Microglial activation in rat experimental spinal cord injury model

The present study was designed to evaluate the secondary microglial activation processes after spinal cord injury [SCI]. A quantitative histological study was performed to determine ED-1 positive cells, glial cell density, and cavitation size in untreated SCI rats at days 1, 2, and 4, and weeks 1, 2, 3, and 4. The results of glial cell quantification along the 4900- Micro m long injured spinal cord showed a significant increase in glial cell density percentage at day 2 as compared to other days. Whereas the highest increase in ED-1 immunoreactive cells [monocyte/phagocyte marker in rats] was observed at day 2 [23.15%] post-injury. Evaluation of cavity percentage showed a significant difference between weeks 3 and 4 post-injury groups. This study provides a new insight into the multiphase immune response to SCI, including cellular inflammation, macrophages/microglia activation, glial cell density, and cavitation. Better understanding of the inflammatory processes associated with acute SCI would permit the development of better therapeutic strategies

Anxiety and depression in patients with amputated limbs suffering from phantom pain: a comparative study with non phantom chronic pain

Phantom limb pain [PLP] is approximately a common condition after limb amputation, which potentially affects the quality of life. We aimed to evaluate anxiety and depression in patients with amputated limbs suffering from PLP and to compare these psychological dysfunctions with that of patients with non-phantom chronic pain. A total number of 16 male amputees with PLP and 24 male age-matched patients with non-phantom chronic pain were recruited in this study, which was performed at Khatam-Al-Anbia Pain Clinic, Tehran, Iran. A validated Persian version of the hospital anxiety and depression scale [HADS] was used to compare two psychological dysfunctions - anxiety and depression - between the two groups of study. The mean of total anxiety score was significantly lower in patients with PLP [8.00 +/- 3.93 vs. 11.25 +/- 5.23; P = 0.041] and the prevalence of anxiety caseness [HADS-A score >/= 11] was also lower in the PLP group [25% vs. 58.3%; P = 0.112, power = 31.7%]. The mean of total depression score was 7.69 +/- 5.51 and 9.38 +/- 6.11 in patients of PLP and chronic pain groups, respectively [P = 0.340, power = 15%]. Consequently, the prevalence of depression caseness [HADS D score >/= 11] was lower in PLP patients [37.5% vs. 50%; P = 0.710, power = 8%]. Our results indicate that depression and anxiety are not more common in PLP patients, whereas they are more prevalent in subjects with non phantom chronic pain. These lower levels of anxiety and depression in PLP compared with chronic pain is a new finding that needs to be evaluated further, which may lead to new insights into the pathogenesis of phantom pain in further studies

[ relation between hepatitis B antibody and number of hepatitis B vaccinations in the personnel of a hospital in Tehran]

Hepatitis B is one of the most prevalent chronic and persistent hepatitis infections which may lead to chronic hepatitis and hepato-cellular carcinoma. Since hospital personnel are more susceptible to hepatitis B this study was done to determine the relation between number of hepatitis B vaccinations and the presence of anti HBS antibody in personnel working in a large hospital in Tehran. This was a cross-Sectional study conducted in 2010 on 530 personnel working in Khatam-ol-Anbiya Hospital. Blood samples were collected from the subjects selected through convenience sampling and the level of anti-HBS antibody checked: antibody levels >10 mIU/ml were considered to be protective. Antibody levels were less than the stated cut-off in 78 individuals, [14.7%]. Mean antibody levels were 9.5 mIU/ml in the 27 unvaccinated persons; 86.6 mIU/ml in 7 individuals who had received the vaccine only once; 160 mIU/ml in the 32 who had been vaccinated twice; 192 mIU/ml after 3 doses of the vaccine in 276 persons and in the 58 subjects who had received >3doses, the mean level of the antibody was 321 mIU/ml, [p=0.001]. Anti-HBS antibody levels show a significant rise after repeated vaccinations

Pre-surgical evaluation of intractable epilepsy in children

This review summarizes some patterns of pre-surgical evaluation of epilepsyin children with medically refractory seizures. Epilepsy surgery is a valuabletherapeutic option for many children with intractable epilepsy. The most effective treatment for intractable partial epilepsy is a focal cortical resection with excision of the area of ictal onset and initial seizure propagation [the epileptogenic zone]. EEG monitoring continues to prove indispensable in pre-surgical planning of refractory epileptic patients by defining the epileptogenic zone. Technological progresses in both structural and functional neuroimaging techniques have ledmany medical centers to consider surgical treatment of epilepsy. In children undergoing pre-surgical evaluation, the goals of neuroimaging studies include the identification of structural abnormalities in the brain, eloquent regions of the brain including language, memory, and sensorimotor functions, and the relation of these regions to the potential epileptogenic region. Neuropsychological testing plays a crucial role in assessing the potential impact of surgery on cognitive function of the patients and helps in lateralizing the cerebral hemisphere dominant for verbal and nonverbal function in older children. The Wada testis an invasive procedure to determine language dominance and can be used to assess the risk of postoperative memory deficits in children with temporal lobe epilepsy. Some children scheduled for resection still need to undergo further precise localization of the epileptogenic zone and functional mapping with invasive EEG monitoring through intracranial subdural grid and/or depth electrodes. Epilepsy surgery has the potential of changing the life quality of children by improving or eliminating seizures in carefully selected patients

Migraine in children and adolescents

Headache is a frequent symptom in children and adolescents. Migraine is one of the most common types of primary headache disorders in children that at times can be extremely disabling. Many clinical features of migraine in children differ from that starting in adulthood. This review discusses the epidemiology, clinical features, management, and prognosis of migraine headache in children and adolescents

Cardiovascular health education of families: the importance of school-based prevention strategies

Many people do not have sufficient knowledge about cardiovascular risk factors in Iran. We used a school-based educational intervention program to promote the health knowledge in all participating families. A total of 1100 fifth-grade school children and their parents were invited; 603 families were included in the study. The children attended a single session and were supplied with family information packages. Pre- and post-test questionnaires were completed by these families before and after the session. There was a significant increase in the overall cardiovascular risk factor knowledge of families [P<0.001]. The parents of boys achieved a greater level of health knowledge in comparison to the parents of girls [P<0.005]. This school-based educational intervention was effective in improving cardiovascular risk factor knowledge of families. Similar programs with more comprehensive methodology could be more effective in promoting healthy behaviors