[Cloning, sequencing and expression of HSP70 c-terminal domain in Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis]

Heat shock proteins [HSPs] have been shown to act as an adjuvant when co-administered with different antigens, especially tumor antigens or antigens from infectious agents. C-terminal domain of Mycobacterium tuberculosis heat shock protein 70 [Hsp70], when fused to peptide antigens, provides a unique structure that is able to induce potent immune responses. In this study, aneukaryotic expression vector pEGFP-N1, containing C-terminal domain of Mycobacterium paratuberculosis HSP 70, Green Fluorescent Protein [GFP] gene in the plasmid construct, was designed for use as a reporter. With GFP system, expression of the target protein was evaluated in the cell culture. The nucleotide sequence of the cloned gene was revealed by sequencing. The protein expression of designed plasmid was also proved by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction [RT-PCR]. Our eukaryotic expression vector [pEGFP-N1 -hsp70 c-terminal] was successfully constructed and HSP70 c-terminal domain protein was expressed effectively. The current experiment, as a basis for a new DNAvaccine design, can be used for the future studies on reverse vaccinology

Cloning and high level expression of bovine interferon gamma gene in eukaryotic cells [COS-7]

Interferon gamma [IFN-gamma] is one of the key cytokines in defining T helper 1 lymphocyte immune responses. In this study, the bovine IFN-gamma gene was cloned from spleen tissue RNA using the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction [RT-PCR]. IFN-gamma cDNA was sub-cloned and expressed in mammalian expression plasmid [pcDNA3.1[+]] under the control of the human cytomegalovirus [CMV] promoter. The predicted amino acid [aa] sequence of bovine IFN-gamma compared with corresponding known sequence from bovine [Bos taurus] was 100% identity and with ovine, caprine, camel, lama, equine, canine, feline, human, mice and chicken cytokine was 95, 95, 86, 83, 77, 75, 75, 61, 44 and 35%, respectively. Invitro expression of recombinant bovine IFN-gamma [rBoIFN-gamma] and secretion to culture medium was confirmed by ELISA test. Maximum expression of rBoIFN-gamma occurred at 96 and 144 h after transfection in COS-7 cells. These results showed that pcDNA3.1 expression vector and COS-7 cells transfected by diethylaminoethyl [DEAE]-dextran allowed the high level expression of bovine IFN-gamma gene and the release of protein in supernatant of cell culture

Unilateral blindness as the only finding in a patient with high flow carotid-cavernous fistula

The authors reported a patient with unilateral blindness of the left eye after trauma. Apart from paralysis of the 4th cranial nerve and mild optic nerve edema, there was no structural problem during the ophthalmologic examination. Brain CT scan, CT angiography and MRI demonstrated aneurysm in the left pericavernous region. The patient underwent angiography for coiling of the aneurysm, which detected large carotid cavernous fistula [CCF] mainly draining into the petrous sinus. Therapeutic embolization was performed with balloon and the CCF vanished completely. The most important points of this case are the blindness without exophthalmia as the only presentation of CCF which has not been reported as the only symptom and failure of CT-angiography and MRI evaluation for the diagnosis of CCF

Tailoring of interventional procedures for HCC patients-review article

One of the most frequent primary malignant tumors in the world is hepatocellular carcinoma [HCC]. Currently, the optimal treatment methods for HCC are hepatic resection and liver transplantation. Unfortunately, surgical therapies are suitable for 20% of patients and those who are not eligible for surgery should undergo interventional therapies. In the past decade, a variety of interventional procedures have been employed for local control of hepatocellular carcinoma [HCC] including transcatheter arterial chemoembolization [TACE] and many tumor ablation techniques, such as percutaneous ethanol injection [PEI], radio-frequency ablation [RFA], percutaneous microwave coagulation therapy [PMC], laser-induced interstitial thermotherapy [LITT], cryoablation, and acetic acid injection. By development of new technologies in imaging and drug delivery, it is likely that in the future patients with HCC will be treated by combination therapies to improve patient survival. Computed tomography [CT] and magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] have a crucial role in diagnosis and also follow-up of HCC patients treated by interventional procedures, by which the treatment efficacy, recurrence of disease and certain complications are evaluated. In this review article, we discuss the imaging modalities and also tailoring of interventional procedures for HCC patients

Evaluation of incidental findings in brain CT scans of mild head trauma patients [GCS: thirteen to fifteen]

