Radiotherapy Improves the Disability in Patients with Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis.

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) as a complex neurological abnormality is marked with loss of myelin and axons due to chronic inflammatory and autoimmune responses. The modulatory properties of the low dose radiation (LDR) on inflammatory and immune responses have well known. Objective: The current research aimed to assess the impacts of LDR on the disability in patients suffering from MS. Material and Methods: This experimental pilot study was done on 10 patients with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS). After magnetic resonance imaging, the SPMS patients were treated by LDR at a daily dose of 2 Gray for 5 consecutive days (totally 10 Gray dose) using a linear accelerator. The extent of the disability was evaluated one week after the completion of radiotherapy using expanded disability status scale (EDSS). Results: After receiving radiotherapy, the patients had a feeling of wellbeing of some sort. The mean of EDSS was significantly reduced after radiotherapy compared with before irradiation (7.4±0.45 vs 6.35±1.18; P<0.017). EDSS more decreased in younger SPMS patients (P=0.0001), and in the women after LDR (P=0.027). Conclusion: Radiotherapy can reduce fatigue and EDSS in patients with SPMS. The age and gender of patients may influence the LDR efficacy.

Pesticide Exposure and Alzheimer's Disease: A Case-control Study.

Aim / Objective: This study aimed to investigate the levels of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in the serum of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients. METHODS: 63 AD patients and 50 healthy individuals participated, and the levels of some OCPs derivatives (including; α-HCH, ß-HCH, γ-HCH, 2,4-DDT, 4,4-DDT, 2,4-DDE, and 4,4-DDE), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), protein carbonyl (PC), malondialdehyde (MDA), Nitric oxide (NO) along with the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), paraoxonase 1(PON1), and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) were measured. RESULTS: The mean OCP level of OCPs in AD patients was significantly higher than in the control group. However, the patients' mean levels of TAC, PC, MDA and activity of SOD, GPx, PON1 and AChE were significantly lower than controls. A significant positive correlation was also observed between 2,4-DDE and MDA and between γ-HCH and PC in AD patients. These findings showed that pesticide exposure is associated with an increased risk of AD. Furthermore, the mean levels of oxidative stress markers, which may result from pesticide exposure, were significantly lower in AD patients compared to healthy individuals. CONCLUSION: Therefore, it may conclude that pesticides, at least in part, contribute to AD development through several mechanisms, including the induction of oxidative stress.

Comparing indices of median nerve among diabetic patients with or without metabolic syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Metabolic syndrome is highly prevalent among patients with type II diabetes and is reported as a strong risk factor for cardiovascular diseases as well as carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). The aim of the current study was to compare median nerve indices among diabetic patients with and without metabolic syndrome. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 105 patients with type II diabetes whom participated in the coronary artery disease risk factor study in Kerman, Iran (KERCARDS). Patients with type II diabetes were called and those with clinical symptoms of CTS were included in the study, and median nerve indices were measured according to standard electro diagnosis tests. GEE statistical model was used to compare median nerve indices among diabetic patients with and without metabolic syndrome. All statistical analysis was done using SPSS 20.0. RESULTS: The mean age of participants was 57.57±9.53. There was no significant difference between the left and right hand regarding median nerve indices except median nerve motor amplitude (MA). Furthermore, components of metabolic syndrome including BMI and LDL were determined as risk factors for CTS according to several indices. CONCLUSION: Components of metabolic syndrome had more influence on sensory indices than motor indices and primary control of these components might prevent dysfunction of sensory neurons and also motor neurons in advanced stages among diabetic patients.

Prognostic value of hemoglobin A1c in nondiabetic and diabetic patients with acute ischemic stroke.

Background: Diabetes is a well-known risk factor for acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Some recent studies point to hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) may have prognostic value in nondiabetic and diabetic patients with ischemic stroke (IS). The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of HbA1c on mortality and morbidity in AIS patients with and without diabetic. Methods: In this prospective observational study, 150 diabetic and nondiabetic patients with AIS were evaluated for serum HbA1c level, hypertension (HTN), hyperlipidemia, and smoking in the first 24 hours of admission to determine their value to predict mortality and mortality at 30 and 90 days. Morbidity was estimated by the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and follow-up visits were scheduled 30 and 90 days after admission. Results were analyzed with independent t-test and logistic regression analysis. Results: In this study, 73 patients (48.7%) were female and the rest were men. At 30 days, the diabetic patients had a significantly higher mortality, but no significant difference was found between diabetics and morbidity. No significant statistical differences were seen between HbA1c and 30 and 90 days with mortality and morbidity among diabetic patients. Furthermore, no significant statistical difference was seen between HbA1c and 30 and 90 days morbidity and between HbA1c and 30 days mortality in nondiabetic patients. However, in nondiabetic patients, on multiple logistic regression analysis, a significant correlation was seen between 90 days month mortality and HbA1c (P = 0.002). Conclusion: HbA1c can be as a predictive biomarker in nondiabetic patients with AIS.

The Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome According to Different Criteria and its Associated Factors in Type 2 Diabetic Patients in Kerman, Iran.

Metabolic syndrome is highly prevalent in type 2 diabetics and is a strong risk factor for cardiovascular diseases in such patients. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of metabolic syndrome according to the three criteria of ATPIII, IDF and the new criteria for metabolic syndrome diagnosis in Kerman, Iran. This cross-sectional study was performed on 950 diabetic type 2 patients. Data was analyzed by independent t-test, chi-square and logistic regression using the SPSS (revision 20) software. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome in Kerman was 73.4, 64.9, and 70.4%, according to the above criteria. Fasting blood sugar, gender, triglyceride, HDL, waist circumference, and systolic blood pressure were related to the prevalence of metabolic syndrome according to the above-mentioned criteria.The prevalence of metabolic syndrome is high in type 2 diabetic patients and the above-mentioned factors exacerbate the situation.

Prevalence of active epilepsy in Kerman, Iran: a house based survey.

BACKGROUND: Epilepsy is considered to be among the most prevalent neurological disorders and one of most important health issues. It costs huge expenses for health system, and influences the individual and social quality of life of the patients. Despite its importance, the studies conducted in Iran to determine the prevalence of epilepsy are limited. The present study evaluated the Prevalence of active epilepsy in Kerman. METHODS: The present cross sectional study was carried out on 2919 individuals from different neighborhoods of Kerman in two stages, first stage was screening process by trained questioners, and the second one was the confirmation of definite diagnosis. Cases of Inactive epilepsy were eliminated from the study. Questionnaires containing demographic information and paraclinical analyses were filled out for each individual. Also 628 epileptic patients in Kerman, who had referred to a referral center, were analyzed concerning epilepsy subtypes. RESULTS: From 126 suspicious individuals, 23 subjects were diagnosed to be epileptic. Point prevalence of active epilepsy was 7.87/1000 individuals. It was equal in both sexes, with a significant increase in individuals having low education (P= 0.029). The generalized epilepsy had a higher frequency. Of the patients, 56.6% suffered from psychiatric diseases. Electroencephalography (EEG) in 13 patients (56.5%) showed epileptic waves. Family history of seizure was positive in 17.3% of the patients. CONCLUSION: Point prevalence of active epilepsy is 7.87/1000 in Kerman, as same as developing countries. The prevalence was significantly higher in individuals with lower education.