Talents for future: report of the second national medical science Olympiad in Islamic Republic of Iran

This report describes a unique experience of Second National Medical Science Olympiad that was held in August 2010 in Shiraz, Islamic Republic of Iran. The history of medical science Olympiad in Iran and the development, process and domains in the Olympiad and the way for future will be discussed

effect of treadmill running on plasma and muscle agouti-related protein [AGRP] concentration in male rats

Appetite regulation is one of the most important issues in exercise physiology. AGRP is one of the most important neuropeptide in appetite regulation and energy homeostasis. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of treadmill running on plasma and muscle [Soleus] concentration of AGRP in male Wistar rats. Forty rats were randomly assigned into two groups. The training group was given exercise on a motor-driven treadmill at 28 m/min [equal to 75% vo2max] for 60 min/day, 5 days/week for 10 weeks. After finishing the exercise protocol, each group was divided into 2 subgroups, the fasting and the fed [n=10] groups. Each subgroup was anesthetized and sacrificed after an overnight fast and the other, after 3 hours of food deprivation. The results showed muscle and plasma AGRP were significantly [P < 0.001] higher in the trained rats in comparison to the control rats. Also there was a significant and positive correlation between Soleus AGRP and plasma AGRP. It can be speculated that negative energy balance as well as local hyperphagia in muscle, induced by exercise produces satiety, signals the hypothalamus, which therefore increases release of AGRP facilitating energy recovery. This mechanism may be involved in glycogen supercompensation as well

Simultaneous detection of caga and cage of helicobacter pylori strains recovered from Iranian patients with different gastroduodenal diseases

To asses the status of two representative genes of cag PAl i.e cagA and cagE of Helicobacter pylori strains infecting Iranian patients suffered from various clinical outcomes using one-step PCR. A total of 120 H. pylori infected patients including non-ulcer dyspepsia, NUD [n=81], peptic ulcer disease, PUD [n=17], and gastric carcinoma, GC [n=22] referred for endoscopy or gastric resection to Amir Alam Hospital or Cancer Institute from 2005 to 2008 were assessed. The status of cagA and cagE genes was determined by gene specific PCR. 84.2% and 90.8% of the tested strains were positive for cagA and cage, respectively. 81.7% strains were positive for both cagA and cagE genes, whereas 8 [6.7%] were found double negative. The prevalence of cagA in GC patients [100%] was slightly higher than PUD patients [94.1%]. All of GC cases were infected with cagA-positive strains. The same distribution pattern was indicated for cagE gene in GC and PUD patients. The cagA-positive strains were significantly associated with GC as compared with NUD [P< 0.05] but this association did not gain statistical significance when cagE gene was assessed. The concurrent detection of cagA/cagE genes allowed rapid and specific clarification of cag PAI status. The strains with cagA/cagE genotype are predominant in Iran regardless of clinical outcome and create a distinct cluster pattern from those in the West and similar to those of East Asian countries. The current study also demonstrated that cagE gene can be explored as a better indication of cag-PAI in Iranian H. pylori strains

Outcomes of breast reconstruction with pedicled transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous [TRAM] flap at cancer institute: a retrospective study of 10 years of experience

Reconstruction of breast with transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous [TRAM] flap is the standard for reconstruction of breast following mastectomy. In this article, authors report their experience with pedicled TRAM flap reconstruction of the breast. Records for the patients who had undergone breast reconstruction with pedicled TRAM flap were retrieved. Records of outpatient followups were also obtained. Patient satisfaction with the outcome of surgery was assessed using a detailed questionnaire including a linear visual analogue scale ranging from zero [not satisfied] to ten [most satisfied]. There were 61 reconstructions in 59 patients. In 42 [71.2%] cases a synthetic mesh and in 14 [23.7%] cases dermal graft was used for closure of the abdominal fascial defect. The mean hospital stay was 10.67 [1 - 72] days. Patients were followed up for a mean period of 621 days. The overall rates of complications were as follows: partial flap necrosis: 11 [18.6%], flap hematoma: 2 [3.4%], flap seroma: 7 [11.9%], flap wound infection: 7 [11.9%], abdominal wound hematoma: 9 [15.3%], abdominal wound seroma: 5 [8.5%], abdominal wound ischemia: 1 [1.7%], abdominal wound incisional hernia: 6 [10.2%], deep vein thrombosis: 1 [1.7%], complication requiring rehospitalization: 9 [15.3%], complication requiring reoperation: 8 [13.6%]. There were no abdominal wound infection, no umbilical necrosis, and no pulmonary embolism. Aesthetic results were classified as excellent [62%], good [28%], fair [10%]. The mean satisfaction score was 9.5 [range 6-10]. Breast reconstruction with pedicled transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap was associated with a low complication rate and a high level of patient satisfaction in our center

first population-based Cancer survey in Kerman province of Iran

Cancer is the second most common cause of non-accidental death in Iran. Geographical, racial and habitual differences have led to the variation in the incidence of cancer in different regions of this country. This study was performed to determine the incidence of cancer in the Kerman Province, central Iran. All newly diagnosed cases of cancer in the Kerman Province were recorded in a five-year period [1996-2000]. In all, 5884 new cases [55.7% males] of cancer were found after elimination of repeated cases. Based on age-standardized incidence rates [ASR] the most common cancers in men were stomach [10.2], lung [7.1], bladder [6.7], colorectal [5.9] and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma [5.8], while in women the most common cancers were breast [16.9] colorectal [5.9], stomach [5.1], leukaemia [4.6] and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma [2.8]. For all cancers, ASR was 76 for males and 68 for females. The results indicate that upper gastrointestinal cancer, especially oesophageal cancer is very rare in central Iran in contrast to northern Iran, although these types of cancers are some of the most common cancers in the Kerman Province

