[Comparison of serum level of heat shock protein 27 [HSP 27] and the amount of DNA damage in acute myocardial infarction patients]

Introduction: Atherosclerosis is most common cause of acute myocardial infarction [MI] and can lead to increased oxidative stress and damage to macromolecules. The aim of this study was to determine the amount of 8-Hydroxydeoxyguanosine [8- OHdG] as a marker of damage to the DNA and the levels of heat shock protein HSP27 in acute myocardial infarction [MI] patients

Materials and Methods: In this case-control study, 30 patients with acute MI were enrolled. Serum levels of HSP27, 8-OHdG, cardiac troponin I [C-TnI], creatine kinase [CK-MB] and levels of total antioxidant and malondialdehyde were assessed. Data were analyzed by SPSS 16 and T-test analysis at the significant level of P50.05

Results: Data analysis showed that serum levels of HSP27 and 8-OHdG in acute MI patients peaked [8-OHdG=9.8 +/- 2.1, HSP27=81 +/- 3.1] after 48 hours of the attack showing a significant increase [HSP27=9.7 +/- 1.8, 8-OHdG=4.4 +/- 1.2] [P50.05] in comparison to healthy controls. Levels of the enzyme CK-MB 24 hours and CTnI and malondialdehyde after 48 hours after acute MI showed the highest values

Conclusion: Increase in markers of DNA damage and heat shock protein levels in MI patients, verify high levels of oxidative stress in MI, indicating that evaluation of changes in 8-OHdG and heat shock proteins is a valuable way to assess the level of damage to macromolecules during acute MI

[Trends of alterations in disparities of mortality in rural areas of different provinces [Iran, 1993-2008]]

Reduction of health inequalities is one of the main objectives of health systems. To attain this objective, special methods for measurement of inequalities are required. This study was performed to assess the trends of disparities of death indices in rural areas of Iran's provinces in a period of 15 years from 1993 to 2008, by use of highest to lowest rate ratio [RR] and index of disparity [ID[isp]]. In this study, we used the data extracted from vital horoscopes or 'Zij' of rural areas in provincial and district areas to study the trend of alterations in disparities of mortality. We estimated the annual index of disparity [ID[isp]] and highest-to-lowest mortality rate ratio [RR] for every index; and the trend of alterations was studied in a period of 15 years. In spite of the regular decreasing trend of mortality indices, the trend of alterations of ID[isp] for NMR, IMR, and U5MR was irregular at different times. The ID[isp] for CDR was increasing. The RRs indices had irregular trends. In spite of obvious improvement in all indices studied in this country, the trends of alterations in disparities of mortality indices were not desirable. We concluded new policies and programs are required to decrease health disparities between provinces

[Predictive value of nucleated red blood cell counts in cord and peripheral blood of asphyxiated term neonates in the first week of life]

Increased numbers of nucleated red blood Cells [NRBC] circulating in the blood of neonates can be associated with relative hypoxia and adverse outcomes. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the NRBC count during the first week of life in neonates diagnosed with asphyxia as compared to healthy neonates and to determine the short-term morbidity and mortality for the affected babies. The cross-sectional study compared 15 healthy neonates with 15 neonates diagnosed with asphyxia confirmed by pH of cord blood or Apgar scores. The nucleated red blood cell [NRBC] counts were calculated right after birth, and on days 3 and 7, and the hematological parameters of umbilical cord blood were also evaluated. The infants were followed for mortality and associated morbidity. Statistical analysis was conducted using the Mann-Whitney U test, analysis of variance, chi-square tests, and Pearson's correlation coefficient. A p- value <0.05 was considered as statistically significant. The initial NRBC counts were significantly higher in the asphyxiated group than in the control group and the difference remained significant through the end of first week. All of the umbilical cord blood parameters were significantly lower in the study group and were negatively correlated with the NRBC count. At birth, higher NRBC count correlated with higher mortality. Results show that NRBC count is a useful predictive factor for neonatal asphyxia through the end of the first week of life, although a larger study population and a longer follow up period seems to be necessary

[Community-acquiured methicillin-resistart Staphylococcus aureus: prevalence and risk factors]

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus [MRSA] is resistant to most antibiotics and is an important pathogen of nosocomial infections. Colonization with MRSA is no longer limited to hospitalized patients or persons with predisposing risk factors and at present there are several strains of community-acquired MRSA [CA-MRSA]. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and also the colonization-associated risk factors. This cross-sectional study was conducted through random sampling of 1083 patients admitted to Qazvin hospitals from 2004 to 2006. Nasal swabs were obtained at admission and cultured on mannitol salt agar. Oxacillin-screening plate was used to demonstrate methicillin-resistance strains of SA [according to NCCLS guidelines]. Demographic and specific information were collected by questionnaire. Data were analyzed by Chi square test. The participants' age group ranged between 2 to 94 years [mean 42.24] among those, 468 [43.2%] were males and 615 [56.8%] females with 613 [56.6%] living in urban areas. Of 1083 individuals, 56 [5.2%] were SA carrier, 51 [4.7%] colonized with MSSA and 5[0.5%] with MRSA strains. Several factors such as occupation, family size, previous hospitalization, history of antibiotic therapy within the previous 2 months, and also the presence of chronic diseases were assessed, however, no significant relationship with MRSA colonization was found [p > 0.05]. This study confirmed the presence of CA-MRSA in Qazvin. There was no significant relationship between the prevalence of CA-MRSA strains and the risk factors

[A case report of penis agenesis [aphallia]]

A neonate was admitted on the second day of birth in the pediatric ward of Kerman medical sciences university No.1 Hospital, because of abdominal distention and the absence of penis. Physical findings were lethargia, infancy hyporeflexia, abdominal distention without any organomegally, and absence of penis, two touchable masses in the scrotum and a hole on scrotum for urine discharge. CBC and electrolytes were normal. Urea and creatinin were higher than normal rate but decreased to normal rate on the 4[th] day of birth. Urine analysis showed a lot of white and red cells and bacteria, but urine culture and blood culture were negative. Abdominal radiography revealed intestinal lobes full of gas, but there was no gas in the rectum. Barium enema was normal. Vertebral radiograph and echocardiograph were normal. Abdominal sonography showed pyelocalisil distention in both kidneys, but more in the left kidney, right scrotum and a hypoplastic penis in scrotum. In CT-Scan, perfusion and function of right kidney were normal while no perfusion and function were observed in the left kidney. The karyotype was 46XY. Abdominal distention was relieved after the washing of rectum with normal salin and discharge of gas and meconium. Urea and creatinin levels decreased to normal rate and oral feeding was started. The neonate was discharged because of parents' discontent for genital repair, but readmitted on the 41[st] day of birth due to urinary retention and visiculotomy was performed. Genital repair was not done due to parents' discontent