.126 micro mol/lit] groups were significant. Consumption of omega-3 fatty acids supplementation [3 gr/per day] in capsul form can decrease the serum level of homocysteine in diabetic patients without inducing any changes in MDA level and lipid peroxidation

[Nutritional status and associated non-dietary factors in the elderly living in nursing homes of Tehran and Shemiranant, 2004]

To determine nutritional status and associated non-dietary factors in the elderly living in nursing homes of Tehran and Shemiranat, 2004. In a cross-sectional study that used two-stage cluster sampling, 290 elderly subjects were randomly selected from 15 nursing homes. We measured anthropometric indices and filled the MNA questionnaire] Mini Nutritional Assessment] and another one dealing with non-dietary factors associated with nutritional status. We calculated the total MNA score for nutritional status and determined the correlations between factors and total point were analyzed. In this survey, 12.8% of the subjects were malnourished and 56.2% were at risk of malnutrition. Data analysis indicated that the use of drugs, psychological stress or acute disease, mobility, neuropsychological problems, depression, time spend, self assessment of nutritional and health status had significant relationship with nutritional status as measured by the MNA. According to high percentage of malnourished subjects and those at risk of malnutrition, nutritional interventions seem necessary. In addition, to diagnose early malnutrition; we suggest filling the MNA questionnaire for every elderly person upon admission to the nursing home

Correlation of high viral BK load in the urine samples of patients with graft- versus-host with haemorrhagic infectious diseases of bladder after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

A possible temporal correlation between high BK virus [BKV] load in urine alone or in combination with acute graft versus host disease [GVHD] and the development of hemorrhagic cystitis [HC] was examined in this study. 31 allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplanted [SCT] patients were included in this study. BKV DNA was detected by nested and quantitative Real-Time PCR in the urine of 16 out of 31 patients. HC occurred in 6/16 patients with BKV DNA in their urine samples. BKV load was evaluated in the urine samples from 5 of 6 HC patients. Presence of BKV or BKV load >10[6] copies alone in urine samples showed some predictive ability for HC, while acute GVHD alone or conditioning regiments did not. However, during the period after SCT to HC onset a combination of BKV load >10[6] copies and acute GVHD, discriminated the best between HC [4/5] and non-HC [2/25] patients [p=0.003]. This study indicates that BKV DNA and particularly >10[6] BKV copies/microl of urine from SCT patients may have some predictive ability for HC. However, the best association to HC was achieved when a viral load of > 10[6] BKV copies/microl of urine was present in combination with acute GVHD

[ effects of breast feeding on pain of injection in newborns]

Pain control in newborns is one of the important tasks, which produced many controversies in pediatric medicine. Nowadays, it is proposed the usage of non-pharmacologic pain control methods. This study has been done to investigate the effect of breast feeding on pain control in newborns. A clinical trial was designed to evaluate analgesic effect of breast-feeding during injection of hepatitis B vaccine. 130 newborns had been referred for hepatitis B vaccination, were selected from Mirza Kochak Khan Hospital, Tehran, Iran. After describing the procedure was described the testimonial was took from parents. They were divided randomly in two groups. In cases group, feeding was begun two minutes before injection and continued for 45 seconds. In the control group injection was made without breast feeding. Pain assessment was performed with Douler Aigue Nouveaune [DAN] scale. In the case group 35.4% of newborns got 4 points and no one got more than 7 points according to DAN scale. In contrast the control group 32.4% got 8 points or more and no one got less than 3 points. The mean of pain severity in case group was 3.5 and in control group was 6.7 and it show significant difference according to Mann-Whitney U test [p<0.0001]. This study shows that breast-feeding can significantly reduce pain in newborns. Therefore, we suggest this simple method generally for all painful procedure to prevent the development of possible permanent psychological effects in newborns

Multidisciplinary intervention for reducing malnutrition among children in the Islamic Republic of Iran

A multidisciplinary intervention to reduce protein-energy malnutrition among children in rural areas was piloted in 3 provinces of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Based on an initial situation analysis, a range of interventions were implemented through local nongovernmental organizations, including nutrition, health and literacy education for mothers, improved growth monitoring and fostering rural cooperatives and income generation schemes. Malnutrition before and after the intervention [in 1996 and 1999] was assessed using anthropometric measurements of r and om samples of children aged 6-35 months in control and intervention areas. Three years into the intervention, all indicators of malnutrition had consistently decreased in all intervention areas and the prevalence of underweight and stunting was significantly lower. Control areas showed a mixed pattern of small increases and decreases in malnutrition indicators

Prevention of hyperbilirubinemia by needle aspiration of subaponeurotic hemorrhage

Needle aspiration of massive subaponeurotic hemorrhage was performed in two neonates. Both infant's serum bilirubin dropped following the procedure and remained within physiologic range. We believe this approach may be advised in high risk babies in an attempt to avoid exchange transfusion. Severe hemorrhage under epicranial aponeurosis and in the subcutaneous tissue of the scalp by spontaneous as well as vacuum extraction deliveries has been reported frequently. The result of such a hemorrhage is acute anemia and severe hyperbilirubinemia. To our knowledge, needle aspiration of such hemorrhages has not been attempted as a means to prevent hyperbilirubinemia in the neonate. We are presenting here two cases in which an extremely severe subaponeurotic hemorrhage was needle aspirated in an attempt to prevent dangerous hyperbilirubinemia