Fish and egg specific immunoglobin E in multiple sclerosis patients

The effect of nutrition in the course of multiple sclerosis [MS] is a topic of great interest. The present study was aimed to evaluate the immunoglobin E [IgE] against egg and fish in MS patients compared to healthy controls. Between March 2012 and July 2012, 48 MS patients were selected and compared with 48 healthy subjects to assess the frequency of IgE against egg and fish in MS patients compared to healthy control. Fish and Egg specific IgE was determined by Immuno CAP. Sex and the frequency of specific IgE were compared between study groups by Chi-square test. Total of 96 subjects was assessed [22% male and 78% female]. The mean age of the study subjects was 30.8 +/- 6.6 years. Mean age of case and control groups was 30.7 [ +/- 6.9] versus 30.9 +/- 6.3, respectively [P = 0.83]. There were no detection of egg and fish specific IgE in serum of MS patients and healthy subjects. IgE allergy against fish and egg may be very unlikely to affect MS course

Preliminary study related the incidence of methylprednisolone pulse therapy in patients visited multiple sclerosis clinic located at the Isfahan Kashani hospital

To manage relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis [MS] in the course of acute exacerbations, methylprednisolone [MP] [Medrol or Solu-Medrol], has the ability to lock the injured blood-brain barrier and decrease irritation in the central nervous system. The aim of this preliminary study was to investigate the frequency and time interval related to MP pulse therapy in patients with MS. This Study is conducted in the MS clinic of the Isfahan Kashani hospital, that was carried out on patients [n= 901] from June 2011 to December 2012. Patients who visited MS clinic just for once disinterested from analysis. According to the incidence of MP pulse therapy in females and males, two groups were made. Group 1 included patients with 2-3 times and Group 2 included patients with more than 4 times pulse therapy. Demographical data, pharmacological variables including number and time interval related to pulse therapy for each individual were recorded in dBase. The statistical analyses of d-Base were performed using SPSS. 901 patients in 1592 occasions were studied. The mean age of patients was 34.6 years old [ranged: 8-87 years old]. 586 patients included 465 females and 121 males visited MS clinic just for once. 245 females in 797 occasions and 70 males in 209 occasions received pulse therapy with a mean of 4 times [ranged: 2-11 times]. 51.1% and 48.9% of patients received MP pulse therapy for two and more than two up to 11 times respectively. In the 70% of the patients' time interval between pulse therapy was with a mean of 137 days [ranged: 28-480 days]. For pulse therapy, it seems that the female subjects refer to clinic are approximately 3.7 times higher than male subjects. To reduce the demand of patients to pulse therapy, disease management could be rationalized on the basis of illness expansion and its correlation to inter and intra individual variability. Finally, to understand the effectiveness of pharmacotherapy, in MS population [Isfahan/Iran], clinical neuropharmacology in relation to better understand of the individualized pharmacokinetics could be useful

Study of type A and B behavior patterns in patients with multiple sclerosis in an Iranian population

In adults, throughout life, uniqueness maintains the equivalent; but, it might be tailored in the track of neurological disarrays. As in the partition of cognitive function associated with multiple sclerosis [MS], numerous studies have been performed, but there are very few reports in this area of behavior. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of personality types A and B in relation to individuals' behaviors with MS and type A behavior with demographic characteristics and the level of disability. A cross-sectional descriptive study was performed between September 2010 and March 2011 on 50 patients who were referred to MS clinic [located at the Kashani hospital], Isfahan Neurosciences Research Centre [INRC]. The subjects were evaluated using Friedman and Rosenman questioner and the Expanded Disability Status Scale [EDSS]. The data were analyzed by SPSS software [version 17] based on Chi-square test and independent T-test. Of the subjects, 65% were of personality type A and 35% were of personality type B [X2: 3.5, P < 0.05]. There were no significant differences in individuals with type A behavior in relation to gender and marital status. In connection to EDSS [EDSS < 4.5 or EDSS > 4.5], patients with higher EDSS score, i.e., individuals with EDSS > 4.5 mostly had type A behavior pattern. People with type A behavior pattern are reported to have more stress, nervousness, and anxiety. In this study, MS patients had more characteristics of type A than type B behavior. This behavior was increased in individuals with EDSS score >4.5

Preliminary evaluations related to the ranges of hematological and biochemical variables in hospitalized patients with stroke

According to the international reports, brain stroke is the main reason of death and disability. In ischemic stroke, early and precise classification of patients who may profit from conflicting finest therapeutic interference is necessary if enhanced effects in terms of survival are to be talented. Due to uncomplicated, easy performance, and inexpensive method the aim of this preliminary study was to investigate changes related to biochemical and hematological variables in patients with stroke. A cross-sectional study located at the neurology ward of the Ayatolah Kashani and Alzahra Hospitals' [conducted to Isfahan Neurosciences Research Center] was carried out on fifty patients [females; n = 20 and males; n = 30] between April 1, 2012 and September 31, 2012. The data from subjects' records were taken for analyzing variables. The statistical analysis of d-base was performed using [SPSS] for windows. Analysis of available data showed that with a mean of 182.4 mg/dl, blood sugar [BS] ranged from 75 to 300 mg/dl [n = 15/50]. The changes in hemoglobin [Hgb] [mean 4.6 g/dl, n = 27/50], platelet [mean 210, 653/mm[3], n = 26/50] and lymphocyte [Lymph] [mean 37, n = 26/50] seems to be significant. The mean age of females was 76 years [ranged 46-93 years]. The mean age of males was 70 years [ranged 31-90 years]. Information related to previous drug history was available only in 24 patients. In 5 out of 22 cases ischemic heart disease [IHD] were positive. In 8 out of 29 cases, diabetes mellitus was positive. In 5 out of 28 cases, hypertension [HTN] was positive. In the four patients both IHD and HTN were positive. Any considerable alter in patients' biochemical and hematological figures [BS, Hgb, Plt and Lymph] may necessitate further attention related to inter- and intra-individual variability in clinical supervision and drug's assortment. Therefore, success in treatment could be achieved by the close management of clinical, biochemical, hematological, and pharmacological manifestation. To reduce disability, mortality, and morbidity in Iranian stroke population further clinical studies are needed to correlate drugs and laboratory markers to associated clinical events in order

