Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis progression: Iran-ALS clinical registry, a multicentre study.

This study was designed to evaluate ALS progression among different subgroups of Iranian patients. Three hundred and fifty-eight patients from centres around the country were registered and their progression rate was evaluated using several scores including Manual Muscle Test scoring (MMT) and the revised ALS Functional Rating Scale (ALSFRS-R). Progression rate was analysed separately in subgroups regarding gender, onset site, stage of disease and riluzole consumption.

A hybrid color space for skin detection using genetic algorithm heuristic search and principal component analysis technique.

Color is one of the most prominent features of an image and used in many skin and face detection applications. Color space transformation is widely used by researchers to improve face and skin detection performance. Despite the substantial research efforts in this area, choosing a proper color space in terms of skin and face classification performance which can address issues like illumination variations, various camera characteristics and diversity in skin color tones has remained an open issue.

MMP-10 Regulates Collagenolytic Activity of Alternatively Activated Resident Macrophages.

Matrix metalloproteinase-10 (MMP-10) is expressed by macrophages and epithelium in response to injury, but its functions in wound repair are unknown. We observed increased collagen deposition and skin stiffness in Mmp10(-/-) wounds, with no difference in collagen expression or reepithelialization. Increased collagen deposition in Mmp10(-/-) wounds was accompanied by less collagenolytic activity and reduced expression of specific metallocollagenases, particularly MMP-8 and MMP-13, where MMP-13 was the key collagenase.

A novel effect of Noscapine on patients with massive ischemic stroke: A pseudo-randomized clinical trial.

Background: Massive ischemic stroke causes significant mortality and morbidity in stroke patients. The main treatments for massive ischemic stroke are recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA), craniotomy, and endovascular interventions. Due to destructive effects of bradykinin on the nervous system in ischemic stroke, it seems reasonable that using Noscapine as a Bradykinin antagonist may improve patients' outcome after ischemic stroke.

Comparison of an interferon-gamma release assay and the tuberculin skin test for diagnosis of latent tuberculosis in homeless people in Iran: a cross-sectional study.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate of the concordance between the results of the tuberculin skin test (TST) and an interferon-γ release assay (QuantiFERON test, QFT-GIT) for diagnosis of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) in homeless people in Tehran city, Iran.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from June to August 2012. Homeless people were eligible to participate in the study if they were 18-60 years old.

Correlation between Socioeconomic Status and Clinical Course in Patients with Cutaneous Leishmaniasis.

Objective: Leishmaniasis has long been known as a poverty-associated disease, which is particularly prevalent in developing and less developed countries. The role of socioeconomic status in the clinical course of the disease is less clearly defined. In this study, we investigated the potential relationship between the clinical course of cutaneous leishmaniasis in terms of its evolution into chronic forms and the socioeconomic status of the patients.

Matrix remodeling by MMPs during wound repair.

Repair following injury involves a range of processes - such as re-epithelialization, scar formation, angiogenesis, inflammation, and more - that function, often together, to restore tissue architecture. MMPs carry out diverse roles in all of these activities. In this article, we discuss how specific MMPs act on ECM during two critical repair processes: re-epithelialization and resolution of scar tissue.

Presenting features of idiopathic versus secondary restless legs syndrome in pregnancy.

Background: Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is the most common movement disorder in pregnancy, which can be idiopathic or secondary. There are limited comparative data regarding these two forms of RLS. The aim of this study was to compare clinical features of idiopathic and secondary RLS in pregnant women.

Phenotypic Characteristics and Probiotic Potentials of Lactobacillus spp. Isolated From Poultry.

Background: Lactic acid bacteria, especially Lactobacillus spp., have been considered as excellent probiotic microorganisms, because of their activities in reducing the enteric diseases and maintaining healthy poultry.

Objectives: The current study aimed to evaluate the phenotypic characteristics and the probiotic potentials of Lactobacillus spp.

Restless legs syndrome in hemodialysis patients in Iran.

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a common sleep disorder that can present secondary to medical conditions such as renal failure. This study aimed to evaluate RLS frequency and its related factors in chronic renal failure patients treated with hemodialysis. In a cross-sectional design, 163 patients with chronic renal failure were consecutively enrolled from hemodialysis center at Rasool-Akram hospital.

Diagnosis of cystathionine beta-synthase deficiency by genetic analysis.