To determine the prevalence of incidental findings on brain CT scan in mild head trauma patients. From November 2005 to April 2006, we evaluated 732 CT Scans of cases with mild head trauma [Glasgow Coma Scale Score of thirteen, fourteen, and fifteen], whom referred to our university affiliated hospital. In this study, we evaluated incidental findings on brain CT of our patients, as well as size of the cistern magna. Five hundred [68.3%] of our patients were male and 232 [31.7%] were female. The mean age of our cases were 27.4 +/- 19.2 [one month to 89 years old].Incidental findings were found on 22 cases [3.1%].Among these, there were five tumors [0.7%], eight arachnoids cysts [1.1%], and five bones lesions [0.7%]. Large cisterna magna [>10 cm3] was seen in four cases. Incidental findings in males were seen in ten cases [45%] and in females were seen in 12 cases [55%] [P=0.019]. The mean age of cases with incidental findings were 37.2 +/- 20.6 years and in cases without incidental findings were 27.1 +/- 19.1 years [P=0.011]. In this study we found that arachnoid cyst was the most common incidental finding, and brain tumor and bone lesions were next common ones

Carotid doppler ultrasonography in preoperative assessment of coronary artery bypass graft surgery in an Iranian population: association between atherosclerosis risk factors and carotid stenosis

The aim of this study was to assess the frequency of significant carotid artery stenosis and its association with the cardiovascular risk factors in a group of Iranian candidates for CABG. Three hundred and one patients with critical coronary artery disease, who were candidates for coronary artery bypass graft [CABG] were evaluated by internal carotid Doppler study. The relations between age, gender, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, smoking, lipid profile, left main coronary stenosis greater than 50% by diameter and coronary artery disease with carotid stenosis were assessed. Significant carotid stenosis greater than 70% was detected in 13 patients [4.3%]. According to the meaningful relationship between significant carotid stenosis and low HDL serum level [lower than 45 in women and lower than 35 in men, p=0.028], hypertension [p=0.021], history of smoking [p=0.026] and left main coronary artery stenosis greater than 50% [p=0.035], they were identified as risk factors valuable enough to guide for selective screening. Among all cardiovascular risk factors. It seems that serum HDL, smoking, left main coronary stenosis and hypertension could be associated with significant carotid artery stenosis in CABG candidates

Association between clinical symptoms and CT findings in chronic rhinosinusitis

This study was conducted to find out the association between the clinical symptoms of chronic rhinosinusitis [CRS] and CT findings. 50 patients with CRS were studied. Their clinical symptoms were recorded according to the sinonasal outcome questionnaire [SNOT-20] and their CT findings were graded by the Lund-Mackay grading system. The Pearson correlation coefficient was assessed between these two scores. Also we used multiple regression models for adjusted association among variables. The mean +/- SD of SNOT-20 and the Lund-Mackay score were 45 +/- 8.7 [range: 29- 67] and 18.5 +/- 5 [range: 8-24], respectively. The mean +/- SD SNOT-20 score was higher for postnasal drip [PND] and facial pain; the lowest mean scores were for dizziness and ear pain. Pearson's correlation coefficient of SNOT-20 and the Lund-Mackay grading system was 0.74 [p=0.0001]. In simple regression analysis considering the Lund-Mackay score as dependent variable and SNOT symptom domains [nasal, oropharyngeal, sleep, facial, and systemic] as independent variables, the best associated clinical symptom domain was the nasal symptom domain [model r2=0.76; p<0.0001]. In the multivariate linear regression model, considering the five symptom domains as independent variables, the model r2 was 0.8 [p<0.0001] and the only significant variable in the model was the nasal symptom domain [p<0.0001]. Patients with higher symptom scores are more likely to have CT imaging evidence of rhinosinusitis

Diagnostic accuracy of Multi-Slice Computed Tomographic [MSCT] angiography in the detection of cerebral aneurysms

Multislice computed tomographic [MSCT] angiography is a rapid and minimally invasive method for the detection of intracranial aneurysms. The purpose of this study was to compare MSCT angiography with digital subtraction angiography [DSA] in the diagnosis of cerebral aneurysms. In this cross sectional study we evaluated 111 consecutive patients [42[37.8%] male and 69[62.2%] female], who were dmitted under clinical symptoms and signs, suggestive of harboring an intracranial aneurysm by using a four detector MSCT angiography. Then we compared results of MSCT angiography with DSA results as a gold standard method. DSA was performed by bilateral selective common carotid artery injections and either unilateral or bilateral vertebral artery injections, as necessary. MSCT angiography images were interpreted by one radiologist and DSA was performed by another radiologist who was blinded to the interpretation of the MSCT angiograms. The mean +/- SD age of the patients was 49.1 +/- 13.6 years [range: 12-84 years]. We performed MSCT in 111 and DSA in 85 patients. the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value [PPV], negative predictive value [NPV], positive and negative likelihood ratio [LR] of MSCT angiography, when compared with DSA as the gold standard, were 100%, 90%, 87.5%, 100%, 10 and 0, respectively. MSCT angiography seems to be an accurate and non-invasive imaging modality in the diagnosis of intracranial aneurysms