Mutation analysis of slc2oa2and spp2as candidate genes for familial idiopathic basal ganglia calcification

Familial Idiopathic Basal Ganglia Calcification [IBGC] is a rare neurodegenerative disorder which is usually transmitted as an autosomal dominant trait. IBGC is genetically heterogeneous and SLC2OA2, on chromosome 8p21.1-8q11.23, is the first gene found in IBGC-affected patients with varied ancestry. On the other hand, several candidate genes for IBGC on chromosome 2q37, including the SPP2 gene, may play a role in inhibiting calcification. Totally, 22 members of a three generational Iranian family affected by IBGC, with an autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance were included in this study. DMA was extracted from the whole blood using standard salting out method. To find a mutation responsible for IBGC, we sequenced the coding region of SLC2OA2 as well as promoter and coding region of SPP2 in the index subject of IBGC-affected family. Pathogenic mutation was found neither in SLC2OA2 nor in SPPZ Our results strengthen genetic heterogeneity of this condition. Additional mutation studies are necessary to find a gene or genes responsible for IBGC in this affected family

Interferon-beta in pediatric multiple sclerosis patients: safety in short-term prescription

None of the approved immunomodulatory drugs in adults Multiple Sclerosis [MS] patients have been officially approved for the pediatric patients and are currently used off-label in this population. In this study, we evaluated the effectiveness and tolerability of intramuscular interferon beta1-a [Avonex[registered]] and subcutaneously injected interferon beta1-b [Betaferon[registered]] in children with definite relapsing-remitting MS [RRMS]. Thirteen patients aged younger than 16, who were recently diagnosed with definite RRMS according to the McDonald's criteria, were enrolled in this study. Six patients were treated with Avonex[registered] 30 micro g, intramuscularly every week, and seven patients were treated with Betaferon[registered] 250 micro g, subcutaneously every other day. All patients were treated with adult doses; initially interferon-beta was prescribed with half dose, and it was increased to full adult dose steadily. Eleven girls and two boys, mean [SD] age of 14.7 [1.9] years, were studied. Following nine months of using interferon-beta, nine patients [69.2%] had no relapses and the remaining four, experienced only one relapse. The mean EDSS score was decreased significantly after the study period. The present study provides reasonable data for the use of interferon-beta in Pediatric MS due to lack of short-term complications and safety. Studies with larger sample size and longer follow up duration are required to shed light on the long term impact of the interferon-beta therapy in children

case of wolfram syndrome

To report a case of Wolfram syndrome characterized by early onset diabetes mellitus and progressive optic atrophy. A 20-year-old male patient with diabetes mellitus type I presented with best corrected visual acuity of 1/10 in both eyes with correction of -0.25+1.50@55 and -0.25+1.50@131 in his right and left eyes, respectively. Bilateral optic atrophy was evident on fundus examination. The patient also had diabetes insipidus, neurosensory deafness, neurogenic bladder, polyuria and extra-residual voiding indicating atony of the urinary tract, combined with delayed sexual maturity. One should consider Wolfram syndrome in patients with juvenile onset diabetes mellitus and hearing loss. Ophthalmological examination may disclose optic atrophy; urologic examinations are vital in such patients

Headache in multiple sclerosis

Multiple Sclerosis [MS] is a common neurological disease in young adults with variable clinical symptoms and signs. Many of MS patients experience headache. This study was done to evaluate the prevalence of headache in MS patients. This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in MS clinics affiliated to Isfahan university of Medical Sciences in the first six months of 1380. For each patient a questionnaire was filled according to history and examination, and the data was analyzed by SPSS program. From 100 patients, 67% had headache and 86.6% of them were women.Tension headache in 47.7% and migraine headache in 34.3% was reported of 100 patients, 23 of them had migraine headache, 36 patients had history of headache before the onset of MS, whom in 52.8% severity of headache was increased. of patients 10.4% had headache at the onset of MS and in 6.8% headache was the first symptom of MS. The neurological signs and symptoms were presented after headache. According to this study different types of headaches are common in MS and the migraine type is more common than in general population

Association between chlamydia pneumoniae infection and carotid atherosclerotic plaques

Several studies have suggested an association between Chlamydia pneumonia infection and atherosclerosis. This study was designed to investigate the association between this organism and atherosclerotic plaque formation in right and left common carotid arteries [CCAs] and extracranial portions of internal carotid arteries [ICAs]. Antibodies to Chlamydia pneumoniae [IgA and IgG] were measured and compared in 42 patients who had plaque in at least one CCA or ICA [detected by duplex ultrasound] and 82 patients without any plaque in these arteries. Cp.IgG and Cp.IgA titers over 1.10 ISR were defined to be positive. We found that 6.1% of control subjects and 16.7% of cases were Cp.IgA seropositive. The difference between these two groups was prominent but was not statistically significant [P = 0.104]. 4.2% of females without atherosclerotic plaque and 31.6% of females with plaque were Cp.IgA seropositive. This difference is statistically significant [P = 0.005]. There was no significant difference in seropositivity of Cp.IgG between case and control subjects or in male and female groups with or without plaque. Cp.IgA is a predictor of atherosclerosis in women, but Cp.IgG has no predictive value for plaque formation in either gender