[Cancer incidence in Iran in 2002 an international estimation]

During the past century, because of an improvement in the socio-economic conditions in the society and as a consequence a change in the predisposing or risk factors, incidence of diseases has undergone a real change. A decrease in the incidence of infectious diseases and an increase in the incidence of non-infectious diseases and accidents are the major reasons for this changer which has specially affected the developing countries. Presently, cancer is the second most common cause of morbidity and mortality. Control and reduction of the expenses of these types of diseases need planning and execution of a national cancer, but planning such a programme requires valid and authentic information. Such information is only possible through the registration of cancer cases. This paper provides information obtained from five provinces in the country about cancer to evaluate the incidence of it in the country, and comparison of with Globocan as an international reference about the incidence of cancer. By using statistical methods and establishing simple means about the incidence of cancer in Ardabil, Golestan, Mazandaran, Kalanshehr and Tehran according to age and gender, the incidence of cancer in the country was established. At least 50820 new cancers occur in the country yearly out of which 53% are found in males. The five major cancers to ASA in males were stomach [26.1], esophagus [17.6], colorectal [8.2], bladder [8], leukaemia [4.8], and in females were breast [17.1], esophagus [11.4], stomach [11.1], colorectal [6.7] and uterus 4.5 per 10[5]

[ study of nurses' knowledge and attitudes regarding cancer pain management]

Knowledge of nursing is necessary for caring people suffering from pain. Regarding pain management and nursing role in order to put into practice exact pain management and availing comfort, possessing knowledge and positive attitude toward nursing care in this population have an important role. This descriptive [cross- sectional study] determines cancer nurses knowledge and attitudes regarding pain management in hospitalized patients in related wards in Tehran University of Medical Sciences. Total of 113 nurses [from 132 questionnaires were sent, 113 of them were completed] who work in cancer wards in Tehran University of Medical Science hospitals were selected by convenience sampling [accidental sampling]. For data gathering, questionnaires were used. Statistical analysis was performed using chi[2] test, t-test and Pearson correlation coefficient. To compare results and for describing the results, descriptive analysis were used. Results indicates that knowledge and attitude of samples is in a high school [level of knowledge 76% and level of attitude 86.6%]. The correlation between knowledge and attitudes is [R=0.350], [p=0.000] that means there is a direct relation between nurses knowledge and attitudes and by increasing one of them, the other will increase. Some of features like level of education, taking part in continuing education, working in chemotherapy and radiotherapy ward, operating room and facing to cancer patients, influence on nurses knowledge and attitudes

Epidemiologic feature of thyroid cancer based on cancer registry data system

This study was undertaken to define the epidemiological aspects of thyroid carcinoma in Iran, an area of endemic iodine deficiency nearly until recently. The Tehran Cancer Institute Data System Registry [TCIDSR] was used to identify patients with different histological types of thyroid cancer [TC] in Iran. Data were analyzed from 438 thyroid cancer cases identified by the TCIDSR in 1998-99. Disease prevalence was calculated by age, time and place. The TCIDSR recorded 438 primary malignancies of the thyroid gland: papillary, follicular, medullary, and anaplastic carcinomas accounted for 67.1%, 10.7%, 5.3% and 4.3% of cases, respectively. The remaining 12.6% was classified as OD [other diagnoses]. The prevalence of TC was the highest in Farsis population. The age range of patients was 8-85 yr. Mean patient age was 44.52 +/- 17.03 yr [mean +/- SD] overall, 47.74 +/- 18.10 yr in male patients and 43.04 +/- 16.34 in female patients. Anaplastic [6.5% vs. 3.3%] and medullary [10.0% vs. 3.0%] cancers were more common in men than women. Against expectation for an iodine-deficient area, the frequency distribution of tumours in our study was closer to that seen in iodine-rich areas. Additional research on the risk factors for thyroid cancer-genetic, ethnic, geographic and environmental is needed to explain the high incidence of PTC overall, and among Farsis population in particular, in Iran

Preparation of fibrin glue as a biological sealant fo control bleeding in heart muscle and blood vessels

Fibrin glue is used for control of bleeding in various surgical procedures. In this work the ability of fibrin glue to seal punctures in the vascular system is demonstrated. Blood samples were taken from rabbits, fibrinogen was separated and fibrin glue was eventually prepared. The rabbits were anesthetized and a midline incision was carried out. The heart and abdominal aorta were exposed. Punctures were made in different parts of the vascular system and bleeding was controlled either with [test] or without [control] fibrin glue. Oozing was also tested by scratching the rabbit's ears. A minimum of 6 rabbits was employed for each experience. The mean bleeding time using fibrin glue was found to be 37 seconds. This average without fibrin glue was more than 3 minutes. This study shows the powerful effect of this biological glue in bleeding control, and its routine use is therefore recommended, especially in major surgery

Development of malignant melanima following exposure to sulfur mustard gas

Two cases of cutaneous malignant melanoma were observed in two Iran-Iraq war victims exposed to chemical warfare [sulfur mustard gas]. In both cases melanoma developed on healed areas of mustard gas exposure after several months. The clinical course was unusually dramatic in both cases. Both cases died of aggressive clinical course. Possible etiologic role of mustard gas in the development of malignant melanoma is discussed