Fluoroscopic versus conventional computed tomography-guided biopsy

To determine the success rate of computed tomographic [CT] fluoroscopic CT [FCT] and conventional CT [CCT] for needle navigation in biopsies from mediastinum, bone, abdomen, liver and pelvis. Data from 122 consecutive percutaneous interventional biopsies performed with use of FCT guidance [mean age of 50.5; range: 1-79 years] and 84 consecutive biopsies with CCT guidance [mean age: 50.7; range, 12-83 years] were gathered from the interventional radiologist and general practitioner. The success rate of procedure was increased in the FCT group as compared with that of CCT group in some organs such as bone, abdomen, liver and pelvis. A statistically significant difference was noted when we compared FCT group with CCT in liver biopsies [P=0.019]. The mean procedure time was lower in FCT group. The overall mean [ +/- SD] FCT time was 200 +/- 90 [range: 20-400] sec; in CCT group, it was 420 +/- 260 [range: 605-800] second. FCT facilitates CT-guided biopsy procedures and reduces the procedure time by allowing visualization of the needle tip from skin entrance to the target point

[Incidental sinus abnormalities in 256 patients referred for brain MRI]

Imaging abnormalities in the paranasal sinuses are regularly noted as incidental findings on MRI, however, little is known about their prevalence in the Iranian population. The purpose of this study was to classify these findings in the paranasal sinuses as seen on MRI and to investigate the prevalence, according to site and type of paranasal abnormality. In this cross-sectional study, the T2-weighted axial MRI of 256 patients with diseases unrelated to their paranasal sinuses were reviewed between May 2002 and June 2003. The findings were categorized according to the anatomic location and the imaging characteristics of the abnormality. The abnormalities recorded included total sinus opacification, mucoperiosteal thickening >/= 5mm, air fluid levels and retention cysts or polyps. Unilateral or bilateral involvement and septal deviation were also noted. A sinus was considered normal if it was fully aerated and no soft-tissue density was apparent within the cavity. Among our cases, 111 [43.5%] were male and 145 [56.5%] were female. Of these patients, abnormalities in one or more of the sinus groups were found in 110 subjects [42.9%], 55.5% of which were male and 44.5% were female [P=0.001]. Maxillary sinus abnormalities were observed in 66.4% of the patients, while ethmoid sinus abnormalities were found in 63.6%. Of the ethmoid abnormalities, 21% were found in the anterior section, 9% in the middle ethmoid, and 8% in the posterior ethmoid. The most common abnormality found was mucosal thickening. Among our cases, 23.4% had septal deviation, which was significantly higher among those with sinusitis [29% versus 19.1%; P<0.01]. Of those patients with sinus involvement, 16% were involved in the sphenoid sinus and 5% in the frontal sinus. The results obtained from the patients with sinus abnormality revealed that 85% suffered from cough, nasal obstruction, runny nose, facial pain and post nasal discharge and 24% had been diagnosed with chronic sinusitis by physician. Our results showed that there was a high rate of incidental abnormalities in the paranasal sinuses that are unrelated to the patient's presenting problems

Computed tomography findings in patients with mild head trauma

To determine the frequency of computed tomography [CT] findings in patients with mild head trauma. In this cross-sectional study conducted between September 2005 and April 2006, 708 patients with mild head trauma as defined by a Glasgow Coma Score [GCS] of 13-15, were underwent standard clinical examination and cranial CT. The mean +/- SD age of our patients was 26.8 +/- 19.03 years [range: 1 month to 89 years]. 489 [68.9%] patients were male and 219 [30.8%] were female. GSC was 13 in 1%, 14 in 4.6% and 15 in 94.4% of patients. The most common mechanism of trauma was car accident and falling down, each of which happened for 132 patients [18.6%].The most common findings on CT were subgaleal hematomas in 213[30%] and intracranial lesions were seen in 41 patients[5.8%] ;among them 37 were male. Among intracranial lesions, the most common finding was epidural hematoma in 18 patients followed by hemorrhagic contusion in 13 patients. Intracranial lesions were observed in 28.6% of patients with GCS of 13; in 15.2% with GCS of 14 and in 5.1% with GCS of 15 [P=0.002]. Many of patients with GCS equal to 15 after head trauma have considerable intracranial lesions and minor focal neurologic signs revealed by careful physical examination could be a good marker of these lesions

[Effects of rapeseed meal and iodine supplement on broiler chicks]