Intellectual disability like other common diseases is often complex because they are genetically heterogeneous, with many different genetic defects giving rise to clinically indistinguishable phenotypes. We present diagnosis of cystathionine beta-synthase (CBS) deficiency in a multiply affected Iranian family with obvious intellectual disability based on whole genome SNP homozygosity mapping. Diagnosis based on clinical presentations had not been made because of unavailability of appropriate medical services.

Pulmonary function tests in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and the association between these tests and survival.

Background: The rapidity of progression of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) to death or respiratory failure impacts patients, clinicians, and clinical investigators. The aim of this study is to evaluate of the pulmonary function tests (PFTs) in patients with ALS and the association between these PFTs and survival Methods: A total of 36 ALS patients who PFTs, including vital capacity (VC), maximum mid-expiratory flow rate (MMEFR), forced vital capacity (FVC), and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), were available from the time of diagnosis were included in this study. Non-pulmonary characteristics assessed at the time of PFTs.

Pallidal deep brain stimulation for the treatment of DYT6 dystonia: a case report and review of literature.

Little is known about the results of pallidal deep brain stimulation (DBS) in DYT6 dystonia. This will be the first report of DYT6 dystonia treated with pallidal DBS from Iran. A 21 years old male patient with DYT6 dystonia underwent bilateral deep brain stimulation.

Deep brain stimulation of globus pallidus internus for DYT1 positive primary generalized dystonia.

Background: Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the globus pallidus internus (GPi) is recommended as a promising technique for the management of the primary generalized dystonia (PGD) with DYT1 gene mutation. We present the first report of DBS results in Iranian patients with DYT1 positive PGD.

Methods: Nine patients who suffered from severely disabling DYT1 positive PGD consecutively were recruited for the study between 2008 and 2010.

Raphe nuclei echogenicity changes in major depression.

Background: Major depression is a common disorder with great social and individual burdens. Transcranial sonography (TCS) is a useful and noninvasive measure for assessment of normal and impaired brain parenchyma. The brainstem raphe nuclei are in close association with dorsocaudal limbic system and plays an important role in depression.

Identification of p.Gln858* in ATP13A2 in two EOPD patients and presentation of their clinical features.

We present results of homozygosity mapping in two siblings affected with early onset Parkinson's disease (EOPD) and mutation screening of ATP13A2 in these and other Iranian EOPD patients. Genome-wide SNP homozygosity analysis revealed linkage to a locus that included ATP13A2, and sequencing of the gene revealed a novel p.Gln858*-causing mutation in the homozygous state in the siblings.

Vulnerability of homeless people in Tehran, Iran, to HIV, tuberculosis and viral hepatitis.

Background: Homeless people are at risk of contracting communicable infectious diseases, as they indulge in risky behaviours and lifestyle. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of the aforementioned infections and related risk behaviours among homeless people in Tehran.

Methods: In this study a convenience sample of 593 homeless individuals was studied.

uPARAP function in cutaneous wound repair.

Optimal skin wound healing relies on tight balance between collagen synthesis and degradation in new tissue formation and remodeling phases. The endocytic receptor uPARAP regulates collagen uptake and intracellular degradation. In this study we examined cutaneous wound repair response of uPARAP null (uPARAP-/-) mice.

Palatal-Myoclonus as a Presentation of Hashimoto Encephalopathy: an interesting case report.

Objective: Hashimoto encephalopathy (HE) is known as a steroid- responsive encephalopathy associated with autoimmune thyroiditis or nonvascular inflammation-related autoimmune meningoencephalitis. The average age of onset of HE is approximately 50 years; and it is more common in women. The onset of HE may be acute or subacute.

Cdc42 inhibits ERK-mediated collagenase-1 (MMP-1) expression in collagen-activated human keratinocytes.

Following injury, keratinocytes switch gene expression programs from the one that promotes differentiation to the one that supports migration. A common feature of human wounds and ulcerations of any form is the expression of matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP-1; collagenase-1) by leading-edge basal keratinocytes migrating across the dermal or provisional matrix. Induction of MMP-1 occurs by signaling from the α2β1 integrin in contact with dermal fibrillar type I collagen, and the activity of MMP-1 is required for human keratinocytes to migrate on collagen.

Role of IGF-1 pathway in lung fibroblast activation.

Background: IGF-1 is elevated in pulmonary fibrosis and acute lung injury, where fibroblast activation is a prominent feature. We previously demonstrated that blockade of IGF pathway in murine model of lung fibrosis improved outcome and decreased fibrosis. We now expand that study to examine effects of IGF pathway on lung fibroblast behaviors that could contribute to fibrosis.