To study the effects of rapeseed meal and iodine supplementation on performance, organs weight and some biochemical parameters of broiler chicks. Completely randomized design with 3 dietary treatments. One hundred and twenty one-day-old Arian broiler chicks [mixed male and female]. Chickens were categorized into 3 groups: soybean meal, rapeseed meal, and rapeseed meal plus iodine [2mg/kg]. feed intake, body weight gain and feed conversion ratio were determined at the end of starter, grower, finisher and whole priod states Moreover, the values of relative weight of liver, gallbladder, heart, spleen, gizzard, abdominal fat pad and carcass accompaning with serum concentrations of triiodothyronine, thyroxine, gamma glutamyltransferase and alanin aminotransferase were determined at 49 day of age. Significant differences among treatments determined by Duncan's multiple range tests. While rapeseed meal [RSM] reduced, body weight gain and feed conversion ratio, iodine supplement did not affect body weight gain and feed conversion ratio during starter, grower and whole period states. In contrast to iodine treatment the highest weight of gallbladder and its ratio to whole body weight were seen with RSM. The weight of abdominal fat pad and its ratio to whole body weight were reduced in RSM and RSM puls iodine supplementation. Iodine Supplementation had effect on the concentration of thyroxine, triiodothyronine gamm glutamyltransferase and alanin aminotransferase in RSM group. The complete replacement of rapeseed meal with soybean reduced performance and concentration of triiodothyronine hormone, and increased some organs weight, idoine supplementation had no effect on erfrmanc

Radiofrequency ablation of liver tumors: the first preliminary reported in Iran

Radiofrequency ablation [RFA] is emerging as a new therapeutic technique for unresectable hepatic malignancies. We report our experience with the use of this method for the first time in Iran. Eighteen patients with primary or metastatic hepatic malignancies, which were considered not suitable for surgical resection, were included in our study. RFA was performed via the percutaneous ultrasound'guided method, under general anesthesia, by an interventional radiologist. Patients were followed prospectively with contrast-enhanced CT or ultrasonography, and tumor marker serum levels 1, 3 and 6 months after RFA. RFA was used to treat 26 tumors [diameters of 12-70 mm]. These tumors included hepatocellular carcinoma in three cases and metastatic carcinoma in 23 cases. Three patients had complications: two bilomas and one abscess in the right lobe. At follow-ups, tumor recurred at the site of RFA in four tumors, all of which were over 4 cm in diameter. RFA is a procedure with the potential to be safe and effective for treating unresectable liver tumors

Ultrasoniy measurement of carotid intima-media thickness in a group of Iranian with no cardiovascular risk factors

To obtaining reference values for intima'media thickness [IMT] of the carotid arteries in the Iranian subjects without any known atherosclerosis risk factors. A total of 400 subjects [146 male and 254 female, mean age 36.3 +/- 14 years in men and 35.9 +/- 12 years in women], with normal body mass index and no history or evidence of cardiovascular or peripheral vascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, thyroid diseases or smoking were examined. IMT was measured on a longitudinal ultrasound image of the carotid artery. Mean thickness was evaluated for the right common carotid [RCCA], right internal carotid [RICA], left common carotid [LCCA] and left internal carotid [LICA]. The mean value of carotid IMT was 0.38 +/- 0.11 in women and 0.41 +/- 0.13 in men. For different age groups, the lowest mean thickness was 0.305 +/- 0.045, seen in the RCCA among 20'29-year-old cases, and the highest was 0.645 +/- 0.125, seen in the LICA of cases over 60. The mean thickness was higher in men than in women, in all four locations [all p values< 0.02 Linear regression models for prediction of IMT by age, were separately done in different groups of anatomical location and gender, and all models' R2 were higher than 0.5. Mean IMT in RCCA, RICA, LCCA and LICA in both genders and different age decades was lower than many reports, which may be due to ethnic factors or different inclusion criteria. Reference values of carotid IMT increase significantly with age and IMT is higher in men than in women

prevalence of carotid artery disease in candidates of coronary artery bypass graft

Patients with concomitant coronary artery disease and carotid artery disease are at risk of developing serious neurologic events in pre- and post-coronary artery bypass graft [CABG] operation. The objective of this study was to determine the carotid Doppler ultrasonography findings in candidates for CABG. Between September 2004 and October 2005, we performed preoperative Doppler study of carotid vessels in all candidates for CABG admitted to our hospital. We evaluated the level of stenosis, and the type, site and nature of the plaque for all patients according to the Nicoladis guideline. Mean +/- SD age of patients studied was 67.5 +/- 8.6 [range: 29.84] years. Among 352 patients undergoing CABG, 143 [40.3%] had carotid disease. Stenosis >50% was observed in 10.5% of females and 5% of males [P=0.07]. Significant stenosis [>/= 50%] was seen in 32 [9.1%] of patients, while 13 [3.8%] had critical stenosis [>/= 70%]; 2 [0.6%] had complete occlusion of the left internal carotid artery. The prevalence of carotid stenosis and atherosclerotic plaques was higher in patients aged >60 years [P=0.002]. The frequency of carotid stenosis in our patients is similar to other reports. Age is the important associated factor for carotid artery disease in candidates of CABG